Watch Stories

[polarinda]

post a pic of your watch(ex or present) and say something about it...



116520 M series b/p, chapter ring
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-traded my SD for it a year ago, wore it for >6months sparingly and then traded it off with a black 16570 and a SD(again!).

- never warmed up to the bling unfortunately.

- total lost---> USD400

[polarinda]

16610 A series
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.Bought and flipped within 2 weeks.
.liked the "Swiss" dial but the cyclops never got me going.

profit USD300

[polarinda]

5513 1987
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.bought full set preowned with a faded kissing 4 bezel to boot(although not period correct to watch).

.flipped within 2 months


profit USD1000

[cop414]

After 40 some odd tears of pining for a Submariner my "achievement" was retirement after 26 years as a police officer. This is a forever watch...

[kilyung]

16622 - Z serial

Wanted this one since first seeing it in 1999. Undoubtedly one of the most comfortable watches I've ever owned. Absolutely stunning in the sunlight. Unfortunately I found it hard to tell the time with the monochromatic color. Traded.

[FremStar]

Rolex 16200 aka my first Rolex watch, purchased in 2005 on my Honeymoon from Baron and Leeds in Hawaii.



This is the most special watch I own in my humble collection.

[Annan]

Bought my first Rolex, a TT Date, in 1990. The day I went into the AD it was the only TT they had and I was not willing to wait. As a newbie I didn't realize the difference from a Datejust until a few weeks later. I wore it until 2011 and FINALLY got the Rolex DJ I originally wanted. I will have this one the rest of my life and leave it to my grandson.

[iclick]

I've told the story of my GMT several times on other threads in the past, but my ties to this watch are so strong that I don't mind repeating myself. I bought it in 1971 while serving in Vietnam at the U.S. Navy Exchange in Hong Kong, also known as the China Fleet Club. It cost me $139.77, the only Rolex I've ever bought new, and has been my daily wearer for most of the last 43 years. It's on my wrist as I type this and is the best investment I've ever made on anything.

The two of us have survived three motorcycle wrecks, not including minor ones, and one airplane crash. It has accompanied me on numerous motorcycle trips through 34 states in the U.S. and Canada totaling >200k miles. The pit in the bezel ring at the "4" position was caused when I shorted the watch to my car battery in the mid-1970s, which created lots of sparks and heat and burned my wrist, but didn't seem to faze the watch in the least.

AFAIK everything is original except the crystal, mainspring, crown tube, gaskets, and band. To my everlasting dismay the original band was tossed when it wore out many years ago, back when I had no sense of any need to keep original parts and before Michael Young started restoring bands. Watches come and watches go but this one will never be sold.

[ejvette]

Originally Posted by iclick

I've told the story of my GMT several times on other threads in the past, but my ties to this watch are so strong that I don't mind repeating myself. I bought it in 1971 while serving in Vietnam at the U.S. Navy Exchange in Hong Kong, also known as the China Fleet Club. It cost me $139.77, the only Rolex I've ever bought new, and has been my daily wearer for most of the last 43 years. It's on my wrist as I type this and is the best investment I've ever made on anything.

The two of us have survived three motorcycle wrecks, not including minor ones, and one airplane crash. It has accompanied me on numerous motorcycle trips through 34 states in the U.S. and Canada totaling >200k miles. The pit in the bezel ring at the "4" position was caused when I shorted the watch to my car battery in the mid-1970s, which created lots of sparks and heat and burned my wrist, but didn't seem to faze the watch in the least.

AFAIK everything is original except the crystal, mainspring, crown tube, gaskets, and band. To my everlasting dismay the original band was tossed when it wore out many years ago, back when I had no sense of any need to keep original parts and before Michael Young started restoring bands. Watches come and watches go but this one will never be sold.

That is a fantastic watch story my hat is off to you sir

[sheldonsmith]

Great stories. My first Rolex was a DateJust, Jubilee, white gold flutted bezel purchased in 1987. Flipped it for a TOG, then GMT, then, well, now in my 10th Rolex with a DSSD.

FWIW, I chronicle it all on my website.

[jshepard]

Explorer I: My first Rolex. Bought it brand new, was too paranoid to buy preowned at the time. Was supposed to wait for my tax refund to add to what I had saved up already. Went crazy one evening looking at pictures online and drove to Tourneau to try it on again and ended up financing it for 18 mos 0% (plus 10% credit on next purchase) just so I could take it home that day. I needed two IDs so I drove home recklessly in the rain 25 mins each way to grab my passport so I could make it back before they closed. Would I buy new and finance again? Probably not, do I regret it? Not for a second!!

[AK797]

Bought this my first Rolex and tho I absolutely love the watch, I am just as thankful it brought me on to trf and seven thousand posts later I am still loving the best forum on the web.

[tkerrmd]

wanted this since I first saw it, first one I actually had to plan for for a year and out of ten previous Daytonas knew it would be the one I would keep and pass on....

[DCgator]

I have a few Rolex and gave away two to my sons.

First Rolex was a tt Thunderbird I bought in 1990 (traded up my DJ OQ). Gave it to my oldest son in 2011 (31st B-day) after its first ever service (Ben Bridge in Alderwood Mall). He's always admired that watch and has hinted in the past he'd like it if I no longer want it.

Bought a GMTII-3186 Coke in 2010 as this was always a watch I've wanted to own for a long time. Love everything about it except for the crown (too small). Gave it to younger son last December as graduation present for having BSN in nursing.

Felt really good to give each son a gift they can keep and enjoy for a long time and pass it down to their own sons if they like. Younger son is into watches already so I assume he will continue collecting and will add to his collection of Rolex level watches in the future.

[thomaspp]

My first rolex. Flipped it for a YG GMT and regret it.

[Kadhytia]

Walked it in to get my SUB's bracelet adjusted, saw both the Black and White Daytona in SS. Loved the white one but it costs less than the black one so I thought the black one might be much demanding. So got it on an impulse.


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[Rock]

I wish I could remember clearly why I came to buy my first Rolex.
I remember trolling eBay regularly because I had fallen in love with the 4112 Cellini, but I don't remember where I first saw it or why I was looking for a quality watch.
I didn't know about TRF so I thought eBay was my only option.
I did lots of research and eventually bought from a 'bricks & mortar' seller on Ebay.
When I got it I found it was even better than it looked. New really. A bargain - and I know about the previous 'celebrity' owner as well which adds to the enjoyment.
I'd never part with it. If I croak first, I hope my wife would wear it.

[HL65]

For me this one is special and boy was I wrong over the years. I had tried on DDII's and never got excited about them nor ever wanted one. I went in and finally had opportunity to try this 218206 and it was instant love!