First Rolex, how'd I do?

[geoluv]

15200 with a black dashed face and oyster band

chrono24[DOT]com/rolex/date-15200-watch-with-stainless-steel-bracelet-and-stainless-steel-bezel--id16952520[DOT]htm

?

the band seems a lil stretched on the bottom lug but otherwise I'm pretty pleased. I'm sure you're all rolling your eyes at how much I paid for a beater Rolex but the times are what they are. Honestly it seems on the low side because most 152xxx are going for $3,500-$4,000.

It ships out tomorrow, the only thing I'm wondering is if I should pay an extra $450 + 150 for a smooth bezel and get this instead:

chrono24[DOT]com/rolex/date-15210-watch-with-stainless-steel-bracelet-and-stainless-steel-bezel--id16631410[DOT]htm

It looks a little cleaner, it comes with it's original papers it seems, and the band isn't as stretched it seems to my untrained eyes. I'm wondering if the extra $600 is worth it for the slightly cleaner watch, you guys tell me?

[joli160]

Pics would help

[PureCoconut]

Better with a pic

[geoluv]

I

[geoluv]

couldn't

[geoluv]

post

[geoluv]

picks yet but here you go:

[Seddyspaghetti]

How exciting. +1 for pics

[geoluv]

I'm sorry I can't resize the pictures.

The one I purchased but hasn't shipped out yet I think, I can return it for restock fee if so:





And the one I am considering that is $450 more and another $150 for the bezel I want:

[geoluv]

convert the links in my first post to see the chrono page where you can superzoom into the pictures and see the full listings. You guys tell me, worth $600 more? I kinda think so:/

[Oyster Sauce]

Pay a little more for what you want - best wishes!

[Seddyspaghetti]

Out of the 2 I would do it for the smooth bezel because the other bezel doesn’t appeal to me. My real preference would be a fluted bezel(if thats even an option). But that’s just me.

[JayHantz]

I am more of a smooth bezel fan in this case. If the other bezel was fluted - THEN I would prefer that.

[RoscoPico]

if you are happy with your purchase, i would say you did well

[geoluv]

The $600 I’m quoting extra would include me installing an authentic smooth bezel that I would order separately. I’m confident I’m my own ability to swap them, it’s not difficult. Also keep in mind the the second one has its original papers.

I am also looking for an opinion on the stretch on the links around the bottom lug on the fo at one (the one I bought).

[HideMyWalletPlease]

I know this doesn’t help much but I don’t really care for that ref. I think you are getting in at the wrong time. Last year you could have got a barely used OP 39 or the new style airking for 5k.

You could have even gotten a NOS datejust 36 from a grey for under 6k.

In your price range you should be able to find a nice used datejust 36 for around 5k I think.

[jimcarver]

Make sure you have tried on similar before. I made the mistake of buying 34mm Air King, it looked beautiful in pictures, lasted about 2 months before I traded it for a fluted/jubilee date just. Only 2mm bigger but it made the Air King look like a toy.

Obviously that's just my opinion and plenty of people like 34mm watches.

[HideMyWalletPlease]

In any other year except for this year you could buy a brand new Rolex in a modern size 39+ for $6000. It’s only within the last few months this option vanished.

Also, after 40-41 mm datejusts became the norm, 36 mm versions were very cheap at the greys.

I would just wait for this to blow over.

If you don’t care about impressing anyone, brand new Tudor for 3k.

If you want a classic expensive looking luxury watch that will never go out of style, brand new cartier Santos large for 6k.

[Jackie Daytona]

I like them. I’m not sure why there’s so many people speaking against more vintage pieces and recommending random new stuff.

My wife’s looks exactly like the 1st example but 26mm. It’s a very classy piece overall. In my opinion much classier than the newer models. The thin stick dials are way nicer than the lume filled modem ones. They are very classy and elegant compared to today’s models. The simplicity is really what makes it fantastic in my opinion. I think they are very under appreciated, too many people opt for flash over elegance.

