The shenanigans is not from Rolex. It’s the dealers. Thankfully I have a nearby dealer who doesn’t play those games.
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Anyone else into automatic wristwatches?
- Thread starter HeavyDuty
- Start date
My story is not that different. My AD told me they haven’t seen an Explorer II come through in 3 or 4 years. It’s become a very popular watch. So I bought this on Chrono24. Great experience. The watch is from July, 2025 and came with the white tag. I paid a slight premium, but that was the only way this watch was going to happen. And not that I will, but I could sell it tomorrow for more than I paid.Just my perspective-
The pursuit of Rolex watches, if you're new to that game, can be very frustrating. Authorized Dealer inventory is always diverted to customers who either spend a ton of money with that store, or have waited on a list for a very long time (could be years, depending on the reference).
Having cash in hand and a willingness to pull the trigger rarely if ever results in getting the watch you want immediately.
My personal anecdote, when I was looking at this same watch, but the prior reference: 216570
I got on a list for expressing interest in a few watches at the local AD. The timing was going to coincide with the birth of my first grand child.
Months passed, baby was born, and I ultimately bought via a reseller (DavidSW) at their brick & mortar store in Orlando. Unworn/pristine/paid a premium.
FFWD a couple years, I forget how long exactly, and I got the call from the AD, for a different watch (Datejust), which I declined.
I've enjoyed my watch quite a bit and I'm glad I didn't wait. I bought several more watches since then, some mark special occasions, others dont.
When I got on the list for the ExpII I was 62? It seemed pointless to wait. Still no call on the ExpII. It's been over 3 years now?
If you're a younger person, and more patient than I, by all means hold out for the call. It will happen, and you'll save money, but it may be years.
I prioritized time over money at this stage of my life.
Not sure this answers your question, but its kinda fun to think back about that process and feel thankful I bought when I did.
Best of luck to you!
I'm sure @tb-player will have a different story. Folks that go down this path usually do.
I’m still on the list at my AD for a ‘Bluesy’ Submariner. Honestly, I hope it takes a while, so I can have some time to regroup and set aside funds.
Honestly, I felt that way for a long time. I think the entire supply chain is complicit, from Rolex to the flippers to the resellers. Ultimately, my desire outgrew my distain.
The choice became: 1) Spend cash on stuff I dont want in hopes of getting my watch, or 2) spend that same cash on a premium at a trusted reseller, and get the watch I want today.
Everyone's situation is different, as are the choices. Somehow we find a way.
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Having owned a Rolex GMT II for nearly 20 years, back when you could actually go to an AD & buy one without the AD games, I much prefer the proportions and references from Tudor. Amazing value in a Swiss watch, lots of sizes & colors to choose from, and easily accessible.
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I recently watched a documentary explaining how Rolex is trying to expand their ability to make more watches without compromising quality. It’s a slippery slope for them. From what I’ve read, they hate the grey market. That’s why they started the authorized reseller program.
The jewelers are the ones holding the watches hostage. It really is a shame.
Just found this thread after so many years...
As with basses, I lean to the mid century/'space age' US designs and mainly have early pre-quartz electrics (Hamilton Electrics and Accutrons) and mechanical watches but here's some automatics (many of the US companies in the 50s-60s used Swiss movements for automatics but cased in the US)
1955 Hamilton K454 - often called the "Sputnik" though it predates the actual Sputnik by 2 years (I have a real Soviet 1957 commemorative Sputnik watch as well - though it's not an automatic)
Late 60s "Odyssee 2001" (intentional misspelling to avoid trademark issues). Kubrick contracted Hamilton to make prop watches for his film, 2001 a Space Odyssey, and then Hamilton released these in small numbers, though they are entirely different from the prop watches (making me wonder if Kubrick rejected the design but someone at Hamilton liked it enough to do something with it - but that's just speculation). Most of the other ones I've seen have had replacement domed crystals. This still has the original flat one:
Hamilton K475:
Mid 50s Wittnauer automatic. I have a mechanical alarm watch with the same dial which I think looks much better - though love the numbers on these:
Not an automatic but what I'm wearing today, 1958 Hamilton Pacer:
As with basses, I lean to the mid century/'space age' US designs and mainly have early pre-quartz electrics (Hamilton Electrics and Accutrons) and mechanical watches but here's some automatics (many of the US companies in the 50s-60s used Swiss movements for automatics but cased in the US)
1955 Hamilton K454 - often called the "Sputnik" though it predates the actual Sputnik by 2 years (I have a real Soviet 1957 commemorative Sputnik watch as well - though it's not an automatic)
Late 60s "Odyssee 2001" (intentional misspelling to avoid trademark issues). Kubrick contracted Hamilton to make prop watches for his film, 2001 a Space Odyssey, and then Hamilton released these in small numbers, though they are entirely different from the prop watches (making me wonder if Kubrick rejected the design but someone at Hamilton liked it enough to do something with it - but that's just speculation). Most of the other ones I've seen have had replacement domed crystals. This still has the original flat one:
Hamilton K475:
Mid 50s Wittnauer automatic. I have a mechanical alarm watch with the same dial which I think looks much better - though love the numbers on these:
Not an automatic but what I'm wearing today, 1958 Hamilton Pacer:
Oh, and a current automatic - gift from my son so that makes it special:
Nice collection, @Dynacord!
