Remember buying your 1st Rolex??

[Wee-Willie]

I remember mine. I had only Timex & Seiko watches. I knew nothing about Rolex.
I had seen a watch in Corrigan's in a Houston Mall in 1986. I went by 2 or 3 more times & always saw it in the window. Finally, I walked in & asked to see the watch. It was a TT Air King with a yellow gold jubilee. It was $2,200, but the salesman said since the Rolex Tennis tour was in town, it was 20% off. I fell in love. I filled out paper work to get a credit card & walked around the mall. I came back, got it sized & put $200 down & paid $90 a month for the next 2 years. I wore it home & couldn't stop looking at it! I wore it for 9 years, but there were problems & I spent almost the purchase price over those years...sold it to a Rolex used sales for $950 & got a different watch.

Fast forward 3 years & I was on a Vacation with the Flying Longhorns of the Univ of Texas Ex Students in Interlaken Switzerland in 1999. I looked at more than a dozen watch shops & on the last day, my wife came to our room & tossed a box to me. It was a Steel Air King. I wore it for the next 23 years with no problems.

This month, I went into an AD in Austin Tx to look at a DJ TT. There was also a Day Date 40 nearby & I tried it on. I filled out my "wish list", 3 versions of the DJ & a DD36. As the days passed, I began to think that this was going to be my last watch purchase AND, even though I liked the DJ, I LOVED the DD. After following up with the AD, I knew if I got the DG, I would still long for the DD. Last weekend, I called DavidSW & he found me a new, yellow gold Day Date with a white dial & gold Roman Numerals. It arrived on Wednesday & I only take it off to shower.

It feels like my 1st watch...I catch myself staring at my wrist constantly.

How about the rest of you...Do you remember your 1sr Rolex purchase??

[Pokerman2280]

My first rolex purchase was actually a DJ for my father. He sacrificed a lot for me and our family to get to where we are today. Glad that was my first. My own was not too far behind as I was offered a date sub a week after I purchased the DJ! I think that was his proudest moment as a father; and he wears the watch every single day.

[Tim Plains]

I remember it like it was just last month, wait, it was just last month.

It wasn't that special. I had bought a few things prior, so the AD put aside a Sub Date for me until I wanted to pick it up. They were going to hold it until February but I just called them one day, said I would be in that Saturday, and did. Went in, paid, they sized it, and I left. Glad I didn't wait because I would have had to pay the 2022 price.

My wife's 31mm DJ purchase last September was more memorable because we were there for a good two hours total as she was shown a lot of watches before picking the DJ.

[Zuger]

Yes, I saw it in the AD's display case for months, tried it on, got a discount, bought it.

It was a professional model.

[denmanproject]

Yup it was a 114060 for $7000 CAD back in 2013 (I think) I still remember talking myself up in the car before going in to the AD lol that was a lot of money for me at the time

[Belinus]

Was far too easy. I had worn the same watch since I got married (Tag Heuer 2000) 22 or so years earlier and wanted a Rolex for my 50th birthday. I wanted one with no date and had narrowed it down to a blue OP or a Sub. My wife and I wandered into the AD (just over two years ago), told them my story and the SA offered me a choice of OPs. I took the blue one and wandered off into the sunset (actually, it was early morning), blissfully unaware how hard it was to get a Rolex. Fast forward a few years and the Rolex has awakened a passion for watches in me. I’ve since bought another Tag, an Omega, a kickstarter watch and an Apple Watch (didn’t like that one so sold it) and I am looking to get an SD 43 or a Sub, depending what the AD can get me (if they can get me anything). I had thought that the OP would be the last watch I’d ever buy but there’s something about Rolex that just leaves you wanting more.

[173rdabn]

A very long time ago when I was in the Army. Used 34mm OP that I wore for years. Being a field soldier, it took one hell of a beating. A great watch.

[stylinleems]

First Rolex I purchased was a 16610LV from an AD in 2010, got a 25% discount at that time. Man those were the days ...

[JoseR]

Of course, it was in 2019. I got started late with Rolex due to family obligations and being careful with my funds. But once I retired and my youngest was 25 years old and on his own, I decided it was time to buy what I wanted since I was able to afford it without thinking about it. My second Rolex came six months later, after I got the itch from here..

[Sailman]

Black dial ref 5500 Air King early 90’s from the little Switzerland in the lobby of the Aruba palm beach hotel. $850.00 on my AMEX green and I stared at it on the whole flight home.

18 more since. Wow it’s been a good ride from there.

Cheers

[Scott_]

I inherited my first Rolex from my uncle -- well indirectly, actually. My mother inherited it from him in the early 80s, and she gave it to me in the 90s. An OP that he had purchased new in West Berlin in 1962. The first one I actually bought was a DJ from 1989 which I got 4 years ago to replace the vintage OP that was destroyed in a house fire.

[GradyPhilpott]

I bought my first, a 114270, in September of 2008 for $5000 and change.

It was just happenstance. I was looking for a luxury watch and I tried one store to see if they had an Omega, but their AD status had been pulled and they only had a few ladies' watches.

I drove to another store with a big Rolex sign outside, so I stopped in, looked at the Air King and then the Explorer and that was it. I was in love and I bought it on the spot.

It's still the most special watch I own.

[aseksr]

Yes I went in to buy a Breitling in 2009, and they had a Daytona white face in the display. Which one do you think I left the store with? Even got a $25 discount


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[77T]

16570-Polar
2000 A s/n

22 years onward and I still remember the experience at Lee Brandt AD in Roswell, GA. It never let me down through the best of times and some less-than-best times.

