What inspired you to get a Rolex?

[Lamone]

Why did you buy a Rolex rather than any other highend brands?

Personally, it goes back to 1983.
I was watching Magnum PI with my Dad, and noticed the similarities between magnum's watch and my dad's (both GMTs). From that moment, I was hooked on that bi-color bezel.

[mike]

That is a great shot of Magnum's 16750!!

[Lamone]

Originally Posted by mike

That is a great shot of Magnum's 16750!!

Thanks, but can't take credit for it. I borrowed it from a website :).
I'm a big fan of Mangnum PI, great GMT!

[astcell]

Looks like a chocolate dial!

[mike]

Originally Posted by Lamone

Thanks, but can't take credit for it. I borrowed it from a website :).
I'm a big fan of Mangnum PI, great GMT!

Yep! sure is!!

My first exposure came as young Military cadet. All my Instructors at the time wore a Rolex. It seemed to be a standard piece of equiment. LOL!
My goal was to get one as soon as I could. My 1675 was the first and the love of the brand began. Over the years as I watched (and in some ways took part in) the history and heritage of these great pieces grow, it only made me appreciate more the stories and the meaning these watches have.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I think it was probably the Bond movie "Dr. No" that gave me interest in the Rolex Submariner, so that was my first Rolex model!

[ohsixx]

I like quality!

[pol]

I'm a big fan of both Magnum and Bond...however my inspiration was my father. From as early in life as I can remember it was always Rolex...and thats the way it has become for me.

[Atomant]

The brand itself. And after seeing all them pics in this forum. I know I've got to go get myself a Rollie.

[redshirt1957]

Why I looked at Rolex.....tired of buying cheap diver watches.

Why I stayed with Rolex.....same reason I collect corvettes; Rolex's loyalty to design and concept. Like Corvettes, a Rolex might not be "The Best", but their watches stir my passion. Sort of like redheads, but that is a different story.

[TheDude]

Honestly, I had been looking to pick up a really nice watch for a while now. Panerai I thought, but in following the brand and the forums I got the sense that the popularity could wane in the coming years, etc... Plus, many of the historic models (the ones I liked) were very overpriced for the movement and the technology. Plus, I have quite a few big watches - I wanted something that would fit under a dress shirt sleeve.

I felt that if I was going to put that kind of money into a watch, I wanted something that was timeless - virtually guaranteed to hold value (or gain value), and most importantly I wanted something that I liked very much. With the exception of that last requirement - I knew Rolex was the best option.

The introduction of the new GMT IIC SS was the perfect mix of all those things (for me at least). Finally I had a choice that appealed just as much to my heart as to my head. Done and done.

[leopardprey]

Similiar to some of the above.

Combination of watching Magnum PI throughout High School, and then many of the Officers and Senior NCOs I served with had Rolex watches (this is back in the late 1980s). Also, Tudor Dive watches (that had the Rolex crown on the crown) were issued to many in the Unit I was in as well. And another Unit I was in, in the military, has a a history of a operators having a Randall Knife and a Rolex watch all througout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. And then there are all the ads in National Geographic.

Though there are much better watches out there for the same price or cheaper, and have better features for a mechanical "Tool" watch, there is just something magical about having a Rolex, due to all the history and tradition associated with it from the old days when you HAD TO HAVE a mechanical tool watch, and Rolex was the best and inovator in the old days.

[JJ Irani]

My ROLEX inspiration came from the dozens of ads I would view in TIME and National Geographic during the late '60s and '70s.

Finally, picked up my very first Rolex in October 1980.

JJ

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

My ROLEX inspiration came from the dozens of ads I would view in TIME and National Geographic during the late '60s and '70s.

Finally, picked up my very first Rolex in October 1980.

JJ

I was also inspired by the National Geographic, but I never noticed a Rolex ad. J/K!

[Bama]

Originally Posted by Lamone

Why did you buy a Rolex rather than any other highend brands?

Personally, it goes back to 1983.
I was watching Magnum PI with my Dad, and noticed the similarities between magnum's watch and my dad's (both GMTs). From that moment, I was hooked on that bi-color bezel.

