Your First Rolex Buying Experience

[DCGuy1965]

Should be interesting. I'm one of those that remembers significant milestones and their respective dates. I just recently passed the date back in 1986 when I bought my first 16610. 20 years old at the time. Wore a Seiko at the time I think I purchased for $175 or so but in the 1980s it was all about being eccentric and given my age I wanted to be fashionable.

I was learning about how a Rolex was a real watch so to speak and my boss had a stainless date just I could definitely see the craftsmanship involved hence the bug bit me.

Now when you're only 20 and walk into an AD the sales folks aren't exactly falling over themselves to help you. Finally a nice lady at the now defunct Bailey Banks and Biddle was showing me some different models and when I saw the prices I nearly fell over. But alas one of her good customers came in and I could tell it was time for me to move on. Back then malls had more than 1 AD so I went to another nice jeweler Black Starr and Frost and met the guy whom to this day has sold me numerous pieces. He was the only one that treated me well and could not have been more helpful. I paid $1200 and basically financed by putting 250 down and 71 per month for 18 months. Sounds paltry compared to what you pay these days and that was the only watch I ever financed.

Long story I know but conjuring up memories like this can make one appreciate life's journeys. Anyone else have any memories?