Rolex or Cartier love or Hermes Kelly

[*MJ*]

I love handbags, but definitely ROLEX!!!

 

[roy40]

OP: can you describe the Kelly that you'd buy, versus the Rolex / love?

 

[SHHMOM]

Sorry to say but in my very honest opinion, if a Kelly is available and the color is something u like, I will vote for the Kelly hands down. The Kelly and Birkins are the hardest bags to get in the world and if you are able to locate one at a boutique that will be sold to you, I will say its a no brainer decision on the 3 choices you are considering.

First of, I am a guy and I am a BIG watch lover and therefore not into bags however, I do appreciate the high level and exclusivity of Hermes. In my opinion, a lady would look much more substantial carrying a Birkin/Kelly compared to wearing a Rolex wrist-watch or a Cartier Love Bracelet (Unless it has diamonds). I would say between the Love and Rolex, put the Love on hold first. Why I would recommend you to get the Kelly over a Rolex is:

1. Rolexes are all over the place. It is something pretty much everybody can save up to afford it and it is a product worth justifying the price is commands.

2. I'm not sure where you live and how it applies but Rolex is the No. 1 most famous and popular watch in the world and many many people own Rolexes.

3. While a Rolex is a nice watch, it is no longer really considered a status symbol anymore as mentioned in 1st & 2nd reasons (I wear my Richard Mille if I want people to see that I belong to a different class). With that being said, Rolex is a brand not really considered to be a haute horological time piece rather, an entry level to the world of luxury watches.

4. Many people will not be able to justify the price of a Kelly bag as most people would rather spend it on more practical things even after saving enough for it so the fact that you are carrying one immediately puts you at a different level of social status. I would even still vote the Kelly over the Rolex even if the Rolex was a full gold model.

Trust me, Cartier and Rolex will forever be around. I'm not sure if you are a frequent or VIP customer of Hermes but if not it is literally impossible to get a Kelly and since there is one made available to you right now, it is the smartest choice to get it. People WILL look at you differently when you have a Kelly compared to a Rolex and while Rolex makes very good durable nice watches, my strong advice is stretch out your budget slightly more and consider a Piaget, Audemars or even a Cartier watch (after your Kelly purchase).

At the end of the day, to each it's own but my advice is based on how I judge someone when I see what they wear/carry and most people who own Kelly/Birkins belong to the elite social group wearing watches on a whole different level such as Richard Mille, or blinged out watches from other high end watch brand easily costing 6 figures. Be it any of the 3 choices you are considering, it really depends on what you want the item to do for you

Best of luck in your decision!

Note: should you decide to get the Rolex or Cartier Love, buy it brand new from the Boutique or (in the case of a Rolex), and Authorized dealer. The process of buying a used on on the secondary market and trying to authenticate it is just too troublesome, time consuming, and worrying with uncertainty as there are too many good fakes out there.

I think you just changed my mind. I was all set on the Rolex and now I am wondering if the Kelly is still available. To me it's not about how people judge me, because my world most would not know but for me it's about the art form and history of the Kelly.

 

[SHHMOM]

OP: can you describe the Kelly that you'd buy, versus the Rolex / love?

The love would be yellow gold, the Rolex I wanted a yellow gold ladies watch, just recently started learning the types. For the Kelly my dream one is retourne kelly etoupe or etain in Clemence or Togo, but I am able to get a vintage navy sellier and maybe a brown one. However, I don't think they are still available.

 

[roy40]

The love would be yellow gold, the Rolex I wanted a yellow gold ladies watch, just recently started learning the types. For the Kelly my dream one is retourne kelly etoupe or etain in Clemence or Togo, but I am able to get a vintage navy sellier and maybe a brown one. However, I don't think they are still available.

Most Etoupe / Etain Kellys you'll find in the resell market will be retourne. Your dream bag is an absolutely excellent everyday bag that is easily dressed up OR down - however, they're both highly coveted neutrals and will cost near retail price. Only buy a Kelly you're in love with - don't settle on any one.

I think a yellow gold Rolex is a fantastic choice as well. If you can find a preloved Etoupe/Taupe/Etain/Gris of some sort Kelly at a good price and are 100% certain of its authenticity ... DO IT. Otherwise, I'd consider the watch over settling over a Kelly you're not fawning over.

 

[roy40]

P.s. GREAT TASTE! [emoji6]

 

[SHHMOM]

Most Etoupe / Etain Kellys you'll find in the resell market will be retourne. Your dream bag is an absolutely excellent everyday bag that is easily dressed up AND down - however, they're both highly coveted neutrals and will cost near retail price. Only buy a Kelly you're in love with - don't settle on one.

I think a yellow gold Rolex is a fantastic choice as well. If you can find a preloved Etoupe/Taupe/Etain/Gris of some sort Kelly at a similar price and are 100% certain of its authenticity ... DO IT. Otherwise, I'd consider the watch over settling over a Kelly you're not fawning over.

Which is why I had originally gave up on the Kelly the resale prices seems to be more then the retail price. However, I guess it could be an only bag, if I was brave enough to sell my whole collection to fund it.... Then with resale even through trusted dealers, I always worry about authenticity.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I'm the outlier here. Watches seem reeeaallly dated to me. I have one I wear for business. I never, ever wear one otherwise.

I can appreciate a good watch...on someone else. My husband has Rolex watches (amongst others) and I've bought my mom Cartier watches. None of them move me. I'd rather have a great gold bracelet (with or without stones).

Buy the Hermes Kelly. They are great bags and will hold their value. And they don't look so old fashioned as watches.

 

[SHHMOM]

I'm the outlier here. Watches seem reeeaallly dated to me. I have one I wear for business. I never, ever wear one otherwise.



I can appreciate a good watch...on someone else. My husband has Rolex watches (amongst others) and I've bought my mom Cartier watches. None of them move me. I'd rather have a great gold bracelet (with or without stones).



Buy the Hermes Kelly. They are great bags and will hold their value. And they don't look so old fashioned as watches.

Thanks I decided if I still can I am going to.

 

[roy40]

Which is why I had originally gave up on the Kelly the resale prices seems to be more then the retail price. However, I guess it could be an only bag, if I was brave enough to sell my whole collection to fund it.... Then with resale even through trusted dealers, I always worry about authenticity.

Spend some time sifting through the Hermes sub-forum. Look at the "eBay finds" page, and post in the "wanted" page - occasionally tPFers will give heads up of items that other known and respected tPFers are selling on eBay.

Selling an entire bag collection to fund the purchase of an Hermes bag is also another thread you'll find. If that is something you'd consider doing, then maybe you could spend the money you were considering funding your K/Rolex/Love with, on one of the latter two items.

 

[catsinthebag]

So much of this is up to personal taste. I have to admit, I love the Kelly and have never been attracted to Rolexes. I guess in my real life, I've seen way too many purchased solely as status symbols, and that gets old. Also, as high-end watches go, I've always liked the Cartier styles more.

My ranking would be: 1) Kelly, 2) Love bracelet, 3) Rolex.

But this is about YOU, not me or any of the rest of us. One red flag in one of your posts was when you said you should get the Rolex because it's useful. I totally believe in using what you buy, but for the prices we're talking, it should also make your heart lift up. For the money, practicality should not be the sole factor in making the decision!

OTOH, if you go for the Kelly, see if you can try one out first. I have two and really love them, but it's not always the easiest bag to use. I would NOT recommend selling an entire collection to get one, because there will be that day when the turnlock and straps will drive you batty. Stylistically, it can go anywhere and fit any situation (much like the Chanel reissue I see you have!), but it isn't the most convenient bag to use for everyday.

I know nothing about pre-owned watches or authenticating them, but several people have made the case here for not going that route. With the Kelly, I think there are resources here on the forum that can really help you if you decide to go pre-loved/vintage. Both my Kellys are vintage and I was very comfortable buying from sellers that are well-known in the H forum and after getting them authenticated. You can save a lot of money getting vintage, and still get a really wonderful bag in great condition, with history and craftsmanship and also a bit of uniqueness that you won't get with the Rolex or the Love.

