Upgrade/Change Rolex?

[kg4fxg]

Hi

I have a Rolex I am considering trading or upgrading. I am not asking to sell anything here.

Can you trade in a Rolex? I bought one in 1986. It looks like a DateJust large band. What I want is one with a Presidential Band and Sapphire crystal - no gold. I think my current one is not sapphire and I am afraid to wear it. It was purchased in Switzerland in 1986.

I have not worn it since Tara Jewelers had it sent off to be cleaned. Looks like new. What I like is the 'OYSTER PERPETUAL 39', Oystersteel and white gold.

What are my options? Trade? Try to upgrade/change watch? Leave in drawer and buy another? Sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone. I am no watch expert here. Thought I would ask about my options. I live around Buford, GA.

Thanks
Bill
Bill

[TreiseKL]

Bill, let me be the first to welcome you to the forums.

Can you provide a picture of your watch? It will give us a better idea of the value of your watch. We can then advise you if the entity you either, are trading it into or will in the future trade into, is lowballing you.

It will also give us an idea of the condition of the watch. Do you have box and papers for this watch?

[kg4fxg]

Here are some pictures. Sorry, I don't know even how to find out what it is worth.

[jimcameron]

Bill, keep it or trade it in on watch you like.

[Oxfordian]

My suggestion would be this, but I don't know how this would work financially for you.

Keep the DateJust, from the pictures it appears to have some gold in it, I would wear this for special occasions or on those days when you are just relaxing and want to feel a bit special, I would then get the Oyster Perpetual with a white dial for more of a daily wear.

The DateJust looks way too nice to sell or trade, something to keep and pass on to the next generation maybe?

I hope you work this out, good luck.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum Bill.

I’d add rather than try to sell or trade your DJ. Keep it and enjoy it while you look for the next

[TempoKing]

Hi Bill
Your 1986 Datejust is all steel no white gold in the center
The 39mm Oyster (no date) you want to buy has an oyster band similar to yours
but a much better design than yours
I think you would need to pay about $1800 more for a used one... to do the trade
I sold similar to the one you like a 2018 with a Rhodium dial for $3750
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153561929958
Your 36mm has a date ...in my opinion a very important feature
Would I give up the vintage Datejust to buy the one you want
Nope..I wouldn’t
But hey ..do not listen to me ...buy or keep the one you like best

[vesnyder]

Welcome to the forum Bill. You should not be concerned about wearing your current watch. I also have an '84 DateJust with the acrylic crystal and it does scratch easily. Most of the time I can polish out the scratches and keep it looking new. These watches are made to be worn and you will run into the same situation with a new one - except the Sapphire does not scratch. I would keep it but I have a watch problem. Normal people would trade it in and get something you want and there are a lot of aftermarket watch dealers where you can trade in your current watch. Do a search and you will find plenty.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[1bad750]

Trade it and get the one you want, lifes short. Its wrth 3500-3900.

[bigfatpauli]

Originally Posted by TempoKing

Hi Bill
Your 1986 Datejust is all steel no white gold in the center
The 39mm Oyster (no date) you want to buy has an oyster band similar to yours
but a much better design than yours
I think you would need to pay about $1800 more for a used one... to do the trade
I sold similar to the one you like a 2018 with a Rhodium dial for $3750
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153561929958
Your 36mm has a date ...in my opinion a very important feature
Would I give up the vintage Datejust to buy the one you want
Nope..I wouldn’t
But hey ..do not listen to me ...buy or keep the one you like best

^^ This.

As well, as an FYI the President bracelet is not available in steel or steel and gold, just all gold or all platinum which means it will only come on an all gold (18k white, pink or yellow) or all a platinum watch.

[schoolboy]

Bill, the presidential bracelet only comes in gold or platinum no steel (although I’ve read that there were like 10 of them made in steel, but these are super rare)

Of course you can trade in your watch

[Bizcut1]

Welcome to the Forum! You'll get plenty of good advice here!

Ben

[othertbone]

Keep it and enjoy it my friend! If you sell or trade it to buy another one, you will not get much for it. Keep a classic and then buy whatever you want.

[kg4fxg]

I don't know much about the Rolex but I think I meant the Jubilee band? I attached a picture of what I really like.

Must have Sapphire crystal.
Band as I hate the other type on mine.
Watch below sells around 8,200

I don't like flashy, this to me is more conservative.
Thanks all for the advice.

[TreiseKL]

Bill, your DateJust 16200BKSO, is in no way worth a small amount. It is infact a fairly priced watch. I'd reckon if you sell it yourself, then buy from privately an Oyster Perpetual 39 or an updated 5-digit Datejust, you'd possibly be paying only $1000 more. Here are some links to others and you can see the prices on them:

- 16200 Prices Overall = https://watchcharts.com/watch/862/overview

There are some exact same color/bezel/bracelet combinations on the market currently:
- Crown and Caliber 1 = https://www.crownandcaliber.com/prod...-10-rol-ae2skf
- Crown and Caliber 2 = https://www.crownandcaliber.com/prod...-10-rol-sl6eqv
- Watchbox = https://www.thewatchbox.com/shop/4146080.html
- Stein Diamonds = https://www.steindiamonds.com/rolex-...-band-16200ksy

I'd like to know a few other things to gauge the value of this watch. We're looking at anywhere from $3300 (very low) to $3800 (fair market) to $4300 (very high)

- Did you ever get this watch polished? If not, the value of the watch is intact.
- Last known service date?
- How is it running? Seconds per day?
- Does the lume work?
- What is the bracelet stretch like? Hold it side ways and see how the bracelet droops down
- Do you have box?
- Do you have papers? What kind of papers?

As for the picture you posted of the newer model you desire, are you aware that is the new Datejust models that came out THIS year? That one is the same size with all the updated bells and whistles. Perhaps just an updated model of Datejust is what you are looking for? In which case there are several options:

- Updated 5-digit (1990's to 2000's) Datejusts 36mm with Sapphire glass and Jubilee bracelet (this is what I think you'd want, most budget option and gets you what you want)
- 2000's Era 6-digit Datejusts 36mm
- Datejust 41's older versions
- Datejust 41's newer versions
- Datejust 36mm 2019 version (this is the picture that you posted)

[kg4fxg]

Wow, thanks for the links to putting a value on it. I had it serviced at Tara and have not worn it since. Still in the Tara paper and green watch bag as they sent it to Rolex for cleaning and it came back like new, not cheap either.

Service date 08/02/2013 for $679.00

I really like the other band and a Sapphire crystal. Fear of any scratch, well it stays in the drawer. It works fine. Bracelet seems fine can't even find a scratch. That drawer is pretty secure.

One other option???
Is it possible to change out the crystal for a sapphire one? Can I change the bracelet like in the picture? Or does it not work that way?

Thanks

[kg4fxg]

And yes I do have the original green box and all the papers that came with it. Somewhat sentimental. My father bought it for me when we were in Europe. He wanted to go all over to see where he was in WWII. Just not the concentration camps, he was part of the liberation back then. Parents are gone and I am old. 57 now. I am sure he would not mind what I do but put a Rolex on my wrist and be done with it.

[TreiseKL]

Originally Posted by kg4fxg

And yes I do have the original green box and all the papers that came with it. Somewhat sentimental. My father bought it for me when we were in Europe. He wanted to go all over to see where he was in WWII. Just not the concentration camps, he was part of the liberation back then. Parents are gone and I am old. 57 now. I am sure he would not mind what I do but put a Rolex on my wrist and be done with it.

After reading this I recommend keeping it but upgrading the aspects that you dislike.

For the Sapphire crystal:

• You can source authentic. These will be harder to come by and pricier, albeit I reckon not by that much. You can source an authentic Rolex crystal from basically every 5-digit 36mms and it will fit: 16018, 16200, 16220, 16220, 16623, 16550, 16570, 16610, 16613, 16618, 16700, 16710, 16713, 16718, 16758, 16760, 16803, 16808 and others
• You will need to visit your watchmaker to make this switch. You could also try asking Tara if they can help with getting a Sapphire crystal shipped from Rolex factories.
• Many aftermarket options are available, from $20 on Ebay (cheap ass pieces of $$$$) to $50 on Amazon (good value, no distortions, anti-reflective even) but I encourage you to get an authentic crystal. The feel of having a 100% Authentic Rolex cannot be beaten.

