Am I an Idiot?
A little backstory. I am working towards the perfect (for me) three watch luxury collection (different makers). A chronograph, a dress watch and a diver. I have an Omega Speedmaster, and my Rolex Datejust will arrive soon. So the diver is the missing piece, and the one I’m struggling the most with.
Today, I stopped into my AD to kick the tires on the Tudor collection of diver’s to see if I liked them… you know, planning ahead.
While looking at them, the salesperson says “ever thought about a Rolex diver”? I replied yes, that I had tried on a sub and liked it maybe a little too much. To which he replied… “how about the Sea Dweller”… turns out they have one that was turned down. I tried it on and as beautiful as it was, it looked like someone parked a VW bug on my 6.5” wrist. No go.
As I was leaving, the manager grabbed me. He has worked with me many times before and recognized me when I came in. “I have the watch for you… if you want it, it’s yours”… “you have the 39?”. “Yes I have the Pelagos 39”!
Guys and gals… I almost left with it. But I just couldn’t. As gorgeous as it was, I didn’t have time to fall in love with it, to covet it. I feared I would have buyer’s remorse… In fact I felt a little queasy when he put it on my wrist.
Am I an idiot for not snapping up two of the hardest to get watches out there? Or did I make a good decision?
Collector of all things cool and unique. Watch junkie, car freak. Why say no when it feels so good to say yes?
Damn you’re my hero. I wish I even had the choice to make that type of decision. The question is if the Pelagos was THE one for your collection. If so, go get it especially if the AD will hook you up.
Probably the right decision. Just because they are hard to get doesn’t mean you have to get them, especially if you’re not really feeling totally convinced about them. Your money would be better spent on a watch you do love and covet, regardless of its ‘hard to get ness’. Just my two cents
Damn you’re my hero. I wish I even had the choice to make that type of decision. The question is if the Pelagos was THE one for your collection. If so, go get it especially if the AD will hook you up.
That’s the problem… I don’t know if it’s THE one and why I walked away. I’m sure there will be other opportunities if it is. In the meantime, I’m going to find out which watch is the perfect fit. Thanks for your response!
Probably the right decision. Just because they are hard to get doesn’t mean you have to get them, especially if you’re not really feeling totally convinced about them. Your money would be better spent on a watch you do love and covet, regardless of its ‘hard to get ness’. Just my two cents
Two cents well taken. If it had knocked my socks off, I would have left with it. Maybe in the future after I’ve had time to consider all of the options it may still be “the one”. Thank you!
Yes and no. Yes because buying anything without prior thought can end up being an expensive mistake. And no because it is one of the best out there for the money. But as it wasn't on your radar,maybe for the best.
So you turned down a Pelagos 39, one of the best all round divers ever!!! Are you sure your on the right forum😉
Congrats on not succumbing to the pressure of FOMO.
I tend to believe that they've always had one sitting back in the vault but that's just speculation.
My initial reaction was, "Yes, you were an idiot," but only because I thought both watches were selling above MSRP. If they were selling above MSRP by any significant amount, then you would simply have been turning down free money!
However, a quick check on Chrono24 shows that the Sea Dweller sells for about MSRP. And the Pelagos 39 only a small amount above MSRP, and after-tax, etc., the "profit" you could make from flipping it is hardly worth the effort!
So, no! You are being perfectly rational, and not an idiot at all!
It's amazing, though, when I first joined WC, there was a guy who got a Submariner, and flipped it, and bought himself an old Jaguar that he'd always wanted. Man! Market prices for Rolexes have really fallen a quite a bit!
I think the P39 is rad but there are a lot of other options for you. Way to not cave in to salesman pressure.
That sounds agonising.
Everyone has their own approach to these sorts of situations. I've never encountered it with watches but have with cars. My approach is:
Never make a decision in a pressured selling environment, it usually leads to poor judgement on my part.
Talk to my family and friends about the situation and the buying dilemma rather than people online in the watch/car space. My nearest and dearest have always been super wise and given me valuable perspective when I've been getting in a bind about a purchasing decision.
Yes and no. Yes because buying anything without prior thought can end up being an expensive mistake. And no because it is one of the best out there for the money. But as it wasn't on your radar,maybe for the best.
So you turned down a Pelagos 39, one of the best all round divers ever!!! Are you sure your on the right forum😉
😂😂😂 I have two day to fall in love with it… it will be there Monday morning.
That’s the problem… I don’t know if it’s THE one and why I walked away. I’m sure there will be other opportunities if it is. In the meantime, I’m going to find out which watch is the perfect fit. Thanks for your response!
If the AD wants your business, he’ll find you THE one.
I totally would've left with it. That thing is near perfection. Are you sure you WANT a diver? It's okay if you don't have one in the collection
In the UK you can add the Peli 39 straight to basket at watches of Switzerland and Goldsmiths (part of the same group) , they were hard to get at launch apparently but for the life me cant see why they are trading above list. Even at launch I got one as a walk in with no sales history at an AD.
No you were not an idiot , dropping large sums for watches that you are not sure would be foolish , the AD was biting your hand off, this should give you an indication of what the situation really is.
But you should ask yourself is Tudor really a different maker/brand than Rolex?
The sad thing about us idiots are that we aren't smart enough to figure out if we are one or not...
But you should ask yourself is Tudor really a different maker/brand than Rolex?
The sad thing about us idiots are that we aren't smart enough to figure out if we are one or not...
On point observation. I am also considering the fifty fathoms, among others. The problem with divers is that every reputable maker offers one, and they’re all great.
That watch looks great on your wrist.
I really do like the size of it
Thank you all for the responses and the support! I expected to wake up today regretting my decision. I didn’t… largely in part to this great community. I appreciate all of you!
I think I felt queasy because I have been very intentional with my watch purchases. I’m a classic over-analyzer, do a ton of research and when I’m ready, I know just what I want. This was the first time I’ve been in this situation and almost felt like I “should” buy it.
As for the brand thing you’re right… and I’m still sorting that out a little. Thanks!
Good luck! Stick to your plan. Don't get swayed. If you end up back to that pelagos, then you did it on your own terms.
I've owned: Rolex Submariner 14060M (no date), Tudor Submariner 79090, Pelagos 42mm Black, Seiko SLA 017, Seiko SPB143 and I current Pelagos 39mm
I will say of all of the watches I've owned? I absolutely love the P39.
I have a 7.25 roughly wrist so I've always gravitated toward 40+ divers, I will say, the Pelagos 39mm is actually 40mm with the overhang of bezel.
That being said it has to be the right watch for you, not anyone on here, not me but for you!
You should have a visceral reaction when you try it on. Writing this I look down at the P39 (I've worn it daily since November...well I still have that visceral reaction. I absolutely love it.
I have the P39. It’s my favorite piece for sure. I love it! But you did the right thing to pass.
Although it hits on everything for me. The size is dope, the matte black with the high contrast white hands and hour markers(I don’t know how to spell indices?). And Tudor divers have the best feeling 60 click bezel in the market.
But the band is a scratch monster! I have so many scratches on the titanium bracelet. I’m sure it will come again. But I went back to my AD and they still don’t have one since I bought mine late last month.
You might be moving on to better things I suppose 👁💯
Another Rolex story where something has just been turned down / just arrived / some other 'just happened' event. It's amazing how many things 'just happened' when buyers walk into Rolex stores.
The last few times I've pointed this out, I've had people get a bit snotty and say they didn't see the previous stories, so i'll just keep flagging them like this, every time I see one pop up on the forum.
As for you, OP, I think you were smart to walk away and think on it, some more. Especially with what was clearly some of the patented Rolex, "You wouldn't believe what I have..." sales push thrown at you.
Had never happened to me before, and I certainly didn’t care for how it made me feel. Probably won’t go back unless I am going intentionally to buy.
