Wrong Choice? help!

[VegasKate]

Hi everyone,
I'm (obviously) super new. But I need expert help. Bought my husband a rolex for his Bday today. Went in aiming to get an Explorer I (simple, timeless, versatile) but fell in love with another, so I bought that one. But I can't find it online ANYWHERE. It's not on the Rolex website, there are similar ones online, but nothing with the exact same face. It has to be authentic (bought at an AD with a true expert) but I'm kind of freaking out that I bought him some random out of date style that his business colleagues will recognize as out of touch or discontinued or something. Help. Should I take it back? I do love it, it's a beautiful watch... but... I'm in slight panic that I can't find it ANYWHERE (and of course now it's gift wrapped and I only have this one iphone photo.
Did I just make a rookie mistake??

[sleddog]

If you purchased it from an official AD, you can be certain you have a genuine watch......

The pic attached in your post does not work, however it's not unusual for the Rolex website to be missing a reference or 3....

[GradyPhilpott]

Can you tell us what model you did buy?

There have been a lot of changes to the Oyster line in the last few years and really it's hard to make a mistake, unless your husband just doesn't care for that particular model.

I'd be interested in seeing a picture or at least a model name or reference number.

[VegasKate]

Photo below

[VegasKate]

Hoping this works?
I'm reluctant to open the gift wrapping, but at this point, I'm about to.
The receipt says 36MM SS/WG OYS DATE
But it really does not have a date on it.... (??)

[Thatguy]

Looks like an air king. The experts will be along shortly.

[VegasKate]

@ Grady, that's the thing... I don't know what model it is... I kind of figured I'd be able to find the whole "story" on the website like I did the Explorer (silly now, I realize... but this is new for me...).
Argh... I don't know. I loved the whole Hillary/Everest story behind the Explorer and I know my husband would too ... this one just struck me as more... I don't even know... "special" I guess, but still sporty? (I sound like a moron, I know).
They had this one, the same with a dark blue dial and the same with a dark dial and orange circles. I just liked this one best...

[mvmbles]

Nothing to worry about

http://www.rolex.com/watches/oyster-...6000-0004.html

[zeuloa]

That's an air king.

[AnnemarieGirl]

That looks like one of the newer Oyster Perpetual models, Ref. 116000 though hard to see properly from photo. All lovely watches, only a mistake if hubby really doesn't like it, which I quite sure won't be the case. Is the size ok for his wrist? Might wear a little small but I am sure you can change it if all the stickers are still in place and no scratches etc. Great watch for either of you. Enjoy. AM.

[VegasKate]

THANK YOU! I swear I looked on that site for an hour (and then spent another hour googling, and then found y'all) and didn't see that.

Is it weird that I can't find a photo of this face at all??

I won't lie, it does strike me as a little small, but I was there with one of (if not THE MOST) stylish men I know and he assured me it's what would work best in the boardroom ...

This whole "buying the husband a great watch" as a gift idea sounded fantastic at first... now I'm just a pile of questions. BUT at the end of the day, I did verify that I can return it! I just hope he likes it!!! He deserves a grown up watch and would never buy it for himself!

[joe100]

That's an Oyster Perpetual 116000. That's not a wrong choice, it's an incredibly GOOD choice. One of the best dials Rolex makes. Stunning ma'am, simply stunning. I've admired that one in the case many times. There are four different dials in that pattern.

A very versatile watch!

[kilyung]

I'm sure he'll like it.

[Thebiglagu]

I don't want to be the guy to disagree but I'd much prefer the exporer 1 39mm and I do believe the vast majority of the members on this forum would agree. It's a great piece but it lacks the punch of the expy! Just my opinion trying to give u honest advice!

[4therightcause]

That watch looks perfect much better than the explorer!

[blue lion]

I agree with above. While the Air King is fine he may prefer something else. Just the fact that you put this much effort into it is great.

[joe100]

Originally Posted by blue lion

I agree with above. While the Air King is fine he may prefer something else. Just the fact that you put this much effort into it is great.

This isn't an AirKing. The AK, 34mm, is a reference 114200 or 114234. THIS is an Oyster Perpetual 36mm 116000.

[texex91]

He's should be happy--enjoy!

[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by 4therightcause

That watch looks perfect much better than the explorer!

