Bye biased! What to buy!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Linking to my thread Bye bye I am STILL biased what to buy

Yesterday, I got it all set!

I would go for the Blancpain FF.

But now I have second thoughts!

There are various reasons for this:

1) The (NON ROLEX) AD I can get the Blancpain from demands I pay in advance since he will not just order the watch home for me to look at. It's a big risk if I don't like the watch.

2) The same AD has stated that they have a policy of not regulating and re-regulating watches to achieve as good accuracy as possible. So if the company that makes a watch has official tolerance margins of say up to plus 10 seconds, the AD won't bother with trying to adjust it better if the watch is 9 secs. fast a day.

3) I want an original Blancpain rubber strap for it later (the rubber straps are still not availible on the market), but the AD will not let the rubber strap be part of the discount (15 %). And a Blancpain rubber strap is probably like US $ 400 or more. A member stated in the other poll that the strap is less durable, and I believe he is right.

Now to the SD:

1) A Rolex AD will give me 10 % off the SD which is not bad, but also less than what my normal Rolex AD would give me (15 %). Reason why I would like to buy it from the AD that will give me 10 % is that he has his store close by so that I don't have to go to the other part of Denmark if I need something done whilst under guarantee. And my AD close by won't accept doing guarantee service for free on a watch that is not bought from him.

2) I know the SD well, and I know that I can always have it regulated for free and get an accuracy that is as close to zero deviation per day as possible. I am not sure I can achieve this with the Blancpain, especially not with an AD who is reluctant to adjust it, at all.

3) The SD is an all-steel watch with makes the strap issue obsolute.

4) My guess is that the SD will get the CRB, too, in near future. Now I can get one without the CRB, but if I get the Blancpain now and want an SD later, by that time the SD will probably have the CRB.

5) About luminosity: Certainly, the Blancpain has awesome lume, but I never sleep with my watch on. On rare occasions, if I wake up in the middle of the night, I check my watch on the nightstand. So question is how much I would really need so intense lume? It's not that the SD's got bad lume, either.

As you can hear, I am more reluctant to buying the SD at the moment, but will make another poll out of this thread just to hear your opinions.

BTW: The DJ will be a third watch, no doubt about it. I just won't buy it just yet.
I will get the DJ, btw. Not just yet, though.

[smith one]

Bo, I would opt for the Blancpain FF. It sounds like to me this is your
first choice. I say go with your "gut" first choice you will not regret.

The SD is a wonderful watch, they will be available for a later purchase.

1. FF

2. SD

3. DJ

Just my humble opinion

cheers

Kevin

[seantk]

The fact that you are having second thoughts means you should get the Sea Dweller...

Yes my opinion is biased of course... But if we do a search and see how many posts that you mention you miss your beloved SD.......


Sean

[Dan Pierce]

SD.
dP

[CPTL]

Sd.

Sd.

Sd.

[fwellers]

From what I've heard, the Blancpain movements are a little more delicate and finicky compared with the rock solid robust 3135. For that reason alone I would go with the SD.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Further thoughts:

I tend to agree with a statement that another member posted about potential issues with a bezel insert made of of sapphire crystal.

You drop it on the floor, you say bye-bye bezel insert and hello to a bill that will made you go



That's also one of the reasons why I am flipping the SS GMT II. If you scratch the ceramic bezel insert, is will cost you a wopping US $ 700+ to replace!

Here are the exact costs:

Originally Posted by Ironstark

(...)The retail price for the ceramic insert for a SS GMTII is £375 ($734) + plus applicable taxes in your country.
The retail price for the bezel complete for a SS GMTII is £676 ($1324) + plus applicable taxes in your country.
Prices quoted are from Rolex material dept as of today.(...)

The SD bezel insert is simpler and cheaper to replace (a mere US $ 51 plus a fees for installing it).

[Trurolexer]

Usually I choose Rolex than other brand. But now I can't lie my heart FF is a lil' bit more good than SD. So, my humble opinion is choose FF. TRhe model is very COOL!!! Honestly I never seen any diver watch look so beautiful like FF. Except SUBMARINER of course...He-He...

[Ralerin]

Bo go for the FF. It is a great watch and is near the top of my want list.

You have had the SD in the past and flipped it. Maybe the FF will be a real keeper.

[karmatp]

Hey BO, does this poll help or confuse you more. I personally would jump on the opportunity for a FF, but personally wound not spend that much on a watch. Cant you buy like 2 1/2 SD for the price of the FF. The FF is a amazing watch that I would be happy to hold in my hand for 2 minutes, while the SD I could own if I wanted. So as far as exclusivity, the FF wins, you will probably never even see another in the wild were you see SD's here and their. Good luck with your decision, either way you win when you think about it, they are both fantastic watches and I would be proud to own either of them.

[Scooby]

Bo - you made the decision to go with the FF. The problem is that you have too much time on your hands to contemplate whether or not that decision was correct. From your post, it seems to me that you want the SD, because it is "comfort food", so to speak. You know it, you like it. It is not the latest fad, something you are tantalized with now but will tire of. Of course, you will tire of the SD, and flip it again. But it is a known quantity for you, and you know how to flip it when the time comes.

I voted for the FF, for selfish reasons of wanting to see your in depth review of it. However, from this post, I believe you want to buy the SD and are looking for a reason to do so.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by mfer

Bo. I think you know that you shouldn't deal with that azz dealer...

