New to forum

[Vogue]

Hi all,
I am about to buy my wife a Rolex Datejust for her 40th this weekend. It's a surprise. We've been together for 17 years and she's always wanted a Rolex, ever since she saw a family friend wearing one about 10 years ago.

I've seen a nice one in a jewellers. Its a 26mm with a jubilee strap and Mother Of Pearl face. The only thing I'm not keen on are the Roman Numerals. The shop have said I can have a free dial change within the first 3 months if she's not happy and a complete refund/replacement of the watch itself if unworn (30 days). Its not me thats got to "like" it at the end of the day- after all, its for my wife.

I'm sure she'll love it though. Then again, she wouldn't tell me if she didn't like it. She'd be happy with the bottom-of-the-range Rolex to be honest. She's not a materialistic person, and she has no idea this watch is coming this weekend.

Now- forgive my ignorance but as I said, I've never bought a Rolex before. Come to think of it, I've never even researched buying one! What I'm trying to say is- I look at this tiny watch and I'm constantly trying to justify the price of it. I'm told they never lose money, so its an investment as well I guess. Why is it then, that I see used Rolex's for half the price? Who is selling them on at a loss if they are such an investment?

I suppose I'm here looking for a bit of a push that tells me I'm doing the right thing spending all this money on a watch! I'm not a rich man, & I've saved up for this for a couple of years now.

[Tools]

There is no point in trying to "justify the price" of a luxury product..

I'm sure that your wife will love it, and you for being so thoughtful..

[m5blitzer]

You cannot go wrong whether she appreciates it or not. My wife is the same way but I figure she will grow into the appreciation part of owning the watch.

You made the right move.

[dddrees]

If you think she'll like get it. But don't get it because you think it is an investment, because it isn't.

[Hulatime]

This is considered one of the "milestone" birthdays by many (myself included!) and coupled with the fact she's been wanting one for 10 years - DO IT!!! She will absolutely LOVE it & will constantly find herself staring at her wrist. 12 years from now, she might not remember where you went for dinner, who was at her party, etc. but she will definitely remember that the Rolex she wears was her 40th bday gift from you.

[sea-dweller]

You sound like a wonderful husband! Welcome to TRF!

[TheVTCGuy]

Welcome Vogue!

[ally]

I am sure she will love it.



The trouble is you'll want one next

[rmfnla]

10 years is too long to wait for anything; get out there and buy her that watch!



"The shop have said I can have a free dial change within the first 3 months if she's not happy and a complete refund/replacement of the watch itself if unworn (30 days)."

Very generous terms!

[AstroBoy]

I had the same situation like yours two years ago. I gave her a two-tone champagne dail with diamonds. I presented to her in the present of our adult daughter. My daughter was excited, but my wife told me I'm "Out-of-My-Mind" paid that much of money for a watch ! but I keep on insisted her to have it since it represent a special occasion for a very special person. she reluctantly agreed....and now she loved it big time! she wears when we go out, parties , and vacations....she is very happy with it!

Good luck in your Rolex purchase !

[drtooth73]

excellent gift idea from a thoughtful husband.
i'm sure she'll enjoy it (btw, you can get photos of 2 different dials to show her on the sly for an opinion)

[George Ab]

Welcome to TRF!

A used watch will have an initial depreciation. If the future responds like the past; as Rolex increases prices (currently they are in EU), the prices for older watches start to follow. For a new watch at an AD, it could take 10 years before you catch up. However, in this case since the AD is working with you on dial change and refund if unworn..... that has to be worth something and exceptionally important as it is a gift.

The only other thing I would mention is that women are starting to wear larger watches. 26mm and 28mm may have a tendency to become dated. You may consider, resisting her putting on the watch..... showing it to her (for the surprise and gift of it)......discussing the situation of getting exactly what she wants and letting her choice. A men's 34mm Airking is the new 28mm in woman's.

[Vogue]

Wow! I only went out to walk the dog and came back to find 11 replies! Thanks for the kind welcome and advice!

She has a couple of watches at present. Nothing special and certainly not of a "designer" standard. They are all small faced, hence my looking at 26mm faces.
The lady in the shop said to present it on her birthday and worry about whether she wants to change it/ customise it afterwards.
If I could run to it, I'd replace the dial like for like, but with diamonds instead of the numerals. That's another £1600 though!
Here's the watch I've reserved:

http://www.philippeswatches.com/shop...al-179174.html

It looks great when the light catches the dial. The strap also glistens nicely.
I can always buy the diamond m.o.p face for her 50th!

