Thoughts on the Rolex GMT Pepsi and other expensive watches

[Brent k]

[MENTION=13662]Welsh[/MENTION] what the hell is wrong with New England?
[MENTION=4677]Shade[/MENTION] i don't think fitting in and pack mentality comes into play too much with Rolex watches and younger people. Since I'm my only friend with one it would stick out actually not fit in.

For the price point they are built pretty damn well. Comparing them to PP, VC, AP is a different ball game.

Last time I checked watches (or higher end cars such as BMW, Ferrari, Aston etc.) are made on earth and not in heaven there will be issues. All things are impermanent and ever changing.

If a rolex is a poor mans rich watch I doubt they are that poor.

[bjmcgeever]

Enough of the name-calling children. Grow up.

[Vicious49]

If a rolex is a poor mans rich watch I doubt they are that poor.

Well said. Either that or they are just incredibly irresponsible financially and are running up debt they can't afford.

[ryn]

People have already typed up those enthusiastic lists for you in spades. You're not asking for a discussion. You came on here with a statement that was bordering on trolling and now want someone to do a lot of typing for you even though I told you where to find the answer.

Could you list all the specs for the 2012 Honda Accord for me and for the 2015 Honda Accord and then highlight the differences. I'd like an enthusiastic list that I think would be the purpose of the discussion if this forum. Thanks.

I do not know why you must assume bad faith on my part. I am not looking for specs anyway.

I am not sure where these enthusiastic lists are. Yes, a couple of people have posted why they like the watch, but after my first post, and I think in response to that. Quite frankly, I have been disrupted by insults and accusations from continuing on that line of discussion.

I thought I asked a question that people would enjoy to answer, as opposed to inciting their derision. I didn't mean to question the value of the Rolex brand, nor to make a point.

I think people are reading things between the lines of my posts, things that are not in fact there. Even Shade, who seems to agree with me, misinterpreted my meaning. He argues that Rolex is overpriced compared to watches that are also way out of my budget. I don't know much about Rolex's or expensive watches in general (certainly not such expensive watches). I personally, don't see myself buying a watch over $60, but I don't see myself buying a painting either. However, I still enjoy looking at Rembrandts, or Lamboghinhis.

Anyway, some use of google has taught me that this particular model is discontinued (obviously affecting its vaule) and worn by Fidel Castro and Che.

I don't think someone can post on a forum about affordable clothing, that they are buying a $1000 watch and not expect to receive expressions of sticker shock.

[DocDave]

I have multiple Rolex watches and Omega as well.

I have a coke bezel GMT-II 1991 modle year. I love it and wear it everyday. My sub sits and the datejusts are for dressier occasions. I am more a casual dresser.

6k for a newer model ain't shabby. You can find one cheaper.

When you say I can find one cheaper, are we talking sub $5k here? If so, I have yet to come across that.

I can't recall if the $6k was for a newer model; what would you classify as a newer model? 90ies? I saw one use in the low 5s that was from the 1970/71 period. I find it interesting that the price on the GMT Roles does not fluctuate that much between the 70ies model and the 90ies model.

It is interesting that you wear your watch each day. I have approx. six watches in my collection and I try to rotate them in and out of my wardrobe on a daily basis. Shelling out $5k or $6k for a watch means I'll likely want to wear the watch as often as possible. This means my other watches will sit and not get worn. Hmm. I suppose I could still rotate the watches around. Nothing saying I'd have to wear it (the Rolex) on a daily basis.

[Brent k]

[MENTION=13399]DocDave[/MENTION] - I have a 1991 Rolex 16710 GMT master II coke bezel original but of course you can swap bezels out with simple tools.

I paid $4k for mine a few years back. I personally stay away from big watch brokers. Like good watch co, chrono24, Becker time. Not becuase they are bad companies,they are really good companies, but be use of the mark up. I buy mine from personal collections or small shops as I find the prices are cheaper. It was $4300 but I talked him down. Small dealers that don't generally deal in "higher end" or expensive pieces I find want to unload them quicker as they take up more funds(capital whatever you wanna call it).

Of course I wear it daily. Vacation, up to conway New Hampshire hiking, swimming at my local beach. I don't wear it on my harley due to the harsh vibrations and I don't wear it while fixing up one of my cars that I tinker with. Other than that yeah. It's a watch I wear it daily. I also have driving my corvette is the rain and got caught in rain on the harley. Life happens.

[Brent k]

[MENTION=13399]DocDave[/MENTION] yeah I have been thinking about trimming the collection. No point. I did sell my planet ocean 45.5XL a little bit ago. Turned a small profit on it.

Oh and this is an affordable style forum. When buying luxury items deals can still be had!

[Vicious49]

When you say I can find one cheaper, are we talking sub $5k here? If so, I have yet to come across that.

I can't recall if the $6k was for a newer model; what would you classify as a newer model? 90ies? I saw one use in the low 5s that was from the 1970/71 period. I find it interesting that the price on the GMT Roles does not fluctuate that much between the 70ies model and the 90ies model.

I'm not in to Rolex so I can't tell you about the difference between each model but anytime you're buying a used watch make sure to account for the fact that it might need a maintenance. With Omega that will typically be around $600. I'm guessing Rolex maintenance will be in the $500-$1000 range unless the seller can provide documentation that it's been serviced in the last year or two.

