Ready to buy my son his first Rolex- thoughts?

[bajwa]

I have three kids- two daughters and a son. My son (the youngest) has grown into a wonderful young man, doing well in his studies (two majors), cares for myself and his mother, he's responsible for himself and cares for the family, and I'm just pleased with him overall. His 21st birthday is not far off and as he approaches the beginnings of his career I was hoping to get him something he'd remember and hopefully can pass on some day. I was hoping to get him a 124060 Submariner (he's obsessed over my 14060m for years), but after speaking to my local AD looks like the new Sub might be a difficult request. I've found a number of 114060's from well respected Grey Market Dealer's so that seems like a logical choice to me.

His watch is similar to mine, about 7" and he's been wearing a 40mm Seiko for some time now that fits my wrist quite well. Do you think the 114060 is an appropriate choice for the 'occasion', and will it be a good daily wearer? Should I only search for examples under warranty or would an earlier year Sub be fine in your opinion?

I remember these being ~$7k a few years ago, can't find one for under $10k these days. What's that about! Still, it's worth what I'm willing to pay at the end of the day I suppose.

Thank you in advance

[BLNR Nairobi]

Would you consider giving him your current watch now or it’s not yet time? He seems like he’d value that.

If not, the 114060 is also quite good (and since he’s a watch person, unlike some young people, he would also treasure it).

You’re both lucky to have each other.

[TheVTCGuy]

Adopt me

[PepsiBezel]

One consideration, if going to resellers, is around August (maybe July) 2020, Rolex switched to new style warranty card. The new card no longer has the purchaser’s name on it — convenient for gifting!

[sgwatchguy]

Congrats to him and yourself on his upcoming milestone.

The 114060 is an excellent first Rolex. I’d suggest topping up and going for the new 41mm Sub’s just launched.

[ommmjido]

I think 114060 is a great choice, versatile yet not over the top.

[AkshayArgade]

My advice to you would be let him buy his own watch with his own money.

Sorry dont mean to be rude but you cannot give kids everything on the platter.

Let him work for it.

And incase you absolutely want to give him a watch. Give him your old sub.. not a new one.

Just my opinion

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[42itus]

I’m guessing he would much prefer your watch over something purchased.


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[bcmind]

I agree on giving him the 14060m

[IamJacky]

I'd say a 114060 is an excellent first Rolex for your son. If possible, can get an unworn one via grey, preferably with the new warranty card with no names, then it'll be a perfect gift!

[bajwa]

Perhaps giving him the 14060m and picking myself up a 114060 would make sense... I've just grown so attached to it it'd be hard for me to move on haha

I'll put some thought into it. I think he does like the 114060m quie a bit. Seen him looking at pictures of it on his laptop once or twice...

[bajwa]

Originally Posted by AkshayArgade

My advice to you would be let him buy his own watch with his own money.

Sorry dont mean to be rude but you cannot give kids everything on the platter.

Let him work for it.

And incase you absolutely want to give him a watch. Give him your old sub.. not a new one.

Just my opinion

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I do agree with this to some extent. As a father giving my children things that I didn't have access to at their age gives me some deep satisfaction. Maybe that's selfish in some way. I know he'd cherish it and keep it maybe forever, which is why I think it's a good choice for him.

Part of the reason the 114060 seems like a good choice is because I got my sub new many years back, and all the stories I have with this watch are mine. I think it'd be like that for him too..

[joli160]

Give him yours, it will be much more valuable to him.

Buy another at a grey. Small premium for a lifetime ownership

[Ihatecheese]

If I was in that situation, I trusted that my kid would appreciate the gift and not be a target at university then personally I would give him my 14060m for the sentimental reasons. It's just a watch to you. To him it equates find memories with his dad, perhaps!

[bp1000]

Do you have a different AD nearby you could try.

Yes the subs are very popular but people on here have been getting them in pretty quick. Especially the no date.

If you go to an AD and explain the backstory as you have done here, ADs are usually very receptive to that.

Good luck

[alpharulez]

Agree with comments here. Especially about letting your son work and not just buy it. Looks like he does deserve it from what you put out there.

Some additional thoughts.

- GMT instead of Sub if he plans to travel? More practical for an youngster.

- Perhaps not brand new or crazy grey prices but maybe a birth year watch? Not too difficult to find one from the 90s. More memorable.

- If you are set on a sub, give yours and get yourself a new one...


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[nicon]

Give him your 14060M if he likes it and wait for 124060 for yourself.

[OG1982]

Congratulations and well done on raising a young man to be proud of.

[Jimmy66]

I don't have a suggestion for a watch, but I just want to say that you sound like. great dad, and your boy sounds like a brilliant young man!

[jumpmaster 175]

I am close to having this same issue, my son is nearing graduation and I would like to do celebrate the day as well, my thoughts:

1. The "make him buy his own" is nonsense - no explanation needed
2. I wouldn't give him yours, I have my fathers sub and that will go to my son when I die, just like my fathers..(this only works if you plan to keep yours;)
3. I wouldn't buy him the same watch...I would go grey and buy him a 116710LN...different than yours, and a great daily wear

good luck to you and your son

[Emery]

If it has to be a Rolex you're gifting, why not start his journey off with something classic like the DJ or OP? I'm assuming he'll someday get your Sub after all.

I would personally buy new from AD rather than go grey.

[braveheart09]

Originally Posted by Emery

If it has to be a Rolex you're gifting, why not start his journey off with something classic like the DJ or OP? I'm assuming he'll someday get your Sub after all.

I would personally buy new from AD rather than go grey.

this^


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[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by BLNR Nairobi

Would you consider giving him your current watch now or it’s not yet time? He seems like he’d value that.

If not, the 114060 is also quite good (and since he’s a watch person, unlike some young people, he would also treasure it).

You’re both lucky to have each other.

This!


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[jimcameron]

Give him your watch. It will have a much greater impact. Then you can get whatever you want.

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Give him your watch. It will have a much greater impact. Then you can get whatever you want.

+1


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[Leicaman]

I wouldn’t give him your watch. He’s only 20 and I think he’d probably prefer to get his own watch that he can love and rack up great memories with. I’m sure he’d love to get your watch further down the road, probably when he’s in his 40’s or 50’s when you finally decide to leave this world.
I think either a 114060 or explorer 1, or even an explorer 2 would be a fantastic choice.
An explorer 1 shouldn’t be so difficult to track down at an ADs.

[goliat]

Dad, it's me, your second son. Pick up the phone please

[BillA]

Agree with some other posters......send your watch back for a day at the spa, get a 2 yr warranty with it, it will look pristine, give him the watch when it returns, will also save you a lot of money.

[brandrea]

I’d get him the watch that he wants. If that’s the 114060 then that’s the right choice. If it’s something else, I’d be inclined to wait it out till the right watch surfaces.

[wiem0014]

This is an incredible gesture and it makes me hopeful that one of my children/grandchildren will share my passion for watches so that I can pass them down at some point.

I think that you should keep your watch and eventually pass it down to a grandchild or perhaps a wedding gift to an upcoming son-in-law. For your son, I would purchase something new if you can and perhaps pay a small premium from a grey dealer for the 124060. For your first Rolex I think that it is special to be the first owner.