Rolex???

You're very welcome but I'm sure others here can chime in with very valuable experience and opinions.

 

My $0.02. I'm in the market for a stainless steel Daytona, however I refuse to pay over MSRP. Since all Rolex ADs are required to sell at MSRP, I guess I will be getting mine through my local dealer. Unfortunately that means playing the waiting game with Rolex dealers.

Basically, the bottom line is if you want a new Rolex now, you have to buy gray market through an aftermarket dealer like Chrono24 and will pay a premium depending on the demand for the particular watch you are looking for. Daytona's are probably one of the highest in demand, so expect to pay $35k to $45k I would guess. Nothing wrong with that if you don't mind spending the cash. I think prices have come down somewhat due to inflation/stock market etc, but I haven't been following closely, so not sure.

If you don't mind waiting (may take years!) then establish a relationship with your local AD and see if you can get on "the list". Some dealers are better than others, so it can be a bit of a hit and miss affair. Some dealers seem to like it if you buy a bunch of other stuff from them which may or may not get you moved up the list. It's a bit of a smoke and mirrors affair. Not saying it's right, but it's the game you have to play.

I took the approach of giving them a list of 4 watches that I would buy if they became available. So far I have 2 out of the 4 - a Pepsi GMT II, and a stainless steel/white gold Skydweller with a blue dial. The other two I'm waiting on are the Daytona, and a fairly simple Datejust - surprised that one hasn't shown up yet. Anyway, I'm averaging about one a year. I don't mind the wait, as I'd rather not drop the cash for 4 watches all at once, plus waiting for the text from my dealer is kinda fun.

HTH

Howard.

 

You’re doing good …. I lost my local Rolex dealer ( they pulled out ) after buying two Daytonas and two Submariners - I think two years ago I drove two hours South to meet a new “small town” dealer and order a “Kermit” or “Hulk” - haven’t heard anything since - at this point I’m so annoyed at the whole situation I’m not sure I even care anymore.

MDS

 

Great post / great approach

 

Having completed a couple of great transactions with @flat_plane_eddie, I highly recommend working with him to find the right Daytona for you. Best of luck on the search!

 

Hello there!

I wanted a Rolex since I was in HS. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I was actually in the position to buy one. Of course, nobody near me had one for sale or even available to try. So, I began looking at a number of sites, including Chrono24, to find what I wanted. Eventually, my wife and I decided on a Daytona. I just thought it was the coolest looking one - although a bluesy Sub is absolutely stunning in person. I really didn't have the knowledge of Rolex that I needed, so it was a bit of a crap-shoot.

The next decision was buying new or used. Again, my wife and I talked about it and her words to me were that the statement - Every Rolex has a story - was true. And that I should get a new one. So, again, I searched online sources and found a new, unworn 116503 (two tone) with a black dial with diamond hour markers. It was from a gray market dealer. I got to take the stickers off of the watch and the works! It was a very exciting day.

I have since learned a lot of the history of the Daytona (and other Rolexes). The steel ones seem to command a significant premium over the two-tone, which I really don't understand - I thought gold was more valuable than steel?? The Zenith movements saved the Daytona from almost a certain doom back in 1988.

Since then I have added three more Rolexes to my collection a 16610 Submariner, a 1601 Datejust, and a 1014 Oyster Perpetual. My two tone Daytona is the heftiest of the bunch. It has a VERY solid feel to it. The gold gets scratches, but those are MY scratches and I know that if I send it off for a service it's going to come back looking like new. So, I have come to just deal with a few scratches every now and then.

I have been very happy with my Daytona - I just don't have anyone around me that has this love of watches like I do to share that enthusiasm...


PDG

 

DAYTONA’s are hard to come by.I have a good relationship with my A.D. They were upfront and honest and told me they may get 5 DAYTONA’s a year.They always will reward high whalers who spend hundreds of thousand dollars in jewellery which I don’t intend to do.If you don’t want to take this route it is better to pay a premium and buy it from trusted re sellers.

 

I'm by no means a Rolex Expert but have 5 of them at the moment. I was very fortunate to have been able to buy a brand-new SS Daytona back in 2011. I had a gray market Daytona before that for about 2 years but when it started to lose time I took it in for service and that is when I found out that it had "aftermarket parts on the movement" The watchmaker said most likely that it was damaged and got water inside it. I had it serviced and sold it back to the guy I bought it from ... for a small profit! Then literally walked into my Rolex dealer and bought a SS Daytona the next day... It's on my wrist as I type this!

The Zenith movement watches are really cool looking - and I do like them, and from time to time think about buying one of those ... but for the money, I like mine just as much. I do have an early Panda made in 1972, that my dad bought (for $1400 in the late 80's - as an old watch) when he died I found it wrapped up in a box, with a jeweler's note saying estimate from Rolex NYC $3500.... So I sent it in to have it repaired.. for quite a bit more.. and now have that one too! To me, the stainless steel watches are the ultimate in Tool watches and the Daytona is the racers watch (really the Heuer Carrera, Camaro, and Autavia are THE racing watches to have).... that is why it carries such a premium.

 

I bought a Daytona a few years ago. After a few revisions, I found out that it was a Zenith Daytona Rolex. You can tell because the two subdials are centered at the 3:00 and 9:00 positions. The newer ones are slightly elevated from these positions. It is still a genuine Rolex, but you may want to opt for the non-Zenith model.

 

I went with a friend to a Rolex AD, she was put on the list for a 34mm black dial Oyster perpetual. 6-12 month wait likely.

 

My AD yesterday said they will soon be able to sell pre-owned Rolex watches!!!

Coming down from the top! I can't believe Rolex has missed on this market this long.

 

Yes, Leeds & Son in Palm Desert already has a certified preowned selection — which included an older Daytona when we were there.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

Do it, sooner rather than later. I, too, always liked the Daytona...came close (I shoulda) in mid '80's when I had the chance (was gifted a president - sold it and got a sub and ladies datejust). Anyway, finally bought one (white dial) about 10 years (?) ago. As my eyesight continues to head south, it is the hardest most difficult watch to read

 

I'd match this for the hardest to read!

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I didn’t see an appropriate thread for this, so this one seems fairly generic re: Rolex.

Here’s something I haven’t seen before: a GMT with the bezel removed. This might be the Marlon Brando Rolex, I’m not sure.,,,

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I like it. I’m kind over over tool bezels, to be honest. Is anyone here wearing a de-bezeled timepiece? How complicated or difficult is removing one?

The Explorer II might look pretty good with the bezel removed….

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While there is nothing wrong with Rolex, of course, there are many far more unique watches than Rolex that don't trade at such huge premiums. Why not look into one of them, rather than pay a huge premium for a mass produced product? Honestly, the Rolex 'shortage', probably used to keep demand up, gives you a chance to actually buy something else very interesting. Many other brands actually have far higher horology/complications IMHO.

 

Takes less than a minute to remove a Rolex sport watch bezel and you can do it in your kitchen. No biggie at all.

 

Confirmed to be the ex-Brando GMT 1675. It’s going to auction again next month. I think it looks great without the bezel. I need this to go with my single owner (me) Capt. Willard.

 

Three years ago, I was looking for a reliable source for watches online, and what better place than FChat to ask? Eddie replied to my post with a recommendation for Chrono24, and since, I’ve bought five watches through them and haven’t been disappointed. Two thumbs up for both!

 

The Oyster Perpetual I ordered for the gf came in 15 weeks. I was so happy I had them put me on a list for a no date Submariner. The AD had said 6-12 months on the OP, so I’m hoping the 12 months they predicted on the Sub will be shortened too.
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