Looking to buy my first datejust

[anim]

Hello all,

I am fairly new here and fairly uneducated on all things rolex. I've been reading for months, but now it's time to ask questions. I am looking to get myself into my first datejust. While I really like the cleanliness and idea of a new watch that is my very own, I thoroughly enjoy the concept of a watch with some history. Other than the acrylic vs saphire crystal, what are the pros and cons I should consider when looking to purchase old vs. new?

thanks in advance,

mike.

[jamesbondOO7]

The only thing I can tell you is that my 1986 DJ's acrylic is much more transparent and nice than my 2010 Explorer's saphire.

[quito]

[anim]

interesting. i need to get out and actually look at some older stuff i think. photos can't tell the whole story. problem is, i don't know where in vancouver to even begin. tried on lots of shiny new stuff, but the older stuff doesn't seem to be as easy to find. thanks for the tip. someone here just had 2 beautiful looking ones for sale from the mid 70's that caught my eye, but alas, i was too slow.

[Noonan]

Personally, I'd make sure to get one that's new enough to have a quickset movement. Setting the date can be a giant pain if you can't adjust it separately from the time.

[anim]

what year did quickset hit the market? i do wear a couple automatic watches now, and i agree, losing that function would be annoying.

[jamesbondOO7]

Just to illustrate acrylic vs saphire:

[anim]

wow, that is shocking. the saphire on my much less expensive timepieces is much clearer than that! is this common with rolex?

[jamesbondOO7]

Well, the picture of the Explorer is not very good. But both pictures taken from the same BlackBerry.

[anim]

Truly appreciated! Need to go see a ladie's size in person. This will be a gift for my wifey, and had originally thought midsize, but am now considering a ladie's president. I need to see one on the wrist of a small woman first though... worried it's too small. anyone have small wives with ladies datejusts?

[anim]

Would it be a bad idea to purchase a watch that doesn't come with papers? If i'm not buying it with the intention of selling it later? Will I typically save by purchasing without papers?

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by anim

Truly appreciated! Need to go see a ladie's size in person. This will be a gift for my wifey, and had originally thought midsize, but am now considering a ladie's president. I need to see one on the wrist of a small woman first though... worried it's too small. anyone have small wives with ladies datejusts?

The standard women's size is 26mm for a DJ. Unless you know she really wants a larger watch, the 26mm is pretty much a classic size. My wife has worn one for twenty+ years on her smallish wrists, and it still looks sharp. The all gold versions are a nice choice.

As far as papers/boxes go, I'd much rather have a very nice watch than nice papers.

For model differences, I like quickset and prefer sapphire crystals. However, I own both and don't hesitate to buy acrylic crystal or non-quickset Rolex. The prices will tend to be lower. I believe quickset is an early 80's thing and sapphire came a bit later on DJ's. Be wary of buying a DJ that has been retrofitted with a sapphire crystal.

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by anim

wow, that is shocking. the saphire on my much less expensive timepieces is much clearer than that! is this common with rolex?

My experience with sapphire crystals is that they will not scratch with normal, daily wear. My sapphire crystals are absolutely clear, while my acrylics all have a bit of light scratching on them. The nice things about acrylic is that it is tough, won't break, is easily polished, and is cheap. Typically, the acrylic crystals are changed as part of a full service, while sapphires are not. I think sapphire crystals go for about $150, and they will shatter on rare occasions.

[blogaholic]

Originally Posted by anim

Would it be a bad idea to purchase a watch that doesn't come with papers? If i'm not buying it with the intention of selling it later? Will I typically save by purchasing without papers?

My first Rolex is a Datejust I purchased online with no papers. It looked great and was within my budget. I guess what is important is finding a seller with credibility. Mine was referred by a friend and I have not regretted that purchase. I bought a submariner from the same seller and even got a Piguet at a great price.

When buying a used Rolex with no papers, just make sure you get it from a trusted seller. Beware of deals that are too good to be true.

