The long story of my short journey to becoming a Rolex owner! :D

[Jason71]

Sounds as if this may not be your last swiss timepiece. Welcome Lydia

[sigma18200]

Congratulations Lydia! Loved your story. Totatlly understand the anguish you are going through right now waiting in anticipation for your watch! Enjoy the watch!

[lykame]

Wow, so many messages, thank you everyone. I will respond individually to all of them later, but I have a ten hour shift at work in a few minutes so I just wanted to answer the one question about the fluted bezel and the waterproofing.

It was from the Rolex site (.co.uk) when I was browsing through the Rolexes. They have a picture section that then follows on with 'stories'. One of the stories says the following:

"In the beginning, the Oyster bezel fluting had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. The fluting was, furthermore, identical to the fluting on the caseback, which was also screwed onto the case for the same reason, using specific Rolex tools. The bezel evolved over time and later would be friction fitted onto the crystal and the case. The fluting became a purely aesthetic element."

Does that help? Reading that was the thing that really made me like the fluting a lot more than I otherwise would have.

Lydia.

[HL65]

Welcome to TRF Lydia--a long story but with a great ending! Congrats!!

[GradyPhilpott]

Elements of your story are very similar to mine.

I wasn't sure that I'd actually buy a Rolex, until I tried on the Explorer and it was love at first site.

I put mine on layaway, but came back later in the day with cash to pay it off and take it home.

Sometimes you just know when something is right.

[moo]

Great story and welcome. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new watch for quite some time.

[Gerardus]

Welcome

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by lykame

Wow, so many messages, thank you everyone. I will respond individually to all of them later, but I have a ten hour shift at work in a few minutes so I just wanted to answer the one question about the fluted bezel and the waterproofing.

It was from the Rolex site (.co.uk) when I was browsing through the Rolexes. They have a picture section that then follows on with 'stories'. One of the stories says the following:

"In the beginning, the Oyster bezel fluting had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. The fluting was, furthermore, identical to the fluting on the caseback, which was also screwed onto the case for the same reason, using specific Rolex tools. The bezel evolved over time and later would be friction fitted onto the crystal and the case. The fluting became a purely aesthetic element."

Does that help? Reading that was the thing that really made me like the fluting a lot more than I otherwise would have.

Lydia.

I appreciate that you have done your homework, Lydia. And its great to see your enthusiasm; soon your watch will arrive and you will be 'giddy as a school girl,' and then the fun begins ! Welcome Lydia !

[moviefreak]

Welcome to the Forum..

[jackdog]

Ooooh Lydia...another girlie from England.....brill! Loved reading your story. Enjoy your watch. I just picked up my second Rolex on Saturday, please be careful.....they are addictive. As they say...wear it in good health.

Cheers X

[R1@160@alltimes]

Welcome to TRF and big congrats on your first born

[FlyingMoose]

Originally Posted by lykame

Wow, so many messages, thank you everyone. I will respond individually to all of them later, but I have a ten hour shift at work in a few minutes so I just wanted to answer the one question about the fluted bezel and the waterproofing.

It was from the Rolex site (.co.uk) when I was browsing through the Rolexes. They have a picture section that then follows on with 'stories'. One of the stories says the following:

"In the beginning, the Oyster bezel fluting had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. The fluting was, furthermore, identical to the fluting on the caseback, which was also screwed onto the case for the same reason, using specific Rolex tools. The bezel evolved over time and later would be friction fitted onto the crystal and the case. The fluting became a purely aesthetic element."

Does that help? Reading that was the thing that really made me like the fluting a lot more than I otherwise would have.

Lydia.

Thank you for answering my question, I never knew that. And welcome to the world of Rolex.

[Rags]

Welcome to TRF..

[EchoBlueUK]

Great story. Welcome. Congrats!!!!

[daytonayacht]

hello and welcome,lets hope its the first of many Rolexs

[Numismatist]

Welcome Lydia!

[petesjag]

Hi Lydia,
great story!!!
Looking forward to all your future stories too.........

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by lykame

Hello! :)

I have just discovered this forum and want to share my excitement, because I am getting a Rolex! I have to tell people! Just don't have many people to tell, and so I figured I would tell like-minded people who could better understand my enthusiasm. :D

Furthermore, I like stories, and it gives me satisfaction to talk this through, so this'll probably be long. I'll have fun talking about it, though. :D

My name's Lydia. I'm 25, an age that I can't get my head around because I feel like a teenager still. I'm from England.

For 35 years my mum has worn only one watch. It's a Tudor. She used to be married to the European something-or-other for Tudor, and he gave her this watch as a present. She says that he had it commissioned for her and that it's a one off. It's an 18K gold watch, it's mechanical and has to be manually wound every day. She's worn it pretty much every day and only ever had it serviced once (having done some reading I am now encouraging her to get it serviced again because it must be in need of one!)