I applaud your brave statement ...

[joe100]

Darn, that's a 116034! I need to pay closer attention. Fluted bezel

[chicfarmer1]

Oyster Perpetual No-Date.

Here are two sites with it online (scroll through to see it):

http://www.swissluxury.com/rolex-wat...uted-bezel.htm

http://www.blountjewels.com/watches/...ted-bezel.html

Not commonly seen, that's for sure.


Comparisons: The Explorer is sportier, more classic (a beloved Rolex style), and with a black dial. You know his taste: which would he love?

[anothernewphone]

This is definitely an Oyster Perpetual, but why did the receipt say "DATE" on it?

[mr.president1]

Personally I love it!!! Something I've never seen before. And it could be under the oyster perpetual section which isn't under the usual model... Any way, why not get him the Submariner Date. It's the perfect first Rolex! Of course the one you have picked is very nice and timeless too! Remember there is no "out of date" when it comes to a Rolex. A Rolex is always timeless and beautiful in it's own very way!

[Argentius]

I really like that watch, and like others have said the model is the daddy of all of the Rolex line, the Oyster Perpetual.

Most of the others start with that title, and we just call them by their last descriptive word "Oyster Perpetual Date," "Oyster Perpetual Datejust," (which becomes "datejust") and, of course, "Oyster Perpetual Explorer," which everyone calls the "Explorer I," to distinguish it from the "Explorer II."

Confused yet?

It's a beauty, but, I'll be honest: The Explorer is a known icon, to WIS types -- that's us watch geeks, anyway.

The watch you bought will fly under every radar that there is.

I personally think that's fantastic.

But, if your husband knew and admired the Explorer, he will long for that while wearing your gift of an OP. He will still appreciate the OP, but, if it's in your power, I might consider swapping back.

That's IF and only if your husband had previously expressed interest in the Explorer. If not, then, hey -- you know him better than do we.

[VegasKate]

Thanks to all of you. Even those who think it maybe is a wrong choice (I'd rather have honesty than smoke!). I'm just glad it's a "personal style" wrong as opposed to a "you moron that's totally outmoded and everyone will think he's a knob" wrong, or a "who the heck buys THAT as a nice watch, they don't even have that on the website" wrong.

I'm still nervous. I really don't know which he'd prefer to be honest. He wears a crappy $75 Kenneth Cole watch now. I'm telling you, he really needs this, and he totally deserves it. The thing is, I can't ask him because he'd tell me not to get anything ... He just would. I've been so sneaky about this for months, so thanks for ALL opinions - clearly I should've looked for y'all earlier But I still have 6 days to change my mind!

((Though there is something about this one that really spoke to me...))

[SUBversive]

Great gift. He should be happy. Buy yourself one next!

[chicfarmer1]

Kate, no way did you do something foolish, or choose something that's not a fine Rolex. It's really just in the realm of what you expect him to prefer between the two possibilities.

A truly fab gesture on your part.

[Thebiglagu]

Go with you're gut. Like said above you know you're husband best and anything from you he would treasure IMHO. Please let us know how it goes.

[VegasKate]

He doesn't know the first thing about watches, so I'm not worried that he has a heart set on anything specific ... And if he did, I know he would tell me.
I thought about the submariner but it seems a bit "much" for him, if that makes sense? He's very into simple, clean designs - which is why my Internet search led me to the explorer I (and NOT the II). In fact, what I like about this one is that the numbers make it a bit more "Modern" but with the white gold face (? I'm assuming that's what the WG on the receipt means and why I haven't been able to accurately describe the face) it kind of conceals that a little too so that it still looks "classic"

Maybe I will just give it to him and then walk him from the restaurant to the boutique and he can choose for himself?

One more question: I take it this one is more "unique" than the explorer, yes? Is that a good thing or a bad thing do you think? (We both like being under the radar, but at the end of the day I chose Rolex over Tag and Breitling etc for a reason ...)

[joe100]

Kate, it's a Rolex from the heart, and a great looking one too. He'll treasure it. Don't worry what we think around here. This is a group of folks who obsess about dial fonts and serial numbers. We search for perfect pieces to complete collections. This is waaay more than that. Tell us we all wish him well and to wear it in good health.