Why, Exactly, Did You Buy A Rolex ??

[KJacques]

When I was a kid, I never thought of Rolex as a prestige watch at all. It never occured to me that it was a status symbol of having "made it". I guess that's why I still don't view it like that. I associated Rolex as the toughest watch used by some of the greatest adventurers in the world. I loved their ads in the National Geographic. But mostly, I saw that James Bond wore a submariner. After that, I couldn't imagine wanting to wear any other watch!

[Gasoil4ever]

Originally Posted by KJacques

When I was a kid, I never thought of Rolex as a prestige watch at all. It never occured to me that it was a status symbol of having "made it". I guess that's why I still don't view it like that. I associated Rolex as the toughest watch used by some of the greatest adventurers in the world. I loved their ads in the National Geographic. But mostly, I saw that James Bond wore a submariner. After that, I couldn't imagine wanting to wear any other watch!

+1

For me to the tough tool aspect was first the appealing part. I partly grew up in sub saharian africa and lots of guys working hard in the oil fields, mines, transport industry etc were wearing Rolex.

[Rockrolex]

Mine's a bit of a long story.

I always liked complication watches, chronos, dates, etc. I went with quartz because I thought you had to have the electronics to get all those things.

Then about 10 years ago, a client's son came to me and asked if I would take him on as a client to find a country from which he could sell replicas without Rolex chasing him. I didn't want to do it, but I didn't want to piss off his father who was a good client. So I blamed it on our client committee. I took the potential representation to the committee with the question: "We don't want to enter into this representation, do we?" Naturally, they turned down the representation.

But in the meantime, he sent me one of his products: a YG DD with white dial and Romans. It was a stunning looking watch. I started to compare it to the real thing and it was a damned good copy. I took it to a watchmaker to have the bracelet sized and it fooled him. I wore it once, but then couldn't bring myself to wear it again. I would much rather wear a $100 Casio than a $600 fake Rolex.

But that started me down the garden path. I started checking Rolexes on e-bay. Found a vintage TT DJ on a black leather strap with champagne dial and painted Romans. Got it at a very good price. Then I found a TT DJ with white dial and raised Romans. Also managed to snag that one at a good price. Then I saw my grail - the all black GMT-II. And of course, I just had to have that one as well. And finally, I found a replacement for the DD - a YG DD with black dial and diamond markers. Got that one for 1/3 the appraised value.

Why did I buy them. Because I love their looks, I like the history of the brand, and just because I could. I'm sure I could sell any one of them for more than I paid, but that is not a consideration.

Not to mention that along the way, I have picked up a few other assorted brands - Breitling, JLC, GP, Glycine. But none gets anywhere the wrist time as my Rollies.

[Gob Bluth]

I bought my Z serial Sea Dweller because I got an insane deal on it and planned on flipping it to help fund my Omega addiction (I had 3 Omegas at the time). Fast forward 2 months and I still have the Sea Dweller and am down to 1 Omega (Planet Ocean). Buying the Rolex is actually going to save me money as I just don't need a bunch of watches when I have the one that I think is the best looking sport watch available. The PO may be gone soon to help fund a Pepsi GMT. I could be fairly content with the SD, Pepsi and a dress watch (maybe an IWC 3531).

[Scream]

I bought a Rolex for a few reasons.

First, I do not wear any rings or anything but I do wear a watch so I figure the watch would fill the 'bling' void.

Secondly, I wanted quality and Swiss design.

Thirdly, the AD in my city is a fantastic.

And finally yes, this forum had alot to do with since I know I have a place where I can turn for support.

[musert]

I know the reason I bought mine was because a friend of mine had one and ever since then I made a promise to myself that one day when I can afford it out right without any financing I would get one. So as a result of the last 6 months of putting a couple of dollars away I got one. Also, like a prior posts it's something one buys to treat one self as a result of working through school and landing that job that affords us that great timepiece admired by all.

[kiat]

My Dad gave me a 36 years old Rolex DJ-TT.That was starting everything about Rolex for me.

[Blimms]

I looked at a PAM 104 & told my sales woman I'd be back in a few weeks to get it. She told me that most likely it will be sold by then. I replied, "We'll see". Sure enough 3 weeks later - gone. She then persuaded me to look at Rolex. I wound up purchasing the SS/PL YM. Thinking that would satisfy me. I still wanted and eventually got the PAM 104 - YM wrist time is getting smaller and smaller.

[Dom]

I have been collecting watches for a while and always thought that without a Rolex the whole thing doesn't make sense. Well, bought the watch to the left and my small collection doesn't get any wrist time anymore. Great, comfortable watch, beautiful and only watch collectors will know about it's inner beauty.

[onkyo]

Because I was an idiot and subsequently spent all my money on watches.

I do have some incredible pieces though.

[ttomczak]

For our tenth anniversary, my wife gave me my first Rolex, a Submariner w/date...

At that point, "I got it!"

[stevemulholland3]

I bought a rolex for the chicks man!!
ever since I have had a rolex they just cant keep their hands off of me..
its like I am a rock star!!...lol

[Ed Rooney]

They were out of Movados.

[hooliganhooker]

Because of my work I have never been fond of wearing jewelry, too risky. Any watch I have ever owned was basically a quartz with stop watch or countdown feature that I would use when jogging or timekeeping during a rugby match.