[DocDave]

I'm not in to Rolex so I can't tell you about the difference between each model but anytime you're buying a used watch make sure to account for the fact that it might need a maintenance. With Omega that will typically be around $600. I'm guessing Rolex maintenance will be in the $500-$1000 range unless the seller can provide documentation that it's been serviced in the last year or two.

How often do you need to take your watch(es) in for maintenance?

[MENTION=9879]Brent k[/MENTION], thanks for the info. I'm not sure there are any small shops around my part of the world. I may have to do a bit of a roadtrip...

[Evenflow]

It's about 600 bucks. I've had mine done once, in a decade. I have no idea how often they're actually supposed to go in. You also have to consider how you're going to protect it from theft. My agent wanted $495 a year for a rider on my watches, so I just bought a safe, before I had to also ask what the rider on the guns would be.

[Vicious49]

You can get insurance cheaper than that. Go to jewelers mutual. They only do jewelry. Yu don't want a rider on your home insurance anyways since any claim would count against your home insurance and raise your rates.

They recommend service every 5 years or so but I'd just wait until the watch starts losing accuracy.

[JBarwick]

We pay something like $20-$30 a month for $50K jewelry coverage but it is part of the car/homeowners/jewelry bundle.

[washcold]

Gents,

For no other reason than I think it is a nice watch and I'm thinking of treading myself, I'm toying with the idea of purchasing a used Rolex GMT 'Pepsi' watch. I've been looking around the interweb and noticed that the price for this watch is anywhere between the $5-6k (USD) mark. My question for the fine folks at Dappered Inc. are:

1. Do you think this is a fair price to pay for a used Rolex?
2. Having never owned a Rolex before, can anyone comment on them? Reliability, ownership costs, resale value, etc.
3. $6k is a butt-load of money to spend on a watch. For you gents with other expensive watches, ever have buyers remorse?
4. Never having bought a used watch online before, any pitfalls to be aware of?
5. Any websites you've dealt with in the past that you would recommend or avoid?
6. Anything else you think I should know?

I'm not 100% sure if I'll pull the trigger on this sucker. Probably more like 50/50 at this point. But I figure the more information I have at my fingertips the better I'll be at making an informed decision. Thanks.

You've gotten plenty of opinions by now, but I'll jump in anyway. A new GMT is between USD 8-10K, so 6K used isn't terrible. I'd search around on watchrecon to get a feel for the going rate though. The pepsi is a classic, but I have a friend who just got the "batman" (black and blue) GMT and it's pretty sweet too. There's been a lot of talk about the baggage the Rolex name carries, and what it says about the purchaser. This article sums things up well. Rolex is one of the best mass-produced luxury watch brands, and there are models that fit most price ranges. The attraction for me would be the in-house movement and the fit and finish. You may get a snarky comment from time to time, but that's because people recognize you have a "nice watch."

The advice about getting the box, papers and warranty card is key. Recently there's a story going around on one of the watch boards about a guy who bought a Rolex from another forum user, who also was not the original purchaser. When the newest owner went to get it serviced, Rolex informed him that it had been reported stolen and refused to give it back to him pending an investigation. Buying a used Rolex is a riskier proposition than buying a lesser-known, and less-frequently stolen brand.

As far as buyers remorse goes, I've purchased a couple higher-end watches over the past year - a Seiko Marinemaster 300 and a Tudor Black Bay, and I love them both. I got the Marinemaster from a seller on watchrecon and bought the Black Bay new. I wouldn't consider selling either. My more affordable, <1K watches are not necessarily keepers. If I were going to spend 6K or more, I'd be looking at an IWC, a Zenith, or maybe a Jaeger LeCoultre. A Rolex 114060 no-date ceramic Sub is on my wishlist, too.

Bottom line--if you like it, get it. Just make sure you are getting it from a reputable seller, or buy new if you can afford it.

[DocDave]

Excellent advice [MENTION=12408]washcold[/MENTION]. I'll spend some time on watchrecon and see what I can find out. Seems like I need to educate myself a fair amount. My concern is that I would like to buy used, but I won't be able to see the watch in person at all. That is definitely a worry for me. I guess if I ever do pull the trigger I'll have to do my research. Thanks for the info on the box too. I'll keep that in mind.

[frost]

For the first time ever, I'm going to jump on board a watch thread illustrating something less rather than more expensive than the OP requested.

Has ANYONE seen "All Is Lost?" ANYONE? Buller?

Robert Redford (lover of all things Rolex) donned a Seiko SKX009 on a Navy Blue NATO strap:






I'm all for automatic watches, but you can take this and beat the crap out of it for $150 or less. Strap is another $15 (the stock bracelet sucks). I'm wearing one right now.

I have a lot of very expensive watches because I have no self control. More often than not, when I'm wearing one of the nicer ones I find myself constantly worrying about it. The watches that get the most wear are the beaters. On that note, every time I run into someone wearing a "Rolex" I start to wonder if it's fake. They're beautiful pieces with a proud and storied history, but sadly for most who care to look, they're more of a status symbol than anything else. Don't let this dissuade you from buying what you want, just know that there's a time and a place for a beater which is most of the time. Personally I find the Pepsi colors more casual, which to me is not the statement I'd be trying to make with a Rolls.

Now someone stop me from buying this: