Buying My First Rolex/My First RolexForums Post

[Joe_Row]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first ever post on this site so please excuse any schoolboy errors that may occur.

I have always loved watches and I purchased my first "proper" watch in 2017 - an Omega Seamaster 300m, ive added a photo. I really love my Omega, the ceramic bezel is fantastic and the watch generally feels bullet proof, ive dived with it - although it was only 15 metres :) and ive generally used it as a daily wear and have loved it.

Since having my Omega ive really been on the hunt for my next watch - and naturally ive decided I want a Rolex this time around, I absolutely love the history of the brand and I think deep down I choose watches I like based on the history attached to them. For example ive always loved the Submariner No Date as I believe this to be the quintessential dive watch and when I once asked someone why the Sub no date has no date I received a reply of "why would a diver need to know the date? If they are underwater more than a day they will probably be dead" - I loved this.

So...ive debated about what my first Rolex should be - Im a 26 year old Manager in a Finance company and do lots of client meetings and social mingling in circles where the people around me are generally older and wiser.

I initially wanted a Oyster Perpetual as I believe it to be a true, pure classic piece which is really beautiful...until I started looking at the Rolex Explorer and all the history surrounded it.

I really now believe the Rolex Explorer to be the perfect watch, I love the design, the history, the durability and the fact that it can double up as both a dress watch and a professional watch - so ive decided to go for that, I went to my AD yesterday and placed a deposit for an Explorer - They have told me I will probably be able to pick one up just before Christmas, I cant wait!

So guys, I guess my only questions would be;

1. Do you think my choice of an Explorer I is a good choice as my first Rolex?
2. Would you suggest a different Model?
3. Any general thoughts?

Thanks for reading, I am glad to be a part of this Forum :)

Regards,
Joe R

[macrowatch]

Nice! Omega SMP was my first nice watch too followed by Exp 1. Great combo!

If I had to do it all over again, I would have wished to get a sub no-date, but that's saying that in a big collection thats what I would have preferred to build off in hind sight. But I loved the explorer, only wish they had it in 39mm when I bought it!

[haganaga]

Take a look at the smooth bezel Datejust as well. Can’t go wrong with the Explorer though. Excellent choice.


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[Rolly.BT]

Explorer 1 is a great choice. Congrats and welcome to the club!

[Joe_Row]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Nice! Omega SMP was my first nice watch too followed by Exp 1. Great combo!

If I had to do it all over again, I would have wished to get a sub no-date, but that's saying that in a big collection thats what I would have preferred to build off in hind sight. But I loved the explorer, only wish they had it in 39mm when I bought it!

Thanks for the feedback! Im happy to follow your lead of choices!

I agree the Sub no date would be good - one reason I prefer the Explorer as my 2nd watch is I think getting the Sub no date would leave me with two dive watches of similar style, the Seamaster & Submariner

[kieselguhr]

Welcome and congrats! Enjoy

[Catatafish]

Welcome! And gratz on the Omega, it's a great choice.

How do you feel about the Explorer II in black or white (GMT complication) or a DJ41 in a color to match many of your outfits?

I personally like to make sure I have a correct color combination and style (casual vs formal) for every occasion. You've nailed blue/casual, maybe a DJ41 in white or grey for more formal or a Explorer II in white or black?

[Joe_Row]

Hi Catatafish,

I like your thinking! I did try a DJ41 but It felt huge on my wrist! this surprised me as im not small, im 188cm tall but yes the DJ41 felt too big and the DJ36 felt too small.

its one reason I like the Explorer I - 39mm is perfect for me.

In terms of the Explorer II - I kind of feel this watch isnt one for the purest, Ive never understood why it carries the Explorer name despite being nothing like it.

But thanks for your thoughts, much appreciated.

[rlj676]

Awesome combo.

[JohnGingerwood]

I love the SMP, and yes the Explorer 1 is a great choice, so is a Sub.

[mrcsatx]

Explorer 1 is great first choice as is Sub no date. Both classics. Nothing wrong with having two divers. Besides one is blue and one would be black. Very different feel. I feel the sub no date is more of the quintessential choice.

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[trippinjimmy]

Originally Posted by Joe_Row

Thanks for the feedback! Im happy to follow your lead of choices!

I agree the Sub no date would be good - one reason I prefer the Explorer as my 2nd watch is I think getting the Sub no date would leave me with two dive watches of similar style, the Seamaster & Submariner

That's good thinking. As far as different watch choices, I think it depends on what you're going for.

You have a tool watch, you chose another toolish watch that can be dressed up if needed only sans the dive bezel.

I think they'll work well together, but as someone else has mentioned, perhaps something as a dressier datejust or OP 39 might compliment your SMP better. Maybe the fluted jubilee wimbledon or white dial?

[uniqueMR]

Good choice. Congrats.

[nighthawk77]

Welcome! Both are excellent choices. I too have the SMP and faced a similar set of circumstances not too long ago.

I decided that after a couple of years owning the SMP I wanted to get myself a Rolex. I considered the Sub, Exp and OP39. The Sub is probably my favourite, but budget for grey and availability to buy at MSRP meant this was probably out of reach for me at the time.

I then considered the Exp, but decided this shared too many similarities with the Sub in terms of dial colour and handset. I therefore ended up with a white OP39 which offers similar styling to the Exp, but is different enough I will be happy to add the Sub at a later date.

[Joe_Row]

Originally Posted by nighthawk77

Welcome! Both are excellent choices. I too have the SMP and faced a similar set of circumstances not too long ago.

I decided that after a couple of years owning the SMP I wanted to get myself a Rolex. I considered the Sub, Exp and OP39. The Sub is probably my favourite, but budget for grey and availability to buy at MSRP meant this was probably out of reach for me at the time.

I then considered the Exp, but decided this shared too many similarities with the Sub in terms of dial colour and handset. I therefore ended up with a white OP39 which offers similar styling to the Exp, but is different enough I will be happy to add the Sub at a later date.

This is an amazing combo! I think the white OP is stunning - the reason I lean towards an explorer out of those two is down to the history of the Explorer, i just find it so cool.

Thanks for sharing the picture, fantastic pieces - you must be happy.

[Joe_Row]

Originally Posted by trippinjimmy

That's good thinking. As far as different watch choices, I think it depends on what you're going for.

You have a tool watch, you chose another toolish watch that can be dressed up if needed only sans the dive bezel.

I think they'll work well together, but as someone else has mentioned, perhaps something as a dressier datejust or OP 39 might compliment your SMP better. Maybe the fluted jubilee wimbledon or white dial?

Thanks for the feedback - I do like the wimbledon DJ, it really stands out.

[Joe_Row]

Originally Posted by mrcsatx

Explorer 1 is great first choice as is Sub no date. Both classics. Nothing wrong with having two divers. Besides one is blue and one would be black. Very different feel. I feel the sub no date is more of the quintessential choice.

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I dread to say it but you've put a different spin on it which makes me really think about the Sub no-date

I'd like to go try one on and compare my feelings - but finding a Sub no-date to try on at a local AD in Cheshire, England is literally impossible! I couldnt believe my luck when I got to try the Explorer yesterday.

Alas, I have placed a deposit on the Explorer and should acquire it either just before or after Christmas :)

[cglondon]

Wow! I thought I was reading my own story then! I bought my Seamaster in 2018, I have the black ceramic version though. I think that the Explorer is going to be my next watch. As you said, it can be used in a lot of settings and environments. I love the Sub but, again, as you said, its too similar to our Seamasters.

Cheers

[Joe_Row]

Originally Posted by cglondon

Wow! I thought I was reading my own story then! I bought my Seamaster in 2018, I have the black ceramic version though. I think that the Explorer is going to be my next watch. As you said, it can be used in a lot of settings and environments. I love the Sub but, again, as you said, its too similar to our Seamasters.

Cheers

Thats wonderful - the black Seamaster is beautiful, i almost went for black but I was swayed by the way the blue changes colour so dramatically in different lights.

Regarding your Explorer hunt, i wish you the best and hope you get it.

[mas12]

Hey man congrats on your impending purchase. Think the explorer would be a great complement to the SMP. I chose a Sub as my first Rolex (sold my Breitling SOH 42) to help fund, and have never looked back. BUT two dive watches is redundant.

I agree with your choice of Explorer or the recommendation of a Datejust above. Enjoy!

[RyanJ]

I own an Explorer and it is my favorite watch. However...

The oyster perpetual has far more history than the Explorer.

[KBM]

1. Not good, excellent.
2. My other "perfect" first choice would be a no date sub, but the exp I is just as good a pick;
3. Enjoy the heck out of that watch and big congrats!

Welcome to TRF

[Lawlex]

Welcome! It reads just like the story of myself :) Same age, same watch, even the part of contemplating a sub is the same,haha. I wear suits for work pretty much every day, hence choosing a slim watch makes sense and explorer just works so well. Another good point is, it is very understated and at least for me, I don't want a piece to show that I am wearing a Rolex especially at work(considering my age), ceramic bezel just shouts for unnecessary attention.But, after all this rationale, the final thing that make me sure I made the right choice is the size, I tried a maxicase black and a hulk on, it just didn't fit my wrist as good as explorer.

[Mcfly3]

Actually the Oyster Perpetual has alot more history then the explorer, Somewhere Explorer got credited with all the history that the OP made...

[Nikrnic]

So many good choices. Happy hunting !

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[GGGMT]

X1 was my first Rolex. And my 4th. They are so classic. Great work.


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[Oldwoods]

Welcome.
I would say ND Sub or Explorer but as you already have a diver, the excellent Seamaster, I’d go with the Explorer. Both great watches.

[Earnyourturns]

Welcome, my first mechanical watch was an Omega Seamaster but the black dial titanium model 2231.50.

I now have an Explorer and could not be happier with it. Good choice. I also have a Seiko SKX009 to scratch the dive watch itch.

[Joe_Row]

Originally Posted by Earnyourturns

Welcome, my first mechanical watch was an Omega Seamaster but the black dial titanium model 2231.50.

I now have an Explorer and could not be happier with it. Good choice. I also have a Seiko SKX009 to scratch the dive watch itch.

Thankyou! It’s really interesting to see so many comments from users saying that the first watch they had was a Seamaster followed by an Explorer.

[dm05.fsu]

I went from Omega 300 blue Diver-->silver OP36-->Sub Date ceramic :))) Enjoyed every single watch. Definetly a single watch guy, so had the wife wearing OP36 and kept Omega if travelling or just a change of style.
Enjoy your collection and journey :)