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Shade · 12 July 2010, 08:09 AM

This week has been a very difficult week for me.. I was visiting one of my watch stores, and something caught my eye..

After the incident of my Milgauss - where it was a Folex - I just thought I had to buy another Rolex... so on I went for a search... and surprisingly, I saw something very very eye catching.

The Daytona 18k Yellow Gold with Mother of Pearl dial on leather.

I have always disliked gold coloured watches - well not exactly dislike, but I feel they look kinda too blingy for me - and I just feel it doesn't fit me very much.. So I had doubts of the Daytona and visited other stores, looking at a Yatch Master that I also really liked.. And perhaps I thought, I should just get a submariner...

Budget was also a concern, I was worried if I am prepared to shell out USD 11k for the Daytona 18k YG leather, compared to say a pre-owned YM for around 5.5k... Which is like half the price... so for a few days I went for a searching spree, and I found myself with several options.. The YM full size, an anniversary green bezel (unworn) Sub-date, and an Explorer II (black dial)...

Despite those three very very nice watches and options, I somehow just couldn't get the image of the Daytona out of my head - it keeps bugging me. I have a thing for Mother of Pearl dials, and honestly, no watch brand for men - does Mother of Pearl dials like Rolex does. The colour hues, the shine, and everything else, is simply stunning. Combined with the 18k Yellow Gold, it just amazes me...

So I thought, hey maybe I didn't get a closer look, and I need to seriously see what's the Daytona all about. So off I went the next day to the store again, and checked out the Daytona...

It was in mint condition, 2005 edition, with box and certificate. I thought - not bad - and the leather strap was just recently fitted with a brand new original Rolex leather strap.. (NOT the one in pictures... read on...)... It was in all of it's original condition, and looks like it hasn't been thoroughly cleaned - was there were some dirt spots here and there... So wanting to see it in it's best condition, I asked the store to clean it up for me so I can take a serious look at it.. and I had to leave anyway, since I had another appointment... But by the time I left the store that day - I just thought I had to buy that Daytona. The dial, the bezel, the colour of the combination between YG and brown strap... man I was SOLD. But then again - I didn't want to rush, after all - it's an 11k purchase.

The next I was kinda occupied so I couldn't visit the store again until the day after... when I can, I was all hyped up, and believe it or not, I got cold hands and feet! :D

So I went to have another look at it - after it was cleaned - and I bargained. The store couldn't lower the price any further and I didn't want to spend that much cash... so I went back home and planned to trade a few of my watches instead.

The next day - I went back with a few of my watches that hasn't been getting any wrist time lately - and we bargained, discussed, and finally dealt. I traded in my Bell n Ross, and my GMT Master II Coke and my IWC Portofino, and some cash.

Boy I WAS SO HAPPY. And I asked the store to adjust the strap for me, and I wanted to try it on my wrist... and so I did... but ALAS! The strap was too large! Even on it's smallest setting! I could at least fit 3 fingers in the space that was available... so the store went about searching for the available straps there, but they had none available for my size... I was instantly disappointed. Thankfully, the store was being very nice to me, and offered me a further discount, and promised to cut a strap of my choice that's a available there to my size. So I picked one.

As I get home, I remembered there was an alligator strap that I once bought for my portofino that may just fit the Daytona, while I was waiting to get my strap done... my Daytona was strapless.. So I looked for it, and just my luck, it happens to be the same size for my daytona, and I had it on a gold buckle! So boy oh boy, I couldn't wait to see it... So I immediately fitted the strap on it, and I was happy. It was a HIRSCH Alligator strap... its very soft and very "cheap" compared to original brand Alligator straps, so I bought a few in the past in several colours...

After wearing it on my wrist for the first time... I was in love... I just can't describe it... Simply, I love the way it looks on my wrist!

Thanks for reading.. :)

kcmo · 12 July 2010, 08:14 AM

That is a beauty! Congrats and ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

Speed · 12 July 2010, 08:21 AM

If you are happy now, thats all that matters. We small wristed folks must sometimes settle for less than ideal fit.

TheVTCGuy · 12 July 2010, 08:55 AM

Shade, many many congrats! If that watch makes you happy, then it is the one for you and worth the money!

