First-time Rolex Owner - 214270

[Nick_sixx]

Hi all,

I accidentally posted this in the gallery section yesterday by mistake. Mods feel free to delete my other thread.

I apologise in advance for the novel-length post.

I've always had a love for watches, but only in the past 3-4 years have I developed a proper interest and respect for the craft. After joining WUS a couple of years ago to find out some information on a Seiko SKX007 that I had recently purchased, I found myself being more and more attracted to Speedmasters, as I had seen them on display in multiple air/space museums across the States on my most recent visit.

I, like a lot of guys my age, grew up with (and idolised) Pierce Brosnan as Bond, which planted the idea in my head that Omega was the be-all end-all of Swiss watches, despite every Bond prior to Brosnan wearing a Sub.

My father and grandfather both wear/wore Rolexes their whole adult lives, so I knew that they made fantastic, reliable, and classic watches, but all the attention that they get from popular culture (in a negative way) kind of tainted my lust for one.

Only in the past two years have I been able to overcome these negative connotations that I was associating with the brand, and really started to respect Rolex as a watchmaker, rather than a status-symbol-provider.

I started my venture into 'luxury' (certainly not AP/PP/VC/ALS etc territory) watches with a 3570.50 Speedy Pro. I loved this watch, but foolishly traded it for a 42mm Planet Ocean. After getting caught up with all the large watch 'enabling' that goes on with internet forums, I then traded that for a 45.5mm Planet Ocean instead. After a short period, however, I began to realise what a big mistake I had made in selling the Speedy Pro, and subsequently saved up an bought a birth-year example (1989 Cal.861 - manufactured exactly one week before my birthday according to Omega archives!).

It was from my love of the Speedy pro that my desire to own a classic, timeless offering from Rolex began to grow. At first I was mainly interested in the Sub, but after seeing literally dozens per week on the wrists of men in the Brisbane CBD/out at dinner/on TV etc, I couldn't help but feel that it wouldn't feel all that special to own one, and, being so recognisable, that it would attract a lot of unwanted attention, as well as the "is that real?" comments etc.

Then, after reading all of the history of the Explorer that I could find, I realised that I had found my grail watch: It had great prestige and a fantastic background, the design had barely changed in 50 years, it was simple yet robust, sporty yet dressy, and was now offered in a (more appropriate for my size) 39mm case. Brilliant!

It took some time, but I finally saved up the extra money I needed after selling my PO XL to buy a 214270. I did consider the 114270, but I just don't think I could get used to the size.


Sorry for the enormous post, and here is my new 214270 (I only received it in the mail from member DavidSW about an hour ago, so apologies for the poor quality photos).

















My father's Air King Date, which I find to be too small (and therefore ruled out the only slightly larger 114270):




And my old PO, which looks great from this angle:



But, unfortunately a little too big from this angle:



Thanks for reading!



Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2


Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

[beshannon]

Congrats, great choice

[kxux]

Nice. Congratulations on timeless classic.

[turtlehead69]

I can relate to a lot of what you said.

Nice watch too.

[BoomerSooner]

Looks good, congrats

[Cc1966]

Congrats

[joe100]

Well found

[benlee]

The Explorer is a classic. Congrats!

[Doug T]

Looks great. Wear it in good health!

[steveclocks]

Sadly you sold off your PO XL, you pull it off brilliantly in my honest opinion !!
Congratz on your new and first rolex! The explorer is a much more dressier watch I think. Now you'll have to save up for an extra sportsmodel too!!!!
Glad you joined TRF man, I know you'll enjoy it here

[kilyung]

Congrats and welcome! What's the story on the guitar?

[Nick_sixx]

Originally Posted by steveclocks

Sadly you sold off your PO XL, you pull it off brilliantly in my honest opinion !!
Congratz on your new and first rolex! The explorer is a much more dressier watch I think. Now you'll have to save up for an extra sportsmodel too!!!!
Glad you joined TRF man, I know you'll enjoy it here

Don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic watch and offers probably the best value for money out of the entire Omega catalogue.

However, I am still in the early stages of my career, and the PO cost quite a (relative to most TRF members anyway) large percentage of my income. I would much rather spend the extra money to get an Explorer that I know will still be wearable in 10-20+ years, compared to the PO which gave me slightly too many Tag Heuer vibes (very modern, bold design that changes every few years).

It is definitely a watch that I would like to own again, but perhaps when I have a bit more to play with in the watch pot!

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[sea-dweller]

Congrats!

[herbalt]

Great watch, wearing mine right now. Total versatility.

[TSW]

Congrats!!

[cop414]

Congratulations on a stunning timeless classic!

[Mikegp]

Hey Nick! Nice to see you here in the "dark side". Again congrats on the watch!! Enjoy

[jayr07]

I can concur with you completely.I currently own or have at some stage owned most Rolex models and say without hesitation that the Explorer is the watch that will be with me forever, the others will probably be flipped at some point but never my Explorer. It hasn't left my wrist since purchase. It is so clean and a timeless, classic looking watch, which in my mind puts the Omega PO in the shade.
Welcome aboard from a fellow TRF newbie and good health to you.

[Yinger]

Nice!

[Nick_sixx]

Originally Posted by Mikegp

Hey Nick! Nice to see you here in the "dark side". Again congrats on the watch!! Enjoy

Haha g'day mike! How's the SubC?

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[Jack T]

Enjoy the Explorer, I love it, probably my next. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that Planet Ocean, from any angle !

[SixPak]

Originally Posted by Nick_sixx

Then, after reading all of the history of the Explorer that I could find, I realised that I had found my grail watch: It had great prestige and a fantastic background, the design had barely changed in 50 years, it was simple yet robust, sporty yet dressy, and was now offered in a (more appropriate for my size) 39mm case. Brilliant!

I couldn't have described the Explorer any better than you did. Congrats!!!!

[Racerdj]

Congratulations

[Maxy]

Congrats... This is my first watch as well - https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...04#post4248104

[Nick_sixx]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Congrats and welcome! What's the story on the guitar?

Just noticed your post - it's just an Epiphone Dot Studio with a custom paint job and Gibson 57 pickups. Unfortunately it rarely gets played anymore

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[Boothroyd]

Congrats! Mine says hello! Glad to have you on TRF.

[Trouble15]

Nice, congrats!!

[jot_]

Originally Posted by Nick_sixx

Don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic watch and offers probably the best value for money out of the entire Omega catalogue.

However, I am still in the early stages of my career, and the PO cost quite a (relative to most TRF members anyway) large percentage of my income. I would much rather spend the extra money to get an Explorer that I know will still be wearable in 10-20+ years, compared to the PO which gave me slightly too many Tag Heuer vibes (very modern, bold design that changes every few years).

It is definitely a watch that I would like to own again, but perhaps when I have a bit more to play with in the watch pot!

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

Great choice! I actually did the exact same thing as you - used to own a PO8500 and sold it for the same reasons you did - and (eventually) ended up with a 214270! Brilliant watch and I am sure it'll stand the test of time very well!

[southtexas]

Congrats, she is a beauty! (and the watch is nice too )

[OML]

congratulations- you made a wise decision.