New v. Old

[JustinCNY]

Curious to know whatever thinks…

You are in your late 20s and buying your very first Rolex. Do you go brand new straight out of the box. Or do you go older model (i.e. 50th anniversary Sub, Pepsi bezel GMT, etc.).

For me: I go brand spanking new and get a Rolex that would grow old with me. Then make my way to the vintage models and start collecting.

[Doctorsti]

Get a new one. I can appreciate vintage watches but rarely does anything more then 10 years old really make me want to buy it. Now if money is no object sure I would pick up a few vintage pieces just because I could. I can't therefore I will buy current stuff so when I'm older it can be "vintage" and I can say "remember when Rolex thought 41mm was big enough"

[Abid]

Bought a BNIB sub 50th because it looked nicer on my wrist then the new Ceramic versions. Buy what you like the rest doesn't matter.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Abid

Bought a BNIB sub 50th because it looked nicer on my wrist then the new Ceramic versions. Buy what you like the rest doesn't matter.

Have to agree and except for a few minor changes like a few fonts clasp ceramic insert and the in-house escapement parts.Most Rolex models have changed very little over the last 20 plus years.All the Rolex watches if serviced correctly will last 50 plus years, many go on to over 100 years and still ticking.

[DiamondJack]

I would definitely be inclined to go new or nearly new.

I have new and vintage and both have their place. But for your first watch, you definitely need to be able to wear it ALL the time, in the shower, on the beach, playing sport, at work etc etc. Vintage definitely needs more care and attention and very few people will, for example, take their vintage near water due to the inability and if possible the expense of replacing original dials and hands if there was a problem, even though the watches were designed for that very purpose.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

I would definitely be inclined to go new or nearly new.

I have new and vintage and both have their place. But for your first watch, you definitely need to be able to wear it ALL the time, in the shower, on the beach, playing sport, at work etc etc. Vintage definitely needs more care and attention and very few people will, for example, take their vintage near water due to the inability and if possible the expense of replacing original dials and hands if there was a problem, even though the watches were designed for that very purpose.

Lets get things straight if any vintage watch has been serviced and pressure tested and all is fine. It will perform the same as any new watch in the Rolex oyster range.

[Grumpy Badger]

For my first I wanted BNIB from an AD.

My 14060m is, and always will be, what consider 'my watch'. I'll write all the history for that one myself.

If I ever get my one true Grail it will be partially for the history someone else put on it.

[le_baroudeur]

I am 28 and was in the same situation. I wanted a new one, so there was only the 14060m. (do not like the maxicase)
I bought a bnib 16610lv, and this is the perfect compromise: superb green, maxi dial, relatively cheap to replace bracelet (and though bracelet) and insert, date.

My advice: go for a bnib 16610, 14060M, 16610lv or 16600.

Why do you want to collect? One watch is perfect !

[speedo]

Originally Posted by JustinCNY

For me: I go brand spanking new and get a Rolex that would grow old with me. Then make my way to the vintage models and start collecting.

agree 100%. i am not very much into vintage for this reason: i want the watch to have a history with me.

[buke45]

It depends on the model. I love the new DD and the old GMT and I buy them all LNIB, NEVER new because I'm a flipper.

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by padi56

Lets get things straight if any vintage watch has been serviced and pressure tested and all is fine. It will perform the same as any new watch in the Rolex oyster range.

My vintage have all been serviced and pressure tested. But having done so and having read numerous TRF and VRF threads about old crystals potentially popping out, and the difficulty and expense of replacing valuable original dials, the general consensus from other owners appeared to greatly favour careful usership and no water exposure unless unavoidable. But I would be interested to hear of any pre-sapphire owners who are happy to take their vintage pieces swimming. Most appeared to have modern Rolex beaters to do that with, as I do.

