Again with the TouchOfModern Rolex sales! But look at this!
Gold is now worth $1250 an ounce, or approximately two and a half times what it was worth when Mr. Obama took office. That’s not a political statement so much as a statement of fact. Measured against the “gold standard”, the American dollar has never been worth less. At least it’s down from the $1660/oz heights it was scaling a couple of years ago.
No matter how you slice it, however, gold is worth money. So why is a two-tone gold Rolex worth less than a steel one? Presumably it’s because two-tone watches, like bell-bottom pants and Afros, have very limited periods in history where they are considered in-fashion. But if you’re fashion-conscious, why are you buying a Datejust anyway?
Unless… ToM may figure that the market for this stuff is the coastal-hipster market who will wear a Datejust with a wink and a nudge but who are too irony-deficient to rock the two-tone. The hell with that. If you are going to buy one of these watches, go all the way. Go for the (partial) gold.
The gold two-tone Rolex will go wonderfully with my contrast-collar shirt and suspenders.
Jack,
After noting your previous post on the upswing of Daytonas, where would you recommend shopping for a pre-owned watch?
I want to pick up a Tag Heuer Monaco before those start to swing up too. Buying a watch off of eBay has me a bit leery. It looks like I can find a decent example for ~ $1500 by looking at completed listings. I’ve bought much more expensive car-related things off of eBay, but never something like this. Part of me is worried about getting a poorly-maintained example or a fake.
Tag Monacos are never going to be worth more than sticker, they made a zillion of them and they have a very limited fanbase. Also, Tags have always lost money in resale.
That’s strictly my opinion, of course
John at Coolvintagewatches is reputable and honest. He also has a brick and mortar store in Parkville Mo. I’ve bought 5 or 6 watches from him. I have no ownership in the store I’m just a satisfied customer.
Not being an expert, but I would have expected a Datejust to have a date function.
Why, if you’re into watches, are you buying a Rolex? Rolex’s, while indestructible, are complete crap in regards to movement and quality. Fashion drives today’s watch market as keeping time from a watch is rather unnecessary. Also, gold was at about $2,000/oz at its peak. Best quote about a Rolex I heard through my time work in the jewelry industry, “Every broker fucker I know has a Rolex.” So true.
I’d like to hear you elaborate more about the idea that Rolex is complete crap with regards to movement and quality, if you’re willing.
The complete crap part is more to do with the complications (or lack there of) in a Rolex watch. I probably should walk back the complete crap part and will blame this on tiredness and stress from starting my own business. From my experience in the (very) fine jewelry/watch industry (hey automotive too!) Rolex is the first watch men (or ladies, but typically men) when they achieve success because the brand is very recognizable (I have a good story about what a Rolex can get you in a 3rd world country), but often times, a watch connoisseur will upgrade from his Rolex shortly after. Complications, movement and construction all go into it. Don’t get me wrong, Rolex’s are great as far as long lasting/value pieces, it’s just there are better watches that show off innovation and complexity more than a Rolex. Chinese parts is another. You’d be amazed at how many “Swiss made” watches are essentially built in China but assembled in Switzerland. Myself? I’m a sucker for a fantastic Chopard or an Audemars Piguet.
I apologize if I came off as a dick as that was not really my intention. I enjoy your writing no matter what.
You didn’t come off as a dick in any way. I was just trying to reconcile your statement with what I think I know about Rolexes, which is that the Seventies to current movements tend to be very solidly constructed and the new ones like the 4130 are particularly good.
For the record, I have a couple Omegas and a couple IWCs, no Rollies.
Or for 1/2 to a 1/3 of that, you can totally rock the Mad Men style Rolex;
http://www.coolvintagewatches.com/watches/rolex/views/R16/view.html
Living in the west coast epicenter of hipsters, I can say none of them are rocking a Rolex of any tone. Not one of them has that kind of class or taste. Besides… A Rolex simply does not work with a Hasid-style beard or Dali-esque waxed mustache.
I fucking hate hipsters.
Aren’t hipsters poor? I’ve always thought the “look how ironic I am” really meant “I don’t have any money”
Not in the Bay Area. Most of them work in tech. There are some poor hipsters, but most of the hipsters I see spend a great deal of money to look like they don’t have a great deal of money.