Rick's Blog

News!

2007-05-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

I met with a very accomplished Louisiana collector this morning. He is a collector of almost everything historical - from historical documents to historical prints to coins and stamps to a variety of collectibles, all of which have value and are of significant interest to other collectors. He is interested in thinning out some of his collection.

I will help him to sell some of his holdings. I know that a lot of watch collectors are also collectors of many other things, so I know that some of you will either be interested yourselves or know someone else who will be interested. I am giving you guys a heads up because some of this stuff will be highly sought after.

I will be writing more about this in the coming days and weeks, as I get more familiar with some of his items. The first thing that we will likely put up for sale (and this will be the first of many) will be an absolutely wonderful original print by the Romanian born illustrator Pal (Jean de Paleologue). It will likely grade out in good condition and appears to be in its original frame. Is is a stunning piece of art. As soon as I have pictures and more details, I will let you know. If you are, or know of someone who is, interested, please drop me a line and I will give you the details as soon as they become available.

Checking in

2007-04-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

I am within a week of being 40 years old. That's not too cool.

On the bright side, I have a bunch of new watches coming in. I have several stainless Subs coming. These are always bought up before I list them. So if you are interested, now is the time to let me know.

I have an awesome unworn, Y serial two tone Submariner with all boxes and papers. It is the black dialed version. I also have an old 5512 in decent shape. I also have a like new - less than 2 months old - 116200 stainless Datejust coming.

Finally, I just ran across this bogus listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/His-and-Her-18K-Gold-Rolex-Watches_W0QQitemZ180105545055QQihZ008QQcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mens-Rolex-Watch_W0QQitemZ170099627050QQihZ007QQcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And does this make any sense (check response from seller)?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190101711227&sspagename=ADME:L:RTQ:US:1

In answer to my question regarding model and serial numbers, "hi there the model number is 179174 and seriel number is 274370"

And, still, people bid.

This guy contacted me a few months ago...

2007-03-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

and said that he had a big wedding and reception to attend and wanted to know if he could rent a Rolex like he rented his tux. My initial reaction was no, as I figured it would be very easy for me to get ripped off. He seemed sincere, though, and was very forthcoming with his information.

So we talked a little bit and I felt comfortable that he was who he said he was. I figured that I'm a lawyer and ought to be able to come up with a legal document that made us both feel safe. I did and he rented the watch and all went well.

So, anyone out there interested in renting a Rolex for a special occasion?

New Rolexes here and coming in

2007-02-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Mardis Gras time around here and I have a bunch of new stuff in and even more coming. If you see something that you are interested in, please let me know.

I have a pristine Rolex GMT transitional model in it's original box, a late 1990s Rolex Seadweller with boxes, papers, tool, etc. that is just back from a fresh servicing, and I have a Rolex Thunderbird (P serial) with oyster band. All three of these watches are awesome and ready to wear!

I also have several Ladies' Rolexes. There is a gorgeous Oyster Perpetual with the hard to find and extremely popular salmon (pink) dial and oyster band. It is an F serial, new in late 2005. There are two two tone Lady Datejusts and 2 stainless Lady Datejusts.

As always, if you are looking for a particular watch, let me know and I will see what I can find.

You can't please all of the people....

2007-01-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

I hope all of you are having a fabulous new year. I wish all of you the best one ever!

I waited a while to make this post. I was pretty agitated when it happened. If you haven't noticed, I received my first negative feedback on eBay - after 7, plus years of buying and selling. I suppose I knew that perfect feedback couldn't last forever. No matter how hard anyone tries, there is bound to come along a person who cannot be made happy.

