Have you ever wanted to downgrade a Rolex?

[hbombkid]

So money is not a factor in this, but wanted to know have you ever downgraded your Rolex for non-financial reasons? Have you ever said this is just to much? "I just want to have something more simple."

I have been into watches for about 5 years and my first luxury watch was a 2500 PO. It was bought before the birth of my first child. This got me into watches.

I bought my first Rolex a DJ II fluted blue roman. I thought that is what I wanted, but I was wrong. It was just to dressy for me so last year I flipped it for the BLNR. I like my BLNR, but recently I have been looking at it and it's just a little to much. I actually do not use any of the functionality of the piece just liked the black and blue bezel now I almost feel that is to much. I still do like it though.

I have been thinking of downgrading to the new explorer (doubtful don't really want a black dial) but like the simple look. My other option would be going back to the DJ II but now smooth bezel with probably the Arabic numbers. I like how it's fairly simple. I will admit I like my watches having the date. As classic as the Sub is I don't want that because of my PO.

So there is my story I really am in the mode of my BLNR is to much for me, but I still want a nice Swiss timepiece.

I would love to here your opinions and maybe other options.

[yannis]

I guess it has happened to thousands of us and you are not alone.

[bdex75]

Yea sir. Traded my DSSD and 36mm DJ for a DJ2, a Tudor Advisor, Tudor Pelagos 2 line and a Tudor BBblu.

Most thought it was a downgrade as I went from 2 Rolex to one.

And my reasoning was the same as yours. Loved the dssd. Did not mind the size. Just way more watch than I would ever use. But that can be said for most of us on here I assume.


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[JP Chestnut]

No. Onward and upward.

[Ticknaway]

I would say by the watch you think you'll be comfortable with first. Take some time and see if it meets your needs,if the answer is yes then sell the others. Hate to sell a watch then realize it was a mistake

[FTX I]

I wouldn't call it downgrade. I don't use upgrade as well but that's just me.

[m1911a1]

If the standard 39mm Explorer-1 was available in 42mm it would be the only watch I would wear I'm sure....
Less is WAY more.....

[tmehanna]

That's always the problem with a single watch, you get tired too quickly. You have the dressy model, you want the sports, you have a dark dial, you want a light....etc, or the opposite! What you are going through is completely legitimate. If money is indeed not an issue, then keep your watch and buy the other one you like (for the time being). In an ideal situation, you would have a dark dial, a light dial, a colorful dial, a sports watch, a dressy watch...etc, and the more the merrier. You'll be surprised how quickly you could take off the explorer and go back to the BLNR. Down the road after building a collection, if you do build one, you'll be able to tell which ones get the least wrist time on the long run and replace them with one you'll actually wear.

However, I would strongly against replacing a BLNR with an Explorer II. It is my personal opinion -and hope I don't offend anyone- is that the explorer II 42mm is the least attractive model Rolex makes. I was going to pull the trigger on one because I liked it in the pics until I tried it on my wrist and thought it was a joke. May be it's my wrist or my eyes, but I thought it was a joke.

[ref1655]

'toning-down' the appearance or presentation is probably a better term than 'downgrading' when it comes to Rolexes & other high-end acquisitions as your downgrade may be another man's grail.

semantics aside...from the standpoint of longevity, it always seems better to err on the conservative side as what initially appears to be flashy & cool can eventually become tiresome once the novelty wears off.

it's kind of like dating/marrying an attractive woman who in time, proves that she's not very interesting to be around.

[Porter]

Sometimes yes but afterwards I decide to keep them and buy a new one!! I suppose is an "excessive affection problem" and I prefer to put my money in watches than in banks!!!

[kirksingleton]

I have gold and ss models depending on my mood and where I am going that particular day/trip. I'll usually wear a gold model to the office but will just take a ss sub on vacation.

[Timesurfer]

I went from Gold to SS because I wasnt wearing it very much... Its what you feel comfortable with, a very personal decision...

[Chad072]

No. I buy watches based on what I like and not by brand or costs. As you can see from my signature, I like black dive watches. I only have the sub because that was the watch that got me interested in watches when I was a young lad. That said, my 007 gets majority of the wrist time out of my collection due to the ease to switch it up from a nato, to strap, to jubilee, to oyster and it not cost what a new watch would.

