What motivated you to buy your first Rolex?

[piglet]

As far back as I can remember, I always was intrigued by Rolex. When visiting my Grandparents home I would read their National Geographic magazines with excitement to read about a new culture and to see pictures of far-off distant locations. I remember reading the Rolex ads - showing explores, divers, and adventurers braving the elements all the while wearing a Rolex. I knew I had to have one.

When I joined the Marine Corps in 1992, I had the opportunity to purchase a new 14060 at the exchange for $1,500. I passed because back then that amount was my entire monthly salary. So, I decided I would start saving to eventually get my first Rolex.

As a Marine Aviator, I knew I wanted a GMT Master II and in 1997 I purchased my first Rolex for $3500 I wanted a tool watch - rugged, reliable, iconic, and something to be proud to wear in uniform. My 16710 W-series is now turning 25-years old and it has been to 32 countries. I keep a log-book on my iPhone of my watches for maintenance and all the countries they have been to as well as special events they have attended.

Because of this forum, I was compelled to seek out a 16600 as it was always referred to as the most robustly build Rolex at the time. I blame (padi56) for of all his stores about his 16600, so in 2007, I purchased my second Rolex for $5000 a Z-model. It has been to 25 countries and I was very content with my two 5-digit tin-can clasp bracelets Rolex’s.

Then once again, after reading all the reviews this year of the 124060, I was once again compelled to seek out one as a retirement gift to myself. I went through DavidSW and was very satisfied with the entire purchasing process. The 124060 has quickly moved into my number 1 spot and see’s the most wrist-time. I am all set with my tool watches for the near term and cherish the memories, scratches, dings, and gouges they have accumulated over the years of hard use.

What motivated you to be a Rolex owner and have you worn your watch to it’s fullest? Looking forward to read your stories.

[Jack T]

Fifteen years ago, at dinner with a friend, we were comparing watches, his TT Bluesy Sub and my Planet Ocean. His wife held both in her hands, looked them over closely, felt their respective heft and said ‘I kind of like Jack’s’.

As I smiled at my friend he grinned and said, ‘It’s very nice but it’s not a Rolex’
Not long after I acquired my first Rolex, a beautiful DateJust

I still have my Planet Ocean, my son has the DJ, but sadly my friend is gone.

[Aussiexplorer]

My motivation was pretty common I'd expect. A career milestone. Twenty-five years service, although I had to spoil myself, my employer wasn't that generous!

[Majin Buu]

intrigue ....

j.

[Harry-57]

We hit a business milestone. I wanted to commemorate it with a watch. I wanted to go more up market than previously (but not stratospheric), I didn't have a watch with a white dial and fancied one, and I loved the look of the 42mm Polar. Enter the 216570. It was supposed to be my last watch but it exceeded my expectations by such a wide margin that instead, it became my first Rolex.

[butchcoolidge]

Turned 30 and got a big promo at work the same year - have always wanted a Rolex but finally the combination of those two things gave me an excuse to

[GradyPhilpott]

I wanted a "luxury" watch.

[russeree]

the threat of impending inflation and preserving wealth. After I got one the tech of Rolex watches drives me to obtain more.

[Aquaholic_user]

I quit smoking cigarettes to justify the purchase of an explorer ll, that was 4 years ago. I'm due for another, but have nothing worth justifying with today's market.

Sent from my balloon knot

[samuel019]

Staring and being infatuated with my Dads 16613ln 20 plus years ago

Every time he left it laying around I’d pick it up and marvel at it. Needless to say I was hooked!! I’ve spent the last 20 years or so in love with Rolex. Granted I never dreamed in all my years I’d ever get one much less the stable I have.

[sj24k]

I was influenced by some sexy Instagram models that made me feel like having a Rolex would give me a shot at hanging with them and their super cool friends on a yacht.

(Just kidding. I worked hard, made some coin, rewarded myself. Drawn to Rolex because of the heritage, the quality, and the styling.)


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[wclowe]

I’d always admired the brand but didn’t feel I could justify the expense.

