Do you have your FIRST Rolex? If so, show us and tell us about it!

[bewithabob]

Still have and wear my TT DateJust, purchased new in 1987, while on a trip to Guam. Didn't buy another until 2007....

[marshallr47]

Some beautiful watches as well as beautiful stories. I've decided to add my story. My first Rolex was given to me by my father after my deployment to Iraq, 2006. He purchased the watch while he was in Vietnam back in 1968. If any man can test the durability of a watch, it's my father. This watch has been to hell and back. He has thrown it against a wall to show his friends, its durability. He wore it all the time, even when conducting aircraft maintenance. One day while working on an aircraft, the pitch change link of a helicopter came crashing down on it, busting the crystal and denting the dial. Well, the crystal was replaced however the dent still remains on the dial to this day. In the mid 80's he decided not the wear it anymore and just threw it in a drawer where it awaited it's resurfacing. When he gave it to me, I immediately took it to a watchmaker and had it serviced (2006). Today it runs perfectly and I'm sure will do so for many years to come.

[Brian J]

I like the thread, great stories keep them coming.

I still have my first one but it's only been 2 months.

[Cannop]

I still have mine an A series Sea dweller. Mind you I only purchased it yesterday!

Cannop

[Grissom]

Great stories, watches and photos, you guys!

Nice of so many to take the time to share they stories, and pictures, with all of us here!!! Some very heartwarming ones, I might add, and I especially like those involving Fathers to Sons.....Rolexes showing the ! Any Wife to Husband firsts??? There must be!!

Keep on posting/adding your pics and stories! This thread should end up really long, as we have so many members......gonna be great to look back at in the future!

Again, thanks for adding to the thread,

Nathan

(And Cannop....welcome to the madness!! )

[mambo]

During the 1984 Olympic games in LA, a friend of mine and I decided to take a month off and go surfing in Indonesia (ah the carefree single days). A friends wife, who was in the garment biz and travelled to Hong Kong frequently, told me about some places there to get contact lenses, suits and Rolex watches. The watch place had used SS subs for $400, "red" SS subs for $500, DJ's for $600 and up. I bought a 1978 1680 SS Sub for $400, which had arabic writing enscribed on the caseback. I waited while the guy buffed it off.
When I got to Bali there was nowhere to keep the watch so I wore it the whole time there and also on the rest of the trip to Singapore and Thailand.
I am a Teamster and have worn it steadily ever since, with only a couple small dents in the bracelet, which is still very tight. It's got alot of miles on it and in great shape. I have had it serviced 3 times at the same place.
Recently got a 16013 TT DJ for a good price here at TRF so I am complete, and the kids will each have a watch from their Dad when I kick the bucket.

[Chipmunk]

My first Rolex TT DJ......wearing it today

[Minutehand]

And it is still working

It was an impulse buy - walked into the shop, asked whether they had any (knowing it was a fairly new model), the guy said yes and I heard myself say: I'll take it!". And that's where the trouble started......

Have a good day all

[robsteve]

My first Rolex was a gift from my mother for my 25th birthday. She bought it because my Dad always had a Rolex (6150) and figured I should have one too. I wore it pretty well every day for over twenty years until last year when I bought the new Turn-O-Graph.

Here it is, before and after I put a new dial in it a few weeks ago.

[JBat]

My first, puchased December '07:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2727380...7622571876623/

[Sixxgrand1]

Thanks for posting this picture which I have borrowed and re-posted only on this forum:

I bought this exact watch after saving for almost ten months back in 1985 when rent was $250 a month - I laid out $3,000 CAN cash to own this one. Loved the dial and still consider it a classic Datejust winner. I wore it day and night through thick and thin for seven years non-stop....then I got married and needed the cash...

[AWS]

My U Series, a gift to myself December, 1997

[rustedmetal]

17 years
x serial 16234
Bought it new in 93'

[rfknauss]

Bought my first Rolex new back in 1978 ...... 5513 Submariner ...... been wearing it for over 30 years.

[blackmsport]

first was a FAKE Rolex (fake Submariner) I purchased by mistake on ebay about 8 years ago... I was scammed and was so angy about it.... after that I never bought any swiss watch on ebay ...

I still have it.... everytime I looked at it.... I got angry again..... that ebay basta**d scammed me

[BeerNutta]

My first rolex was a 5513 which I bought in 2004. Its been my trusty everyday watch. I recently had servicing issues with it that is now a civil dispute. Breaks my heart.

I love that watch. Hurts typing this.

[PeteNYC13]

My first was my SS Sub in October of 2001... Still gets 80% of the wrist time.

-Pete

[GradyPhilpott]

My first is only 2 years old, but I will never part with it willingly. When I'm gone, it will go to someone as yet undetermined--maybe a charity.

[Tijssan]

Originally Posted by wehttaM

When I was 11, I caught the bug, and I bought this P (Jan. 2000) Serial Air King from my watchmaker. Then, I bought a vintage 16753 from 1982 one year later.

You bought your first Rolex at 11? WOW...

(...or was that a typo, and was it 21...?)

[erling]

I bought my Datejust 1988 new from AD. I still wear it today. I had the dial replaced a few years ago (changed from stick to roman) I have since then bought a second hand Submariner (2003).
I will never sell my first Rolex. It means a lot to me. It has been on my wrist through thick and thin. I will pass it on to my son later.

[JimSnyder]

Wish I did and that I was 25 again also

[RBR76]

Originally Posted by rfknauss

Bought my first Rolex new back in 1978 ...... 5513 Submariner ...... been wearing it for over 30 years.

Wow! Very nice and very mint!

This must be worth a lot now.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by JBat

My first, puchased December '07:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2727380...7622571876623/

Let's get this up proper like:


Untitled by SLR_Shooter, on Flickr

[baxta69]

Originally Posted by jdc

Yes a vintage Oysterdate 1956 I bought off an internet site from a American gentleman a few years back. I purchased a new bracelet from Rolex.

I absolutely love this watch. Classy but understated. Excellent.

[sea-dweller]

Bought my 14060 (ND Sub) in 1994 from an AD. Still have it -

[Kolkek]

I just got my first one a couple of weeks ago, a 2004-model 16610lv I think it's just fantastic and so much better looking in real life than on pictures.

[dooder202]

My first...Just got her yesterday!

[rfknauss]

Originally Posted by RBR76

Wow! Very nice and very mint!

This must be worth a lot now.

RBR76, thanks for the compliment!

[colpol]

I bought this early 2005

Maybe for first 2 years I wore as a weekend watch with my trusty Omega SMP being my daily wearer. However, I had a 4 week period inbetween contracts & wore my SD every day & after that - never really went back to the SMP. I even tried putting the SMP into a Thursday rotation but I missed the sea dweller. The smp now in a drawer. A crying shame.

[mistral]