It doesn't keep great time, and she'll often think she's ten minutes ahead of the real time, but although I'm not really a fan of yellow gold, it's a beautiful watch. It's possible to easily take the mechanism out, which is always a bit heart-stopping, but the mechanism is out of this world to me. So gorgeous, and a work of art. And science and mechanics. I just love this idea that she's instilled in me - to have a beautiful watch of great quality and to have it for life. I really like that idea; it just sits right with me.

A while ago I was admiring some diamonds in a shop, and the display case that I was looking in had some luxury watches. I spotted a JLC Reverso with the skeleton reverse and LOVED it. But alas, my wrists are tiny and that's a man's watch. It may be a good look on some, but the face of this watch was pretty much wider than my wrist. But it set something off in me - I went from liking the idea of having an excellent watch to actually really really wanting to have one, and wanting to have one right now.

This was about two months ago, and so started my search.

I have a skeleton pocket watch that I really love, because you can see the mechanism and it's beautiful. It was just a cheap thing, but I really adore it. So what I really wanted was a better quality watch that was small and skeletonised.

They don't really exist. There are lots of skeletonised watches, but none that meet my criteria.

I was also somewhat charmed by the notion of a JLC, but only the smallest ones fit me, and of those smallest ones, I only liked two, and even then not a huge amount - the Reverso Florale, which is considerably out of my price-range, and another which unfortunately was a quartz. Now, I don't need my watches to be dead-on accurate, I just want the magic of knowing that I have this amazing machine on my wrist. So that wiped out the idea of a JLC, which is a shame because I was somewhat charmed by the idea. Although the male one with the skeletonised back was the most beautiful to me.

I went to London a couple of weeks ago (to get my ring serviced) and stopped in at Harrods, because that's always a great experience, not that I ever buy anything from there. They have a room full of watches, many in the absolutely ridiculous sort of price range (£200,000, etc). They also have a tiny little Rolex room there.

My mum's watch, her Tudor, for years I have viewed it as 'her Rolex'. So perhaps to honour her idea I went into that little room in Harrods.

Let's talk about a big convert from upturned nose to 'oh, wow, breathtaking'.

A few months ago I decided I didn't particularly buy into the idea of Rolex. I'm not sure why I decided this at all, I just did. I looked at their watches and decided that they were a bit too bulky, and that the fluted bezel on many was somewhat ugly. I also decided (I have no idea why) that I wasn't particularly keen on diamonds on watches (and I am a ridiculous fan of diamonds).

In this little room a very nice salesman gently suggested I could try on a Rolex. I found myself tempted. I eye-balled them and the 26mm Datejusts caught me eye.

I tried on a few, and gosh, within the space of that experience I went from not liking Rolex (for no obvious reason) to absolutely being swept off my feet by them. And quickly I figured out what criteria I liked, which was somewhat amusing to me considering what I had previously decided I didn't like.

My perfect Rolex is as follows:

The 26mm Datejust, in Stainless Steel with a jubilee bracelet. The white gold fluted bezel actually really appeals to me, because I like how it breaks up the light and you don't just get a solid gleam of metal. I have also read, in my search of watches, that the fluted bezel honours when they required this to make the watches waterproof, and for me knowing the 'why' of something makes the appreciation of it significantly more.

Of the various dials I saw, my favourite was the white mother of pearl with diamonds. Considering that I had gone as far as thinking diamonds on watches could sometimes be too much like bling and tacky, I think clearly I am my own hypocrite.

:D

So yeah, that's the Rolex I decided I wanted, which is typical because I believe the dial costs about as much as the watch itself. Whoops.

Quote time. I went to a number of places, and they all quoted me the same apart from one place that quoted a good £400 more. Someone suggested that I do it in stages - get a cheaper dial and then wait a while and upgrade later. But I would struggle with that - I have the watch I want stuck to my retinas, and would want it from the offset, not one that I'll upgrade later. I have no problems with upgrading, but I'd rather not settle for less. Gosh I guess that's silly of me too. But honestly I'd rather wait longer and get what I want first time around.

On Friday I went shopping with my mum, and I needed a chain fixed. It just so happened that because we were rushing I went into the first jewellers I saw, and they just so happened to be a Rolex authorised dealer. I was charmed by them because they did my chain for free, so I asked for a quote on the Rolex. I was quoted the same as elsewhere, but I was speaking to the manager, who told me that I could have a 10% discount on the watch.

Now that's tempting, but it's still an amount I'd rather not shell out right now.

THEN he told me that I could put down a 20% deposit on the watch and then have interest free finance over two years. So I don't pay more on the watch than what I've been quoted and get it earlier than I would have otherwise. Furthermore, in England in January the tax goes up a further 2.5% so it's cheaper to buy the same Rolex now than it is to buy it then. Considering no other place had even offered finance, to also get a massive 10% off a Rolex from a completely legitimate place was really very happy making.

