Did I make the right decision on my first Rolex?

[seattlerollie]

I recently set out on my journey to find my first Rolex. For the last few years (I'm 27) I've owned 2 fashion watches that had a great deal of meaning to me (college graduation, first big boy job) but ultimately, they're just fashion watches. I'll cherish them for what they represent to me forever, but I needed a real watch.

I set out on my journey, and evaluated most of the Rolex lineup. I crossed off a few:

- Submariner (too big, not fitting to a nice suit)
- Air King (too entry-level, I want a nice timeless piece)
- Datejust/DJ II (again, a nice starter for most, but I like something with a bit more 'pop')
- Yachtmaster (too big/chunky/busy, not fitting to a nice suit)
- GMT (see: submariner)
- See dweller (At this point, I realized I wasn't fond of the thicker sport bezels)

Now that I'm done offending nearly everyone, I landed on two that stuck out to me:

Daytona. I'm a car geek, and will be acquiring a Ferrari 458 Italia in the next few months. I really liked the yellow face to match Ferrari gauges, it was a very car-guy centric watch, incredibly elegant, a bit busy, and a decent size, albeit a bit big. A new Daytona (18k yg/SS band, yg bezel, white stick dial) was within my price range. I shopped and shopped in the grey market, and landed on a few that I made offers on, and quickly found that despite eBay listings showing "or best offer" and websites having "make offer" options, no retailers were willing to budge on the price. There was just something in me wanting a "deal" on such a pricy purchase.

Day Date 18239 (WG white dial, president bracelet, fluted bezel) This watch was the lust of my younger years. Worn by presidents. Only available in precious metals. Timeless design. The definition of class. I couldn't bring myself to go for yellow/rose gold, as this is something I want to wear daily. I work a conservative office job, and gold watches are just out of the question. I don't want an in-your-face "look at my gold watch" type piece, so white gold really did it for me. Day Date was in my reconditioned price range. Two dilemmas I faced: I really like the size of my 38mm fashion watch. It isn't too big, isn't too small, fits perfectly to the size of my wrist. The 40mm Day Date II was outside my realistic price range, so I was on to the 36mm Day Date. I tried a 36mm and 40mm on side by side, and didn't like the 40mm Day Date. I understand that big watches are all the craze, but I truly prefer a nice sleek, elegant, timeless 36mm design. Second dilemma: The 118239 was also outside my price range. I liked the idea of the solid links, new clasp design, and few other updates, but I did decide that those updates weren't essential to me loving this timepiece.

So after nearly a month of shopping, I finally pulled the trigger on my 18239. I went for reconditioned from a reputable dealer, made sure the box and booklets are sold with the watch, and am eagerly awaiting my purchase. Upon speaking to a Rolex authorized distributor, I was told plenty of horror stories (as I expected, they want the business, and can't speak pleasantly of grey market) but the one that stuck with me the most - the possibility of buying a stolen watch. I got a great deal, but well well within the reasonable range for a great condition Day Date. Is there any way to discover if this watch is stolen within the first 30 days of owning it without sending it to Rolex to risk seizure? This is just my paranoia speaking, there's nothing about the watch or retailer to make me think ill.

I'd love your thoughts and feedback of my journey. Thank you

[Swashplate]

Nicely chosen. Based on your analysis I think you made the right choice. Remember you can always have more than one or 6....Welcome neighbor!

[rmlovett1]

Nicely done!

[Justinmg]

Rollie

[CRM114]

Rolex's flagship, the Day Date can never be the wrong choice.

[514guy]

Originally Posted by seattlerollie

- Submariner (too big, not fitting to a nice suit)

I disagree with you on that, in my opinion the Submariner is very versatile and can basically be worn with everything.

Cheers & congrats on your purchase!

[mtgjr]

Great choice. Congrats. Please post pics when it arrives.

[kauffee]

Sounds like you did your homework and made an informed choice. It’s a beautiful watch. Can’t wait to see wrist shots.

[superdog]

only you can know if you made the right decision.

sounds like a nice watch though.

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by superdog

only you can know if you made the right decision. sounds like a nice watch though.

^^^^This (as no one can walk in another man's shoes).

Originally Posted by entropydave

the AK is a fantastic watch. Understated, precise and clean. It is also Rolex's longest continued model as well.

For me, the AK is one of the most beautiful and classic watches one can buy. It doesn't shout "ROLEX HERE!" which is, for me, very important - the only people who spotted my AK were other watch aficionados. Also less chance of being mugged for your Rolex too!

Sorry if I sounded defensive but I don't think it's fair that this model should be regarded with that loaded phrase of "entry level". It' s beautiful.

Some say that the no-date Air King and Oyster Perpetual are the purist of all Rolex designs. The same could probably said of the Explorer I.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by superdog

only you can know if you made the right decision.

sounds like a nice watch though.

agreed...!

[brandrea]

Congratulations and welcome

[watchwatcher]

Congrats..they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

[GMT Aviator]

Congrats, and the answer to your question is no. If the watch has been registered stolen with Rolex, they won't tell you until you hand it over for service.
In your case however, I wouldn't worry. If you're buying the complete set, it's incredibly unlikely to be stolen.
Just wear it and enjoy.

[entropydave]

I have to pick you up on your comment re Airking - it may be the cheapest of the Rolex line, but in no way is the quality compromised. I've an AK and a sub LV and I alternate between them - the AK is a fantastic watch. Understated, precise and clean. It is also Rolex's longest continued model as well.
For me, the AK is one of the most beautiful and classic watches one can buy. It doesn't shout "ROLEX HERE!" which is, for me, very important - the only people who spotted my AK were other watch aficionados. Also less chance of being mugged for your Rolex too!

