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SodiumMonkey · 5 April 2017, 10:27 AM

I've been collecting watches since I was in high school, so roughly 20-25 years now. It started with "fashion" brands like Kenneth Cole and Fossil. In the last couple of decades, I have slowly graduated up through the ranks from Kenneth Cole to Orient to Seiko to Steinhart (gasp!) to Christopher Ward to Hamilton to Frederique Constant to Oris to IWC and now finally to Rolex.

When I got into mechanical watches several years back, I was actually anti-Rolex. I viewed the brand as nothing more than an unnecessary show of wealth and something worn by people interested in that kind of display and not much else. The more my passion for fine timepieces grew, the more my opinion began to change. I started reading forums, articles, and reviews. I watched video after video. I learned about the history of the brand and the manufacturing standards and processes. Eventually I just knew that I had to have one, but which one?

The Submariner is a classic. I've owned so many watches over the years that were modeled after or blatantly copied from the Submariner. I think it has to be among the most recognizable and iconic watches of all time. Yes, a Submariner it must be. The 114060 to be exact. I'm 34 years old. I don't need that silly cyclops! And the symmetry of the no date with that ceramic bezel, just gorgeous.

But something about that just didn't sit quite right. I appreciate it when another "watch guy" notices my watch and strikes up a conversation with me about watches. But I don't want random strangers, non-watch-guys (or perhaps my wife

) noticing my "fancy Rolex." I don't like that kind of attention, and it still seems to harken back to my original perceptions of the brand.

Enter the 214270 (2016 version). Beautiful but subtle. Oh my. So I began listing some of my lower and mid-tier pieces about two weeks ago. Today I took a 2-hour "lunch" and headed over to my hometown Rolex AD. I have done a decent amount of business there on other items over the years, but never a watch as Rolex is one of only 3 brands they carry with the others being outside of my interest. So I go in not expecting much of a discount but determined to give it an honest try nonetheless. I managed to get down very close to what some of the fine sellers here offer for a new AD-warranteed piece. I justified it to myself that it was worth a couple hundred dollars in order to establish a relationship with the local guy.

I can't imagine that many of you read all of that, but I wanted to share my story as I'm obviously excited to show you my first Rolex:

TheRolexKingofLV · 5 April 2017, 10:30 AM

Congrats Jim

That is a super "clean" look...I'm glad you bought what spoke to you

"Ya never forget your first"

Eatapp · 5 April 2017, 10:36 AM

Great choice! You'll enjoy that watch for a long time!

VinnieVegas · 5 April 2017, 10:37 AM

Congratulations!

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

AJM914 · 5 April 2017, 10:38 AM

Congrats well deserved!

mjclark32 · 5 April 2017, 10:40 AM

Good work and choice!
I think a lot of us started with similar thoughts, I know I did. Avoiding rolex I bought an IWC aquatimer, but it was only a matter of time until I bought my first (16610).
Congrats and enjoy!

PaulRP · 5 April 2017, 10:41 AM

Congrats!

KrismanX · 5 April 2017, 10:42 AM

Great story and a FANTASTIC reference...

Last year's TRF giveaway had me looking at the 214270. It is a great and classy/clean reference with a great story on it's own. The original James Bond Rolex was based off of the author's own ref. 1016 Explorer; which I thought was pretty awesome.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=120138

c41006 · 5 April 2017, 10:43 AM

Ticknaway · 5 April 2017, 10:43 AM

Congrats! Welcome to the forum.

rph08 · 5 April 2017, 10:46 AM

Very nice!

SodiumMonkey · 5 April 2017, 10:46 AM

Thank you all for the kind words. And thank you to the mod that approved my post.

I've been lurking around here for 6 years sporadically, and have just very recently started to post. My posts still require moderator approval!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Good work and choice!
I think a lot of us started with similar thoughts, I know I did. Avoiding rolex I bought an IWC aquatimer, but it was only a matter of time until I bought my first (16610).
Congrats and enjoy!

