The watch before your first Rolex?

[Headshrinker]

My first nice watch was an Omega Moonwatch. I purchased it myself when I was seventeen. The first shop refused to take it out of the case to show me, so I bought it down the street and returned to show the first salesman that told me it was too expensive. I still have the box; the watch sticker says $295.

[Nikko]

Started with a Movado Museum, then another Movado (don't remember which one). At some point I felt as though they were for the 20 something crowd and bought a Tag - have it on today actually. Still love it, although it feels small when I wear it. Always wanted a SS Daytona, so when I finally tracked one down; I bought it.

I think everything is a stepping stone of sorts. Buying my first Rolex has really opened my eyes to all the other brands that are out there. Some much more exclusive and expensive ...

[kbutler1]

Came to say Hamilton but it's been covered.

My first watch that I ever bought on my own was a two tone Citizen Eco Drive. Expensive for me at the time.

[bigwatchman]

I realize that on a Rolex forum, Rolex is going to be the king. IMHO, many brands mentioned here on this thread are genuinely stand on their own brands and not necessarily a step below Rolex. I've had a few Rolex watches. My own opinion is that their quality is on par with other brands that cost significantly less. Just because Rolex has a higher price tag than another brand doesn't make it significantly a better watch. It just means you paid more for that brand because that is what the brand sells for. If the OP's friend wants a Rolex, great. Save for one and enjoy. If he wants a different watch to try wearing a watch, great as well. He will just have options for wearing after he gets his Rolex. In the several yeArs where I've become a serious watch person, I've come to conclude that not always does more $$$$ equal a better quality watch.

[Chadridv]

Just want to thank everyone for their advice and for sharing some stories of their first watches! I actually got a lot more out of this thread than just some help for my friend to choose a first watch. This has been really cool!

In case anyone was wondering the Omega Dynamic Chronograph was my first watch and direct proceeding watch to my submariner. It's broken at the moment so I'll have to get her going again, but it served me really well since about 1998!
(Seen here in between the pilot and the speedy)

[canIwearTWOatOnce]

first tudor always then omega and stienthart have grown on me

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by bigwatchman

I realize that on a Rolex forum, Rolex is going to be the king. IMHO, many brands mentioned here on this thread are genuinely stand on their own brands and not necessarily a step below Rolex. I've had a few Rolex watches. My own opinion is that their quality is on par with other brands that cost significantly less. Just because Rolex has a higher price tag than another brand doesn't make it significantly a better watch. It just means you paid more for that brand because that is what the brand sells for. If the OP's friend wants a Rolex, great. Save for one and enjoy. If he wants a different watch to try wearing a watch, great as well. He will just have options for wearing after he gets his Rolex. In the several yeArs where I've become a serious watch person, I've come to conclude that not always does more $$$$ equal a better quality watch.

So true, I completely agree. But please tell me if there r any other watches that hold their value better than a rolex?


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[Bfd70]

Seiko diver or Hamilton Khaki

[jshepard]

Omega Seamaster Pro Chrono Diver


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[x zombie]

Mine was a quartz Tag Heuer Classic 2000. I remember purchasing it with my first paycheck as accomplishment for graduating college and earning my commission into the Army. I still have it and plan to give to my son when he grows up to a more responsible age (he's only 5 now).

[Daryl]

Patek Philippe

[pfg1]

Seiko (new)
Hamilton (new)
Omega Seamaster (used)

[milgauss2232]

mine was an auto seamaster 300

[skprd13]

I agree a Hamilton is a great lower/mid range starter watch. However learn something everyday never heard of Stienhart. Check out the watches I am impressed. Might have to pick up one for myself! Thanks RF!

[Minimalist]

Originally Posted by skprd13

I agree a Hamilton is a great lower/mid range starter watch. However learn something everyday never heard of Stienhart. Check out the watches I am impressed. Might have to pick up one for myself! Thanks RF!

Me too, just took a look at the Steinhart website and then some YouTube vids, looks pretty decent. Thinking of getting one as a gift. I like the ovm and ocean 1 (black or green bezel).

