Did you wait a long time...

[The French Dude]

...before your first Rolex ?
I mean, actually i save money little by little.
Few month ago i decided that thing, one day I'll buy my own Rolex !
But it's tough to keep my mind on that... Many other watches are calling me. I have to resist and keep my savings.

And you did you ? Don't let me fell alone !

[Z-Sub]

I waited a long time and got my other priorities taken care of like house, wedding, cars (essential for life and work)...before buying my first one.

[bulldogdaddy]

I'm a noob around here, but I mentioned in other posts that I've been following watches since I was 13 or so (but always resisted the impluse - not cheap, just otherwise drawn - LOTS of ways to spend your fun money out there :-)

To only briefly recap what I've written elsewhere, my Dad, who passed recently, left me lots of great memories, but just wasn't the type to ever indulge himself in a really nice watch, and that it would have been nice to wear one he had worn, in his memory.

So my wife said "Why don't you buy yourself a really nice watch to remember Dad by." So I did. Age when acquiring my first Rolex (and first REALLY nice watch?) 59. Not that you should feel like you should wait THAT long :-)

[RRGHOST1]

To save money and not waste money either my theory is that we should make it a priority to buy a Rolex very early on in life and you will never need any other except maybe a cheap type watch to wear when you are doing manual work. If i had done that years ago i would have saved a fortune on buying watches i didn't really need.

[AK40DJ50]

Waited till 40 while taking care of other priorities but gave my son that one when he turned 21 so everyone has his or her own circumstances. Rolex ownership is a joy at any age.

[RedwinGV]

Although I didn't save for it, I did wait a long time to buy one. For me, it was mostly a matter of priority and lifestyle. I admit that when I was in my 20's I knew about Rolex and other mechanicals, but I personally didn't value the mechanical nature of those pieces then. Times changed and so did I. Got into this in my 50's.

[The French Dude]

Originally Posted by rolexplorer2

To save money and not waste money either my theory is that we should make it a priority to buy a Rolex very early on in life and you will never need any other except maybe a cheap type watch to wear when you are doing manual work. If i had done that years ago i would have saved a fortune on buying watches i didn't really need.

Hehe... I totaly agree with that !

[OLJR]

I waited about a year to get my GMTII.

My Dad has worn a TT DJ for many years now and I must admit that I thought that it was quite nice but it did not really appeal to me.

However in December 2009 we were walking through the City Centre mall here in Doha when we passed the local AD and decided to take a look inside. It was then that I saw the sports watch collection and in particular the bluesy Sub and the GMT. I knew there and then that I wanted both.

After a few months thought and with the advice of my Mum I decided to get the TT GMTII first. But I did not actually buy the piece until this December. In hindsight it might have been a bit foolish waiting since I have had the cash available in my bank account all this time, not even earning any interest) and the price has risen $1,150 in that time.

[OLJR]

Originally Posted by rolexplorer2

To save money and not waste money either my theory is that we should make it a priority to buy a Rolex very early on in life and you will never need any other except maybe a cheap type watch to wear when you are doing manual work. If i had done that years ago i would have saved a fortune on buying watches i didn't really need.

Agreed. I hope to have many decades of happy use of my GMTII and I could not say the same if I had waited until I was, say, 50.

That said, I do hope to establish a small collection, but within a reasonably short time frame so that I can enjoy them for many decades.

One of the posters on this site, I forget who, has as their signature words to the effect that few things in life give a man as much pleasure as wearing a Rolex. I can honestly say that based on my few months experience I agree with every sentiment of that statement.

[bemik]

Originally Posted by rolexplorer2

To save money and not waste money either my theory is that we should make it a priority to buy a Rolex very early on in life and you will never need any other except maybe a cheap type watch to wear when you are doing manual work. If i had done that years ago i would have saved a fortune on buying watches i didn't really need.

X2

[GradyPhilpott]

I waited long enough.

[DG123]

French Dude,

You will regret it if you buy a lesser brand. Wait until you can comfortably afford the Rolex you want, and buy it. Have faith it is worth the wait.

Originally Posted by The French Dude

...before your first Rolex ?
I mean, actually i save money little by little.
Few month ago i decided that thing, one day I'll buy my own Rolex !
But it's tough to keep my mind on that... Many other watches are calling me. I have to resist and keep my savings.