It's really funny that you mention that. I have two IWC watches and had convinced myself that the Aquatimer was my answer to a "nice" diver. I was thinking that I would get the white/silver dialed Aquatimer and one of the older no date Longines Legend Divers so that I would have both light and dark dials covered in the diver segment. But after having the Explorer on my wrist for just these last few hours, I cannot deny that I feel like the no date Sub will in fact be my next purchase. Attention be damned.

Either than or an IWC Portugieser. And probably still an Aquatimer. And probably still that no date LLD if I can ever act quickly enough on the well-priced sales. I definitely have the sickness.

Rick_Nashville · 5 April 2017, 10:47 AM

Big congrats, Jim, it's a beauty. Hope it brings you much watch-wearing enjoyment!

GerardoG · 5 April 2017, 10:49 AM

Congratulations!!!!! VERY nice!

AK797 · 5 April 2017, 10:50 AM

Congrats and I'm glad you like the watch, but let me tell you 90% of the time I notice a Rolex by its bracelet so don't get caught in the minutae weeds.

ejvette · 5 April 2017, 10:53 AM

Great first choice

run23 · 5 April 2017, 10:58 AM

Congrats! Your changing views on Rolex are very similar to mine. It seems like a lot of Rolex lovers started out as anti-Rolex.

Hairdude1 · 5 April 2017, 11:03 AM

Congrats!!

MCO1 · 5 April 2017, 11:06 AM

Splendid choice! One of my personal favorites.

patrickjb · 5 April 2017, 11:07 AM

Congratulations Jim, a great watch!

uber · 5 April 2017, 11:09 AM

super buy....looks great on you!

zaydans · 5 April 2017, 11:10 AM

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure many here may relate to find of your experiences in collecting, I know I certainly do. Congrats on the first acquisition. It won't be your only Rolex. I thought one was enough but there are too many nice models to be satisfied with just one. Wear it well until the next one comes along!!

JR16 · 5 April 2017, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaydans

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure many here may relate to find of your experiences in collecting, I know I certainly do. Congrats on the first acquisition. It won't be your only Rolex. I thought one was enough but there are too many nice models to be satisfied with just one. Wear it well until the next one comes along!!

So true! Congrats Jim!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

sickened1 · 5 April 2017, 11:44 AM

Congrats.

Urosfan · 5 April 2017, 11:47 AM

Congrats

NManley · 5 April 2017, 11:50 AM

Congratulations, enjoy it!

Carrera997 · 5 April 2017, 12:24 PM

Welcome to the club!

TimeRookie · 5 April 2017, 12:29 PM

Well done! Love the newest version with the lume in the numbers!

blue16613 · 5 April 2017, 12:32 PM

Read it!

Great story Jim.

From what you have shared, you chose the perfect Rolex for you at your current station in life.
More to follow, I'm sure!

Oh, and by the way, the Moderators approve every post on this Forum. Trust me, you'll know if one of them doesn't like something you wrote.

watchwatcher · 5 April 2017, 12:33 PM

Great choice...congrats!

5 April 2017, 10:27 AM	#1
SodiumMonkey "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Jim Location: Nashville, TN Watch: 126334 Posts: 159	My first Rolex was purchased today... I've been collecting watches since I was in high school, so roughly 20-25 years now. It started with "fashion" brands like Kenneth Cole and Fossil. In the last couple of decades, I have slowly graduated up through the ranks from Kenneth Cole to Orient to Seiko to Steinhart (gasp!) to Christopher Ward to Hamilton to Frederique Constant to Oris to IWC and now finally to Rolex. When I got into mechanical watches several years back, I was actually anti-Rolex. I viewed the brand as nothing more than an unnecessary show of wealth and something worn by people interested in that kind of display and not much else. The more my passion for fine timepieces grew, the more my opinion began to change. I started reading forums, articles, and reviews. I watched video after video. I learned about the history of the brand and the manufacturing standards and processes. Eventually I just knew that I had to have one, but which one? The Submariner is a classic. I've owned so many watches over the years that were modeled after or blatantly copied from the Submariner. I think it has to be among the most recognizable and iconic watches of all time. Yes, a Submariner it must be. The 114060 to be exact. I'm 34 years old. I don't need that silly cyclops! And the symmetry of the no date with that ceramic bezel, just gorgeous. But something about that just didn't sit quite right. I appreciate it when another "watch guy" notices my watch and strikes up a conversation with me about watches. But I don't want random strangers, non-watch-guys (or perhaps my wife ) noticing my "fancy Rolex." I don't like that kind of attention, and it still seems to harken back to my original perceptions of the brand. Enter the 214270 (2016 version). Beautiful but subtle. Oh my. So I began listing some of my lower and mid-tier pieces about two weeks ago. Today I took a 2-hour "lunch" and headed over to my hometown Rolex AD. I have done a decent amount of business there on other items over the years, but never a watch as Rolex is one of only 3 brands they carry with the others being outside of my interest. So I go in not expecting much of a discount but determined to give it an honest try nonetheless. I managed to get down very close to what some of the fine sellers here offer for a new AD-warranteed piece. I justified it to myself that it was worth a couple hundred dollars in order to establish a relationship with the local guy. I can't imagine that many of you read all of that, but I wanted to share my story as I'm obviously excited to show you my first Rolex:

5 April 2017, 10:30 AM	#2
TheRolexKingofLV "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Real Name: Trace Location: Vegas/Bay Area Posts: 9,234	Congrats Jim That is a super "clean" look...I'm glad you bought what spoke to you "Ya never forget your first" __________________ Official Host "The Penthouse Party" Las Vegas 2018 Instagram @tracenunes

5 April 2017, 10:37 AM	#4
VinnieVegas "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Vincent B Location: New York, NY Watch: '06 GMT Master II Posts: 1,261	Congratulations! Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk __________________ Wearing Today: * Seiko SRP777 (2017)

5 April 2017, 10:38 AM	#5
AJM914 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Real Name: AJ Location: NY Watch: ♕ Posts: 6,761	Congrats well deserved! __________________

5 April 2017, 10:40 AM	#6
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Good work and choice! I think a lot of us started with similar thoughts, I know I did. Avoiding rolex I bought an IWC aquatimer, but it was only a matter of time until I bought my first (16610). Congrats and enjoy! __________________

5 April 2017, 10:36 AM	#3
Eatapp "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX Watch: 114300 Blue Posts: 480	Great choice! You'll enjoy that watch for a long time!

5 April 2017, 10:41 AM	#7
PaulRP "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: CT Watch: Rolex & Cartier Posts: 405	Congrats! __________________ Instagram: @sellingmywatch

5 April 2017, 10:42 AM	#8
KrismanX "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Real Name: Kristofer Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: my feet. Posts: 2,364	Great story and a FANTASTIC reference... Last year's TRF giveaway had me looking at the 214270. It is a great and classy/clean reference with a great story on it's own. The original James Bond Rolex was based off of the author's own ref. 1016 Explorer; which I thought was pretty awesome. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=120138 __________________ No sticker left behind. "Better three hours too soon, than a minute too late." "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us." ref. 116520 Daytona - 10/2014

5 April 2017, 10:43 AM	#9
c41006 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Joshua Location: Atlanta Watch: Pelagos Posts: 7,933

5 April 2017, 10:43 AM	#10
Ticknaway "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Real Name: Dave Location: USA Watch: Rolex Posts: 1,028	Congrats! Welcome to the forum.

5 April 2017, 10:46 AM	#11
rph08 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: Chris Location: USA Posts: 992	Very nice! __________________ Can you name the truck with four wheel drive, smells like a steak and seats thirty-five... Canyonero! Canyonero!

