It‘s the end of the BLRO and I feel fine

[Tan]

Don't buy into the hype! Get what you like, you'll be much happier.

[Pam673]

Don't let Rolex find out who you are...

They will ask your AD to ban you from getting another hot SS again...though with the current sentiment soon AD might have to beg people to honour their undertaking

[mmaggi]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

the red and blue felt like a whimsical child‘s toy.

NOT the 1st time I've heard this. And you are certainly entitled to your opinion, although it's not mine.

I've owned my 16710 for over 6 months. And although I love the look of it, my pet peeve is the price. As great of a watch it is, I'm sorry... it's hardly worth the price I paid for it. I understand I paid market value and chances are I could get every single penny back that I paid. But it's sooooo overpriced. It's a $3k-$4k watch at best. And that goes for 6 digit references as well.

[travisb]

Good for you Fred! Enjoy that beautiful Lange when it arrives!

[lord91]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

In comparison to my GMT LN, the red and blue felt like a whimsical child‘s toy.

That's no surprise here, as with the ceramic bezels, Rolex can not obtain the deep and vivid colours as with the aluminium ones from the past. The new ones are pale, especially under full light, and in general all coloured ceramic bezels have a toy look compared to the old ones. Hopefully Rolex will be smart enough not to change the PM bezels on the full PM Daytona and eventually will find a way to make the colours on the ceramic bezels as sharp as they were on the aluminium ones.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by johnorpheus

Yeah, I thought the line was a bit much. And everyone who wants the BLRO wants it because of groupthink? Come on, people want it because it's an awesome reference with a great history.

Seems like OP came here to trash a watch a lot of people love instead of actually highlighting the new watch he got, whatever it might be.

I did not interpret it that way. Even if OP did, are we not allowed to say we don’t like a piece and here is why. The reality is the watch with excessively thick lugs and pastel colors and the jubilee bracelet is a very different animal from the 5 digits. Objectively, the colors are far from perfect and being wed to the jubilee bracelet is a problem. There is no functional purpose for the extra thick lugs. I think there are some people that can look at pieces objectively and some that cannot. Ceramics are 40 year old technology that seiko puts on 600 dollar watches. Not on the other hand the history speaks for itself, the movement is superb, and the fit, finish, and adjustability of the bracelet is fantastic. Sorry, it’s not a watch without flaws.

With the massive slight of hand going on that these things are rare creates this idea that if one comes up we need to jump on it and buy. Let’s face it, if the AD called, 10 people on this forum and said I have a BLRO, 9 would take it. Good for the OP for his experience. I had a similar one and thought the Daytona was a grail of mine, only to go through 2 over the past 15 years ultimately giving it to my wife because it did not live up to the hype.

[Valedictorian]

I agree the BLRO is overrated and the colorful bezel makes it look like a whimsical child’s toy. People get offended by that but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Theoffice]

Lange so boring compared to blro, ;)

[Robf52]

which AD in Miami?

[Arid]

Good for you OP, I share similar sentiments with the BLNR and got rid of it shortly after my purchase. Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder!

[Aymara59]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

A few months ago, I was so stoked, got The Call and collected a BLRO. With the scarcity and the hype, I was super stoked to have it. Far from me the idea to ever let it go. Half a year in, things look really different. In comparison to my GMT LN, the red and blue felt like a whimsical child‘s toy. And with the knowledge in the back of my head that it was essentially irreplaceable, wearing it felt super awkward too. As a result, it went into the safe pretty much from day one, saw no wear whatsoever and what little connection the anticipation had fostered evaporated.

So today, I took the plunge, put some money on top of it and exchanged it for a watch I had been attracted to more genuinely, one which is readily available and no hype at all.

And it feels awesome.

Just as a cautionary tale, the hype has inflated our perception of certain of these watches so significantly, that we all run to the same models, as if there were nothing else. But what you’ll truly and deeply enjoy will never be a function of popular preference and groupthink. And turning one‘s back to the instatrends is easier as I thought.

Stay safe everyone, may your wrists always make you smile, no matter the soda you may associate with it.