[hbombkid]

Originally Posted by ref1655

'toning-down' the appearance or presentation is probably a better term than 'downgrading' when it comes to Rolexes & other high-end acquisitions as your downgrade may be another man's grail.

semantics aside...from the standpoint of longevity, it always seems better to err on the conservative side as what initially appears to be flashy & cool can eventually become tiresome once the novelty wears off.

it's kind of like dating/marrying an attractive woman who in time, proves that she's not very interesting to be around.

Good point on the wording. These are all great watches. Toning down is a great way to put it. Don't get me wrong I still like the BLNR just sometimes I look at and woah am I really wearing this. I guess that could be any Rolex or any very nice time piece. I am lucky to be in this position.

[Timesurfer]

One persons Bling is anothers meh... And viceversa, for me the BLNR hists spot on, I had the LN and never completely warmed up to it... Always wanted the BLNR.... Needed that bit of color...

[Sublovin]

Natural thought...many would feel that way with a $1,000 pair of shoes, a $200,000 car, $3,000 suit, etc.
We are watch hobbyists so to us a $10,000 watch seems "normal". In reality, probably 99.8% of the human population feels the way you do...that it may be too much.
Get something you are comfortable with.

[joe100]

Rolex makes a watch for every taste. You'll find one.

[beancooker]

Not sure if it was a downgrade or lateral movement.

I had a Breitling Galactic for about three months. I decided to part ways with it, as it was too bling and attracted too much attention. Within three days everyone I work with noticed it.

Ended up with an Omega Superocean Aqua Terra. No one noticed it at all.

Wore my new Yachtmaster all week long. No one noticed.

[subtona]

Yes. After owning many variety of subs, my final choice is by far my favorite, the simple 4 line 14060M Submariner (no date)

[Headshrinker]

I went from a Platona to buying a ceramic stainless Sub. I don't really consider it downsizing, but offering different options. I wanted to update my old 1680 Sub for something I could depend on while in the water.

[GB-man]

Oh hell yeah. I traded a ceramic AP diver for my second LVc. I traded my second LVc for a blue pelagos lol. I don't think of it as up or downgrading. Just getting what I want.

I recently dumped my two pateks deciding that I much prefer Rolex and maybe another AP headed my way.

TL:DR I have issues

[domrusso10]

I just traded my day date for a gmt master II and a date just II. I had modern rolexes before the day date. I originally traded a subc and DJII for the day date plus cash. Long story short, 6 months later I missed my newer watches. The day date I had was from 98 and just wasn't doing it for me so I went back to the newer models. Gold to SS and couldn't be happier. To each his own.


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[GolfPunk]

I'm about to go from white gold Daytona to SS ceramic Daytona. Not for financial reasons, because the watch is perfect

[denmanproject]

Recently traded down my 15400 for a BLNR and couldn't be happier! The AP was great but just a bit too much for me and prefer Rolex as a daily watch

[watchwatcher]

It's all about what you want and what appeals to you. If the fluted bezel or the BLNR bezel is too much, it's too much.

The smooth bezel DJ2...give it a shot. A very simple and straight forward time piece, I think you'll like it.

[maxbaris]

Originally Posted by m1911a1

If the standard 39mm Explorer-1 was available in 42mm it would be the only watch I would wear I'm sure....
Less is WAY more.....

Agree.

[ColRam425]

I will say, from observational experience, my father downgraded a YG leather Daytona for a SS Daytona. I wasn't into watches back then but had I known I would've tried to talk him out of it, despite the fact that SS Daytonas are awesome (especially the new ceramic ones)

[ppalasthira]

A SS to SS. I wouldn't it a downgrade. More of a transition. A PM Rolex to SS Rolex. That's more of a downgrade. But if the SS piece that you traded your PM piece was your Grail, I would call that an upgrade. So, it depends.

[Chadridv]

Yes, Some of these examples are a downgrade in price, but generally speaking I don't consider going from a SS Rolex go another SS Rolex a downgrade.

If I bought a Daytona and decided after 6 months, the case was too big and the dial was too busy, one might suggest the explorer I. Is it a downgrade? I guess, but really it's more about finding the right watch and in that case moving to the Ex1 would be the logical move.

[bigwatchman]

Downgrade.... I wouldn't call it that. A different model.... Yes. First was a fluted DJ with Romans. Too dressy.... Then a Submariner 2-liner.... Too plain.... Then an Omega PO chrono... Too massive.... Now a Tudor BBRed.... Perfect... From a financial standpoint, it would seem a downgrade. From a personal satisfaction level, the Tudor wins by a longshot over all previous watches that have graced my arm. But never once have I felt I downgraded....