My First Rolex...

[desmo900rider]

Hey all, I have been lurking on your forum for a while and finally decided to register, what a great bunch of watches I have seen so far...I am posting with a few questions, hopefully I can get some help and or opinions...

After getting my first "real" watch a few years ago, a SS Baume & Mercier Capeland with a white face, I started lusting after a Rolex, and began to investigate...I had my heart set on a SS Explorer 1, which I have loved forever since I first saw one a few years ago, and thought it would make a great partner to the B & M...well, short story long I just got a deal from a client of mine who is a jeweler/watch dealer on a 2000ish SS Datejust with a blue face with diamonds at the number points, 10 in total...a bit more bling than I wanted but it really is nice, and he is still looking for my Explorer...

My questions are these...I got home with the watch and started doing some research on the watch and verified it was real, which I was not concerned about but it is nice to know that I checked, and while doing all the checks on it I found only one thing that concerned me...there is no crown engraving at the bottom of the crystal...this to me could mean 2 things...it is an acrylic crystal, and I'm not sure if Rolex engraves those, and if they do, maybe it is an after market crystal...the magnification power over the date is 2.5 times, the only thing that seems off to me is the lack of crown...need I worry about this? I still have the option of taking it back to him and waiting for him to get me an Explorer, from what I have found all of them have sapphire crystals...my concern is, I will destroy an acrylic crystal, I am pretty rough on my hands, thats part of why I have been so happy with my Capeland, it seems to be bulletproof, and I want my Rolex to be the same way...I have to have a sapphire crystal...I think my watch also may have an after market dial, but I'll have to post some pics to ask what you guys think about that...I am going to try to get the watch over to an independent Rolex dealer near my buisness this week to see what he thinks, but I thought I would do what research I could in the mean time so I can know what I am talking about...I am already amazed at what I didn't/don't know about Rolexs...quite a bit to learn I am learning...

I'll post up some pics as soon as I get my camera back, left it in a friends car a few weeks ago...


Thanks in advance for any help!

Mike

[dman]

Mike a huge congrats and welcome to TRF mate!! The micro etching began around 2002 so yours should not have it. I am interested to see the pics, because I am not a bling guy, but the diamonds on the blue dial sounds nice.

Congrats and welcome again, hope you can stick around and enjoy the fun.

[dman]

And a PS, the DJ is tougher than you can imagine so wear it without worries. If something does happen, it can always be replaced/fixed at service. Enjoy it mate.

[Spencer]

Welcome aboard!

[desmo900rider]

[QUOTE=dman]Mike a huge congrats and welcome to TRF mate!! The micro etching began around 2002 so yours should not have it.
QUOTE]

Well that makes sense then...how do I tell if my crystal is acrylic or sapphire?

I'll try to get some pics tomorrow with my ghetto work camera...

Thanks!

[dman]

I am no expert in that, but I know the accrylic crystals sit higher than the sapphire. Also I know Rolex started introducing sapphire crystals in the early 80's so I would guess that yours being '02 would have the harder crystal.

[AJC]

Congratulations,

As stated the etching didin't happen to later as Daren said.To tell the difference in the crystals is quite easy,if you have seen both.

If you were to post a picture most of the members would be able to tell at a single glance.Without you knowing what you are looking for is hard but the sapphire crystal does sit lower and will be flatter in appearance.The sapphire crystal is almost cool and very clear to look at.If it was acrylic it most likely will have some very small scratches as well.

Hope it helps and as I said a picture will make it very easy to identify.

Aaron

[C.J.]

Welcome to TRF, it sounds like you have a nice watch there As the others have said, if your watch is from the early to mid eighties, it should be Sapphire. Usually sapphire will feel cool to the touch whereas acrylic will be closer to room temperature .

[JJ Irani]

Hi Mike,

A BIG welcome to TRF. As for the crystal...just ONE word comes to mind - SOUND. That's right, you've gotta listen for the right sound. Just carry out this simple test...

Hold the watch next to your ear and tap it a couple of times with your finger nail...

A "tacky" sound like "tack tack" will tell you it's Acrylic.

A "thud-like" sound which is solid sounding like a heavy thud will tell you it's sapphire.

Let us know how it works out....and post a picture if you can. Ah, yes, the most important thing....give us the serial number - just the letter and the first 3 numbers. That will enable us to pin-point the date of manufacture of your watch.

Cheers - JJ

[padi56]

Welcome to TRF Mike

[Mr. K]

Mike, welcome sounds like a nice watch!

I almost bought one like it once, if it is a jubilee bracelet and WG fluted bezel.

Start saving, an exp I will make a nice addition and good trio!

[Rockrolex]

Welcome to TRF, Mike. Glad you finally stepped out of the closet and made your presence known. Please stick around and join the fun at our friendly little madhouse.

In addition to the crown etching being instroduced in 2002, it's introduction was very spotty for several years. For example, I've got a Y series GMT-II (2003 vintage) that does not have the etching.

The blue dial with diamond markers is a very nice dressy piece. But as someone else said, don't worry about beating it up. It will take more punishment than you can dish out, unless you take a sledge hammer to it when it's resting on an anvil. Than you might dent the case a bit.

Enjoy it and wear it well. Oh, and don't let the EXP go just because you have the DJ. Now that you have one, you will need a second one that's a bit more sporty.

