Oh, the slippery slope

[Tallenwa]

Greetings from a newcomer.
I'm just starting my adventure towards my first Rolex purchase. I've enjoyed reading through so many posts on this site and am amazed at how helpful you all are. Of course it took me awhile to figure out why you would be stopping by the local Athletic Director (AD) to look at watches
My adventure started after recent diamond purchases for my lovely wife. I decided it was time to upgrade my timepiece. I am not a collector and my most expensive watch is a $200 Orient. I opened up Craigslist and saw a few Rolex posted from local jewelers. A 1973 Date with leather band caught my eye as a good entry possibility at $2150.

I began reading up a little bit for a week or two and decided to stop by the local jewelry store to look at the watch. They pulled it out of the case and before long, there were three contenders on the counter- including a 1977 Datejust Silver Linen with white gold. Wow, that one really looked good and I could see myself wearing it anytime. But the price-to-play was now at $3600. I didn’t pull the trigger and so I left to return another day with my wife.

We returned the following weekend to show her the watches I was considering. By this time, I had done research on this forum and some seller sites so I had an idea that these were pretty competitively priced. All had been completely serviced.

As we looked at them I asked for a loupe and see a small nick on the Datejust glass. I would prefer the sapphire over the plastic I said. So the salesman obliges by going back to the case and pulling out a 1994 DJ dual tone. With a blue stick dial. Wow, that is a beautiful watch. But now the all-in pot has grown to $4300. Oh, what a slippery slope this is. In two short visits my shopping price has doubled. I'm afraid to go back

I apologize if this was a bit long, but I'm sure there are many members here that have similar experience. I look forward to getting your evaluation once I settle on watch and post pre-purchase pictures. To be continued... Have a great day!

[214270Explorer]

Go back.
Buy.
You know you want to.

;-)

[Dan S]

We need photos.

[Tallenwa]

As you wish...
Feedback solicited...

[Jojoshop]

Decided to buy a nice time piece for ~$4 to 5k, and end up with BLNR from Takuya $10k. Few months after bought $35k BLRO white gold blue dial. By the way, this is all the doing of my wife and I’m very skeptical. I think she is setting me up so I will never be able to say no for her future high $$$ purchase. Seriously, love I married a smart woman, but that is a slippery slope :-)

[Tallenwa]

Ah, so there is a way I can buy it for her.... I like that angle.

[Dan S]

I wonder if you should spend a bit more time browsing this forum to decide where you fall on the "honest vintage" vs. "prepped and shiny" spectrum. People often start out on the "shiny" side and then gravitate in the "honest" direction over time, in which case these two watches may not be your best choice (although a linen dial is always a lovely thing to see).

A replacement acrylic crystal is a trivial cost, and should not enter into your decision. Virtually all of my watches have acrylic crystals, and that kind of damage is extremely rare in my personal experience.

[Tallenwa]

Thank you Dan. I appreciate the comments.

[Richard Carver]

As a rule, never turn down a good vintage watch over what is an easily replaced consumable like a crystal.

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

As a rule, never turn down a good vintage watch over what is an easily replaced consumable like a crystal.

Great advice

[Tallenwa]

Thanks for the help. Did anything concern you with either watch?