Pictures versus IRL... think I found 'the one'

[jandr272]

I'm not sure if there are others like me out there, who obsess over these forums, and Rolex's website, and Google images, all in an effort to figure out what to purchase next. I assume there are. I'm still looking for what will be my first Rolex, partly because shopping is half the fun, partly to keep myself motivated towards the end goal of continuing to save a bit here and there for what might be a few years to make the purchase.

I have now visited an AD on three different occasions, and on each occasion I have been suprised at what caught my eye in person versus what I liked best in pictures. Initially I was in love with Air Kings, but on my first visit I found them too small for my liking, at least for my first Rolex, as I think they will have a place in my collection eventually. I gravitated towards the 116710, which surprised me because I didn't really want a black watch. I tried on the 116622 that I found so beautiful in pictures, but it didn't speak to me in person.

The next two visits I tried on a datejust, and again the size wasn't really quite right for what I want right now. I tried on a 114060 and found it seemed a bit clunky due to the case design, which was in line with what I thought in pictures. Just my opinion of course, still a beautiful watch. Again I was drawn to the GMT. In pictures I disliked the PCL, thinking they looked off and too blingy. In person they are perfect, because they tied the watch together for me.

I love the green second hour hand, and I love the green font. The color really pops in person and breaks up the black on black in a great way. The ceramic bezel can't be described or conveyed in pictures, it is so deep and different depending on the lighting. The PCLs really linked the watch between sport and dress, something very important to me because it will be a long time saving, meaning any other luxury watch will take longer still, so I want a watch that can go with jeans and flip flops, or my dress uniform. It doesn't have to be perfect for both occasions, but I don't want it to be out of place either.

I know now, only rom seeing it in person, and feeling it on my wrist, that the 116710 is my goal and will meet my desires for my first Rolex. I wish I had a picture to share, but I was too shy at the dealer to take one. I will say that these watches are too beautiful to really be considered other than in person. A good lesson to have learned for now and later.