That's from the first episode of Season 4 titled "Home from the Sea." Magnum's Pepsi GMT inherited from his late father has made me want one like it too. What a great show

[Ed Rooney]

My hero growing up, Roy Cohn, owned one.

[boomvader]

For me, it was some of the people in my life that mentored and/or inspired me. I remember admiring somebody's Pepsi GMT about 5 years ago. I will never forget him glancing at the watch and then to me and said, "You have to earn it."

[xteen]

In 1963 I needed a dive watch and I figured if it was good enough for James Bond, etc...

[marshallr47]

I was hooked because of my father. When growing up, we never really had a lot of money...still don't. But he purchase his Oyster Perpetual back in 1968. It was a simple watch but he spoke highly of it. He would always let me wear the watch on special occasions and when he gave it to me in 2006, that set off the mania. I will always cherrish that watch. Photo of it below:

[Bama]

I've been into watches for a while now, but the most high end that I had previously owned was a Bulova Accutron. Rolex was the goal so I finally decided to get one. The name says it all and not just because people know it's expensive. I really enjoy the idea of having such a quality timepiece on my arm. I knew that all the other watches I had been buying were substitutes for a Rolex so I decided to go ahead and scratch the itch.

[Bama]

Originally Posted by marshallr47

I was hooked because of my father. When growing up, we never really had a lot of money...still don't. But he purchase his Oyster Perpetual back in 1968. It was a simple watch but he spoke highly of it. He would always let me wear the watch on special occasions and when he gave it to me in 2006, that set off the mania. I will always cherrish that watch. Photo of it below:

Congratulations. That's a priceless heirloom from your Dad. I hope you enjoy it for many years

[zak98]

always wanted to see grandpa's watch, as a kid. everytime i went over there he had it on. cannot even remember what it was.. but a datejust really rings true for what i do remember about it. always wanted to own a rolex, since then. have my airking, about to by my 2nd watch, z series submariner.

great forum!

[rolio]

I saw Tom Sellek (sp) on a mini drama this summer. He was playing a police chief. And, he was wearing a GMT Master II, red and black version. Looks like a habit.

Cheers

[S2000 Driver]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

I think it was probably the Bond movie "Dr. No" that gave me interest in the Rolex Submariner, so that was my first Rolex model!

Nice to hear!

[marshallr47]

Originally Posted by Bama

Congratulations. That's a priceless heirloom from your Dad. I hope you enjoy it for many years

Thank you. I will cherrish it until pasted down to my children.

[Mike734]

As a pilot I wanted the GMT function. I never liked the looks of a Breitling and always loved the look of the GMT. Then when the GMT II came out I knew I had to own one.

[ashu2289]

The brand's prestige!!!!
It makes me feel really gr8 to have a Rolex

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Similiar to some of the above.

Combination of watching Magnum PI throughout High School, and then many of the Officers and Senior NCOs I served with had Rolex watches (this is back in the late 1980s). Also, Tudor Dive watches (that had the Rolex crown on the crown) were issued to many in the Unit I was in as well. And another Unit I was in, in the military, has a a history of a operators having a Randall Knife and a Rolex watch all througout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. And then there are all the ads in National Geographic.

Though there are much better watches out there for the same price or cheaper, and have better features for a mechanical "Tool" watch, there is just something magical about having a Rolex, due to all the history and tradition associated with it from the old days when you HAD TO HAVE a mechanical tool watch, and Rolex was the best and inovator in the old days.

Chad, I remember hearing stories when I was at Bragg during the late '80's that some of the special ops teams that were going down south on specific missions were issued Rolex to use as a bartering item if they got into serious trouble. Ever heard of that? That is one of the things that got me interested in the brand.

[f16570]

Can it only have been one reason, or a succesion of small but yet important events.
James Bond, Magnum and a friends Father who showed us his SD in the late 70's.
The appreciation of quality and the fact that like respect it has to be earned are also major factors. Yes there are better watches for less money, but if I have to explain it then.........

f

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by f16570

Can it only have been one reason, or a succesion of small but yet important events.
James Bond, Magnum and a friends Father who showed us his SD in the late 70's.
The appreciation of quality and the fact that like respect it has to be earned are also major factors. Yes there are better watches for less money, but if I have to explain it then.........

f

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