Finally got the call for a SS RO

[flal]

Hey all. I posted here some time ago about how I was done with Rolex since it was so hard to get one without paying insane premiums. The community was right about how it was just a matter of time, and I finally have the opportunity to buy a RO stainless with a black dial.

This is the most expensive SS watch I’ve ever purchased, so I’m having some anxiety before pulling the trigger. Would love to get everyone’s take on this. I know a lot is personal preference, but hearing your reasoning would be super helpful.

I’m not one to sell my watches and the plan is to keep this forever especially since I’ve had my eye on it for years. The resale value is still in the back of my head. Do you still anticipate resale value staying at or above retail? I remember when you could get these at a discount, and it’s tough paying retail. But they’ve change their model to boutique only, so I’m guessing this is the new normal?

The Daytona has been a grail for a while, but I can’t get myself to pay the markup. A business partner may be able to get me that or a Pepsi (which I’ve also wanted since release) for retail or close to it. I’d love to hear thoughts on the comparison between the three. I know it’s personal preference, but your reasoning behind it would be super helpful.

Thanks!

[EdwardC]

Congrats. Which model you are getting?

[SPeters79]

If you get a Rolex, you will like it but still be looking over your shoulder at the AP.

In other words...

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[Fort Rolex]

Was in the same position as you. I bought the RO 15500 and boy I haven’t looked back. It is something else

A friend of mine recently obtained the new Pepsi, no envy at all

[RolexZen]

Honestly, if you have a lot of anxiety over the purchase, it’s hard to recommend a buy.

[ukbbc]

I just sold my black dial APRO 15400 to pursue higher horology. Very difficult decision to make, but a piece came in at a price I cannot refuse. No choice but to divest the AP.

If you are happy with regular, high quality watch making, the AP is probably the finest accessible piece you can get your hands on. VCO also comparable but the bracelet is more stunning on AP.


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[AK797]

Originally Posted by RolexZen

Honestly, if you have a lot of anxiety over the purchase, it’s hard to recommend a buy.

As to this make sure you separate your anxiety into - is it over the watch or the purchase and resale experience? - if the former then you should pass.

[flal]

Originally Posted by EdwardC

Congrats. Which model you are getting?

Looking at the 15500. A bit bigger than I’d like, but my wrist is flat and 6.75 inches.

[Burlington]

As per above - sound advice.

Don’t end up buying something you regret.

The AP is the most horologically outstanding of the watches you mention. However you must be sure to buy what’s right for you, not considering the second hand value as that may well fluctuate, especially given current economic events.

[flal]

Originally Posted by RolexZen

Honestly, if you have a lot of anxiety over the purchase, it’s hard to recommend a buy.

Haha I’d have zero watches in my collection if that was the case! Always hard to pull the trigger, but have always been happy. Probably because of the amount of time I’ve spent obsessing about the details.

[flal]

Originally Posted by Burlington

As per above - sound advice.

Don’t end up buying something you regret.

The AP is the most horologically outstanding of the watches you mention. However you must be sure to buy what’s right for you, not considering the second hand value as that may well fluctuate, especially given current economic events.

That’s very true. Definitely don’t want to buy something I regret. Don’t get me wrong. Love the watch. It’s so beautiful. A bit on the bigger side, but still very much something I can easily wear. If I could have my choice in a perfect world I’d get a 39 mm, but still happy to have the larger on my wrist.

[flal]

Originally Posted by Fort Rolex

Was in the same position as you. I bought the RO 15500 and boy I haven’t looked back. It is something else

A friend of mine recently obtained the new Pepsi, no envy at all

Congrats! Which color did you get?

[flal]

Originally Posted by SPeters79

If you get a Rolex, you will like it but still be looking over your shoulder at the AP.

In other words...

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I feel you. That’s exactly what happened when I thought to get a seamaster diver instead of a sub. Within 6 months I got what I really had my eyes on and kept thinking about post purchase.

[SPeters79]

I had the opportunity to handle a 15500 black dial when I was in search for my Ti44mm. It's a beautiful watch, I cannot image you being unhappy afterwards.

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[sgwatchguy]

The Daytona and the 15500 are very different watches. Both desirable but very different. For your wrist tbh, the Daytona is a better fit but you’ve got to try and see. The Daytona wears small for its size. Maybe try the smaller RO models. Those may work better.
Also the dials - the Daytona is busy, the RO is the opposite. Which one would you like to look at for hopefully a long time?
Have you tried them both and see what the bracelets feel like? Both are very comfortable but give wildly different feels.

Good luck and enjoy your new watch.


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[flal]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

The Daytona and the 15500 are very different watches. Both desirable but very different. For your wrist tbh, the Daytona is a better fit but you’ve got to try and see. The Daytona wears small for its size. Maybe try the smaller RO models. Those may work better.
Also the dials - the Daytona is busy, the RO is the opposite. Which one would you like to look at for hopefully a long time?
Have you tried them both and see what the bracelets feel like? Both are very comfortable but give wildly different feels.

Good luck and enjoy your new watch.


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I have tried the Daytona. You’re spot on. It’s a very small wearing watch. I love the bracelet on the RO. Pictures don’t do it justice. I’m in love with the RO and I think I’ll pull the trigger. Just have to get over not knowing if it’ll be worth a lot less after buying. But I guess it doesn’t matter if I’m not selling :)

I wear my watches carefully but often, and while I’m not scared of picking up scratches just wondering if the bracelet retains that beautiful finish with time.

