How did you decide on your first Rolex?

[Rockrolex]

I was introduced to Rolex by a potential client who wanted me to find a country where he could manufacture and export knock-off Rolexes. It didn't take much to convince my client committee to decide not to take him on as a client. In the meantime, he sent me a fake YG DD that looked amazingly like the real thing. It even fooled a watchmaker I took it to to have it sized. I wore it twice before I couldn't stand to wear it any more. But then I started looking on e-bay and found a real TT DJ that I liked. That started the obsession about 18 years ago. I now have about 20 high end automatics, including 4 Rolexes (2 TT DJs, a YG DD, and a SS GMT-II).

[WatchesAreCool]

Try them all on and the right Rolex will speak to you once it's on your wrist. There are plenty of Rolex models that I hated when shopping online and loved once seeing in person, and vice versa

[ras47]

As happens so often, acquiring your first fine watch sparks something inside and the watch bug takes hold.

[RHJ]

I looked all steel models and decided for the Explorer because it's understated, beautiful, highly readable also without glasses and no one notice it. Longer I have it more I love it. All my other watches take five percent of the wrist time...

[brandrea]

I was always drawn to divers and I always wanted a Submariner. When the time came and I could afford it, I decided on the Sea Dweller. I really wish I still had that watch.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I was introduced to Rolex by a potential client who wanted me to find a country where he could manufacture and export knock-off Rolexes. It didn't take much to convince my client committee to decide not to take him on as a client. In the meantime, he sent me a fake YG DD that looked amazingly like the real thing. It even fooled a watchmaker I took it to to have it sized. I wore it twice before I couldn't stand to wear it any more. But then I started looking on e-bay and found a real TT DJ that I liked. That started the obsession about 18 years ago. I now have about 20 high end automatics, including 4 Rolexes (2 TT DJs, a YG DD, and a SS GMT-II).

Cool story

[hugs]

I bought my current Rolex because there was going to be a price increase in a couple of days, it shouldn't lose too much value, and because it is the most versatile/neutral in the range.

A very romantic and exciting story I'm sure you will agree

[kauffee]

When I graduated residency with no money and lots of debt, I was determined to get either a Speedmaster or Submariner... the two watches I'd wanted since I was a kid. I figured at less than half the price, I'd get the Speedmaster first and save up for the Sub. Then I tried both on. While the Speedy is nice, I was just amazed how much I fell in love with the ceramic Sub. Decided to hold off at that point, and once we bought our house, I bought the SubC and couldn't be happier.

[JnmEaton]

Poor guy has the bug now........ Next, watches to match your outfit. Then comes the "fit" question, is it supposed to slide that much? Oyster bands? Glidelock? I didn't think about that one......huh..... How does that steel feel? My P-R-E-C-I-O-U-S! Precious Metal! Feels great! It disappears on my wrist! The metal literally warms to my skin.....White Golds, Luscious Yellow Golds, Rose Golds.......... Platoonaaaaa-s. Jubilees! Presidents! Could've saved a little longer and got a "grail"...... but its only your first, you'll be back with a new

INCOMING SOON!

LOL!

[WEST HAM ROLEX]

Originally Posted by GRB

This is so right. While the Porsche is a beautiful vehicle , in a few years
it will lose its luster and most of its value.
Enjoy that Sub, I know you're going to purchase.

Yes,,1989 nice cars
1990 -- 14% mortgage...lost house & girlfriend

1991 smashed up Toyota

But kept the Sub...still have it..

[harvey]

...back in 2005 I put my name down for a sub, but then my cousin said go for something a bit different...something you wouldn't normally buy...one with some colour maybe?

Got a LV, a d serial reference! Glad I listened to her!

[AF_Rob]

I asked myself a series of questions.

1: what specific style cues do I like in a watch?
2: what do I want to be able to do with the watch?
3: what functions are vital? (date, GMT, chronograph)
4: what models are a timeless design? (Want it to age well)

If you are also considering a luxury automobile like a Porsche, I would not consider price as a factor... I would get exactly what you want and not compromise due to the dollar amount. You seem to be doing quite well in that department if you were having this conundrum.

[mahefa]

I think buy at least the first one new and from official Rolex dealer, just for the experience to write your name in to warranty card etc. I started Rolex hobby few months ago and it is quite rewarding luxury hobby when you buy right, you don't lose that much money. And as many forum members say, you lose nothing if you never sell :)

[SDRider]

I did a lot of research and tried on a number of watches before picking the bluesy Sub. I'm not normally a fan of gold but this is a gorgeous watch. I love the contrast of the blue face/bezel and the gold. I originally wanted the stainless Daytona with ceramic bezel but they are in very limited supply and when I tried on a gold Daytona I thought it looked kind of small on me. I also tried on a couple DateJust IIs which I liked very much.

