Tried on a 116619 (Smurf)... now I'm sad

[bobabreath]

I love the Smurf, but I would be afraid of the high cost of repair or replacement should something bad happen. Same reason I don't own a $100K Mercedes.

Yes, you could buy insurance for your watch. But buying insurance on a watch is yet another concept I haven't wrapped by brain around yet.

[Charlie_pace]

I don't know how many of you are Youtube fans, but there's a great guy named Federico who had a recent chat about the watch market in general. He talked through how in 2014 some brands increased prices 3 times (a total of 18%) within a year, and how obsurd that was. He went on to explain how in the super premium end of the watch market, it's always smart for these brands to go up in price, periodically. Once they go down, it brings the brands value down, and makes the customers who paid more, frustrated. There's a line however to outlandish price increases.

That being stated, I love the Smurf, but also think the current price is a bit too high. I do think Rolex will continue down the road of price increases, but I can't imagine this particular watch ever getting to $100k territory.

Long story short, is the watch "too expensive"? That's up to you. People scoff at me now when they find out my "humble" 16610 was $5k. To us, that's "affordable", but to the rest of the non WIS world, it sometimes doesn't make sense.

[Gus2]

Originally Posted by Charlie_pace

Long story short, is the watch "too expensive"? That's up to you. People scoff at me now when they find out my "humble" 16610 was $5k. To us, that's "affordable", but to the rest of the non WIS world, it sometimes doesn't make sense.

That's true...I remember in 2014 when I started my business and I bought my Jazzmaster Maestro to reward myself for the milestone, it was $1,400 and I thought it was ridiculously expensive and I would never have a watch more expensive than this.

Then the business starting doing very well and a few months ago I bought - what still seems ridiculously expensive - a Yachtmaster II in Yellow Gold, brand new at my local Authorized Dealer. That was tough, but then again, I was looking at Daytonas, and other watches on the $18,000 - $20,000 range and no one caused a reaction that the YMII caused, so I went for it, and I love it.

So, 4 years ago the Jazzmaster Maestro seemed impossible and a "holy grail", then I had my next holy grail, the YM II two years later.

Now I'm setting up my new "Holy Grail" watch at a ridiculously high level so I can work my way up there. I'm going for the Patek Phillipe 5208P.

Will I ever own one? Who knows, probably not, but I'm definitely going to work hard for it.

[1st amg]

It is a very slippery slope. I think you can justify it as a one and only watch though. It's stunning in the flesh


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[brmeyers]

The Smurf is my favorite WG Rolex...
Just make sure you are ok with nobody noticing it as gold except astute lookers and WIS'.
Also it is a heavy being a PM so if your wrist is small like mine, make sure to factor that in (I sold mine mainly because of this).
But it's a beauty, no doubt about that.

[RichM]

It's my favorite WG Rolex. Its whatever you're comfortable with. I consider it a blessing to be able to afford one.

[JapRs]

Hope this helps

[Brian Page]

I've had one before and it is an amazing piece, I flipped my way there over a year - that's one way to inch your way there (and have more than 25k invested in the end....) Unless you want to find a great used piece - not a bad way to go....

[AK797]

When I joined here I had a Subc and thought that was as much as I'd probably ever spend but after a few years here I was suddenly looking at this watchbox. So save hard and research harder and buy well. I've now sold one and will be selling another soon and by buying right I will only lose £2/3K on each, which is half the price of my initial SS Subc.

[Charlie_pace]

Holy shi... Please don't sell the watch in the middle... or the one on the left...or the one on the right. WHY SELL ANY OF THOSE?!?! This is perfection to me. A small collection of extremely high quality pieces. Do you have a stainless or white gold box, too?

Originally Posted by AK797

When I joined here I had a Subc and thought that was as much as I'd probably ever spend but after a few years here I was suddenly looking at this watchbox. So save hard and research harder and buy well. I've now sold one and will be selling another soon and by buying right I will only lose £2/3K on each, which is half the price of my initial SS Subc.

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by Charlie_pace

Holy shi... Please don't sell the watch in the middle... or the one on the left...or the one on the right. WHY SELL ANY OF THOSE?!?! This is perfection to me. A small collection of extremely high quality pieces. Do you have a stainless or white gold box, too?

Amen! He's got an awesome trio. Why change anything up?

[ap1]

Originally Posted by AK797

When I joined here I had a Subc and thought that was as much as I'd probably ever spend but after a few years here I was suddenly looking at this watchbox. So save hard and research harder and buy well. I've now sold one and will be selling another soon and by buying right I will only lose £2/3K on each, which is half the price of my initial SS Subc.

Oh no, the gmt goes too? Can't wait to see what you wind up with.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by ap1

Oh no, the gmt goes too? Can't wait to see what you wind up with.

Same colour scheme as the AP so I think they'll be too similar.

[TripleB Boston]

You are certainly not alone.

I felt the same way. The gold is beautiful, heavy, and the dial and bezel are a beautiful blue.

You can trick yourself into thinking the Hulk will satisfy the itch, but it won't. A few months later you'll be back at the AD trying on the blue one again....

