Recently I spent a little time with Glenn Rutledge, Watch Chest AWCI CW21 watchmaker, to ask him a few of the common questions people have when they call in! Today I have for you a few minutes of when I ask Glenn to tell us about the first things he does as the watchmaker when a Rolex comes into the Watch Chest office before the first time before it is posted for sale.
Ordering a Rolex online through Watch Chest is easy! Below are the 7 steps to Rolex bliss and screenshots of the checkout process if you need any extra guidance!
1. Choosing Your Watch
As you glance around the site, you will see that Rolex is organized by model. If you click on a particular model from the home page menu you will then be able to glance through everything available. If you have a clearer picture of what color dial or price range you are looking for, you can use the menu on the left to refine your search.
In the middle of the 20th century, the world was abuzz with innovation, science, and technology like never before. It was the time of the space race, but we were also discovering how the universe works through even the tiniest particles. Science and this age of discovery inspired Rolex, and thus the spirit of the Milgauss was born.
What Does Milgauss Mean?
The Rolex Milgauss is known as the scientist’s luxury watch, as a Rolex timepiece that can withstand magnetic fields up to 1000 Gauss, as many scientists are exposed to higher fields than normal. The first generation developed in 1956, the name Milgauss originates from the the French “mille”, meaning “thousand”, and the magnetic field measurement of Gauss. The CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research) was one of the first scientific institutions to confirm that the Rolex Milgauss could resist the powerful magnetic fields. Other mechanical watches can be affected by a field of 50 to 100 gauss.
Rolex would not be the brand it is today if not for its craftsmanship. Rolex is the definition of meticulous when it comes to the materials selected for each part of every timepiece, adhering to their own philosophy of doing things unlike any other company. The dedication to create and focus on a single perfect product is inspiring, where you truly feel a part of something special.
A unique Rolex serial number is recorded on each watch, giving it a unique set of numerals for the purpose of identification and record keeping, much like any other product. Older models consist of only numbers but around 1987, Rolex placed a letter at the beginning of the number that would change about once a year until late 2010, which is now a random set of numbers and letters.
The whole Apple Watch/Swiss luxury watch debate is getting a little redundant. Apple introducing a smartwatch will not “disrupt” the Swiss watch industry and it will not change what we think watches need to be. It’s not the end of the world nor is it the dawn of some new beginning. It is what it is… and I think that’s the best way to put it. Will this new piece of technology have an affect on both these areas? Absolutely; but I’m not sure how much trouble it’s really going to cause Switzerland, which is how Apple’s design chief, Jony Ive, put it in a New York Times article last September.
I always had a few guesses in my head based on experience as to what the most popular Rolex watches sold in the pre-owned market but I was curious about real numbers. So I asked for some data from Watch Chest’s records and thought I could give you a snapshot of what is being sent out around the world.
The vast selection that Rolex offers can sometimes get a little overwhelming and you may not know where to start. When you’re purchasing your first Rolex, it’s sort of interesting to see what models and styles others have selected before you so that you can have a general direction of what to look at. There are also other reasons for choosing certain models, dials, or bracelets aside from personal taste. The size of your wrist, if you have mature eyes, or even your future intentions with your Rolex can all play a part in your selection.
Today we are looking at the 100% factory Rolex Lady-Datejust, reference number 80298 with the triple row diamond Pearlmaster bracelet. The original MSRP was $81,050 but as of May 2015, you would be able to find this Rolex with these features from a trusted pre-owned watch retailer at around $45,000.
The Rolex Lady-Datejust Pearlmaster – even after all this time – still stands as my favorite lady Rolex. Whether in yellow or white gold, it doesn’t matter. It is the end-all be-all; the epitome of class and beauty. Perfectly understated and perfectly over-the-top.
Speaking of over-the-top, insert in the triple diamond Pearlmaster bracelet. Yes, triple. As if you already haven’t arrived when wearing the “regular” Pearlmaster models, in walks a triple row diamond bracelet.
In the first of many in a series of addressing the most frequently asked questions heard while I worked at Watch Chest, I thought I would a write about the one heard most often: “What year is this watch?”
As a potential customer who is about to spend thousands of dollars with a company, you have every right to ask any question you want. Even after being around this industry for many years, I would still ask that question if I were buying a pre-owned Rolex or other luxury timepiece from someone. However, there is a skewed amount of emphasis that is placed upon the age of a Rolex, when an entirely different aspect should have precedence when you make your selection.