That one watch that started your addiction?

[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

For me, from the first time I saw it, I knew I was in love. It started this whole addiction to watches for me... The iconic Bluesy




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[jsausley]

For me it was a TAG Heuer Aquaracer CAF2110 (ETA/Valjoux 7750 movement). It was my only watch for about 7 years but when it was time for its first service (the chronograph stopped working) I started down the rabbit hole and found out about movements, other brands and other types of watches. The Aquaracer interested me when I was 16 because it had Rolex-type style (black dial diver on a stainless bracelet with polished center links) but was only about $1,600, plus it had a chronograph, which I didn't really understand but I thought the subdials looked cool (I left the chrono running fulltime because I liked the sweep -- that's probably what caused it to stop working after I reset it for the first time 7 years later, lol).

Anyway, after sending that TAG off for a $400 service I bought a Carrera, then a Formula 1 GMT (basically TAG's BLNR homage), then another 500M Aquaracer to daily, then I finally branched out and got a Zenith El Primero and a Nomos, then sold both of those for my first Rolex (214270).

[kneedeep]

Uncle's Rolex GMT many years ago.

[mjclark32]

Nice piece to get started!
My first "nice" watch was an IWC 3719, still have it, I bought it because I didn't want the stereotypical Rolex Sub... Well, I wore the IWC for two years, but finally gave in and got a 16610. Ever since it's been on my wrist 99% of the time. I've been through a bunch of other Rolex's since, but the sub will always stay.

[DtownRRS]

Ha! High-school kid watching Magnum PI and that GMT. Got that watch when I graduated college and still use it today almost 30 years later.

[scoobnoob1103]

18248, gifted to me by my grandpa

[JTL31]

Brother’s White Polar Explorer II in 1990 - My 1st Swiss watch purchase was 2-tone Swiss Army Officer watch.

[BT1985]

James Bond’s submariner. Wanted one starting at 10 years old.


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[Rolexavidfan]

It’s Panerai Radiomir for me. After a brief hiatus, it was a Rolex Sub.


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[denmanproject]

Tag Carrera, don't have it anymore but great watch (not a fan of the newer version of it)

[huncho]

day date

[quakeroatmeal]

Rado was probably the first brand that captivated me.

My grandmother has worn a Rado Diastar that's in near mint condition since before I was born, as well as my grandfather who wore a shiny gold Diastar and it just looked so cool and sci fi to me as a kid. Also my mom has worn her Diastar for many many years and it still looks impeccable.

My first watch that I purchased was a Rado V10K when I was much younger, and although I don't wear it very often, it still has a very special place in my heart and still looks just as cool as the day I bought it.

[fskywalker]

16610 back on 1995





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[R!$]

gold sub

[Hramez]

My first Rolex GMT 16700
1992
& still love it


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[pigman08]

My dad's '82 16750... He enjoys swapping watches with me every now & then for a few moments, just to get a different feel for what else is out there.

[Mephist]

This ad or an equal one started it all about 11-12 years ago.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by SteelSubmarinerGuy

For me, from the first time I saw it, I knew I was in love. It started this whole addiction to watches for me... The iconic Bluesy




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That shows perfectly the beauty of this watch, amazing. My first love was a PO 8500 which is long gone but not forgotten. Wish I still had it.

[Overwound]

For me, I was about 19, when I walked into my first high end jewelry store. The Rolex case struck me first, but it wasn't the only brand that got my attention. No particular model started it but I couldn't get over how much nicer these watches looked compared to the stuff I've seen up until then (the usual Citizen, Seiko, Casio, etc.) and knew I had to get one. That day started my true interest in mechanical watches.

Almost two decades later and the passion for them is still going strong.

[Rebel]

Originally Posted by BT1985

James Bond’s submariner. Wanted one starting at 10 years old.


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This. Not sure how old I was; but, a small boy.

[Old Geezer]

16610 was my first in 1992. I was 30. I had been wanting one since I was about 10 years old and saw the Sub of the time in advertisements in Skin Diver and National Geographic magazines.

[beshannon]

[Beckster]

Received it as a gift from my old man who got it as a retirement present from his employers. My old man didn’t even wear it, kept it in the wardrobe for 5 years and gave it to me sometime last year. I’ve always wanted a GMT but couldn’t make myself spend that much on a watch even though I could afford it and wanted it. While doing my research on the 116520 stumbled upon TRF and the rest is history. Been hooked since, unfortunately the wrong time it seems to get into it due supply issues as everyone knows. Wish I somehow got into this a few years before but well, it is what it is.


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[SSGMT]

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[DoctorA]

Got my first rolex last November (subC) to celebrate a big career milestone for me!
I always loved watches and always lurked at rolex but never went in to try one on!
Even though I could afford it yet never took the five and wanted it to be that big career milestone when I put the first rolex on my wrist

In less than a year I ended up with a big rolex collection that has all the “rare” ss models (except the white dial Daytona )
So it is truly an addiction to me

After my first rolex, I got to appreciate the brand and had in mind a certain list of Rolex watches I want to own. I am almost done

[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

Got my first rolex last November (subC) to celebrate a big career milestone for me!
I always loved watches and always lurked at rolex but never went in to try one on!
Even though I could afford it yet never took the five and wanted it to be that big career milestone when I put the first rolex on my wrist

In less than a year I ended up with a big rolex collection that has all the “rare” ss models (except the white dial Daytona )
So it is truly an addiction to me

After my first rolex, I got to appreciate the brand and had in mind a certain list of Rolex watches I want to own. I am almost done

A post isn’t complete without a picture
Here’s my first rolex

[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by Beckster

Received it as a gift from my old man who got it as a retirement present from his employers. My old man didn’t even wear it, kept it in the wardrobe for 5 years and gave it to me sometime last year. I’ve always wanted a GMT but couldn’t make myself spend that much on a watch even though I could afford it and wanted it. While doing my research on the 116520 stumbled upon TRF and the rest is history. Been hooked since, unfortunately the wrong time it seems to get into it due supply issues as everyone knows. Wish I somehow got into this a few years before but well, it is what it is.


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I love stories like that! And can’t wait to give my son one of my watches! Decided to wait for a big occasion to give it to him!

[05carbondrz]

Mine was my Dads 1980’s Datejust.I thought He was the coolest because he had a Rolex.We both dreamed of having a TT Blue Sub,I got One and just now sold it as TT Just wasn’t my Style(Jeans and T-Shirt).

[Navarino]

The Bluesy is actually the watch that got me really interested in watches growing up. It's not in my collection yet but for sure will make it's way in sometime in the near future.

[mobster600]

Friend of mine had a Panerai or something Panerai looking. Rubber strap, green dial markers, black dial. Ended up buying a PAM 24 that was the closest thing to it