Trading Watches (or clickbait title - how to get a free Rolex..)
I’d love to hear about your watch trades. The reasons for them and how you felt afterwards. Trading up, trading down, trading sideways!
Here is my story - and it’s one of trading down. I bought a Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5165 38mm reference - at a good used price. I absolutely loved it - and as I documented in a review here - it’s basically perfect. I was wearing it every day and I had in mind to use it and abuse it for years - the only watch I’ll ever need.
So what happened? Well, I’ve gone back in to full time work and sometimes my job will involve passing through airports, clambering around warehouses etc. Because of the value of the Patek - I’d either be leaving it at home - or feeling bad about new scratches. Again because of the value I was struggling to insure the watch - I would have needed to upgrade my safe or even leave it in a safety deposit box at the bank.
I think it’s probably not sensible to have most of your savings in one fragile desirable to thieves item. I.e. I should probably stay in my lane - with a watch to match my overall wealth and lifestyle.
I’ve desired a Rolex Explorer 36 for a long while. The gorgeous shiny black dial and iconic design. And a great size for my wrist.
So I put my Aquanaut up for sale. It didn’t take long before I got in to discussion with a fellow enthusiast - and he happened to be selling a lovely Rolex Explorer 114270 reference. I suggested to him he offer me cash plus the Rolex for my PP, and the deal was done.
Because I bought well - I think this was a win win deal. He got a good price for the Patek. I managed to get £5k clear profit and a gorgeous Rolex “for free”.
A week later and I have no regrets. The Explorer fits me like a glove and fits my lifestyle. Because it was “free” - and already has some scratches - I can wear it with full relaxation. This one feels like a keeper! (Only time will tell!)
So maybe I have learnt not every new watch needs to go to a higher and higher level - sometimes it’s the right thing to trade down. I still have a little Patek dress watch too - so I can scratch that itch on special days.
Fairly new to watch collecting. Super fast collecting journey! I've had a bit of everything, small gold pretty watches, large rugged watches, vintage British field watches. From Casio to Patek and eve...
Last year I trated my Sea Dweller 16600 for the Explorer 1 in 39 mm.
Although I still think today the Sea Dweller 16600 is the most beautiful diver ever from Rolex, I traded it because I had trouble reading the time without my reading glasses on, and since I also have the current Submariner which is much more legible than the Sea Dweller.
Enter the Explorer 1 in 39 mm.....I once had the 36 mm which I sold already after 3 weeks because I had zero connection with it....I thought maybe I will like the 39 mm......but no, already the next day after one day of wearing I knew enough, it had to go, it´s just not for me.
During the next days I found another watch nerd on Ebay for the next trade.....the following weekend I trated the Explorer 1 for the OP 39 mm in white.....I already had the white OP in 36 mm and it is one of my favourite watches but I´ve always wondered how it would be in 39 mm......so this was an opportunity to found out, and yes, after the trade, I was happy.....it is absolutely gorgeous and sits perfect on my wrist.....so, 2 trades within 8 days to come to a good result :-)
Last year I trated my Sea Dweller 16600 for the Explorer 1 in 39 mm.
Although I still think today the Sea Dweller 16600 is the most beautiful diver ever from Rolex, I traded it because I had trouble reading the time without my reading glasses on, and since I also have the current Submariner which is much more legible than the Sea Dweller.
Enter the Explorer 1 in 39 mm.....I once had the 36 mm which I sold already after 3 weeks because I had zero connection with it....I thought maybe I will like the 39 mm......but no, already the next day after one day of wearing I knew enough, it had to go, it´s just not for me.
During the next days I found another watch nerd on Ebay for the next trade.....the following weekend I trated the Explorer 1 for the OP 39 mm in white.....I already had the white OP in 36 mm and it is one of my favourite watches but I´ve always wondered how it would be in 39 mm......so this was an opportunity to found out, and yes, after the trade, I was happy.....it is absolutely gorgeous and sits perfect on my wrist.....so, 2 trades within 8 days to come to a good result :-)
It looks very well on you!
Great story and I agree; the Explorer is the perfect GADA watch!
That Explorer has more surface area to scratch. lol That wasn't a bad trade. It's crazy how they have come up with protective film to wrap a car so as not to damage the paint but nothing to protect a watch.
That Explorer has more surface area to scratch. lol That wasn't a bad trade. It's crazy how they have come up with protective film to wrap a car so as not to damage the paint but nothing to protect a watch.
Believe they have invented a film just as you describe! Sounds like a weird idea though..
yes the explorer will scratch up - but somehow I mind less - probably because of the overall lower value..
Believe they have invented a film just as you describe! Sounds like a weird idea though..
yes the explorer will scratch up - but somehow I mind less - probably because of the overall lower value..
I've never heard of this film. It's a lower value but value doesn't matter. Wear it and enjoy it. Scratches show the love that it gets.