[anim]

Thanks all so much for your tips.

I do know she wants a midsize, but i know deep down in her heart she also wants a solid gold. i haven't seen presidents in a midsize, so i assume they don't exist? either way, the ladies solid gold is already more than i was looking to spend on a stainless midsize. :)

all good to know about the crystal. sounds like they're both just fine if you take care of your stuff.

as for the papers, i am happy to hear that i shouldn't be wary if the seller seems trustworthy. he seems to have a lot of sales on TZ and plenty of people have left good notes about him on WN. although communication seems to have been quite sparse. i'm assuming he's a busy man.

How much would you say is too much for a good condition ladies president with no papers/no box?

[anim]

p.s. my apologies in advance if my questions seem rather amateur. that's only because they are.

Thanks all for such a warm welcome to TRF

[anim]

just went and found this on my lunch break. it's ladies size from 1980. the bezel and bracelet have a texture to them i have not seen. the woman at the shop assures me it's all original (since they deal in vintage, i assume that's the truth). was this typical of that era?

thanks,

[anim]

i know it's a bad cel phone pic, but anyone have opinions on this "textured" style bracelet and bezel? i call it "textured" only because i don't know how else to describe it.

[springer]

Originally Posted by anim

i know it's a bad cel phone pic, but anyone have opinions on this "textured" style bracelet and bezel? i call it "textured" only because i don't know how else to describe it.

The "bark" finished bands were popular at one time, and still enjoy a loyal following. I do not believe they are as popular as the regular bands, but it is all personal preference.

[slcbbrown]

They made barked bracelet and bezel versions for men and women. As far as I know the bezel should match the bracelet. Is that the case with this one? I've got to say that the women's all gold version has a lot of wrist "presence", for the size.

In the case of all gold rolex models, the value of used ones will vary dramatically based on the wear of the bracelet. The watch itself can be brought back to good condition with a service, but a badly worn/stretched bracelet can't (not easily, anyway). The cost of gold makes replacing a bracelet painful.

[ROGERB]

Originally Posted by anim

interesting. i need to get out and actually look at some older stuff i think. photos can't tell the whole story. problem is, i don't know where in vancouver to even begin. tried on lots of shiny new stuff, but the older stuff doesn't seem to be as easy to find. thanks for the tip. someone here just had 2 beautiful looking ones for sale from the mid 70's that caught my eye, but alas, i was too slow.

I know this maybe a bit late but have a look at "Otto Friedl" in the basement of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, one of the best places to have a watch serviced and often has Used Rolex and other high end brands for sale... "Royal City Jewelers" on Columbia St in New Westminster, family owned Jewelery/Pawn Shop business that is very reputable and quite often has Datejusts.... "It's About Time "on Fraser Hwy in Langley.... very hit and miss but also carries used watches and often has the Rolex available...
Good Luck
R

[anim]

Yeah, the watch was from 1980, so i would expect that after 31 years, the bracelet would show some signs of "wrist presence" hehe. the bezel did match the bracelet, just a bad photo. either way, i've gotten the word that 26mm simply will not do. so i'm back on the hunt for a midsize. i thought that if the 26mm came solid gold it would be appreciated. perhaps when we're a tad older... at this point she's wearing chunky watches, so a sleek 31mm will already be an adjustment.

this watch i posted above is in fact from ott friedl. what a great little shop, and they are so friendly! hard for me to get out to surrey or langley, but if i get the chance, i will check that out for sure.

thanks again everyone! now... back to finding myself a midsized datejust :D

[Quattro Libre]

Perhaps you've already considered this, but if she's already used to wearing a larger watch then perhaps a 34mm Date would be a good option as well.

[anim]

Thanks Quattro. I have been keeping my eyes on the date as well, but so far nothing in the right combination. this raises yet another newbie question... other than the size, are there any other differences between date and datejust? does date come with a jubilee bracelet?