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Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:41 pm
by Fat-Sam
I know these posts pop up everywhere, the “I’m stuck between two amazing watches but have convinced myself only one of them is perfect for me and I need strangers to help me find the right answer” type posts. I also figure I can’t go wrong with either as they’re both great but here goes:

I am due a belated gift for my 40th and am considering a Rolex no date sub- which I honestly think would get 99% of my wrist time and would serve every purpose I can think of, it’s a pretty amazing all round watch. But is also pretty ubiquitous and not very expressive of my love of watches. There will likely be a wait for this watch but I’m not fussed about that and won’t pay over rrp (on principle).

Secondly in my minds eye, I have the large Reverso Duo on the brown CF leather strap, which while considered a dress watch is perfectly ok for my work from home/casual desk job - and on the occasions I wear trainers or even more casual clothes I could get a c60mk3 as a nice and affordable sporty alternative.

So before I get any “buy what you like” responses, I am not spending thousands purely based on the answers here, merely wanting to get an idea of how my fellow watch geeks would look at the above two. I like the idea of the Reverso being a ticket to the big league of watches and yet like the idea of just having one watch that does it all and will look great even when it’s beat up a bit.

Be interested to see how you see it if you can spare a minute. I asked on Instagram and everyone said sub... which I didn’t expect. I don’t live or work near water so WR is not an issue and I tend to wear jeans, timberlands and polo shirts 90% of the time to give an idea of lifestyle.

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:46 pm
by Jkpa
Sub- definitely. I’m on a list for a Sub Date and I may wait a long time but will never go GM. Personally, I admire the Reverso, but not enough to actually own it if that makes sense. Good luck whatever you choose 😊

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:02 pm
by H0rati0
The question to answer is do you want a "lifestyle product" from a marketing machine or a unique watch from a master watchmaker?

Just my two penn'orth.

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:13 pm
by StrappedUp
I appreciate the Sub, but it's not the most exciting.
I really do like the Reverso.

Given your circumstances and the fact it'll be your main watch, Sub all day.

Edit: probably should have elaborated. Having been stuck at home myself for more than half a year, putting on my smarter watches just felt forced and unnatural.
I felt much more at home wearing my sportier numbers.

Also, the Sub will stand up to pretty much anything that you could throw at it whereas I would want to remove the Reverso for every arduous task.

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 5:48 pm
by strapline
Well, personally, I'd be inclined to echo H0rati0's sentiments, and that's coming from someone who was once an avid SCUBA diver. There's no denying the quality of a Sub, but they're kind of everywhere. A Reverso, to me, is a different animal altogether. They are only worn by people with a very good understanding of watch history and watchmaking. As you said, you could scratch the diver itch with a C60 thus having two watches, too. Your call.

Des

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:15 pm
by kiter65
SUB

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:26 pm
by JAFO
Given that it's dead easy to get a substitute sub, and not so easy to get a substitute Reverso, I think my decision would be based on how much I actually wanted a Rolex. I actually think that decision depend on whether part of the reason for wanting the sub us the expectation that in 10/20 years time it will be worth a lot more than you paid for it.

Personally, and I admit I am likely to be proved wrong, I would be doubtful in respect of Rolex prices continuing to rise as they gave done, and I would get a Reverso, and if that also gives you enough left over for a decent other watch as well, then it sounds like a great deal.

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:28 pm
by JAFO
Given that it's dead easy to get a substitute sub, and not so easy to get a substitute Reverso, I think my decision would be based on how much I actually wanted a Rolex. I actually think that decision depend on whether part of the reason for wanting the sub us the expectation that in 10/20 years time it will be worth a lot more than you paid for it.

Personally, and I admit I am likely to be proved wrong, I would be doubtful in respect of Rolex prices continuing to rise as they gave done, and I would get a Reverso, and if that also gives you enough left over for a decent other watch as well, then it sounds like a great deal.

To put it another way, if Rolex prices showed the same depreciation curve as most other watches, I doubt many people would be desperate to get one.

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:37 pm
by Amor Vincit Omnia
You can't go wrong with either in some ways. Lucky boy - did anyone actually say that?

Which one do you think would cause you the more regret if you bought the other?

Me? Reverso. But only on a day that ends with Y in a month that contains a vowel (and twice on Sundays in June, July and August).

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:41 pm
by jkbarnes
Fat-Sam wrote: Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:41 pm ...and not very expressive of my love of watches.
I stopped reading right there. Why would one commemorate a milestone life event with an expensive watch that is not expressive of ones love of watches? That sounds like buying a Rolex Sub just because it’s a Rolex Sub.

Get the Reverso.

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 7:04 pm
by rkovars
Would the Sub really be a knock about do anything watch? At almost $10k I can't say that it would be for me. For me there would be better choices even splurging to a third of the price of the Rolex. I don't think it would be a stretch to grab a Tudor and the Reverso.

For me the Reverso would be more unique and therefore more prized.

I don't think it would be too far of a stretch to grab a Tudor and the Reverso.

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:15 pm
by A1soknownas
A nice problem to have!

It depends how much value you put on the ownership of a Rolex. I think you have mentioned before that you have moved some watches on quickly. Have the Black Bay 58 and Grand Seiko etc been a placeholder until you can get hold of a Rolex? If a Rolex is all that you have ever wanted, it will likely always be on the agenda so go for it.

If the above isn't the case and you are getting a Rolex just because you can, I would defo consider the Reverso. There are lots of alternatives to fill the Rolex part of the collection so you can continue to flip and change in the lower end of the market for that. If you are comfortable with the style of the Reverso and that it will get the wear deserved it can be a watch to treasure and celebrate your love of watches, particularly for a milestone event.

Do you want to be the person with the obvious Rolex or the hipster with the Reverso - They both have merits and I'm sure you will love either.
Or get the money on red or black and buy both with the winnings. And if you lose, you can wait a few months and buy a CW from sales corner - Do not do this :lol:

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:08 pm
by JAFO
jkbarnes wrote: Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:41 pm
Fat-Sam wrote: Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:41 pm ...and not very expressive of my love of watches.
I stopped reading right there. Why would one commemorate a milestone life event with an expensive watch that is not expressive of ones love of watches? That sounds like buying a Rolex Sub just because it’s a Rolex Sub.

Get the Reverso.
That's on point, I think. The Reverso is a real classic design, with very few homages I am aware of. I am sure any owner would get a thrill every time they put it on. The sub style is just so commonplace really.

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:10 pm
by nbg
For full disclosure my two favourite brands are Rolex and JLC. I am fortunate to have a couple of Submariners and a couple of Reversos.

Whilst I don’t have the Duo I think it’s a great option - two watches for the price of one.

If someone said here is about £6k go and buy a watch that you will happily wear on a regular basis, when you are not really doing anything more active than lunch, dinner or sitting around - I would pick a Reverso.

If someone said here is about £6k go and buy a watch that you will happily wear on a regular basis, doing any activity, except DIY or getting lost and ending up in the wrong part of an unfamiliar city - I would pick a Rolex, albeit not a Submariner.

Threads about “should I buy a Rolex, or a ...” inevitably divide on partisan lines, even more so in the current climate, with the increased difficulty in obtaining certain Rolex models at RRP from an AD and the rise of the Instagram generation.

If you are not bothered by that noise and know that you want a Submariner because of how good it is in its segment of the market, get a Submariner.

You have indicated that there will likely be a wait for a Submariner. Yes there will and it will likely be a lot longer for most than it would have been a couple of years ago. ADs generally don’t have lists, they just tend to sell to who they want, based upon how much business they do (or realistically think they will do in the future) with that customer.

My normal answer to “should I buy a Submariner” is buy a BB58 instead. On this occasion I can say “buy a preowned Reverso Duo and also buy a BB58”. That is undoubtedly what I would do if I didn’t have a Reverso and Sub.

Neil

Re: Generic watch purchase advice post

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:15 pm
by jkbarnes
On a side note, I also chuckle a bit at the description of a Reverso as a dress watch, considering it was invented specifically for offering protection to the watch face while playing polo! And a Submariner, the ultimate tool watch in some regards, is now seen as acceptable to wear with a suit or even a tuxedo if you want to push it. Just goes to show you have perceptions evolve over time.