5 April 2017, 10:47 AM	#13
Rick_Nashville 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,484	Big congrats, Jim, it's a beauty. Hope it brings you much watch-wearing enjoyment!

5 April 2017, 10:49 AM	#14
GerardoG Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Real Name: Gerardo Location: Here Watch: ALL of them Posts: 32,098	Congratulations!!!!! VERY nice!

5 April 2017, 10:50 AM	#15
AK797 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Neil Location: UK Watch: ing ships roll in Posts: 59,368	Congrats and I'm glad you like the watch, but let me tell you 90% of the time I notice a Rolex by its bracelet so don't get caught in the minutae weeds.

5 April 2017, 10:53 AM	#16
ejvette 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Real Name: Ed Location: East Hampton NY Watch: me break clays.. Posts: 7,516	Great first choice __________________ Rolex•Omega•Breitling•Grand Seiko•Tudor "No one on their death bed ever said I wish I worked more" My Grandma * Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons *

5 April 2017, 10:58 AM	#17
run23 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 590	Congrats! Your changing views on Rolex are very similar to mine. It seems like a lot of Rolex lovers started out as anti-Rolex.

5 April 2017, 11:03 AM	#18
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Congrats!! __________________ Instagram: @Hairdude Watches in Collection 5070R, 5522A, 214270 MK1, 228238 16750, 26401, 5711, 116718, 116710LN, 116300, 16710"Coke", 372, 15300, 15703 (All Flipped) Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas Int'l GTG 2018

5 April 2017, 11:06 AM	#19
MCO1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Missouri USA Watch: Daytona C white Posts: 2,248	Splendid choice! One of my personal favorites.

5 April 2017, 11:07 AM	#20
patrickjb "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Real Name: Pat Location: Boston, MA Watch: 216570, 126600 Posts: 468	Congratulations Jim, a great watch!

5 April 2017, 11:09 AM	#21
uber "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: CANADA/UK Watch: GMT IIC, EXP1 MKII Posts: 144	super buy....looks great on you!

5 April 2017, 11:10 AM	#22
zaydans "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Real Name: Joe Location: CONUS Watch: Rolex 116710 Posts: 994	Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure many here may relate to find of your experiences in collecting, I know I certainly do. Congrats on the first acquisition. It won't be your only Rolex. I thought one was enough but there are too many nice models to be satisfied with just one. Wear it well until the next one comes along!!

5 April 2017, 11:44 AM	#24
sickened1 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Ed Location: SoCal Watch: ugiveiswatchuget Posts: 9,050	Congrats.

5 April 2017, 11:47 AM	#25
Urosfan "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NYC Watch: Me now Posts: 19,372	Congrats

5 April 2017, 11:50 AM	#26
NManley "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Indianapolis Watch: 116610LN Posts: 64	Congratulations, enjoy it!

5 April 2017, 12:24 PM	#27
Carrera997 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Real Name: Steve Location: Metro Atlanta Watch: aholic Posts: 379	Welcome to the club!

5 April 2017, 12:29 PM	#28
TimeRookie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Don Location: Canada Watch: 116710BLNR Posts: 2,198	Well done! Love the newest version with the lume in the numbers! __________________ 1988 15053 Rolex Date Two Tone (Grad Present) 116710 GMT Master II BLNR Seiko Prospex LX SNR031 Pelagos 42mm Explorer II 226570

5 April 2017, 12:32 PM	#29
blue16613 Banned Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Chicago Posts: 554	Read it! Great story Jim. From what you have shared, you chose the perfect Rolex for you at your current station in life. More to follow, I'm sure! Oh, and by the way, the Moderators approve every post on this Forum. Trust me, you'll know if one of them doesn't like something you wrote.

5 April 2017, 12:33 PM	#30
watchwatcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: Kentucky Watch: Yes Posts: 35,002	Great choice...congrats!

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