My mum persuaded me to go for it. So I did. They have to order it in, so it'll take maybe two weeks, but the anticipation is really nice. And it feels special to me, like I am honouring my mum.

Aaaaah, so excited! I have specifically asked for white mother of pearl because the flashes of colour in mother of pearl don't appeal to me so much. But yes, I am so looking forward to my Rolex, exactly as I described above!!! :D

And yes yes, I know this is long, but it's been really fun sharing this somewhat short journey with you. :D

Best wishes,
Lydia.

Beautiful story Lydia. Welcome to TRF and don't forget to post some pics of the watch with the mandatory wrist shot as soon as you get it.

[Mac-Apple]

This post will sound 10x better when you read it in a european accent. I swear I could feel your joy in just reading your post. Great Story!!!

[lykame]

Originally Posted by Ear Pain

Hi Lydia, no turning back now!!!!

Cheers, David

Thanks David. And you're right, but you know what? I am totally okay with that! :D

[lykame]

Originally Posted by sleddog

Lydia, it's refreshing to see the enthusiasm..You'll fit in well here!

Thanks! :D Well, it's going to be nice to be here. I can't believe how many people have responded to my post and made me feel so welcome. I am surprised and pleased. I'm glad all my feelings came through with the post. :D

[lykame]

Originally Posted by turnographguy

Nice story! Sounds like a beautiful watch. Can't wait for the pictures!!

It is really a beautiful watch. I was surprised by how beautiful it was. I love that I'll be able to dress it up and down. I love that it's a bit chunky but still very elegant. I love the hidden catch on the jubilee bracelet. I love the mother of pearl, and the fact that my mother of pearl will be unique. I am a fan of things that have been made by nature.

*Sighs* I cannot wait to get my Rolex! :D

[lykame]

Originally Posted by cyglee

Ok, back to welcoming Lydia and her charming enthusiasm.

Yay for charming! I like that. :D I'm pleased that everyone 'read me' as enthusiastic about it. I am so enthusiastic and excited!

The moments before I signed the dotted line as such, I was so nervous, but as soon as I did all my doubt about spending that kind of money just disappeared.

Have I mentioned how I cannot wait??? And it's lovely coming on here because when I start thinking about it in the way that I do when I talk about it, I get this pit of excitement in my chest! :D How wonderful. And you know what? I don't think it's about being materialistic (although it must be part of it, surely?). But even if it is materialistic, it's also significantly beyond that. Hmmm.

[HKtoter]

Lydia, what an absolutely charming story! The excitement you are experiencing now will always comeback when you check the time. :)

[lykame]

Originally Posted by Grissom

Indeed! Welcome Lydia!!

That is the best little smiley! I know he's meant to be clapping, but he looks like he's waving like a hyper little thing.

That looks like me!!! Hahahaha.

Thank you! :D Ooh and your post on bezels and waterproofing didn't seem off topic to me??? Somewhere else in this thread I posted where I found the little I know about the fluted bezels. :)

Hey I'm enjoying responding to all you guys. :D

Lydia.

[lykame]

Originally Posted by Hydrographer

Welcome Lydia, your enthusiasm is really quite infectious. great story :)

Thank you, thank you. Glad to be contagious in such a good way! :D

[lykame]

Originally Posted by Desperado

Welcome to TRF Lydia :) I hope that you enjoy your stay as much as we all do

You guys all seem like you enjoy your stay a huge amount. Certainly I wasn't expecting this level of response. I am only a member of one other forum (about diamonds) and certainly although that's an active forum, this is just like a tsunami of people. It's really rather lovely! Talk about making someone feel good about a purchase... ah, ah, I see what you are all doing now! ;) Hold on, I haven't even received this one yet, and this seems like a clever ploy to persuade me to buy more!

;)

[tulsaokusa]

Lydia...

The problem with materialism is that the promise of fulfillment never materializes. Your problem is not materialism, for you are already fulfilled. You will pass along your fulfillment and your enthusiasm to anything you touch.

Cheers...

[lykame]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Welcome to TRF Lydia, look forward to seeing your Pics once you pick up your watch.

Thank you very much, it's lovely to be here.

(I hope I am not going to get into trouble for responding to everyone individually???)

I will steal my mum's camera when I get my Rolex and there will certainly be pictures. My camera skills will probably need some work, but hey, it's Rolex. It'll look beautiful. :D

[tulsaokusa]

Originally Posted by lykame

You guys all seem like you enjoy your stay a huge amount. Certainly I wasn't expecting this level of response. I am only a member of one other forum (about diamonds) and certainly although that's an active forum, this is just like a tsunami of people. It's really rather lovely! Talk about making someone feel good about a purchase... ah, ah, I see what you are all doing now! ;) Hold on, I haven't even received this one yet, and this seems like a clever ploy to persuade me to buy more!

;)

No... it's a clever ploy to justify sanity through numbers.