The watch that started my Rolex Journey

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by Kiddodoc

Only later did I learn about Rolex and how expensive they were although back in 1960 he bought his for 300 dollars. I

Originally Posted by garyk

Very cool story. Reminds me of my first Rolex Submariner Date around 1980. My wife bought it for me and it retailed around $900 but she paid around $780.

Cool story indeed. That $300 in 1960 is equivalent to about $3200 today when adjusted for inflation. That $900 in 1980 is equivalent to about $3400 today, while the $780 is about $3000. Coincidentally, when my wife gifted my 14060M to me in 2005 she paid about $3,600.

[faimag]

Excellent watch. Loved the story.

[Lol-x]

Thanks for sharing your journey!
The Submariner was an inspired choice and it looks great.
$980 for a Rolex 1680 Submariner must be a fond memory, what did your mother and father think of your choice when they may have preferred to purchased a DateJust?

[Kiddodoc]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Thanks for sharing your journey!
The Submariner was an inspired choice and it looks great.
$980 for a Rolex 1680 Submariner must be a fond memory, what did your mother and father think of your choice when they may have preferred to purchased a DateJust?

Well, it was really my mom who was backing my decision. I did not have enough money to buy the TT DJ and she offered to kick in the rest but I told her TT is not something I feel is me at my age. Back then, most knew the a TT DJ was a Rolex but no one knew my watch was a Rolex back then as Subs were not super well known amongst the general public. I grew up on the Texas Coast so a diving watch for surfing days, fishing in the surf or in the laguna served my purposes better but still looked great on the golf course too.

[ratty]

Nice storey and a very nice watch. Thanks for posting.

The watch which started me on my Rolex journey was an Omega Speedmaster!

I went into the shop around 2009 to buy a Speedy but I couldn't make my mind up. (Some things don't change with time) I saw a poster on the wall and asked about Rolex watches, I was asked if I wanted to try one on and said yes. Out came a Submariner which I tried on and pretty much didn't take off again for well over a year. It certainly didn't take me long to make my mind up about buying the Sub.

I've bought various Rolexes and Speedmasters since then, but I still don't have the Speedy I initially wanted which was an Apollo 11 40th anniversary. I still want one of these and hope that I'll find a good one one day. Hopefully I'll also be able to make my mind up about buying it if I do. Buying one would be nice as it is the model which started my interest in watches.

One day, hopefully!

[KatGirl]

Cool story, and the Sub still looks very good! Don’t ever part with it, except to hand down to one of your kids.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[77T]

Good memories. Although not a Rolex, nor a Sub, my first watch had that cachè for me. It was an Omega and is now 60 years old.

Yours looks great - did you have to replace the dial when it got water damage?

I didn't know how to take care of my Omega and did some stupid things. But I've kept it serviced all that time.

In service costs alone, I've bought that watch several times over.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Kiddodoc]

Originally Posted by 77T

Good memories. Although not a Rolex, nor a Sub, my first watch had that cachè for me. It was an Omega and is now 60 years old.

Yours looks great - did you have to replace the dial when it got water damage?

I didn't know how to take care of my Omega and did some stupid things. But I've kept it serviced all that time.

In service costs alone, I've bought that watch several times over.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks! And yes, I had to change the dial and the minute hand unfortunately. 60 year old Omega......Wow!

[Nads786]

Great story! I love to read these watch memoirs. Thank you for sharing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Doug5551]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

Cool story indeed. That $300 in 1960 is equivalent to about $3200 today when adjusted for inflation. That $900 in 1980 is equivalent to about $3400 today, while the $780 is about $3000. Coincidentally, when my wife gifted my 14060M to me in 2005 she paid about $3,600.

Great post!!!

I love your economic analysis and time value comparison.

Clearly, Rolex has changed tremendously in the 44 years since Kiddodoc got his Sub. His beloved Platona would not exactly be possible back then. They are now much more upscale and Jewelry-like.

Fortunately, there are options.

I posted a new thread titled "A Tale of Two Watches, inspired by Kiddodoc", about my Tudor Black Bay Burgundy. I view it as a modern day tool watch Sub.

I got it 4 years ago for $2900 with no tax and free shipping. That is quite in line with the values you described historically. And I love it tremendously.

[USMC034L]

What an incredible story, Rick. Stories like this are the reasons I myself got into watch collecting so many years ago. In a world of throw away/disposable items like Apple Watches or tech--mechanical watches (and specifically Rolexes) are one of the few things left built to last the test of time and there's so many fond memories I have with all of mine. I can only hope to look back on them after that many years and remember all they've been along on the right for. Cheers!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by 77T

Good memories. Although not a Rolex, nor a Sub, my first watch had that cachè for me. It was an Omega and is now 60 years old.

Yours looks great - did you have to replace the dial when it got water damage?

I didn't know how to take care of my Omega and did some stupid things. But I've kept it serviced all that time.

In service costs alone, I've bought that watch several times over.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Wow!!

[Jezz0]

Great story and a nice piece.

[ajmacke]

No need to apologize for your lengthy post. We could use more content like this. Appreciate it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk