Tried BLRO and...

[sinkholeninja]

...it didn't do it for me!

Ok, let me backtrack a bit.

I was looking to buy a second Rolex to compliment my 116600 and wanted to see what all the fuss was about with BLRO, so a couple of weeks ago I went to an AD in Lucerne, Switzerland, who happened to have one in stock, but for marketing purposes only. I was able to try the watch in a private viewing room, away from a large group of Chinese tourists, but after putting it on I didn't fall for it at all. Not sure if it's the shiny jubilee bracelet, but it felt very flashy and not something I would wear on daily basis as I do with my SD4K. This is of course all subjective and a matter of personal taste, but it got me thinking about the Rolex craze we're now experiencing. Before all the hype I would never have considered a GMT, as I like divers more, but because every man and his dog seem to want BLRO, I felt compelled to look for it. Having had an opportunity to at least try it, I now know for a fact that I won't be putting my name on a waiting list.

Morale of the story? Don't let all the hype cloud your judgement and before going through great lengths to acquire a watch (e.g. paying well over the odds to get it), go and try it first and ask yourself if it's truly the one for you.

[AK797]

I do like the idea of the Pepsi, but felt the colours were not quite right in certain lights on the WG when I tried it on, so it stopped being a must have for me, it would still be my first choice SS GMT tho.

[RHIII]

It’s also (sadly) why so many ‘hyped’ up references are available on the secondary market - people get them....are in essence underwhelmed - and sell....

People always ‘want’ what they perceive they cannot have....

(And I turned down the first BLRO my AD got when they offered it to me. I knew it wasn’t for me)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by AK797

I do like the idea of the Pepsi, but felt the colours were not quite right in certain lights on the WG when I tried it on, so it stopped being a must have for me, it would still be my first choice SS GMT tho.

No doubt that for anyone in the market for a GMT, Rolex is hard to beat...just not at any cost, at least IMO.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by RHIII

It’s also (sadly) why so many ‘hyped’ up references are available on the secondary market - people get them....are in essence underwhelmed - and sell....

People always ‘want’ what they perceive they cannot have....

(And I turned down the first BLRO my AD got when they offered it to me. I knew it wasn’t for me)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Either that, or they buy to sell to make a quick buck.

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

...it didn't do it for me!

Ok, let me backtrack a bit.

I was looking to buy a second Rolex to compliment my 116600 and wanted to see what all the fuss was about with BLRO, so a couple of weeks ago I went to an AD in Lucerne, Switzerland, who happened to have one in stock, but for marketing purposes only. I was able to try the watch in a private viewing room, away from a large group of Chinese tourists, but after putting it on I didn't fall for it at all. Not sure if it's the shiny jubilee bracelet, but it felt very flashy and not something I would wear on daily basis as I do with my SD4K. This is of course all subjective and a matter of personal taste, but it got me thinking about the Rolex craze we're now experiencing. Before all the hype I would never have considered a GMT, as I like divers more, but because every man and his dog seem to want BLRO, I felt compelled to look for it. Having had an opportunity to at least try it, I now know for a fact that I won't be putting my name on a waiting list.

Morale of the story? Don't let all the hype cloud your judgement and before going through great lengths to acquire a watch (e.g. paying well over the odds to get it), go and try it first and ask yourself if it's truly the one for you.

Couldn't agree more.

[zjd168]

very true for consumers

for collectors (not talking about flippers) most pieces might only see the sunshine a few days every year, or less

[gmtln]

I personally love the BLRO and it is my grail.
But totally agree with you on the point that many have bought in to the hype rather than actually wanting the watch itself. I think this is the case with the Hulk.

[Rolexavidfan]

To each his own as they would say. I love the BLRO and I think Rolex got this model right. The hype and the wait are all worth it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by zjd168

very true for consumers

for collectors (not talking about flippers) most pieces might only see the sunshine a few days every year, or less

You make a valid point.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by gmtln

I personally love the BLRO and it is my grail.
But totally agree with you on the point that many have bought in to the hype rather than actually wanting the watch itself. I think this is the case with the Hulk.

Absolutely. I couldn’t see myself wear a Hulk on daily basis for example, but I’m sure that plenty of other people can and do. Each to their own, as they say.

[Vipes]

I recently tried one on also. Really nice watch at retail but not worth grey market prices for me.

[mjclark32]

Just found out yesterday my buddy had one, but sold it. He said the same thing.

[Waxtactic]

The jubilee doesnt work for me and even the bezel is too glossy. I get the hype, but my Tudor Pepsi is matte and appeals to me more.

[Pw92676]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

Morale of the story? Don't let all the hype cloud your judgement and before going through great lengths to acquire a watch (e.g. paying well over the odds to get it), go and try it first and ask yourself if it's truly the one for you.

I absolutely agree with this. If only it were so easy to ‘test drive’ a particular reference before buying. Buying sight unseen seems to be prevalent and situations like this just seem to fuel re-selling/secondary market etc. Nonetheless you make great points and I concur

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Rolexavidfan

To each his own as they would say. I love the BLRO and I think Rolex got this model right. The hype and the wait are all worth it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As long as genuine desire is there, I'm sure the wait is worth it.

[crewsin]

Jubilee on sports models is meh. To each his/her own though

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Pw92676

I absolutely agree with this. If only it were so easy to ‘test drive’ a particular reference before buying. Buying sight unseen seems to be prevalent and situations like this just seem to fuel re-selling/secondary market etc. Nonetheless you make great points and I concur

Very good point - not all ADs will have a hot watch for people to try, so perhaps my decision was made easier because I was lucky to stumble upon a dealer who did.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by crewsin

Jubilee on sports models is meh. To each his/her own though

Agree.

