Finally a Rolex owner..

[Shade]

I was never a Rolex fan... until last month.

I always thought Rolex as a "mature" watch, or harshly speaking "old guy's" watch... The design is simple, and it looks almost the same from year to year. And I really don't like the gold steel combination... but that's just me.

I'm a huge Panerai and Zenith fan, and IWC on several occassions, but Rolex never strike me as much.

Especially, with all the fakes running around, Rolex is probably the "most" worn watch in the world. Everyone seems to own one, be it fake or real, you just see one at least once a day - at least where I'm living. And these fakes are getting REALLY good, so I got to myself thinking - why would I buy a watch that all other people is also wearing, and they're wearing the fake versions?

Alas... I could not bear in mind when a friend of mine wearing an authentic Rolex and my other friend was laughing his bum off and didn't believe it was authentic. He said "There are SO many fake ones around, and they're getting real good, I can't tell from 1 meter away dude! And surely, no one will wanna hold your hand and squint on your watch!". It dawns on me... knowing that what he said is quite true... I mean... I can't tell if it's a real or fake rolex from 1 meter away... hell I can't really tell much if I'm not holding it.

But all this changed, when one day I went into a watch dealer, and saw a DATEJUST2 Steel with White Gold Bezel.



The watch is calling on to me - it oozes an aura of expensiveness and exclusivity. I have never seen a fake version of this one before... hell I never even saw this version of the authentic one here in my country before... I've seen it in catalogues, but never in person. The white gold fluted bezel glints playfully, even under the plastic wrapping... the roman dial, and the fact that the dial is not completely black, but rather very dark grey... makes it extremely interesting...

So, I asked the dealer for the price, bargained for a hefty discount, and swapped my card. And there it goes, my first Rolex in my life.


Not long after, I saw a friend of a friend's blog, who trades and sells watches for fun and hobby... I saw an old 90s GMT MASTER II...

I always thought the GMTs are kinda dull and boring, since they're packed with numbers all around the bezel, and they're kinda all black and black dial... makes it a bit gloomy.. and they even have the submariner, and seadweller version that is almost the same, just different bezel types...

The pepsi dial (so they call it) is quite interesting, but blue and red is not to my fashion tastes.

So, this 90s GMT MASTER II, is black and red! Since I was never a Rolex fan, I never thought this version existed. Simple to say, Red and Black is a sexy combo. Along with the red GMT needle (the newest version is green), on the black glossy dial... wow... It's just so sexy. I was a bit worried though, since it's kinda smaller (1mm smaller than my datejust2), and I'm accustomed to large watches (Panerai and Zenith), I was worried if getting this smaller one would look queer on me.



I decided I needed to look at it and try it on in person.

We met for coffee, and I took the GMT home.

And wow - for a person who never liked Rolex, to owning TWO Rolexes in ONE month... I find it amazing.



PS: Aside from finding it amazing, I also found out that my wallet is aching! LOL.

[sleddog]

You've got the Rolex bug buddy......Welcome to the club!!!

Congratulations on 2 fine examples....

[nbTimes]

very nice rolex you got!!

congrats & enjoy it.

[Rolex Jack]

Hi Shade,

Congratulations... Welcome to the world of Rolex.

Everybody remembers the day they bought their first Rolex.

Interesting to read your comments about the fakes.... but you know you got the real thing and that is what is important.... not what other people think or say.

An important thing to note about fakes... especially as you say... there was a time when you never saw a real Rolex, or knew the difference between the fake and the real thing... the fakes do have, or have had one positive benefit to the industry.. and that is they have made people aware of the real thing... and even aspire to buy the real thing.... one day.

Congratulations again...Rolex are the ultimate, and you will learn to love my favorite saying in years to come.. and that is 'You cant kill a Rolex"

kindest regards,
Rolex Jack

[Chipmunk]

Nice pair.....Wear them in good health

[Shade]

Thanks friends... and yes, I think I got the rolex bug alright! I keep coming back to my AD every weekend just to see what other rolexes are around that catches my eye! But this time, I keep my cards at home and just bring a little cash along with me hahaha...

