Datejust P series

[srspaceman]

Newbie rolex buyer. Looking into purchasing my first Rolex for my wife's 40th B Day and was hoping for a little help from my new forum friends. A co worker is offering me a stainless steel Datejust P series with Diamind bezel for $2700. I have attached pic. Was just wondering if this is a good deal on this type of watch? What should I expect to pay for this type of watch with the diamoind bezel. I am assuming after market bezel.

Thank you for any opinions and or suggestions.!

[srspaceman]

No opinions? Good buy? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Oyster1982]

Well, the watch seems to have been butchered. The dial is original, and no longer in production. The lugs and center links have been polished, originally the watch would have had satin finish. I would keep on looking for a more original Rolex DJ.

[chiko323]

What about the font on the Date Wheel, that doesn't look right to me...

[chiko323]

Also, this is not a Datejust, it's an Oyster perpetual date

[Speed]

Run away.

Might I suggest trying LawrenceB - he has some pre-owned lady DJs for sale...you can also try many other good TRF sellers.

[freddyttt]

as everyone else said.... garbage.!

plenty over there-

keep looking and look here-

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ghlight=ladies
love this one-

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ghlight=ladies

[angd5791]

Seems like one of those posts.... "Can this piece of garbage pass these knowledgeable folks so I could rip someone off...."

[azguy]

It is sort of a Frankenwatch

[Blue Demon]

Love that tapestry dial though.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by srspaceman

No opinions? Good buy? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

I'll disagree with most of the others.. It looks to be a nice watch if that is something that your wife wants..

The price is too high for a decade old Ladies Date, although you may feel that the bezel could justify some extra cost if you plan on such a change in the future.. An aftermarket diamond bezel by itself can easily be half the price, but it does not kick the value of a watch up by the same amount.

The Oyster Date is a 24mm watch, smaller even than the Ladies Datejust which is 2mm larger at 26. The Date was never offered with a diamond bezel, so it is aftermarket.

You can probably get a Ladies Datejust, newer, and with a nice diamond dial for less..

[rad87gn]

Is it just me or does the clasp crown stamping seem wacked?

[chiko323]

Originally Posted by rad87gn

Is it just me or does the clasp crown stamping seem wacked?

I agree. The crown seems to be pressed in and I thought they were always raised up. Also, am I wrong about the funky date font...

[srspaceman]

Thanks guys appreciate the input. Had no clue really on what I was looking at.

[srspaceman]

Been on a lot of different forums sites (not pertaining to rolex watches) and there always seems to be a FEW THAT ALWAYS are looking to hammer someone.
My first post and exposing myself as a total idiot when it comes to a ROLEX and what does someone choose to have his first post back at me say:

"Seems like one of those posts.... "Can this piece of garbage pass these knowledgeable folks so I could rip someone off...."
I can assure you that this is the furthest thing from the truth. I an actually trying to avoid being that person (being ripped off).

I supposed I shouldn't be so sensitive since you don't know me but having seen these types of responses constantly in other forums I have to admit it was kind of dissapointing to see it here.
Glad to see most posts were just what I asked for and that was honest opinions to a confirmed IDIOT in regards to anything related to my possible first ROLEX. I very sincerely say THANK YOU to you guys!

[dpkong]

polished sides of the case with polished centrelinks but old clasp seems a bit weird. is this watch even a real Rolex?

[77T]

Originally Posted by srspaceman

I supposed I shouldn't be so sensitive since you don't know me but having seen these types of responses constantly in other forums I have to admit it was kind of dissapointing to see it here.
Glad to see most posts were just what I asked for and that was honest opinions to a confirmed IDIOT in regards to anything related to my possible first ROLEX. I very sincerely say THANK YOU to you guys!

First, welcome to the forum and hope you stay to read more and learn what to look for when buying a Rolex from a 3rd party.

Your first post raised some eyebrows because (although you may be genuine) it reads like a scammers' first post. Introduce yourself in the new members area and participate - I think you'll like this place better than any other forum you've seen.