Gone now, but not forgotten.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Polarexplorerii]

Mine was a 2006 Polar I bought 3 yrs ago

[JMGoodnight369]

Mine was a 114270 in 2016. I had been scouring the internet looking for the right deal. One day I happened to search Craigslist for the heck of it. There was a 2007 explorer 1 full set with engraved rehaut. The exact watch I had been drooling over right down the street. I sent an offer and it was declined at first. About a month later I got an email asking if I still wanted it. Met up at a local jeweler to authenticate. I paid 4000 for it. Almost hyperventilated on the way home out of sheer excitement that not only did I get the watch, but I got it for CHEAP. Wore that thing everywhere 24/7 up until 2019 when I upgraded it to a 214270. I just had to have that full lume matte dial. I still miss that explorer tho. I’m a big fan of the AD buying experience now and that call always gets the heart pumping but nothing will ever hit as good as that first Rolex buy no matter the situation.

[Feb_29]

In 2018 a couple of guys at work infected me with Rolex bug. Same year went traveling in Europe. Was visiting every Rolex store I can find in multiple European countries. Most of the stores didn't have SS sport models. Only one in London had YM II SS. Didn't purchase it because was too big on my wrist. Came back home and went to newly opened jewelry store with Rolex AD near me. He had multiple Rolexes but only one SS sport model - DSSD 116660. I purchased it with 10% off MSRP. Since then I have very good relationship with him and I've purchased six different sport models from him.

[Abaco24]

Yes, it was Dec 17, 2021, after having a great year in Real Estate and reflecting on losing my mother. father and a sister all over the last three years 19, 20, and 21. Not Covid related. A Vintage 1968 DJ, serviced in NY 7/02 - Local jeweler in Asheville. Now I'm hooked on Rolex. Next will be a Sub Serti Champagne dial.

[Rolexfan23]

For me it was a 2008 14060 4 liner. I had been into watches for years and had some tags,breitling and omega. Always wanted a Rolex and I found one for sale from a guy who bought it at Foxwoods casino with his points. Had all stickers and tags on it. I tried it on and was in love. I got it for 3700 he paid 4550 I believe plus tax but it was with his players points. I loved that watch so much. Wish I never sold it but it funded a 116520 white dial that I eventually sold as well.

[Brny11]

May 7, 2016 won a friendly bet on Kentucky derby random drawing. Total of 200$. Bought a SubC next day.

[MrGoat]

I remember the time fondly. I had heard a local grey dealers radio commercials advertising 0% financing for 5 yrs. This got me thinking so I picked 3 different models to show to my better half to let her pick. One was a 16610 the next was a 16613lb and the 3rd was a JCDS. She picked the 16613lb which just so happened to be my grail. I got to the dealer, they gave me and my driver a beer (it was a Saturday and I was a few beers farther than I should have been when I decided to head up), tried it on and within a minute decided the watch was mine and that I would just buy it flat out as I didn’t want to deal with 5 yrs of payments. It was the largest personal pleasure purchase I had made for myself, it still is.

[donq]

No, but god willing and if the waitlist thins out my son will!

[MrGoat]

I just realized TRF will probably be “provenance” for inherited watches in the future. So eventually there will possibly be far less “grandfathers Rolex” threads?


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[al7391z]

When I was 16, my best friend and I were on an ice hockey league. His older brother's girlfriend took me back to the locker room during a practice and she... Wait, what did you ask? The first what?

[IamJacky]

I remember it well. The year was 2012 and I was turning 30, paid off most of the mortgages on my investment property, decided to treat myself with a "real" watch.

Had the Omega Speedmaster in mind, but upon walking into an Omega boutique, the Speedmaster models they offered were very different from what I remembered, and it was manual wind with acrylic crystal, so I hesitated in buying.

Walked into a Rolex AD, was immediately drawn to this Datejust II, just thought it looked very simple, clean and classic. Inquired about the price, asked for a discount and the SA brushed me off.

Walked into another Rolex boutique, they had the exact same piece I liked, asked for a discount and the SA gave me I think a 4% discount? It was the first time I spent so much money on something other than a car or a house. Was very happy to own my first Rolex, couldn't take it off the wrist.

[Moondoggy]

Yep, 1999, rang around all the AD's who would offer the best deal on a 16613, paid US$4,800 flew out for vacation next day opened it on the plane, I was pretty happy and grateful.

[Reign]

Yes, December 2015! Look at the display and all for sale.

It was between this and a white Daytona, both were available. I ended up with this and got 10% off on it, paid $8250.

I told my friend about the white Daytona and he snagged it later that evening.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[underpar]

I remember walking into a Mom and Pop AD in the late 90's as a young professional with a co-worker after we had both received a nice bonus. We were looking at GMT II's among a full case of every reference.

While debating Coke vs Pepsi, my friend and I both were interested in the Pepsi when the Owner stated "don't worry, I have 2 more red and blue in the safe".

Those were the days. BTW, I paid $3500 plus tax. Those were the days.

[ArtNouveau]

1984, I was 28, had always worn mechanical watches since my teen years. Deciding to splurge stopped into Corrigans in the Town and Country Mall(both long gone but Corrigans plays an interesting role in the Speedmaster story.)
Ended up with SS Datejust with blue dial, jubilee bracelet, and fluted bezel. Don't remember the MSRP but I paid $975 including tax. My salesman ended up being a successful car dealer a decade later.

[mew]

My first Rolex was a silver dial 6694 oyster precision I got in my early 20s, followed by a head only 1601-3 linen dial which I then sourced a matching bracelet. No longer have those but have been hooked to Rolex ever since. Tried a few other brands but they never lasted in the collection for long.