First off, and this is just me spitballin’ here, the whole “Daytona” thing. That first snippet up there? Talks about the 116500LN. Killer watch, no doubt. But, like, *everyone* wants one. So, if you’re thinkin’ “I’ll just saunter over to Crown & Caliber and BAM, Daytona,” well, hold your horses. Demand is insane. You’re probably gonna be lookin’ at a pre-owned situation, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you. Can actually be a good thing, if you play your cards right.
Which brings me to Crown & Caliber. I’ve watched a few of their videos (like that TAG Heuer buying guide thing up there, kinda irrelevant but hey, context!), and they seem pretty legit. But here’s the deal – and I’m just being honest here, guys – *do your homework*. Like, seriously.
Don’t just take their word for it that the watch is pristine. Get ALL the angles. Ask for a million pictures, close-ups, the works. And don’t be afraid to ask, like, super specific questions. “Has the movement ever been serviced?” “Is the bracelet stretched?” “Is that a scratch or just some dust, because I swear I see a SCRATCH!” You get the idea.
Now, some people might say, “Oh, but they’re reputable, they wouldn’t sell you a lemon!” Yeah, okay. Reputable doesn’t equal infallible. People make mistakes, things get overlooked. Protect your own butt, ya know?
Also, and this is just a personal opinion that I’m kinda pulling out of my… well, you know… think about *why* you want a Rolex in the first place. Is it because you genuinely appreciate the craftsmanship? Or is it because you wanna flex on Instagram? (No judgment, by the way, but be honest with yourself).
If it’s just for the ‘gram, maybe a pre-owned Rolex from Crown & Caliber *is* the way to go. You get the look, the prestige (or perceived prestige, whatever), and you don’t have to drop a fortune on a brand-new one. Plus, if you get bored with it, you can probably flip it for close to what you paid.
But if you’re a horology nerd, like me (and I suspect you might be, if you’re even *thinking* about a Daytona), then maybe saving up for a new one, or finding a truly exceptional vintage piece, is the better play.
One last thing, and this is kinda random, but don’t get hung up on the box and papers. I mean, yeah, it’s nice to have. But it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. A great watch with no box is better than a mediocre watch with a complete set, in my humble opinion.
