My First Rolex

[10Past11]

Hello all,

First time poster and very curious to indulge myself into the watch culture. I want to get myself a Rolex to celebrate a very happy, personal achievement. My father did the same thing when he achieved something pivotal—it’s only right that I stay on brand (literally and figuratively).Here are some thoughts:

⌚️I want to keep my purchase under 13k.
⌚️I work in medicine (private practice), so nothing too, too flashy.
⌚️I would wear this piece at least 5x a week (not sure if that is relevant.)

I was thinking the Submariner Datejust would be perfect—stainless steel with black dial. I’m pretty keen on the Sea Dwellers as well.


I’m looking for a bit of education from watch aficionados and Rolex gurus alike. These seem to be quite similar.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Welcome. Look at the website and select the one you aesthetically like the best within your price range.. Or go to an authorized dealer with display models available and try them on. Simple. Or are you specifically looking for value retention education?

[RealMadrid1988]

Welcome indeed. Not sure how familiar you are with the Rolex market these days, but it’s a very tough market for new entrants. I would suggest visiting an AD with exhibition pieces and discovering what you like and then going from there.

[2001jesper]

A Submariner Date would be great for a doctor

You likely need to go grey, to get it any time soon. Impossible to get at an AD

[rallyx]

Originally Posted by 10Past11

I want to get myself a Rolex to celebrate a very happy, personal achievement.

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but so are millions around the world. This is the worst time in history to buy a Rolex to celebrate a personal achievement. The education you need is not about the 3 watches you mentioned. The education you need is the state of the Rolex market and your budget of $13k pretty much limits you to the Datejust.

If you are looking for the Submariner or Sea Dweller, up your budget and buy from a grey dealer. If you are looking for a Datejust, cosy up to your local AD.

Best of luck.

[JRell]

Congrats - submariner date

[Judge]

Welcome.

Ref 16600 the Sea Dweller. Classic and the price on this reference is rising. Compare to the sub, do a little homework and appreciate the differences.

IMO, you are not wearing a common sub.

[1William]

I would go with the classic Submariner in SS. Unless you are hooked up in an AD in Boston you will have a difficult time sourcing this watch from an AD. Things do happen but you might want to check out our Trusted Sellers here on TRF. Make a call, negotiate your best deal, pay and have the watch tomorrow by 12 p.m. Don't get distracted by the noise on here about buying from a Trusted Seller and never paying over retail. If you want the watch minus all of the associated difficulties then call DavidSW, my Trusted Seller of choice, or one of the other here on TRF. By the time you add in your tax you will not be too far off. I look forward to seeing some pictures of your incoming watch.

[Societas]

Welcome!
Datejust and Sub are very much obvious solutions. As many are saying, be prepared to wait for it for some time if you want to go the AD route.
I've waited 18months for mine, and now the effort I put in with the AD are also part of the story and why I love my Rolex.
One way to look at it is also to try and forecast if down the road you might want more. A Sea Dweller might make more sense if later on you want to add a more dressy piece, for example.

It's all a question of taste afterwards
Good luck in your hunt, try to enjoy it, it's a good part of the fun in this hobby!
(albeit fun might be debatable in the case of "Rolex AD games" sometimes)

[Maiden]

Originally Posted by 1William

I would go with the classic Submariner in SS. Unless you are hooked up in an AD in Boston you will have a difficult time sourcing this watch from an AD. Things do happen but you might want to check out our Trusted Sellers here on TRF. Make a call, negotiate your best deal, pay and have the watch tomorrow by 12 p.m. Don't get distracted by the noise on here about buying from a Trusted Seller and never paying over retail. If you want the watch minus all of the associated difficulties then call DavidSW, my Trusted Seller of choice, or one of the other here on TRF. By the time you add in your tax you will not be too far off. I look forward to seeing some pictures of your incoming watch.

Yes David is the man. Buy with confidence!

[vh2k]

Datejust - more variety of sizes, dial colors, two bracelet options, and you have steel, TT YG, and TT RG options. You'll find the perfect watch that speaks to you.

[PhilippeD]

Don't be scared off all the AD horror stories. I stopped by my AD, no previous history, ordered a Deepsea James Cameron, and picked it up two weeks later. A Submariner is a high(er) demand watch, but just go for it and go to your AD. Worst that can happen is them saying "no" and than just go grey.

[JRell]

This is your first Rolex - ignore the advice going grey. You are a doctor, you go into your local AD and tell your story. Talk to their owner. You will get what you want quickly. I mean you are not asking for a Pepsi or daytona. Your first is special, do it the right way. Also I am sure some of your colleagues have been in the Rolex game. Get a referral from them to their AD owner. Will serve you much better than coming here for advice.

[MJZRolex]

I believe that a Sub date would be a perfect watch for you. You will definitely have a wait from the AD. Good luck.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by MJZRolex

I believe that a Sub date would be a perfect watch for you. You will definitely have a wait from the AD. Good luck.

Not if it gets a good referral. I got my good friend a sub date in week, his first Rolex.

