We also love hi-end watches

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Went and tried on a Rolex Air King today and I can’t get it off my mind. If they call me back with one in stock, I may actually jump. It’s basically an Explorer with a different dial and green second hand. The size is near perfect and I’d never seen an Oyster bracelet before and wow.

I thought I’d be fine with something less, but having tried on the Rolex, I don’t know. My 16 yo daughter went with me and was pushing me to do it. The salesman sent me home with the hardcover book catalog for this model year.

If he calls me back, I don’t know what I’m gonna do.

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  1. How many things can you buy that is truly heirloom quality? It can make you happy and then be passed down and passed down and so on.
  2. You will not lose money on it.
  3. It’s frikkin’ cool looking.
  4. Keep the box and all papers, tags, cards, booklets. Those things can be worth 20% of the value of a collectable watch, should you decide to trade up.
  5. If it gets scratched, NEVER have the case polished. An unpolished but scratched case is worth much more than one that’s been polished to a knowledgeable collector.
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I wasn’t aware of your final point but it’s really good to know. :+1:

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Yes, in order to remove scratches, you must remove enough material to do it. This changes the crisp lines of the watch body and is very easy for the trained eye to spot.

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Thanks, and that makes total sense. I’m glad I don’t have any scratches on my 39mm Explorer 1 or I may have ended up making a very big mistake one day. :hot_face:

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Back to my theory that weekend watched need no date.

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Especially for a long weekend!

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Or “retirement” watches.

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You should be very happy I not there with you! My drool would have been all over that watch! :smile: :joy:

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Wiped off my own drool to take the pic!

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I was thinking same thing. Weekend watches still need date while working but all bets off in retirement, haha

Edit: and to the guy looking at the rolex, get it, life is short, only live once, tomorrow not promised…

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Ron, I’d be the guy looking at a Patek, or a Vacheron Constantin, but even if I were to kick off tomorrow (which I hope doesn’t happen! :face_with_open_eyes_and_hand_over_mouth:), I don’t think I could come up with the scratch for one! :sob:

Not a Rolex guy.

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Not necessary to be a Rolex guy. I’m also a Patek and Audemars Piguet guy. And Omega. And Tudor. And Panerai. And Brietling…

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Not technically “high-end” but it will have to do until I get a call about an Air King (like THAT’S ever gonna happen!). Maybe I need to buy a Tudor to get on the “serious customer” list.

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Hamilton’s are cool

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Omegas I have, all clean older models, including a pie pan! :smiley: And a Hamilton. My “casual night out but dressy” watch. I like Hamiltons.

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It’s a start. :slight_smile:

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Oooh, that supposed to be a nice, rugged watch. MT5402 movement, IIRC.

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Correct. It’s a nice entry into a COSC-certified Swiss watch.

I was initially a little bummed they didn’t have the bracelet model in stock, but this isn’t a typical NATO. It’s REALLY soft. I’m actually glad to have the strap…it’s totally unique and fits the watch really well. I have a bunch of bracelet watches; this is a refreshing change. Plus they were having a sale this weekend so, that’s a bonus.

It totally scratches the itch until my name comes up for an Air King.