Thank you for sharing your story! Purchasing watches is a great journey that we are blessed to have! Enjoy your new watch in good health and forget about it!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nikrnic]

Sometimes you never know until you try it on. I never heard that one before, a "whimsical childs toy"? I wouldn't go that far but I couldn't wait to see the Blro in person when it first hit and when I did it didn't sing for me at all on the wrist. I tried to like it but it was the Blnr on oyster that pushed my buttons and then a 16710 to cure the pepsi itch. The watch game can get crazy sometimes. Hope your happy with the new one..

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Phooi]

Originally Posted by mmaggi

NOT the 1st time I've heard this. And you are certainly entitled to your opinion, although it's not mine.

I've owned my 16710 for over 6 months. And although I love the look of it, my pet peeve is the price. As great of a watch it is, I'm sorry... it's hardly worth the price I paid for it. I understand I paid market value and chances are I could get every single penny back that I paid. But it's sooooo overpriced. It's a $3k-$4k watch at best. And that goes for 6 digit references as well.

At one point in its life, the price was in the thousands. I remember a time when a submariner was <$4k. While the case was solid, I always felt the pre-SEL bands to be a bit fragile. Time and demand has driven these watches to its current value.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Phooi

At one point in its life, the price was in the thousands. I remember a time when a submariner was <$4k. While the case was solid, I always felt the pre-SEL bands to be a bit fragile. Time and demand has driven these watches to its current value.

Yes but demand doesn’t add to the substance. I can totally relate to the point you answered. If I buy a Vacheron for 20k, I get a level of finish and quality that may depreciate on the used market, but that I cannot get new for much less anywhere else. If I buy a Rolex for 20k, I get a level of craftsmanship and finish, i.e. of substance, that Omega will be happy to sell me anytime for less than half that amount. I could totally see how people would look at it that way. It’s part why I had no second thoughts of letting my Pepsi go. It’s not a watch that gives you 17k of „substance“ and if you don’t buy to resell, substance is much more important than market value.

[mmaggi]

Originally Posted by Phooi

At one point in its life, the price was in the thousands. I remember a time when a submariner was <$4k. While the case was solid, I always felt the pre-SEL bands to be a bit fragile. Time and demand has driven these watches to its current value.

My brother purchased his used Coke 16710 in April '93 for $1850. I think new it retailed for $3050. He called me and begged me to buy one with him (we are twin brothers) but I passed because I was closing on a house. Been kicking myself since. But now I have my Pepsi 16710 and I paid dearly for it. LOL!

[Phooi]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

Great point. The thing is, with the Lange, seeing as it is the delicate piece that it is, I have no expectation of wearing it every day and feel very comfortable taking it out every now and then when the occasion commends. A steel Rolex on the other hand is not what one would take out on special occasions. So that’s where my frustration with it came in. Didn’t wear it out during the day, because it was kinda too „valuable“ (due to its rarity) for that, wouldn’t take it out either in the evening, as it wasn’t (to my subjective eyes) not elegant enough for that. And so, as a result, it just stayed in the vault indefinitely.

I might have to add though that I‘m really not one to baby the everyday portion of my collection. I have them all insured. If something happens to them while I’m out on the mountain, so be it, I’ll just replace the relevant one. But of course, that’s not really easy to do with an at list BLRO. The fact I felt I couldn’t bring myself to wear it the way it should be enjoyed might have had a lot to do with that.

That’s one of the main reasons that keeps me from getting something like the Lange. I’d treat it like any of my other watches. I’m not a “bull in a china shop” but I wear my watches. I’d wear the Lange in T-shirt and shorts just as readily as I’d wear my SubC with a suit. I bang my watch into things not out clumsiness but out of life. I’m just not sure how well a Lange would do given my lifestyle. That’s probably why I gravitate towards Rolexes and steel sports watches. Probably the same reason I prefer Porsche over Ferraris — very nice but more practical and durable.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by mmaggi

NOT the 1st time I've heard this. And you are certainly entitled to your opinion, although it's not mine.

I've owned my 16710 for over 6 months. And although I love the look of it, my pet peeve is the price. As great of a watch it is, I'm sorry... it's hardly worth the price I paid for it. I understand I paid market value and chances are I could get every single penny back that I paid. But it's sooooo overpriced. It's a $3k-$4k watch at best. And that goes for 6 digit references as well.

I can absolutely relate to that. If you pay that kind of money without any intention of flipping it at a later point, the market value becomes irrelevant the very second you‘ve paid. From that point onwards, what counts is what you got, be it in terms of features, quality, craftsmanship, you name it. And in that department, the exact same money will get you so much more elsewhere.

