I used to hate Rolex/I just bought my first Rolex

[sotsdisc]

While I wouldn't call myself a full blown WIS just yet, I started my modest collection with a JLC Master Chronograph my wife bought for me as a wedding present. At the time she encouraged me to consider a Rolex and I scoffed at the idea - likening them to Buicks that are mass produced and ubiquitous - especially here in NYC. Fast forward 5 years and I've added a couple of pieces to my modest collection. First was a Nomos Metro Neomatik as I am a fan of the bauhaus styling and the brand. Last fall, I added a Moonwatch as I am a space nut and love the history of it.

We welcomed the birth of our first child - a daughter - in February and combined with a promotion at work that created enough justification in my mind to purchase another watch to celebrate the occasion. I was always thinking of a tool/dive watch as I value diversity in my collection and while some would call the moonwatch a tool watch - I think it's really in a category all its own.

I have been attracted to Tudor and the Black Bay line. I really like the Black Bay Blue but I decided I'd wait for Basel to see what the new releases would be. In a way, I have the Black Bay GMT to thank for warming me to Rolex. The more I thought about it the less enamored I was with the idea of buying a Tudor that looked SO MUCH like a vintage Rolex and I never got comfortable with the thickness - it's a tough fit under a shirt cuff.

So I spent the next couple of weeks reading about Rolex's history, craftsmanship, and quality and well . . . you know the rest. I landed on the Explorer II Polar (216570) as I came to really see it as undervalued. It offers the functionality of the GMT II (minus the rotating bezel) with a date feature at value pricing at MSRP and even more so when you look at the secondary markup right now on Subs and BLNRs. It is also a huge positive that I can go more than a block in midtown before seeing one on a wrist as opposed to the other SS sport models.

I believe I need to get my post count up to include pictures - I've been a lurker for some time, but will start contributing. Not much to show in the meantime as I still have to get the bracelet sized.

I should add that you can count me as another happy customer of DavidSW. I orginally purchased a preowned model, but wasn't satisfied with wearing someone else's scratches and he gladly accepted a return and gave me a fair price on a new/unworn model.

Count me among the converted!!!

[ferrissteve11]

Its somewhat funny how 'conversion to the crown' eventually occurs.

[EdwardC]

Congrats on your first Rolex!

[sotsdisc]

Thanks! Will there be more? :)

[rogerlu]

Congrats and welcome to the dark side

[Javier2.0t]

Awesome! A good amount of people go through the same thing. I know I did, but I’m glad I came around.

Congrats on the watch and the baby. I have a one year old and a second on the way.
I’ll be getting a BLNR to celebrate my 2nd born

[Art 1]

Congrats

[Flybak]

Congrats on your first! I have a feeling it won't be your last...

[torifile]

Originally Posted by Javier2.0t

Awesome! A good amount of people go through the same thing. I know I did, but I’m glad I came around.

Congrats on the watch and the baby. I have a one year old and a second on the way.
I’ll be getting a BLNR to celebrate my 2nd born

Funny how we celebrate our second children. I got a vasectomy.

[Sket7]

congrats on your first rolex, have fun with it.

[Singslinger]

As The Borg said in Star Trek, "resistance is futile''.

Welcome to the club!

[Colin G]

I used to dislike kale and now I love it.

Congrats on the EXPII. I really like mine.

[c41006]

Congrats!!

[TickTockChuck]

Congratulations on your new Polar Explorer II ! Most people work their way up the watch chain and eventually land on Rolex. It really is a great brand with timeless iconic styling. May you wear it in good health. Cheers!

[HogwldFLTR]

I started out on Invicta and soon hit the harder stuff. Congratulations on the Exp II; it is a great watch!!!

[Urosfan]

Congrats, I love my polar also

[vitalsignsrn]

Congratulations on a gorgeous piece & your 1st Rolex.

[iqwertyi]

Congratulations! Great choice on a first Rolex

[dafuture]

Congrats! I think you made a great choice and it sounds like you have a nice little collection going.

[Jster]

Welcome to the club. You have passed all the tests and are now a full fledged member. Congrats.

[116710er]

Yes, congrats and welcome to the club! I have a similar story of my love/hate relationship with Rolex but that's for another time, I'm still working out some issues...lol.

[chipbutty55]

Your journey pretty much mirrors mine! I could never see myself buying a Rolex, and now, well, here I am with exactly the same piece...!
Congratulations on becoming a Father and acquiring a wonderful timepiece!

[Navarino]

Congrats on the EXP II. And more importantly, congrats on becoming a father!

[Watcheroo]

Originally Posted by ferrissteve11

Its somewhat funny how 'conversion to the crown' eventually occurs.

True. It always does in the wis journey

[jstan9]

Ironically, the polar explorer was the Rolex I wanted to celebrate a promotion and start my own Rolex journey, but back in 2001 it was a hot watch (apparently) and Tourneau at 53rd and Madison couldn’t get it, so I got a YM instead. I remain in love with my YM but have always had a fascination for the Explorer. Now, at 42mm, the current model is too big for me so my gmt needs are covered by the BLNR.

Still love that polar, though!

Congrats! Also agree with you about DavidSW. He makes a lot of Rolex dreams come true.

[Roy_D]

Congrats and very nice choice for your first Rolex... it won’t be your last!

[1William]

Congratulations.

[brandrea]

Congratulations on your first

Most people come around to the brand after a while

[MCO1]

It happens!

[Etschell]

every serious watch collector needs at least 1 rolex.