Yazo · 12 July 2010, 10:01 AM

Congrats!

sea-dweller · 12 July 2010, 10:24 AM

Nice Daytona !

slcbbrown · 12 July 2010, 10:30 AM

Beautiful watch and a great choice. As much as I like the look of stainless, gold is much warmer looking. I've been looking for a Daytona (no $'s, right now) and have been flip flopping between SS, TT, and the gold on leather.

I'm really impressed with your strap. In the pix, that strap looks very rich. Do you know which Hirsch model it is?

ersnyder · 12 July 2010, 10:35 AM

Great story and a great catch, congratulations!

andrew79 · 12 July 2010, 10:51 AM

Congrats !!!! very nice indeed..... I assume you get this one in the Kemang store you mentioned before ? :)

j ingram · 12 July 2010, 11:33 AM

WOW! That's beautiful! Ya, I know what you mean about having small wrists.

Latrodectus · 12 July 2010, 11:56 AM

Congrats, very beautiful with that strap and a nice story as well! Great looking dial...

Shade · 12 July 2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew79

Congrats !!!! very nice indeed..... I assume you get this one in the Kemang store you mentioned before ? :)

Hi Andrew! Thanks for the compliments my countryman! :D

No - the Kemang store didn't have many Rolexes in stock - this was a different store! :D

There are quite a few pre-owned watch stores around Jakarta if you know where to look - and well, MINT pre-owned watches are a great way to save money! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

Beautiful watch and a great choice. As much as I like the look of stainless, gold is much warmer looking. I've been looking for a Daytona (no $'s, right now) and have been flip flopping between SS, TT, and the gold on leather.

I'm really impressed with your strap. In the pix, that strap looks very rich. Do you know which Hirsch model it is?

Heya Brown! :)

I would have to agree with you - I have quite a number of silver-white gold coloured watches already, hence it would be "boring" to have another with the same personality. Although, I did see the white gold meteorite daytona with bracelet... but it's way out of my budget, and I liked leather on the daytona much better. I suppose I could opt to put a leather strap on the white gold meteorite daytona, but it wouldn't have that extra "half bracelet cover" on the body...

The HIRSCH strap is very very nice, in reality is a touch darker, but I love it. I'm not exactly sure of the strap - but it's the 20mm Alligator strap (I know it's not much help), but I could get back later and check my invoice (I always keep my invoices) and see what kinda code did they have written on it... :)

And everyone else, thanks greatly for the compliments! :)

andrew79 · 12 July 2010, 12:08 PM

congrats shade... maybe we can go watch hunting together sometime LOL....

Shade · 12 July 2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew79

congrats shade... maybe we can go watch hunting together sometime LOL....

I don't think it's a good idea.

Watch hunting alone already makes me want to buy watches.

Watch hunting with you - probably will end up in me actually buying watches. Because you - like any other members here - will flame me and persuade me by saying "That looks really nice on you"...

LOL

J/k - yes we can go out and hang out together sometimes man - hunting for pre-owneds are really fun - you never know what you might stumble into.

PLUS - you save a huge cash - I assume (correct me if I'm wrong), a brand new Daytona 18k YG leather will probably sting me at around 15-16k...

Buying it pre-owned in MINT saved me about 5-6k... which then again I can use that budget for a pre-owned full size YM! DANG! I want a YM now... lol..

andrew79 · 12 July 2010, 12:16 PM

YM !!! wow, a short time to expand your rolex collections eh ? LOL...

Shade · 12 July 2010, 12:24 PM

Andrew - I just moved my bank account to my company's private funding-saving department - so it won't be easy for me to take out cash (but better rates though!), and I left all my cc's at home, except for BCA because the limit is only 15 millions rupiah lol.

No - not a YM for me (for now), year end or next year will probably be more realistic. :D

mb hawaii · 12 July 2010, 05:35 PM

Wow, what a stunner! Congrats buddy!

gone-rolex-mad · 12 July 2010, 06:16 PM

I love that Daytona, I was lucky enough to own one, I had it a dy before I flipped it, really wish I had held on to it, beautiful!!

