Should I buy a Sub for my son now?

[Breizh]

I always wanted to buy my son a Sub for his 18th or 20th birthday, something from his dad that he can keep (and hopefully cherish) for life.
I never buy him expensive presents (nor often) so it would have been that one “big thing” from me.
He’s only 7 now so I always thought I had plenty of time and see if he actually enjoys watches.
However, with the price trend of Rolex and professional models in general far outpacing any inflation, I’m starting to wonder if the sooner I buy, the cheaper in relative terms (I would keep it in a safe until his birthday)
I don’t have any AD relationship so everything would be grey prices.
You can still get maxi case no date for around 10k.
I remember my first luxury watch when I bought the unloved Aquanaut 20 years ago, what a mistake it was to let it go.
I just don’t want the same story happening again.

Just wanted some thoughts and feedback from a smart and experienced crowd :-)

[DonRickles]

If you get on the "list" now, you might just make it........

[bblewis]

Go for it. But wear it! I purchased my sub last year and I had my son with me, who was 11 at the time, and told him one day the watch would be his. He asked me the other day if the watch would really be his one day. To which I said "of course"!

I think it will be amazing to present him the watch when he's ready.

[iTreelex]

The problem I have with these sentimental "I'm gonna buy my child one for them to keep" watches is that you never know if they will be into watches when they grow up. Are you really buying it for them or are you using that as a justification to buy it for yourself?

If so, buy a sub for you. Wear it, then cross that bridge when you get there.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by bblewis

Go for it. But wear it! I purchased my sub last year and I had my son with me, who was 11 at the time, and told him one day the watch would be his. He asked me the other day if the watch would really be his one day. To which I said "of course"!

I think it will be amazing to present him the watch when he's ready.

Totally agree.

Do not have it sitting sadly in a safe......wear it and enjoy it then you’re passing memories and history with the watch.

[Rad22]

I got my son a birth year hulk last year. Got very lucky and got it right as the craziness began. He will get it either at 18 or 21.


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[Shadow Play]

Buy it, wear it and give it to your son for whatever birthday / event you think is appropriate. I think that would mean far more to him than hiding it away in a safe before gifting him the watch. If it turns out he is not into watches just keep on wearing it.

[abozz]

Yes!!!!

Enviado desde mi SM-G975F mediante Tapatalk

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by iTreelex

The problem I have with these sentimental "I'm gonna buy my child one for them to keep" watches is that you never know if they will be into watches when they grow up. Are you really buying it for them or are you using that as a justification to buy it for yourself?

If so, buy a sub for you. Wear it, then cross that bridge when you get there.

[szabo_martin]

Def buy it for you and wear it. Would mean a lot more to me if it told my dads story instead of a drawer queen.

[Breizh]

Thanks for the replies.
I forgot to mention that I already have a Sub for myself that I would like to keep :-)

[jltait]

Looking into my crystal ball, Rolex will be nowhere near as hot 10 years from now as it is today. The hype will blow over eventually. No need to rush a purchase if you’re planning on gifting it then. If it’s for you on the other hand, buy now and enjoy.

[mountainjogger]

Nice thought, but my vote is no. The event is 11 years away. In my opinion there are too many variables for this to be practical.

Stay safe.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by Breizh

Thanks for the replies.
I forgot to mention that I already have a Sub for myself that I would like to keep :-)

Give this one to your son when time comes and get yourself a new one then, imo.

[brandrea]

My kids have no interest in watches but they are teenagers ... they’d love the latest iPhone or digital gadget more than a watch.

That could all change I suppose, but I wouldn’t be sinking my money into a Rolex until I know it’s something that he will truly appreciate. Even then, I’d let him pick his own

[garyk]

Originally Posted by jltait

Looking into my crystal ball, Rolex will be nowhere near as hot 10 years from now as it is today. The hype will blow over eventually.

That's so funny but sad to say, probably not going to work out that way. However, in 1995 when my eldest son became a senior in high school I offered to pick up a clean preowned Submariner for him as it would be a good investment for him. Nope, wanted a Tag Heuer. Fast forward, he's a senior VP at a TV entertainment corporation and wears the latest watch I bought him, a Tag Heuer chronograph. So you never know whats going to appeal to your kids but hype isn't relevant in any case!!

[Tools]

Do what you feel is right.

But don't expect your kids to have the same tastes and values as you do a decade from now.

Maybe by then they will want to have the time-chip implant and interactive tattoo.

[Pilliam]

Yes, for sure buy it. And I agree with others who advise you to wear it. Those are the memories. You’ll make memories with the watch - as he’s by your side - and those memories are what he’ll cherish as part and parcel of the watch. Plus, even if he’s not into watches, once you’re gone, he can sell it and buy what he wants when he’s an adult. And he’ll forever link that with you, too.

