Talking Watches with Volnation

#304
#304
2EastTnVols said:
Yeah lots of history with railroad watches. One of the first industries where accurate timekeeping was imperative.
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I love the litte ways you can see how it effected the design ofmthe watches. Like mine is a lever lock. You have to unscrew the crystal to pull little lever to set it. They wanted it to be harder to get to the mechanism so their was no chance of it getting accidentally tripped and throwing then time off. They couldn't afford that.
 
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#305
#305
Couple of Tudor Black Bays made an appearance at the Bama game today.

Go Vols!
 
#307
#307
I have been collecting watches for several years. I have been on Citizen Eco Drive. They are dependable and not so expensive that if you scratch it, it's not a big deal. With all that being said, I have been starting to look at higher end watches. I really liked the Eco drive because I don't have to worry about changing batteries. I have been looking at Tag & Rolex. Do they have similar options to the Eco drive?
What do you have? Do you like it? How often do you have to change the battery? How expensive is it to change battery?
 
#316
#316
Funny I happened across this thread today. I've never been a watch guy but suddenly find myself looking at them.

I am about to retire after 20 years in the Navy, both active and reserve time. While I was on my first boat (submarine USS Chicago), a common thing for the retiring Chiefs and Officers was to purchase a Rolex Submariner. I've kept this in the back of my mind ever since and have now gone down this rabbit hole of wanting a Submariner watch for myself as a retirement keepsake.

Later in 2025 I'll likely start looking seriously at these.

In the meantime, it's also funny that the company I work for is part of Smiths Group, which always claimed the watch to climb Mt. Everest. The vintage Smiths Everest watches are pretty hard to find but not terribly expensive, so I might be looking for one of these as well. To be honest I really like the look of them. The Smiths watch naming rights was sold to Timefactors who releases some good looking tribute models but I think I would want to find a vintage version.

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#317
#317
Willy P said:
Funny I happened across this thread today. I've never been a watch guy but suddenly find myself looking at them.

I am about to retire after 20 years in the Navy, both active and reserve time. While I was on my first boat (submarine USS Chicago), a common thing for the retiring Chiefs and Officers was to purchase a Rolex Submariner. I've kept this in the back of my mind ever since and have now gone down this rabbit hole of wanting a Submariner watch for myself as a retirement keepsake.

Later in 2025 I'll likely start looking seriously at these.

In the meantime, it's also funny that the company I work for is part of Smiths Group, which always claimed the watch to climb Mt. Everest. The vintage Smiths Everest watches are pretty hard to find but not terribly expensive, so I might be looking for one of these as well. To be honest I really like the look of them. The Smiths watch naming rights was sold to Timefactors who releases some good looking tribute models but I think I would want to find a vintage version.

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Congrats on your upcoming Naval retirement. Submariners today can be difficult to buy. They are in big demand. If you see one you like, don't wait, buy it right away. Good luck in your hunt.
 
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#318
#318
txbo said:
Congrats on your upcoming Naval retirement. Submariners today can be difficult to buy. They are in big demand. If you see one you like, don't wait, buy it right away. Good luck in your hunt.
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I started researching availability the past couple of days and it's insane. I'll go talk to a couple of dealers but from what I've read so far most will only offer you the privilege of purchasing a Rolex after you spend money in the store on other stuff. Other option is grey market where I can buy the $10K watch for $15K, which is also nuts. I guess I can understand the dealers not wanting to sell to someone that's just going to flip the watch for several thousand in profit...

Good thing I'm not in a rush.
 
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#319
#319
Willy P said:
I started researching availability the past couple of days and it's insane. I'll go talk to a couple of dealers but from what I've read so far most will only offer you the privilege of purchasing a Rolex after you spend money in the store on other stuff. Other option is grey market where I can buy the $10K watch for $15K, which is also nuts. I guess I can understand the dealers not wanting to sell to someone that's just going to flip the watch for several thousand in profit...

Good thing I'm not in a rush.
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Definitely go talk to multiple authorized dealers and try to tug on an associate's heartstrings a little bit by connecting with them through the Naval retirement anecdote. Be clear that you're not looking to buy jewelry and that this is going to be your "one watch," but that you are also speaking to another dealer as well. Text your associates once a month, maybe connecting with some small mutual interest but it's fine if nothing jumped out, and directly inquire regarding shipment receipt or murmurings. Visit the dealer every other month, just to see what they have and peruse the Rolex catalog (there will be a new one after April).

I'd be surprised if you didn't get one in a year (maybe even half that if you're lucky) like this, but it's admittedly a lot of pomp and circumstance/time building a relationship that you don't seem to have any intention of continuing post-purchase (you're not angling for a Day-Date and a steel Daytona in the coming years). The reality of the situation is that you're just never getting the watch if you simply go in and ask to be put on a list without any of the nonsense. Years ago, different story, but now it's all a game.
 
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#321
#321
Willy P said:
I started researching availability the past couple of days and it's insane. I'll go talk to a couple of dealers but from what I've read so far most will only offer you the privilege of purchasing a Rolex after you spend money in the store on other stuff. Other option is grey market where I can buy the $10K watch for $15K, which is also nuts. I guess I can understand the dealers not wanting to sell to someone that's just going to flip the watch for several thousand in profit...

Good thing I'm not in a rush.
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FWIW, I was in Kimball’s today (a Knoxville jeweler that is an authorized Rolex retailer). I asked, and they said the wait was generally a year to two on some of the Rolexes. I don’t know what other places have told you, but if this is a shorter wait time, you could call them. They had one or two Submariners and one Daytona on display clearly marked “for exhibition only.“
 
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#322
#322
@1RBFjr said:
FWIW, I was in Kimball’s today (a Knoxville jeweler that is an authorized Rolex retailer). I asked, and they said the wait was generally a year to two on some of the Rolexes. I don’t know what other places have told you, but if this is a shorter wait time, you could call them. They had one or two Submariners and one Daytona on display clearly marked “for exhibition only.“
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Appreciate the heads up. I’m in Corryton so Kimballs will be my first stop, but I also travel for work quite a bit so I planned on looking in DC/Baltimore, or international even depending on the schedule. As far as building a relationship, it would be Kimballs though.
 
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#323
#323
Willy P said:
Appreciate the heads up. I’m in Corryton so Kimballs will be my first stop, but I also travel for work quite a bit so I planned on looking in DC/Baltimore, or international even depending on the schedule. As far as building a relationship, it would be Kimballs though.
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Ask for Danny Overbey; he’s the owner and a UT graduate.
 
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#324
#324
Willy P said:
I started researching availability the past couple of days and it's insane. I'll go talk to a couple of dealers but from what I've read so far most will only offer you the privilege of purchasing a Rolex after you spend money in the store on other stuff. Other option is grey market where I can buy the $10K watch for $15K, which is also nuts. I guess I can understand the dealers not wanting to sell to someone that's just going to flip the watch for several thousand in profit...

Good thing I'm not in a rush.
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Yep, you only get to buy what you really want if you waste a bunch of money on crap you don't want. I was looking to buy another Rolex last year but I refuse to play that game. There are many other brands of luxury watches that can serve the same purpose. Take a look at Breitling or Cartier.
 
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#325
#325
@1RBFjr said:
FWIW, I was in Kimball’s today (a Knoxville jeweler that is an authorized Rolex retailer). I asked, and they said the wait was generally a year to two on some of the Rolexes. I don’t know what other places have told you, but if this is a shorter wait time, you could call them. They had one or two Submariners and one Daytona on display clearly marked “for exhibition only.“
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They will sell those "for exhibition only" watches....but only to existing customers.
 
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