My Black Bay '58, to flip or not to flip?

The most expensive watch will be the watch you have instead of the watch you want.

do it

don't look back

enjoy the EXP

life is too short not to

If you've wanted the watch for that long, you got to get it.  I, personally, am not a fan of the Explorer (love the Explorer II), but knowing how long you have wanted it, if you can get it, you should, IMO.

When I finally got my Seamaster 300M, I had wanted the watch for 25 years.  I made sure it was my first serious watch purchase, cause if it turned out later that I had to stop collecting, at least I'd have the one I wanted for half my lifetime.

Why not? can’t reject such an offer from AD. Better check how long it’s gonna take them to get the Explorer though. The BB58 is one of the most flipped watches (check Chrono24). It’s a nice watch don’t get me wrong. But you can always buy another one in the future.

It would be easier to get another BB58 later than it would be an explorer. 

It sounds like you know what to do and I think it is a good call. I personally do not like to sell watches, but if I was given the option to get the piece I wanted and it required me to sell or trade, I would likely do so. Pull the trigger and enjoy the new Explorer. 

I’m not usually in favor of selling watches, people tend to regret it. My thinking here is that Explorers are tough to get, BB 58s are not. You may regret selling the BB, but not as much as you’ll enjoy the Explorer and you can always replace it later. 
 

Either way, this is a nice problem to have. Cheers. 

"I have wanted an Explorer since I was a little girl and that, my friends, was a long time ago. I tried on the new 36mm Explorer and blurted out 'it's perfect'" 

That really says it all

I'd be hesitant to buy any watch I felt I needed a safe to store it in. 

If before you've even spent the money you're already concerned about the watch, I suspect it will only get worse once the money is spent. 

Sounds to me like you've already made up your mind. And I think you made the right choice to sell the 58 and get your childhood dream watch 😉

oh, and you wont need a safe to store an Explorer in.  

Definitely get the Explorer (sorry we’re all a bunch of enablers). If you can find a way to get it without selling the BB58 then do that. I find that having a dive watch (and a nice one, at that) really suits my lifestyle. No, I’m not a diver but I find the timing bezel incredibly useful in my day-to-day. I love my Seiko SPB147, and it will likely never leave my collection. However, I reach for my Explorer far more often that any of my dive watches. Maybe once the Explorer honeymoon wears off you can find a less expensive diver to fill that niche?

I wouldn't sell anything till this prospective replacement is in possession unless you have complete trust that it will materialize when told so. It doesn't sound like you have reason for such trust.

Adding my 2 cents here. Buy the Explorer and take lots of pictures of it. 

Remember to affect the French photographer tone and tell your Explorer how pretty she is, mon cherie and all that rot.

And don't forget to go out on town with the Black Bay before selling it. Let that watch remember you in it's spring, rotors and gears dahling. 😛

I don't normally encourage people to buy watches, but in this case it sounds like it's an opportunity for you to get your "dream watch" for the best possible price. It seems very unlikely that the price of the Explorer will be going down any time soon, so being able to get one at MSRP is a golden opportunity if you can swing it without having to make financial sacrifices.  If that requires selling the BB58, it seems like a small price to pay, especially if you can sell or trade the BB without losing a substantial sum. Unless you have a huge sentimental attachment to the specific BB that you'd be selling, you could always get another one in the future if you decided you made the wrong choice. The opportunity to get another Explorer at MSRP is probably less likely.

If the explorer charm wears off you can sell it without loss and re-buy the black bay 58

The fact that you’ve tried it on and loved this watch you’ve wanted do long, I think means you’ve got to get it. I don’t shop in that price range but my understanding is that a good Rolex is impossible to get but theBB58 can be found. 

Sell it immediately and get the watch you’ve always dreamed about. 

Option C. Keep the BB58 AND get the Explorer

Agree with the option c suggestion. But don’t lock it up in a safe. 

Edit to my reply bc I don’t want to seem insensitive to any part finances play in your decision. It looks like you’ve considered saving but have caught the bug to pull the trigger. If it were me, I’m too sentimental and can’t/won’t sell my watch if I don’t have to, so I‘d figure out when you’d be ready post saving and see if your AD can have it waiting for you. 

I was fortunate enough to purchase the new 36mm Explorer I this year.  This watch is clearly the best version of the Explorer I ever IMO... but I'm not wrong here 😎 Buy that Explorer please! Best decision you ever made 

Post Script: My daughter loved the 36mm Explorer so much I gave it to here. I asked my AD to put me back on the radar for another . My daughter just loves it. Buy the watch!

Sell the bb58 it'll be easier to buy it again if you wish than to get a chance at buying the Exp at retail again anytime soon 

First I thought you should keep the BB58 as it was your first luxury swiss watch and it is an amazing piece (I should know I own one :)). I need to mention that I am not a fan of the explorer, but I understand that my preference is not the same as yours. As you wanted an explorer forever, you feel it is perfect for you, tried it on before and you could get a brand new one for retail, I think you should go for it. 😊

Sell it and get the Explore, you can always buy a Black Bay later if you miss it

Sell the BB if you absolutely have to, and get the explorer. Owning both myself, I can’t say enough how complementary they are and almost the perfect 2 watch collection 

Get the Explorer.  "It's perfect" > "I'm proud to own it"

Nothing wrong with purchase enablers, circleT. :-)

I have a good relationship with the manager at my AD. I consider him a friend and if he says he can get me an Explorer, he'll get it.

Yeah, it's funny you mention that it's (for me probably) the best version of the Explorer ever made. I've been talking to the AD manager from years about getting an Explorer. Once he asked me to come in and surprised me with a 39mm Explorer to try on. I liked it but it wasn't 'oh wow, I have to have this watch,' if that makes sense. 

When I tried on the new 36mm Explorer this past weekend, something clicked. I know you guys understand what I mean. :-) Time to sell a watch.

If the AD calls I'd pick up the Explorer asap 

Both are undeniably great watches. I love my blue 58 and have no interest in the explorer, but I still think the Explorer sounds like the move here. You’ve always wanted it, it’s a safe buy even if you don’t connect with it, and the black 58 will always be there if you miss it and want to go back. It sounds like you want a little push and I think you’re getting it! I’m excited for you and hope you pick up the Exp :)