Advice

[Toolguy60]

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Hey, I've been lurking around this site for several months gaining knowledge and finally registered today.

I'll introduce myself by starting with my name which is Jim. After being in the chemical industry for over 30 years it's time to step aside for the next generation. ( I hope not to turn into one of the guys that cuts their grass with scissors ) LOL.

After always wanting a Rolex my wife told me to pick out the one I want as a retirement gift to myself, preferably an Explorer 1 or Air-King.
I found a Jeweler 2 hours (100 miles) from me that has a pre-owned Rolex for sale. I would like to be educated before going to check it out.

Knowing you folks get asked this a lot, I apologize upfront. With me being a newby in the Rolex world I would respectively value your opinion on this watch.

I'll post the pics I have and would like your thoughts on the condition, age and is it real or a reproduction? Also what would the real world price be?

Thank you in advance for your time and look forward to the comments.

Have a safe and wonderful day, Jim
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[ArtNouveau]

Would not buy without the original bracelet.
The watch head looks good but that’s a cheap $40 aftermarket rubber strap and clasp.

[franktehtank]

I would never buy a Rolex without the OEM bracelet. Make sure that's included. Box and papers is nice to have.

If you've always wanted a Rolex, you owe it to yourself to get the best condition and completeness example you can find.

Air King shouldn't be too long of a wait at the AD. Or buy from a trusted seller. I don't think there's any premium on these second hand, maybe even a discount to new? Good luck in your hunt!

[watchmework]

Hey Jim- first, welcome to TRF! The Air King or AK as commonly referred to on here looks legit to me...though I would consider it pretty worn in or used. As Art mentioned above, my preference would be to buy the watch with the Rolex bracelet and then always add a rubber strap later if you'd like. Not sure how much the person is selling this reference for but to give you an idea you can pick up a used AK with the Rolex bracelet for around $5900 right now. If you look to add a bracelet later you can expect to pay anywhere from $1800-2200. By the way, congrats on the retirement!

[ap1]

Like the others, I need the bracelet

[calebb90]

Check out the Trusted Sellers on this forum. That will give you a good sense of what you should pay for an authentic, excellent quality example of the models you're looking for.

I agree with the others that you're selling yourself short if you do not get a watch with all original parts.

[emtee]

Wouldn’t touch that with a barge pole!

Buy new from an AD. You deserve it after working hard all your life and you won’t save that much buying Pre-owned anyway.

PS - My vote goes to the Explorer!

[AJMarcus]

Congrats on the retirement Jim. I too would pass and would vote for the Explorer. It’s a do anything go anywhere iconic Rolex. Check out an AD when you can. Purchasing new from an AD will make for a memorable purchasing experience fitting for your milestone.

[brandrea]

Congratulations on the retirement Jim, and welcome to the forum

[SDREW22]

For your first, I would recommend the bracelet and AD experience.

[Quailhunter]

Buy new and from an AD. No worries.

[Rado63]

Many issues come up with this piece. Need photos that show everything that comes with the watch. Photos of the watch from all important angles to assess condition. The rubber strap doesn't have curved ends as most RubberB or Everest bands do have, and Rolex doesn't have a rubber band for the watch. The clasp looks like the Rolex clasp, but no photo of the inside of the clasp is shown. I always buy a watch thinking I may want to sell the piece. This piece as shown is missing box, papers, hang tags, and a bracelet, so it might be hard to resell it. If you can authenticate the watch head and clasp and you want it, well that's up to you. As I mentioned for me I need to able to trade or sell it on without questions.

[Calatrava r]

As some suggested, buy these new. You deserve it and now is a good time, we think, to buy, once the supply chain is opened up. Luckily, the models you want are available new at ADs. Go for it.

[Toolguy60]

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Thank you for the warm welcome and sage advice. Your collective knowledge base protects us that are just starting out. I’m a conservative guy and pre-owned was an attractive option.

I’m happy that the advice saved me from a mistake. The watch is $4500 but not such a good deal after all. Approximately a month I went to a local AD they didn’t have neither an Explorer or Air-King.

Thanks again,Jim

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[Bob the brush]

Jim, welcome, and a great choice of watch with the AK, mine gets plenty of wrist time. I am with the others here, get one as supplied by Rolex with the super comfy Oyster bracelet, that cheap rubber strap does it no favours imho. The trusted sellers on here are the way to go if you want a quick fix, or AD's if you can to wait a bit, your choice. Stay safe in thes strange times people.

[Crazy Canuck]

New

AD

Buy what you want

Don’t settle

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

I would never buy a Rolex without the OEM bracelet. Make sure that's included. Box and papers is nice to have.

If you've always wanted a Rolex, you owe it to yourself to get the best condition and completeness example you can find.

Air King shouldn't be too long of a wait at the AD. Or buy from a trusted seller. I don't think there's any premium on these second hand, maybe even a discount to new? Good luck in your hunt!

Ditto.

[Simon_jrees]

Originally Posted by Toolguy60

-
Hey, I've been lurking around this site for several months gaining knowledge and finally registered today.

I'll introduce myself by starting with my name which is Jim. After being in the chemical industry for over 30 years it's time to step aside for the next generation. ( I hope not to turn into one of the guys that cuts their grass with scissors ) LOL.

After always wanting a Rolex my wife told me to pick out the one I want as a retirement gift to myself, preferably an Explorer 1 or Air-King.
I found a Jeweler 2 hours (100 miles) from me that has a pre-owned Rolex for sale. I would like to be educated before going to check it out.

Knowing you folks get asked this a lot, I apologize upfront. With me being a newby in the Rolex world I would respectively value your opinion on this watch.

I'll post the pics I have and would like your thoughts on the condition, age and is it real or a reproduction? Also what would the real world price be?

Thank you in advance for your time and look forward to the comments.

Have a safe and wonderful day, Jim
-

Nope

welcome to the forum.