First Rolex - New or Used?

[shapa]

New of course.

[jpettit]

Thanks for all the input folks, sounds like the consensus is more or less towards buying new from an AD.

Also, apologies for not responding sooner, I think my post had to be manually approved or something along those lines since I am new, just saw it was live a few moments ago.

A few folks asked what watches I am looking at - I think my top three currently are Sub no date, Air King, or 39 Oyster Perpetual. Definitely open to opinions on the choice of first watch also. I'm pretty firmly in the SS area, the PM watches are a bit out of my price range for the time being.

[Muxi]

I’d suggest you opt for new unit, or at least one that is like-new-in-box. For a beginner it is very hard to appreciate a pre-owned one unless it is a hand-me-down or bought from a friend. Part of you will always think, why did he sell this? Did he drop it? Is it polished or repaired? You gain more confidence in time.

Price difference between new and preowned is minimal anyway (for the non-hyped models).

[huba01]

Go used if you want a hard to get model, you will wear it anyway.

[jpettit]

Are these models considered hard to get?

Originally Posted by jpettit

A few folks asked what watches I am looking at - I think my top three currently are Sub no date, Air King, or 39 Oyster Perpetual. Definitely open to opinions on the choice of first watch also. I'm pretty firmly in the SS area, the PM watches are a bit out of my price range for the time being.

[HankScorpio]

Originally Posted by jpettit

Are these models considered hard to get?

Sub will be the hardest of those 3 models. I would try to go AD for your first purchase.

[brian15876]

Originally Posted by Bob the brush

You may pay above MSRP, but you will get the watch you want virtually straight away. As for the AD experience, I bought 3 of mine new from different AD's, and it's just a purchase as is anything else you buy, except you might be offered a soft drink or a coffee whilst they size the bracelet to fit you. It's nothing special in my opinion, it may be different if your buying high value precious metal watches which I have never done. As for servicing, no problem Rolex will do this or any independent with a parts account will, also Rolex will carry out warranty work if necessary, provided the watch is covered by their warranty. There are many trusted sellers who advertise watches in the for sale section here, use one of them for your first purchase if not from an AD, you won't have worries then. Welcome to the forum, read past posts and you will learn a lot, I know I have. Good luck, I hope you get what you want.

+1 the ad experience is nonsense, haven't stepped foot in the ad i bought the watch from since i bought it