Thinking about an 18k tool watch....

[Paladin]

I just got a Rolex day-date president 18238 a gift of gold to myself for a "50th anniversary"....my 50th birthday tomorrow. My local jeweler, being the energetic salesman he is, gave me a gold GMT 16758 on an oyster bracelet to put try on today and it looked real good!

I have been giving it some thought and...

-the watch looks great on my wrist!
-it's a tool watch made of soft metal...bit of an intellectual conflict for me.
-being such a heavy watch, the 16758 will wear through the almost perfect oyster bracelet in no time given daily wear
-being such a heavy watch I do not know if I trust Rolex gold spring bars to keep the watch secure and there are wear issues if I switch to SS.
-It's a bit ostentatious as a daily wear watch given my low key attitude. (the day date was a bit of a grail watch for me and will only be worn as a dress watch)

I can get a good deal on one....

What to do.....?

[SALTY]

A tool for every job. The YG DD is a tool watch for the boardroom and the ballroom but not, IMO, for the rough a tumble activities the SS models endure with class and character.

Of your concerns, the relative softness of 75% gold as compared to SS is a valid concern. Sounds like a low-key SS model should be added to the fold.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Nimrod

A tool for every job. The YG DD is a tool watch for the boardroom and the ballroom but not, IMO, for the rough a tumble activities the SS models endure with class and character.

Of your concerns, the relative softness of 75% gold as compared to SS is a valid concern. Sounds like a low-key SS model should be added to the fold.

My daily wear rotation includes a 16753 TT GMT on TT jubilee, a SS 16700 GMT,with jubilee and oyster to choose from, and a TT DateJust on TT jubilee or a strap.

Buying the DD seems to other my wallet open to the possibilities of more gold watches. I have the admit I am finding the glow of yellow gold...well, intoxicating.

[wdalew5]

drooling over Eddies watches.....Esp the 116619

[Ebruner]

Originally Posted by wdalew5

drooling over Eddies watches.....Esp the 116619

I drool over it myself everyday.

-Eddie

[mtrunner]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

I drool over it myself everyday.

-Eddie

Yeah Eddie embarassing as it is I am an adult who is literally drolling all over himself right now. Not a good look for a man in a suit at the office. Awesome collection.

And I don't think there is a problem with wearing an all Gold watch everyday. I see it all the time.

[LightOnAHill]

Gold is not as soft as it seems. Get the watch, it's a piece of jewelry made of gold, (also known as a tool watch)

-being such a heavy watch, the 16758 will wear through the almost perfect oyster bracelet in no time given daily wear
-being such a heavy watch I do not know if I trust Rolex gold spring bars to keep the watch secure and there are wear issues if I switch to SS.

I don't know about those, but someone will be along to put your concerns at rest. :)

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by LightOnAHill

Gold is not as soft as it seems. Get the watch, it's a piece of jewelry made of gold, (also known as a tool watch)





I don't know about those, but someone will be along to put your concerns at rest. :)

Datejusts and DD's are very tough watches. A DD will take a lot of hard wear and the gold isn't all that soft, really. I've seen people soldier with DD's in infantry jobs, and the watches do just fine. Outside of diving, there isn't much that you can do in the way of physical activity (that you can handle) that stresses a Rolex.

[SoftwareDrone]

I have "Gold Fever" these days and you guys aren't helping!!!

[Ebruner]

Gold is fine for everyday, maybe not working on auto engines or breaking up coal or something, but everyday normal activities it wears just fine.

-Eddie

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

Gold is fine for everyday, maybe not working on auto engines or breaking up coal or something, but everyday normal activities it wears just fine.

-Eddie

Agree Eddie!! Love your collection!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

Gold is fine for everyday, maybe not working on auto engines or breaking up coal or something, but everyday normal activities it wears just fine.

-Eddie

Great looking collection Eddie.

[TSW]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

Gold is fine for everyday, maybe not working on auto engines or breaking up coal or something, but everyday normal activities it wears just fine.

-Eddie

That is one helluva collection Eddie

[threemonkeys]

Do what everyone else does with their 'tool' watch - strap on that lovely golden bad boy and go build a railroad, log cabin or whatever floats your boat.

I'm a recent gold watch fanboy convert.

[JustABreathAway]

Every day you have your President will be your best day of owning a watch, ever.

[watchf]

GMT is for flying (although I myself don't see any Rolex as a true tool watch in this time day & Price). You don't do much rough work when flying compared to climbing mountains or diving :D

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by watchf

GMT is for flying (although I myself don't see any Rolex as a true tool watch in this time day & Price). You don't do much rough work when flying compared to climbing mountains or diving :D

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Actually I view the GMT as being for quickly telling time in multiple time zones...one may or may not be flying when that need arises

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by watchf

GMT is for flying (although I myself don't see any Rolex as a true tool watch in this time day & Price). You don't do much rough work when flying

There you go! Personally I'd go with the gold GMT, you should see it as a sporty watch rather than a tool watch! A Casio G-Shock is a real tool watch because you're not afraid to break it...

[GED]

Go for the gold.

[Zed Homme]

G shocks are tool watches, Rolexes are luxury items with incredible functionality. An $18K tool watch....

Go for it, while gold may scratch more easily, it is more than up to the task of keeping your watch safe.

[Singslinger]

There's always an 18k Gold Sub you could consider. After all, it is Rolex's most recognizable tool watch...

[GerardoG]

Try them on. If YOU like it, go for it!

[Maxtor]

I wouldn't wear any gold watch for heavy work. If you like the style of the GMT better than the President that should be your deciding factor.

I wouldn't buy it because it is a "good deal" if it is not the watch you love the most (especially with gold watches being so expensive).

[316lad]

Gold is growing on me - especially in the current economic climate - I'd love a 14060M No Date in gold. That would be NICE!

[DDG]

Here's my thoughts on that. I think the gold used on our watches is alloyed with something pretty hard. I think it will wear better than you think, but not like stainless. And on the other hand, I think the stainless they use is kinda soft. Compare it to the stainless forks & spoons, you eat off everyday. That stuff is what I'd call hard. I think the stainless Rolex uses scratches easily, & wears more like brass. Look how easy it scuffs, and look how easily you can brush it out again. I had an EXP II, I bought back in the 90's, and after 12 years of daily use, the band or bracelet was really hanging. I don't think a gold watch would have done much worse. So, with a broken mainspring & a cracked crystal, I replaced it with a new one in 2004, and it's getting real sloppy too now. I'd say go for the gold. If it doesn't hold up, complain to the dealer. Plus it's going to be worth more in trade credit later down the road. And it will never be any cheaper to buy than it is right now. And like they say. "Nothing feels like real gold"

[Turkeyboy]

My Dad bought me a Gold Day-Date "Prez" back in the mid-70s' and I wore that sucker everyday for at least 10 years.....work, play, going out..........never had a problem or a worry. Buying an 18k "Tool" watch won't be anymore durable than your Day-Date because at the end of the day, it'll still be 18k.

Go out and wear that Day-Date until it drops..........if you want a tool watch, go SS.....enjoy!!!!!!

[azguy]

Nice collection

[ersnyder]

I have trouble believing the bracelet is going to experience failure because of the weight of the gold. They're a pretty tough piece of jewelry!

[dysondiver]

it seems its just bracelets that show the worst of the wear ,,, so maybe something on a strap ,, rubber or exotic. just thinking outloud.
one day i will own a gold watch , but ive been saying that since i was twenty , and that was thirty years ago... 16808 , please.
how about a vintage gold sub.

[GerardoG]

Strap or bracelet, YG is VERY nice