Anyway, try on as many as you can and pick the one that speaks to you.

[kilyung]

Veni Vidi Emo

[Verdi]

Go to the shop (one that has most of the models, try Middle East on your travels), spend an hour trying a few and walk away with the one you like and it is comfortable to wear.
Can't go wrong with any sport model: sub, explorer, gmt....DJ.

[wb55]

I wanted stainless steel and (at that time) anything except for a Submariner so looked at the SeaDweller 4000 ceramic and the GMT.

I didn't like the black GMT and the BLNR was quite exciting. Looks different, first time black and blue were used by Rolex, first time two colours were used in one piece of ceramic. I though that was pretty cool and would help with value retention.

My plan was to go back for the SeaDweller at some point but it's now discontinued so I will either get an older 16600 model or a Submariner date next.

[bobby81]

My story only started a little over a year ago. I had a full Gold Watch but it certainly wasn't a Brand Name & it became a little tatty. So I was going to get another Gold Watch but wasn't particular about Brands & then I stumbled upon Bob's Watches & in particular Bob's U Tube. I saw a beautiful Submariner 116613LB the Blue Sunburst Dial & I knew I had to have it. So I started researching Stores as I live in Dublin Ireland there is only one Rolex AD & the price was just crazy. So I started looking in the UK as it's only a short flight from where I am. I happened across a Dealer in the North of England & they had exactly what I was looking for new with Warranty Card stamped signed & dated by an AD in Europe so I got it. I was extremely pleased with the Watch & the service I received. So in April this year just under a year since I bought the Submariner I was on the plane again to England to the same Dealer this time for a Daytona 116503 with classic white dial & gold sub dials & I couldn't be any happier with my purchases. But I'm not finished I intend getting the full gold Daytona next year

[encarter13]

I do not think you can decide until you try everything on. For example, my first purchase was to be a BLNR and I walked out with Sub no-date 114060. Second purchase was to be a white baton dial, fluted bezel DJII and I walked out with a rhodium dial, blue arabic numbers, smooth bezel DJII. Looking at pictures and seeing it on your wrist are two different things.

[TimeToWatch]

It was simple for me. Was a bond fan my whole life. It had to be the Submariner. I think this is a common gateway Rolex for many. It all goes downhill from there...

[maximilianmuller]

How can we pick? We need details such as your lifestyle. How do you dress? Do you travel? So many things to consider first... I have several Rolex watches, each precious for its specific use.

[Blansky]

For me it was that I wanted a Sub style, wanted a date function but not a cyclops.

So it had to be a SeaDweller.

If I was doing it today I'd get a Sub, no date.

[JoseR]

My first was the AK 116900. A good friend of mines has several Rolex and we got to talking about them and it got me to do a little research. I had retire a couple years earlier and figure I'll treat myself something special. Found this forum, did a lot of reading of reviews and research and finally decide to go with the AK because it was different from the others and as an entry level watch the price was right. No regrets..

[iliketime]

love at first sight. Saw it in a used watch shop display, researched it and then purchased eventually

[LawyerFlyfisher]

1. Hold out for a 911. There’s no more iconic car on the planet. Nope. None.

2. You’ve come into this hobby at an inopportune time. Subs aren’t everywhere like they were 3 years ago when I got my first Rolex that I lost a few thousand dollars on because it wasn’t the right watch for me.

I started with Swiss Army quartz watches. They were fine. Then I had some savings 5 years ago and went into a fine watch shop. Tag, Rolex and Shinola. They had 3 Rolex Subs in the case, one no date. A Batman. I think Sub no dates were like $6,800 at the time. It would’ve been a stretch to get it but I should’ve.

The Shinola were $500 for a $40 watch. Insanity.

The damn Tags got me. A lot were on clearance including a Aquaracer chrono. It looked great. $1,400 reduced from $2,300. A bargain! Not. Pure junk. Magnetized from my cell phone. The rubber peeled off the pushers. A pusher came loose. Fixed under warranty. Stopped out of warranty. $200 fix. Just junk. Gave it to my nephew because I was so sick of it.

