Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has
Discussion
Harry Flashman said:
You don't buy a Rolex because it's the best watch out therefor the money. You buy it because it's a Rolex.
You are so right...But apart from the aspirational thing, the classics do look great, and IMO better than the me-toos from other brands (even when they may be technically better).
And what will a 16610 or an early Daytona be without the rattly bracelet?
Like the mediocre built quality with 70s Ferraris, it wouldn't be right somehow.
bordseye said:
paulguitar said:
They were, I remember being on a flight to Paris once and all three blokes on the row I was on were wearing one. I sold it not long after that and bought a Girard Perregaux.
Wish I still had the 16610 though.
Sad.Wish I still had the 16610 though.
QuartzDad said:
popeyewhite said:
Not many people go out and buy an expensive item of jewellery/car/watch because so many other people have the same.
Would you mind telling Mrs QD that? 
Had my Datejust for 35 years now and rarely take it off. It was in the shop window (Watches of Switzerland) marked up as second hand £1800." Turned out to be 3 months old as the guy flipped it for a solid gold version. I vaguely knew the shop owner through friends - walked into the shop and asked the assistant "could I speak to Alex please" and was told "sorry he's out all day can you leave a message" to which I boldy replied "yes can you ring him and say Dicky is in the shop with 1400 quid cash can I have that watch please? Told her I'm off for a coffee and I'll be back in an hour! I drove home feeling like a millionaire
Fast forward 35 years and my 18th wedding anniversary...... Wifey had several times said she'd quite like one but never thought it was 'justified' so I bit the bullet and took the risk of buying her a second hand one hoping she'd like the style/colour etc..................
The surprise and look on her face - tears actually! was absolutely priceless so it was straight to the pub
Hat Tip to James at Chase Hatton for his patience, comradery, and a cracking deal
RSTurboPaul said:
Smooth-bezel TT on Jubilee seems an unusual/understated combination, great find!
Apparently so. 31mm 1998 with full set of docs first sold in Italy. Excellent description on ebay here..........https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285703125088
It was well over my budget so I didn't really look at it until James suggested it - I told him i've seen it and it looked ideal and as we'd had several conversations back and fore about other ones he had and could find I asked him what's his best price? He stalled for a moment so I broke in and said "look just pretend I'm in the trade what's best you can do?" He laughed and straight out said £4800.......I snapped his hand off before he changed his mind! Could I have got more? Who knows, who cares? It was great fun and we're both happy. Can't stress this enough he's a great guy.
popeyewhite said:
dickymint said:
Wifey had several times said she'd quite like one but never thought it was 'justified' so I bit the bullet and took the risk of buying her a second hand one hoping she'd like the style/colour etc..................
Aw. Someone's in the goodbooks!
Another story reminiscing about when I picked up a second hand Airking for my other half around ten years ago.
I found this fullest of full sets on EBay and bought it from a gent who was a Concorde engineer. He was best friends with one of the pilots and was gifted it from the pilot when they parted ways. The guy was semi retired and was a part time HGV driver. I actually met him at a services just off the M6 in Cheshire to do the deal.
You’ll see in the pictures the original receipt from Ernest Jones as well as some pictures of the watch being worn on the Concorde flight deck and some printed history.
My Mrs absolutely adores it and would never sell it even though I jokingly sometimes remind her how much it has appreciated in value over the years.
I found this fullest of full sets on EBay and bought it from a gent who was a Concorde engineer. He was best friends with one of the pilots and was gifted it from the pilot when they parted ways. The guy was semi retired and was a part time HGV driver. I actually met him at a services just off the M6 in Cheshire to do the deal.
You’ll see in the pictures the original receipt from Ernest Jones as well as some pictures of the watch being worn on the Concorde flight deck and some printed history.
My Mrs absolutely adores it and would never sell it even though I jokingly sometimes remind her how much it has appreciated in value over the years.
Blown2CV said:
omega are lower quality than rolex... the only people that believe otherwise are omega owners
I have watches from both - Omega are easily as good and often better. This is for case, bracelet and dial finishing. Omega have exhibition backs too - which tells you something as Rolex don’t. 
NDA said:
Blown2CV said:
omega are lower quality than rolex... the only people that believe otherwise are omega owners
I have watches from both - Omega are easily as good and often better. This is for case, bracelet and dial finishing. Omega have exhibition backs too - which tells you something as Rolex don’t. Blown2CV said:
omega are lower quality than rolex... the only people that believe otherwise are omega owners
I have 2 friends who both bought brand new Omega Moonwatches in the last couple of years.Both have been back under warranty to be fixed…..one of the chrono pushers fell out of one and the other watch simply stopped working……both within about 3 months of being purchased.
I own an Omega Ploprof, and a Rio Olympics Speedmaster MK2 .
The Ploprof went back to Omega because the crown needed fixing and the Speedmaster
went back because the chrono function wouldn’t work.
Over the years I’ve had about 25 Rolex come and go and not one has ever broken.
Whenever I see an Omega advert in an expensive glossy magazine I always think to myself they should spend less money on advertising and more money on making a decent watch - because they are fairly rubbish these days.
NDA said:
Blown2CV said:
omega are lower quality than rolex... the only people that believe otherwise are omega owners
I have watches from both - Omega are easily as good and often better. This is for case, bracelet and dial finishing. Omega have exhibition backs too - which tells you something as Rolex don’t. Lovely birthday pressie. I can't comment on the accidental damage cover but the watch will have a 5 year manufacturer warranty from new and you can probably add it to your / his normal household insurance policy which is generally a lot cheaper and usually offers better cover too.
You might want to check this route first.
You might want to check this route first.
Familymad said:
Quick question, collecting my son’s 21st Sub from Goldsmiths today. I want him to wear and enjoy and can see they offer a 3 or 5 year accident and damage insurance. Any reviews or alternatives?
Thanks
It's incredibly expensive compared to simply having it as an insured away from home item on your home insurance policy (which only really starts to get expensive on solid gold models IME).Thanks
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