Should I have bought a new Submariner?
My wife and I came to see our son in Portland Oregon for the long Presidents weekend. We arrived early morning Friday and I had a couple of free hours to kill, so of course, I went watch shopping.
My first stop was a Rolex AD. The same AD I walked into last year for the first ever, I also walked out with an Explorer ll that same day. (I got luck could I get lucky twice.) Anyways, I met up with the same sales associate I met last year and we start talking watch.
I showed him the JLC on my wrist and we talked about a few other watches we own. After 15-20 minutes I asked him if he had any Rolex's in stock and he said he'd be right back. He comes back with a Submariner. I was a little shocked. Could I really get another Rolex?Does lighting strike twice?
Now I'm not the biggest fan of the Sub but it was very nice, super comfortable and I was throughly smitten. I wanted to say yes and maybe start a relationship with an AD. However I wasn't sure if it would fit into my collection. I have enough divers and I have a similar Rolex already. So I asked if I could think about. He said no problem that he would hold it until Sunday.
Now with that off my plate for a while I started looking at other watches. Like this Tudor Ceramic BB.
I looked at Cartier.
Check out this skeleton, you can see all the way through it. I tried this on but I forgot to get a wrist shot.
I looked at a few TagHeuers. The Carrera chrono.
A full lume dial Auqaracer.
I also tried on a couple of Rolex DJ. Not for sale.
I thanked the associate for all his help and I proceeded to walk away without a watch. I was very impressed with myself for doing that. But what now? Do I buy the Sub, or any of the other watches?
I called my sons and asked if they wanted any of the watches. One wanted the Cartier.
Today I went back and bought the Cartier for my son (he will pay me back) and I turned down the Rolex. Did I make a good decision? Should I have bought the Sub?
Regardless of the outcome we're having a good time here the Pacific North West. Cheers everybody. I'm coming home without a watch.
Just a guy filling up a box with watches.
Wonderful purchase for your son. You made the right decision in my book.
You must be one charming son of a gun! Haha. I just get sneered at as if I’m wearing overalls and brought in 2 bags of garbage with me into the store 😂
Good on you for turning the Sub down when you didn’t really want it 👍
Looking through your watches I don't think you'll miss the sub TBH. Good shout.
Some very cool pieces and your son is very fortunate to have an awesome dad like you Craig.
Onto the Rolex, if you are not feeling it, you did the right things. My SA always likes to pull stuff out to tempt me, may times I have come close, but if you are not feeling it, you did the right thing. $10k is a lot of money, granted you could flip it if needed, but most of us are in it for that, so I say kudos. Now if it was a no date? :-). I kid.
How cool is that Tudor in person? Pics do not do that watch justice.
Sounds like a fun day!
Guys, I honestly don’t get it. What is happening with Rolex? How is it that some people are on the waiting list for years and other can come even from other cities and walk out with the same watch? Are there cities that can’t sell it? Did you have history there prior to the explorer? I’m truly intrigued. I’m super happy for you and your family please do not misunderstand me… I just don’t get it.
Guys, I honestly don’t get it. What is happening with Rolex? How is it that some people are on the waiting list for years and other can come even from other cities and walk out with the same watch? Are there cities that can’t sell it? Did you have history there prior to the explorer? I’m truly intrigued. I’m super happy for you and your family please do not misunderstand me… I just don’t get it.
I think it has to do with the demographic of the region, and also wether or not they think you’re going to flip the watch. I stopped by an AD in Orange County last week and some guy next to me tells the associate he wants to be notified when any sports model comes in. Safe to say he probably won’t be receiving a call.
I’d have bought it. You could always decide later whether it’s for you or not after giving it a chance. And if not, you sell it for a little profit.
If you really wanted it, I think you would have bought it. I personally prefer the skydweller which I can't afford but if I ever get a chance to get another op I will!
I think we read the same rule book on fatherhood, for that I raise a glass to you Craig🥃
Regarding the Sub and your ability to walk away from it shows your composure and seriousness about your direction as a collector.
When you have the wherewithal you can do what you want and not follow someone else’s path.
You are the man!!💪
Get it. The explorer 2 looks nothing like it. If anything the GO looks more like the Submariner. Get it. I’ll live vicariously thru you. 😂
Wonderful purchase for your son. You made the right decision in my book.
Thanks Rich. I couldn't fool you at all could I. You have good taste my man.
You must be one charming son of a gun! Haha. I just get sneered at as if I’m wearing overalls and brought in 2 bags of garbage with me into the store 😂
Good on you for turning the Sub down when you didn’t really want it 👍
Thanks Bill. I try to strike up conversations and wear a watch we can talk about everytime I go to an AD.
I wish my dad would buy me a Cartier Santos!
Looking through your watches I don't think you'll miss the sub TBH. Good shout.
That's what I was think. I have some really cool divers already. I'm going to be calling now for a cool DJ. I don't have anything like that in my collection yet.
I think you’ve got some great colours in the collection blues blacks whites that Raymond Weil dial looks amazing! so I reckon there’s space for the mint green in there, I’ve just picked one up I even went quartz, a blessing when you just want to grab something quick and go and I’m smitten with it, bit like your RW the dial takes on so many shades depending on the light a joy to wear and the value is amazing!
You're spot on.
I wouldn’t have passed on that Sub. The Sub and the Tudor are night and day. I have a Tudor GMT, and it’s nice, but it’s not the level of Rolex.
I’m happy for your son though. You’re a thoughtful dad. I know my son wouldn’t have gotten that Cartier, and I would have left the shop with a new watch for my box.
Thanks Mark. I've worked to find piece that I think have a little personality. The PRX has a story all of its own.
I bought 3 of them with 3 different colored dials. I kept one and 2 of my sons each got one. Those, I won't get paid back for. 😂
I know my son wouldn’t ever pay me back. He wouldn’t lie about it though. I’ll ask, “am I going to see my money back on this?” He’ll look me dead in the face, and say “no dad.”
It's good to hear from you Vu. I'm doing outstanding. Are you going to the meet up in a couple of weeks at Topper? It would be good to see you there.
I'm still here everyday but I'm living in WRUW. That keeps me busy. Cheers brother. 🥂
Gonna try to make it to Topper, buddy (with wife’s permission haha). Likewise, be great to see you 🤙
But I don't want to.
I wouldn’t have passed on that Sub. The Sub and the Tudor are night and day. I have a Tudor GMT, and it’s nice, but it’s not the level of Rolex.
I’m happy for your son though. You’re a thoughtful dad. I know my son wouldn’t have gotten that Cartier, and I would have left the shop with a new watch for my box.
He's been hunting one down for a while. So I know he has the funds. Even if he didn't he would pay me back. That one is a hustler.
I know my son wouldn’t ever pay me back. He wouldn’t lie about it though. I’ll ask, “am I going to see my money back on this?” He’ll look me dead in the face, and say “no dad.”
You've got to love the honesty. 😂
He got the Santo Dumont large with a blue strap. It's really nice. I might have a borrow it! 🫣Have a productive day Nazrain.
Ahhh nice.. used to own that 😁
I think you’ve got some great colours in the collection blues blacks whites that Raymond Weil dial looks amazing! so I reckon there’s space for the mint green in there, I’ve just picked one up I even went quartz, a blessing when you just want to grab something quick and go and I’m smitten with it, bit like your RW the dial takes on so many shades depending on the light a joy to wear and the value is amazing!
I love my RW. It's one of my favorite watches. It's a gift from my wife and the watch that started the affection.
I agree but it sure was inviting though.
Absolutely. After years of waitlist it's incredibly tempting when a watch is offered to you in store.
Absolutely. After years of waitlist it's incredibly tempting when a watch is offered to you in store.
I was tempted that's for sure but at the end of the day the Sub isn't on my list. I would maybe take a Bluesy. It would have had to have been something different. 😂
I was tempted that's for sure but at the end of the day the Sub isn't on my list. I would maybe take a Bluesy. It would have had to have been something different. 😂
I'm with you there. I don't own a modern black Sub, so the Bluesy was my choice too!
can I be your son too?
can I be your son too?
You can try but the competition is tuff in my house with the 5 children. The younger girls have been known to kick some ass. 😂
I totally think I fudged up. During a month of travel including two weeks off grid I missed a call from the only AD I'm "registered" at. When I returned the call no one there was able to tell me anything and my contact hasn't been in the last few attempts.
I had heard that Subs were back in the pipeline but since I only registered in late November I wasn't expecting "the call". Murphy's Law seems to have reared it's ugly head.
Nothing wrong with you making a decision that best suits you and your son got quite the score.
Perhaps these "opportunities" will only become more frequent as the year progresses.