[Rori]

Easy:
-Visit a Rolex boutique if possible or an AD that have a big selection of “display only” models.
-Introduce yourself and tell your SA what you do, your budget and ask her to show you all models falling under your budget.
- Try those models, take your time with each on your waist and ask her for the one you really really loved.
The wait length will depend on the model size you picked. Depending on where you live, you may get it so soon if it’s not a very hot model
Sit back and enjoy the ride :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RealMadrid1988]

Originally Posted by JRell

Not if it gets a good referral. I got my good friend a sub date in week, his first Rolex.

Your anecdote doesn’t make that the norm. Perhaps your friend was in the right place at the right time.

[jpwv]

Originally Posted by JRell

This is your first Rolex - ignore the advice going grey. You are a doctor, you go into your local AD and tell your story. Talk to their owner. You will get what you want quickly. I mean you are not asking for a Pepsi or daytona. Your first is special, do it the right way. Also I am sure some of your colleagues have been in the Rolex game. Get a referral from them to their AD owner. Will serve you much better than coming here for advice.

I like this advice.

[thenewrick]

Ignore other posts and don’t stress over it.

Find your local authorized dealers. Go in person, don’t call. Tell them what you told us. Have your wrist measured or measure yourself. A SD is larger than a submariner so it is personal preference but as a guide under 7 inch wrist stick with a submariner. Then just get on the list for the 1 and only 1 model you’re interested in. Follow up in person, not call, every few months just to let them know you’re a real person that actually shows up in person and isn’t going to disappear.

Expect to wait between 6 month and 2 year for the watch you want. Think about other things in the meantime and you’ll be happy you waited when it arrives.

Post with pics and your experience when it arrives.

[Oyster Sauce]

Submariner (with or without date) is a classic, can't-go-wrong choice. Modern iterations (with ceramic bezel) are a bit more eye-catching than previous generations (with aluminum bezel), but still relatively tame for a Rolex sport watch. If you need something a bit more subdued but still sporty, the Explorer is also a fan favorite. But I think your heart says Sub (you're in good company), so go for that.

[garyk]

Submariner date x 100

[gerry100]

as a Doctor you may be perceived as a better future revenue stream than some.

Might help you in the wait for the Sub Date

[joeboy]

Sub no date as a classic 1st. Go see your local AD, try a couple on and you will know if you are happy to wait or go grey.
Also worthwhile learning about the variations in the timeline on the Sub and others. I wanted a minimal uncluttered 2 line sub no date which they stopped making a long time ago. Found what I wanted on the used market through a fantastic bloke. Another option to grey, new, flipped.

[yesnaya]

Welcome. Like most above I think the submariner date is your best bet. The bracelet is all satin finish as opposed to high polished center links so it is less flashy, and the black dial is very neutral. The sea-dweller is a much bigger watch, and if you are a bigger guy then you should try both on to see how you like it. You are from Boston there are several AD locations so pick the nearest one and and see how it goes.

[JSol1]

Welcome! As a fellow Bostonian I would suggest going to the Boutique (owned by Longs) and tell them your story. I believe you will get a piece you want fairly quickly.
I’ve been a customer for quite a while and they do focus on local customers who will potentially be long term customers…good luck!

[JSol1]

Welcome! As a fellow Bostonian I would suggest going to the Boutique (owned by Longs) and tell them your story. I believe you will get a piece you want fairly quickly.
I’ve been a customer for quite a while and they do focus on local customers who will potentially be long term customers…good luck!

[JRell]

Originally Posted by RealMadrid1988

Your anecdote doesn’t make that the norm. Perhaps your friend was in the right place at the right time.

Good timing for a sub date? Truly doubt it. Unless they got 50 in that day.

[jeremyv135]

Originally Posted by Maiden

Yes David is the man. Buy with confidence!

I second this. I just purchased my first Rolex, a Datejust 41, smooth bezel, jubilee, slate dial. Wonderful experience with DavidSW. Fantastic customer service, they answered several emails very quickly, and the watch arrived next day in better condition than I even hoped for, basically looked new. No worries when shopping with David.

[RealMadrid1988]

Originally Posted by JRell

Good timing for a sub date? Truly doubt it. Unless they got 50 in that day.

To get it in 1 week? Lol. If getting a sub date in a week with no history were the norm, they wouldn’t be selling at a 50% markup at gray dealers.

To be clear, I don’t think getting a Sub with no purchase history is impossible — but I think telling OP they’ll “get it quickly” is a bit misleading. Many people wait a long time for that watch. Maybe OP will be lucky. But maybe not.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by RealMadrid1988

To get it in 1 week? Lol. If getting a sub date in a week with no history were the norm, they wouldn’t be selling at a 50% markup at gray dealers.

To be clear, I don’t think getting a Sub with no purchase history is impossible — but I think telling OP they’ll “get it quickly” is a bit misleading. Many people wait a long time for that watch. Maybe OP will be lucky. But maybe not.

I referred a good friend, he got him a watch in 1 week, not sure what the confusion is about. The recommendation is to get a referral that is close to the AD owner. Or else go in, talk to some random SA, get on a list and never get called. He is a doctor in Boston, I am sure he has connections, really no LOL about it.