For the jubilee:
- You can source authentic, or aftermarket as long as it is not Rolex branded as that would be a breach of trademark. But I encourage you to go authentic since you need 100% authenticity for the good feels.
- For authentic you'd have to look everywhere basically, for the 62510H bracelet. There are some authentic ones on Ebay. Buy from trustworthy sellers. You can also visit Tara to see if they can source one from the Rolex factories for you.
- Be warned, based on your wrist size, you may need a permanent link removed if the bracelet wears too big. In which case you can remove a link yourself (painful process) or visit Tara's.

When it is all set and done, you should have a watch that looks like this:

[kg4fxg]

Wow
Thanks. I think I will visit Tara and keep it original. At least check out my options. No rush after all it has been in the drawer. These changes I would wear it. At least worth the conversation, get quote, if needed sleep on it. Thank you so much! I miss wearing it as for some reason I have it in my head it goes with my 146 fountain pen.

[pkincy]

When you ask for President bracelet you may be referring to the Jubilee hidden clasp bracelet on the 116234, which was discontinued early this year. However I imagine you can still find NOS at ADs around. This is SS not PM and has 5 parts on each link not 3.

116234 Bracelet by Perry Kincy, on Flickr

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by kg4fxg

I don't know much about the Rolex but I think I meant the Jubilee band? I attached a picture of what I really like.

Must have Sapphire crystal.
Band as I hate the other type on mine.
Watch below sells around 8,200

I don't like flashy, this to me is more conservative.
Thanks all for the advice.

I have this exact one. Wonderful choice. Trade, if you need to, and move on.

[ROlesorusLEX]

Originally Posted by kg4fxg

Wow
Thanks. I think I will visit Tara and keep it original. At least check out my options. No rush after all it has been in the drawer. These changes I would wear it. At least worth the conversation, get quote, if needed sleep on it. Thank you so much! I miss wearing it as for some reason I have it in my head it goes with my 146 fountain pen.

This is a very interesting and informative post. Please keep us posted on what you eventually decide and how this all turns out.

[rolex_DateJust]

I would not recommend getting rid of your watch, bill. You stated yourself that it had a sentimental value and just for that I would advise not to go through with selling it.

Trust me when I say that because that’s exactly what I did years back.. I sold a watch my father purchased for me as a gift and I got lucky to get it back from the same buyer years later. I can’t say the same if you end up selling yours.

You can source parts like the other members mentioned before. Good luck on your findings and welcome aboard!

[ian.thomas]

Originally Posted by TreiseKL

After reading this I recommend keeping it but upgrading the aspects that you dislike.

For the Sapphire crystal:

• You can source authentic. These will be harder to come by and pricier, albeit I reckon not by that much. You can source an authentic Rolex crystal from basically every 5-digit 36mms and it will fit: 16018, 16200, 16220, 16220, 16623, 16550, 16570, 16610, 16613, 16618, 16700, 16710, 16713, 16718, 16758, 16760, 16803, 16808 and others
• You will need to visit your watchmaker to make this switch. You could also try asking Tara if they can help with getting a Sapphire crystal shipped from Rolex factories.

You can't replace an acrylic with a sapphire and I would hope Tara would advise against this.

See this thread: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=48768

Especially post: #2 https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...14&postcount=2 and #9 https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...99&postcount=9

[alphasports]

Originally Posted by kg4fxg

Parents are gone and I am old. 57 now.

Whoa there fella...that ain't old!

[Nikrnic]

Hi Bill. Welcome and happy choosing.!! Heres my new DJ41 and my 1977 Datejust which has been in the family since new.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[kg4fxg]

Greetings

I will keep everyone posted as to what I do. I did speak to Tara and of course they were extremely nice and explained that you can't change an acrylic crystal with a sapphire one or the bands. More specifically, Rolex will not do it. They back Rolex 100%.

So I interpret all this in this way. Think of cars, say you have a 1986 Cadillac and you want to add today's touch screen system as most cars have today. Well, it not longer resembles much of anything. Cool to have those features.

So Rolex and I am sure their dealers do the same. My watch has a certain faceplate that represents 1986 or the year it was made. Same with the case. If you screw that up it screams counterfeit. (My interpretation) Now I am sure a Rolex expert could detect changes, fake cheap crystal, authentic but 2019 jubilee band, 2015-2018 faceplate and so on. Might make you wonder if the inner workings were tampered with here.

I certainly respect what Rolex is going for here. And I have learned so much here in this forum and I can't thank you enough. My initial thoughts, keep the watch as a memory of how wonderfully generous my father was and how proud he was that I was the first in the family to finish college something not done in my parents day. I ended up with an accounting degree and yes I managed to pass the CPA exam. As their only child made my parents very happy.

Bill

[lmmrf]

Originally Posted by TreiseKL

Bill, your DateJust 16200BKSO, is in no way worth a small amount.

If OP's datejust was purchased in 1986 and has an acrylic crystal, then it's not a model 16200. More likely it is the preceding 16000. However the dial has been changed to a 16200-era luminova dial from around the year 2000 or thereafter.

[kg4fxg]

Just an update

Tara can offer me a Jubilee band that is of the date of the watch. It would have the same clasp on the back as current band for those wondering. No issue there. No sapphire crystal option - understood.

The watch was purchased in Switzerland. I recall but will misspell the name. Sounds like Buucra. Something like. Went all over Europe, Germany, Switzerland, England, Netherlands, etc. Still have all the papers, books, etc.

Trade in value? Well? Not so good. $2,500. So much as Rolex for an investment. But then I don't think of my home as an investment either. Private sell would do better. I would rather keep it. Pass it on when I am gone.

Tara was fine. Nice place. I have nothing negative to say about them as I had the watch serviced there. Would I go back? Definitely. They do have a rather small stock of watches. But they carry so much else besides Rolex.

Also looking at another model. Attached. Not sure I want to drop below a 36. I am 6 foot tall 145 pounds. Small I know. Lost lots of weight years ago. Big watch looks ridiculous on me.

Will keep you all posted. Looking at attached watch tomorrow.

Bill

[kg4fxg]

Well,

I ordered the 36, Black Dial. I just can't handle white. Bezel smooth not White Gold. Jubilee band.

I did visit three other authorized dealers. No complaints, just did not have what I wanted in stock. Or, it is a great sell item?

I also love MontBlanc. Have several but writing with a 146 fountain pen and learning Spencerian. All that said. I went to MontBlanc at Lenox after visiting a Rolex Dealer there and wrote the below review. I also called them (MontBlanc direct) shortly there after and hope to receive a call from the manager there.

I just don't really know how to handle being treated with such disrespect and ill repute. I am beside myself and just well, awestruck? Wow! Really?

Review Posted many places on line.

Terrible. So disappointed. OK, I walked in wearing Tom Ford glasses and a MontBlanc bracelet. (Sorry, I left my suit and 7 pairs of Allen Edmonds at home) I was only there because prior I had an appointment at the Mayors about a Rolex. I was interesting in seeing the fountain pen 149. Why not I was there. I have the 146 plus many others. The lady and I talked for 15 minutes, never did she offer to take it out of the case! Would be nice to test it as I prefer XF and it only comes in Fine or Medium. I was not going to push as I ordered my 146 on-line by an authorized dealer (Fahrney's) Thanks for taking my order over the phone and treating me with such respect. Will do the same for the 149. BTW, as a CPA/CGMA I am so offended. You should treat your past customers with respect. I am white and 57 years old and weigh in at 142 pounds. What is your problem? Your treatment was like a slap in the face. I got much better treatment at Coach when I bought my briefcase. I will post this on every MontBlanc forum and Rolex forum. Maybe I should check out Visconti? Just leaves such a bad taste in my mouth. Next time I am there I will audio record the interaction to post. (Just because) Unbelievable.
William Carter, CPA/CGMA