Some 30 years ago my wife bought me a new [not vintage] Hamilton Ventura. It reignited my interest in watches after receiving a 1963 Patek after the death of a great uncle almost a decade earlier.
I rarely wear it but there always seems to be that perfect occasion which makes the Ventura a perfect fit.
Some 30 years ago my wife bought me a new [not vintage] Hamilton Ventura. It reignited my interest in watches after receiving a 1963 Patek after the death of a great uncle almost a decade earlier.
I rarely wear it but there always seems to be that perfect occasion which makes the Ventura a perfect fit.
A couple of years back, I was fed up with smart watches, but having worn one for a while got me used to having the time and date easily accessible at my wrist.
The obvious step to take was to get an automatic. I obsessed over the current market for a while, did a lot of overthinking from every possible angle (and some impossible ones, do not recommend), and then went ahead and ordered a Sinn.
Next, I got myself a Marine Natural wristband, mounted the Sinn on that and completely stopped any activities related to automatic wrist watches. The only thing I do is to set the time every time I need to set the date when the month does not have 31 days. It usually is about one minute off by then.
If things go as planned, this'll be my wristwatch until I kick the bucket.
The obvious step to take was to get an automatic. I obsessed over the current market for a while, did a lot of overthinking from every possible angle (and some impossible ones, do not recommend), and then went ahead and ordered a Sinn.
Next, I got myself a Marine Natural wristband, mounted the Sinn on that and completely stopped any activities related to automatic wrist watches. The only thing I do is to set the time every time I need to set the date when the month does not have 31 days. It usually is about one minute off by then.
If things go as planned, this'll be my wristwatch until I kick the bucket.
Lovely. Extra points for the color coordination - right down to the cuff-links and floor
The Ventura is still pretty much my #1 and I just use for special occasions. He's my original 1957 with solid gold case:
Some various ones I've had though some I've since sold:
The Russian Sputnik I mentioned. A personal fav. These are often copied with repro dials but this is an original and with the trademark second hand representing a satellite that follows the printed 'orbit' on the dial:
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Outstanding! Elvis, who wore that watch in the 1957 movie Blue Hawaii, would be proud.Lovely. Extra points for the color coordination - right down to the cuff-links and floor
The Ventura is still pretty much my #1 and I just use for special occasions. He's my original 1957 with solid gold case:
View attachment 7338205
View attachment 7338206
Some various ones I've had though some I've since sold:
View attachment 7338208
The Russian Sputnik I mentioned. A personal fav. These are often copied with repro dials but this is an original and with the trademark second hand representing a satellite that follows the printed 'orbit' on the dial:
View attachment 7338209
Being colorblind I'm great at matching black & white.
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Outstanding! Elvis, who wore that watch in the 1957 movie Blue Hawaii, would be proud.
View attachment 7338280
Being colorblind I'm great at matching black & white.
Yep!
And Rod Serling!
I picked up this fun one over the weekend. Vaer A5. Aside from the overly hyped "tAcTiCaL" moniker, it's a great field watch for the price. It uses a Miyota movement, 100m water resistance, AR coating on the crystal, and a PVD coating. Very strong lume, I might add.
I was after an every-day-type watch that was legible, and I wanted something blacked-out, since I've got nothing like that. I had been looking at some Hamilton watches, but the Khaki King I liked didn't have the AR coating. I also looked at the SWC Bunker, but ended up on the Vaer microbrand out of California.
I used it at the gig last night and was very happy to see it clearly under all lighting conditions.
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Outstanding! Elvis, who wore that watch in the 1957 movie Blue Hawaii, would be proud.
View attachment 7338280
Being colorblind I'm great at matching black & white.
Again, not an automatic but the first watch that got me into the vintage ones was also an 'Elvis watch' - though I only found that out later. I got this 1966 Accutron Spaceview in the mid 80s:
Elvis' '64 - weird photo as the crystal is installed upside down, so the movement is flipped in the photo:
Also worn by Paul Newman:
I’ve wanted a MN for my U2S, but they only seem to offer natural stainless hardware. Bummer.
Scroll down, there are 7 hardware finish options available.
The Original MN Strap by Erika's Originals
My patented MN™ Straps adjusts to your wrist effortlessly and are widely considered the most comfortable all-season watch straps available. 100% custom hand made in Spain.
erikasoriginals.com
Another late 50s-early 60s automatic. Plain case but the hands really make it:
Thank you - the site I found (not this one) only had stainless!Scroll down, there are 7 hardware finish options available.
The Original MN Strap by Erika's Originals
My patented MN™ Straps adjusts to your wrist effortlessly and are widely considered the most comfortable all-season watch straps available. 100% custom hand made in Spain.
Just ordered one of these. Will need a larger strap so going black alligator or black fake alligator.