[ibramr]

Greetings. Would changing the question from "New v. Old" to "New v. Used" address most concerns you may have from not buying "new"? I am not sure, but maybe. In any case, enjoy in good health.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

My vintage have all been serviced and pressure tested. But having done so and having read numerous TRF and VRF threads about old crystals potentially popping out, and the difficulty and expense of replacing valuable original dials, the general consensus from other owners appeared to greatly favour careful usership and no water exposure unless unavoidable. But I would be interested to hear of any pre-sapphire owners who are happy to take their vintage pieces swimming. Most appeared to have modern Rolex beaters to do that with, as I do.

Well again if properly serviced all Rolex watches with acrylic crystals are changed as part of normal service and things like crystals are serviceable items.Myself have dived with a 5513 and vintage SD many years ago,but agree the dial hands etc are the main part of any vintage watch. But if pressure checked there is no reason any Rolex oyster with a acrylic not to perform to its rated pressure the same as one with sapphire.

[landroverking]

There is a wonderful feeling walking out of an AD with a BNIB Rolex.
For me once is enough, as a WIS I buy pre-loved.

[Johny]

go and see them all in the flesh and then buy the one that you like the most, old or new.

[z32turbo]

If you can go BNIB there is nothing like it. Don't get me wrong I have purchased multiple that were pre loved and have yet to find a problem with any of them. Good luck in your hunt.


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[Oyster1982]

I like the older style Rolex's, I am not a fan of the polished lugs. I just got a Rolex datejust 16233 L series (1990) fully overhauled, pressure tested. The watch looks like new and looked better than the new DJ to me. Also the price was much less, and has the 3135 movement.

[mtrunner]

I definitely agree with the majority. A BNIB is the way to go for your first Rolex! You won't regret it.

[JustinCNY]

Originally Posted by le_baroudeur

I am 28 and was in the same situation. I wanted a new one, so there was only the 14060m. (do not like the maxicase)
I bought a bnib 16610lv, and this is the perfect compromise: superb green, maxi dial, relatively cheap to replace bracelet (and though bracelet) and insert, date.

My advice: go for a bnib 16610, 14060M, 16610lv or 16600.

Why do you want to collect? One watch is perfect !

I ended up going with bnib 116610LN. Wanted the Sub Date so why not go with the newest model.

[UJU]

For the first Rolex I would go for brand new. The one that I would never flip no matter what.

[imaddhatter]

I did a little bit of both. I bought BNIB but I bought an SD 16600.

[Michael M.]

For me a LNIB from a trusted seller here on TRF! Maybe like a 16610lv or a 16710

[The GMT Master]

I don't like the '90s models at all, I don't think Rolex pushed any boundaries on them. A bit lacklustre like a lot of '90s watchmaking, unfortunately! Give me a bang up to date model or a proper vintage any day

Edit: I'm 20

[JustinCNY]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

For me a LNIB from a trusted seller here on TRF! Maybe like a 16610lv or a 16710

As my very first Rolex, it was between a bnib Sub Date or a Pepsi bezel. I ended up going with the Sub Date because I wanted a brand new one as my very first. The Pepsi series will be my next

[Chipmunk]

Can't go wrong with BNIB for your first Rolex.

[Roxas]

I will buy the newest if I can afford it.

[Speed]

Chris, you are an old soul :-)

[watchmaniac]

If you can afford it, buy new. And don't ever sell.
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[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by JustinCNY

Curious to know whatever thinks…

You are in your late 20s and buying your very first Rolex. Do you go brand new straight out of the box. Or do you go older model (i.e. 50th anniversary Sub, Pepsi bezel GMT, etc.).

For me: I go brand spanking new and get a Rolex that would grow old with me. Then make my way to the vintage models and start collecting.

My first was a new one, and I think for your first Rolex it's a good way to go. Keep in mind you might never buy another. However, for a Rolex purchased near MSRP, it would not be unreasonable to think that you could have had two nice ones for the same money.

[JustinCNY]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

My first was a new one, and I think for your first Rolex it's a good way to go. Keep in mind you might never buy another. However, for a Rolex purchased near MSRP, it would not be unreasonable to think that you could have had two nice ones for the same money.

Whoever said I'm buying it for MSRP? Not even close...