When my Mom passed away and kindly left me some money I took the opportunity and bought my first Rolex, a 1st Gen (2016) Batman.

Thanks, Mom, I think of you every time I look at it!

[Nice marmot]

In the late 90s in college I worked at a Rolex AD. I was just an errand boy running jewelry and watches between stores and the corporate office. As a poor college student I of course could not afford anything in the store. Despite all of the stuff that passed through my hands as I set up the store every morning I always came back to the Airking at the end of the day. Something about that watch always did it for me. The subs, datejusts, and everything else I just did not like. So fast forward to two years ago and I decided it was time for a proper watch. I saw the funky redesign of my beloved airking from years ago and knew I had to have it. Walked into a different AD and bought one right out of the case a few months later.

[grimps]

I started working overseas in the Oil Industry around 15 years ago and was always passing through airports with Rolex for sale in the duty free.
There was lots of the old school guys I worked with wearing DJs and Subs so I eventually walked into my local AD and walked out with a steel Daytona as my first ever purchase , I miss the old days :)

[JoseR]

Always loved watches and have several vintage and a few other but never thought I would buy a Rolex. Once I retired in 2014 and was debt free it took me a few more years before I pulled the trigger. So, for my 60th birthday I purchased my first Rolex the Air King. Never did I think that I would ever spend $6200 on a watch... then I got the bug. A few months later I purchased my DJ41, that one I said would be my birthday gift to myself. Life is short, so now that I can, I buy what I want not what I need..

[kieselguhr]

I knew that owning a Rolex instantly meant automatic hot women, high octane, and superstar status.

[mquarter]

Originally Posted by piglet

My 16710 W-series is now turning 25-years old and it has been to 32 countries.

in 2007, I purchased my second Rolex for $5000 a Z-model. It has been to 25 countries and I was very content with my two 5-digit tin-can clasp bracelets Rolex’s.

Show us some photos!

[LoveTheCrown]

My father wore a Rolex. That to me was the sign of success and when I was 30 I was finally able to purchase a ‘used’ date just on jubilee bracelet. This was back when a second hand watch was called ‘used’ rather than ‘vintage’ and was comparatively cheap. I subsequently gave it to my son when he graduated from college.


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[Moony17]

Since I got into watches, it was always a goal. Been struggling with personal + work challenges for the past 3 years, and this year was a breakthrough, reason enough to get a Rolex. Honestly though, I wasn’t planning on getting one til late next year, but upon learning how difficult it was to get and the crazy markups, I decided to take a good deal I was offered recently.

[DCheeta]

I was always a watch guy. I was 24 and saving up for a Seamaster Diver (the Bond watch). Then one day I went to a CPA to have my taxes done and the guy was wearing a 16610. I looked at it, it looked at me. Angels started singing and rays of light began emanating from the Sub.

I knew I had to have one. Not being a fan of the cyclops, I set my sights on a 14060. I eventually ended up getting a pre-owned one for $2000 (it was 21 years ago).

In the years since I’ve had five Submariners and countless other Rolexes, but never have picked up that Seamaster.

[scarlet knight]

I settled a big legal case

My reward/bonus was a GMT.

[inadeje]

“ What motivated you to be a Rolex owner and have you worn your watch to it’s fullest? Looking forward to read your stories.”

Emanating from humble beginnings, I recall that around 12/13 years old my uncle was a diver and had a submariner. I had no idea what it was, but I liked it. During the ensuing years I saw the Rolex ads in National Geographic and lusted after one for myself. It was of course impossible on a financial standpoint.

Fast forward to my 20s, I picked up a Cartier Santos as my first watch of any value. 2 years later I bought a TT sub, which I traded shortly thereafter for a Daytona Zenith. I wore that zenith for just under 20 years and still have it.