[srspaceman]

Thank you guys again for all your input. 77T thank you, I guess I should have introduced myself first but when your new in a forum of experts and you feel like you really have nothing to offer makes one very hesitant to post.
As far as the watch the wife had seen it and she really fell in love with it. Have not had a chance to take watch to Mayors yet to confirm authenticity but friend stated he would have no problem letting me do that prior to buying it. However, from most of the responses I have received that might seem to be a waste of time.

[superdelsol]

Hi "srsspaceman": Some of the Rolex aficionados can be a tough crowd. Most prefer original Rolex watches devoid of aftermarket bezels, dials, and polishing. Many of the people here also know what the absolute best prices are, and really don't want to pay more. The Lady-Date and Lady-Datejust don't retain as much of their original value as the Men's models, especially now that the ladies are wearing larger sized watches. The watch you posted has an aftermarket diamond bezel, and the case and bracelet center links have been polished to give the appearance of the newer Rolex models. 99.99% of the people who see the watch won't know any of this, they will just see a pretty watch, and some will notice that it's a Rolex.

When valuing a pre-owned Rolex, it's sometimes nice to know what a similar watch costs at the Rolex Authorized Dealer. An entry level stainless Rolex Lady-Datejust is $5900. The price of an aftermarket diamond bezel varies due to differences in the count, quality, and carat weight of the diamonds, but the usual cost starts at about $750. If you just consider the price of a new Rolex at $5900 plus 10% sales tax = $6490. The watch you posted is about 60% less than the new Rolex, and the diamond bezel is an added no-cost bonus. At retail establishments, this watch might easily sell for $2700 or more, but might not sell for that much here. Before I caught the bug, joined the forum, and spent many hours researching the history and market of these lovely timepieces, I bought my wife a lovely E-series (1990) 2-tone Lady-Datejust with a blue dial and aftermarket diamond bezel. The watch was the best looking ladies watch I had seen at any of the local jewelers. I now know that I paid more for the watch than I would have here, but at the time it was competitive with the on-line retailers, and less than some of the other local jewelers. I have since replaced the aftermarket diamond bezel with an original yellow gold fluted bezel, and my wife and I believe the watch is more attractive now. I have learned from this experience, and I am a more educated buyer now. I wish I had done as you have, and found this forum before buying the first Rolex.

"Tools" stated that the Oyster Lady-Date is a 24mm watch, and I have read that before, but in my experience the Lady-Date is the same size as the Lady-Datejust at 26mm. My wife once had a 1978 Lady-Date, and I measured the case with a dial caliper, and found it to be exactly the same size as her Lady-Datejust. I even replaced the original steel domed bezel with an 18K white gold fluted bezel from a Lady-Datejust. The Rolex Lady Oyster Perpetual (no date) is indeed a 24mm watch, and I think this is where the confusion comes from.

Personally I would rather have an original watch with box and papers, but if I find a bargain, I'm willing to consider it. If a watch has an aftermarket diamond bezel, an original bezel can be easily sourced on ebay for about $100, and replaced in 5 minutes by a competent watchmaker. An aftermarket dial is more of a problem because original dials are much more expensive, and more difficult to find, and to install. I would just do some research to see how this watch compares to others available in the market. In the end, this might be a fair deal for someone who is just going to wear the watch and enjoy it, without intending to sell it latter. As I stated, the market for 26mm watches is weak at the moment, which hurts sellers, but benefits buyers. The market for modified Rolex watches is always weak. I think for the same price, or maybe a little more, you can find an original watch with a better combination of dial, bezel, and bracelet, and possibly with box and papers. Happy hunting.

[srspaceman]

Superdelsol thank you soo much for your response, that was the kind of response that I was hoping on getting when I stumbled across this forum. Just providing me with some knowledge and history so I can start my journey in learning about rolex's.
To be perfectly honest initialy I wasnt as much worried in resell value as in just making my wife with happy than getting a watch that was not a complete fake. I assumed bezel was after market but I see there maybe is more to buying these time pieces then just being a Rolex.
I know see that there are Rolex purists that take very seriously having everything original.
Refreshing to see that there are allways more people then not out there with the right temperment to pass on very usefull knowledge to newbies like myself.