[mmaggi]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

Yes but demand doesn’t add to the substance. I can totally relate to the point you answered. If I buy a Vacheron for 20k, I get a level of finish and quality that may depreciate on the used market, but that I cannot get new for much less anywhere else. If I buy a Rolex for 20k, I get a level of craftsmanship and finish, i.e. of substance, that Omega will be happy to sell me anytime for less than half that amount. I could totally see how people would look at it that way. It’s part why I had no second thoughts of letting my Pepsi go. It’s not a watch that gives you 17k of „substance“ and if you don’t buy to resell, substance is much more important than market value.

[mmaggi]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

I can absolutely relate to that. If you pay that kind of money without any intention of flipping it at a later point, the market value becomes irrelevant the very second you‘ve paid. From that point onwards, what counts is what you got, be it in terms of features, quality, craftsmanship, you name it. And in that department, the exact same money will get you so much more elsewhere.

And that's the point: I will never sell it. It's really the only Rolex I ever lusted. Just kicking myself for not buying a used one back in the early 90s for less than $2k. LOL!

And I always preach that you can get so much more for your $$$ else where. Omega & Grand Seiko just to name 2. There are more. There's alot of great watches out there. The sun doesn't rise and set on Rolex alone.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Phooi

That’s one of the main reasons that keeps me from getting something like the Lange. I’d treat it like any of my other watches. I’m not a “bull in a china shop” but I wear my watches. I’d wear the Lange in T-shirt and shorts just as readily as I’d wear my SubC with a suit. I bang my watch into things not out clumsiness but out of life. I’m just not sure how well a Lange would do given my lifestyle. That’s probably why I gravitate towards Rolexes and steel sports watches. Probably the same reason I prefer Porsche over Ferraris — very nice but more practical and durable.

You may want to try the 4500v, I have found that is the perfect watch to combine the best of both worlds in such a scenario (which is also pretty close to how I wear my watches. Given the finesse of its watchmaking, I had the intention to treat it as a special occasion watch. But after a few weeks of owning it, I realized that while finished to a standard Rolex doesn’t even aspire to, it’s essentially as robust as a Datejust and will be along for any ride you might want to take it on. I even take it mountaineering these days, as I have such trouble taking it off. I know it might seem pretty decadent to take a Vacheron into the rocks, but so far, it has held up as well as any Rolex has before it and it wears the few marks and scratches it inevitably incurred in its newfound role of daily driver with great style and elegance. If anything, its scars attenuate any semblance of braggadocio that might otherwise arise from wearing such a watch. I can only recommend this avenue, should you want to evolve things into that realm of quality without changing the way you live.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by mmaggi

And that's the point: I will never sell it. It's really the only Rolex I ever lusted. Just kicking myself for not buying a used one back in the early 90s for less than $2k. LOL!

And I always preach that you can get so much more for your $$$ else where. Omega & Grand Seiko just to name 2. There are more. There's alot of great watches out there. The sun doesn't rise and set on Rolex alone.

Absolutely, in fact, for me, the only reason it still does fron time to time is the emotional attachment I have to some models, like my LN GMT that has followed every step I made for so many years, or silver dial Datejusts that will forever remind me of my grandfather... other than that, I‘m very happy to take my overseas out of the watchbox every morning and can’t wait to put the Lange to its side once it arrives

[ltmgeller]

I happen to love the BLRO. I fell in love with the Pepsi in the 80's and have 4 different models (16700,16710,Tudor GMT, and 126710). I love them all, but the 126710 gets the most wrist time. I was fortunate enough to get it at MSRP. I never gave in to the hype, it was just the natural progression of my love for Pepsi line. I regret selling my 1675, I was worried the acrylic crystal wouldn't hold up over time. If you didn't love yours, its good that you passed it on and got something you will hopefully enjoy.

[Phooi]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

You may want to try the 4500v, I have found that is the perfect watch to combine the best of both worlds in such a scenario (which is also pretty close to how I wear my watches. Given the finesse of its watchmaking, I had the intention to treat it as a special occasion watch. But after a few weeks of owning it, I realized that while finished to a standard Rolex doesn’t even aspire to, it’s essentially as robust as a Datejust and will be along for any ride you might want to take it on. I even take it mountaineering these days, as I have such trouble taking it off. I know it might seem pretty decadent to take a Vacheron into the rocks, but so far, it has held up as well as any Rolex has before it and it wears few marks and scratches it inevitably incurred in its newfound role of daily driver with great style and elegance. If anything, its scars attenuate any semblance of braggadocio that might otherwise arise from wearing such a watch. I can only recommend this avenue, should you want to evolve things into that realm of quality without changing the way you live.

