Wrong Choice? help!

[chicfarmer1]

The WG is the fluted bezel (and the hands). Not the dial itself or the bracelet.

Re "unique," this is certainly less commonly seen, which is cool in its own way. Just fyi if you have any concern about potential resale, it will be less desirable in the secondary market compared to the Explorer.

[VegasKate]

Thank you!!! You guys are the best. Really.
I mean it!
Promise to send you a better pic when it's out of the box and on his wrist (or when whatever he trades it for is! :)

[Billywiz]

Im sure...if you have not worn it and wanted to exchange it would'nt an AD do that fr a Cstmer wh purchased a gift?

Kep all plastic , tgs etc in place.

[Thatguy]

Originally Posted by VegasKate

Thank you!!! You guys are the best. Really.
I mean it!
Promise to send you a better pic when it's out of the box and on his wrist (or when whatever he trades it for is! :)

It a great gift and it's obvious you put a lot of thought into it. He's a lucky guy!

[VegasKate]

@chicfarmer - that makes much more sense, the WG! Thanks.
Not really worried about resale - in my sappy dreams this is something he'd keep forever (even if it started a Rolex habit!) and pass down to our 2 yo. If there wasn't a realistic (but very slim) chance that he will seriously just insist on not accepting it at all I'd get it engraved.
Yep. I'm a sap ...

[joe100]

Resell a gift like this? You can definitely see the Rolex collectors on this board! Hahaha

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by joe100

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

Yup, beat me to it! I love 116034's. Can't get a fluted WG bezel on an Explorer. Great choice!

[GradyPhilpott]

As others have noted, it is an Oyster Perpetual, perhaps the least appreciated model in the Oyster line, except the Air King, which is looked down upon because of the size and the relatively low price.

Many forget that the Oyster Perpetual is the watch that Rolex supplied to the British teams who tried to summit Mt. Everest for the better part of twenty years.

After Rolex introduced the Explorer in honor of Sir Edward's and Tenzing Norgay's feat in 1953, the OP has been somewhat neglected.

None the less, it is every bit the watch that the Explorer is with a bit more dressing.

I think you made a good choice and 36mm is a good size, in my opinion.

[Sunny Arizona]

Very nice watch...my wife gave me a Starbucks gift card

[ingoodtime]

it is a gorgeous watch and will look classy on his wrist no matter what he is wearing. It is slightly smaller than an explorer but as your friend said.....will look great in the boardroom. andheck...it is aRolex!

[Thebiglagu]

Originally Posted by Sunny Arizona

Very nice watch...my wife gave me a Starbucks gift card

Haha! My wife got me dunkin doughnuts!

[hdrazor251]

Originally Posted by VegasKate

Promise to send you a better pic when it's out of the box and on his wrist (or when whatever he trades it for is! :)

Please do. It's a good looking watch and I hope he likes it. If he trades it, be sure to tease him and always refer to it as his second Rolex.

[luvsub]

This is gift, he should be happy about it. Maybe just me, I feel exp 1 looks nicer. Again, you bought a beautiful, you put heart on it, that is what is all about.

[Kevin.S]

That watch will make him very happy:)

[Les Paul]

You know your husband, and you chose it because it spoke to you as the one he would like.
I have no doubt he will be thrilled!!

[jolimont]

Originally Posted by VegasKate

Bought my husband a rolex for his Bday today.

Best.Wife.Ever

[mr.president1]

Originally Posted by 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...))

Dear Kate,

I really am very excited that you are getting your husband something so nice. It shows that you care about him and want the very best for him, and it will show by this gift! As you said in your post, he wears Kenneth Cole watches and things like that, I'm guessing he really has not spoken of any Rolex Model interest. Maybe he's just familiar with the brand like you are, which then it might not matter what model it is. However, you were worried about your husband finding out, but didn't want to ask him. You could always just go to him nonchalantly and be like "look at these Rolexes (on the web), wouldn't you love to own one of these, and see if he takes interest to one of them. Or not. That would work in our house just because we really don't think too far into things, maybe he might.

