Which Rolex Should I Get as My First Rolex?

[Davidloverolex]

I'm looking for my first Rolex and indeed my first luxury watch. I'm considering the Oyster Perpetual 39 (114300) but I cannot decide which dial color to go for. The choices for the dial color are rhodium, blue, and grape (please find photos attached below). I am a college student studying engineering and needs a watch that can work for sport and for business formal occasions; please help me to choose one of the three colors. If there are any other Rolexes that you think may suit me, please mention them. I'm not interested in vintage and my budget is ~$6000.

[luvsub]

The third one.

[swils8610]

Rhodium would be my choice with blue second. Not a fan of the grape.

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[Chute]

Those are great choices, of the three above, I'd go blue but that's just me. For your budget you should also consider the Explorer 39 and th Milgauss as well as the Datejust II (model 116300). Spend some time in the for sale forum looking at real pictures vs the official pics. And go to a Rolex dealer to try them all on to see which "sings" to you most. Happy hunting

[Wcdhtwn]

Rhodium is by far the most versatile. And to my eye the best looking. If you need a second choice go blue. Grape is something I would avoid.

Not vintage but lightly used you could get an explorer II from a trusted seller here. Very versatile, tough as hell.

[Masteryacht]

FWIW, this is my favorite in that style of watch.

[Davidloverolex]

Originally Posted by Masteryacht

FWIW, this is my favorite in that style of watch.

It looks beautiful, but it is over my budget.

[HunterThompson]

I'd go with the blue. Had my eye on that one recently. Also consider the Explorer 214270.

[kngzfrd]

Given your degree and age I would consider the new airking or either the black or blue milgauss. I think theyre a little less "in your face" and are something different than you see everywhere else. Also, they might not garner negative attention (from criminals) when out and about, but they would all be an interesting piece to talk about in more private settings... Just my opinion---either way, I'm sure you will enjoy it!! Just make sure that once you decide, you do your homework and get a good price from a great seller. Best of luck on your degree!


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[Ryuden]

Originally Posted by Davidloverolex

This gets my vote.

[gossbeau]

Originally Posted by Ryuden

This gets my vote.

Mine too!!!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Ryuden

This gets my vote.

Rhodium OP, or Explorer 1

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Rhodium all the way.

[maton12]

Originally Posted by Davidloverolex

'm considering the Oyster Perpetual 39 (114300)..

I am a college student studying engineering and needs a watch that can work for sport and for business formal occasion

Engineering? What about a Milgauss

[japenney]

Originally Posted by maton12

Engineering? What about a Milgauss

X3 beat me to it. Milgauss was designed for scientists. I prefer the black GV but there are 4 models to choose from

[Davidloverolex]

Originally Posted by maton12

Engineering? What about a Milgauss

It's too expensive.

[Orangejoe]

Originally Posted by Davidloverolex

It's too expensive.

New Air King has all the technical goodies of the Milgauss (iron cage, same case) so it retains the technical specs in a stealth package + you get the Bloodhound dial.

Covers industrial, mechanical and electrical engineers pretty well. Fun dial with all that history behind it can drive conversations with co-eds and the dean of the engineering school equally well. Keep it on for the internship interviews.

Plus you can get it under your budget from a trusted seller.

Regarding the Oyster Perpetual, most would say 'gray', I'd go for the Grape (actually is on my short list for 2017 buys) but I have very peculiar tastes.

BTW, Civil engineers should just get a used Sub. :-)

[Afterlife]

I would get a preowned submariner. For $6,000 you're limited to a lower-end model Rolex vs buying pre-owned you can get a higher tier watch.
Also, I'm not sure how much you value money, as you stated you're a college student (I am as well) but you tend to lose a lot more when you purchase a new model vs buying pre owned.

[Hotrod297]

Blue

[Lordofrolex]

I'd take a look at a sub or gmt for your first. But the OP are nice. I don't see them very much and they don't have date window which doesn't work for me.

[pa30crewchief]

Originally Posted by Lordofrolex

I'd take a look at a sub or gmt for your first. But the OP are nice. I don't see them very much and they don't have date window which doesn't work for me.

A Rolex sportwatch. A used GMT is genuinely useful. ref 116710LN is in your price range if you shop around. Most folks would confuse it for a Sub.

If you can find it, the new Airking is growing on me and its a youthful look I would buy for that reason alone!

Next is the Explorer II, definitely in your price range. I wear my Polar in casual, work and semi formal occasions and its possibly the most under-appreciated most versatile Rolex out there. The 40mm case wears better than 42mm IMHO.

If I were in your shoes the Tudor Pelagos black would be on my list (new or used and either inhouse or ETA movement). It is the most practical diver in Tudor/ Rolex family....fit-for-purpose design, Titanium case and bracelet, crazy lume, fantastic clasp and in black it dresses up and down well. And you actually can go diving with it and not feel precious about superficial damage (just me, but diving with a $10k SS watch on a busy diving boat is inviting dings and unnecessary attention). Plus you can save $2-3k from your budget and go travel or buy something actually useful (like a new iPhone or iPad, a mountain bike or a fitted, tailored suit!).

FYI I am a mech engineer. I travel to plants across EMEA a couple days per month, and often suit up to meet in client boardrooms. Weekends/ vacations I fly or scuba dive. The above advice is with my lifestyle context in mind.

In hindsight I should not have waited into my forties to get my first Rolex. Years "wasted" on other brands before wizening up to Rolex and the remarkable value retention, timekeeping and ruggedness of these magnificently engineered watches in actual daily use vs most other brands. Money down the drain on brand T, O and B. Oh well. Rolex - any Rolex - is a no regrets choice.


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[Gerardus]

Blue for me!

[Shichinin]

All sound advices. I was in your shoes almost a year ago and I end up buying the Milgauss with blue dial. However I recommend looking for mint used options for a SubC ND or a GMT II C. Both are good choices for your needs and probably you can find some good options within your budget. If only OP models are concerned, I would go with rhodium dial. Best of luck


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[t60]

Just based on reading your post you are too green to Rolex. Why are you buying Rolex? Brand name?

When I was in college I was buying $50 Seiko 5 watches. From reading your responses, your budget is pretty strict at 6k and probably want to buy new instead of used or from a trusted seller. Not many Rolexes fall into that budget, and if you are picking a watch based on your budget you shouldn't be buying at all.

I bought a SubC a few months ago to celebrate a promotion at work, and never thought I'd spend the money on it, but I had lusted over it for YEARS.

Trust me, wait a while longer, read more about Rolex and watches, save another 2k and you will know exactly what you want.

[Davidloverolex]

Originally Posted by t60

Just based on reading your post you are too green to Rolex. Why are you buying Rolex? Brand name?

When I was in college I was buying $50 Seiko 5 watches. From reading your responses, your budget is pretty strict at 6k and probably want to buy new instead of used or from a trusted seller. Not many Rolexes fall into that budget, and if you are picking a watch based on your budget you shouldn't be buying at all.

I bought a SubC a few months ago to celebrate a promotion at work, and never thought I'd spend the money on it, but I had lusted over it for YEARS.

Trust me, wait a while longer, read more about Rolex and watches, save another 2k and you will know exactly what you want.

If I wanted to buy brand name I would buy a $50 fake Rolex. I am buying Rolex because of the history, culture, craftsmanship, reliability, value retention, and versatility, NOT because of the brand.
Your college life is different from everyone else's. Don't compare yourself to me; my life is not the same as your life.
6k is already a lot for a watch and it's not strict at all; there are many iconic Rolexes that fall into this range. Pieces such as the Explorer 1, Air King, Oyster Perpetual, and Steel Datejust all fit this budget.
Do you not set budgets on things you buy? Do you just buy whatever your bank account allows for? I am not such a person. I set budgets and stay within them; there is a very good reason why I set my budget at 6k.
I already know what I want, which is the 114300, but I'm not sure of the color because I've never seen these in person. That's why I set up this post.

[watchwatcher]

As much as I like blue dials, I've actually tried on the rhodium at my AD...it would get my vote.

[beshannon]

A Submariner

[Vigilance247]

Not this one.

[datejust24]

Originally Posted by Vigilance247

Not this one.

Ha! Holy hideous

[WatchinMD]

Rhodium dial looks sharp and is most versatile. The Blue also looks great but as an only watch,may not go with everything.