Save up, keep looking at the forums and pictures, and if you still want the Smurf in a few months, you will acclimate yourself to that price tag.

I don't regret one dollar I spent on my Smurf, and i wear it the least.

Happy hunting.

[douglasf13]

Hey, everyone spends their money differently. If I were ever to spend that kind of money on a watch (I'd buy a steel Patek,) I'd need at least a pretty solid, six figure sum in savings (and that's after we spend our current savings on a house in the next couple of years.)

[Onikage]

You have to go through the horological journey a bit. I own a 18K piece (bought preowned) but I didn't just throw £12'500.00 on the counter - I started with a TT bluesy Sub, traded for a TT Zenith Daytona, traded for my first 18K DayDate which I traded (after haggling) for a 18K Yachty. This is the healthy way to do it. Patience. Also if I happen to need the money I won't lose much if I take it back.

[LuminousMaximus]

I heard Sohais, a trusted TRF seller has one for sale right now...

I would try to save and buy. If you flip your way up you will still loose a few K in the process. SAve and Buy 2nd hand...That's the best way to maximize your dollar!

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by LuminousMaximus

I heard Sohais, a trusted TRF seller has one for sale right now...

I would try to save and buy. If you flip your way up you will still loose a few K in the process. SAve and Buy 2nd hand...That's the best way to maximize your dollar!

I didn't lose anything. I got exactly what was on the receipt knocked off every time plus a further small discount.

[watchwatcher]

Well...ask yourself what else is there in your life you want to spend 25k on? Anything you need? Anything that would make your life better/more enjoyable?

If the Smurf is number 1 on the list, and you have the money, why not?

[fskywalker]

Fully understand you!!

Until recently my highest number was $3500-4000 on a single watch, now am over $10K

[Kiddodoc]

Irrespective on how much money a person makes, a smurf sub is a lot of money! I bought the watch with a diamond dial and choked giving that kind of cash but must say, I have no regret 3 years later. I love it and know I can sell if need be but don't have plans on it. If the money is not in your possession and have room to spare then I would say you need to feel comfortable letting that amount go. If you have it and it does not leave a dent, then it's at your discretion. Good luck but it is an amazing watch.

[hwilson624]

Well I can tell you from very recent experience , that I too felt the same way. I pulled the trigger and added the "Smurf" to my collection. It has not left my wrist. I stare at it all day it seems. I turn my wrist at different angles to see the blue hues change. When I put it on in the morning, I just stare at it like I do with my 1 month old granddaughter. It's these feelings that cancel out all of my apprehensions leading up to spending that kind of $$$$$ on this beauty. I bought it "right" and know that I will never lose money, but I will NEVER sell this heirloom. It'll be my grandsons at some point in our lives. It is an investment in my mind that will passed down! Please enjoy your life, buy what you like and don't look back. Best of luck to you!

[DCGuy1965]

Oh dear!!! OP I totally hear you as I'm thinking of EXACTLY the same thing. A smurf from a trusted seller, a DD 40, or yes a 5711. I knew I couldn't be the only one thinking like this. My take on the grail purchase is you only get to choose once so do it right. But in all reality I hesitate when I think holy crap I'm wearing a BMW 5 series on my wrist.

Think of it like others have mentioned some prioritize their luxury purchases in other ways. A smurf or most any high end Rolex or PP will not depreciate nearly as fast as a sports car. Good luck.

[Dyim]

Sometimes, you just have to listen to your heart instead of your head...

[perryj]

I'd rather have a BLNR, and ceramic Daytona and take a nice vacation with the rest but that's just me.

[bradj]

I'm right there with you... $25k feels like too much for a watch but there are so many I love that are in that range.

To echo some peoples comments, I just bought a new SUV for ~$65k that will loose $25k value in a few years and barely gave it a second thought. I guess it's just normal when thinking about cars etc.

Perhaps I'll have the stomach for it one day!

[Charlie_pace]

Well, people put greater value on cars because they do a lot, and to most, watches just "tell time." Really though, for a man, they're more than that. Guys, we have our wedding bands, cuff links and a watch. For most, that's all the jewelery we will ever wear, so why not do it right!

Originally Posted by bradj

I'm right there with you... $25k feels like too much for a watch but there are so many I love that are in that range.

To echo some peoples comments, I just bought a new SUV for ~$65k that will loose $25k value in a few years and barely gave it a second thought. I guess it's just normal when thinking about cars etc.

Perhaps I'll have the stomach for it one day!

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Charlie_pace

Well, people put greater value on cars because they do a lot, and to most, watches just "tell time." Really though, for a man, they're more than that. Guys, we have our wedding bands, cuff links and a watch. For most, that's all the jewelery we will ever wear, so why not do it right!

You forgot the pen, and sunglasses, gotta have sunglasses.

[Alexwwjd]

My two cents... wait until you feel the time is right.

In my case, I enjoy money in the bank as much as I enjoy a watch on my wrist.

[cda555]

There are a lot of bad influences on this forum

You all make very good points. I think that in time I will get to the correct mindset. I really cannot stop thinking about it. Plus, I need something to lust after as a motivational tool.