And you did you ? Don't let me fell alone !

[The French Dude]

Originally Posted by DG123

French Dude,

You will regret it if you buy a lesser brand. Wait until you can comfortably afford the Rolex you want, and buy it. Have faith it is worth the wait.

I know, I know... i just have an Hamilton SCUBA for this moment... I keep faith !!!

[kareemthedream33]

I wanted one since I was 9 or 10 and got one when I turned 21....nothing comes close to the tradition, class, and 24/7 wearability of a Rolex IMO.

[Speed]

I wish I had gotten into Rolex years ago...but I made up for lost time after joining TRF.

:-/

[speedo]

i have always liked watches but have never been especially keen on rolex. in fact i had one before falling in love with it. it had been given to me by my father and now i am really happy that i did not swap it for something stupid.
now i am saving for one i can give to my now 1 year old son.

[petesjag]

I first started with watches I could afford. Now (47 ) I have been fortunate to be able to buy a number of rolex's..keeping priorities straight is still very important, so there will be no new watches for a time.......

[TopNotchChach]

dont buy anything else watch related if you want a rolex. just keep saving.

keep your eyes on the prize.

[Rolexavidfan]

I waited long even when I was financially ready because I was distracted by another brand before I began loving Rolex again.

[The French Dude]

Originally Posted by Rolexavidfan

I waited long even when I was financially ready because I was distracted by another brand before I began loving Rolex again.

hehe do not be ashamed which one ?

[cyglee]

Hey all, I waited 56 years! As much as I admired Rolex from afar, and would glance in AD windows whenever passing by, I could not justify the extravagance. Life kept getting in the way... school, wife (one and only!), career, house, kids, and never ending tuition.

[DoxaDavid]

My father waited till he was 50 then bought a Day Date as a gift to himself for all the hard work he put in and rightly deserved it.

On the other hand, I was 21, in collage, living at home and working full time when I bought my Sub. My Dad was actually pissed at me when I came home with it saying it was rediculous for a "kid" to wear a Rolex but I disagreed. my rational was it was the perfect time to make such a purchase as I had no mortgage, car payment or serious bills and had the disposable income to make such a purchase. In the end, he shrugged and gave me the classic parents reply of "It's your money" and he was right.

Never regretted it for a second and I was right since if I hadn't pulled the trigger then, who knows how long I would have waited.

[rmfnla]

I lucked into my first Rolex when I was about 25. A friend knew I was interested in getting one and called when he was offered a subbie for $175. I'm lucky I didn't get a speeding ticket rushing over there!

About 2 years old, great condition and complete with box and paperwork; wish I still had that one!

That was 1979; I have worn a Rolex ever since!

[tkc324]

Started wanting a ss daytona about 24 yrs old. Started looking and saving ever since. Told myself that I would get it before I turn 30. The problem was, just couldn't find one in an AD. Took me about 5 years before finding it in an AD in Hawaii, while celebrating with my fiance on our engagement. Needless to say, the watch became super special to me.

[daveathall]

I waited 50 years, the first 49 were the worst, after that it became a breeze.

[TSW]

For a WIS a day is a long time
I dreamed about a Submariner since i saw Bond wearing one when i was about 9 years old and finally got one when i turned 21 so i would say YES!!

[gglovep20]

it was a spur of the moment thing with me. i saw a datejust, liked it, could afford the price and just bought it. Now im in the market for a Subby

[Rags]

I wanted a rolex since I was 20. Didn't get it till I was 50..Prioroties have to take precedence.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by Rags

I wanted a rolex since I was 20. Didn't get it till I was 50..Prioroties have to take precedence.

That's one way to look at it.

Another is that 30 years went by during which you could have been enjoying the Rolex you wanted but didn't.

Life is short...

[Bonesey]

Only just started the savings fund, I want one for my 35th birthday as a present to myself. So saving slowly and wearing a Seiko 5 automatic for the time being. Wife, house, cars etc all are priority over a piece of horology unfortunately! :D But when I get it, it will be super special. I'm going to be getting an old sub from the year of my birth. I just hope they dont appreciate too much whilst I'm saving for one!