wow, I thought I was balla for buying a Tag for $1200 or so a few years ago.

Guess there are a lot of rich people on a Porsche forum.

Did you really just say balla and Tag in the same sentence?

yes. yes I did.

In a similar situation. Had a Rolex GMT that I got a couple years ago. Really wanted a stainless Daytona, but those are closely controlled and allocated to authorized dealers, only one or two a year. I guess they do it to keep exclusivity high (along with price). Most AD's only offer them to good customers from a waiting list.

Anyway, last month, the Rolex AD here in town called me to tell me he got one in. Went for it hook, line and sinker. Absolutely beautiful. Traded in my GMT and brought her home. What I've discovered is my 52 year old eyes can't see the darned thing unless I'm wearing glasses (rarely). Not sure what to do, but also about an $11+k watch. Will continue to wear it for business (only time I wear glasses), but seems like a waste for it to live in the winder. At least the SS Daytonas don't seem to depreciate. Used ones are selling for more than I paid for this new one. Anyone interested let me know. After, of course, you consider that offered by the OP.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1318682267.jpg

Mike,

I have a couple of Daytona's, one like yours and one gold. Absolutely love the watch and always get compliments on it. Like yours will, they are worth much more now than what I paid for them.

Szy,

These are first off an investment and second something that you buy "because you deserve it" and its something you have wanted for a long time.

My first Rolex was a steel and gold GMT Master that came from the PX way back in the 1970's. Had been wanting it for years and paid I believe $275 for it. The last appraisal I had done on it was just shy of $7000, so guess its been worth it. Its been overhauled or reconditioned twice now and in "like new" condition.

Finally something like the Patek above is also something that you buy, enjoy and then pass it along to your kids. My best friend still has two of them that his Grandfather owned and passed them down to him. Its not "just a watch" its part of the family in many cases.

Pictures as requested:




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1318691926.jpg




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1318691992.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1318692034.jpg


I found the paperwork and I bought on Dec. 8, 2004. It's a Tortue model. New ones are now listed at $13,500.

Owwww... That's nice.

Interesting that even in the pic I posted, the hands don't "stand out" like they do on, say a Submariner. That's probably what I should have purchased but was smitten with the exclusivity of the Daytona. I really like the watch...as you describe...compliments, etc...just from a practical perspective, I should have thought it through more in that regard.

Wow....that Cartier it beautiful. Check out the timezone classifieds as described. For specialty item like that, you're more likely to attract a buyer.

If the shop where you bought it will sell pre-owned items, call 'em and ask if they will do consignment, or if they won't if they can recommend someplace that will.

Mike, there is something special about the Daytona. Before you sell yours, go back to the Rolex dealer and switch your dial from black to white. Any AD can do it right then and there at almost no cost. It's a complete drop in replacement and will not detract from the value at all. Rolexes are meant to be able to do that at the AD and be fully factory customizable.

Try the white dial for a while to see if that is easier on your eyes. I strongly prefer the white dial anyway.

Selling a stanless steel Daytona is a pain, kind of like selling a Porsche. Every ad you put out will net a thousand fakes and tire kickers for every real prospect. My AD offered me one as an inducement to buy when I bought my Day Date. I ended up flipping it. I sold it to a broker I know in NYC. I made about $1,000 on the deal and the broker did at least twice that but there was a strong comfort factor in selling to someone I could trust. Selling to a private party means you're selling at wholesale prices anyway, and the dealer always sells at retail, so I didn't miss out on all that much profit. I can give you the guy's contact information if you'd like. He will negotiate with you over the price, so you can make more if you stick harder than I did.

As for the Cartier, that is the perfect watch to sell on Timezone Showcase page TimeZone: TZ Showcase

People who are into the Cartier will be more brand specific and won't have as high of a proportion of flakes to real buyers as a Daytona.

Look at the Showcase page and the reular classifieds at TimeZone: Sales Corner

Use the search feature and you'll get a feel for what the watch is going for and who the regular posters are on the board. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Looking at the watch brings back good and bad memories. I bought it as sort of retail therapy because I'd been dumped by a woman I was head over heals about because I wasn't of the right faith. It turned out to be worth it. My friend and I were in New York and had closed a business deal that was going to do very well by us and we were feeling pretty good about things. We took our morning run in Central Park and went looking or breakfast. Passed Cartier and I was hooked on this watch in the window, but they wouldn't be open until 10:00 AM - another half an hour. The more I thought about it the more I wanted that watch, so we were at the door when they opened at 10:00. I talked to this very prim and proper salesman "Charles" while my friend chatted up the guard - big, big guy. My friend asked if they didn't normally serve champagne to good customers, and Charles sent the guard to get a bottle. We finished it off in about 15 minutes, with my friend laughing and telling me (loudly), "Buy it! You deserve it. It's prettier than that b&%$# anyway and probably gives better blow jobs." My friend finished the bottle of champagne and slid the empty across the glass counter and said, "Hey Chuck! Ya got any more of this stuff?" That kind of set the theme for the rest of the day. I bought the watch and we finished the second bottle of Champagne before 11:00. Then we went a couple of doors down to Hugo Boss and had them model dresses for us for about an hour and serve us more champagne. The day got a little crazy after that. We got thrown out of Chef Bobo's and as I recall unsuccessfully hit on some 20 year old Swedish girls at that bar at the top of the Marriot Times Square before we called it a day. The watch and I have been through some good times. Kinda hate to sell it now that I think about it.

After a story like that, keep it. If you don't need the cash, hold on to it.

Excellent story!

That story rocks, keep the watch!

Rolex tends to keep their value better than Cartier. Keep it, its a beautiful watch and you'll be giving it away if you decide to sell it.

Hugo is right, fmv on that is gonna be a big hit.....combine that with the awesome story and I think you should just start wearing it more...

Actually I checked on that. My AD said "no way". And apparently most will not exchange a dial on a Daytona. It's a 44 jewel movement (or something like that) and because it's a chronograph, it's not like swapping on a datejust or Sub. Special tools required and a real PITA. So much so, that the best way to do it is to replace the entire movement. No thanks.

The hands on the Daytona are highly polished and actually, no easier to see on a white dial from what I can tell. From an aesthetic perspective, I actuall prefer the look of the black dial (part of the reason I jumped on it). Realistically, I'll keep the watch and use it for business-wear. It is a looker. Perhaps one day will find a good deal on a well-worn Sub for daily use.

I don't know who told you that but it just isn't true. Rolex will generally change dials at their service centers to whatever is correct and currently offered for a particular model. If you've ever looked at the reference book at a dealer, you'll note that most of the models are availably with a variety of dials, some are available with a variety of bezels, bracelets, etc.

The movement has nothing to do with it. The dial is not a part of it, so whoever told you that has no idea how a watch is constructed.

JR

*cough* Did somebody say Submariner? *cough* :D

These three are currently available, as well as a brand new Explorer II:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1318717652.jpg

PM for details. :cool:

JR is correct. This is not a big deal for most dealers. The change out is done all the time.

Rolex Daytona black dial to suit zenith gold or steel & gold models. | eBay

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