Tried on a 116619 (Smurf)... now I'm sad

[cda555]

I was wandering around South Coast Plaza last night popped into the Baron and Leeds Rolex boutique. The 116619 is even more gorgeous in person... and way out of my comfort zone. I loved the color, the shine of the dial, the heft, and the warm hue of the gold. My immediate thought was "now I need to start saving for this beaut." I loved it so much, I can honestly seem myself being happy with just that one watch. The problem is that $25k+ is a number I have a hard time wrapping my mind around for a watch. I used to think that $5k+ for a watch was crazy, so I'm sure my brain will get there eventually. Maybe you guys can share some of your Kool-aid? Anyway, thanks for reading my musings.

[DocHorton]

I paid $1200 for my first Rolex and that seemed like too much money for a watch at the time. Last year I added the Smurf and my wife thought it was crazy to pay $25k for a watch. But it's my favorite one and I enjoy it every time I wear it.

Save up and get it, you won't regret it. I know I don't!

[SemperFi]

I have a limit I'm willing to spend on a watch. Disregarding the ability to afford it, 25K is a heck of a lot more than I'd be comfortable spending on any watch.

[Chute]

I feel you man. I'm looking for one more watch and its down to a 5711 or a new DD40, but I have a hard time bringing myself to spend that much on a time piece.

I also think its nuts to spend more than $250k for a house or more than $30k for a car,
but plenty of people around me spend way more on those but don't wear a watch at all.

Here's a justification: If you spend that much on a car and only use it an hour a day, why not spend that much on a watch you can use all day long. We only have so much time, you know?

It's up to you what you can stomach. Just get insurance on it and enjoy it if you pull the trigger.

[Wcdhtwn]

Thinking is overrated. Yes, I am being highly hypocritical.

[Etschell]

people spend $25k in 3 years on a bmw 2 series lease. it is all perspective.

that said in 3-4 years itll be closer to $20k. a lot of money no doubt but all things equal it wont lose much value. if i were you id try on a 5711 as well.

im saving up for a 5711 or a 116618. no need to justify the price because quite frankly none is needed.

[dbluevette]

Now every waking moment of your life will be consumed by the thought of owning THE SMURF. Good luck.

[captain_NEMO]

Had a string of commissions last month that tempted me to check out the BLRO. Wow. Just wow. The weight, the heft, the sheen...everything. Then I saw the price tag and my thoughts took the same turn yours did. Told myself that if I skimmed off my next several commissions, I'd probably be able to get it within this year.

Since then, I've been going back and forth with my thoughts: love, love the feel of the watch, but do I really need a watch at that price? What, if any, are the advantages to this vs, say the BLNR or the LN, other than the precious metal? I mean, if the gold kept better time, had better depth rating, no PCL's and warrantied for 5 additional years than the norm, I would've made the purchase a long time ago. But since it doesn't, my "need" is starting to look more and more like a really lavish "want." I'm only paying for the copious amount of gold, that is all.

Right?

Damn this forum!

[AS1]

It will hold value better than just about anything else one can spend $25K on, so if circumstances change there is liquidity in the piece.

[kilyung]

Yolo

[cda555]

I'm glad I'm not the only conflicted person. My brain keeps thinking "that costs as much as a very nice car." Maybe I should just try to curb my desire with a hulk. The problem is that blue is my favorite color, and I really don't like two tone watches (not a fan of bluesy). I wish I liked the pelagos. Why did I have to try it on? Okay... my current plan is to try and strike it rich when I am in Vegas this weekend. Foolproof right?

[azguy]

I could never do it, $25k can build an amazing 5 watch collection...and I LOVE blue watches

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by cda555

I'm glad I'm not the only conflicted person. My brain keeps thinking "that costs as much as a very nice car." Maybe I should just try to curb my desire with a hulk. The problem is that blue is my favorite color, and I really don't like two tone watches (not a fan of bluesy). I wish I liked the pelagos. Why did I have to try it on? Okay... my current plan is to try and strike it rich when I am in Vegas this weekend. Foolproof right?

$800 on lucky number 13.

[Malibuboy]

It's a personal thing. I did it for myself. If I was doing it for others, I would have bought the YG Sub 116618. When I tried it on at the Wynn Rolex Boutique, I knew it was the one.

Figuring out the right watch was actually way harder than paying for it.

If it speaks to you that much, do not ignore it.

