What motivated you to buy your first Rolex?

[HogwldFLTR]

Following the footsteps of a fictional character.

[JSolution]

Tony soprano

[S7gpt]

to celebrate paying off the mortgage, well that and my 50th birthday although a I had to wait a while for the call !

[DtownRRS]

Magnum and a bunch of dead quartz watches sitting in my drawer.

[piglet]

Absolutely - I grew up watching Magnum PI with Thomas, Higgins, TC, Rick, Zeus, and Apollo - what a great show - not to mention his original Pepsi GMT! Later transitioned to watching Miami Vice with Crocket and Tubbs and his gold date just - Good Times.

[al503]

I'm in the buy once, cry once camp. I wanted to get one watch that I could wear for as long as I wanted, whether that was a few years or as long as I'm around. I always considered the sub one of the best looking watches that had that durability, along with the history, reputation, etc. It was an easy choice.

[brandrea]

Same as you OP, National Geographic ads are what started my interest.

Then as I grew older I’d go by our local AD to look at the watches in the flesh. In those days it was common to see Submariners, GMTs, even the odd Daytona in the window …. In 1992 I finally ended up buying my first Rolex a 16600 SeaDweller.

All these years later, I’ve been fortunate to have owned most of the professional references.

I still have the same passion for watches as I did back then and I’m happy to be part of this forum of WIS where I find people of a collective mind set who get it

[Stan Cooper]

My flight instructor at the Vandenberg AFB aero club and Chuck Yeager. Both wore 1675 GMT-Masters.

[Calborn]

was having lunch with an executive at the office, and couldn't help but admire the bluesy he was wearing. I was an Omega fanboy up until that point.

[noshame]

Had a watch on my wrist since I was 6 years old. My dad, a hard-working man who raised 5 kids on minimum wage, wore a replica Oyster Royal Precision for many years and I knew as a young adult I wanted a Rolex, one day.

In 2017, for our 10 year wedding anniversary, my lovely wife made that dream come true.

[Driver8]

No great milestone or "life event" for me - I've just always been into watches, right from when I was a kid.

I had my first watch at age 5, and have basically worn a watch every day of my life since. I had Timex and Casio when I was a kid, Seikos in my teens, and then I bought my first "proper" watch (an Omega) at 17. After that it really ramped up - Breitling, Omega, IWC, Tag Heuer, Panerai, etc.... and Rolex. Basically Rolex was just another brand and over the years I've gone from a bit of a love/hate relationship with Rolex, to them now being my favourite brand.

[ONE WARRIER]

I have always wanted a Rolex but could never bring myself to purchase one due to the price of these beautiful watches. I have a total of 53 years with the United States Navy so far (21 Active Duty - 32 Civil Service). I'm going for 60 total years and then I might make the Navy a career! Anyway, I thought about reaching 50 years and suddenly I could justify the purchase as I felt that anyone with that many years should have something very nice to commemorate it. I bought a new OP 34 (I have a small wrist) in the beginning of 2018 and I'm so thankful I did. Inventory with the A.D. was already getting a bit scarce so I was lucky to get it. I'm hoping for a Rolex Sky-Dweller when I reach the big "60". Sorry for the wordy explanation folks.

[GolfJunkie]

Always wanted one and got to a point where i could get myself one.

[msu_1972]

At 24 yrs old I bought my first Rolex was not for me but I bought it as a retirement gift for my dad since that's what he always wanted. Several months later, I finally bought a date Sub for myself since I have always wanted one and I felt that I was making good money to treat myself to something nice.

[daking19]

I remember watching "Goldfinger" and seeing Connery wearing his Rolex.
a few years later, I began to really make a effort to look for my 1st Rolex.
The local AD was Carlye & CO. I would visit and told the manager what I was looking for, this is in 1995. He called a week later and said he wanted me to come by. He took me back to his office, and handed me a oyster box, (i belive it was still wrapped in cellophane) my first Rolex 16610 SS Submariner date, tritium dial. These days I wear a Apple watch to work,but when i get home I will rotate between the submariner or a GMT Master 2 ref 3186 coke stick dial. I have been very fortunate to wear these 2 these watches.

[Cool Hand]

Countless hours of research into GADAs and One Watch Collections.
---> 124270

[Cool Hand]

Also, this

[Rolex.Journey]

Always noticed my parents wore the same watch. My dad told me he bought them in the late 80s. Crazy that 40 years later they still wear them. Decided when I got married I wanted a timepiece that would follow the same suit. Went from LA jewelry district, to the world of ADs, to the forums and lamenting lol. That’s how the obsession started and that’s what provoked all this.