However don't fret about it. It seems from your post that you and your husband will be new to Rolex, so your pick may be just the ticket! If you decide to change to something else, but still keeping it simple, maybe go for the Rolex DateJust 2. Those are very beautiful watches too OR go for something sporty but still simple and elegant like the Submariner Ceramic bezel Date or No date versions in black. Needless to say, go with your gut on this one. If I went from Kenneth Cole to Rolex, I personally wouldn't care which model it was! And as a Rolex owner I can honestly say that I love the watch you have pictured and would wear it too!

GoodLucK & Keep us informed!!

PS: I would love to hear back on his reaction to the gift and some wrist shots of him wearing it! You're a great wife for sure!!!

[AzPaul]

Originally Posted by VegasKate

. . . . . . 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 . . . . .

I'm a jealous man Kate. Sure wish I had a gal looking out for my knobness. Lord knows I could use it.

[Andad]

Very nice choice Kate.

Your hubby is a lucky guy.

[Ray T]

if my wife went out of her way to buy me a rolex, i'd happily wear it! its not everyday that a significant other goes out to buy their husband a nice rolex watch!

he will love it, no doubt!, probably won't understand the cost of the watch at first, being that hes coming from a kenneth cole.

[designerhouse]

Dear Kate,

The beauty about this OP is that your husband can later change the dial for just $400-$500, depending on what the Rolex AD charges. Hence, you don't have to worry too much about the style/color of this gift. Your Rolex AD should have a dial book for you or your husband to look at anytime.

[Hairdude1]

That is a great gift! I am sure he will wear it well!

[versatile1]

Originally Posted by 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.

Agree 100%
You know your husband and his taste. If this one spoke to you In a way that nothing else did, then it's the right choice.........period

[George Ab]

Trust you instincts Kate. You did well with an the Oyster Perpetual 116000. One of the best things about that particular model is 36mm diameter and the dial is beautiful. Well done!

[mbuckley]

What a great gift

If I received it i would be on top of the world

He will love that beautiful watch

Great choice.

[jimcameron]

Kate, I've been wearing the same Submariner for 28 years and I love it. But if I were to get myself a new watch it would be an Oyster Perpetual. You are a wonderful wife and your Husband is a very lucky guy. Enjoy.

[zeuloa]

That's a great gift, he's a lucky man!

However, I would consider the following:

1) Does he like to have a date on his watch? Most people I know that appreciate having the date on their watch (including myself), have a hard time adjusting to a watch without date such as the Oyster Perpetual or Explorer I.

2) If the date is not an issue as a husband I would prefer the Explorer I and ill tell you why. The clasp is better as it's a flip lock which is safer as it's less prone to pop open by itself (this happened to me a few times with my DJ). Although the one you chose is a beautiful dial, it's not easily everyone's taste, therefore your husband might prefer the simplicity and classic style of the Explorer I better.

Either way it's a great gift that I'm sure he'll value as it came from you, and it was your choice.

Best of luck!

[VICI]

Kate - here's a consideration from another site on buying watches:


- Do you want to wear the watch for your typical work days or is it for the weekend or specific activity or is it the one watch for everything?

- During your workdays what kind of attire are you in and how active do you get?

- If you're getting the watch more for weekend or other activities, then the question is what are these activities? Pulling at the pub, clubbing, diving, swimming, jogging, skiing etc

Does the watch you want to get suit and hold up to all of this?

Based on knowing your husband's hobbies, habits and lifestyle - do you think he is more of a sporty casual guy or a more formal business guy.

The explorer is more sporty while the one you purchased is meant to be worn in more elegant or business-like settings, dinners etc.

You get my point - think about this lifestyle and then decide what is more appropriate.

Your gesture is wonderful

[padi56]

Originally Posted by joe100

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

Thats correct very much like the retro dials back in the 1950s great looking watch and dial.

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by TempoKing

I applaud your brave statement ...

:-)
This one for man ,well i m not sure


Best
George