Shade · 12 July 2010, 06:39 PM

I think this daytona will stick with me for a long time.. thanks guys..

welem · 12 July 2010, 07:06 PM

what a story...

going from a FOLEX milgauss to a gold daytona... a very lucky man indeed!

welem · 12 July 2010, 07:09 PM

btw, shade,

i just notice that you are from Jakarta as well, same like me?

perhaps we can meet someday and talk watches...

i'll PM you my contact detail if you don't mind, i truly would like like to "touch" that gold MOP daytona for sure, hahaha!

superb · 12 July 2010, 09:11 PM

Congrats on a fine purchase.

HL65 · 12 July 2010, 09:18 PM

Very nice looking watch! Congrats!

Rolesor · 12 July 2010, 09:57 PM

Congrats that dial is stunning!!

Shade · 13 July 2010, 01:53 AM

Everyone, thanks for the generous compliments..

To be honest, I had a slight doubt it it will look too flashy.. However I really like the MoP on gold, so I didnt think of it as much.. But I wore it the whole day today and no one notices it, which is something I like..

Welem, yes I am in Jakarta, sure feel free to contact me via PM.. We can talk and chat about watches, I bet people like us can talk about it all day hahaha..

esm · 13 July 2010, 02:01 AM

love that Daytona!

great story and glad the Milgauss issued worked well for you!

wrist pix please

2th Dr · 13 July 2010, 02:12 AM

Great story! Congrats on a gorgeous Daytona! I love the look on a strap!

dalip · 13 July 2010, 02:37 AM

Good that you got the watch you wanted after a fair bit of trading....! Congrats on a lovely watch.

George Ab · 13 July 2010, 02:48 AM

Loved hearing the details of your buying adventure, I definitely could relate. There is the look of gold, but there is also the feel that comes with the density of gold. I just purchased my gold Daytona a month ago, and I'm wearing today.

Congratulations on one the nicest color combinations I have ever seen with the MOP dial and YG. That is one beautiful watch

.

Shade · 13 July 2010, 08:11 AM

Daytona on strap is always very intriguing for me.. Compared to the bracelet...

However, Im sure I wont make the purchase if this was on a gold bracelet, definitely too blingy for me.

As for the trading, I did have to let go a few of my watches, but hey, rather than have them gathering dust...

12 July 2010, 08:09 AM	#1
Shade "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Norman Location: Jakarta Watch: All of 'em.. Posts: 2,926	My Daytona.. This week has been a very difficult week for me.. I was visiting one of my watch stores, and something caught my eye.. After the incident of my Milgauss - where it was a Folex - I just thought I had to buy another Rolex... so on I went for a search... and surprisingly, I saw something very very eye catching. The Daytona 18k Yellow Gold with Mother of Pearl dial on leather. I have always disliked gold coloured watches - well not exactly dislike, but I feel they look kinda too blingy for me - and I just feel it doesn't fit me very much.. So I had doubts of the Daytona and visited other stores, looking at a Yatch Master that I also really liked.. And perhaps I thought, I should just get a submariner... Budget was also a concern, I was worried if I am prepared to shell out USD 11k for the Daytona 18k YG leather, compared to say a pre-owned YM for around 5.5k... Which is like half the price... so for a few days I went for a searching spree, and I found myself with several options.. The YM full size, an anniversary green bezel (unworn) Sub-date, and an Explorer II (black dial)... Despite those three very very nice watches and options, I somehow just couldn't get the image of the Daytona out of my head - it keeps bugging me. I have a thing for Mother of Pearl dials, and honestly, no watch brand for men - does Mother of Pearl dials like Rolex does. The colour hues, the shine, and everything else, is simply stunning. Combined with the 18k Yellow Gold, it just amazes me... So I thought, hey maybe I didn't get a closer look, and I need to seriously see what's the Daytona all about. So off I went the next day to the store again, and checked out the Daytona... It was in mint condition, 2005 edition, with box and certificate. I thought - not bad - and the leather strap was just recently fitted with a brand new original Rolex leather strap.. (NOT the one in pictures... read on...)... It was in all of it's original condition, and looks like it hasn't been thoroughly cleaned - was there were some dirt spots here and there... So wanting to see it in it's best condition, I asked the store to clean it up for me so I can take a serious look at it.. and I had to leave anyway, since I had another appointment... But by the time I left the store that day - I just thought I had to buy that Daytona. The dial, the bezel, the colour of the combination between YG and brown strap... man I was SOLD. But then again - I didn't want to rush, after all - it's an 11k purchase. The next I was kinda occupied so I couldn't visit the store again until the day after... when I can, I was all hyped up, and believe it or not, I got cold hands and feet! :D So I went to have another look at it - after it was cleaned - and I bargained. The store couldn't lower the price any further and I didn't want to spend that much cash... so I went back home and planned to trade a few of my watches instead. The next day - I went back with a few of my watches that hasn't been getting any wrist time lately - and we bargained, discussed, and finally dealt. I traded in my Bell n Ross, and my GMT Master II Coke and my IWC Portofino, and some cash. Boy I WAS SO HAPPY. And I asked the store to adjust the strap for me, and I wanted to try it on my wrist... and so I did... but ALAS! The strap was too large! Even on it's smallest setting! I could at least fit 3 fingers in the space that was available... so the store went about searching for the available straps there, but they had none available for my size... I was instantly disappointed. Thankfully, the store was being very nice to me, and offered me a further discount, and promised to cut a strap of my choice that's a available there to my size. So I picked one. As I get home, I remembered there was an alligator strap that I once bought for my portofino that may just fit the Daytona, while I was waiting to get my strap done... my Daytona was strapless.. So I looked for it, and just my luck, it happens to be the same size for my daytona, and I had it on a gold buckle! So boy oh boy, I couldn't wait to see it... So I immediately fitted the strap on it, and I was happy. It was a HIRSCH Alligator strap... its very soft and very "cheap" compared to original brand Alligator straps, so I bought a few in the past in several colours... After wearing it on my wrist for the first time... I was in love... I just can't describe it... Simply, I love the way it looks on my wrist! Thanks for reading.. :)