In any event, let me put my version of events here. I sold a K serial Rolex Datejust 16220 to this girl for the unbelievable price of $2157 (here). If you have bought or sold Rolexes for any time, you know that most dealers would jump on that price - not to mention an end user. In any event, the watch was missing two links. The number of links on the watch was ABSOLUTELY visible in the pictures. Furthermore (and most significantly) the nature of USED watches is that they are not LIKE NEW. This can mean many things, but it often means that links have been removed to fit the last owner and then those links have been lost. That is very often the case and I almost never think to say how many links are in a band. I get many questions about what size wrist a particular watch will fit, and am happy to answer them. No such question came in this case.

I offered to take the watch back. After all, the price was such that I could certainly sell it for more the next time. That's not what she wanted, though. She demanded that I buy her new links. Before we finished corresponding, she hits me with a negative.

Here's the best part: I wait until now to write this, as i wanted to cool down before I did anything. When I went back a few minutes ago to get the details for this post, I see that she is NO LONGER A REGISTERED USER! Believe it or not, when I started thinking of telling the story, I was going to suggest that you go back and check every now and then to see if she was still registered (because of the low feedback). Well, she beat me to the post. It seems that she has had a problem with eBay even before I could write this.

Again, HAVE A GREAT 2007!

Sugar Bowl

2006-12-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

Well, as much as I was looking forward to heading out west for the Rose Bowl, it's hard to be dissapointed with the Sugar Bowl. LSU will be making its 13th appearance, more than any other school (passing Alabama's 12 visits). If all goes well, I will be attending my 5th.

I have a bunch of watches and access to even more. If this Christmas calls for a Rolex - or other fine watch - now might be the time to let me know.

The Holidays are coming

2006-12-02T10:49:00.000-08:00

I just got through an incredibly busy three month span in my day job. While I am still plenty busy in that regard, things will likely slow down a little through the holidays. As a huge LSU fan (and alumnus) I am waiting to see if we will be invited to the Rose Bowl. All of you college football fans know that were LSU to be invited to Pasadena it would likely be a once in a lifetime event for LSU fans (considering that an SEC team has not been since 1946 and LSU has never been). Not to mention the fact that if the opponent were to turn out to be Michigan, that would be a first, too. So, if the Tigers are invited, I am going. Anybody out there have any recommendations as to where to stay?

As far as watches go, if you are looking for a Rolex of any kind, let me know. I have great access at the moment to almost anything. Let me know.

I have in stock several Rolex Presidents ranging in price from $7000 and below to $15000. I have Dates and Datejusts. I also have a cool Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso.

It's been a while

2006-11-01T15:57:00.000-08:00

I have not posted anything in a while. A colleague and I have just gone through a two week first degree murder trial that has absolutely taken every moment of every day. If you have tried to reach me in that period, I apologize for being EXTREMELY difficult to reach.

I am currently in New Orleans and am buying as many watches as I can. I am also very reachable again. So do not hesitate to call. I have bought several cool watches that will hopefully be listed for sale by the end of the weekend. As always, some will be sold before I ever list them to those of you who strike first.

I have a few Rolex Datejusts for men and women in both stainless and two tone. I also have an awesome white gold President - new style - with white Roman dial. There is also a two tone Submariner with black dial that is like new and an older OysterQuartz in two tone. Finally, I have a few Submariners with date in stainless steel.

As always, if you see something that you are interested in, now is the time to let me know.

New Stuff

2006-09-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

It almost feels like fall in South Louisiana today (and all of this week, really). It's about 72 degrees and there's not a cloud in the sky. I'm sitting in my back yard listening to Jim Croce and Jimmy Buffett and working on a breif (I'm actually taking a little break as I write this).

I have a Rolex Cellini in white gold that is less than a year old. It is really a pretty watch and has all of its boxes and papers. I have a Rolex President, single quick set - 18038 - with boxes and papers coming tomorrow. It has just returned from a service at Rolex in Beverly Hills. I am also expecting a new Z serial stainless Datejust - 116200 - with white Roman dial and a Rolex OysterQuartz President tomorrow.

As always, if you think you might be interested in any of these, let me know before I list them and I will give you first crack at them.

