Hello and really excited to join the community!
Hello All,
I got into watches about a year ago and have been struggling to find a place to chat with folks that appreciate these objects for what they are and not the brand-specific forums full of fanboys.
My first watch was an older SEIKO 5 dress watch, and then I moved to a Grand Seiko SBGA211. I have seen watch store people surprised that Grand Seiko was my first expensive watch but the attention to detail and how calming the watch was for me in a work environment made this an absolute joy for me that I will keep hopefully til it stops running. My most recent addition is a 116503 Black Dial Daytona, this was my Favorite Daytona of all and the black dial made it almost a 3 tone watch. I don't wear this to work or even every day outside of work, but it's such a beauty and for me far superior to the 2 stainless steel models (I can care less about resale value)
Please let me know if any questions or just pop by and say hi! Still figuring the chat box out maybe I can attach photos below?
Thanks
Peter
I am a relatively newer collector that is looking to learn more from other collectors and build connections!
Welcome to WC. The Daytona is a bit of a dream watch for me. I love chronographs, and have several (Omega, Sinn, IWC, etc), but still would like to be able to eventually add a Daytona to my collection. If I could get one at MSRP I'd jump on it, but not willing to pay the current asking prices.
Welcome to the crunch🤝
Gorgeous watches!
Welcome to WC. The Daytona is a bit of a dream watch for me. I love chronographs, and have several (Omega, Sinn, IWC, etc), but still would like to be able to eventually add a Daytona to my collection. If I could get one at MSRP I'd jump on it, but not willing to pay the current asking prices.
@tempus I got the Daytona 116503 at MSRP first time walking in with no purchase history and here's my story:
I am 24 years old that dress pretty casually (was wearing Levi jeans and Puma Suede that day) and I don't have any purchase history with Rolex in general let alone that AD. And I was offered the TT Daytona the first time I walked into that store. I was traveling from NH to Albany to go to Frank Adams since they have amazing reviews and I found the Rolex boutique at Long's jewelry in Nashua NH a bit disappointing. The guy who worked at Long's was very nice and we chatted for a good 30 mins that day and he let me try on a bunch of watches including the Daytona. But when asked about wait times he said even the Milgaus has a 1-2 year wait time which I thought did not reflect the market at this point.
So I drove 3 hours to Albany to see Frank Adams and I told them that I am not local. I tried on a bunch of Rolex watches and when I was about to leave he went in to "grab me a business card" but ended up coming out with a TT Daytona that just came in. He said they only called one client before I came in today and he turned it down and decided to give it to me without calling others. He even did a NH sale for me since they do sell stuff online and saved me 8% sales tax. Here are some of the things that I think I did right:
1: I love the TT Daytona over the SS, and the TT tends to be easier to get, in some cases, significantly easier.
2: I expressed understanding for these watches and talked about their history, and I made him know that I love these watches passionately and will keep it forever if I can. (which is true)
3: I talked about wanting to establish a relationship with an AD and I am looking to buy my mom a basic oyster perpetual next year (also true)
4: We talked about other brands and what they do right. Many folks who work at Rolex AD from my observations look down on fanboys since they might luster over the brand more than the watch themselves, and by complimenting Omega, Tudor, and of course, my Grand Seiko, it kind of build a connection between me and him who is also very much into watches.
He told me that I think that's a worthy wrist for this watch to live on at the end :) Needless to sell I will keep coming back for their amazing cocktails and talk watches.
I truly think that larger ADs have all but the most sought after reference numbers in stock, it's just about making them want to sell you one instead of the long list of waiting.
Please let me know if any questions and best of luck!!
@tempus I got the Daytona 116503 at MSRP first time walking in with no purchase history and here's my story:
I am 24 years old that dress pretty casually (was wearing Levi jeans and Puma Suede that day) and I don't have any purchase history with Rolex in general let alone that AD. And I was offered the TT Daytona the first time I walked into that store. I was traveling from NH to Albany to go to Frank Adams since they have amazing reviews and I found the Rolex boutique at Long's jewelry in Nashua NH a bit disappointing. The guy who worked at Long's was very nice and we chatted for a good 30 mins that day and he let me try on a bunch of watches including the Daytona. But when asked about wait times he said even the Milgaus has a 1-2 year wait time which I thought did not reflect the market at this point.