[7shaun7]

I look at it this way you can loose that sort of number in depreciation on a vehicle if you keep it around three years. buying certain Rolex models (most) is a clear cut investment. Twenty years ago a friend advised me to buy stainless sports Rolex models whenever I had the chance which I have done and without banging on about it will sell most when I retire and keep prob 3 of my favourites. So yes yes yes get it when you can my friend.
I was Rolex watch fan anyway just made it that bit easier to part with my money 🤑


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[Hodog16]

Gotta go for it. If you are anything like me once something gets on the radar, a laser focus is placed on it until I get it. Within reason of course, I'm not trying to buy a super car or a platinum watch.

However, now that I've ordered my first gold watch, I'm already contemplating a second.

[texex91]

The sooner you buy it the better...then it will be a $50k watch...and just wait until you get into the $100k+ watches...that's when the fun really starts

[lig]

It's too late. :)

If you love it - you love it. Trying to placate yourself with a Hulk isn't going to work. You'll end up flipping it.

As stated earlier - if you buy right you won't get hurt too badly in the event you need to sell.

Way better than money spent on car mods. I know that with 100% certainty.

[bobabreath]

I love the Smurf, but I would be afraid of the high cost of repair or replacement should something bad happen. Same reason I don't own a $100K Mercedes.

Yes, you could buy insurance for your watch. But buying insurance on a watch is yet another concept I haven't wrapped by brain around yet.

[Charlie_pace]

I don't know how many of you are Youtube fans, but there's a great guy named Federico who had a recent chat about the watch market in general. He talked through how in 2014 some brands increased prices 3 times (a total of 18%) within a year, and how obsurd that was. He went on to explain how in the super premium end of the watch market, it's always smart for these brands to go up in price, periodically. Once they go down, it brings the brands value down, and makes the customers who paid more, frustrated. There's a line however to outlandish price increases.

That being stated, I love the Smurf, but also think the current price is a bit too high. I do think Rolex will continue down the road of price increases, but I can't imagine this particular watch ever getting to $100k territory.

Long story short, is the watch "too expensive"? That's up to you. People scoff at me now when they find out my "humble" 16610 was $5k. To us, that's "affordable", but to the rest of the non WIS world, it sometimes doesn't make sense.

[1st amg]

It is a very slippery slope. I think you can justify it as a one and only watch though. It's stunning in the flesh


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[ap1]

Originally Posted by dbluevette

Now every waking moment of your life will be consumed by the thought of owning THE SMURF. Good luck.

been there

I think about these as 20% losers (if bought right / second hand) should you need to bail / flip. So if you are fine with losing 5k (at your price of 25 - it's 37btw) AND don't need that capital - then it's ok by my way of thinking.

[brmeyers]

The Smurf is my favorite WG Rolex...
Just make sure you are ok with nobody noticing it as gold except astute lookers and WIS'.
Also it is a heavy being a PM so if your wrist is small like mine, make sure to factor that in (I sold mine mainly because of this).
But it's a beauty, no doubt about that.

[RichM]

It's my favorite WG Rolex. Its whatever you're comfortable with. I consider it a blessing to be able to afford one.

[JapRs]

Hope this helps

[Brian Page]

I've had one before and it is an amazing piece, I flipped my way there over a year - that's one way to inch your way there (and have more than 25k invested in the end....) Unless you want to find a great used piece - not a bad way to go....

[AK797]

When I joined here I had a Subc and thought that was as much as I'd probably ever spend but after a few years here I was suddenly looking at this watchbox. So save hard and research harder and buy well. I've now sold one and will be selling another soon and by buying right I will only lose £2/3K on each, which is half the price of my initial SS Subc.

[TripleB Boston]

You are certainly not alone.

I felt the same way. The gold is beautiful, heavy, and the dial and bezel are a beautiful blue.

You can trick yourself into thinking the Hulk will satisfy the itch, but it won't. A few months later you'll be back at the AD trying on the blue one again....

Save up, keep looking at the forums and pictures, and if you still want the Smurf in a few months, you will acclimate yourself to that price tag.

I don't regret one dollar I spent on my Smurf, and i wear it the least.

Happy hunting.

[douglasf13]

Hey, everyone spends their money differently. If I were ever to spend that kind of money on a watch (I'd buy a steel Patek,) I'd need at least a pretty solid, six figure sum in savings (and that's after we spend our current savings on a house in the next couple of years.)

[Charlie_pace]

Holy shi... Please don't sell the watch in the middle... or the one on the left...or the one on the right. WHY SELL ANY OF THOSE?!?! This is perfection to me. A small collection of extremely high quality pieces. Do you have a stainless or white gold box, too?

Originally Posted by AK797

When I joined here I had a Subc and thought that was as much as I'd probably ever spend but after a few years here I was suddenly looking at this watchbox. So save hard and research harder and buy well. I've now sold one and will be selling another soon and by buying right I will only lose £2/3K on each, which is half the price of my initial SS Subc.