Don’t buy it to impress anyone else, or even care how much you can show it off and get noticed. Buy what you like. If you like this more elegant style and happy with the price for it, well done.

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by Oyster Sauce

Pay a little more for what you want - best wishes!

yup

[geoluv]

I should make it clear that I specifically want a 34mm. 36mm Rolexes are too big on my 6” wrist. I have very small wrists. I don’t like jubilee brackets or fluted bezels I dress very simply so those things would really stand out on me. I tried on a new 36mm oyster perpetual. The brand new equivalent of this watch in 36mm, ref number I don’t know off the top of my head, is about $8k I believe and available. I tried on new Rolexes at an AD in Soho. I’d rather pay half for for a good uses one. It’s unfortunate for me to get in now but the heart wants what the heart wants.

[jimcarver]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

I like them. I’m not sure why there’s so many people speaking against more vintage pieces and recommending random new stuff.

My wife’s looks exactly like the 1st example but 26mm. It’s a very classy piece overall. In my opinion much classier than the newer models. The thin stick dials are way nicer than the lume filled modem ones. They are very classy and elegant compared to today’s models. The simplicity is really what makes it fantastic in my opinion. I think they are very under appreciated, too many people opt for flash over elegance.

Don’t buy it to impress anyone else, or even care how much you can show it off and get noticed. Buy what you like. If you like this more elegant style and happy with the price for it, well done.

I generally agree with this, I think they look nice, just the size that I'm not a big fan of.

In terms of buying it "to impress anyone else" I think that's part of the problem. I am not suggesting that this is the case of the OP but some people will "settle" for a certain watch as its the cheapest entry into Rolex. So it may not be the "elegant style" but the price and the fact that it says Rolex that appeals.

[jimcarver]

Originally Posted by geoluv

I should make it clear that I specifically want a 34mm. 36mm Rolexes are too big on my 6” wrist. I have very small wrists. I don’t like jubilee brackets or fluted bezels I dress very simply so those things would really stand out on me. I tried on a new 36mm oyster perpetual. The brand new equivalent of this watch in 36mm, ref number I don’t know off the top of my head, is about $8k I believe and available. I tried on new Rolexes at an AD in Soho. I’d rather pay half for for a good uses one. It’s unfortunate for me to get in now but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Ha I take it back then. look into 34mm Air Kings too then, beautiful watches IMO and can be had at a good price.

Out of those 2 I would go for the smooth.

[HideMyWalletPlease]

I’m definitely not suggesting that he pick a watch to impress folks, but just offering advice because the OPs budget is causing him to buy a 34 mm watch from the 80s. That may be inline with his personal taste. If so, then great. If not, he probably won’t be happy with it. If he needs to sell it, it will be a financial loss as well.

If I had a 4,000 budget I would stretch it to 5,000 and try to get a DJ36. If 4K was the max, I would wait or look at other brands.

If he likes 34 mm rolexes and doesn’t mind that it’s very well used, could need servicing soon and also understands he better trust the seller to be sure the watch is full original Rolex, then he’s all good.

[Nikrnic]

I'm a big fan for smooth bezels on the new DJs as apposed to fluted however I had that engine turned bezel on a new date 1500 I bought years ago and really loved it. I'd say have a peak at it then decide. It is pretty sharp and unique.

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[77T]

Originally Posted by geoluv

15200 with a black dashed face and oyster band



chrono24.com/rolex/date-15200-watch-with-stainless-steel-bracelet-and-stainless-steel-bezel--id16952520.htm



?



the band seems a lil stretched on the bottom lug but otherwise I'm pretty pleased. I'm sure you're all rolling your eyes at how much I paid for a beater Rolex but the times are what they are. Honestly it seems on the low side because most 152xxx are going for $3,500-$4,000.