Just my two cents. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[kimpossible]

If the size, colour and leather type are as you want, I'd go for a Kelly bag first and then a Rolex watch...

 

[blackmonster]

I'm kind of new to the forum, and found this thread an interesting read... While I don't collect any of your choices, I have asked myself the similar question when I have to choose between things I want..... One of the factors I consider is which item make be harder to get or more costly to purchase (related to price increases luxury items that often occur) in the future, especially if gold is involved....

 

[SHHMOM]

So much of this is up to personal taste. I have to admit, I love the Kelly and have never been attracted to Rolexes. I guess in my real life, I've seen way too many purchased solely as status symbols, and that gets old. Also, as high-end watches go, I've always liked the Cartier styles more.



My ranking would be: 1) Kelly, 2) Love bracelet, 3) Rolex.



But this is about YOU, not me or any of the rest of us. One red flag in one of your posts was when you said you should get the Rolex because it's useful. I totally believe in using what you buy, but for the prices we're talking, it should also make your heart lift up. For the money, practicality should not be the sole factor in making the decision!



OTOH, if you go for the Kelly, see if you can try one out first. I have two and really love them, but it's not always the easiest bag to use. I would NOT recommend selling an entire collection to get one, because there will be that day when the turnlock and straps will drive you batty. Stylistically, it can go anywhere and fit any situation (much like the Chanel reissue I see you have!), but it isn't the most convenient bag to use for everyday.



I know nothing about pre-owned watches or authenticating them, but several people have made the case here for not going that route. With the Kelly, I think there are resources here on the forum that can really help you if you decide to go pre-loved/vintage. Both my Kellys are vintage and I was very comfortable buying from sellers that are well-known in the H forum and after getting them authenticated. You can save a lot of money getting vintage, and still get a really wonderful bag in great condition, with history and craftsmanship and also a bit of uniqueness that you won't get with the Rolex or the Love.



Just my two cents. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Is the Kelly opening much different then the double flap, my jumbo was my everyday bag until about a week ago. I didn't find it difficult even though I have heard others complain. I just fell out of love with the cavier leather after I got the reissue. The reissue is so soft that the cavier started feeling plasticity. If I ever get another cf I would go with the lamb skin. However, the lock didn't bother me. I do love my reissue and that's why I was thinking of the love or Rolex. I felt I don't need too many bags at once. However, I really downsized a lot lately. I sold off all my lv bags go purchase my Chanel addiction. Then I have started selling off my Chanel bags, to start a Kelly fund. However in the middle of making my fund is when I decided maybe I wanted the love bracelet or Rolex. At this point everyone has convinced me its too risky to get a preloved Rolex. A new Cartier is in the reach. However, I think as of now I should try to get the Kelly. My bag collection is really down pretty small. For me personally the Chanel reissue, Hermes Kelly, a clutch and a perfect tote will be my perfect collection. Maybe I should finish that first and then move onto jewelry.

 

[SHHMOM]

Is the Kelly opening much different then the double flap, my jumbo was my everyday bag until about a week ago. I didn't find it difficult even though I have heard others complain. I just fell out of love with the cavier leather after I got the reissue. The reissue is so soft that the cavier started feeling plasticity. If I ever get another cf I would go with the lamb skin. However, the lock didn't bother me. I do love my reissue and that's why I was thinking of the love or Rolex. I felt I don't need too many bags at once. However, I really downsized a lot lately. I sold off all my lv bags to purchase my Chanel addiction. Then I have started selling off my Chanel bags, to start a Kelly fund. However in the middle of making my fund is when I decided maybe I wanted the love bracelet or Rolex. At this point everyone has convinced me its too risky to get a preloved Rolex. A new Cartier is in the reach. However, I think as of now I should try to get the Kelly. My bag collection is really down pretty small. For me personally the Chanel reissue, Hermes Kelly, a clutch and a perfect tote will be my perfect collection. Maybe I should finish that first and then move onto jewelry.

Sorry lots of typos I can't seem to edit them.