[wrxsti]

Welcome to the rolex club! This is just the beginning!

[numbsy]

im in the same boat... got the tt sub c and a few weeks later had to get the gmt2 coke... stupid forums!!!!!!! ;)

[andrew79]

LOL... more to come, believe me.

[HFLO]

congrat ! and I bet your 3rd is coming soon...

[inLine4]

Very nice

[htc8p]

im glad you have seen the light! dont think about how old it looks. think of it as a classic.

i think you instanly have a nice collection already. Congrats!

[B189s]

WOW, 2 Rolexes in a month . Is yours with SS bracelet only? I couldn't find a SS Datejust II in my catalog since all Datejust IIs come with the combination of white/yellow gold and SS.

I know I want to get Rolex for my next watch, but still can't decide which one. All I can say I am leaning towards the Datejust a little more since it's classy and more elegant compared to Sub/SDDS/GMT/Daytone, but you never know :)

[George Ab]

Your Datejust II is stunning. It is so visually interesting...., it just draws you in. Congratulations.

Great read, well thought out discussion.

Just thinking, its been 16 years since my last visit to Jakarta,Surabaya, Yojajakarta, Mt Bromo and Borabudur. It was an adventurous and memorable trip.

[andrew79]

just realized you are in jakarta,.... apa kabar... enjoy the rolex and more to come by joining this forum.. it's watch sickness .....

[andrew79]

just realized you are in jakarta,.... apa kabar... enjoy the rolex and more to come by joining this forum.. it's watch sickness .....

[HL65]

Congrats--2 beautiful watches to start the collection with! Let the games begin!

[Carlos98326194]

Congratulation on your duwa Canti Rolex!

A piece of advice....
Stay away from this forum while you still can
or its too late I guess?

[Clogger]

Congrats, a nice pair of watches you have there.

[nauticajoe]

Very nice! Congrats!!

[nickriebe]

Very nice! Congrats and welcome to TRF!

[Pix]

Great looking watches, like a pair of 501 Levi's or the Porsche 911, the Rolex will be classic.

[superb]

Congrats and i am sure this is not going to be the last of the rolex watches you will be looking at. You should check out the Daytona!

[sakuraba]

Nice pair!

Have to warn you, there is no cure to WISitis!

[sea-dweller]

Congrats !

[esm]

great choices- one dressy and one sporty. Huge congrats.

Would love to see some wrist shots.

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by Shade

I was never a Rolex fan... until last month.

I always thought Rolex as a "mature" watch, or harshly speaking "old guy's" watch... The design is simple, and it looks almost the same from year to year. And I really don't like the gold steel combination... but that's just me.

I'm a huge Panerai and Zenith fan, and IWC on several occassions, but Rolex never strike me as much.

Especially, with all the fakes running around, Rolex is probably the "most" worn watch in the world. Everyone seems to own one, be it fake or real, you just see one at least once a day - at least where I'm living. And these fakes are getting REALLY good, so I got to myself thinking - why would I buy a watch that all other people is also wearing, and they're wearing the fake versions?

Alas... I could not bear in mind when a friend of mine wearing an authentic Rolex and my other friend was laughing his bum off and didn't believe it was authentic. He said "There are SO many fake ones around, and they're getting real good, I can't tell from 1 meter away dude! And surely, no one will wanna hold your hand and squint on your watch!". It dawns on me... knowing that what he said is quite true... I mean... I can't tell if it's a real or fake rolex from 1 meter away... hell I can't really tell much if I'm not holding it.

But all this changed, when one day I went into a watch dealer, and saw a DATEJUST2 Steel with White Gold Bezel.



The watch is calling on to me - it oozes an aura of expensiveness and exclusivity. I have never seen a fake version of this one before... hell I never even saw this version of the authentic one here in my country before... I've seen it in catalogues, but never in person. The white gold fluted bezel glints playfully, even under the plastic wrapping... the roman dial, and the fact that the dial is not completely black, but rather very dark grey... makes it extremely interesting...