[214270Explorer]

Random purchase.
In December 1987 at age 37 I had left a movie theater in Old Scottsdale, AZ, and out of boredom wandered into the <long since gone> Larson Jewelers next to the theater.
After examining / trying on several Rolex, I left with my xmas present and first watch since I was 14. A 36mm Rolesor Oyster Perpetual Date-Just with black dial. R150533 with the now discontinued engine-turned bezel.
I had looked at several models including a TriDor model and an OysterQuartz, which I thought ticked WAAAYYY too loudly. (Now I wish I had one - may still add this model if I find a good one.)
Still have all the original papers, boxes, check carbon, receipt, all links and tags.
It was first overhauled in November 2016 [it was worn irregularly over the years] and keeps better time now at +2.5 sec/day than when it was new at +4.3 sec/day.
My first and still favorite Rolex. It started the 'collector sickness' for me.
NOW I am hooked on all these dang websites too !!!

[donas]

Dang, I wish I knew they were so cheap in the PX! I bought a 14060 for $2800 from an AD in 1992 while attending my third school after leaving Parris Island. I have no idea what sparked that purchase, just seemed like the thing to do. I wore that watch everyday of my 4 year enlistment, it really took some abuse! Having bought that watch so young and wore it so hard, I crack up when I see TRF posts now days asking if it's safe to have a paper clip on the desk while wearing a Rolex etc.

[Pw92676]

Knowing my wife was expecting with our son.

[Kyle3130]

Originally Posted by Pw92676

Knowing my wife was expecting with our son.

Same for me. Got my 14060M 8 years ago when I became a dad.

[LSU-MOOSE]

My journey with Rolex started when I was 17. I enrolled in a dive certification class to become an advanced open water diver. It was the summer of 1980.

I grew up in south Louisiana. We were middle class. My early childhood was spent in apartments. We moved into our first house when I was 8.
No one in my family wore nice watches. Watches were functional.
My mom had 6 siblings and my dad had 7. My appreciation for the nicer things in life was usually focused around family time, automobiles, trucks, music and food(south Louisiana has a pride in its food). Many of my family on both sides were about cars. That created a love of cars in me which I still love today(more on that at a different time).
I was into sports and cars but not fashion. Boots, blue jeans and a tee shirt was my style. Sports were year round for me and in my junior year focused on wrestling and baseball. The summer between my junior and senior year is when my Rolex journey began. I turned 17 in July and I started dive certification in August. My teacher wore a Submariner. I began to notice the watch during training.
One day after class I asked him about his watch. He set the hook. He went on and on about the craftsmanship of Rolex. I did not know you could own a watch that did not need winding or batteries and was also waterproof to 300 ft. He talked about the quality and longevity of the brand. He told me of the function of the bezel. He explained how the bezel only rotated counter clockwise for bottom time which is extremely important when diving. I was in love. I went to the library to begin researching what I did not know(way before internet). What I found out was amazing. I decided that I needed to own a Submariner.
A kicker to the story is my intern job in my senior year in high school I worked for an engineering firm. The owner of the firm also wore a Rolex. He wore a President Day/Date in all gold. I noticed his watch because of my divemaster’s watch.
I was set to go to college and get my engineering degree and then get an MBA. My interest in engineering was a natural entry into automatic watches. My journey with Rolex begins. You see I was in love with Rolex 34 years before I ever owned one.

[Oxfordian]

Some great stories in this thread, my route to Rolex is far less inspiring.

I had two Omega’s, the Seamaster and Speedmaster and wanted a new watch, something a little bit dressier, nothing in the Omega range really appealed so my wife said why not a Rolex - they must do a dressier watch.

A few weeks later the dealer called me and said that my DJ had arrived, it is great, it now has a Submariner for company and hopefully a new addition to the collection next year.

My Rolex watches are great but they are just watches, I enjoy collecting watches from other brands as well there are so many great watches on the market we really are spoilt for choice at the moment.

[George58]

my late father bought his DD in 1979 and wore all the time that set the hook now I wear it

[mquarter]

Originally Posted by Moony17

Been struggling with personal + work challenges for the past 3 years, and this year was a breakthrough, reason enough to get a Rolex.

I can really relate to this. I had a few years where I had to deal with health issues one after the other, said to myself fuck it I'm gonna treat myself.