The dangers of visiting an AD and trying on some watches
My wife and I made a visit to the AD this past weekend. While we were there, I took a moment to try on some exhibition pieces and other watches they had in store, and as we all know…this is dangerous. Because now I want them! This is how they get you! Come to the store, they say. Just try it on your wrist and see how it fits, they say. And then WHAM! That’s all you can think about…and here I am writing a post mid work day about a watch I can’t stop thinking about.
On this occasion, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the 40mm Yacht Master in rose gold on Oysterflex bracelet. This has never been a watch that appealed to me, and I never understood the reason for its existence. Especially when compared to the Sub, which seems just as capable. But trying it on, it just looked…right! I don’t own a yacht and don’t ever plan on owning one. But damn, the Oysterflex is comfy, and the combination of the black ceramic raised numerals on the bezel and the rose gold case are just dynamite. What I’ve come to recognize is that the Sub is much more of a “tool” looking watch, and the YM is just…so damn pretty. I say tool in quotes because at this price, let’s be real, nobody is actually using these things as a tool. It’s all jewelry and we know it.
And so, this week, with many new announcements at Watches and Wonders, what watches have you added to your list so far this year? Are they old standards, or newly announced models from Geneva? What was it that got you hooked on the watches you’re adding to your list?
Or…do you do all your browsing online and avoid going into a store? If so, you’re smarter than me.
Lifelong watch lover. Learning more every day about this hobby. See more photos on IG @morebillablehours
I know the feeling… for me esp. I don’t visit bakeries either…lol…
How many I have purchased so far I’m not telling lol 🤫
I usually don't go unless I am prepared to buy.....
I know your pain! It's hard for me to go and not be prepared to come out with a new purchase. The sales technique is so funny to me because the sales people really don't have to work at all lol
The YM looks great on you here and like you, I LOVE a good Yacht Master. The platinum and steel YM was the original "it" watch for me that got be into this hobby. Will always have a soft spot for them! Very interested in these new Titanium ones that just came out too 🙂
You know what's funny? Going to the AD and trying on watches typically has the opposite effect on me! For a while, I was absolutely sure that this was going to be my next watch...
I kept drooling over photos of this watch. And then I went into the shop and tried it on, and I thought, "Wow. That's nice." But, every subsequent visit, I went from "wow" to "it's nice" to "hmmmm... it's okay" to now "nah, not that interested in it."
I think it's kind of like how my relationship with Megan Fox went. She was great in Transformers, but as soon as we started dating, well... real life just can't match fantasy, you know?
Never visited a Rolex AD again after one time I visited one and they've basically told me nothing was on sale and then I asked if I could be put on the waitlist they said they don't even want my contact. Not sure if I will go again if I had some self respect.
I usually don't go unless I am prepared to buy.....
So John, you are visiting your AD weakly? 😀
I walked by a Rolex AD once.. on the way to a Swatch store. The bad thing about wishing for something is actually getting it and paying the bill. The used Rolex market is huge.
Don't worry, what with the long wait-list, you'll have more than enough time to cool off and rethink if the watch is something your truly want. 😀
I'd take a Yachtmaster over a Sub any day of the week. They are less ubiquitous, more playful, wear better (thinner and more curved case) and have all the water resistance I need at 100m. I think the Yachtmaster is one of the more underappreciated watches in Rolex's stable.
I find if all I do is look online it is too easy to add to an ever growing list of watches that I 'want'. Press shots can make almost any watch look good, but until I have it on your wrist I can't tell if it's right for me.
I have poured over the Cartier website many times but I am yet to find a watch of theirs that feels 'right' on my wrist after trying many of them on.
With all the excitement this week I've already added the Oris Kermit ProPilot X and the IWC Ingenieur to my list of wants. The Patek Calatrava with blue accents would also be nice to add but I don't see myself ever spending that much on a watch.
I'm off to the Rolex AD to collect my Deep sea after a service tomorrow, should be interesting to see if they have any new models in (to look at only) so far I'm interested in the new 40mm explorer and the titanium YM ,I prefer to try watches on plus the chap in the ad is very knowledgeable about all brands he's also a collector,he has a vintage Reverso which is a real classic
Insane watch! But insane price tag.
I love to visit boutiques because the salespeople are generally pretty knowledgeable about the brand even if they are not watch enthusiasts. And they tell me some pretty great stories about other clients. Watch collecting is a lonely hobby for me since I haven’t gone to a meet-up yet so those are the only opportunities to geek out in person. That being said, there are some salespeople that are assholes and I’ll avoid them specifically. It hasn’t gotten bad to the point where I’ll avoid an entire store because of one bad egg.
I feel your pain 😆every time I visit an AD I will not be able to sleep for nights
Once I saw a teenager rocking this Rosegold Yachmaster Oysterflex in a grocery shop. Then I went to my salesperson at Rolex and inquired about it. She said its even harder to get than the stainless steel pieces. So I walked out.😎
Yeah the Oysterflex is cool. The rubber doesn’t get scratched. The rosegold watch is heavy, so it makes sense to loose some weight on the strap. It’s an awesome piece and not many people have it. 👍
I agree... The Yacht Master has a certain elegance to it that the Sub just can't match. I have two and they're, by far, my go to watches. I was very fortunate last week when my AD let me know that he had the YM 42 available... I couldn't get there fast enough.
I mostly look online as like you say , going to the AD , is dangerous lol
I have been searching and wondering what watch I want to get for my 30th next month.
I am really tempted buy the Oris Pilot Kermit as its fun and would be a great summer watch.