Anyone here care to share some pics of theirs?

[NeedlessKane]

Originally Posted by bigwatchman

I realize that on a Rolex forum, Rolex is going to be the king. IMHO, many brands mentioned here on this thread are genuinely stand on their own brands and not necessarily a step below Rolex. I've had a few Rolex watches. My own opinion is that their quality is on par with other brands that cost significantly less. Just because Rolex has a higher price tag than another brand doesn't make it significantly a better watch. It just means you paid more for that brand because that is what the brand sells for. If the OP's friend wants a Rolex, great. Save for one and enjoy. If he wants a different watch to try wearing a watch, great as well. He will just have options for wearing after he gets his Rolex. In the several yeArs where I've become a serious watch person, I've come to conclude that not always does more $$$$ equal a better quality watch.

I agree 100%.

I have always been impressed with the build quality/feel of my 1st gen Seiko orange monster. I paid under $200 for it and it is built like a tank, and feels very solid/quality made. I've held other watches that were way more expensive that don't have the "feel' that the OM has in terms of quality.

[treblarefils]

Steinhart is great I had one before i sold a bunch of watches to buy my sub. Im probably going to buy another but the pepsi gmt i want is always sold out. Excellent watch for the cost. The band is the worst part not that bad just large and clunky but nice and heavy.

[Swearengen]

Heuer Carrera, now sadly sold

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by treblarefils

Steinhart is great I had one before i sold a bunch of watches to buy my sub. Im probably going to buy another but the pepsi gmt i want is always sold out. Excellent watch for the cost. The band is the worst part not that bad just large and clunky but nice and heavy.

Just saw one of those sell for $400 3 days ago! Keep your eyes open they pop up.

Thanks for the share and advice!

[ZeKe]

Omega speedmaster pro. or Tudor black bay would be awesome first watches. Vintage Omegas MK2 go for decent price and would get his feet wet into vintage stuff.

[CFAmick]

I dove straight into watches. I wore a Swiss Army watch and a Timex Ironman Triathalon in high school and parts of college, but they weren't especially comfortable. Suddenly, nearly fifteen years later, I wear an Oysterdate and an Explorer I, and I barely remember that I'm wearing a wristwatch in the first place.

And as a tool, I don't know how I got by without knowing the time at a moment's notice.

[Punishher7]

My vote is for a Ball. Should be able to fine a nice used piece near the budget. I think Ball makes great watches and is often overlooked.

[creative]

Could you perhaps pursuade him to stretch ever-so-slightly more and got for a NOMOS? The club range goes from 1080 euro and he will have an experience of buying new :-) Plus NOMOS are a great brand to start a collection with some real interesting watches. They are independant and make a lot of their own stuff (i think in house mostly). Looking at their site im annoyingly tempted myself... Their prices are so good.

http://www.nomos-store.com/en/Watche...l-series/Club/

[sickened1]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Just saw one of those sell for $400 3 days ago! Keep your eyes open they pop up.

Thanks for the share and advice!

Here's a green one for $425 shipped. Hurry!

[HogwldFLTR]

For me my first watch which had some real value was the Omega SMP Bond... It really sang to me because of the Bond tie in. It also seemed to me to be exceptionally expensive at the time. You never know what some one is willing to spend for the right watch...

[sickened1]

^ It's a keeper for me. Had it serviced by the Swatch group here locally and they did a pretty good, too.

[2106]

I had a tag, laco and steinhart. After getting a rolex I haven't worn either more than once or twice since. Unless they want to start a collection I would recommend spending a lot of time trying on different models and doing a lot of research to get the right one.

[Shibumi]

Another vote for the Hamilton- Swiss watch, automatic, elegant, and this one was my "bridge" drug of choice at about $400, watch #13 in my collection just the month before I bought the Rolex...

[chickennho]

I think Seiko is the best in his range, i suggest SARW011, SARX019

[Passionata]

omega speedmaster,
gone for long