What to do
Here is my situation. I purchased the Rolex OP41mm in bright blue this past December. It’s a lovely watch. And at first I was enamored with it, but I feel like that feeling wore off quickly and I find myself constantly thinking about trading it for something else. I’ve not had this experience or feeling with any of my other watches, all of which I‘ve owned for longer than my OP. I still want a blue dial, but find I routinely wished the OP had a date function. I am clearly part of #campdatefunction
I spoke with my AD about it, as I don’t want to burn any bridges (I’m not a flipper and have no desire to be), and we discussed swapping for a date just, but I don’t like the cyclops lens at all, and the 41mm date just has numerals on the edge of the dial, which I also don’t care for. I think the 36mm date just looks much nicer/cleaner, but it’s a bit too small for my taste. And I don’t love the high polish of the bracelet. That’s part of what pushed me towards the OP line.
I was looking at (let’s be honest, obsessing over) the SLGH009, which is stunning but a bit pricy. Then I found the SBGH273. Similar in aesthetic to the 009, but with a different case design and movement of course.
Basically, I want a robust blue dial daily with a date that’s around 40mm with a simple/clean aesthetic. I feel like I’m being a bit neurotic and should probably just keep the OP (this is also my partner’s opinion who wished I would shut up about it already, lol), but figure this is a safe space to share my first world dilema.
Thoughts?
Somewhat new to the collecting community, but pretty far down the rabbit hole already…
I am a huge GS fan. I have never owned a Rolex. You should be able to find a SLGH009 in great condition. GS are built like a tank and very beautifully hand built and finished.
You really are in a tough spot; deciding between your intuition & your partner's opinion. ;)
That said, I think you should trade for the GS. If the lack of a date comp is already bugging you, it's only going to get worse.
Sir, I bought the Rolex OP41 in silver. Kept it for... 3 days? Since you asked for opinions, here is my opinion:
Here's mine:
Regardless, let's say you've set your mind on the SBGH273. That watch only costs $6,300 MSRP. It's hi-beat. It's gorgeous. You could sell the OP41 for $9,000, and have enough cash left over for 2,700 bags of snack size Cheetos!
No brainer 8 days a week!
I would take ANY Grand Seiko over the Rolex OP. Given the choice between my OP41 in silver versus the $3,200 SBGP005 9F Quartz, if I could only own one and had to keep that thing forever, I would take the SBGP005 8 days a week!
Sir, I bought the Rolex OP41 in silver. Kept it for... 3 days? Since you asked for opinions, here is my opinion:
Here's mine:
Regardless, let's say you've set your mind on the SBGH273. That watch only costs $6,300 MSRP. It's hi-beat. It's gorgeous. You could sell the OP41 for $9,000, and have enough cash left over for 2,700 bags of snack size Cheetos!
No brainer 8 days a week!
I would take ANY Grand Seiko over the Rolex OP. Given the choice between my OP41 in silver versus the $3,200 SBGP005 9F Quartz, if I could only own one and had to keep that thing forever, I would take the SBGP005 8 days a week!
As per usual, Omeganut beat me to this! I agree with his thoughts. Having seen, handled and tried on both, the GS watches were an easy win. They have a much higher fit and finish. I find them more comfortable on the wrist - I know that’s not true for all, as many GS don’t have micro-adjustments. I’m also not a fan, at all, of date magnifiers, so that rules out a lot of the Rolex offerings. Good luck with your choice!
So I have 3 GS watches, one each with spring drive, quartz and hi beat. I literally just put my name down for the blue OP 41 yesterday. I also have several other Rolex models so this won't be my first Rolex. I guess my point is that I'm actually really looking forward to having a no date watch. There's something liberating about setting the time and done. It's not as if we don't have the date stuck in our faces every day on our phones and computers. The OP is elegant and classy and I'm more and more attracted to simplicity above all else!
I agree completely about the 41mm Datejust. The small numbers on that track around the edge of the dial drive me crazy. Completely unnecessary and distracting.
Funny story. My friend has a 41mm Datejust. I said to him one time, Don’t you hate those little numbers by the markers? He said, What are you talking about? I showed him, and it turns out he had literally never noticed them before. A week later, he came back and said, I hate you. I can’t un-see those little numbers and they’re so annoying!
