My Big Fat Day-Date Dilemma

[hundo lots]

Hello, I'm new to the forums. I joined up because I need some advice. Here goes:

I guess you could say I'm a long-time Rolex owner; I purchased a pre-owned Datejust in 2005, all stainless with a very unique bezel (don't even know the name, it looks old school) and a mother of pearl dial with diamond markers. This watch has served me well through thick and thin, and I always said that when I reached a certain point in my life, having achieved certain things, I would treat myself to a solid yellow gold Day-Date.

I figure I'm there now, and this Day-Date purchase is now very much a reality. I am interested in the absolute standard all-gold presidential, no frills. It's the #228238. Tourneau prices it at $34,850 -- but I have two connections in Florida for $26,500 and $24,500. Same exact watch, but here's the catch: these are not authorized dealers. I've heard that people strongly dislike Tourneau and would sooner not buy a Rolex at all than buy one through them, but I do like the idea of being able to contact them if anything goes wrong and have them deal with it. It's only ten minutes from my house, and I really don't want to be dealing directly with the Rolex HQ if I can avoid it -- or do I? I feel like if I go through one of these Florida guys I'll never have the same product support. Also, do I really know what I'm getting? Two of my best friends have vouched for each of the two FL dealers up and down, but I remain skeptical. I feel like: If i'm spending that much money on a watch it should be fully supported and bona fide!

The situation has become complicated, you see, because initially I was just going to get a pre-owned gold presidential DD and be done with. But then I saw the 40 mm diameter newer ones, which is what I tried on, and little by little I realized that getting a brand new watch is the way to go (for lots of reasons).

So here's my conundrum: Should I go to Tourneau and haggle with them a bit, hopefully getting them down to $30k even... or do I go through an unauthorized dealer and save 10k? Are there any ADs with un-AD style prices? Ha ha. Better yet, are there any ADs with better prices than Tourneau? FYI - I am on Long Island in NY.


I am hoping you kind folks can point me in the right direction.

-HL

PS. My wedding band is platinum, which means I am going to have to get it gold plated with the new watch. My wife is not thrilled about that, but she'll get over it. I think the gold and "silver" look is in very poor taste (no offense to any proponents of it) See, I was not married when I got the stainless DJ, and even though I wanted to someday get the gold DD I knew it wasn't going to be any time soon back then, so I proceeded with the "silver" motif. If anyone has a better idea than gold plating the platinum ring I'm all ears. But please note: I'm not into white gold or platinum Rolexes. I am in love with the yellow gold on the DD.

Real first world problems, right? eh, xxxxx I work hard and I like nice things. That's my rationale, and I have a feeling most of you feel the same. ha aha ha