What was your First Rolex and how long did you wait.

[ROBERT1183]

Just starting out on my journey. Just trying to see what everyone got as their first piece and how long did you wait. Love hearing about people getting lucky and getting a crazy in demand piece for their first piece without the wait.

[HiBoost]

First ever was a 16710 Pepsi through DavidSW in 2012. With shipping I think I waited about 18 hours? haha First new from an AD (what I suspect you were asking) was a 126613LB at the end of 2020. That one took 24 hours.

[ROBERT1183]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

First ever was a 16710 Pepsi through DavidSW in 2012. With shipping I think I waited about 18 hours? haha First new from an AD (what I suspect you were asking) was a 126613LB at the end of 2020. That one took 24 hours.

Nice!! One of my favs

[brandrea]

It was 1992, a Seadweller.

It was just sitting in the case next to a Daytona, a bunch of Submariner dates a couple, of GMT’s, DJ’s and Day Dates.

The jeweler tried to push the Daytona on me … apparently they were slow sellers

[Longhorn]

2012 116610LV no wait - walked into a random AD in North Carolina, tried on a variety of models, walked out with that one.

[KaVo8]

Originally Posted by Longhorn

2012 116610LV no wait - walked into a random AD in North Carolina, tried on a variety of models, walked out with that one.

Awesome first Rolex. Those were the days.


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[jswing]

My first was a Submariner 14060, I think around 1999 or 2000. It was $3500, and took about 5 minutes to get it, since it was sitting there in the display case. Hard to believe there used to be watches in the Rolex display cases.

[ROBERT1183]

Originally Posted by jswing

My first was a Submariner 14060, I think around 1999 or 2000. It was $3500, and took about 5 minutes to get it, since it was sitting there in the display case. Hard to believe there used to be watches in the Rolex display cases.

Awesome!! I know right. I wish I learned more about timepieces a few years ago. Back then I did not know that for the most part most Rolex will either atleast retain their value or appreciate over time.

[zewill]

Originally Posted by ROBERT1183

Awesome!! I know right. I wish I learned more about timepieces a few years ago. Back then I did not know that for the most part most Rolex will either atleast retain their value or appreciate over time.

Lol. No one knew. Or else Daytona would've been stocked for later, not pushed for sale. Pretty much all pro models were offered for 10-15% discount from msrp. Lol. I mean, hindsight is always 20-20... Like the guy who bought a pizza for 2 bitcoins... Of course he wouldn't have done it if he knew what bitcoin would've become.. but would've Bitcoin become what it is without that famous purchase?

[Harry-57]

Bought in February 2018.

I rang my AD who confirmed they had one in stock. I asked them to put it aside for me and visited a few days later. I was given a 5% discount.

They got another Polar about 2 months later, which sat in their window for about 2 weeks. They have not had an Explorer 2 on display since.

The Polar was supposed to be my last watch. The one that would sit at the top of my collection and make it complete. It seemed like a good plan at the time....

[ROBERT1183]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Bought in February 2018.

I rang my AD who confirmed they had one in stock. I asked them to put it aside for me and visited a few days later. I was given a 5% discount.

They got another Polar about 2 months later, which sat in their window for about 2 weeks. They have not had an Explorer 2 on display since.

The Polar was supposed to be my last watch. The one that would sit at the top of my collection and make it complete. It seemed like a good plan at the time....

That is my FAVE watch and the one I am chasing. The Polar white is just so striking. Beautiful piece.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by ROBERT1183

That is my FAVE watch and the one I am chasing. The Polar white is just so striking. Beautiful piece.

It's even better in person. Good luck with it.

[101031-28]

Back in 1989, Rolex 5513 from AD. Made several calls all over Italy, southern France and Switzerland. Was about to give up when this one AD in Southern Switzerland told me the watch was available. So on the same day, with my parents, made the two hour drive. They paid cash, we drove home happy happy!!!

[ROBERT1183]

Originally Posted by 101031-28

Back in 1989, Rolex 5513 from AD. Made several calls all over Italy, southern France and Switzerland. Was about to give up when this one AD in Southern Switzerland told me the watch was available. So on the same day, with my parents, made the two hour drive. They paid cash, we drove home happy happy!!!

Nice!! still have that piece?

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by ROBERT1183

Nice!! still have that piece?