12 July 2010, 10:24 AM	#6
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Nice Daytona ! __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

12 July 2010, 10:51 AM	#9
andrew79 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Andrew Location: Indonesia Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,277	Congrats !!!! very nice indeed..... I assume you get this one in the Kemang store you mentioned before ? :) __________________ Baume & Mercier Riviera Rolex GMT II c, DJ 116234, Sub 16610, EXP 2 16570 Panerai 111 , 232

12 July 2010, 11:56 AM	#11
Latrodectus 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Fred Location: KY, USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 10,043	Congrats, very beautiful with that strap and a nice story as well! Great looking dial... __________________ Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group

12 July 2010, 12:08 PM	#13
andrew79 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Andrew Location: Indonesia Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,277	congrats shade... maybe we can go watch hunting together sometime LOL.... __________________ Baume & Mercier Riviera Rolex GMT II c, DJ 116234, Sub 16610, EXP 2 16570 Panerai 111 , 232

12 July 2010, 08:14 AM	#2
kcmo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Karis Location: USA Posts: 19,377	That is a beauty! Congrats and ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

12 July 2010, 08:21 AM	#3
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	If you are happy now, thats all that matters. We small wristed folks must sometimes settle for less than ideal fit.

12 July 2010, 08:55 AM	#4
TheVTCGuy Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: San Diego Watch: 126619LB Posts: 21,540	Shade, many many congrats! If that watch makes you happy, then it is the one for you and worth the money!

12 July 2010, 10:01 AM	#5
Yazo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas TX Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,812	Congrats!

12 July 2010, 10:30 AM	#7
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,689	Beautiful watch and a great choice. As much as I like the look of stainless, gold is much warmer looking. I've been looking for a Daytona (no $'s, right now) and have been flip flopping between SS, TT, and the gold on leather. I'm really impressed with your strap. In the pix, that strap looks very rich. Do you know which Hirsch model it is?

12 July 2010, 10:35 AM	#8
ersnyder 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Eric Location: Long Beach CA USA Watch: Rolex Explorer II Posts: 4,102	Great story and a great catch, congratulations!

12 July 2010, 11:33 AM	#10
j ingram "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Corona, CA Watch: TT Daytona Panda Posts: 77	WOW! That's beautiful! Ya, I know what you mean about having small wrists.

