In College, Wanting a Rolex

[austinnh]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I really think you ought to use your remaining time in college to really bone up on your watch knowledge, while excelling at your studies, of course.

Here, I disagree. College is a rare opportunity to devote the vast majority of your time to learning before you have other stuff to worry about and while you have access to awesome learning resources.

You'll have the rest of your life to research watches.

Same with drinking. You'll have the rest of your life to do that.

[idolo-2]

i got my watch after i graduated not too long ago. i know a couple people that did works study for 1-3 years to save up and purchase a nice used watch. saving money on some food instead of the freshman 15 can help too ... also beer money haha. I think I spent around $2000 on food i didnt really need.

if you look carefully on ebay you can find newer submariners for right around 3500 if you're lucky. I would think about it for a year or two and then jump the gun if you decide so. but study more of course! :)

[TopNotchChach]

IMO. Save your money and then purchase the watch you really desire.

i could have bought some sub par watch but then i was like, why waste that money when it could go go the watch i really want.

I saved. I purchased.

Love my sub-c

[wokafu]

a tudor is nice...i say go 4 da tudor

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by austinnh

Here, I disagree. College is a rare opportunity to devote the vast majority of your time to learning before you have other stuff to worry about and while you have access to awesome learning resources.

You'll have the rest of your life to research watches.

Same with drinking. You'll have the rest of your life to do that.

That's a strange position considering that during my college years, I managed to study many things that were not in the curriculum, mainly because I was at an institution of higher learning where the resources were available.

What's wrong with taking some of the free time in college to study something that is of interest to the individual with no deadlines, tests, or research papers to crank out.

Having done the majority of my undergraduate work in middle-age may have had some influence on my time-management skills, but it should be noted that I worked throughout my college days and still had time to study things just for the fun of it.

Grad school was infinitely more intense than college, but still there was time for research just for fun and various types of relaxation and recreation, as well.

One thing I didn't waste time doing during my education was getting drunk and recovering from hangovers.

Eliminate those activities and suddenly there's a lot of free time available, as you noted.

[Newportkrieger]

Educating oneself is an ongoing, lifelong process. Intelligent people are always learning..everywhere they can and about anything that interests them as they engage the world around them.

Go for an Omega, sell it and trade up to a Rolex Sub when you have more disposable income. Every gentleman should own a fine Swiss watch IMHO.

[roger0770]

Welcome to the forum, Jeff! I am really happy to see a young person getting his interests in time pieces. Like many have already said, unfortunately I don't think you can easily find any of the time pieces you listed with the price range, but I'd encourage you to keep searching. Through this quest you will be able to learn more about various brands and etc. Rolex is the way to go. I wouldn't settle for anything less.

[steven.veres]

Omega or Tudor for sure. Or save.

[Nalk7]

Hey Jeff, welcome to TRF. Im also a college student, and I had the same dilemma my freshmen year. I was obsessed with the Explorer, so much that I saved up my birthday and christmas money and invested it on apple and google stocks. This september I finally had enough money to buy a used one, so I sold my stocks and bought my explorer. So dont worry, there are ways ;) everyone here has given you great advice, and you cant go wrong with anything said. Good luck, I really hope you get your sub

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Stay in school, study hard, do well on your finals, and eventually buy your dream watch. You will have earned it by then.

In the meantime, there are many Swiss watches without the R prefix that are worthy of owning and are much more attainable.

Listen to this man. Al knows what he's talking about

Originally Posted by Saxon007

If you must have a sub while you are in school get a vintage Tudor Submariner. It has the same oyster case and service network of a Rolex sub for about half the price. Buy it at a good price and when you've graduated you can flip it for a Rolex without losing any money (but you may just wanna keep it).

This is true. You cannot go wrong with a Tudor sub. When you are able to buy a Rolex I'll bet you will want to keep the Tudor also Another watch in your price range is Doxa their divers are legendary

[Le Chef]

I would wait. Save for a mortgage and travel before you buy a good watch. You should also wait a while until you have a job. I work for a company where wearing a Rolex would be the kiss of death - too flashy and obvious. Yet I can wear a Lange or Patek Philippe and no one notices.

[tfarchio]

I was originally looking to spend under a thousand as well, so I was looking at vintage Tudor and omega watches. But as time went on, I couldn't help myself and eventually bought an Explorer I. It was a lot more money, but worth every penny.

[Ed Rooney]

I see Oysterdates all the time for about a grand. You might have more fun with a Seamaster, though.

[austinnh]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

That's a strange position considering that during my college years, I managed to study many things that were not in the curriculum, mainly because I was at an institution of higher learning where the resources were available.

I certainly advocate going outside the curriculum! Use those resources while they're available! But researching watches on the internet is hardly taking advantage of those resources.

If you've got extra time, take another class that is of interest to you. Learn a new language or something! Or talk to a professor about engaging in an independent study/reading course/independent research project. (Actually, one could easily come up with some watch-related research projects, depending on the field of study.) These things will get much harder to do once you're out of college. Or pick up a sport/club! Or go hiking or skiing or something, since exercise at any age is important.

I spent a small amount of time researching watches while I was still in college. Mostly during my last year. No problem. But I would not recommend spending more than a small amount of time on it during college.

[GradyPhilpott]

I won't dispute your position, for that is your opinion, but I would draw your attention to this sentence in my original post.

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I really think you ought to use your remaining time in college to really bone up on your watch knowledge, while excelling at your studies, of course.

emphasis added

To excel in one's studies requires a considerable amount of time, at least it did for me, but there should also be time to pursue other interests and please note that I did not limit my advice to the use of the internet, although it is a valuable resource.

That is all I intend to say on the subject.

Thank you for presenting the opportunity to clarify my intent.

[Newportkrieger]

The kid wanted advice on watches and everyone seems to want to step up and offer "fatherly advice" on how to spend his time and money while in college.

This is a watch forum right?

[austinnh]

I was just feeding some debate, cause it's fun.

Even if Jeff is reading this, I doubt he will be taking my "fatherly advice" seriously at all.

[dj1809]

So did Jeff decide on getting a Rolex? I haven't seen an update from him yet.
I agree with the posts suggesting he save his Rolex purchase for a bit later in life (unless of course he has the fiscal flexibility to do it now).

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by austinnh

I was just feeding some debate, cause it's fun.

Even if Jeff is reading this, I doubt he will be taking my "fatherly advice" seriously at all.

What kid in college does take fatherly advice? I did'nt.

[jeffmcc]

Originally Posted by dj1809

So did Jeff decide on getting a Rolex? I haven't seen an update from him yet.
I agree with the posts suggesting he save his Rolex purchase for a bit later in life (unless of course he has the fiscal flexibility to do it now).

Sorry everyone! I've been reading along with all of these but I have finals this week so I've been pretty busy studying for these... After tomorrow morning I'll be able to respond to a lot of your questions and suggestions!

Thanks for all the great responses. I've been following and reading these the past few days.

A few points...

• I like the tudors. They look pretty good
• I don't really have any financial obligations... I have a good amount of money but don't really want to go all out on my first watch..but I still want a nice watch.
• Not a fan of the Seiko Black Monster
• I'm not in any rush to buy one, just looking around..

Thanks again for everything so far! You guys are great!

[Puffy]

you have great taste Jeff

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

The kid wanted advice on watches and everyone seems to want to step up and offer "fatherly advice" on how to spend his time and money while in college.

This is a watch forum right?