[avihwatches]

I agree, the hype behind some Rolex models are just insane but I bet many will have a change of heart when they see it in flesh.

[pepsiretail]

To each their own. I loved it the moment I saw it and I love it more each passing day.

Many buy what is popular. For some having that is what makes them happy. For others it is a more personal pleasure.

To each their own.

[RMC12]

I've not seen one in the flesh but I tried on the new BLNR a couple of weeks ago and wasn't overly impressed with the Jubilee. It might be different on the BLRO but still think I would prefer an Oyster bracelet. Prior to seeing it though I thought the Jubilee was fantastic in the photos.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

...it didn't do it for me!

Ok, let me backtrack a bit.

I was looking to buy a second Rolex to compliment my 116600 and wanted to see what all the fuss was about with BLRO, so a couple of weeks ago I went to an AD in Lucerne, Switzerland, who happened to have one in stock, but for marketing purposes only. I was able to try the watch in a private viewing room, away from a large group of Chinese tourists, but after putting it on I didn't fall for it at all. Not sure if it's the shiny jubilee bracelet, but it felt very flashy and not something I would wear on daily basis as I do with my SD4K. This is of course all subjective and a matter of personal taste, but it got me thinking about the Rolex craze we're now experiencing. Before all the hype I would never have considered a GMT, as I like divers more, but because every man and his dog seem to want BLRO, I felt compelled to look for it. Having had an opportunity to at least try it, I now know for a fact that I won't be putting my name on a waiting list.

Morale of the story? Don't let all the hype cloud your judgement and before going through great lengths to acquire a watch (e.g. paying well over the odds to get it), go and try it first and ask yourself if it's truly the one for you.

Agree. That was one of the reasons I moved over to a Tudor GMT - didn't want the "bling"

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by pepsiretail

To each their own. I loved it the moment I saw it and I love it more each passing day.

Many buy what is popular. For some having that is what makes them happy. For others it is a more personal pleasure.

To each their own.

Agree.

[mattesq]

I had the same experience with the 116500 (White dial Daytona) - I thought I would love it - put myself on the list and then a friend of mine loaned me his for a week. I had wanted one for so long that I almost didn't want to admit to myself that I didn't want it. It just didn't do anything for me. It didn't pass the "3 second rule" - I know when I love something - it's immediate.

I feel the same about the BLRO - I just can't get with it. Which is fine.

I think that there is a heavy does of FOMO out there driving this market. Those that love a particular reference (BLRO for example) will talk about how it's perfect and then dismiss those they don't care for (LVc or BLNR) as being over hyped. I suppose that is human nature and I am sure I have done it as well.

In 2015, my wife and I paid off all of our debt and I walked into an AD and bought for me what was my grail at the time, 116610LV. It was my first Rolex and will never leave my collection. Last year I finally added a 116710BLNR for my 50th after waiting for a year for my AD who only got 2 last year. To me the 116710BLNR is a modern classic and I am happy to have it.

Ultimately there is a lot of room under the "tent" of watch collecting. There is something for everyone. I NEVER express criticism of someone else's choice for a watch because it is not something I would want to wear. I figure, who cares what I think? We would all do well to celebrate each other and offer congratulations. Which is most of what I see here - so that's good.

[Harry-57]

I don't particularly like the ceramic BLRO or the Jubilee bracelet. I prefer the TT CHNR. Each to our own I suppose. I might change my opinion, particularly if I met one in the metal, but I wouldn't buy one just because it's hot. Not that such an opportunity is likely to present itself via an AD.

[crewsin]

Variety is the spice and thank Rolex for creating a decent variety of pieces, though variations are generally minor. I had a DJ41 w/ Jubilee and that bracelet rocked, it was pretty to look at and definitely had a bling factor to it. I just don’t care for it on a sports model is all...at first I thought I was just being rigid in my thinking, but after a while I realized, no I just don’t think it goes. But what do I know? There are some great points about wanting to love something but after seeing it/ trying it, it just doesn’t have that WOW feeling you get in your heart...IMO when buying something like a Rolex (a completely unnecessary and damn-near pure emotional purchase), that feeling of instant love is absolutely critical. I’ve made a couple quick decisions on Rolex’s I’ve bought in the past, and while I wouldn’t call them “mistakes” because I sold them and lost no money, having a piece that I actually cherish to the point of not desiring another watch is great. Perhaps it’s just trial and error, but I’ve had a fun journey getting here and hope others do to.

[faimag]

Originally Posted by sinkholeninja

Morale of the story? Don't let all the hype cloud your judgement and before going through great lengths to acquire a watch (e.g. paying well over the odds to get it), go and try it first and ask yourself if it's truly the one for you.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by crewsin

Variety is the spice and thank Rolex for creating a decent variety of pieces, though variations are generally minor. I had a DJ41 w/ Jubilee and that bracelet rocked, it was pretty to look at and definitely had a bling factor to it. I just don’t care for it on a sports model is all...at first I thought I was just being rigid in my thinking, but after a while I realized, no I just don’t think it goes. But what do I know? There are some great points about wanting to love something but after seeing it/ trying it, it just doesn’t have that WOW feeling you get in your heart...IMO when buying something like a Rolex (a completely unnecessary and damn-near pure emotional purchase), that feeling of instant love is absolutely critical. I’ve made a couple quick decisions on Rolex’s I’ve bought in the past, and while I wouldn’t call them “mistakes” because I sold them and lost no money, having a piece that I actually cherish to the point of not desiring another watch is great. Perhaps it’s just trial and error, but I’ve had a fun journey getting here and hope others do to.

Excellent points.

[iheartrolexx]

it's the best stainless gmt on the line up now