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[Rebel]

I had wanted one from the moment I saw the screenshot of the Submariner in "The Man with the Golden Gun."

[ryangambrill]

Always wanted one. My first luxury watch was a Tag (I know, I know, not a really brand) that I received from my Mom for Xmas when I was 16. I have always been a watch and car guy.

My first Rolex was when I was 18. Our family jeweler was taking in a Sub SS with date on trade. Had my eye on it and had to have it. Sweet talked the owner into letting me take the watch and pay him over the course of a couple months. :-)

The rest is history…….


Current:
- 16622 & 18078
- Tudor GMT
Past: Sub Serti Silver 16613 & Sub SS w/Date

[Wee-Willie]

In 1986, as an Auditor, I was busy testifying against several "bad guys" in an embezzlement fraud & noticed they all wore Rolexes! I liked the watches & after they were convicted, went & bought my 1st Rolex....I thought if crooks could wear them, a good guy could too!!!

[Krash]

I remember always being sort of a watch fanatic. I wore Siekos, Citizens, Bulovas, etc. Eventually, my net worth really started to pile up. However, my wife and I lived pretty modestly relative to our wealth.

After putting my two lovely children through college, I just thought it was time to reward myself with a couple luxury watches. When I was a kid, I was a huge James Bond fan (Connery/Moore era), and I was also a huge fan of the Apollo Space Program. It was quite a thrill for me to buy a Rolex Submariner and then an Omega Speedmaster Professional shortly thereafter.

Now I plan on buying more Rolex watches (at least 2 more)...

[Avs Fan]

Similarly, my first Rolex was also a Z series 16600 purchased in 2008. I still love this reference. My daughter now enjoys it as her daily.

[tanask211]

I remembered seeing those regular Rolex advertisements on Newsweek magazines that my elder brother subscribed in the late 80s. Was really amazed how a Rolex watch was made and wore by successful people in these advertisements. Started looking for a decent watch in 2014 and wanted a Omega but was advised by a friend to pick up a Rolex as there is still a possibility of getting some discount. In early 2015, I walked into a AD and picked up a black ceramic GMT under a 3 year instalment plan. Was keen on the batman but it was selling above retail price in AD and will need to be on wait list.

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[Mike I]

Triple bypass 12/11. Sub Date 2/12.

[kxux]

Milestone birthday for my first one. Few other milestones after that and also some just because :-).

[MAINEZX10]

My grey guy talked me into buying my first Rolex, a Sub Date, 15yrs ago. $3k. The good ole days.

[Macnavara]

Worked in an AD over 30 yrs ago and got hooked….payed £700 for an explorer if I remember correctly….been a slippery slope sine then

[Bruse Wayne]

opened an online business and told myself "when this thing hits its first million in sales I will pull the trigger".... To my surprise that happened fairly quick and I acquired my 16570 sometime around 2014.

[Comewatchme]

Originally Posted by piglet

As far back as I can remember, I always was intrigued by Rolex. When visiting my Grandparents home I would read their National Geographic magazines with excitement to read about a new culture and to see pictures of far-off distant locations. I remember reading the Rolex ads - showing explores, divers, and adventurers braving the elements all the while wearing a Rolex. I knew I had to have one.

When I joined the Marine Corps in 1992, I had the opportunity to purchase a new 14060 at the exchange for $1,500. I passed because back then that amount was my entire monthly salary. So, I decided I would start saving to eventually get my first Rolex.

As a Marine Aviator, I knew I wanted a GMT Master II and in 1997 I purchased my first Rolex for $3500 I wanted a tool watch - rugged, reliable, iconic, and something to be proud to wear in uniform. My 16710 W-series is now turning 25-years old and it has been to 32 countries. I keep a log-book on my iPhone of my watches for maintenance and all the countries they have been to as well as special events they have attended.

Because of this forum, I was compelled to seek out a 16600 as it was always referred to as the most robustly build Rolex at the time. I blame (padi56) for of all his stores about his 16600, so in 2007, I purchased my second Rolex for $5000 a Z-model. It has been to 25 countries and I was very content with my two 5-digit tin-can clasp bracelets Rolex’s.

Then once again, after reading all the reviews this year of the 124060, I was once again compelled to seek out one as a retirement gift to myself. I went through DavidSW and was very satisfied with the entire purchasing process. The 124060 has quickly moved into my number 1 spot and see’s the most wrist-time. I am all set with my tool watches for the near term and cherish the memories, scratches, dings, and gouges they have accumulated over the years of hard use.

What motivated you to be a Rolex owner and have you worn your watch to it’s fullest? Looking forward to read your stories.

Envy, but in a good way. I Chanelle it into motivation.