would you buy you 13 year old boy a rolex

[Andad]

Lighten up Roscoe.

Buying a 13 year old a watch should be a fun thing.

My sixteen year old has a new car (just a cheapie) - who cares?

I would rather she had something safe and reliable to drive to school in (with 6 air bags rather than and old bomb) and it is a family backup driver if we need one.

We all make decisions for our own family situations. No two members are exactly alike and that is what makes things go round.

She doesn't have a Rolex, just and old ladies TT Tudor.

[chazha]

I bought my Omega when I was 15 with my own money.. perhaps he could do the same.

[chicfarmer1]

Quote:
Originally Posted by crowncollection View Post
I just wanted to know if other fathers had bought their son's rolexes at this age or if my thoughts were vastly different to other fathers with the means.
----
There are great numbers of kids with financially secure parents. The expectations vary widely and are in some respect culturally related. For the families I know, many would rather see their children focus on values and ethics in this crucial age bracket, and attend very little to becoming good little consumers. I think it depends on what the lesson is here.
On the other hand, in my own tradition, 13 is the age of community-recognized manhood, so an adult gift would be appropriate.

You can't predict a damn thing about the outcome. He may treasure it like it's a Saturn ring, or trade it for an iPod and a bag of Cheetos. And by college, he may elect to be a vegan mendicant sleeping in a yurt, without two socks let alone a Rolex.

Have fun and express love however it works in your family context.

[zooropa]

My Father bought me a new GMT Master when I was 16 years old, I was obsessed with Rolex from about the time I was 14, Interestingly I was the one that got my Father into Rolex's! I am 40 years old now, my Father passed away 14 years ago, and I still have the watch, it looks like it's new, I still wear it when I need a little good luck, It's one of my most treasured possessions! I should also add that I always took great care of it!

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

Quote:
Originally Posted by crowncollection View Post
I just wanted to know if other fathers had bought their son's rolexes at this age or if my thoughts were vastly different to other fathers with the means.
----
There are great numbers of kids with financially secure parents. The expectations vary widely and are in some respect culturally related. For the families I know, many would rather see their children focus on values and ethics in this crucial age bracket, and attend very little to becoming good little consumers. I think it depends on what the lesson is here.
On the other hand, in my own tradition, 13 is the age of community-recognized manhood, so an adult gift would be appropriate.

You can't predict a damn thing about the outcome. He may treasure it like it's a Saturn ring, or trade it for an iPod and a bag of Cheetos. And by college, he may elect to be a vegan mendicant sleeping in a yurt, without two socks let alone a Rolex.

Have fun and express love however it works in your family context.

[SWIMPRUF]

Buy him first an Seiko SKX and see how he treats it. If your kid appreciates and really takes care of it then I would get him a rolex at the age of 20+ or so.

But at the age of 13? Nah. Strongly disagree.

[gregmoeck]

wait until he graduates or graduates college.

[Rebel]

No.

[Jagatai]

Yes I would.
I wouldn't tell him.
I'd keep it in a safety deposit box and give it to him when he graduates college.

[gqllc]

I bought my son a TT Datejust Jubilee Rhodium Dial Roman Numeral Rolex. He was 3 at the time and has been kind enough to let me wear it periodically over the past 9 years. It will be returned to him on his High School or College graduation depending on my decision!

[Strut99GT]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

Not only no, but hell no. My 16 year step son breaks and destroys everything he touches.

What he said!

[Boopie]

No!

[SWIMPRUF]

Originally Posted by tattooedfagin

forget the watch & buy the kid a better education

+1

[amg55]

Get him a genuine copy and see how long it lasts. ;) If > 12 mths then I think a real McCoy should survive the rigger of youth :)

[Andad]

A what?

[amg55]

"Genuine Copy"? .. just a borrowed term from the streets of Bangkok ;)

[Morax]

I would not.

[Andad]

[kenhiraihnl]

Forgive me for getting a little OT, but Jodie Foster was 13 when she acted in Taxi Driver. Generally, girls are more mature than boys at that age, and Jodie was an exceptional pre-teen and turned out to be an exceptional woman. OP's circumstance my mimic the kind that Jodie Foster experienced at her age. I can see exceptional circumstances where a 13 year-old girl might wear a $2k piece of jewelry, or a boy might wear a similar piece of jewelry. "Never" should be considered very seriously, but maybe not for what watch to wear...it's just a watch, sheesh...

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by amg55

Get him a genuine copy and see how long it lasts. ;) If > 12 mths then I think a real McCoy should survive the rigger of youth :)

Originally Posted by amg55

"Genuine Copy"? .. just a borrowed term from the streets of Bangkok ;)

Just so you know fakes are the products of criminals and their sale is also a criminal activity and enterprise.

We do not in anyway approve of fakes or their discussion on this website.

So I trust you will refrain from engaging in any further type of discussion of that nature.

[Speed]

Ibtl

[cody p]

No. But I would buy the kid a G-Shock.

[rad87gn]

When I was 13 I was already way into collecting watches. Only problem was I took most of them apart to see what was inside. Later I found out that taking them apart would be my career (computer engineer) to buy nicer watches when I got older. At least you can't take a Rolex apart with a screw driver so you may have some advantage there.

[subkrawler]

Originally Posted by kenhiraihnl

Forgive me for getting a little OT, but Jodie Foster was 13 when she acted in Taxi Driver. Generally, girls are more mature than boys at that age, and Jodie was an exceptional pre-teen and turned out to be an exceptional woman. OP's circumstance my mimic the kind that Jodie Foster experienced at her age. I can see exceptional circumstances where a 13 year-old girl might wear a $2k piece of jewelry, or a boy might wear a similar piece of jewelry. "Never" should be considered very seriously, but maybe not for what watch to wear...it's just a watch, sheesh...

+1...never say Never.

Honestly I'm surprised by all of the "No" answers. How many of us have already bought watches and put them back for our kids? I have, and I know a lot of you have too.

While I wouldn't just hand over a Rolex to a 13 yr old, I see nothing wrong with letting him/her wear a Rolex (talking about an Air King, or an SS 31mm OP, not a diamond encrusted DD platinum Masterpiece) on special occasions. Occasions like a coat and tie dinner with Mom and Dad to a nice restaurant, or to church, a wedding, or a special holiday. Children need to be taught responsibility, and to appreciate, respect, and care for what they own. If they're not given the chance, and are only made to do so when they're an adult, how are they supposed to learn? Just look at a lot of people who didn't have the opportunity to learn about nice things as a child (think sports figures, movie, and music stars as an example). What do they do when they grow up and start making money? A lot of them blow huge sums on cars, clothes, watches and jewelry, in a time when they should be saving and planning for the future.

I know that working hard for something gives it value, but what about gifts? Do you all take them totally for granted? Some of my most prized possessions are things that have been given to me by people that I hold dear. My wife gave me my 16610LV for our 13th wedding anniversary. That watch means more to me than any of my other Rolex watches that I've worked hard, and saved for.

There's nothing wrong with giving a kid nice things, if you use it as a teaching tool, and you yourself accept some of the responsibility that goes along with it. Since the OP has the resources, I say more power to him, but do it wisely.

[Jinder]

No, I always felt a Rolex should be earned, he should buy his first one on his own...in time.

[bewithabob]

Originally Posted by bewithabob

no

After reading all these other posts, I am changing my answer to
Definitely Not.

[CoopJr]

Originally Posted by Speed

Ibtl

Me too!!

[Omega 1120]

If the kid was at a swiss boarding school....maybe.

To wear everyday in America.....no

[Welshwatchman]

Iatl.