I tried on my first Rolex today :)

[mmgerard]

Earlier in the week I wrote that I was researching my first Rolex purchase, a lady datejust. Today my husband and I visited several AD's in town and I tried on several variations of the lady datejust. I was impressed with the weight and sturdiness of the watches, not to mention the way they sparkled. :)

Now, a couple more questions: the watch I like has a silver (rhodium?) face with stick markers. The sales associate pointed out that the markers were luminous (is that the right term? I don't remember exactly the term she used.) Is that a new feature or would that be in older models, too? That is, if I were to by a pre-owned datejust with stick markers, would those markers be luminous, too? In some of the pictures of used models for sale, it looks like the stick markers are black or silver...

Next, the sales associate told me the fluted bezel only comes in white gold, whereas the domed bezel is stainless. Has that always been the case? Is it a general rule that a fluted bezel is always gold? Or would older models have a fluted bezel made of stainless or some other material?

Hope my questions make sense. It is so helpful to be able to come here and find answers to my questions and get that much closer to making a purchase! Thank you!

[kcmo]

How exciting!

If the DJ you tried on had stick markers, then it was definitely a SILVER dial. The RHODIUM dial only comes with romans or diamonds.

Yes, the markers or 'sticks' you see are filled with lume so that they will glow when exposed to light. You could certainly find a preowned DJ with the same dial....though if you go 'too far' back series-wise, there were stick marker dials that were different....in other words, the sticks were much thinner and had much less lume (around 6 years ago+, or say with the F series and earlier....someone correct me I am wrong).

As for the fluted bezel, it is correct that the term 'fluted' indicates gold....be it white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold. Fluted is always gold and smooth is always steel.

Good luck!

[mmgerard]

Thank you, Karis. This is very helpful. I did try on a watch with Roman markers, so probably it was at this point that I heard someone say Rhodium. So since I prefer the stick markers, then I will be looking for a silver dial. Thanks so much for the clarification!

[Z06]

Get ready for a GREAT Experience!

[WTB007]

Originally Posted by Z06

Get ready for a GREAT Experience!

Many members report getting 20% to 30% off MSRP from Rolex authorized dealers. I hope your experience is a good one. Remember, the Rolex authorized dealer paid in the neighborhood of 40% for that watch, so even if you get 30% off, the dealer is making 30% (a $6000 profit for the AD on a $10,000 watch for less than 20 minutes of work if you get no discount).

I would also do my homework and find out if that watch was purchased BEFORE the Rolex price increase. The dealer may have paid even less than 40% of MSRP and held on to the watch and will now try and sell it for the new higher price, rather than what the true MSRP was. It is like a car dealer that has a 2009 for $35,000, and when the 2010's came out and were $38,000, the dealer increased the price of the 2009 to $38,000. The problem with Rolex is most people do not find out when their watch was made, and dealers try and pass of watches that are a year or two old as new.

My experience with Rolex dealers is they can be worse than used car salespeople who lie to get a sale. Do not allow emotion to take the place of logic. You will regret owning a Rolex if you do not get the deal you want. If the Rolex AD tells you something, double check for yourself to see if it is a true statement or deception by the AD.

If your AD refuses to offer a good discount, many members here have purchased their rolex from the grey market and saved thousands of dollars. Good luck!

I have moved away from Rolex to Omega. I think Omega is the better watch. You should try on Omega and see for yourself. Omega has great weight, has a more prestigious history than Rolex, and is a great watch.

[moviefreak]

Originally Posted by WTB007

Many members report getting 20% to 30% off MSRP from Rolex authorized dealers. I hope your experience is a good one. Remember, the Rolex authorized dealer paid in the neighborhood of 40% for that watch, so even if you get 30% off, the dealer is making 30%

I believe dealers pay around 60%.... not 40%...

[flathead59]

Originally Posted by WTB007

Many members report getting 20% to 30% off MSRP from Rolex authorized dealers..

Yep, the guys have have dropped 20-50K + at a particular retailer pretty commonly get discounts in that range, as long as the watch isn't one of the higher demand models. The average human will normally receive significantly smaller discounts.

Mark

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by mmgerard

Thank you, Karis. This is very helpful. I did try on a watch with Roman markers, so probably it was at this point that I heard someone say Rhodium. So since I prefer the stick markers, then I will be looking for a silver dial. Thanks so much for the clarification!

Glad to help!

[BarkMaster]

I love the classic look of the stick markers. Enjoy!!

Oh yea... TRF Rule #1: Pics, or it didn't happen.

[HL65]

Agree--love the stick markers!! Best of luck!

[MarcBenhc]

... been looking for the wify on same thing for xmas ... pink dial, stick lum, 178240 PSO/CSO

... have fun !!

[mmgerard]

Thank you all so much. I've been passing all of this information along to my husband. He is a good negotiator, so this is helping him set benchmarks as to what to expect. I am the researcher, he is the negotiator. We're a good team! :)