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The under-loved, unappreciated, often overlooked Rolex dress watch...

Walrus
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I really like that very straightforward. I had a cellini for many years. I really did like it for a while but it was a quartz model and solid gold. Sold it to one of those online dealers, didn’t lose any money but a month later they had it up for like 14,000 dollars. I didn’t get anywhere near that of course and I hope no one payed that much for it. I’m not anti quartz, I prefer mechanical or automatic but if it looks nice I’m ok with quartz. I like that one you are showing as you gotta double check most of the time rolexes are very distinguishable this one I wouldn’t think Rolex off the rip. @Duracuir1 that is an interesting one you picked up but I’m a sucker for odd color dials
 
Walrus
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Yeah, so they can throw it in the trash and tell you to get on the list for a new one.
My old boss sent his ‘61 GMT back to Rolex 4 times during its life. His last attempt was in 2005 and they sent it back with a letter saying it was too old and he should buy a new one- the letter was actually pretty funny (mentioned something about how many ticks it had beaten during its life).
He brought it to my independent, non-authorized Rolex watchmaker who tracked down all the parts it needed via his network of collectors, other independents and ex-Rolex service providers, and got that watch running COCS for $500.
JW I saw that same type of letter. I stopped by just to say hello to my watchmaker last year, he had a nice vintage Rolex on his table. I just gave it a quick look asked him if he had been doing many Rolex lately a customer had brought him the watch and the letter from Rolex that stated something like “you have enjoyed this watch for sixty years we feel it’s in your best interest to purchase a new Rolex as we will no longer be serving your watch.” It was written better than I am quoting but it was quite shocking, I couldn’t help but laugh but it’s not funny. The owner was in his 30’s and it was his fathers watch so it meant a lot to him. I don’t know how common it is for Rolex to do that but yup, they do it. So they are telling you to buy a watch you can’t buy anyway unless you are hooked up with an AD. ..... sad
 
JwRosenthal
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Walrus Walrus
JW I saw that same type of letter. I stopped by just to say hello to my watchmaker last year, he had a nice vintage Rolex on his table. I just gave it a quick look asked him if he had been doing many Rolex lately a customer had brought him the watch and the letter from Rolex that stated something like “you have enjoyed this watch for sixty years we feel it’s in your best interest to purchase a new Rolex as we will no longer be serving your watch.” It was written better than I am quoting but it was quite shocking, I couldn’t help but laugh but it’s not funny. The owner was in his 30’s and it was his fathers watch so it meant a lot to him. I don’t know how common it is for Rolex to do that but yup, they do it. So they are telling you to buy a watch you can’t buy anyway unless you are hooked up with an AD. ..... sad
...and this is why I consider Rolex a dead brand like Bulova or Longines (as they used to be, not as they are now). All of the ones I own or want are unsupported by the company- so they are literally, dead to me. The secondary market and independent watchmakers who are not Rolex affiliated are my mean of keeping my watches alive. It really doesn’t bother me, I am a proud Zodiac owner so I am used to hunting for months to find a part.
 
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