first ever rolex

[gingerbreadman]

hi all
i am a newbie here. i was thinking of getting my first ever rolex for my birthday in december (will be turning 30). i am not so sure which one to go for as a first buy. my budget is around £3-4k. I've been eyeing on the oyster perpetual submariner and the oyster perpetual datejust. i need some advice regarding this two watches. which one would be a better buy for a first timer?

[ttannert]

They are both great but very different. I would recommend going to a dealer and trying both on and seeing what looks best on you. I went with a DJ for my first Rolex but many others here have gone with the sub. You can't go wrong with either. Good luck on your search!

[Z-Sub]

I would buy Submariner Date as your first Rolex and it will fit your age and many years to come.
That was and still is my first Rolex

[karmatp]

Buy the sub, you won't be disappointed. Great watch for work or play, basically perfect for all occasions. Good luck with your decision and purchase.

[bigterpsfan]

I think you should go for the SS GMT-IIc. I just bought it as my first Rolex and I love it! It has the ceramic bezel with platinum numbers, white gold hands, latest movement, solid bracelet links, beefed up clasp and just looks amazing. Sorry I don't have any pics to post!

[unclesallie]

i would recommend that you go to an Authorized Dealer(AD) and try on 5 different models and differing bracelets. Ask a lot of questions. Come back to TRF and ask more questions. Do some reading. Shop at TRF or an AD or a reputable grey market dealer, strictly defined as someone you know and trust for a very long time, or someone who is known and trusted to a close friend. but you know all this already, right?
good luck!

[davidwatts]

Get them both!

Seriously, try them both on and see which looks best - they both use the same movement (3135) and are both iconic Rolex models which have changed very little in 50+ years so either way you're backing a winner

[Tools]

Good for you gingerbreadman...

A Rolex is a suitable present for yourself and I have done that myself every now and then..

The model you get is probably based on lifestyle more than anything else..

My first love was the GMT and the Sub, but when I started spending a lot of time in the boardroom and travelling to DC meeting with CEO's and Command staffers, the DJ became my go-to watch..

But at home and in the field, it was back to the GMT. I wouldn't feel the same way with the latest GMT II ceramic models though...

So, take stock of yourself..... picture the image you want to have of yourself.....and choose your Rolex.........


........There is no wrong decision here...

[argee1977]

Welcome to TRF


As for your question, whereabouts are you in the UK, best bet is as said above, go to an Authorised Dealer of Rolex, have a look at what they have and you may find yourself with more than the original choices. Within your price range at present you'll have some nice Datejusts, the Submariner, the Sea-Dweller, the GMT II Ceramic and a host of others.

I would definitely try on the submariner, datejust and a GMT IIC, that gives you a good selection within your price range, but it is a case of finding a shop that has these models available, but with a location people on here can hopefully point you to an AD with stock.

[gingerbreadman]

Originally Posted by argee1977

Welcome to TRF


As for your question, whereabouts are you in the UK, best bet is as said above, go to an Authorised Dealer of Rolex, have a look at what they have and you may find yourself with more than the original choices. Within your price range at present you'll have some nice Datejusts, the Submariner, the Sea-Dweller, the GMT II Ceramic and a host of others.

I would definitely try on the submariner, datejust and a GMT IIC, that gives you a good selection within your price range, but it is a case of finding a shop that has these models available, but with a location people on here can hopefully point you to an AD with stock.

Thanks for all the replies. i am currently in glasgow and i know there are a few AD in glasgow itself. i haven't been to any of these yet to try the watches IRL. So far i have only been looking through the rolex website. if any of TRFmers has any experience buying their rollies in glasgow, i'd be interested to know your experience

[CH & USA]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

i would recommend that you go to an Authorized Dealer(AD) and try on 5 different models and differing bracelets. Ask a lot of questions. Come back to TRF and ask more questions. Do some reading.

x2 ...and make sure you try on different versions of the DJ (e.g., SS or TT, smooth or not, colors, bands,...). I have a sweet spot for the DJ, its history, and the thought of who has worn one... (http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2008/0...of-famous.html)

Choosing a Rolex is a good place to be... enjoy!

[JimC]

That sounds like a great birthday present! I'm also a recent Rolex owner, and my first was the Sub (a bit less than a month ago.) I looked long and hard, and found this one to be the one best suited for me. But then I a bought a GMT II a week and a half ago...

Wish you all the best. Take a look and see what really catches your eye. One of them will sing to you. Good luck and congrats! Can't wait to hear what you decide; and of course, looking forward to pictures.

