Just had a Rolex day out in London!!

[PeterT]

Well I have been on a Rolex day out in London and made good use of your tips on where to look. Caught the train and arrived in London at 11.00 am.
We started off at 2nd time around in Grays antique market and it was shut for Easter!!
Back up to Oxford St and then down New Bond St. We came across a blue coloured shop that I think was called the watch centre with a good collection in the window.
They had a Coke GMT II that I went and enquired about that was unworn. It was approx £1000 more than the last retail price. I was told this was due to it being discontinued.
I promptly left!!!
This is certainly the road to be in as we neared Picadilly lots of shops were selling new or used Rolex. I found one place in an arcade selling a 2nd hand Sub LV for £500 more than I paid for mine brand new in December 2007.
My son spotted a good 2nd hand GMTII with the black bezel insert in Watches of Switzerland. In we went for a look and it did seem really good with just a couple of hair lines on the clasp. It was a 2005 model for £2300. I was tempted but I thought that there were other shops to see. The main window contained models I had never seen in a dealer before with some high prices to match.
Into the Burlington Arcade and the first shop selling Rolex was shut with the empty boxes sitting in the window.We came across the vintage watch company where 2 whole windows are stuffed with vintage Rolex. Not many sports but what they had seemed really good. No prices to see but the shop looked busy.
They had a red red sea dweller and a red sub but strangely all of the sports watches were on leather straps.
Down to David Duggan and again no prices in the window. A good selection of sports and none sports watches including what appeared to be a mint red sub. I did not dare ask the price!!
On to Harrods where everything watch is posh in a big way. Not much to see in the Rolex department so we explored the shop going up and down the Egyptian escalator a couple of times!!
Time for a bit of site seeing so off to the London eye and crikey it is really high up. It started snowing when we were at the top!
I was still thinking about the GMT II seen earlier for £2300 so we went back for another look. It was gone from the window so I went in again and asked. The guy had put it away so he went to get it.
I borrowed his polishing cloth and started to go over it really carefully. It seemed really good so I asked to see the box etc. It had a service sheet from Rolex and I wondered why when the watch appeared unworn and was only from 2005. He had originally assured me that the watch exterior had not been touched.
I took the watch to the window and looked again really carefully. The bezel had a dent in it just where the insert touches the stainless steel. I reckon the original owner must have banged it on the bezel marking the steel and the insert. The watch had gone to Rolex to be fixed but they had not managed to get all of the dent out of the stainless steel. The mark was not large but it was still there. I mentioned it to the guy and he said well it is a 2nd hand watch!!
Due to the fact that they would not do a discount for debit card and the watch had returned from Rolex with the small mark I walked away.
So in summary, you can have a good day in London on a Rolex site seeing trip, lots to see from all years but some shops certainly add lots of ££££ to fleece the tourists.

Now the watch was good apart from this so how much would a new stainless steel bezel and black/red insert cost fitted in the UK? I might be re tempted if the price is right as I am only interested in a mint example.

Cheers, PeterT

[Welshwatchman]

Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a day in London, Peter.

[mickeydainish]

Sounds like a gr8 day... Could almost see myself there oogling overthose fine timepieces!!Tx man. :-)

[frostie]

Originally Posted by mickeydainish

Sounds like a gr8 day... Could almost see myself there oogling overthose fine timepieces!!Tx man. :-)

That's what all WIS people would do

Rolex display windows is like porn for us

[OYSTERMANN]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a day in London, Peter.

I agree, too

I can't keep away from any window displaying our favourite watches. I was in Bond Street last November and it was mesmerising looking at them all. Selfridges had a separate area for Rolex, too, which was very plush in store.

[mdx77]

WHAT?! NO PICTURES.........

Isn't window shopping just wonderful......

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by mdx77

WHAT?! NO PICTURES.........

Yeah, where's the pix?

[erdiesel]

anyone else catch it in his post? he has passed his love and knowledge of rolex onto his son :) well done

[timackerman]

Sounds like a good use of a day

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I have been to London over 30 times! Gotta love that city!

I look forward to joining the London GTG in October!

[PeterT]

No pix, we were late for the train and forgot the camera!!
What a wally, especially as the views from the top of the London Eve were amazing in between the snow showers.

PeterT

[topcat30093]

Hi Peter
It sounds like your day went like mine,lots of great Rolex's but either not the one I wanted or at the right price!!!!!
PM sent

[Oyster Lover]

Also try the new Rolex boutique at Selfridge's on Oxford Street - it's very nice! (and while you're at it, the whole West end of this retailer's is a wonderland of watches...

[daunwaun]

Sounds like a very fun day!!!