Have to agree with @Omeganut
If you are just not feeling it. Better let go of it? Or at least, consider putting the OP in a safe place for a couple of months. If you happen not to miss it at all, go ahead. The GS certainly is a solid watch with a date function. But there are plenty others out there. IWC (Pilot), Omega (Deville, Seamaster) come to mind.
And I don't think you are being neurotic. It's a passion, hence there is no justification needed other than your liking.
Cheers. And let us know how you decide!
So I have 3 GS watches, one each with spring drive, quartz and hi beat. I literally just put my name down for the blue OP 41 yesterday. I also have several other Rolex models so this won't be my first Rolex. I guess my point is that I'm actually really looking forward to having a no date watch. There's something liberating about setting the time and done. It's not as if we don't have the date stuck in our faces every day on our phones and computers. The OP is elegant and classy and I'm more and more attracted to simplicity above all else!
I love the simplicity of a no date as well. I think part of the problem is I have a Tudor BBB which I adore, and is a no date, and a JLC Reverso Duoface, also a no date which will NEVER leave my collection 🙂. The OP41 is beautiful, but for some reason that is the one I consistently think about giving up.
I also have a spring drive, the SBGA407. This was my first ever luxury watch. I wear this one most often and love the accuracy of the movement. The OP just gets very little wrist time.
I’m probably just overthinking things.
If you are just not feeling it. Better let go of it? Or at least, consider putting the OP in a safe place for a couple of months. If you happen not to miss it at all, go ahead. The GS certainly is a solid watch with a date function. But there are plenty others out there. IWC (Pilot), Omega (Deville, Seamaster) come to mind.
And I don't think you are being neurotic. It's a passion, hence there is no justification needed other than your liking.
Cheers. And let us know how you decide!
Thanks, and I will 🙂. Feeling more and more like I will be making an exchange.
Sir, I bought the Rolex OP41 in silver. Kept it for... 3 days? Since you asked for opinions, here is my opinion:
Here's mine:
Regardless, let's say you've set your mind on the SBGH273. That watch only costs $6,300 MSRP. It's hi-beat. It's gorgeous. You could sell the OP41 for $9,000, and have enough cash left over for 2,700 bags of snack size Cheetos!
No brainer 8 days a week!
I would take ANY Grand Seiko over the Rolex OP. Given the choice between my OP41 in silver versus the $3,200 SBGP005 9F Quartz, if I could only own one and had to keep that thing forever, I would take the SBGP005 8 days a week!
Appreciate your thoughts. To be honest, the one I had my heart set on was the SLGH009. I reached out to the GS AD near me to ask about a trade. He said his best offer on the OP was $8,300.00. That felt too low to me so it generally turned me off of the conversation.
Then like 2 days later I started thinking about other options. That’s how the SBGH273 came into play. Similar aesthetic to the SLGH009 but much less expensive.
Feeling a bit motivated to push for a better trade in and get the 009, even if I have to pay a bit to get it. It’s just an insane piece.
I agree completely about the 41mm Datejust. The small numbers on that track around the edge of the dial drive me crazy. Completely unnecessary and distracting.
Funny story. My friend has a 41mm Datejust. I said to him one time, Don’t you hate those little numbers by the markers? He said, What are you talking about? I showed him, and it turns out he had literally never noticed them before. A week later, he came back and said, I hate you. I can’t un-see those little numbers and they’re so annoying!
I should not be laughing as hard as I am about your friend…but I’m dying.
At least he won’t have a hard time selling it.
I should not be laughing as hard as I am about your friend…but I’m dying.
At least he won’t have a hard time selling it.
It’s one of those things like the “5” instead of “05” on the last generation AirKing. Once you notice it, it will always bug you thereafter.
Sir, I bought the Rolex OP41 in silver. Kept it for... 3 days? Since you asked for opinions, here is my opinion:
Here's mine:
Regardless, let's say you've set your mind on the SBGH273. That watch only costs $6,300 MSRP. It's hi-beat. It's gorgeous. You could sell the OP41 for $9,000, and have enough cash left over for 2,700 bags of snack size Cheetos!
No brainer 8 days a week!
I would take ANY Grand Seiko over the Rolex OP. Given the choice between my OP41 in silver versus the $3,200 SBGP005 9F Quartz, if I could only own one and had to keep that thing forever, I would take the SBGP005 8 days a week!
Wasn’t expecting to see a reference to Pareto efficiency today. Respect.
Appreciate your thoughts. To be honest, the one I had my heart set on was the SLGH009. I reached out to the GS AD near me to ask about a trade. He said his best offer on the OP was $8,300.00. That felt too low to me so it generally turned me off of the conversation.