12 July 2010, 12:16 PM	#15
andrew79 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Andrew Location: Indonesia Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,277	YM !!! wow, a short time to expand your rolex collections eh ? LOL... __________________ Baume & Mercier Riviera Rolex GMT II c, DJ 116234, Sub 16610, EXP 2 16570 Panerai 111 , 232

12 July 2010, 12:24 PM	#16
Shade "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Norman Location: Jakarta Watch: All of 'em.. Posts: 2,926	Andrew - I just moved my bank account to my company's private funding-saving department - so it won't be easy for me to take out cash (but better rates though!), and I left all my cc's at home, except for BCA because the limit is only 15 millions rupiah lol. No - not a YM for me (for now), year end or next year will probably be more realistic. :D

12 July 2010, 05:35 PM	#17
mb hawaii "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sunny Hawaii Watch: 116528 /126715CHNR Posts: 451	Wow, what a stunner! Congrats buddy!

12 July 2010, 06:16 PM	#18
gone-rolex-mad "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Andalucia Spain Watch: WG daydate-Daytona Posts: 1,338	I love that Daytona, I was lucky enough to own one, I had it a dy before I flipped it, really wish I had held on to it, beautiful!! __________________ Choose to allocate your time to imbeciles at your peril!

12 July 2010, 06:39 PM	#19
Shade "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Norman Location: Jakarta Watch: All of 'em.. Posts: 2,926	I think this daytona will stick with me for a long time.. thanks guys..

12 July 2010, 07:06 PM	#20
welem Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Indonesia Posts: 167	what a story... going from a FOLEX milgauss to a gold daytona... a very lucky man indeed!

12 July 2010, 07:09 PM	#21
welem Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Indonesia Posts: 167	btw, shade, i just notice that you are from Jakarta as well, same like me? perhaps we can meet someday and talk watches... i'll PM you my contact detail if you don't mind, i truly would like like to "touch" that gold MOP daytona for sure, hahaha!

12 July 2010, 09:11 PM	#22
superb "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: anywhere but here Posts: 690	Congrats on a fine purchase.

12 July 2010, 09:18 PM	#23
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,009	Very nice looking watch! Congrats! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

12 July 2010, 09:57 PM	#24
Rolesor "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Brandon Location: Toronto, ON Watch: 116234 Posts: 4,150	Congrats that dial is stunning!! __________________ 116234 - Blue Concentric Dial - Fluted Bezel - Oyster Bracelet Tudor Black Bay 54 - Rubber Strap

13 July 2010, 01:53 AM	#25
Shade "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Norman Location: Jakarta Watch: All of 'em.. Posts: 2,926	Everyone, thanks for the generous compliments.. To be honest, I had a slight doubt it it will look too flashy.. However I really like the MoP on gold, so I didnt think of it as much.. But I wore it the whole day today and no one notices it, which is something I like.. Welem, yes I am in Jakarta, sure feel free to contact me via PM.. We can talk and chat about watches, I bet people like us can talk about it all day hahaha..

13 July 2010, 02:01 AM	#26
esm "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Eric Location: Location,Location Watch: this, bro... Posts: 15,340	love that Daytona! great story and glad the Milgauss issued worked well for you! wrist pix please

13 July 2010, 02:12 AM	#27
2th Dr Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Mark-O! Location: Arlington, TX Watch: Rolex Posts: 12,714	Great story! Congrats on a gorgeous Daytona! I love the look on a strap!

13 July 2010, 02:37 AM	#28
dalip "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Dalip Location: Mumbai and Perth Watch: Rolex PAM Omega Posts: 18,656	Good that you got the watch you wanted after a fair bit of trading....! Congrats on a lovely watch.

13 July 2010, 02:48 AM	#29
George Ab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: George Location: Seattle Watch: One of Them Posts: 6,924	Loved hearing the details of your buying adventure, I definitely could relate. There is the look of gold, but there is also the feel that comes with the density of gold. I just purchased my gold Daytona a month ago, and I'm wearing today. Congratulations on one the nicest color combinations I have ever seen with the MOP dial and YG. That is one beautiful watch. __________________

13 July 2010, 08:11 AM	#30
Shade "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Norman Location: Jakarta Watch: All of 'em.. Posts: 2,926	Daytona on strap is always very intriguing for me.. Compared to the bracelet... However, Im sure I wont make the purchase if this was on a gold bracelet, definitely too blingy for me. As for the trading, I did have to let go a few of my watches, but hey, rather than have them gathering dust...

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