newbie looking for advice

[watchout]

hi everyone

i'm new here and don't know much about watches but it looks like you all do! i'm hoping you might help me learn.

i'd like to buy my husband a used rolex for his 40th birthday. i only have about $2000 to spend. any suggestions of what models i should consider and/or places to buy online? or what is the best value in this price range?

thanks in advance for your help and advice!

[Lol-x]

Maybe something in the Tudor range like a Submariner.

Otherwise an Air-King or Date-Just would be good. For just a little more you could get him a No-Date Sub 14060M.

You really need to look around the internet, but beware you need to know what you are doing and the most important thing is to be sure of the bona fides of the seller before you do anything.

[C. Davidson]

A Rolex will be tough to find in that price range...most used professional models (Submariner, GMT Master II, Explorer...) will be in the $4000 range. If you decided to upgrade a little, these models would be a great invesment. A Submariner purchased used for $3500-$4000 will retain that value down the line. If you needed to sell it to pay some bills, its not that difficult. Close to 100% value retention, like money in the bank, only its on your husbands wrist and its something he will enjoy everyday.

Like Steve said, you might find a pre-owned 36mm Datejust or Airking closer to your budget.

Does your husband only want a Rolex or is he open to other Swiss brands?

[watchout]

thanks so much! this is really helpful. i had been looking on a few sites that i think i'd come across in your "good guys" forum here:
beckertime
bernard watch
any specific things to look for in trying to judge the trustworthiness of a website/seller? not knowing much about watches i think i'm a prime target for making a mistake!

as for styles, i had mostly been focused on the stainless steel datejust before. Steve, thanks for suggesting the airking. i found this one which i liked--it has a blue face.
http://www.bernardwatch.com/Rolex/Air-King/RLX4164
different--not sure whether that is good or bad for value or whether my husband would like it.

Chris, you suggested considering the submariner or similar if i could afford to go up in price a bit. i may be able to go up in price a little, and i do like the idea of buying something that holds value. Steve, you also mentioned the submariner. seems like that is the watch to have! i'm not sure the style of the submariner is quite right for my husband though--i think something with a slightly less bulky/large face would be more him (it seems that the submariners are described as 40 mm face vs. datejust as 36mm, although maybe that's not much of a difference? i know he doesn't like "big" watches). any other styles i might consider?

also, you asked if my husband is open to other swiss brands--i think he could be. any thoughts on ones that i might look into given the stuff i mentioned above?

finally, one more question--is something with a leather band a bad idea? i kind of like those, but it seems the metal bracelet style is more common. obviously the band would wear out and need to be replaced (or would already be replaced on a used watch?). does that take away from the value of the watch?

well, thanks again so much for your help! i really want to make the right decision and get my husband something valuable that he will really like, but not knowing anything about the watch world i feel like there are a lot of ways i could screw this up! i already feel better hearing your suggestions here. thanks for sharing your wisdom!!!!

-Nancy

[watchout]

Chris and Steve, thanks so much for your help! i'd been feeling really lost in my quest to buy this watch and getting your suggestions has made me feel so much better! i really appreciate your time in sharing your wisdom. i tried to post a reply yesterday but it never showed up--i may have done it wrong. i'll try again :)

the suggestions of particular models were very helpful. i had been looking at the datejust before. i checked out the airking and liked that too. Chris, you suggested that if i could go slightly higher in price that the submariner was a good bet. Steve, you also mentioned the submariner--sounds like it's the watch to have! i may be able to go up a bit in price beyond $2000 but i'm not sure the style of the submariner is quite right for my husband--i think something a little smaller/sleeker might be better. any suggestions along those lines?

Chris, you asked if he'd be open to other brands, and i think he would--were you thinking of any in particular?

one question i've come up with regarding styles....what are the pros and cons of a leather band vs. metal bracelet? it seems many i've seen are the bracelet style--i like the leather band too but am not sure how that influences the value of the watch...or other factors to consider.