So I drove 3 hours to Albany to see Frank Adams and I told them that I am not local. I tried on a bunch of Rolex watches and when I was about to leave he went in to "grab me a business card" but ended up coming out with a TT Daytona that just came in. He said they only called one client before I came in today and he turned it down and decided to give it to me without calling others. He even did a NH sale for me since they do sell stuff online and saved me 8% sales tax. Here are some of the things that I think I did right:
1: I love the TT Daytona over the SS, and the TT tends to be easier to get, in some cases, significantly easier.
2: I expressed understanding for these watches and talked about their history, and I made him know that I love these watches passionately and will keep it forever if I can. (which is true)
3: I talked about wanting to establish a relationship with an AD and I am looking to buy my mom a basic oyster perpetual next year (also true)
4: We talked about other brands and what they do right. Many folks who work at Rolex AD from my observations look down on fanboys since they might luster over the brand more than the watch themselves, and by complimenting Omega, Tudor, and of course, my Grand Seiko, it kind of build a connection between me and him who is also very much into watches.
He told me that I think that's a worthy wrist for this watch to live on at the end :) Needless to sell I will keep coming back for their amazing cocktails and talk watches.
I truly think that larger ADs have all but the most sought after reference numbers in stock, it's just about making them want to sell you one instead of the long list of waiting.
Please let me know if any questions and best of luck!!
btw this happened a month ago so I guess the market cooling down also helps!
Hey two tone buddies!
Also a Spring Drive guy (SBGA429 versus the 211). Welcome!
This is a pretty solid place to hang out for nerds like us.
Welcome, and congratulations on having some amazing pieces.
Hey two tone buddies!
Also a Spring Drive guy (SBGA429 versus the 211). Welcome!
This is a pretty solid place to hang out for nerds like us.
Daytona + Grand seiko, buddies indeed :)
Great watches, the Daytona & GS.
But kept well, that GS will outlast you & maybe your grandkids.
Welcome & looking forward to your contributions to the Crunch!
@tempus I got the Daytona 116503 at MSRP first time walking in with no purchase history and here's my story:
I am 24 years old that dress pretty casually (was wearing Levi jeans and Puma Suede that day) and I don't have any purchase history with Rolex in general let alone that AD. And I was offered the TT Daytona the first time I walked into that store. I was traveling from NH to Albany to go to Frank Adams since they have amazing reviews and I found the Rolex boutique at Long's jewelry in Nashua NH a bit disappointing. The guy who worked at Long's was very nice and we chatted for a good 30 mins that day and he let me try on a bunch of watches including the Daytona. But when asked about wait times he said even the Milgaus has a 1-2 year wait time which I thought did not reflect the market at this point.
So I drove 3 hours to Albany to see Frank Adams and I told them that I am not local. I tried on a bunch of Rolex watches and when I was about to leave he went in to "grab me a business card" but ended up coming out with a TT Daytona that just came in. He said they only called one client before I came in today and he turned it down and decided to give it to me without calling others. He even did a NH sale for me since they do sell stuff online and saved me 8% sales tax. Here are some of the things that I think I did right:
1: I love the TT Daytona over the SS, and the TT tends to be easier to get, in some cases, significantly easier.
2: I expressed understanding for these watches and talked about their history, and I made him know that I love these watches passionately and will keep it forever if I can. (which is true)
3: I talked about wanting to establish a relationship with an AD and I am looking to buy my mom a basic oyster perpetual next year (also true)
4: We talked about other brands and what they do right. Many folks who work at Rolex AD from my observations look down on fanboys since they might luster over the brand more than the watch themselves, and by complimenting Omega, Tudor, and of course, my Grand Seiko, it kind of build a connection between me and him who is also very much into watches.
