Am I right to warn a friend off buying an expensive PVC/DLC customized Rolex DJ 41mm?

Watches are like cars. Once they get away from stock configuration they lose value.

Let him know the reality of having this done. If he's not a watch guy he may end up regretting the purchase and losing a lot of money. From there it's on him

Exactly! My comment to him was “Yeah, like cars. You’ve really got to love the customization to justify the investment. You won’t see your money back.”

That is now lucky to be a $2500 watch, if that. The seller would need to find a buyer willing to pay more for it, which is not going to happen. I would do your best to strear him so far away from that. Then again, if he likes it, does not care that he is likely paying 6x value and it will be essentially worthless the moment he buys it, have at it.

Another note to mention, the watch is not longer serviceable by Rolex, so if he ever needs work done, he will have to find a trustworthy local watchmaker, which good luck.

I am torn over this one. On one hand, choosing a watch is a personal decision, and these tricked out Rolexes do have a market. On the other hand, you seemed to indicate he has no real knowledge of watches, and I have read tales of people trying to sell their molded luxury watch and having to take a huge loss. If he is really looking for a one and done watch and likes this, he should be happy. If he is investing in a watch hoping to realize a profit, well, you did warn him. 😁

Depends.

As you state it's his money.

You, and others here are correct though, it is overpriced.

The owner of Watches of Espionage customized his Tudor FXD, and honestly it looks fantastic, doubt he payed that much over MSRP tho.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385892299753?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ONWAuUM3QXa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=_Fi8zopTRXC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

In case he's a gambling man. Show him this.

It’s only original once.

If he wants a modded watch, Seiko is the way to go.

It does look pretty dope. Not gonna lie.

You tried to assist. That is all you can, or should, do. IMHO, you were a good friend to warn him.

I at one time really wanted a DLC Milgauss (it was the late 90s or early 2000s) until my research told me it was an aftermarket treatment and that put me off. I also put off a Milgauss for a bit hoping Rolex would make one. So I can say I see the appeal but I would only do it if Rolex came out with it as an option.

That being said I would give my opinion and then let my friend make their own decision and be happy for them whatever they choose to do.

Screw value, that's freaking SICK

I love it

As someone who doesn't like Rolex, I like this. But not above retail.

Oh no 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

"Luxury rebel" :S

I’d advise that he gets the standard datejust, lives with it for a while and sees whether he still wants the PVD.

Hopefully he’ll then buy something cheaper in PVD instead and get that itch scratched. For someone wanting a one and done, outside of the hobby, they will probably be operating solely on looks and recognisable branding.

If he had thought long and hard about it, talking over a year of having it in the back of his mind, then fair enough. All black watches just look cool I guess to a lot of people! I did with a Casioak though. Omega will sell you a fully blacked out Seamaster too if that’s your bag. These just feel like a good 6th or 7th watch to me, not a one and done.

I’d talk him out of it even though it looks really cool. Youre a good friend!

I got a bespoke black PVD watch that has Rolex Explorer vibes for less than 300 USD. But, it’s his money so it’s his choice in the end. 😅

Ask him why he won’t just buy a normal Datejust or an oyster perpetual, for a non watch guy getting the money back at some point is a good thing. So that’s what I would start talking to him about

PVD coated watches age like milk. If he wants to throw money at something that had already lost value the moment it was molested, and will start to look shambolic the more it's worn, hey, go for it. But it's an entirely dumb idea however you slice and dice it.

For 2500 I'm in 😀

If your friend is not worried about the cost, does not ever need to sell, pretty compelling look for a boring Datejust. Perhaps he should make sure Rolex will service the watch if he doesn’t know a competent watchmaker. I know some serious watch guys who will take one watch from their stash to attempt something goofy understanding that the victim watch has become trash, except to its owner.

If he has money to burn then he should buy whatever makes him happy.

But if it’s a significant outlay for him then I think he could probably do better for the money even just across the Rolex range.

I would be encouraging him to try on a variety before taking the plunge. Fine if he still ends up there at least he has been around the block in landing there.

Typically a stock Rolex is worth more on the secondary market than one that has been “customized”.

Rolex would not touch this thing.

Probably true unless you are deeply connected to some person in authority.

"I pointed him at black ceramic Seamaster 300m, DSotM Speedy, black ceramic Tudor Black Bay, GS Night Birch Titanium… he seems determined to go for the black custom Rolex."

Think of this also : Don't loose a friend.

He asked for the advice and you have provided him good advise. Unfortunately, it ends there. There is nothing else you can do and to continue trying to make him accept your point of view is not good.

Sound advice.

To each his own. If he ever tires of it and wants to sell or trade it in, he'll be lucky to get a third of the money he put into it. For the money, I'd sooner by a normal DJ plus a Tudor Black Bay Ceramic before I'd buy a custom PVD-coated DJ.

If you want a modded watch, get a Seiko for 300$. Who in their right mind mods a Rolex. Unless he's a multimillionaire, he's making the worst decision possible.