Several years ago my newest wife bought me a Citizen Eco-Drive Chrongraph which basically replaced my G-Shock but I wore it and used it in the same capacity. After I bought her some diamond ear rings one Christmas, she bought me a Raymond Weil Nabucco in return (Raymond Weil being the only higher end watch carried by any jeweler in the town we live).

At this point I was hooked. I was amazed by the engineering of the automatic watch but my obsessive-compulsive nature wouldn't leave it at that. I started building my "collection".

Ultimately, my first Rolex purchase was driven by two things:

1) I wanted a timepiece that would be considered "heirloom quality" to pass down to my son, and

2) James Bond

I have always been fascinated with the Bond films but even more so with the literary Bond of Ian Fleming. I HAD to have James Bond's watch. Not so much the movie watch(es) but the one that Fleming imagined on to Bond's wrist. Now I know that there are always riffs about what watch Fleming meant, but that discussion notwithstanding, I settled on the Explorer version and haven't looked back.

My 7 year old loves the Bond movies; me, the Connery's and he the Craig's. Some day, he will get the Planet Ocean because that is his Bond's watch. And then later he will get the 1016 that I will eventually own.

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by Chris B

Great thread.

It was these ad's from when I was kid that sowed the seeds, took me a bit of a while to get one but I'll always be grateful to Mr Adair

Xs 2 and Ed's Submariner Rolex ad.

[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by Tools

Why, exactly did you buy a Rolex if the first thing you're thinking of is getting rid of it.. ??

Because
I wanted to be the first kid on the block
with the new Rolex, then got bored with it.
I feel the same about cars.
You trade-in or sell your cars, dont' you..?

What can I say...I am shallow like that when it comes to cars and watches
....but I am lovable...ain't I..???....

[tubojunk]

I always wanted a nicer watch than my Tag, so when I was 22 I had enough funds to blow on my GMT and I pulled the trigger. Love my watch

[Thomas]

Quite simply, I wanted one.

[buckscat]

I blame my dad. He has always had one and got me hooked when he bought me one

[MAINEZX10]

I bought mine from my GMD and he let me put it on layaway cuz at the time I couldn't afford to purchase it all at once. It was a Sub-Date and I just wanted it

[Nica64]

My dad got me into watches and he owned a Rolex, that's the reason why I got into it!!

[surillious]

To address the original question of:

"Why, exactly did you buy a Rolex if the first thing you're thinking of is getting rid of it.. ??,"

I'd have to say that, for me, this type of thinking isn't problematic. I do the same type of assessment for all sorts of purchases. The bottom line for me is that, hypothetical equity is important.

Would you buy a house, say for two million, just because you liked it; or would you consider what the house should be worth down the line? Some would answer that, provided they are planning on living there indefinitely, they wouldn't care what the house is worth later on. For me, it would matter. If I knew that my two million dollar house would be worth half as much in ten years, I doubt I would like it as much.

Value retention wasn't the first thing I thought of when buying my Rolex, but it was part of the equation.

[ROCKDRUMMERZERO]

I remember getting all excited as a child about a chronometer ( forget the brand ) my older Brother had. From that point on it was a gradual realisation that the finest brand on the planet ( 'brand' IS the point here ) was, and still is Rolex. Regardless of technological superiority of other 'complications' - my Rolex Sub 16610 IS my favoutite timepiece for ME. I had to have one at some point, went through owning a GMTII for a while, but the Sub' just makes me feel good.

That is why I bought a Rolex.

[VisibleSpecter]

I'll hold onto mine for life, but I can guess about the "flip my watch" people. They probably thrive on the excitement, the chase, the newness of their purchases. Simply put, maybe they need more excitement in their watch pursuits!

[pirchryn]

I bought my Rolex Sub because it has always been a watch I wanted but never could obtain...I first bought a breitling to enter the fine watch market at half the price of rolex, hoping my admiration of the sub would fade. However, two years later I still found myself admiring others sub's. Now I finally have one, and have become addicted to this site...LMAO

Cheers

[Mrdi]

Mine came in a Cracker Jack box

[rijowysock]

i bought my first rolex because its all i knew (as an over advertised brand, i thought it was best)

i then hated rolex for a while because i learned it is nowhere near what people think.. its not the "best" overall but instead the "best" tool watch.. once i got back in the rolex game i bought them for their rugged'ness and hated the fact people notice and ask about them...

[Leasky]

My father wore a Day-Date and once I was old enough to understand what it was, I would stare at it in awe for ages.

He then bought me a Date-Just for my 21st birthday and that was me hooked.

I still have that watch and over the years I have bought another 4 lovely Rolex watches.

I spend more then half the year away from home, so I like to enjoy nice things when I am back here; Rolex watches certainly fall into that catagory!

[Kokyuryoku]

Kia ora everyone,

To be honest, I had always thought they were a bit out of my reach. However, when an ex's father showed me his Tag and then muttered 'You'll never have a watch like this' it kind of became my target. So, ten years later to celebrate the fifth anniversary of my wedding and my school, I bought myself a sub date and a speedy. Now, if I ever see that sad old man again, I can show him my watch and say 'You'll never have a watch like this'. For me it's a mile marker for my life and I look forward to passing it on to one of my kids some day.

[Raam]

I bought a Rolex bcos Rolex is teh dope!! j/kg

1) bcos i saw the NG ads
2) bcos i admired Sir Edmund Hillary even after he reached Everest and later return to help the Sherpa community (in of othe NG issue)
3) James Bond
4) Well-know brand
5) The Triumph crown with added 1 more match stick.