He told me that I think that's a worthy wrist for this watch to live on at the end :) Needless to sell I will keep coming back for their amazing cocktails and talk watches.
I truly think that larger ADs have all but the most sought after reference numbers in stock, it's just about making them want to sell you one instead of the long list of waiting.
Please let me know if any questions and best of luck!!
Sounds like you were pretty lucky, and clicked with the SA at the AD. I live in a small city with a single Rolex AD, with the next nearest one over 800 miles away (unless I cross the border). I've purchased 5 Rolex pieces for my wife and I from the local AD but they have basically told me that there is no real chance of getting a Daytona. As a small AD, they say they get very few each year, and have a long enough waiting list that they don't want to give me any false hope. They did offer me a platinum version a few years ago, but I wasn't interested in spending that much - kicking myself now. As the market cools down I might try again for the 116515LN (Rose gold with Oysterflex).
@tempus I got the Daytona 116503 at MSRP first time walking in with no purchase history and here's my story:
I am 24 years old that dress pretty casually (was wearing Levi jeans and Puma Suede that day) and I don't have any purchase history with Rolex in general let alone that AD. And I was offered the TT Daytona the first time I walked into that store. I was traveling from NH to Albany to go to Frank Adams since they have amazing reviews and I found the Rolex boutique at Long's jewelry in Nashua NH a bit disappointing. The guy who worked at Long's was very nice and we chatted for a good 30 mins that day and he let me try on a bunch of watches including the Daytona. But when asked about wait times he said even the Milgaus has a 1-2 year wait time which I thought did not reflect the market at this point.
So I drove 3 hours to Albany to see Frank Adams and I told them that I am not local. I tried on a bunch of Rolex watches and when I was about to leave he went in to "grab me a business card" but ended up coming out with a TT Daytona that just came in. He said they only called one client before I came in today and he turned it down and decided to give it to me without calling others. He even did a NH sale for me since they do sell stuff online and saved me 8% sales tax. Here are some of the things that I think I did right:
1: I love the TT Daytona over the SS, and the TT tends to be easier to get, in some cases, significantly easier.
2: I expressed understanding for these watches and talked about their history, and I made him know that I love these watches passionately and will keep it forever if I can. (which is true)
3: I talked about wanting to establish a relationship with an AD and I am looking to buy my mom a basic oyster perpetual next year (also true)
4: We talked about other brands and what they do right. Many folks who work at Rolex AD from my observations look down on fanboys since they might luster over the brand more than the watch themselves, and by complimenting Omega, Tudor, and of course, my Grand Seiko, it kind of build a connection between me and him who is also very much into watches.
He told me that I think that's a worthy wrist for this watch to live on at the end :) Needless to sell I will keep coming back for their amazing cocktails and talk watches.
I truly think that larger ADs have all but the most sought after reference numbers in stock, it's just about making them want to sell you one instead of the long list of waiting.
Please let me know if any questions and best of luck!!
Live 5 minutes from Frank Adams. My 1960 Longines was bought there by my Grandmother. Love this story.
Welcome. The SBGA211 is a great watch!
Welcome. I think here - although many people here adore the Daytona, there is a distinct realisation that the chrono features on a watch like that are mostly used as adult executive toys, a bit like these:
That means people start to value the pure watch that is underneath more, and all of a sudden GS as your first luxury watch makes a lot of sense.
Welcome to watchcrunch!
Love it!! I have the Tudor version but want a Daytona so badly. Hopefully my AD will call me with the good news in a few years. 😅🙈 I’ve recently been on a GS splurge recently because I can’t get over their dials. The SBGA413 & SLGH005 practicality forced my debit card out of my wallet and melted it soon after. 🤣🤟🤷♂️💰💸
PS-Welcome to the site! Enjoy your collection in the best of health! Cheers! 🥂
Hi Andy welcome to the crunch. GS as a first watch or luxury watch is a brilliant choice.