[desmo900rider]

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the relplies! I attached a couple pics, one of the Rolex and one of my B&M so it didn't feel bad...From the "sound" of the crystal, I would guess it it saphirre, it sounds just like my Capeland, we will see what you guys think...I'm still unsure of how this watch feels on me though, I'm going to give it a few more days, but I may be trying to swap it for an Exp I, I am obsessed with that watch and can't swing both right now...this one may be a bit too dressy for me...Serial # is P20XXXX, I think that puts it at a 2000 if I read right? Tell me what else you guys think!

Thanks again for the hospitality!

Mike

[desmo900rider]

won't let me upload the Capeland, too big...if you are curious though...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...r/S3500013.jpg

[JJ Irani]

That's right, Mike....a P-series is definitely a 2000 model and is positively fitted with a sapphire crystal. Beautiful looking watch, by the way!!

JJ

[desmo900rider]

Thanks!

I do love it, but the more I look at it the more dressy it feels to me...it probably is no help that I keep looking at pics of Explorers all over the net...they all look the same, and they keep getting better looking each time I see them...I think I have a problem

[Launch Mini]

AT " I think I have a problem"
We have all said that at one time around here, then realized it's not really a problem
Denial denial denial
Those are two nice watches you have there.

[Prince]

Welcome to TRF, Mike. Kind of a benign loony bin of sorts, but you'll want to stay. Look into my eyes...YOU WILL WANT TO STAY!!!

[kingblackbolt]

Mike,
Welcome to TRF and enjoy!
You'll never be dissapointed with a Rolex, but you may be dissapointed that you don't yet have that next Rolex that you fall in love with...

[Rto]

Welcome Mike!
The only problem after buying the first Rolex is that it will be almost impossible to not buy another one very soon!!

[Uncle-AJ]

Hello Mike and welcome to TRF. How about some pictures of the Ducati.

[desmo900rider]

I'll see what I can dig up...I have 3 right now, I seem to collect Ducs like some of you collect Rolex...

Hmmm...what is the plural of Rolex? Roll-I maybe?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by desmo900rider

I'll see what I can dig up...I have 3 right now, I seem to collect Ducs like some of you collect Rolex...

Hmmm...what is the plural of Rolex? Roll-I maybe?

Rolexes!!

[Rto]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Rolexes!!

or maybe "Rollies"

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Rto

or maybe "Rollies"

Corrupted but convenient!!

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Rolexes!!

Tsk, tsk JJ. For a guy who claims to be all for keeping things original, you shouldn't mess with the trade marked name by pluralizing it. The correct plural would be Rolex watches. All other iterations are less than superlative and are certainly not officially certified, either.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Tsk, tsk JJ. For a guy who claims to be all for keeping things original, you shouldn't mess with the trade marked name by pluralizing it. The correct plural would be Rolex watches. All other iterations are less than superlative and are certainly not officially certified, either.

John is absolutely correct. Rolex is a registered trademark. As such, it should only be used as an adjective to modify the goods with which it is associated, e.g., watches. A registered trademark should never be used as a noun. One doesn't strap on a Rolex. One wears a Rolex watch. One doesn't change the date on his Rolex; one adjusts the functions of his Rolex brand wristwatch.

The same holds for Xerox, another registered trademark. One doesn't xerox something. One makes a photocopy on a Xerox brand photocopier. You certainly shouldn't xerox a copy on a Canon photocopier. You don't Canon anything; why should you Xerox something.



Any further questions?

Class dismissed. For today's legal advice, you will all be receiving a bill in the mail. Failure to pay promptly will result in serious problems. Our collections department makes the IRS look like a bunch of pansies.

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

John is absolutely correct. Rolex is a registered trademark. As such, it should only be used as an adjective to modify the goods with which it is associated, e.g., watches. A registered trademark should never be used as a noun. One doesn't strap on a Rolex. One wears a Rolex watch. One doesn't change the date on his Rolex; one adjusts the functions of his Rolex brand wristwatch.

The same holds for Xerox, another registered trademark. One doesn't xerox something. One makes a photocopy on a Xerox brand photocopier. You certainly shouldn't xerox a copy on a Canon photocopier. You don't Canon anything; why should you Xerox something.



Any further questions?

Class dismissed. For today's legal advice, you will all be receiving a bill in the mail. Failure to pay promptly will result in serious problems. Our collections department makes the IRS look like a bunch of pansies.

As a PR specialist, I obviously opened the door for my client, the legal firm of RockRolex... Ed, you will also receive a bill from me for making this opportunity to bill everyone a possibility. Just looking out for your firm's best interest. And speaking of interest, failure to pay by the deadline brings some hefty interest fees.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Atomic

As a PR specialist, I obviously opened the door for my client, the legal firm of RockRolex... Ed, you will also receive a bill from me for making this opportunity to bill everyone a possibility. Just looking out for your firm's best interest. And speaking of interest, failure to pay by the deadline brings some hefty interest fees.

Tell you what, John. We'll just split the fees we collect from everyone else here. No sense in getting into a pissing match between us.

[Gedanken]

Uhh, Ed, the irony's probably deliberate on your part, but I'll state the obvious here. Wouldn't your nick therefore be a violation of the Rolex trademark?