Steve, you advised being careful evaluating online sellers--are there any factors in particular to check out? since i'm new to the watch world i don't know what would be red flags....or "green" flags for that matter! the two places i've looked online so far have been beckertime and bernard watch (i think i found them mentioned in one of the forums here).

finally, since i want to become more knowledgeable about watches, are there any sites online that are good in terms of outlining the basics?

thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions/comments you guys or anyone else has on any or all of these points!

-Nancy

[diablojota]

Just as a thought, you may also want to check preownedrolex.com. He does have some Rolex watches listed at a sub-2000k price.

For other brands, you can get some Omegas for under 2k, Tag Heuers, and some Breitlings.

[Tools]

Nancy,

Your reply yesterday was held up by the software because of the link in it... The Air-King you show is a beautiful watch and wears slightly "bigger" because of the nice coin edge bezel.... great choice..

Air-Kings are slightly smaller than Dj's at 34mm, as well as the early Oyster Perpetual Date models..

These Stainless Steel models can be found in your ballpark figure , or for just a few hundred more..

. The Datejust if it's about 10 years old (36mm)

. Air Kings more than 5 years old (34mm)

. The Explorer more than 10 years old, although prices on these are going up.(36mm)

. Oyster Perpetual Date or non-date more than 5 years(34mm watches)

. Almost any Precision (manual wind) model from the 50's/60's

. It's possible to find the Sub 14060 in the mid-2k's if it's more than 20 years old....depending on condition...

Two Tone models may be more, diamond bezels and dials will be more............

Dealers such as Bernard's may list higher but they may have been serviced and have a Dealer warranty.....call and negotiate..

[bodybump]

Go for airking..or any preowned dj's....old explorers are cheap too...maybe a couple more $$$ you can get one...or you might get disaapointed on purchasing a Rolex for $2k...

[browns fan]

airkings are bringing 1250 to 1500 used remember the old saying buy the seller not the watch i bought my airking on ebay and i know alot of members frown on ebay but i did my homework was assured by the seller a 7 day no questions asked return policy was in affect i had the watch given a exam at my area ad and was assured everything was ok if buying on ebay look for sellers who have a actual brick storefront not just a ebay store get a no questions asked return policy with enough time to have the watch inspected pay by cc only no wire transfer ect buy only in the usa im 6-2 and the airking does not look small on me good luck on your purchase

[watchout]

Larry, thanks! this list is a really helpful guide, and thanks for the suggestion about negotiating. i'm not sure i would have tried that! looks like it's time for me to get back out and do some more looking! i may return for further advice :)

Originally Posted by Tools

Nancy,

Your reply yesterday was held up by the software because of the link in it... The Air-King you show is a beautiful watch and wears slightly "bigger" because of the nice coin edge bezel.... great choice..

Air-Kings are slightly smaller than Dj's at 34mm, as well as the early Oyster Perpetual Date models..

These Stainless Steel models can be found in your ballpark figure , or for just a few hundred more..

. The Datejust if it's about 10 years old (36mm)

. Air Kings more than 5 years old (34mm)

. The Explorer more than 10 years old, although prices on these are going up.(36mm)

. Oyster Perpetual Date or non-date more than 5 years(34mm watches)

. Almost any Precision (manual wind) model from the 50's/60's

. It's possible to find the Sub 14060 in the mid-2k's if it's more than 20 years old....depending on condition...

Two Tone models may be more, diamond bezels and dials will be more............

Dealers such as Bernard's may list higher but they may have been serviced and have a Dealer warranty.....call and negotiate..

[watchout]

hi Oscar

thanks for your thoughts here...one question, when you said i might be disappointed on purchasing a rolex for $2k did you mean that there was a risk of disappointment at that price point if i didn't go with these certain models, or that in general $2k is too low to shoot in terms of getting a reasonable watch? i have limited funds to put towards this purchase but don't want the money i do spend to be a waste, so could justify spending a bit more if it would make the whole thing worthwhile...

it seems like in terms of style the watches people are suggesting in the next price category up (submariner) are actually not as good a fit with what i think my husband would like...but maybe there are others in that category i could consider...

thanks to you all for your help and advice!!!!