The movement in the AK is the same calibre as the sub no date, and it does what it's meant to do - tell the time.
Sorry if I sounded defensive but I don't think it's fair that this model should be regarded with that loaded phrase of "entry level". It's beautiful.

[GradyPhilpott]

You bought an outstanding reference and one I doubt you will ever regret.

We'd very much like to see your collection, including the "fashion" watches.

I think I should point out that the Rolex 14000 is just about as timeless a design as Rolex has ever produced and you would have done well to purchase one had you done so.

I would also suggest that except for your user name and discussions of vintage baseball that you scrub the word Rollie from your vocabulary.

[AK797]

Quite a bold first choice, would have thought you would have gone for a Daytona. Let's see some pics.

[asiparks]

Congrats on the purchase, but if you bought it from a “reputable” dealer, why would you worry it was stolen ?

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by seattlerollie

- Submariner (too big, not fitting to a nice suit)
- GMT (see: submariner)

I went for reconditioned from a reputable dealer......Is there any way to discover if this watch is stolen within the first 30 days of owning it without sending it to Rolex to risk seizure?

Sub and GMT are great suit watches as well as weekend watches. The Sub bezel really sparkles if you clean it and looks borderline dressy....well, maybe not dressy. But it looks nice.

It would help us somewhat to ease your mind if you told us what "reputable dealer" you bought from. If they are a longstanding reputable dealer then you should have recourse with them should you wind up learning down the road that they sold you a stolen watch. Always buy the seller. Its not worth saving a few bucks if you give up peace of mind.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Man, that's the first time I've ever heard anyone say a Daytona wears big.

I'm also having trouble bending my head around your comment that a gold watch is a no-no yet you're 27 and buying a Ferrari; okayyyyyyyyy

Back to your main point, it's your money, your watch and your wrist so as long as you're happy, then you made the right choice.

I agree with the comment above that your watch, which is great choice BTW, is unlikely to be stolen if you've bought the full set.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Man, that's the first time I've ever heard anyone say a Daytona wears big.

I'm also having trouble bending my head around your comment that a gold watch is a no-no yet you're 27 and buying a Ferrari; okayyyyyyyyy

Back to your main point, it's your money, your watch and your wrist so as long as you're happy, then you made the right choice.

I agree with the comment above that your watch, which is great choice BTW, is unlikely to be stolen if you've bought the full set.

+1 on the Daytona. Especially a TT with the smaller SS case.

However, I can see the OPs point about not wanting an all yellow gold watch at 27, and in a conservative office, even with the Ferrari. I’d happily own a red Ferrar or an Orange Lamborghini but even at 50 wouldn’t buy an all yellow gold watch. TT, or yellow/rose on a rubber or a strap, yes, but not all yellow or rose with a bracelet. It’s just not “me”.

[worldfamoussam]

You made ABSOLUTELY the right decision. Class act.

[yannis]

Congrats!

[Rsubnodate]

If you work a conservative office job the Ferrari is more noticeable then a YG day-date


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[DocHorton]

Originally Posted by Rsubnodate

If you work a conservative office job the Ferrari is more noticeable then a YG day-date


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No doubt. And if you're buying a Ferrari then no Rolex should be out of your price range, especially a 118239. Personally I think the few thousand dollar premium is worth all the upgrades for the six digit model. The car will lose that much value in the first few months.

Post up pics of both when you get them!

[seattlerollie]

Thanks everyone - and sorry for the username. I registered to view some pictures, never planned on posting... and here we are. Shame.

Again, I knew I'd offend a few with my personal opinions of some of the sport models. I don't dislike them. I'd very much like to own a Sub/Daytona one day, but my first watch I very much wanted to focus on dress/elegant.

My fashion watches are Gucci/Louis so I'm just gonna pretend they don't exist. Again, I was young and naive, and they have sentimental meaning to me.

I don't plan to daily the Ferrari, I do plan to daily the watch. There's a time and a place for everything.

Nothing against the Datejust/AK, I just wanted something really nice for my first "real" watch - I could truly see myself getting a new AK sometime soon.

Afford is a relative term, right? Sure I could go buy a new DD II or any watch I so desire, but I couldn't really afford them. Not here to talk money, I just landed on a $20k budget for my toy.

The dealer I chose was DeMesy, which I found good reviews on. It was listed as coming with "box and books" so I'm concerned the actual papers might not be included (I don't have the watch yet, will definitely post pictures when it arrives.) I'm well aware box and books could easily come from another watch, so I may not end up with "the set" - unfortunately.

[1William]

I think that you made a good selection on the DD. If the dealer is reputable you should not have any issues. Get an appraisal, insurance and enjoy your watch.

[m j b]

Odds are pretty good that the watch isn't stolen. That just doesn't happen as often as people think, plus Rolex sells hundreds of thousands of watches world-wide, so the odds are against it.

I'm not convinced that this whole thing about telling Rolex that the watch was stolen and having it "confiscated" is not just Internet lore. AFAIK they cannot legally do that, at least not in the USA. And even if it is true, how many people would bother, especially if it was insured?

Enjoy your new watch!

[dafuture]

Wow, a 458 and a Rolex at age 27. I like your style!

Congrats on the new acquisition!

[MariettaMike]

You are 27 and about to buy a Ferrari, I don't think you need our advice. Given that you can afford a Ferrari, why not buy new then you don't have to worry about the watch being stolen?