[argee1977]

Originally Posted by gingerbreadman

Thanks for all the replies. i am currently in glasgow and i know there are a few AD in glasgow itself. i haven't been to any of these yet to try the watches IRL. So far i have only been looking through the rolex website. if any of TRFmers has any experience buying their rollies in glasgow, i'd be interested to know your experience

I'm a Glaswegian and bought my first in the Argyle Street arcade!

Experience wise, well last time i was there they had two Rolex dealers 30 yards apart, Watches of Switzerland and i can't remember the other one, i should as it's where i got mine, but they usually had a good choice of the sports models, so i'd definitely take an afternoon off and visit, there is another couple of grey dealers in that area as well, but you have to hunt for them as they're up the stairs above the arcade, so you have to hunt for the sign and the door to go upto them.

The one warning i would give though is to go in with a clear mind, there are lots of jewellers there selling dozens of great brands, you may go in there with a Rolex in mind but you might end up with something else, i did that as well on a later visit

[stevemulholland3]

go for the sub for your first,you will never regret it(besides,your a pup at 30 and need a sporty watch!)

[The GMT Master]

If you're looking at a Datejust, get the salesman to show you the master catalogue. You can see all the different dial, bracelet, bezel and metal combinations - the great thing about the DJ is that you can really make it your own watch. For £3k-£4k, you can get a seriously nice watch.

The Sub is a classic, and as mentioned, the GMT IIc is a stunner too. Best thing you can do is try them on, and see which feels best on you.

Best of luck

[marshallr47]

I depends on if you need or like the date function. I like having the date function on most of my watches.

[marke]

totally agree with all the comments, go for the sub or if you are really luck ask your dealer to locate you a V reg sea dweller 16600, they will be available very soon and will be very rare so go for one of these if yu can


marke

[marke]

but whatever model you choos i am sure it will be the right one...

marke

[rolex_addict]

go for the sub date, you won't regret it!!

[Dubai]

Go with the one you like the most , you can't go wrong with ROLEX !!

[yannis]

I suggest you take a look at both the old GMT II and the new GMT II ceramic before you make up your mind! :)

[toph]

both very nice but the Sub would be my choice. BUT whatever you like best

[RobAdams]

I was faced with a similar choice a week ago, Submariner Date or GMT. The AD then showed me a Sea Dweller, for the same price as a Submariner Limited Edition (which I didnt like). OK, so the Sea Dweller is now no longer in production, but does that make it more or less valuable? Anyway, the Sea Dweller did it for me, so understated, with date, no 'cyclops', and built to last. Trouble is there is no good reason to buy another watch, let alone another Rolex! Doubtless I'll find one ......

[ccto]

Just one tip from me...

Try them on in front of a mirror, just to see how others would see the watch on your wrist. You'd be surprised how different a watch looks when you see it in the mirror - you can get a better view of the watch in context with the rest of you, etc. If there are no mirrors, ask a salesperson to put it on to see how it looks on their wrist...

[gingerbreadman]

i have been to 2 ADs today and unfortunately they don't have sub date in stock. i've been told the sub is very in demand and immediately gone as they are displayed. i had a good look at the GMT and DJ again. i'm beginning to sway towards the sub date/GMT now.

is the sub really difficult to get hold off?

[harvey]

depends where you are in the country... you could always ask the forum members from the uk to call around a few ADs for you... thats what i did when i wanted my gmtII...

where about are you?

[Nigel Tufnel]

Originally Posted by RobAdams

...The AD then showed me a Sea Dweller, for the same price as a Submariner Limited Edition (which I didnt like)...

Rob, what limited edition Submariner are you referring to? I wasn't aware of one. Thanks

[davidwatts]

Originally Posted by Nigel Tufnel

Rob, what limited edition Submariner are you referring to? I wasn't aware of one. Thanks

I guess he's referring to the LV. It wouldn't surprise me if an AD called it limited edition.

Harvey's advise is good. If you live in London, I will be going their tomorrow and can PM you if I see one.

[RobAdams]

Sorry guys, I'm still coming to terms with things like SD (Submariner Date, or Sea Dweller?) and LV, I still cant work out what LV means. Anyway I was refering to the Submariner with the green bezel, anniversary, which I thought was made in limited numbers, but then I guess everything is made in limited numbers, just depends what the limited number is!

I'm still thrilled to bits with my 'old' Sea Dweller, the more I read about it the more I think I made the right decision. Rob

[Lol-x]

I would get the LV (Green Bezel) Submariner.
It may well be a good time to buy that model.