Need Some Opinions.

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vbrad26

·Aug 23, 2021

Donn Chambers

If they insist on a Rolex AND a red dial, I have a suggestion. It might not get a lot of support on this site, but here goes.

There is a huge market for custom Rolex dials -- has been for decades. Most just add diamonds, but some offer colored dials as well. My suggestion then is find a custom dial maker that either has a red dial already in stock or will make one, then buy a used example of the Rolex that the dial will fit and take it to a local watchmaker to service and fit the dial. Most custom dials are for 36 mm datejusts (which is a perfectly acceptable size for a Rolex), so I'd start looking there.

That will likely be half the cost of getting that new Red Oyster Perpetual and also quicker to source.

That's not a bad idea...
I was originally against it because it was, well, not original. But it is not like we are going for future re-sale here or anything like that.

Even better, I'll just find a dial for his existing day/date and stick it in there with a new engraved caseback hah.

Edited: Aug 23, 2021

 

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Evitzee

·Aug 23, 2021

vbrad26

That's not a bad idea...
I was originally against it because it was, well, not original. But it is not like we are going for future re-sale here or anything like that.

But are the gift givers happy with a used watch? Most people don't want to give used products, and this one would be cobbled together with a non-Rolex dial. Somehow I don't think grandma would be down with this approach.

 

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krogerfoot

·Aug 24, 2021

I feel this situation very deeply. Your family presumably put you in charge of this because of your relevant expertise, but every solution you present to them is rejected in favor of a two-in-the-bush strategy. With luck, they'll toss the assignment back onto your lap with enough time to spare to actually get the thing done.

 

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vbrad26

·Aug 24, 2021

krogerfoot

I feel this situation very deeply. Your family presumably put you in charge of this because of your relevant expertise, but every solution you present to them is rejected in favor of a two-in-the-bush strategy. With luck, they'll toss the assignment back onto your lap with enough time to spare to actually get the thing done.

Yeah so at the moment I'm giving her guy today to get back to her. If nothing, I will for the 13th time make sure they really want to spend upwards of $12k on a $6k watch and if so, I will be calling David as @Bizcut1 suggested, first thing tomorrow.
I've got a bit of time, but not a lot. Retirement party is September 10th - still need to find/collect the watch, and then have it engraved. At the very least her guy can do the engraving.

 

T

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Tx3double

·Aug 24, 2021

Why a red face? There were some Breitlings with red faces that looked good.

 

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Evitzee

·Aug 24, 2021

T Tx3double

Why a red face? There were some Breitlings with red faces that looked good.

Red requirement was explained on first page.

 

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cal3.2.1

·Aug 24, 2021

Donn Chambers

If they insist on a Rolex AND a red dial, I have a suggestion. It might not get a lot of support on this site, but here goes.

There is a huge market for custom Rolex dials -- has been for decades. Most just add diamonds, but some offer colored dials as well. My suggestion then is find a custom dial maker that either has a red dial already in stock or will make one, then buy a used example of the Rolex that the dial will fit and take it to a local watchmaker to service and fit the dial. Most custom dials are for 36 mm datejusts (which is a perfectly acceptable size for a Rolex), so I'd start looking there.

That will likely be half the cost of getting that new Red Oyster Perpetual and also quicker to source.

This is not a half bad idea, I see them all the time so if it should work then why not?

 

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Evitzee

·Aug 24, 2021

cal3.2.1

This is not a half bad idea, I see them all the time so if it should work then why not?

So you would give a used watch with a fake red dial as a retirement gift? Unless you are giving an antique or other collectible that the recipient is interested in it isn't good form to give a second hand gift with fake parts. Neither the givers or recipient is likely to be happy with this plan.

 

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cal3.2.1

·Aug 24, 2021

Evitzee

So you would give a used watch with a fake red dial as a retirement gift? Unless you are giving an antique or other collectible that the recipient is interested in it isn't good form to give a second hand gift with fake parts. Neither the givers or recipient is likely to be happy with this plan.

It’s a toss up idea. Nobody has to like it but if it works it works as long as everyone is happy

 

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Evitzee

·Aug 25, 2021

cal3.2.1

It’s a toss up idea. Nobody has to like it but if it works it works as long as everyone is happy

Even if everybody was happy with this approach there isn't enough time to pull it together. You'd have to find the right pre-owned Rolex, then secure a compatible red aftermarket dial, get it to a watchmaker for overhaul and dial swap, then get it engraved. The soiree is 16 days away, just not enough days to do this project.

 

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vbrad26

·Aug 25, 2021

Ideas are ideas and all are appreciated. So thank you to everyone that has offered one.
But yeah I decided early on that an "aftermarket" dial was not the route I wanted to go.
Still haven't pulled the trigger but I'm going to figure that out by tomorrow at the latest...

 

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vbrad26

·Aug 26, 2021

Welp, just got off the phone with David at DavidSW and had him hold the 36 for me to pick up tomorrow.
Tried to get him to cut me a good deal on a Tudor GMT since I'm getting this overpriced OP but I guess him and I have different opinions on what a good deal is lol.

 

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Donn Chambers

·Aug 26, 2021

vbrad26

Welp, just got off the phone with David at DavidSW and had him hold the 36 for me to pick up tomorrow.
Tried to get him to cut me a good deal on a Tudor GMT since I'm getting this overpriced OP but I guess him and I have different opinions on what a good deal is lol.

hope your grandfather likes it and the rest of the family appreciates all the work it took to get it!

 

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Bizcut1

·Aug 26, 2021

Donn Chambers

hope your grandfather likes it and the rest of the family appreciates all the work it took to get it!

Exactly...and now a fun story behind the story...all's well that ends well...congrats OP!

 

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Evitzee

·Aug 26, 2021

And now.....the engraving! What could go wrong?

 

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Bizcut1

·Aug 26, 2021

Evitzee

And now.....the engraving! What could go wrong?

 

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Rado63

·Aug 26, 2021

It seems maybe the folks are going down the Rolex path, just thought I would post up another choice. Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40mm manual wind, Burgundy dial.

 

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vbrad26

·Aug 27, 2021

Thanks for the suggestions but this is pretty much a done deal. Just gotta go collect later today.
I'll be sure to get some pics once it is in possession.I personally like that Breitling though...

Still going to go try to work out a deal on the Tudor GMT - with all things considered (mainly just buying the Rolex too) what do you all think a reasonable price out the door for the GMT would be if he has one listed for $3850?

 

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vbrad26

·Aug 27, 2021

Well still didn’t work out a deal on the GMT. Kinda bummed but he was not willing to do anything. So oh well. But here is the OP:

 

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Archer

·Aug 27, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Is it really as orange as it looks?