NO Rolex Now and What I've Learned

[Bama]

Well my friends, I come before you today no longer a Rolex owner I first purchased my LV Sub last year and loved it - what a fantastic watch. It was a sacrifice to finally get it. However, my eye began to wander and I flipped it for something else that I was obsessed with at the moment - a DateJust. I loved that watch but then missed having a sports model so I flipped for a pre-owned sports model ( I really miss that white dial DateJust). The pre-owned sports model arrived and I just couldn't handle paying that much for a watch and there being scratches or imperfections that weren't caused by me so I sent it back. The problem is that I've taken enough of a loss each time that I can no longer afford the watch I want. I just bought an Omega Planet Ocean to help console myself. It's a great watch and I'm very happy to have it but honestly it's a substitute. So, here is what I've learned along my high-end watch journey so far.

1. Do your homework before you make such a large purchase. Make sure you are getting the watch you really want, not an alternative (Exceptions are YG DayDate and Daytona as those are out of reach for many).

2. Flipping a watch is OK if you are getting what you want in return. However, flip for a watch you want but make sure you are getting rid of something you no longer want. Otherwise you'll just end up missing the watch you got rid of.

3. Most of us can't afford to have all the watches we want. Part of the WIS syndrome is that you are always fascinated by other watches and want them as part of the collection - not always possible and you can flip yourself crazy trying to make it so. Learn to deal with it and plan smartly.

4. Yes, Rolex holds their value better than most other brands, but flipping too soon will almost always result in a financial loss. If you can't afford to take that loss then be very careful before doing so.

5. There are many acceptable and reliable ways to purchase a Rolex, but nothing feels better than walking out of an AD with a brand new one.

6. TRF is without a doubt the best watch forum on the internet.

7. There are many other great watch brands out there. I love my new Planet Ocean. However, nothing feels quite as good as strapping a ROLEX to your wrist.

So, there are just a few of the things I've learned so far. My journey now begins again for another Rolex. A positive career change looks very possible for later in the year, which will bring with it a significant increase in income. Hopefully that will mean that before too long I'll rejoin the proud ranks of Rolex owners

[HDHNTER]

Sorry to hear you have to "go without" for awhile.
On a side note, that was a well written post and great advice.

[redshirt1957]

Are you talking about women or Rolexs?

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Are you talking about women or Rolexs?

[GoldenBear]

I guess the lesson is that you should easily be able to afford the things you buy AND buy the things that you really want the first time. Don't settle. If something it is out of reach, just wait a little longer for the right one.

[mike]

Well said Michael.

[Carolina]

Michael, that was a well written post that obviously had a lot of heart put into it. I hope you get the watch of your dreams before too long!!

[Gaijin]

Excellent post Michael.

[mikey]

Well written but I want to tell you that I am suffering an addiction to wanting flat panel televisions. I have bought and sold most Rolex models and moved on to flat panels. My 2 cents-

[kcmo]

Michael, what a great post! I totally understand where you're coming from, as you know. It's true that you don't know what you have til it's gone...whether it be watches or something else!

Enjoy that PO and I do hope you will have another Rolex soon again. No doubt you'll pick the 'right' one

[Dan Pierce]

Very true, Mike. Tough to learn those lessons but better to have suffered and learned than to keep repeating the same mistakes.
dP

[buz-lh]

Great post Michael. I'm sure it won't be long before you are back in the Rolex fold. The PO is a great watch. Good luck with career move.

[seantk]

Great advice! Hopefully there will be a watch on your wrist soon

Sean

[Bama]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Truthfully, I've always wanted a Sub AND a DateJust. I had the Sub, but didn't have the patience to wait for the DateJust so I flipped. Now I'm without both. However, I've learned and don't plan on making the same mistakes again hopefully. Currently, it's just not responsible for me to try to pour any more money into a Rolex just to bail myself out of a mistake. I fully intend to be back in the Rolex game before "too" long. Also, I don't plan on abandoning TRF.

[Bama]

Originally Posted by buz-lh

Great post Michael. I'm sure it won't be long before you are back in the Rolex fold. The PO is a great watch. Good luck with career move.

Thanks Buz. I'm hoping to make the jump from local law enforcement to federal law enforcement this year. Also, I need to make sure I've set aside a little money for the upcoming college football season (traveling and watching - not gambling).

[chad951]

I've done the exact same thing with cars. I have lost over $10K in the past 6 years flipping cars. When I could finally afford the Rolex I wanted I went for what I have lusted for since I was a teenager and I have had no regrets. I will not be flipping it anytime in the foreseeable future. I will most likely purchase one other Rolex but it will be the other model I have lusted over for so many years (black face Explorer II). You speak the real truth. Make sure you get what you want and if you can not wait until you can. You will never be truly happy with a substitute. That logic can be applied to anything in life.

I hope you make your way back to the Rolex family soon.

[txrob779]

I have owned a PO myself, loved it too but, it's no Submariner. I never wore it after I got my Sub so off it went.

Here it was


with a strap

with the bracelet

[Tools]

Stick around here and you'll be back in the Rolex game in no time...

[mmalek1]

Sounds like great advice. I myself always wanted a rolex sub, was in florida last summer and saw the lv sub. Fell in love at first sight, to this day, still love it. Of course I was 23 years old at the time, a little out of the price range, but you only live once. I maybe stupid, but I am making payments, about 300 a month till its paid. Hopefully will have it for life. Keeps me from smoking too, if I ever start smoking again, promised myself I would get rid of it. Good motivation for me. Might get another one day when that time for servicing comes about. Love the site, learned a lot from you guys and gals :)

[Magik]

Thank you for passing your wisdom on to us. Yes, there are so many choices out there and as usual the grass isn't always greener. I'm a sentimental person, so I'll never sell my first Rolex Sub-Date unless absolutely necessary to support my family.

[unclesallie]

Michael: Well, I agree with about everything you've said in your starting post on this thread. But, I have some evil, tempting news for you. You can buy USED rolex watches near or at true wholesale, at the upcoming 2008 NAWCC 63rd Convention from June 11-14, 2008 at Springfield, Missouri at the Springfield Exposition Center. I am told the Pre-Convention Action is where all the dealers will do their 'deal dance.' Now, if you were to get there early...... best, from
your evil, tempting friend,
dan

[JimSnyder]

Been there done that. I have learned my lesson. Fourtunately I have corrected one of those mistakes this week with a watch I let go along time ago. It should be here soon. Good luck Michael you will get another one; Jim

[Bama]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

Michael: Well, I agree with about everything you've said in your starting post on this thread. But, I have some evil, tempting news for you. You can buy USED rolex watches near or at true wholesale, at the upcoming 2008 NAWCC 63rd Convention from June 11-14, 2008 at Springfield, Missouri at the Springfield Exposition Center. I am told the Pre-Convention Action is where all the dealers will do their 'deal dance.' Now, if you were to get there early...... best, from
your evil, tempting friend,
dan

Trying to drag me back in I see

[unclesallie]

in vino veritas, my friend! hang in there, stay loose, you'll come out on top. this is the 'good' dan...stay AWAY from that bad 63rd NAWCC Convention with all those great....
best,
dan

[CoopJr]

Great post Mike. I have been right where you are and came back to Rolex after I was financially able to do so and so will you. My advice...get the LV

[artbypaul]

Great post! I think you finally voiced what many of us have gone through or are going through. I too flipped or traded "up" for a while and started wondering if it was worth when adding up the cash that was added to each trade to get what I "thought" I really wanted.

In a "I want it yesterday" society it's difficult to be patient. Save some money and don't buy another watch until you can afford the one you know you will keep for a long time, possibly forever.

Paul

[jake]

What the fool does in the end, the wise man does in the beginning. –Confucius Proverb

[Norm]

Originally Posted by Bama

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Truthfully, I've always wanted a Sub AND a DateJust. I had the Sub, but didn't have the patience to wait for the DateJust so I flipped. Now I'm without both. However, I've learned and don't plan on making the same mistakes again hopefully. Currently, it's just not responsible for me to try to pour any more money into a Rolex just to bail myself out of a mistake. I fully intend to be back in the Rolex game before "too" long. Also, I don't plan on abandoning TRF.

Thank you for your heartfelt story. I have those exact two watches (TT Sub and TT DJ) and it is TRF that helped me rediscover and appreciate my long forgotten DJ. Reading these forums I recently sent my 1992 DJ in for servicing at RSC and it came back looking brand new! (I know, I still owe the members some pics-they're coming. I promise.) Many of us are always looking over our shoulder at what the next person has, lusting for more. Your story is a reminder that many of us, including myself, have what is a dream collection for others. Listening to your story there is no doubt you will come out on top again my friend. You did it once, you'll do it again.

Norm

[fear]

You're so right on all points. Such an insane hobby for the everyday working stiff. The things we do for Rolex. You'll get what you want soon enough. To paraphrase your words: "...Nothing feels quite as good than strapping on a Rolex...."

[Leighton]

Wise advise, Michael. I did the same thing over the years with several nice highly collectible guitars. I still have regrets to this day over letting many a fine piece go because of my desire for the next thing that caught my fancy. Flipping can be a double edged sword if you let lust for something new force you to to dispose of something you once held dear. The good news is that you have learned this lesson early. Now Grasshopper, apply this lesson to everything in your life.