New Stuff & Scammers

2006-09-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have had a chance to post anything on this blog. Got a few new things coming in the next day or so. I have a white gold Rolex President, model 118209 (new case and bracelet) that is gorgeous. I have an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak coming in today's mail. I also have a very nice older Rolex Datejust that will be very affordable. I have a JLC Reverso Gran Sport with all boxes and papers.

I am looking at a Patek Philippe Jumbo Auquanaut and a JLC Reverso Day and Night in white gold with white gold JLC bracelet. If you have any interest in either of these, please let me know ASAP.

I'm always looking at watches on eBay and elsewhere. I try to remember to make note of the more ridiculous scammers when I come across them. Here are a couple I remembered:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mens-Rolex-Wristwatch_W0QQitemZ150035523517QQihZ005QQcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&amp;item=130027498137&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Check out what the guy says in the above listing. He was there when his buddy bought the watch (that's what he told me in an email):). There's so much wrong with the watch that I can only guess that the seller is 9.

The guy below claims to have a 2004 watch, but show papers that are from long before 2004 and 2 different boxes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2F220028805655_W0QQfromZR40QQfviZ1&item=220028805655&rd=1

Want a two tone President? Well, they don't make them. The guy below doesn't know it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mens-18K-Rolex-Day-Date-Oyster-Perpetual-Watch_W0QQitemZ330032211005QQihZ014QQcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Long Week

2006-09-14T09:58:00.000-07:00

It's been a long week with absolutely no time to concentrate on watches. It looks like I will have time for the rest of the week, though. The Panerai is here and looks great. It really is an impressive watch. I have taken photos, but have not had an opportunity to upload them. For anyone interested - now is the time to let me know. I will be listing it for sale later today. It is a LNIB - with papers and two straps - PAM 024.

I also have an awesome Rolex 5512. It is in excellent shape, except that the crystal has some scratches. So, I am waiting for a new crystal (genuine Rolex) before I list it. If you have any interest, let me know.

Football season is here.

2006-09-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

I currently have several Rolex Submariners. I will not be photographing them, unless they make it through the day. I do not anticipate having them in the morning, though. If you want one, drop me a line as soon as possible and I will let you know what I have. Check out the Rolex OysterQuartz that I have listed today.

I got an email last night from a guy wanting to know what kind of camera I use to take pictures. I have had quite a few of these inquiries over the years. The truth of the matter is that I use a very old Sony CyberShot. It was my first camera years ago. I have bought several since then for family photos, but I have never replaced the first one, as I have not found another one that does nearly the job.

Alright, I have a Rolex Datejust 16233 and a Rolex Datejust 16013 coming in. Both are two tone. The 16233 has a sapphire crystal and the 16013 has an acrylic crystal. That's the only difference (other than price). The movements are the same.

Monday I will have a Panerai 024 with all boxes and papers. I have a couple of pictures taken by the original owner. If you are interested, please let me know asap.

Sunday afternoon

2006-09-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

It's a relatively mild (still hot) Sunday afternoon. I will be listing a few new watches on eBay today and likely dropping the prices on some that did not sell last week.

I am expecting a Panerai 024 over the course of next week, so anyone interested should drop me a line. I should also have a couple of Datejusts coming. I think they will both be two tones, though I am not certain.

As always, if you are looking for something special, let me know. If you like something that I have listed, call or send an email and I will work with you on the price as best I can. Just remember, some of these watches do not have much room. If I can negotiate, I certainly will.

Feel free to leave comments.

Rick

This is really just an experiment.

2006-09-01T15:00:00.001-07:00

I thought I would experiment with a blog to see if I could get info out to you guys that you might find interesting or informative. Obviously, I will limit it for the most part to info about watches. More specifically, I will use it to let you know what's coming to RickPutnam.com.

I also hope that it will be of use to those of you who have questions or suggestions. Perhaps those of us who enjoy collecting and trading fine wristwatches can share information.

Please let me know what you think.

Rick