Sadly not. Traded it toward a 16600 in 1995. Could kick myself for doing it every day for at least an hour! Don't get me wrong, watches come and go but the sentimental value of the first Rolex (in this case all the more since it was a present from my mom and dad) is irreplaceable

[Gerry62]

Originally Posted by 101031-28

Sadly not. Traded it toward a 16600 in 1995. Could kick myself for doing it every day for at least an hour! Don't get me wrong, watches come and go but the sentimental value of the first Rolex (in this case all the more since it was a present from my mom and dad) is irreplaceable

My first was a Submariner 14060M Jan 2010 and March 2010 Sea dweller 16600

both new from AD

both gone.... but 16600T is back permanent

[MONTANTK]

First one was an OP36 white dial just after it was discontinued. Wasn’t planning on buying one but couldn’t pass it up. I was actually saving for a Tudor or a Speedy which I was planning to buy the following month. All in all it was about a year of saving.

[Davis&Co]

My first Rolex was a HULK. My wait time.....zero....I bought grey market from DavidSW in late 2016 when you could still buy this model below list.

My first AD purchases were in 2021......a CHNR....that was a 1 month wait. And a BLRO which was also a 1 month wait. I inquired about the CHNR in December 2020 and bought in late January 2021. At that time I mentioned wanting a Pepsi and bought it a month later.

Simply luck of the draw.....i had no prior purchase history.

[ROBERT1183]

Originally Posted by Davis&Co

My first Rolex was a HULK. My wait time.....zero....I bought grey market from DavidSW in late 2016 when you could still buy this model below list.

My first AD purchases were in 2021......a CHNR....that was a 1 month wait. And a BLRO which was also a 1 month wait. I inquired about the CHNR in December 2020 and bought in late January 2021. At that time I mentioned wanting a Pepsi and bought it a month later.

Simply luck of the draw.....i had no prior purchase history.

Thats awesome. Love to hear stories like that.

[karwath]

16570 (Explorer 2 Polar) in 1999. Thought I would like the platinum bezel, gray/textured dial Yachtmaster, but changed my mind after seeing the Explorer 2. I decide to "think it over" and a few days later I went back and they did not have one in stock so I had one ordered, and got it in about a month.



I sold that watch in 2014, and "replaced" it eventually when I bought a 216570 in 2018.

[ROBERT1183]

Originally Posted by karwath

16570 (Explorer 2 Polar) in 1999. Thought I would like the platinum bezel, gray/textured dial Yachtmaster, but changed my mind after seeing the Explorer 2. I decide to "think it over" and a few days later I went back and they did not have one in stock so I had one ordered, and got it in about a month.



I sold that watch in 2014, and "replaced" it eventually when I bought a 216570 in 2018.

The Polar white Explorer photographs so well outside. The white really pops.

[Maiden]

It was 2013, finally decided to buy a Rolex. Walked into a family owned AD set on a Sub Date. Went with the 114060 instead. She tried to push the brand new BLNR on me. It sat there for weeks. Wife and I thought it was a little too much. Oh how times have changed.

[donas]

First was a Sub 14060 in 1993. No such thing as waiting or empty cases then. I walked into a Reeds Jewelers in a mall, handed them $2800 and walked out with my watch. My, how times change.

[SydR]

Sub 114060 bought in 2018 after a wait of just over 40 days.

[Binky1]

16610 back in Dec 1989…bought it straight from shop window. As I remember there were about four there looking back at me. Wearing it now as I type.

[MrGoat]

My first is a Swiss only dial 16613LB, purchased Grey so no wait. I did wait 24 yrs to talk myself into splurging that much on myself though. If only I’d know 15 yrs ago I could have bought it at a significant discount.


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[Bigmozza]

Batman in 2013 couple of hours, New Bluesy 2020 couple of hours

[Jacobson]

Early 2000's, 16570 Explorer II. Even got a circa 20% discount

[JoseR]

My first was the Air King 116900 in 2019.. Purchased it from a grey , paid for it and had the next day. Also, got the DJ41 in 2019 from a grey and in hand the next day. No purchase from any AD and the way things been going might never purchase from an AD..

[Rado63]

In 2016 the new marketing strategy of having empty display cases started to roll out. I had previously only purchased pre owned watches and my first Rolex was purchased pre owned so no wait time. In 2016 I visited the AD, I wanted a 116500 and was told I had no purchase history. In 2017 the new 43mm Sea Dweller was introduced and I wanted one of those. I waited over a year to get one.