Then like 2 days later I started thinking about other options. That’s how the SBGH273 came into play. Similar aesthetic to the SLGH009 but much less expensive.
Feeling a bit motivated to push for a better trade in and get the 009, even if I have to pay a bit to get it. It’s just an insane piece.
Also, dude, don't "settle" for the SBGH273. Like, if you were smitten by the SLGH009, and then get the SBGH273 instead, because it was cheaper, you'd just end up feeling resentful of the SBGH273 over time. Like, through no fault of its own, it will never live up to the fantasies you had of the "ideal" SLGH009.
That's what happened when wife married me as her backup choice.
Thanks, and I will 🙂. Feeling more and more like I will be making an exchange.
Maybe try as I suggested. Rather make sure you are OK without it.
What are the options you are looking at right now?
Maybe try as I suggested. Rather make sure you are OK without it.
What are the options you are looking at right now?
The watch I really want is the SLGH009. The SBGH273 is also a contender, but the 009 has all the “things” I want.
You can take out the cyclops glass and install one without the cyclops. My Explorer II had this procedure done. It makes the 40mm size look more balanced as the cyclops made it look constricted. IMHO, the cyclops is good for 42mm and above.
Also, I would keep the OP - it will only get more valuable with time. ALL the GS'...
GS to keep and sell the Rolex for a profit
No cheetos for me.
Sir, I bought the Rolex OP41 in silver. Kept it for... 3 days? Since you asked for opinions, here is my opinion:
Here's mine:
Regardless, let's say you've set your mind on the SBGH273. That watch only costs $6,300 MSRP. It's hi-beat. It's gorgeous. You could sell the OP41 for $9,000, and have enough cash left over for 2,700 bags of snack size Cheetos!
No brainer 8 days a week!
I would take ANY Grand Seiko over the Rolex OP. Given the choice between my OP41 in silver versus the $3,200 SBGP005 9F Quartz, if I could only own one and had to keep that thing forever, I would take the SBGP005 8 days a week!
Since you showed me yours
Since you showed me yours
AWESOME!!!
AWESOME!!!
I traded the OP in at the AD. Didn’t get as much as I would have hoped for, but I did get a couple thousand over what I paid for it which offset the price of this piece. And it was just easier tbh.
A separate thread will be coming. iPhone doesn’t truly capture it. The DSLR and macro lens will need to come out for this one.
The cyclops lens may initially put you off but as you get to the age where you need reading glasses, trust me you'll appreciate the magnification that the cyclops provides. If you want to go sporty like the OP, get a DJ 41 with a rounded bezel and oyster bracelet.
Since you showed me yours
Awesome! Been into the hobby for 30 years. Sold my last Rolex (GMT Master II 116710ln) a month ago and got the SLGH009 and a Bel Canto from the proceeds of the sale. Compared to the datejust at least for me it's an easy decision. This is my first GS. Craftsmanship is way better than any Rolex and I've owned a lot including a Skydweller. The attention to detail grabs your attention. Wear it in good health my friend.. Happy Holidays.
Awesome! Been into the hobby for 30 years. Sold my last Rolex (GMT Master II 116710ln) a month ago and got the SLGH009 and a Bel Canto from the proceeds of the sale. Compared to the datejust at least for me it's an easy decision. This is my first GS. Craftsmanship is way better than any Rolex and I've owned a lot including a Skydweller. The attention to detail grabs your attention. Wear it in good health my friend.. Happy Holidays.
That was a great trade!! I can’t tell you how much I love my SLGH009. It gets more wrist time than any of my other pieces, and when I wear it I routinely find myself staring at it. Enjoy your new watches and share some pics!! I’ve been dying to see others on here.
Just got mine 2 weeks ago in Tokyo. 🇯🇵👌
Just got mine 2 weeks ago in Tokyo. 🇯🇵👌
They still had them on the showroom floor, or did you buy pre-owned?
It’s gorgeous!!
Saw one at chrono24 unworn for $7.4k. Was flying to Tokyo so it worked out pretty well! Had to travel an hour from Tokyo to get it. Very well worth the trip!
Saw one at chrono24 unworn for $7.4k. Was flying to Tokyo so it worked out pretty well! Had to travel an hour from Tokyo to get it. Very well worth the trip!
Wow, you got a much better deal than I did, lol. Well done!