One thing I’m thankful for regarding being old and also a Rolex person

[Chewbacca]

That I’m not starting my Rolex journey in the 2020s.

I fell in love with the product and brand and image when it was still in its neoclassical era. The character of small flaws, the sounds, the feel, inter-customization, the association.

Today it must be an utterly miserable way to fall in love with what used to be a pleasureful buyers journey. Even if you couldn’t afford the cabin, Mercedes or trip to Sardinia you could drop $2500 on a new DJ and feel good about your standing in life and as a hard worker.

Can say with confidence even tho I’m a Billionaire now, I’d pass on Rolex altogether today and go with another fine brand. No patience for this Rolex AD nonsense, asset class position and all the other games.

[dba]

Exactly. $1100 for my GMT II in 1984. Walked into the store, walked out of the store with a watch in 30 minutes.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by dba

Exactly. $1100 for my GMT II in 1984. Walked into the store, walked out of the store with a watch in 30 minutes.

Glory days. When we felt like customers and not a mark.

[bjdub]

Chewy, thanks for the wisdom. You understand and empathize with the plight of younger Rolex fans in this day and age. Since your watches average one daily wear before being thrown away, can I just have one of your old ones?

In all seriousness though you’re right, it’s unfortunate and a huge turnoff. I’ve wanted one since I was about fifteen and now that I’m of age and means to purchase, here we are… I was fortunate to get my sub at retail but I think that is enough for me. I wear the hell out of it but if I ever get a second or third nice watch, will likely be Tudors and Omegas.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by bjdub

Chewy, thanks for the wisdom. You understand and empathize with the plight of younger Rolex fans in this day and age. Since your watches average one daily wear before being thrown away, can I just have one of your old ones?

In all seriousness though you’re right, it’s unfortunate and a huge turnoff. I’ve wanted one since I was about fifteen and now that I’m of age and means to purchase, here we are… I was fortunate to get my sub at retail but I think that is enough for me. I wear the hell out of it but if I ever get a second or third nice watch, will likely be Tudors and Omegas.

I’m happy you acquired your Rolex and are enjoying it. I’m sincerely disappointed however with what’s become of it and how many are shut out.

[bjdub]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

I’m happy you acquired your Rolex and are enjoying it. I’m sincerely disappointed however with what’s become of it and how many are shut out.

Thanks and 100% agree. Took two years to get and even at msrp was way too damn expensive for what I was getting imo. Hearing what people paid decades ago really puts that into perspective.

[Calatrava r]

Back in the day most buyers were satisfied with one watch and there was a lot more to go around. Now, it seems, everybody is a collector. While picking one up they are arranging for the next one. All well and good, but it explains the demand at ADs and challenges to new buyers.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Back in the day most buyers were satisfied with one watch and there was a lot more to go around. Now, it seems, everybody is a collector. While picking one up they are arranging for the next one. All well and good, but it explains the demand at ADs and challenges to new buyers.

The free money era after the housing collapse is part what caused it. Stimulus all over the world. Gonna be a long time to fix still.

[TheHulk]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

I’m happy you acquired your Rolex and are enjoying it. I’m sincerely disappointed however with what’s become of it and how many are shut out.

Well Mr Billionaire, if you’re that sorry for all the peasants here who aren’t big money fellas like yourself, you should buy all the newbies here a SS of their choice. That’s a weeks interest at the most for a big-time billionaire. Just sayin,,,,,

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Well Mr Billionaire, if you’re that sorry for all the peasants here who aren’t big money fellas like yourself, you should buy all the newbies here a SS of their choice. That’s a weeks interest at the most for a big-time billionaire. Just sayin,,,,,

I believe in a hand up and not a hand out. Plus, a Rolex charitied in another place gets me a village named after me, a diplomatic passport, and land and title. A Rolex here gets me nothing. That’s a winners mindset and why I’m a billionaire and other aren’t.

10x your mindset by Christmas and I might change my mind if Paul approves it. I believe in you

[TheHulk]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

I believe in a hand up and not a hand out. Plus, a Rolex charitied in another place gets me a village named after me, a diplomatic passport, and land and title. A Rolex here gets me nothing. That’s a winners mindset and why I’m a billionaire and other aren’t.

10x your mindset by Christmas and I might change my mind if Paul approves it. I believe in you

Perhaps the only Billionaire gracing this forum. Might be a few others but for some reason they don’t run their mouthes constantly. Hmmm…. How fortunate for all of us 6-8 figure NW individuals to be included in such banter from a billionaire. Also So many billionaires hang out on watch forums endlessly running their mouthes bragging and making up tales. Fortunate for all of us indeed……probably just jealousy coming from lil ole nobody me

[z_charger]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

I believe in a hand up and not a hand out. Plus, a Rolex charitied in another place gets me a village named after me, a diplomatic passport, and land and title. A Rolex here gets me nothing. That’s a winners mindset and why I’m a billionaire and other aren’t.

10x your mindset by Christmas and I might change my mind if Paul approves it. I believe in you

While I can appreciate your luck (being born in a time when things were more affordable is luck, nothing more.) I get strong boomer vibes.

Hand up hand out? Come on man, have you seen interest rates? Enjoy your collection, perhaps consider some philanthropy if you're so blessed. Or just brag on the inter-webs.

[Wee-Willie]

True, I bought my first Rolex in 1986...saw it in the window, tried it on, got it sized & walked out....& with a 20% discount!!

Imagine how I felt when I finally decided in 2021 that I wanted to buy a Day Date & was told it could take a YEAR!!

[thesharkfactor]

My first Submariner was £1970 from an AD back in 2004. I called them up and asked if they had one and they said yes, come on in!

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

My first Submariner was £1970 from an AD back in 2004. I called them up and asked if they had one and they said yes, come on in!

My first and only Sub was about $3600 from the AD in Waikiki in 2005. My wife bought it for me for our 25th anniversary, just walked in off the street in ragged clothes she had been painting the house in. Didn't even call ahead.

[harvey]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

My first Submariner was £1970 from an AD back in 2004. I called them up and asked if they had one and they said yes, come on in!

Snap, went in…said I wanted a submariner…walked out with a Kermit for £2650 (Sept 2005).

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

That I’m not starting my Rolex journey in the 2020s.

I fell in love with the product and brand and image when it was still in its neoclassical era. The character of small flaws, the sounds, the feel, inter-customization, the association.

Today it must be an utterly miserable way to fall in love with what used to be a pleasureful buyers journey. Even if you couldn’t afford the cabin, Mercedes or trip to Sardinia you could drop $2500 on a new DJ and feel good about your standing in life and as a hard worker.

Can say with confidence even tho I’m a Billionaire now, I’d pass on Rolex altogether today and go with another fine brand. No patience for this Rolex AD nonsense, asset class position and all the other games.

What brand would you dive into if you were starting now?


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[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

What brand would you dive into if you were starting now?


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Definitely Omega and Breitling, with GS and Panerai bringing up the rear. Building a modest collection I’d be there.

See, Tudor makes sense when you tie it to Rolex. On its own as a new brand, I’m not sold. The name is old boring and not appealing. Theyre a one watch company today. Even tho I own a few my attraction was only cultivated due to the Rolex association. Alone they’re nothing exceptional. Remember, it failed once. Even tho I own a few I know in my heart a Breitling or Longines or even a dare I say Heuer is the better Swiss alternative. Not all but definitely some are wonderful value and well made. if you saw them all in a case with logos covered I bet they’d be easy choices.

[sski]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Definitely Omega and Breitling, with GS and Panerai bringing up the rear. Building a modest collection I’d be there.

See, Tudor makes sense when you tie it to Rolex. On its own as a new brand, I’m not sold. The name is old boring and not appealing. Theyre a one watch company today. Even tho I own a few my attraction was only cultivated due to the Rolex association. Alone they’re nothing exceptional. Remember, it failed once. Even tho I own a few I know in my heart a Breitling or Longines or even a dare I say Heuer is the better Swiss alternative. Not all but definitely some are wonderful value and well made. if you saw them all in a case with logos covered I bet they’d be easy choices.

Would love to see your sotc Chewie!

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Definitely Omega and Breitling, with GS and Panerai bringing up the rear. Building a modest collection I’d be there.

See, Tudor makes sense when you tie it to Rolex. On its own as a new brand, I’m not sold. The name is old boring and not appealing. Theyre a one watch company today. Even tho I own a few my attraction was only cultivated due to the Rolex association. Alone they’re nothing exceptional. Remember, it failed once. Even tho I own a few I know in my heart a Breitling or Longines or even a dare I say Heuer is the better Swiss alternative. Not all but definitely some are wonderful value and well made. if you saw them all in a case with logos covered I bet they’d be easy choices.

Yes very cool. Another brand that I’ve loved and is huge value is Oris. Old line. Independent. Cool. I have a bronze pointer date that has patina’d silly cool. The dial and glass back are excellent.






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[Law52]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Yes very cool. Another brand that I’ve loved and is huge value is Oris. Old line. Independent. Cool. I have a bronze pointer date that has patina’d silly cool. The dial and glass back are excellent.






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Oris is definitely one of those excellent value watches. Love this model with the Cathedral hands and day pointer. Also it comes in many dial colors.
Excellent watch Sir.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Law52

Oris is definitely one of those excellent value watches. Love this model with the Cathedral hands and day pointer. Also it comes in many dial colors.
Excellent watch Sir.

Thku! Bought this late fed 2020 NYC as the world crumbled. Special watch to me.


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[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Definitely Omega and Breitling, with GS and Panerai bringing up the rear. Building a modest collection I’d be there.

See, Tudor makes sense when you tie it to Rolex. On its own as a new brand, I’m not sold. The name is old boring and not appealing. Theyre a one watch company today. Even tho I own a few my attraction was only cultivated due to the Rolex association. Alone they’re nothing exceptional. Remember, it failed once. Even tho I own a few I know in my heart a Breitling or Longines or even a dare I say Heuer is the better Swiss alternative. Not all but definitely some are wonderful value and well made. if you saw them all in a case with logos covered I bet they’d be easy choices.

What's funny is that I have a slightly hard time with Tudor only because it's the second tier of the Rolex family. On its own, I prefer its designs to those of Omega, Breitling, or anything else in that price range.

If Rolex were off limits, I'd probably start a new collection of sub-$15k watches with Zenith, GP, Chopard, or Blancpain. Brands that are in the "No, I couldn't get a Rolex, but these are technically superior watches nonetheless."

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by dannyp

What's funny is that I have a slightly hard time with Tudor only because it's the second tier of the Rolex family. On its own, I prefer its designs to those of Omega, Breitling, or anything else in that price range.

If Rolex were off limits, I'd probably start a new collection of sub-$15k watches with Zenith, GP, Chopard, or Blancpain. Brands that are in the "No, I couldn't get a Rolex, but these are technically superior watches nonetheless."

Nice choices. Forgot about BP and Zenith

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Nice choices. Forgot about BP and Zenith

If it weren't for my genuine attraction to the Explorer I could see a world in which a Defy Skyline 36, Chronomaster Revival Shadow, and Alpine Eagle 36 could keep me more than happy. Blancpain and GP theoretically in there, too, except my favorites from them seem to exist in online catalogue only...

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Nice choices. Forgot about BP and Zenith

Actually traded a Rolex OP41 for my BP FF Bathyscaphe and have no regrets! I'd been eyeing BP for a long time as iconic as the Sub and was happy to have one.

[brandrea]

Times have changed for sure. I’m happy in general to be a bit older (and hopefully wiser)

[Malum]

Bought my first new Rolex from AD in 1998 , boy those were different times .

[DJ2020]

I purchased my 1st Rolex in 1982 used. I believe I paid $675 for the best that I can recall. A 5513. Wore it for years. It was just a watch to me and I certainly put it threw hell during that time.

Today I have no desire to own one. Sold my last 4 earlier this year. Back to Omega and Panerai for me. I love older Breitling Superocean's and most of the B chronographs. I was told that in 2025 they are releasing some spectacular movements and much needed smaller sizes. Can't wait. I always admired Longines as well. I think their a lot for what you pay for.

Lot of good stuff out there these days. But back to the old days for me. Wearing a Panerai for the foreseeable future.

[Driver8]

Me too. Early 2000's when my Rolex journey started. VERY different times.