N

Originally Posted by bodybump

Go for airking..or any preowned dj's....old explorers are cheap too...maybe a couple more $$$ you can get one...or you might get disaapointed on purchasing a Rolex for $2k...

[watchout]

thanks, these are really helpful suggestions in terms of evaluating sellers! so, how does it work if you bring a watch to an authorized dealer for inspection? do they test all the mechanical parts or just verify that it's genuine? is there a standard charge to expect to pay?

Originally Posted by browns fan

airkings are bringing 1250 to 1500 used remember the old saying buy the seller not the watch i bought my airking on ebay and i know alot of members frown on ebay but i did my homework was assured by the seller a 7 day no questions asked return policy was in affect i had the watch given a exam at my area ad and was assured everything was ok if buying on ebay look for sellers who have a actual brick storefront not just a ebay store get a no questions asked return policy with enough time to have the watch inspected pay by cc only no wire transfer ect buy only in the usa im 6-2 and the airking does not look small on me good luck on your purchase

[diablojota]

Originally Posted by watchout

hi Oscar

thanks for your thoughts here...one question, when you said i might be disappointed on purchasing a rolex for $2k did you mean that there was a risk of disappointment at that price point if i didn't go with these certain models, or that in general $2k is too low to shoot in terms of getting a reasonable watch? i have limited funds to put towards this purchase but don't want the money i do spend to be a waste, so could justify spending a bit more if it would make the whole thing worthwhile...

it seems like in terms of style the watches people are suggesting in the next price category up (submariner) are actually not as good a fit with what i think my husband would like...but maybe there are others in that category i could consider...

thanks to you all for your help and advice!!!!

N

If you are able to do so, spending a bit more can get you a newer model watch, or perhaps one in better condition. For example, you can get the newer Datejusts (36mm) with the jubilee band with hidden clasp, or the oyster bracelet that was updated for around 3k (give or take a couple 100). This would provide you with a watch that has the latest improvements for it, and may be worth the extra money.

That said, there are often fine specimens of watches that you can find at or below 2k. They are typically older, but still a Rolex.

[cowincanada]

instead of scouring the dangerous world of ebay, i think you'd be better off buying from reputable sellers like bernardwatch and authenticwatches.com.

Sometimes, a datejust pops up here on the classifieds and they're more than reasonably priced.

Much less hassle and more for your peace of mind.

I think for your budget, its better to get an Air King instead of say an older datejust or submariner for that matter.

[Andy-M]

Hi

I'm pretty knew to this as well and I have to say that all the information flowing around is really useful.

I'm an Airking owner and have been for a few years now, I love it, it's simple, clean and can be worn anytime.

Also, I don't get on with huge watches, so it's ideal.

Mine has the engineered bezel - no risk of scratching!

Which bezel you choose really makes the watch look different. Happy hunting

Andy

[kimkeo]

I always search ebay, but you have to be really careful and read their feedbacks before buying.

[Alcan]

Nancy, there are some rock solid sellers right here on TRF. Steve Mulholland (stevemullholland3)
http://rolexforums.com/member.php?u=8431

and Anastasios (TempoKing)
http://rolexforums.com/member.php?u=9762

would be a couple of good guys to PM. They both regularly come up with good watches at good prices.

[1175]

Nancy,
There is a 16610 Submariner date on the Rolex Forum for sale section right now for $2900. I don't think you could go too far wrong with the price. Probably better than money in the bank. Submariners are like instant cash when you want to sell. Other models may be a tougher sale on the resale market. I'm sure your husband would be more than happy with a Sub. I know I would be.

Jon

[browns fan]

Originally Posted by watchout

thanks, these are really helpful suggestions in terms of evaluating sellers! so, how does it work if you bring a watch to an authorized dealer for inspection? do they test all the mechanical parts or just verify that it's genuine? is there a standard charge to expect to pay?

my ad did the inspection for free just asked to keep them in mind when i needed a servicing who said customer service is dead ive heard 50 to 75 dollars some ad s charge

[jas55]

Maybe try and find an Explorer, they are usually cheaper on the 2nd hand market than any of the steel submariners or GMT's. Or maybe an Airking or date.