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

[Lordofrolex]

Personally i wouldn't pay the extra to go through tourneau or anyone in that fact. If you buy a new one with its 5 year warranty. Than you are covered by Rolex personally which is way better than being covered through tourneau. Yes if you need it serviced its a little more of a hassle but why give someone an extra 7K for the what if. A rolex AD would be happy to help you send the watch in for a small fee that def won't be anywhere near 7k in the watches lifetime.

[Colin10101]

Trust me - you want to deal directly with Rolex for any servicing needs. Do not, I repeat, do not trust tourneau for servicing of your Rolex. They have a terrible reputation.

Buy from a trusted seller online here... Davidsw, takuya, etc. Save yourself thousands of dollars, and every 10 years head over to Rolex NY (or mail it in) and they will service it to the highest standard (what it deserves).

If you want to purchase through an AD, see if you can swing a 20% discount on this piece. Shop around, and don't settle. This piece is definitely one that can be discounted.

[ckaynyc]

DavidSW and use that $10k you saved to get your wife one too

[Pacheco]

I bought my 2016 DD40 with 4 years left on the warranty and saved more than $10K. I also kept my WG wedding band for when I wear my SS watches and bought a YG ring when I wear the DD. I'm not selling or trading mine but if I had to I wouldn't take a huge depreciation hit as well.

[AP8ESQ]

I am just weighing in on the wedding band issue here - why would you gold plate a platinum ring to match your watch? I am not a fashion guru but I don't think a man is required to match metals to a wedding band and would tread carefully since it does not seem from your postthe mrs. is completely on board with your train of thought. This would ring especially true if she picked out or bought the ring. Happy wife happy life after all...

As for the watch - go with a TS as recommended above.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by AP8ESQ

I am just weighing in on the wedding band issue here - why would you gold plate a platinum ring to match your watch? I am not a fashion guru but I don't think a man is required to match metals to a wedding band and would tread carefully since it does not seem from your postthe mrs. is completely on board with your train of thought. This would ring especially true if she picked out or bought the ring. Happy wife happy life after all...

As for the watch - go with a TS as recommended above.

I agree; don't worry about matching the ring!!! Mine is yellow gold as are many men's wedding bands. I don't believe there are too many around that would insist on only gold watches to match their rings. Besides which maintain plating takes some effort as it wears with time. If you must match then get a Pt DD. Or even better source an older Tridor model.

Maybe not this one but they're out there.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ghlight=tridor

[ingoodtime]

Originally Posted by Pacheco

I bought my 2016 DD40 with 4 years left on the warranty and saved more than $10K. I also kept my WG wedding band for when I wear my SS watches and bought a YG ring when I wear the DD. I'm not selling or trading mine but if I had to I wouldn't take a huge depreciation hit as well.

Beautiful watch!

[904VT]

May be just me but, I don't think I would coat platinum with gold. Kind of defeats the purpose. I'd deal with the clashing or get another metal Day Date. In fact get a Platinum Day Date from another AD....you may get it at the same price Tourneau is offering

What about white gold as well? Trust me if you're looking for it factor, no one will ever confuse a white gold Day Date for Stainless.

If you're really adventurous custom order up a YG Day Date with a silver Motif dial

[NeoAnderson]

AD offers 25% off
Just go through that route.

[dmitrii_]

Can you even get platinum coated in gold? Never heard of this before.

Easy fix would be to get a second wedding band if matching metals is a concern.

[sensui]

There's nothing magical about an AD's watch versus the ones trusted sellers here sell. Go for the discount.

[Muzz]

We just buy additional wedding sets for this reason. I would not alter the original.

Good luck on your DD hunt! Beautiful watch!!

[joli160]

If your close friends cannot convince you going another route ... how can we ?
Go to your AD haggle a bit and pay, have your name on the warranty card and be done with it. No need to worry about anything.
(leave the wedding band, sounds like a silly plan to me)

[mahefa]

It was nice to read your post hundo lots. You are making a good decision i would say.

I think you should ask around from more AD’s to get 10-25% discount from this piece. You are buying a Day-Date so your next contact with Rolex after acquiring your Day-Date will most likely be after 10-15 years, when you service your watch. But still i think it is good to have all in order as it is important, lifetime piece.

I personally like AD experience and i have good deals so i am not even paying an actual premium compared to trusted seller. In addition i get my name in warranty card and great priviledged service all the time. Of course it might be slightly different in Switzerland, but i would say basicly the same manouvers apply in any western part of world AD.

[Rocket_Man]

If something goes wrong with your watch the LAST place to take it is Tor-NO. You live in a city with an RSC, take it there.

https://www.watchrecon.com/?query=day&brand=rolex

This website consolidates watch for-sale ads from many forums. Just because someone is advertised on one of these forums does not make them trusted. There are several very well known and trusted sellers that move a lot of watches without issues. Find a BNIB or used DD40 here and search in the feedback section on TRF to see other users experience and buy from a TS. But as is said on TRF, buy the seller first.

Most of these sellers will provide the official Rolex warranty card (but always ask if it isn't explicitly mentioned) so getting warranty work is not an issue.

[brandrea]

You should be able to negotiate a decent discount on that reference at an AD. There's always the trusted seller route too as mentioned above. Good luck and welcome to TRF

[fskywalker]

Trust your friends and buy from the Florida sellers you are referring to; don’t spend over $10k more elsewhere!

I also have a platinum wedding ring (had before a 18k YG) and as others said should look fine with the YG Daydate. (don’t gold plate it). Or, to keep wife happy, buy a WG or a platinum DD

Here’s my 18239 DD:




In 40mm the WG reference is 228239; platinum is 228206


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[CharlesGenta]

Agree with other posters. Go trusted seller with US warranty, and keep your ring as-is. Totally fine.


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[jets]

Your wedding ring should remain as is IMO. Your wife may think you'll trade her in or upgrade HER if you could ;) Plus I think it is in poor taste.

DavidSW is the man. Find the watch you want and save some coin.

[enjoythemusic]

Agree with others, wedding ring is fine (happy wife, happy life)... and avoid Tour-NO at all costs.

[maton12]

Originally Posted by hundo lots

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.

So long as they are not a Jomashop, or equivalent, where there is no Rolex warranty card supplied, it's essentially the same as buying from an AD

[wildcat465]

I would not plate my ring. For your budget, consider a pre-owned platinum day-date. Whatever you decide, I would neither purchase from Tourneau nor would I overpay the AD when very fine pre-owned (or new through trusted sellers) YG DDs are readily available for lower prices.

I will never buy new again. I did it once only because I didn't know any better.

[yxc145]

I think many have said it. Save that 10k for something else.
If the AD price is only 1k more than the Grey dealer, then go with AD. 10K is a big number. You can get another Rolex for that. Find a trusted seller on the forum.
Regarding the ring, I wouldn't change the color. That ring has more sentimental value than this watch. nothing wrong with Silver matching gold.

Good luck with your purchase.

[watchwatcher]

Find a pre-owned DD in good condition. Use either trusted sellers here or wherever you get the best price.

Buy a second wedding ring in YG.

[yxc145]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Find a pre-owned DD in good condition. Use either trusted sellers here or wherever you get the best price.

Buy a second wedding ring in YG.

2nd wedding ring?! that's a bad idea.. woman may think that's man thinking about finding another wife!

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by yxc145

2nd wedding ring?! that's a bad idea.. woman may think that's man thinking about finding another wife!

If you buy a pair it has been my expirience it works David. I think we will be picking up a third set in the future so we have all the different shades. As long as they are in Pairs it has been my expirience it goes over well

[chrito]

Originally Posted by lordofrolex

personally i wouldn't pay the extra to go through tourneau or anyone in that fact. If you buy a new one with its 5 year warranty. Than you are covered by rolex personally which is way better than being covered through tourneau. Yes if you need it serviced its a little more of a hassle but why give someone an extra 7k for the what if. A rolex ad would be happy to help you send the watch in for a small fee that def won't be anywhere near 7k in the watches lifetime.

+1

[yxc145]

Originally Posted by Muzz

If you buy a pair it has been my expirience it works David. I think we will be picking up a third set in the future so we have all the different shades. As long as they are in Pairs it has been my expirience it goes over well

I am more of a 1 ring/1 wedding kind of guy. The ring that was put on me, by my wife, on my wedding date, is the one and only wedding ring I have. If I lost the ring and I get another one, it will not mean the same thing to me. Maybe I am just a romantic.

[jrs146]

I think your wife is hinting that you should buy a platinum DD

Don't sweat about buying through a Trusted Seller... as long as they really are Trusted. If you prefer the AD experience you may end up paying a bit more but with a fair discount it may not be as much as you originally expected. Plus you get the benefit of being the original owner of the watch which is sometimes nice. Not everyone appreciates that and that's okay too. Me personally, the discount of going through a trusted seller must be VERY big otherwise I'd prefer to just buy from my local AD.