[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by flal

I have tried the Daytona. You’re spot on. It’s a very small wearing watch. I love the bracelet on the RO. Pictures don’t do it justice. I’m in love with the RO and I think I’ll pull the trigger. Just have to get over not knowing if it’ll be worth a lot less after buying. But I guess it doesn’t matter if I’m not selling :)



I wear my watches carefully but often, and while I’m not scared of picking up scratches just wondering if the bracelet retains that beautiful finish with time.

Go on ahead and pull the trigger then! Wear it in excellent health.

Cheers


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[Odie-r]

I covet only one watch model seriously, and that is an AP15400/500. They truly are stunning in person. Swing for the fence!

[mnl]

Originally Posted by flal

I have tried the Daytona. You’re spot on. It’s a very small wearing watch. I love the bracelet on the RO. Pictures don’t do it justice. I’m in love with the RO and I think I’ll pull the trigger. Just have to get over not knowing if it’ll be worth a lot less after buying. But I guess it doesn’t matter if I’m not selling :)

I wear my watches carefully but often, and while I’m not scared of picking up scratches just wondering if the bracelet retains that beautiful finish with time.

nearly two years of wearing mine every day and while the bracelet has picked up plenty of scratches, i can definitely say that the incredible finish is still there. would it be better without scratches on it? sure. but for me the scratches don’t take away anything from it, i barely even notice them most of the time.

[flal]

Originally Posted by mnl

nearly two years of wearing mine every day and while the bracelet has picked up plenty of scratches, i can definitely say that the incredible finish is still there. would it be better without scratches on it? sure. but for me the scratches don’t take away anything from it, i barely even notice them most of the time.

That’s really good to hear. It’s really the bracelet that made me fall in love with the watch. So unique!

[flal]

Any thoughts on future RO reale values? Thinking it’s going the way of Rolex? It’s just comforting knowing I won’t take a big loss if I decide to sell. I’m guessing based on used prices and the fact that they’re going boutique only will help values.

[Cdaddylutz]

Originally Posted by flal

I feel you. That’s exactly what happened when I thought to get a seamaster diver instead of a sub. Within 6 months I got what I really had my eyes on and kept thinking about post purchase.

That made me laugh.

[benlee]

If you meet below conditions

(1) You really like/love the watch
(2) Keep and don't plan on selling it
(3) Won't change your mind on (2)
(4) Financially secured to spend on non-essential luxury, esp given current conditions

Then go for it. Otherwise, skip. That's my recommendation.

[Helmi]

Fully agree with Ben's recommendation above. On the watches themselves, IMHO, I would rate them as follows:

A) paying retail:

1- Daytona
2- 15500
3- Pepsi

B) grey prices

1- 15500 black (as blue has very high premium so in that case no difference vs. Daytona)
2- Daytona
3- Pepsi


Good luck

[mnl]

Originally Posted by flal

That’s really good to hear. It’s really the bracelet that made me fall in love with the watch. So unique!

it’s hard to get a good photo of what it actually looks like, either the scratches are not visible at all or they’re overly exaggerated…but here’s one photo anyways. most of the time they’re not visible, you gotta shine light in the right angles to be able to see them. (excuse the laptop, my place is pretty dark so i used the screen as a kind of soft box haha)

[ragsk]

Originally Posted by flal

Hey all. I posted here some time ago about how I was done with Rolex since it was so hard to get one without paying insane premiums. The community was right about how it was just a matter of time, and I finally have the opportunity to buy a RO stainless with a black dial.

This is the most expensive SS watch I’ve ever purchased, so I’m having some anxiety before pulling the trigger. Would love to get everyone’s take on this. I know a lot is personal preference, but hearing your reasoning would be super helpful.

I’m not one to sell my watches and the plan is to keep this forever especially since I’ve had my eye on it for years. The resale value is still in the back of my head. Do you still anticipate resale value staying at or above retail? I remember when you could get these at a discount, and it’s tough paying retail. But they’ve change their model to boutique only, so I’m guessing this is the new normal?

The Daytona has been a grail for a while, but I can’t get myself to pay the markup. A business partner may be able to get me that or a Pepsi (which I’ve also wanted since release) for retail or close to it. I’d love to hear thoughts on the comparison between the three. I know it’s personal preference, but your reasoning behind it would be super helpful.

Thanks!

If you are very concerned about resale value, then go for the Daytona. If there is one watch that will hold up in value even in tough times it is the steel Daytona. I don't think there is another watch that can touch it for value retention over the last two decades or so. Maybe the steel 5711 but I doubt that too. It is also an iconic watch.

None of the AP's will come close. A jumbo possibly? A steel regular RO has zero chance. If this virus thing lasts for another 6 months they will be struggling to sell any of them. Liquidity is king in troubled times.

[ragsk]

Just to add before anyone gets offended, if retention isn't the key deciding factor then I personally would go with the 15500. It is gorgeous and finished impeccably. I have one!

[rumnyc]

I would never choose a Daytona over RO. I would never even wear a daytona, value retention be damned. But that’s just me...


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[Frakis]

Originally Posted by SPeters79

If you get a Rolex, you will like it but still be looking over your shoulder at the AP.

In other words...

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Haha, thanks for the laugh!

OP: I agree with what others have said - if you like the RO, and can afford it go for it. Resale price is all speculation.

[P2725TMB]

Have you physically tried on a 15500? I ask because the dial design makes it wear big and with your wrist size it may look too big, and its certainly visually bigger than a Daytona. I'm not trying to put you off, just making an observation.