u/GrdFrcWv

Can anyone recommend a better bracelet for the U1 Submariner? U1 bracelet is trash and would like to replace it. Nothing too expensive, just something that doesn’t violate the Geneva Convention on my wrist.

I got offered one on a walk-in yesterday (I turned it down as I didn’t want one), and now I’m seeing a whole bunch of posts on here from other people saying they’ve also been offered one on a walk-in.
Is there something we don’t know?
Is it a watch that doesn’t get asked about a lot, so ADs are trying to push them out the door on the basis that a lot of people wouldn’t say no to being offered one as a walk-in? Or is this a Rolex tactical racket?
Anyone have any insights into this?

Edit: This has been very interesting. Many USA-based people have commented that they've been on waiting lists for an Explorer for quite some time, and those who have been offered one on walk-ins are in the UK or Europe. Since Rolex shipments to the US have been reduced since the tariff wars, and the war in Iran has made the market quite erratic, I suspect Rolex didn't want to gamble on shipping out unsold stock to a country that could make it harder to sell watches at any given moment. So what we're possibly seeing is a surplus of Explorers being pushed through European ADs. Would this be a possibility?

I happened to be in Harrods the other day, and I decided to go to Tudor to have a little look and maybe try to get one of the Daring Chronos on the off-chance IF they have one to sell. When I asked, they immediately gave me the preferred/existing client excuse and said getting a Daring watch is "a journey", echoing Rolex AD tactics. I knew this was all BS, as Bucherer told me when they were getting the next delivery of Daring watches, and they dealt with it on a first come first serve basis. Basically, come back in 2 weeks, and you'll have one.

Has anyone else had this experience with Tudor ADs? I feel like Harrods ADs were just spewing the BS that the typical Harrods clientele would fall for. I thought Tudor was meant to be more entry-level and accessible. Is it inevitable that Tudor will eventually follow suit with its parent company and get all Rolex-y by slowly upping their prices over the next 5-10 years and fabricating scarcity of its watches?

Posting a day early, as I'm going to be a bit busy tomorrow.

Looking to buy some broken Tudor or Rolex reps. No AAA or U1s please.

Looking to buy some broken Tudor or Rolex reps. No AAA or U1s please.

Looking to buy some broken Tudor or Rolex reps. No AAA or U1s please.

Looking to buy broken/damaged/not working Rolex reps for a good price, depending on the work that needs to be done. If it has a broken movement, I'll only consider VSF/VSF Youth.

Considering that VSF Youth is basically VSF in every way except for the movement, would 2824/2836 movements fit in a VSF that came with a clone movement?

Looking to buy broken/damaged/not working Rolex reps for a good price, depending on the work that needs to be done. If it has a broken movement, I'll only consider VSFs.

Looking to buy broken/damaged/not working Rolex reps for a good price, depending on the work that needs to be done.

I’ve been fixated with the idea of starting on this fun hobby of watchmaking. I was browsing Ali Express and was mentally preparing for starting my first ever build of an Alix watch kit with a NH35 and researching what I’d like to build first. I had my eye on a 36mm Oyster Perpetual with a green dial and have found a seller that’ll do one with a Rolex logo on.

And then I came across this sub.

The gorgeous vintage builds you all do here are so much nicer than the shitters on Alix. So I was wondering, should I go ahead with making my bones on some Alix build first or do you guys have a recommendation on what the best starter watch, parts, and or complete kits to start with. I’d like to start with something without a date for now.

Input is appreciated.

I also was going to ask this question in the Seiko mod community but they seem to look down on rep builds.

My mother was admiring my U1 No-Date Sub and asked me to get her one. So can someone recommend something more suited for a lady in her 60s? I was considering a 34mm OP for her. But open to other recommendations that are no-date as well.

For a long time, I’ve aspired to own a gen Rolex one day - perhaps when I want to mark a special occasion or a milestone birthday. But I have recently been in the r/Rolex sub reading up on people’s experiences with ADs, and I must say, it has really put me off the brand. Some of these people have a substantial spending history with them, and bought watches they didn’t even want, just to end up on a fake waiting list for 2-3 years until they’re allowed to buy their grail watch.

There’s also this thing about building ‘relationships’ with the AD, almost like making you do some form of social gymnastics just so they’ll give you a call one day to let you know they’re allowing you to buy a watch, and that has taken away the allure of the brand and the desire to own one.

When that day comes, and I am finally in a place to afford one, and it happens to be a special occasion, I feel like that day would be ruined by not being able to walk out with what I want, even if the watch I want is not even a hyper-exclusive, precious metal one.

I know people are going to say just get a grey market one, but a big part of buying a luxury good is the experience. They make you feel like it’s a special occasion, and it is, especially when you’re spending a lot of money. I know for a fact that Cartier will serve champagne whilst you try on a Santos, adding to the fun bougie experience and making it memorable for you.

I still like Rolex’s designs, but I am leaning towards never buying gen and sticking to reps, or affordable vintage. Maybe when that special day comes, I might spend my money on another brand and have a better and more memorable experience.