Nah, good call. I’ve got a rough dollar figure in my head on what I’d spend on an impulse watch purchase, and as much as I like Tudor they are way outside my impulse purchase range. If you change your mind, don’t worry…Tudor isn’t going anywhere!
I have the P39. It’s my favorite piece for sure. I love it! But you did the right thing to pass.
Although it hits on everything for me. The size is dope, the matte black with the high contrast white hands and hour markers(I don’t know how to spell indices?). And Tudor divers have the best feeling 60 click bezel in the market.
But the band is a scratch monster! I have so many scratches on the titanium bracelet. I’m sure it will come again. But I went back to my AD and they still don’t have one since I bought mine late last month.
You might be moving on to better things I suppose 👁💯
I've got a Mono (brand) Sand Eraser 512A, which was recommended to me when I owned my 42mm Black Pelagos. It is good for light scratches. I bought mine off of Amazon I believe it was less than $10 (USD). I would try it if I were you. I agree also my AD has long waiting list for P39.
Maybe order a replacement titanium bracelet? i mean just to have on hand? I've yet to put mine on rubber strap they supplied, have you run yours on rubber strap?
I have all the tools, to swap bracelet to strap, I just don't want to scratch my lugs! LOL.
Most of my previous divers all had drilled lugs.
Take your time and buy the watches you really want (otherwise your 3 watch collection will turn into 30 before you know it).
Who knows, after thinking/ obsessing about it for a few weeks, you may really want the Pelagos 39. The good news is that I think you will be able to get it again with a little effort (I was offered one by 2 different ADs and I don't get offered much of anything so while they're not readily available, they're not Rolex either).
I think you made the right call. I recently semi-impulse bought a P39 even though I didn't love it. Fast forward, its been a few months, I regret the purchase, and it is actually pretty difficult to sell them anywhere near retail. You don't want the queasy "I'm about to make a mistake" feeling when you buy a new watch...
Whether or not it's what you want, it isn't too big, the lugs weren't even close to over hanging.
Yes and no. Yes because buying anything without prior thought can end up being an expensive mistake. And no because it is one of the best out there for the money. But as it wasn't on your radar,maybe for the best.
So you turned down a Pelagos 39, one of the best all round divers ever!!! Are you sure your on the right forum😉
Sure it does looks nice but feels too light for my liking. Like there is no wrist presence imo.
I was actually in a store and tried this on today. While I see it's a nice watch it also didn't grab me in a way that made me want to buy it immediately. Maybe it was the sharpness of the case or the fact I felt that the black bay lines a bit more charming.
After speaking to the sales associate a bit more about watches I did like, I was offered the two tone Rolex explorer. I have no purchase history at all in this store and I wouldn't even have to pay for the taxes which is a plus. However it is the steel model I am most interested in and honestly I wasn't in the position or mood to spend 11k € on that model lol.
TLDR - no matter the hype around a watch or the pressure of a sales situation to get a watch, only buy what you love 🙂
I was actually in a store and tried this on today. While I see it's a nice watch it also didn't grab me in a way that made me want to buy it immediately. Maybe it was the sharpness of the case or the fact I felt that the black bay lines a bit more charming.
After speaking to the sales associate a bit more about watches I did like, I was offered the two tone Rolex explorer. I have no purchase history at all in this store and I wouldn't even have to pay for the taxes which is a plus. However it is the steel model I am most interested in and honestly I wasn't in the position or mood to spend 11k € on that model lol.
TLDR - no matter the hype around a watch or the pressure of a sales situation to get a watch, only buy what you love 🙂
Thanks for sharing and respect your decision. Funny how these “hard to get watches” keep popping up.
Thanks for sharing and respect your decision. Funny how these “hard to get watches” keep popping up.
100% agree. I think it's a sign of a softening market and they still want to offload inventory. There's been 124270s on line selling peer to peer like on Reddit and WUS for retail price with no mark ups at all for slightly used explorers and this just wasn't the case a year ago....
Just need to figure out what to do when they say I can have either watch haha