That’s how I look at it. I have two sons. If one’s into watches, awesome; if the other isn’t, so be it. But if either ever falls on hard times and needs to sell to pay their mortgage and keep a roof over their heads, then God bless ‘em.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by Breizh

I always wanted to buy my son a Sub for his 18th or 20th birthday, something from his dad that he can keep (and hopefully cherish) for life.
I never buy him expensive presents (nor often) so it would have been that one “big thing” from me.
He’s only 7 now so I always thought I had plenty of time and see if he actually enjoys watches.
However, with the price trend of Rolex and professional models in general far outpacing any inflation, I’m starting to wonder if the sooner I buy, the cheaper in relative terms (I would keep it in a safe until his birthday)
I don’t have any AD relationship so everything would be grey prices.
You can still get maxi case no date for around 10k.
I remember my first luxury watch when I bought the unloved Aquanaut 20 years ago, what a mistake it was to let it go.
I just don’t want the same story happening again.

Just wanted some thoughts and feedback from a smart and experienced crowd :-)

I think it will mean more to him if it’s his daddy’s watch.... it would to me...

[Number3]

I had the same thoughts about a Sub for my eldest lad in 2010 when I got myself a Hulk shortly after it came out (before it was popular!), but held off at the time. Fast forward to his 21st birthday last year and guess what? He wanted an Omega!

In hindsight I wish I’d bought a ton of Hulks and stuck them in a safe!

[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by iTreelex

The problem I have with these sentimental "I'm gonna buy my child one for them to keep" watches is that you never know if they will be into watches when they grow up. Are you really buying it for them or are you using that as a justification to buy it for yourself?

If so, buy a sub for you. Wear it, then cross that bridge when you get there.

^This.

My 7 years old boy tells me he loves my SD43. However, there's a high chance he'll never want to wear it when he's older. Keep it in memory of his father, sure. But in order to wear it and enjoy it he'd have to be into watches and enjoy wearing them. Let's look around us, young people in their vast majority don't wear watches.

I think we should just buy watches for ourselves, enjoy them and take it from there.

Patek Philippe really did more harm than good with their bs adverts.

[Nodzex]

There ia absolutely nothing wrong with Tag Heuer!

[RyanJ]

Put the money in the market and he will get so so so much more than a watch.

[dmash]

I'm going to go completely against your logic and say this is the absolute WORST time to buy a Rolex sports model, especially if your time frame is in excess of 2-3 years. We're at what might be the peak of this hype. Not saying we're heading back towards ADs giving discounts, but I definitely believe we'll return to SS in cases and perhaps 10%-20% off to go Grey, etc. You could easily just pick out the watch with him for his 18th and it could be a really special moment for you guys.

Perhaps let the $10k grow for 11 years and let him pick out what he wants at that time with the balance! There might be an 18k Apple watch he wants more than a Rolex at that point anyways, who knows what 2031 will look like.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by RyanJ

Put the money in the market and he will get so so so much more than a watch.

Haha, we posted this at exact same time

This is especially true if we see a major trend back downwards and OP has 11 years to let it ride. Son would probably be able to get 2 Rolex AND travel across Europe for a month, EASY.

[RolexDave68]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Give this one to your son when time comes and get yourself a new one then, imo.

+2, enjoy the journey

[RollinMoses]

If you do not want to wear it yourself (which would be my first choice - maybe hold out for the cermit if you have a decade on your hands?), I would buy a few Amazon shares or similar quality growth story.

Holding for 11 years is likely to yield a lot better return than the sub even if there is volatility along the way so you have the option to buy one then.

Alternatively give him your sub and get something then for yourself to start the new chapter

[Ivan Drago]

Originally Posted by Shadow Play

Buy it, wear it and give it to your son for whatever birthday / event you think is appropriate. I think that would mean far more to him than hiding it away in a safe before gifting him the watch. If it turns out he is not into watches just keep on wearing it.

This guy gets it.

[illiguy]

“My” 116610LN is actually my son’s. I am just enjoying it and making memories with my son while wearing his watch. His name is on the warranty card, which is something special given the shift by Rolex to updated warranty card without name. He will get it (hopefully) upon college graduation or some other important milestone down the road.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Tools

Do what you feel is right.

But don't expect your kids to have the same tastes and values as you do a decade from now.

Maybe by then they will want to have the time-chip implant and interactive tattoo.

I have to agree; there's no guarantees on this sort of thing. I might consider holding off as there may be a much nicer Rolex Sub by then,