So, I asked the dealer for the price, bargained for a hefty discount, and swapped my card. And there it goes, my first Rolex in my life.


Not long after, I saw a friend of a friend's blog, who trades and sells watches for fun and hobby... I saw an old 90s GMT MASTER II...

I always thought the GMTs are kinda dull and boring, since they're packed with numbers all around the bezel, and they're kinda all black and black dial... makes it a bit gloomy.. and they even have the submariner, and seadweller version that is almost the same, just different bezel types...

The pepsi dial (so they call it) is quite interesting, but blue and red is not to my fashion tastes.

So, this 90s GMT MASTER II, is black and red! Since I was never a Rolex fan, I never thought this version existed. Simple to say, Red and Black is a sexy combo. Along with the red GMT needle (the newest version is green), on the black glossy dial... wow... It's just so sexy. I was a bit worried though, since it's kinda smaller (1mm smaller than my datejust2), and I'm accustomed to large watches (Panerai and Zenith), I was worried if getting this smaller one would look queer on me.



I decided I needed to look at it and try it on in person.

We met for coffee, and I took the GMT home.

And wow - for a person who never liked Rolex, to owning TWO Rolexes in ONE month... I find it amazing.



PS: Aside from finding it amazing, I also found out that my wallet is aching! LOL.

Welcome to the madness! There IS no cure! I have at least 3 Rolexes that I never thought I would buy because they just didn't smile at me (at first) and now I LOVE them! The madness grows...

[Shade]

Hi everyone.. Thank you very very much for such warm welcomes..

Yes I am in Jakarta.. These few days it has been raining all day long.. I wonder whats with the weather these days.. If any of you plans to visit down here, I dont think now is the best time.. Hehehe..


My datejust ii is stainless steel, the bezel however is whitegold. You can see subtle difference between the white gold and the stainless steel, with the whitegold being very slightly yellower under the bright sun. However its barely noticable. But i do believe the usage of white gold on the fluted bezel here is a great choice, as I personally believe a highly polished gold gives out much better reflection and light play compared to steel..


And yes i suspect this would not be the end of my rolex purchase... daytona somehow is not to my liking (yet) hehehe.. But i did see a meteorite dial on a whitle gold daytona once, and it looks dazzling. But i think i would prefer seeing that meteorite dial on a daydate and perhaps leave the Daytona on a simpler plainer dial...

Again thanks guys, maybe i should stay away from the forums.. And my AD! Hehehe..

[Rolesor]

congrats my friend - that DJ II is a real stunner!

[chris russell]

Originally Posted by Shade

I always thought Rolex as a "mature" watch, or harshly speaking "old guy's" watch...

Especially, with all the fakes running around, Rolex is probably the "most" worn watch in the world. Everyone seems to own one, be it fake or real, you just see one at least once a day - at least where I'm living. And these fakes are getting REALLY good, so I got to myself thinking - why would I buy a watch that all other people is also wearing, and they're wearing the fake versions?

Alas... I could not bear in mind when a friend of mine wearing an authentic Rolex and my other friend was laughing his bum off and didn't believe it was authentic. He said "There are SO many fake ones around, and they're getting real good, I can't tell from 1 meter away dude! And surely, no one will wanna hold your hand and squint on your watch!". It dawns on me... knowing that what he said is quite true... I mean... I can't tell if it's a real or fake rolex from 1 meter away... hell I can't really tell much if I'm not holding it.

Second, once you own and know Rolexes, you can 'smell' the fakes from a mile away. They Always look cheap, cheesy and distorted in comparison. (Hardly surprising since the fakes are conceived, executed and sold by criminal minds = losers = corner-cutting morons). I usually say something when I see a fake on some dork's wrist; 'Hey, nice Rolex, I didn't know they made a quartz Submariner'. The clod almost always turns red and tries to hide it behind him, stumbles some kind of dismissal about it was a 'gift' or some such rot.

That DJII is a honey, love the slate dial, and the GMT is a stunner. You will definitely not regret either purchase.