Picked up my 3rd luxury watch during my trip to Hong Kong

[BeekerMuppet]

You've seen the pics from my other thread I suppose

I went to Hong Kong to visit a friend. He's lived there for almost 5 years, so it was about time. Of course I looked into the prices of watches and things looked really great. But that was back in March, it's a whole different story now in regards to currency rates EURO/HKDOLLAR as you all might know.

So I told myself I would try to get a 2002-2007 white dial Explorer II 16570 for max 3000-3200EUR.

I was there for two weeks, so had plenty of time to check out alot of ExpII's. In the end, there was only 1 'new' white dial 16570 I found. Final price was 3% off. Way too much for me of course. So second hand it definitely was.

I found alot of 1997 models for about 2900EUR, but I realized I'd rather spend 500EUR more on a 7 year newer watch then risk a 500EUR service on an older model. I found a 2006 model at Noble for about 3600EUR. One of the two in this picture, can't remember which one. Skip that, it's obviously the upper Z serial one.



I made myself walk away and think it over a few days. Of course it was gone when I got back.

Then I ran into another one of my great loves... Grand Seiko. A bloody 50th anniversary SBGR065 threw me off for a couple of days.



Meeting face to face with a SBGH001 didn't help either, although I knew it was way beyond my initial price range.



In the end I visited 2 Kwai Yan Watch stores. They used to have 5 stores, but there are now 3 left. I guess the rich Chinese only like their Rolexes new.... Funny note is, I only found female sales persons. Not a man in sight!

I met with another 1997, a 2004 and (surprisingly) a 2009/2010 model. The 2004 model was exactly what I was looking for. I think it was about 3400EUR.



But then there was this V serial lying next to it.... Of course even more above my initial budget then the 2004 model. But then again. The engraved inner ring, the laser edged Rolex crown both for better fake protection, the fact that it was (almost) brand new (still 1 year Rolex warranty), and of course the 3186 movement with the blue parachrome hairspring which is, in my eyes a (slightly) better 3185.

I forced myself out of the store and decided to sleep on it one more night. In fact, I think a lot of you know this feeling, the decision was already made. It was only a matter of numbers now and knowing what I cannot do in the coming months with the money I was about to spend

After some very hard, but good, negotiations with the lovely Joyce Chan (I promised here I would post this), I got a reasonable enough discount percentage so I bought the 2009 model!

After 2 weeks I can say I'm still very happy with it and haven't thought for a second I made the wrong choice In fact, I know for sure I would have regretted buying the 2004 model.

Without further ado, the (wrist) shots:










I got the bracelet on 13 links and the picture above shows how loose I wear it. Fits me perfectly now. My constant talking about watches stirred something up in my friend, so he bought his fifth(!) Fossil watch when we were in the Venetian in Macau



I also know now, this is probably my last Rolex (for a long while). There are no other Rolex models that sing to me. Maybe when another model gets introduced. Who knows, right...

On the other hand, I already know now what my next watch is going to be (if I can get my hands on one), the Grand Seiko SBGH015J1. Will take some years of saving though, wish me luck!

[dddrees]

It does appear older and newer EXPII's are getting real popular lately.

Very nice Yuri, Congrats.

[Brenngun]

Nice score. Sleep well ........

[HL65]

Congrats!! Very nice....

[nauticajoe]

Nice. Congrats!

[ptugolf]

Congrats on your new Explorer II...

[Explorertwo]

The best everyday wearer imho!
Congrats!!

[Cru Jones]

Looks great on you! The hunt makes it all the better. Congratulations.

[handsfull]

Nice! I can't believe you could walk away from the GS Anniv model....that is a sweet dial config!!

[FremStar]

That is a great buy! Hong Kong is one of my favorite places to go drool over watches! Glad you were able to pick her up and have a story to tell. Congrats!

[rfknauss]

Congratulations on your Explorer II ....... great choice!

[Deep Sea]

Looks like a lot of fun just shopping. Great pictures, also!

[MortgageGuy]

Looks good, congrats and some great pics too

[Rolex Freak]

[thewatchguy93]

Nice congrats!

[Koee]

Nice watch, congrats

[jedinite]

it's a beauty

[Hodog16]

Great story, glad you finally found the perfect match.

Looks like a fun store to go shopping in.

[opaline460]

Congrats, hopefuly I get to go to hk next year.

[brkanand]

Hard work paid off. Congratulations!

[Mr.Chow]

I got the black one, excellent watch.

I want to know what the PJ8 , inside the bracelet above the steelixn, means?

I got a three digit letter/number combination , but it's rs4

[DCgator]

Congrats!

[520Matt]

Nice narrative and congrats on the EXP!

[Chris B]

Many congratulations

[snowpea]

Nice, Congrats.

[globalmedia33]

Congrats!

[Deyn Man]

congrats on the gorgeous pick-up!

sorry, quite unfamiliar, but do you go to a rolex ad after getting it to authenticate and ensure it's not a stolen piece?

[Andad]

Yuri,

Those pix alone are worth the price you paid.

Amazing.

Enjoy wearing it.

[TimeOnHand]

Very Nice mate... congrats!

Hong Kong is a terrible for our watch addiction!

[SWIMPRUF]

Congrats!