Great minds think alike! I’ve been thinking of getting an overseas dual time. I haven’t seen one in the metal yet. Given the current environment, I don’t I will see one any time soon.

Have you seen the prototype dual time used by Cory Richards? I wish VC would put this into production.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Phooi

Great minds think alike! I’ve been thinking of getting an overseas dual time. I haven’t seen one in the metal yet. Given the current environment, I don’t I will see one any time soon.

Have you seen the prototype dual time used by Cory Richards? I wish VC would put this into production.

So do I, it’s such an attractive piece and as someone who spends a fair bit of time out in the alps, I am of course very receptive to the mountaineering aspect too. The black dial dual time has a very similar vibe to it though, so even if they didn’t fulfill what we truly want, you’d always have that route you could go.

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by mmaggi

NOT the 1st time I've heard this. And you are certainly entitled to your opinion, although it's not mine.

I've owned my 16710 for over 6 months. And although I love the look of it, my pet peeve is the price. As great of a watch it is, I'm sorry... it's hardly worth the price I paid for it. I understand I paid market value and chances are I could get every single penny back that I paid. But it's sooooo overpriced. It's a $3k-$4k watch at best. And that goes for 6 digit references as well.

This

[mmaggi]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

Absolutely, in fact, for me, the only reason it still does fron time to time is the emotional attachment I have to some models, like my LN GMT that has followed every step I made for so many years, or silver dial Datejusts that will forever remind me of my grandfather... other than that, I‘m very happy to take my overseas out of the watchbox every morning and can’t wait to put the Lange to its side once it arrives

I love the VC Overseas Chrono. Maybe when I retire I'll pull the trigger on that.

[Brockenbrough]

Originally Posted by mmaggi

And that's the point: I will never sell it. It's really the only Rolex I ever lusted. Just kicking myself for not buying a used one back in the early 90s for less than $2k. LOL!

Just keep in mind a one time $2000 investment assuming a fair 7% annual return will be worth ~$12,000 at that future date of 27 years.
So, don't worry about it too much

I'm considering paying a premium for a 16710 sometime this year too.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by mmaggi

I love the VC Overseas Chrono. Maybe when I retire I'll pull the trigger on that.

It sure would be a fantastic piece to commemorate the occasion! And both in blue (mesmerizing) and reverse panda (a very attractive combo too), you really can’t go wrong with it. You may also want to consider the three hand, with its slimmer bezel, it has even better proportions and would certainly be a stunner to enter that new chapter of your life with. I have the blue one and it’s - to my eyes- by far My favorite watch currently available. If the chrono is important to you, the RO chrono, despite its inferior movement (in fairness the 1185 is technically outstanding, just not as well finished), it’s a very attractive option too.

[mmaggi]

Originally Posted by Brockenbrough

Just keep in mind a one time $2000 investment assuming a fair 7% annual return will be worth ~$12,000 at that future date of 27 years.
So, don't worry about it too much

I'm considering paying a premium for a 16710 sometime this year too.

My advice: Buy the cheapest one you can find. That means you will probably have to send it in for service. Send it in for service and get back a gorgeous, new watch. That's exactly what I did. All in for less than $10k.

[mmaggi]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

It sure would be a fantastic piece to commemorate the occasion! And both in blue (mesmerizing) and reverse panda (a very attractive combo too), you really can’t go wrong with it. You may also want to consider the three hand, with its slimmer bezel, it has even better proportions and would certainly be a stunner to enter that new chapter of your life with. I have the blue one and it’s - to my eyes- by far My favorite watch currently available. If the chrono is important to you, the RO chrono, despite its inferior movement (in fairness the 1185 is technically outstanding, just not as well finished), it’s a very attractive option too.

The VCOC blue dial (5500V/110A-B148) is to die for. All class. A gentleman's watch. The reverse panda is nice too. Sportier than the blue dial. I like Royal Oak Chronos as well. Their dials are killer.