Get a used SD and SMP. Two watches for the same price as the 50 fathom.

DON'T FLIP THAT SD AGAIN!!!!!

I stand by what I said before. I don't like pushy dealers.

But seriously, buy what you want. I don't think you can go wrong. Worst case, the FF doesn't smile at you so much. What would the resale be on an unworn FF? 95% of what you paid? Just a guess.

[DoxaDavid]

Sorry to disagree with many but I think you should choose neither. If your having this much trouble deciding, I don't think your heart is in either one. You have had several SD's and keep selling them. You might be interested in the FF but you have several valid concerns so I would pass on it as well.

Bo, I am sure another watch will "call" and you will jump at it. Anytime I vacillate this much on a buying decision, it isn't right.

Maybe you need to look for a 3rd option?

[bwalkerVintage]

Sd

[Jedi]

You've had the SD over and over and over again.

Some might say it's close to an obsession, but it's an irrational hobby that we all here have anyway

The FF is something completely new. The SD is less risky, but if you get the SD, you might agonise over the 'what if' question. New is good, but risky, as mentioned.

So you can go safe, or take a risk and try something new.

Low risk = guaranteed return

Higher rish = higher possible return, and possible bigger disappointment

Depends on who you are, you're personality type.

Risk taker, or safe better.

Your money, your decision.

I went out of the Rolex comfort zone and have not looked back. Still love Rolex, but there is more to watch collecting than just Rolex.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Jedi

(...)I went out of the Rolex comfort zone and have not looked back. Still love Rolex, but there is more to watch collecting than just Rolex.

I see your point, but in fact I have stepped out of the comfort zones numerous times. Besides the SS GMT IIc being my 22th. Rolex, I have also tried other brands, including an IWC Doppelchronograph - actually bought that one from the AD who would also order the Blancpain. But the IWC proved to have bad timekeeping, and the AD refused to regulate it more than once. That's one of the main reasons as to why I am reluctant to buy from that specific AD. As stated, only that specific AD can order it in Denmark, however!

I also owned a Zenith El Primero "Class" for a while, and I still have a couple of Seikos and a Junghans.

It just seems that nothing really beats Rolex; at least in my world.

[davidwatts]

I'm with scooby - let's have a review of the FF from a Rolex lover's perspective. You've had an SD - go for the unknown!

[Bobareno]

I would go with the SD all the way.

[nsolga]

I like the statement that the SD is "comfort food" but hey, comfort food is good food! It is usually cheaper and less flashy but, makes you feel good inside. Bo, you know you love that SD and it will be cheaper and not have a CRB or any polish now and no ceramic to worry about. Plus, it will be regulated for the next 2 years + for free. Serviceable for 30 years or so from Rolex. So, - if you really want ANOTHER one - get it now!

At the lower price get it now and seriously, use the rest to save up and get that FF later after you lust over it 1/10 th the amount you've lusted over the SD.

Odds are that you'll get a FF now and end up buying a used SD (not BNIB) later or pay more for one that has features you don't want down teh road when you flip the FF or expand to get a SD as well.

Just because it's comfort food, doesn't mean it isn't tasty and worth having around. I love fine aged wine but, I still drink good value basic reds because I love them too and it provides variety and perspective.

Cheers Bo.

[Trurolexer]

I think more clear now, Bo!!! Choose FF!!! DO IT!!!

[mike]

Well, there's not much that would sway me from Rolex, but if I had the chance to get a FF.....I would.

[Baptistman]

Bo, there is no issue, there is only one SD.

[Tools]

Well....
,,,,,,,,,,,,...Rolex is my favorite watch brand....

...............................

..........................I would go with the Blancpain FF.


That watch is just too cool to pass on...

[BiG JeEzY]

Hi Bo, I know that you have decided between the SD and the FF.

I still think that you should get the SS DJ with the Jubilee band now and then save up for the FF later. I agree with what you said in your "bye bye" thread that 1 Daytona, 1 DJ, and 1 FF would make for an incredible collection.

I say you get the DJ for now, then the FF next.

-You would have one dressy watch in the silver dial DJ.

-You would have a nice sporty/dressy watch in the versatile look of the white dial Daytona.

-You would have one sporty watch in the Blancpain FF with the black dial.

IMHO, thats the ultimate collection with the perfect balance and each watch complimenting each other.

[fwellers]

Bo,
You can try a Blancpain for a while if you want to, but the true fact is, that eventually it will wind up sitting in the box while King Rlex gets more and more wrist time, and , as sure as the sun sets each day, the blancpain will suffer the fate of all the others. It will be flipped for the one and only true king of the wrist !!

[Jerry B]

I think the SD, you have had this watch before and keeps calling out to you. Be done with it and enjoy the watch your truly love

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Let's see tomorrow!

[Stef_Call]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Let's see tomorrow!

If only there was a Holding Breath Smiley !!!

[CarlosA]

Originally Posted by Jerry B

I think the SD, you have had this watch before and keeps calling out to you. Be done with it and enjoy the watch your truly love

I will take the opposite slant and say that since you've had the SD and keep flipping it, maybe you're not that much into it really, since you would have kept one by now if you were.

Just my opinion.

[kingblackbolt]

Bo,

An SD will always be available but a FF is much more rare I believe... if you are not 100% certain then go with a sure thing and get the SD but if you want something less common than a FF is a fine time piece... just my .02!