Bought MY First Rolex Today.

[Shibata]

I have been lurking here since I started in the watch collecting hobby 4 years ago. From day one I had avoided Rolex. I am a pretty low key person and didn't want to have something on my wrist that is widely recognized as a luxury brand. I liked the idea of wearing something that only I know (and the rare watch enthusiast I bump into) to be a luxury brand and I could quietly enjoy my wonderful timepieces under the radar. Early on in my getting to know different references from different manufacturers I came across the Explorer II. "Damn that's a nice watch" I thought, but it's a Rolex and I am not doing that. A while later during a visit to an AD I tried one on. " Wow I really love this watch. To bad it's a Rolex and I am not going there". Fast forward a couple of years to this January and It's time to add a new watch to my collection. I go to the AD to browse for the perfect addition. They had a perfect Breguet Type XX that caught my eye. A beautiful watch that I REALLY REALLY liked. Also in the case was a 16570 Explorer II black dial. I of coarse try it on and love it even more today than I did the last time I looked at one. After a good nights sleep thinking about what to do about my purchase I went back and bought the Breguet because even though I love the Rolex I am not buying one. Ever since that day I couldn't get how much I loved the Explorer out of my head. I finally caved and went back today and bought it. I can honestly say that aside from my first luxury watch that has a sentimental story to go along with it, This is by far the most special feeling watch purchase I have made. It may because I have admired it for the past 4 years and denied myself. It may be because it a Rolex and there is just something about the brand that I didn't want to buy into that I just didn't get. One thing for sure is that this purchase seemed more special than all of the other watches between my first and this one.
One of the reasons I have avoided the brand is that I have a career where having a watch that is perceived as expensive on my wrist isn't a great idea. So this will have to be for weekends and night time only.
With all of this in mind.. today is the day I start saving for a Submariner which I also tried on a while back and loved.
Sorry for the long post. I figured along with a picture of my first Rolex I would share the idiocy that kept me from buying it for so long.

[Jster]

Welcome to the club! Enjoy.

[rmags]

Looks awesome...congratulations!

[LDN]

A other first Rolie, welcome to the club and big congrats!

[Monty22]

Congrats and great story!


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[danwang0520]

Congrats, thanks for sharing~

[StillTrying]

What a watch, congratulations!


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[RKFdds]

Congrats & enjoy! Now that you’ve popped the cherry, you may find yourself acquiring another. It’s a rather harmless addiction...


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[Alfa2109]

Originally Posted by RKFdds

Congrats & enjoy! Now that you’ve popped the cherry, you may find yourself acquiring another. It’s a rather harmless addiction...


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Yes, congrats and welcome! But the "harmless addiction" -- fair warning -- can be a very expensive one.

[Cigars&Watches]

This watch was on display? Wow. Congrats

[Shibata]

Thanks Everyone!

Originally Posted by cdemelo@hotmail.ca

This watch was on display? Wow. Congrats

Yes, It was in the display case for at least the month and change since I first saw it there. I was surprised it hadn't sold yet. The price was on the low side of what you see them going for nowadays as well. Of course if I would have just bought one years ago I could have saved myself a couple of grand. LOL

[jlevitt9]

Congrats! My journey was the same as yours regarding not wanting to have a flashy watch. After 3+ years of wearing a sub, not one person has commented on me wearing a Rolex. Unless you’re going gold, my gut is We tend to give too much credit to Jon and Jane Doe employee looking at our watch (one) and knowing what it is (two).

[Shibata]

Originally Posted by jlevitt9

Congrats! My journey was the same as yours regarding not wanting to have a flashy watch. After 3+ years of wearing a sub, not one person has commented on me wearing a Rolex. Unless you’re going gold, my gut is We tend to give too much credit to Jon and Jane Doe employee looking at our watch (one) and knowing what it is (two).

I think you are absolutely correct. I am definitely under the false impression that the rest of the world must have the same love and respect for horology as we do.
I bought a Black Bay 58 a few weeks ago and have been wearing it at home everyday since. My wife just noticed it on my wrist yesterday for the first time and only because it was inches in front of her. I did let her know how disappointed I was in her for not appreciating my watch collection on a regular basis :)
She actually loved it and said she would wear it. So when I get a sub I can blame it on her that I had to replace it so I could resize the BB58 for her to wear it :)

[kdogg808]

Originally Posted by jlevitt9

Congrats! My journey was the same as yours regarding not wanting to have a flashy watch. After 3+ years of wearing a sub, not one person has commented on me wearing a Rolex. Unless you’re going gold, my gut is We tend to give too much credit to Jon and Jane Doe employee looking at our watch (one) and knowing what it is (two).

You’ve worn a sub for 3+ years and not one person has noticed?

[Delawareguy]

.

[Delawareguy]

Originally Posted by kdogg808

You’ve worn a sub for 3+ years and not one person has noticed?

I've been wearing Rolexes daily for 36 years. I think maybe three or four times someone commented on my watch. The last time was a kid bagging groceries a couple years ago, who was thrilled by my Coke. So yeah, most of the rest of world doesn't really care. I do however compliment myself on my awesome watches multiple times a day.

Congratulations!

[Oyster84]

Originally Posted by jlevitt9

Congrats! My journey was the same as yours regarding not wanting to have a flashy watch. After 3+ years of wearing a sub, not one person has commented on me wearing a Rolex. Unless you’re going gold, my gut is We tend to give too much credit to Jon and Jane Doe employee looking at our watch (one) and knowing what it is (two).

That's amazing isn't it? That was the first thing I noticed after getting my first Rolex. I figured that people would be constantly saying "is THAT a ROLEX?" but they hardly ever do. I guess most common folks don't recognize the shapes but we sure as hell do. I can spot a Rolex submariner from 20 ft away... I can easily spot them on tv if some celeb or other famous person happens to be wearing one. That's because we recognize the shape of the watch first. Very few people have ever recognized mine on the wrist and I think that's a good thing, as it cuts down on theft...

[jlevitt9]

Originally Posted by Oyster84

That's amazing isn't it? That was the first thing I noticed after getting my first Rolex. I figured that people would be constantly saying "is THAT a ROLEX?" but they hardly ever do. I guess most common folks don't recognize the shapes but we sure as hell do. I can spot a Rolex submariner from 20 ft away... I can easily spot them on tv if some celeb or other famous person happens to be wearing one. That's because we recognize the shape of the watch first. Very few people have ever recognized mine on the wrist and I think that's a good thing, as it cuts down on theft...

You got it! I put mine on a Nato to make it even more inconspicuous. =)

[SFmedic13]

Congratulations.....enjoy!

[ajas]

Congratulations

[kieselguhr]

Congratulations! Nice 5 digit!

[nachopc]

Congratulations!!!!


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[winst]

Nice - congratulations!

[HogwldFLTR]

Congratulations; the 16570 is a great watch!!!

[jimcameron]

Great choice!

[TNT009]

cool!

[padi56]

Congratulations a Rolex classic wear it in good health.

[Old Expat Beast]

Congratulations, that was one of my first, too

[JSolution]

congrats on your purchase, sure youll get much enjoyment out of it.

[fskywalker]

Congrats!


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