It ships out tomorrow, the only thing I'm wondering is if I should pay an extra $450 + 150 for a smooth bezel and get this instead:



chrono24.com/rolex/date-15210-watch-with-stainless-steel-bracelet-and-stainless-steel-bezel--id16631410.htm



It looks a little cleaner, it comes with it's original papers it seems, and the band isn't as stretched it seems to my untrained eyes. I'm wondering if the extra $600 is worth it for the slightly cleaner watch, you guys tell me?

Not a fan of the seller - higher priced than needed for incomplete sets - neither deserve that premium. More of an Air-King fan in that case size.

But the Date is a classic model, too...
If you did purchase one then you should like it just as well as an AK.


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[ltmgeller]

Congrats! Use Taptalk to post pics, its so much easier.

[geoluv]

Originally Posted by HideMyWalletPlease

I’m definitely not suggesting that he pick a watch to impress folks, but just offering advice because the OPs budget is causing him to buy a 34 mm watch from the 80s. That may be inline with his personal taste. If so, then great. If not, he probably won’t be happy with it. If he needs to sell it, it will be a financial loss as well.

If I had a 4,000 budget I would stretch it to 5,000 and try to get a DJ36. If 4K was the max, I would wait or look at other brands.

If he likes 34 mm rolexes and doesn’t mind that it’s very well used, could need servicing soon and also understands he better trust the seller to be sure the watch is full original Rolex, then he’s all good.

Both of the watches I am considering are from the year 2000. My budget when I started shopping was from $2,700-$8,000. Wasn't really married to anything yet. 36mm is just too big for my wrist. The way I ended up on these two watches is because I sorted 34mm mens options with black dashed faces that had 3135 movements from low to high and kept going up until I found ones I think are in very good condition; not all scratched up but also not like-new like what you would find in a jewelry store or more expensive, higher end dealers.

Originally Posted by 77T

Not a fan of the seller - higher priced than needed for incomplete sets - neither deserve that premium. More of an Air-King fan in that case size.

But the Date is a classic model, too...
If you did purchase one then you should like it just as well as an AK.

I understand the merchants that deal in the.. um.. grade of Rolexes I'm looking at are the least trustworthy of Rolex dealers. BUT before I bought the watch I called them up and made them swear it was all factory Rolex parts and they are providing a written statement that it is all factory; their own statement of authenticity which is something they provide free of charge when buying a watch if you request it. I plan on taking whatever I buy straight to the Rolex store anyway to have at least a service estimate done to see what's what.

I understand these watches went for less before everyone was just sitting around all day with unemployment money shopping online as retail therapy. I would love for someone to show me a 15200 with a black dashed dial, oyster band, and brushed in comparable condition for less that is available right now. I own a collection of vintage BMX bikes I purchased years ago that shot up in value/demand because of covid. I sold a few so I have cash to spend and the increase in price of these model Rolexes was is still less than the increase in value on the bikes I sold so I'm still ahead of the covid game in my mind

I don't like air kings as much as dates and DJs because I don't like the hands and I feel a Rolex face without a cyclops eye looks naked.

I just looked at the superzoom pics for a little bit and the smooth bezel one seems to have almost no scratches on the cyclops eye whereas the second one has some moderate scratching. Other than that they seem to be in nearly identical condition save that one lil' nick on the right side of the bottom lug on the second one. I was leaning towards switching my order to the second one up until just now but now I'm not so sure. It all comes down to whether or not having original papers increase the value of this watch by $450 or more I guess.

I still really want to know someone's opinion on the difference in stretch between the two on the first link at the bottom lug.

[geoluv]

I canceled before it shipped out just now. Ordered the 15210. I think the band is in slightly better condition and I want the original papers. The cyclops is more scratched but that can be polished or replaced. The engine turned bezel grew on me as I was looking at pictures of it too plus it’s not hard or expensive to swap later.

[HideMyWalletPlease]

Nothing wrong with the engine turned bezel. In fact, it’s kinda cool to have something different. If you think 34mm looks good on you then it’s a cool watch. Since you have a brushed oyster bracelet and engine turned dial, the watch actually has a very cool industrial look to it. Good luck. Post a wrist shot when it comes in.