[The GMT Master]

That combination is probably one of my favourites from the lady's line up - very pretty, very classic. Whilst it will depreciate (it's inevetible with just about every single watch in the range), it will depreciate much more slowly than other brands. The other good thing is that jewellers would be willing to part chop a watch like that further down the line, should you want to upgrade, as it's a reasonably easy watch to sell.

I presume the watch has a fluted bezel on, which you might be interested to know is made from 18ct gold. Mother of pearl is also quite a difficult material to work with, which is why it has a premium over the standard dials: however, every single piece is unique due to it being a natural product, so you know for certain that no other watch will be quite like the one you're getting for your wife. The movement is also one of the best ladies' movements on the market - they have a higher first time pass rate at COSC (chronometer testing) than the men's calibres, which is quite something for such a tiny movement. It's a wonderful watch, and I'm sure your wife will adore it

Chris

[arttay10]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

That combination is probably one of my favourites from the lady's line up - very pretty, very classic. Whilst it will depreciate (it's inevetible with just about every single watch in the range), it will depreciate much more slowly than other brands. The other good thing is that jewellers would be willing to part chop a watch like that further down the line, should you want to upgrade, as it's a reasonably easy watch to sell.

I presume the watch has a fluted bezel on, which you might be interested to know is made from 18ct gold. Mother of pearl is also quite a difficult material to work with, which is why it has a premium over the standard dials: however, every single piece is unique due to it being a natural product, so you know for certain that no other watch will be quite like the one you're getting for your wife. The movement is also one of the best ladies' movements on the market - they have a higher first time pass rate at COSC (chronometer testing) than the men's calibres, which is quite something for such a tiny movement. It's a wonderful watch, and I'm sure your wife will adore it

Chris

That would of sold it for me.........................

'Get it bought' and 'stop faffing about' as my other half would say.....

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by arttay10

That would of sold it for me.........................

'Get it bought' and 'stop faffing about' as my other half would say.....

[MonBK]

Welcome

[TSW]

Welcome aboard.

[Speed]

Got my wife a stainless DJ for an early 40th. She loves it. thankfully she is happy with just one watch!!!

Enjoy!

[slcbbrown]

About the dial-- that's a beautiful dial. I was looking for one for a man's DJ. The option to exchange it is pretty generous. I guess you're paying MSRP.

[Vogue]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

About the dial-- that's a beautiful dial. I was looking for one for a man's DJ. The option to exchange it is pretty generous. I guess you're paying MSRP.

Yeah. The prices in the UK, I'm told, are pretty much set in stone by Rolex and no AD will lower the price. What they will do, is throw in offers like I've had- dial change and the 1st service free.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Vogue

Yeah. The prices in the UK, I'm told, are pretty much set in stone by Rolex and no AD will lower the price. What they will do, is throw in offers like I've had- dial change and the 1st service free.

They're spinning you a bit of a tale there. Discounts are most certainly possible, you just need to know where to look

[Vogue]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

They're spinning you a bit of a tale there. Discounts are most certainly possible, you just need to know where to look

I've tried 3 dealers - all gave me the exact same price out of their book. I'm good at bartering, but I couldn't break them!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Vogue

I've tried 3 dealers - all gave me the exact same price out of their book. I'm good at bartering, but I couldn't break them!

Just out of interest, did you go to chain jewellers or independents?

[Cru Jones]

17 years together.....in her mind for 10 years.....you've been saving for a couple of years......JUST DO IT! and don't look back.

my mother gave my father a TT jubilee champagne stick dial DJ (classic!) for his 40th birthday, and i come from a modest family. i remember vividly the moment and 25 years later it's still his only watch.

he just sent it for service last year for the first time! came back good as new....

[Tunacan26]

Is there a way to take your wife to a Rolex AD, without her knowing you are plotting this gift idea? If so, do it! You NEED to know which model she really likes BEFORE buying/wearing it. I say this because I bought my wife a Yachtmaster, which after wearing it a day or two, uh, well, wanted something else. Yikes. So be aware. And, yes, a fellow TRF member benefited from buying the Yachtmaster, at a stupid discount to boot!!

[Vogue]

Chain at the moment. I live near Birmingham if you can advise of an Indy dealer?

[Vogue]

The Rolex site is only showing the ones I've already been to.

[p_mcgee]

You may want to consider the 31mm Datejust rather than the smaller model. My wife and her friends all seem to be into the larger women's & unisex watches these days.

[rfknauss]

Welcome to TRF!