Then I had enough saved where I could get a Rolex. 2017 and there were still lots to be had. Subs were over $7,000. GMT’s over $8,000. The Explorer just a little too staid for my tastes. But that Air King, it took my breath away. Loved the green, yellow and racing like dial. Got it. Loved it. But then those white gold 3 & 9. Started to notice how messy they made the dial. Got drunk with a buddy who has a no date Sub and reveled in its simple beauty and much more substantial presence. The Air King’s gimmickry lost all charm.

A week later was in Detroit and walked into Tapper’s main store. No Subs, no GMT’s. The Rolex shortage at its peak. They had a 216570 black dial. LOVED IT.

Took a $2,000 loss on the Air King but I’d grown to hate the white gold numbers that didn’t go well with the 05-55 markers.

Love my Explorer 2. The perfect watch for me as a fly fisherman. The GMT is very useful and I love the orange GMT hand on the black.

OP, if you’ve always wanted a Sub, it is THE watch and you’ll never regret it. Don’t mess with compromises.

[blue lion]

Liked Bluesy, bought Bluesy

[Coolex]

There was no deciding. It choses you and you can't live without it. You do anything to get it because anything less is settling.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Coolex

There was no deciding. It choses you and you can't live without it. You do anything to get it because anything less is settling.

Kind of this but I could probably live without it... But I had wanted Rolex Sub for about as long as I could remember. I looked at other divers. The usual suspects including Tudor. Went to an AD and this was 2019 at the height of the madness. So walking into a store and buying one wasn't to be... Found this place and the oft repeated piece of excellent advice. "DON'T SETTLE!!!"

If you want the sub, get the sub. Don't even f#%k around with AD's. You will pay a small premium for new at a reseller. Don't even blink if it is something you want and will keep for the rest of your life.

In my case it did not lead to other watches as I am also a one watch person. I like having it with me every day. I kind of eye a platinum DD since they are a steal used and I love the idea of platinum on my wrist... But probably won't do it. The sub makes me a little bit happier every day.

[RolexRog]

Originally Posted by Wools

I'm in the fortunate position that my life and work is going well that I'm considering buying my fist Rolex.

I've loved watches all my life but coming from humble beginnings, my first foray into watches was a Seiko Chronograph Quartz. I owned that watch for around 6 years and it accompanied me on my Wedding day so you know that I adored it! As time moved on and work progressed, I treated myself last year to my first ever Swiss watch; a Tag Heuer Formula 1 McLaren Special Edition. I was so proud of wearing it, it was the watch I always dreamed of owning and it never disappointed me.

However, buying that watch awakened something in me and I then started to dream of owning a mechanical watch and early this year, I purchased an Oris Pro Pilot Big Crown. It's a stunning watch and owning such a small, beautiful and wondrous piece of engineering always makes me tingle whenever I put it own and wind it.

As my career and life continues to be progressing well, I'm now in the position of wondering whether to buy 2 things: Either a Porsche Cayman 987 or a Rolex. It's a nice problem to have and after trying a few cars, I'm beginning to wonder to treat myself to a Rolex next year and hold off on the 987 as my current car is still doing me well.

If I was to ever own a Rolex, I always wanted to buy a brand new Submariner Date (Steel) as it was the iconic Bond watch but with a Date to make it useable in everyday wear. However, the Explorer II and GMT Master II (In Steel Case) also look the business.

As a man with a refined but simple taste and likes to live life with little clutter, I only wear 1 watch (Making a slight exception for the Apple Watch II for running) so this upcoming Rolex would be used all the time. Also as the price is insane, that helps my decision to own just 1!

So in your past, how did you decide on your first Rolex and did that lead the way to other watches or did you then settle as you had your perfect watch? I would love to hear your stories. :)

Well, I knew I wanted a classic Datejust with a fluted bezel as my first. I was looking at them on Bob's watches and the year that the watch was made was very important to me. So I was looking at watches from 1985 and 1988 (both very good years for me) and I was JUST about to decide between the two of them when I saw a Datejust from 1990 (an INTERESTING year for me, let's just say) with the most beautiful PALE CHAMPAGNE DIAL I had ever seen: the only thing was, it wasn't champagne at all, it was a silver dial that had turned the slightest champagne ... and I knew... I KNEW THAT WAS THE ONE!!

And I BOUGHT IT. When you find the right one, you will KNOW. If you have an ounce of uncertainty, keep looking.

[RolexRog]

Originally Posted by Coolex

There was no deciding. It choses you and you can't live without it. You do anything to get it because anything less is settling.

This is beautiful. This is what I was TRYING to say with my post. Thank you.