u/KnightThatGoesNi

I went in to visit my SA at the AP House to chat about a Royal Oak 34mm for my wife. He told us that we will get it as soon as they get one. Sometime after the summer break. This was supposed to be our second AP purchase.

While there, I asked about a code for me. I buy watches that I like and wear, not highly collectible ones with resale value, and I happened to love everything about the Code. I was thinking Starwheel, but was not sure, since I never saw one in person.

The SA showed me the Starwheel in white gold. I do not believe in white gold as a concept. Personally, paying for a gold watch that looks like steel and scratches like 18k gold is not for me. The pink gold is not my aesthetic. So I asked so see what else he can show me.

He brought out this beauty. I tried it on, but what threw me off was the original strap it came on. It looked unfinished. So he swapped it out for a black mat alligator, and that was it for me. It became a must have!

I asked the SA how long I have to wait to get one, and just like my first purchase (ROO) two month ago, once again I was told I can have it today! I love this SA, this AP house, and the brand. For the second time in a row, I fell in love with a watch, and was able to buy it right there and then. My wife’s RO will take some time, but we are not in a hurry, because 2 APs in 2 months are not easy on a bank account.

I’ve been lurking on this subreddit for a while now. I have a nice collection of other watches, but no AP. About two weeks back I finally got around to visiting a boutique to actually meet with an SA, try on some watches, and maybe put myself on a list for something I like.

At the boutique I tried on the Royal Oak with a blue face, a Code (did not like), and a couple of Offshores. In the end, I really liked the Offshore with a brown face and a stainless bezel. I asked the SA how long I’d have to wait for this model, and to my surprise I was told it was available immediately.

The funny thing is I wasn’t even ready to buy the watch. I had a big deal going down at work that was about to close, and I had to wait a week or two to make sure it did before I could reward myself with a gift (the AP). I told the SA I loved the watch and appreciated the offer, but I needed a week or two. Obviously I was told the watch would be gone by then, but I still needed to wait, so as not to jinx the deal at work.

Two weeks later, I texted the SA that I was ready to purchase the watch if it was still available, or to order one if not. I was immediately forwarded wiring instructions along with a purchase order for the watch. I sent the wire, and the next day received this beauty via UPS!

I know this isn’t one of the coveted Royal Oak stainless pieces that everyone waits years to get, but this is the model I fell in love with, and I was able to buy it immediately. None of the games, long waits, or buying things I don’t like just to get what I want. Just came in, tried it on, waited to pull the trigger, and got it.

This is what watch buying should be! Love this watch. Love the brand, and the SA. Couldn’t have had a better experience.

My family came to the U.S. in the late 1970s with very little money. In the mid-1980s, after years of hard work, my father bought himself this two-tone Datejust. It was the first expensive thing he had ever purchased for himself, and he wore it every single day for the rest of his life.

When he passed away 10 years ago, the watch came to me.

At that point, it had definitely lived a full life. The crystal was so scratched up you could barely see the dial, the case was worn down, and the whole watch showed decades of daily wear. I sent it to Rolex for service, and they brought it back beautifully. New crystal, new hands, full service, light polish. It still feels like his watch, just given a second life.

I’ve always been into watches, but honestly, I was never really a Rolex guy. Funny enough, inheriting this watch changed that. Since then, I’ve picked up a few other Rolex pieces, but this one will always be my favorite. Nothing else even comes close.

One thing I’ve always been curious about though: the bezel on this Datejust. I’ve personally never seen another one quite like it. Maybe it’s more common than I think, but I’d love to learn more about it.

Does anyone know what this bezel style is called, and around what years Rolex produced two-tone Datejusts configured this way?