Why did you.....

[alexwatchenthusiast]

I'm fifteen and have bought my first Rolex today. It doesn't reflect having made it in life (obviously.) It reflects my love and passion for watches. The very fact that i would spend every cent i have on a watch (i made my money busking playing a cello on the street) shows how much i admire/respect/have passion for the art of fine wristwatch making.

The watch is a Rolex Explorer II Black Dial tritium markers from 1992.

[CWIN]

I've always loved watches but never felt the need to buy a high end one until I started shopping for my wife's engagement ring. I left the house one morning planning on bringing home an engagement ring...I instead brought home a 16610 for myself. My then girlfriend was not pleased

[GhostInTheMachine]

Growing up, my father had a YG Oyster Quartz President. That watch was a work of art compared to anything I had seen.

For me, it was the white Explorer 2 that always stopped me in my tracks. I finally treated myself to a white Explorer 2 about 10 years ago. That was my first.

I just picked up an Explorer recently because my wife has taken to the Explorer 2.

I had forgotten just how nice a Rolex truly is. It is a reminder of absolute perfection as much as humanly possible within COSC standards. :)

There are more accurate watches to be had, but $ for $ I think Rolex is the benchmark.

[sdlivin]

Great, phenomenal and amazing stories. Thank you all for continuing to share! And to those of you who said:

"Cause I wanted one"

You are missing the point. Why? Why did you want one? There is either the excellent marketing, you seeing it on a successful person, or just cause it looks badass!

[build4boost]

I was that guy who wore 6 Swatch watches at a time in the 80s.
I bought my first Submariner to represent getting out of the Navy.
Sold it to fund a Yacht-Master when I divorced wife #1.
Sold that because I did not like it and missed my Sub, but funded a Daytona.
Got some extra cash after I sold my tow truck company then
had the chance and bought my old Sub back, then bought a second Sub only to sell both to fund my DSSD.
Fell in love with the Explorer II and had to have it, just because.
Had 4 spaces to fill on my watch winder, so..
Never owned a GMT, so I got one. (I wear this everyday now as it is my favorite.)
Was mad at how small the Daytona fit so I traded it with cash for my Yacht-Master II.
So.. I'm done for now, but I think at some point I will sell off everything for a Sky-Dweller as my daily.
Who knows.. That's the fun with watches.

[Roll the Lex]

A bonus to myself for a promotion. And always liked nice watches. Got the exp 1 since it was a classic understated design. No regrets and I'm coming up on a year of ownership! Still love the watch and want more!


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[BMess]

To me Rolex means accomplishment, but not to get accomplishment confused with success. The vast majority of posts on TRF about first watch purchases (or gifts) mark some sort of milestone or accomplishment, whether that is graduating school, passing the bar/CPA exam, getting a promotion, having your first kid, turning 40/50/60etc. Everyone talks about how they buy a Rolex to mark something important to them. Mine was a college graduation gift from my (90 year old) grandparents. Not only does this mark an accomplishment, but it is also a sentimental gift. It's something that I can keep long after my grandparents aren't here anymore and one day, perhaps, hand it down to the next generation. The day before I was given the gift, I had put a call into my banker to transfer some money so I can buy my watch after the holiday weekend. I believe everyone has a story behind their first Rolex and it's nice to read those stories here.

[cop414]

My "first Rolex" original post... long story...

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=282895

[fishingbear]

I always loved watches through my teens and college years. I got a Tag my junior year in college and along in my career when I was at the point to afford a Rolex I bought one.

[RMC12]

I bought mine to celebrate my daughters birth. My wife and I were passing a jewellers and stopped to look at rings. I told her I would like to buy her one for giving me the most wonderful gift I could ask for - our baby girl. We went in and she fell in love with one particular ring. We were just about to pay and she told me she thought I should treat myself too and buy a new watch. I had owned many Tags previously and had a Corum at the time but really fancied a Rolex SubC. As I have mentioned in previous posts I fell in love the WG SubC without realising it was WG. However the Hulk was the next best thing for me. So all in all a great day out with a couple of reletively impromptu purchases.

The YM for my wife, my Explorer II and GMT II are all down to you guys!