The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12 October 2021, 05:12 AM   #1
p3k4y1981
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 8
Story of my first Rolex

Not a particularly great story but I decided I wanted to reward myself for my 40th with a Rolex to celebrate the milestone and also a fairly good year at work too.

Somewhat naively I decided I like the look of the Daytona, and called my local AD to order one - who informed me of a 30 year waiting list (!).

So ensued a quest to find an affordable Rolex that I liked the look of. I spent a long time on Chrono24 and travelled to various cities checking out the GMT Master II Batman, LN version, Yacht Master, Explorer II and eventually more or less exhausted myself and confused myself with so many options.

I eventually resolved to not buy a grey market watch as it became important for me to have some lineage and bond with the watch and get from an AD rather than just paying any price to get what I wanted.

Anyway, through calling round many ADs to enquire after Explorer II availability I came across one who had a used Explorer 39mm with all original papers and box, with their own 3 year warranty to boot.

Suffice to say I went to see it, fell in love with it, bought it and wrapped it for my birthday. I then spent the next 3 weeks panicking over whether it really is the right watch for me!!! Cue my 40th 3 days ago and the watch has not been off my wrist, I’m totally in love with it and cannot believe how beautiful such a simple device as this watch can be.

Sat looking at it now I know I’ve made the right choice , but who knew a watch could be such an emotionally exhausting thing to pursue!!

The AD were fantastic to deal with too, and even threw in a bottle of Bollinger. My interest is registered for an Explorer II now so I have a horrible feeling this could be the start of an expensive hobby!
p3k4y1981 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 06:30 AM   #2
JEdwardK
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: Daytona C
Posts: 235
Quote:
Originally Posted by p3k4y1981 View Post
Suffice to say I went to see it, fell in love with it, bought it and wrapped it for my birthday.
congrats


you bought yourself a present and wrapped it for yourself?
__________________
-
forever waiting for THE call...
JEdwardK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 06:32 AM   #3
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 78,076
Welcome to the forum and happy birthday. Congratulations
brandrea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 06:37 AM   #4
p3k4y1981
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by JEdwardK View Post
congrats


you bought yourself a present and wrapped it for yourself?
Actually the AD gift wrapped it and I waited to open it until my birthday.
p3k4y1981 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 06:37 AM   #5
KathleenL
2024 Pledge Member
 
KathleenL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Real Name: Kathleen
Location: California
Watch: 279171-0001
Posts: 996
Quote:
Originally Posted by p3k4y1981 View Post
Not a particularly great story but I decided I wanted to reward myself for my 40th with a Rolex to celebrate the milestone and also a fairly good year at work too.

Somewhat naively I decided I like the look of the Daytona, and called my local AD to order one - who informed me of a 30 year waiting list (!).

So ensued a quest to find an affordable Rolex that I liked the look of. I spent a long time on Chrono24 and travelled to various cities checking out the GMT Master II Batman, LN version, Yacht Master, Explorer II and eventually more or less exhausted myself and confused myself with so many options.

I eventually resolved to not buy a grey market watch as it became important for me to have some lineage and bond with the watch and get from an AD rather than just paying any price to get what I wanted.

Anyway, through calling round many ADs to enquire after Explorer II availability I came across one who had a used Explorer 39mm with all original papers and box, with their own 3 year warranty to boot.

Suffice to say I went to see it, fell in love with it, bought it and wrapped it for my birthday. I then spent the next 3 weeks panicking over whether it really is the right watch for me!!! Cue my 40th 3 days ago and the watch has not been off my wrist, I’m totally in love with it and cannot believe how beautiful such a simple device as this watch can be.

Sat looking at it now I know I’ve made the right choice , but who knew a watch could be such an emotionally exhausting thing to pursue!!

The AD were fantastic to deal with too, and even threw in a bottle of Bollinger. My interest is registered for an Explorer II now so I have a horrible feeling this could be the start of an expensive hobby!
Happy Birthday! I'm glad you were able to find and get a watch that you like so much!
KathleenL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 06:38 AM   #6
KathleenL
2024 Pledge Member
 
KathleenL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Real Name: Kathleen
Location: California
Watch: 279171-0001
Posts: 996
Quote:
Originally Posted by JEdwardK View Post
congrats


you bought yourself a present and wrapped it for yourself?
What's wrong with that? It keeps a person from opening a gift too soon.
KathleenL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 06:39 AM   #7
GolfJunkie
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
GolfJunkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Eric
Location: USA
Watch: 252
Posts: 5,103
Congrats and Happy Birthday. The Explorer is a great watch to start with
__________________
2FA Enabled
GolfJunkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 06:47 AM   #8
knighty88
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: London
Watch: Explorer 214270
Posts: 483
Congrats and many happy returns!

My journey started with the 39mm Explorer for my 30th. If my story is anything to go by… this might be your favourite, but it wont be your last!

Enjoy.
knighty88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 07:03 AM   #9
p3k4y1981
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by knighty88 View Post
Congrats and many happy returns!

My journey started with the 39mm Explorer for my 30th. If my story is anything to go by… this might be your favourite, but it wont be your last!

Enjoy.
Where did your story take you after the Explorer?
p3k4y1981 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 07:10 AM   #10
p3k4y1981
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by GolfJunkie View Post
Congrats and Happy Birthday. The Explorer is a great watch to start with
Thank you. I’m so glad I did start there with such a simple and elegant piece. I’m looking forward to “explore”ing pieces with various complications now.
p3k4y1981 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 07:18 AM   #11
ThatOtherGuy7
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 509
Great story! Glad you got one!

It’s a challenge for those just starting to get into the game for sure. And 30 years wait on Daytona?! Sheesh
ThatOtherGuy7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 October 2021, 07:42 AM   #12
bp1000
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Midlands, UK
Posts: 4,973
That’s fantastic. Congratulations and happy birthday.
bp1000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.