After three-plus decades, I finally pulled the trigger

[wootini]

Well, after 37 years of life, and 21 years of education and working, I finally acquired a new Rolex timepiece. I picked up the new Explorer I from an AD in South Carolina, USA. It's a 'G' serial and they gave me a nice discount after all the haggling was said and done.

I can't tell you how it feels to know I've reached a point in my life where I can walk into a jeweler, whip out my AMEX card, and buy a Rolex with the money I've put in the bank on the back of my own blood, sweat, and tears. I am always very conservative with my earnings and often times feel guilty buying a nice dinner when I'm traveling alone for business. But for some reason, the Rolex purchase just felt right. It was as if the sacrifices I've made over the years have all molded me into the fiscally sound and professionally driven person that I am today (but believe me, I've made mistakes and learned from them), which has all afforded me the earnings I make and the ability for my family and me to enjoy some of the finer things in life.

The brand that is Rolex represents so much more to people that work hard and want a little something to hand down to their sons and daughters when the time comes. My Great-grandfather handed down a beautiful solid gold pocket watch to his son, and eventually to me through my father, that I had refurbed about ten years ago. It is in full working condition, visually stunning, and priceless in many ways. Yet, I wanted something a bit more contemporary for my son to hand down to his son someday... and to wear myself for a few decades.

I have to admit, for years I looked at Rolex as all that is wrong with society. I mistook the prestige, heritage, and style for an over-exuberance of one's wealth. Yet, what I have come to realize over the years as I've met highly successful, self-made people (that almost all wear or own a Rolex or two) was that the product means so much more. Sure we see rappers and sports stars with huge watches that look like golden mirrors hanging off of their arms, but in reality the average Rolex buyer is a reasonably sophisticated, yet under-spoken individual that prefers the classic models within the line much more. The Subs, GMT's, DJ's, and others, they all ooze a sense of pride with one's accomplishments and an acknowledgement that there is more to life than money, but showing people that you prize quality (and are capable of affording it) is something no one should ever, ever be ashamed of. Purchases like these are why we went to college, why we stayed working on a project off the clock, why we started our own business, why we made all the sacrifices to afford a sense of freedom and safety for our loved ones. A Rolex proves to the wearer more than anyone that hard work does pay off.

Ok so I'll wrap it up... I'm blathering about like a kid with his new pony. My apologies.

This forum has been a huge help to me in finding the right watch for my preferences, how to price them, how far to go in negotiations, and how to put a value on the delta in price between the grey market and the authorized dealer base. For the record, the latter was something I toiled over for weeks, but at the end of the day I figured that 1. I can afford it, so 2. why not support the dealer willing to stock such beautiful timepieces if they were willing to close the pricing gap to show their appreciation of my business. It doesn't hurt that I'm a marketing professional myself and work with businesses of all sizes as a sales representative to negotiate pricing and terms all day long, but I must tell you it was very hard pushing the envelope on a product I wanted so badly.

So thanks once again. I'm proud to be a member of this forum and an owner of a new Rolex.

Oh and PS,
I will admit I've got a bug to snatch up another piece, but I'm really leaning towards a pristine condition vintage piece for weekends out on the town with the wife. I'm hooked!

[sleddog]

Welcome to TRF and congrats on your first Rolex!!
Enjoy the boards and join in anytime,
Rob.

[wootini]

Thanks!

[dddrees]

Welcome toTRF.

Nice story, and a great read by the way.

Congrats.

[HL65]

Welcome and congrats!

[wootini]

thanks all

[eric23]

Welcome to TRF!

[sea-dweller]

Welcome!

[MonBK]

Welcome

[kcmo]

A great intro! Welcome and congrats to you on a classic piece!

[Art 1]

Welcome.

[chicagofan]

Congrats on your first Rolex and welcome to TRF.

[rolexguynfl]

Welcome

[Numismatist]

Congrats - that's how it should feel!

[gminnj]

Great post. I am thisclose to pulling the trigger myself on that exact watch, which would be my first Rolex as well.

Is it fair to ask for a ballpark on the "nice discount" you managed? I've been offered 5% and from what I've read, I think that's fair for an Explorer, but I'd be interested to know if you did better.

If this post is out of line, mods can feel free to delete it...

[wootini]

Hi gminnj,
The MSRP is $6200 and they sold it to me for $5400. I hope it's ok to talk price here.

[gminnj]

Thanks for the tip. I've negotiated down to $5,580 (10%), which for this watch seemed good - but glad to hear you did even better.

Good for you and enjoy!

[TSW]

Welcome and congrats!

[usbzoso]

grats post pics!

[mldaytona]

Let us see the new watch please.

[Welshwatchman]

Welcome to the forums.

[dalip]

Welcome

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[SWIMPRUF]

Welcome.

[siewmaiwatch]

Welcome!

[RolexWatcher]

Congrats on your first one! If you hang around here too long, you might get infected and get another! Pics when you are done as well :)

[MY-WATCH]

Welcome to TRF

[Rags]

Welcome to the forum...

[hdrazor251]

Great post. Plz post pics.

[brkanand]

A great story there! Congratulations on buying the Rolex. Enjoy the moment as you have earned it!

[DCgator]

Welcome aboard! Great selection btw.