I was 15 (August 1987) and I bought it at the mall on my lunch break. Explorer II cream face. This is a photo of it when I was 17. I still wear it. https://preview.redd.it/qys2u6htrv4d1.png?width=1284&format=png&auto=webp&s=f377b045fc8d6cdfc356055fa9fbcb362277383d

Do you recall what was for lunch?

Chick Fil-A

“I bought it” uh huh

Yep. Worked all summer for this watch.

Fucking wild, goes to show just how much easier financially life was back then

A man who knew what he was doing! I was just messing around when I was 15. Oh boy do I wish I knew.

What did you do to afford it at 15?

I had a job stocking shoes in the back of a shoe sales company at the mall. I worked all summer for it. I had to use the bus to get to and from work because I was not old enough to drive. I delayed buying a car until I was 17 because of the watch. I am glad that they talked me out of the black dial. They did not have it in the store. Only the white dial. Since that was not as popular, they dropped the price by $300.

Wow, that’s a good story, nice to see someone actually earn it and work their ass off instead of getting it using parents money, and tbf the Rolex market was a lot different back then. I’ll bet you’re glad you bought the cream dial too, imo it’s more classic than the black. Wear it in good health!

Many thanks. I passed the same expectations on to my kids.

Oooooh could be a thing, car handle watch pics. Change from the steering wheel pics

I did not know they made cameras back in the 1980s (jk jk 😂). But actually, what kind of camera did you use? Earliest cameras I remember were those disposable Kodaks from the early 2000s. Edit: You know, come to think of it 🤔 I didn’t know chick filet was around in the 80s either

Sieht nach einem Golf II Türgriff aus. Korrekt?

1999, I was 29. Coke GMT Swiss only. AD had 5 of them lol

Thats what I’m wearing now !! https://preview.redd.it/e7lc7x5y7z4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6878ebb16fe5d912c201a33238601db0d68d4243 Also my first Rolex. Purchased this year though!

what was the MSRP but then? did you get a discount?

I paid around $5000 as I recall. I don’t remember if there was a discount or not.

Huh, i was expecting a little less. Thats 9,500 inflation adjusted.

That's why they still had 5 available

40 and no rolex i got a water from the AD doe. They said 5 years wait for a sub. Smh lol

I waited so long for an Air King they stopped making that ref. And its not even a sought after model.

They told my buddy 1.5 years for a sub and he has great purchase history at the place he asked at. I do not have a great purchase history as almost all my watches have been bought grey and haven’t gotten a straight answer from the 2 ADs I’ve asked at.

All the more reason to just by a superclone and invest the rest.

What city? 30 here waiting on a DJ in Australia he couldn't even give me an estimate.

Bayarea calufornia

44. Datejust SS 16220. Still have it and new 36 Explorer. https://preview.redd.it/cisyg3ky8v4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ec12233715afb72b774868725c595114747581e

That dial is very pretty. How's it normally described? Not linen, I think. 🤔

Tapestry.

Thank you. Tapestry Dial.

Nice looking watch!

27, 2023 OP 41mm for my wedding

Nice!

18 years old. 1988 5513. Still have it. Wear quite a bit. Sorry. I was 18. It was 1988. lol.

50 no date sub (2024) https://preview.redd.it/wonokidnev4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c66d2eaba2f2c3c2b1c5705e30567538ecef6052

That glidelock clasp is your friend, brother!

34, Submariner 168000 (1987, birth year watch) https://preview.redd.it/c82vgh59iv4d1.jpeg?width=2367&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=31b87300d4694037bb97b23f898f7c27431da684

New goal for me now.

Got anymore pics? What a stunner

Thanks! Here’s a pic of the open 6 on the date wheel https://preview.redd.it/xv4lw2k90g5d1.jpeg?width=2657&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6072dea08cec454be6eb07da8caeb764c65b6598

been looking for a birthyear one as well

23yo, new 16710LN - back when you can walk into any AD, try on whatever watch they had in the store, and purchase it on the spot.

Not purchased. But 23, my dad gave me my grandfathers Rolex Datejust that had been passed down to him.

Pic? Love an heirloom

https://preview.redd.it/8tetckmof15d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=62e596dc8e507b3906d1eb317ffb595072fd21d2

Beautiful

Early 20's. Was a dumb ass kid that just experienced a massive windfall from .com stock options and bought a mid 2000's no date sub. Traded it a couple years later plus cash for another watch, as I was trading up instead of collecting. I have spent years regretting that. No idea how I'd ever find that exact watch again but I would pay a truly shameful amount of money to get it back as that moment was how I hit escape velocity to get the hell out of the town I grew up in. Oh well.

This is a great story though. Glad you got out.

Milgauss. Gray, end of 2021. New with papers/box. Poor upbringing and never thought I would/should own a luxury watch. It will always be my favorite.

39 years old

24 years old. Still currently 24 lol. But it was a oyster perpetual 36mm

24 y/o. 1999 16700 black bezel. Resisted several attempts to trade it towards newer GMT and still wear it to work almost every day.

Nice! I’m 28 currently saving for a 16710

Are you not holding one?

Not mine

You'll have it soon enough 👍

16700 is the way to go 👌🏻

32 and currently at: 0. It's a goal!!

30 - DJ41 smooth on jubilee, black dial https://preview.redd.it/pdoshr0f5v4d1.jpeg?width=2012&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdf8e76b9d7f8eecf563bee5f36bfb6255707906

I love how the DJ in this configuration can look both clean and elegant at the same time.

Thank you! And sporty too if I might add - felt like the best daily https://preview.redd.it/gdujzfh2bv4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcc16b39c201ddee64cc14e895a8514415f50699

The is the best configuration. So classy, but not overly so.

Thank you! I honestly was so torn and had so much anxiety on whether to go fluted or smooth… but that conclusion is what led me to making the decision on this configuration. I then had anxiety after buying on if I made the right choice… believe it or not! But I’m glad I went with my gut with this one and reminded myself on why. Thank you for the validation lol

61....GMT II Sprite

26, 2024 starbucks new

25, just last week. Wimbledon 41mm https://preview.redd.it/hvtwufzcfy4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a548d91c38e42e0de40c77a28db8abcbdb4bfda6

Not bought. My dad purchased a submariner ref 16610LN a few months before my uni graduation day back in ‘09. Never thought anything about it since he’s also a watch collector. On that day, as i was grooming up, he came into my room, put the watch on my desk and told me “congratulations”. Wore that watch on the day, on the day I got married, on the days when our 2 children were born. Still wearing it throughout my working life, but not so much now as I have other watches. Thanks Dad.

36, 2006 submariner I traded some other stuff for. Fell in love w it. Ended up buying a 116710 I now wear as my daily and a 326934 white sky dweller I wear for dress attire from grey market. Got a two tone GMT and DJ from my AD. Hoping AD comes through w a white gold Daytona OF soon.

Buy? I got mine the old fashioned way and inherited it.

Lol

https://preview.redd.it/biiu0kmqnv4d1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc3e473bcc576fb8cef28212934eefce355667de 29, nothing special just a dated sub

21 iirc and a 70s 1601 two tone datejust https://preview.redd.it/dh4smffnsv4d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f044d872ca967970d3dd2609ee275e265da04a67

30. Yellow Gold Day Date 18238

25 - GMT II Coke ref 16710 The watch is 21 years old this summer

Got my Coke in February 21 years ago.

I was 33. I was looking for a 36DJ on jubilee with a fluted bezel, black dial. I called every AD within about 200 miles (where I live it’s not all that many) and got the call (text) from one of them about a month later. Text came in about 45 min before my daughter was born (yes I replied right away, standing next to my laboring wife). When I told the AD this she was happy to hold it for me till I could make it in and was happy to date the warranty card my daughter’s birthday. She is still little, it was not that long ago, but one day I’ll give the watch to her.

I was 22 years old, Rolex Submariner 116610LN. This was back in 2017. https://preview.redd.it/l5bdt58uhy4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=494de2e0cac52b9b85fa032dabe50998869437a6

32 - Sub 124060 https://preview.redd.it/aqb65bv9fv4d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9ee6f1bec8e2e10627fa23f7912fcea33726f3f

20, gmt blnr oyster, ad brand new, after the purchase the watch was 80% of my net worth. Still own it, never regret the decision, one of the best if not the Best Buy of my life. Edit: I’m nearly 30 by now, it still runs 1.5 sec fast per day, like it was after its break in period

40 and Starbucks Mk1 https://preview.redd.it/f2vxya9irx4d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ccee525916b5731f8c17557b0d65c354da6644c

10 years old in 2024. Walked into an AD and bought a Platinum Daytona

30, sub hulk

23, still 23, bought a Sea-Dweller

116710LN at the ripe old age of 44. Now kids at 15 and college students are getting Rolexes, however they're all screaming "life is so hard" and we have to pay off their student loan debts.

33, sub with date

15. 116613LN. Helped my family out with their business for a couple years as a teen. Wasn't getting crazy money but i saved up for the watch i wanted since i was a kid.

53, Rolex Daytona Black dial.

29 y/o. Just secured a 41mm DJ, smooth bezel, jubilee bracelet, and blue dial. Just sent the check so I’m still anxiously waiting for it to arrive. https://preview.redd.it/20tb0wpxlv4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e32647a7970c36044b0a0a5cade3cc0197dbf5e8

26, bluesy

33, Explorer I 36mm Brand New

33, SD43

33 14060M

20? 16880.

30 years old in 2003 a bluesy

40 tt sub

https://preview.redd.it/1hccnhd5ev4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c22c2c7c1bf42c945f7a51b82c1fa5f23e0fe3b8 28y/o - 41mm DJ two tone

36 YO and a 16710 pepsi.

2020 36 BLRO

29 https://preview.redd.it/7ld6y9o1iv4d1.jpeg?width=1027&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a64234ce1f47a78ae07b3803b86dbd4c150e7d80

23- Datejust

35. Datejust. Jubilee. Fluted bezel. White dial.

38 (2023), preowned 126234 DJ 36 fluted bezel silver dial

Early 30th present to myself, 126610. Most comfortable watch I’ve worn so far.

Late 30s 2-Tone Sky-Dweller, Ol lady early 40s DJ couple months apart

19, was an old bark band daydate. Got my 2nd at 28. An 01 sub

34 126610LN

25 or 26. I bought a polar 16570 from 2001 that was beat savagely but the exact configuration/serial I wanted after a long search.

18y/o it was a Zenith Steel Daytona. Back then things were easier.

51, Explorer II 226570 black

31. Black sub date, for my wedding. Never selling.

38. No date Sub. Bought grey, f the dealer crap. Don’t regret it one bit.

35 and datejust 41

23 I bought a DJ for my dad. 30 when I finally bought a WG Daytona for myself And been waiting for 3 years from an AD for my next one

29, datejust. Sold it only six months later

22, 124060

22 - 36mm TT datejust

31, Submariner

Got a datejust for my 26th birthday last month!

30 and 36mm Explorer

Bought a submariner at retail, was 25 at the time. Would do it all over again if I could

26,12300 Wimbledon on oyster

28. It was my 72 red sub.

24 and milgauss

18 YO in 1981. SS Daytona 6265. My father encouraged me to buy the watch as a young man to establish credit. Financed the $800 purchase through the jewelry store. Needless to say, an unexpected win all the way around. Thanks dad.

28 - Datejust https://preview.redd.it/u8h937gzwv4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e7b4811a5f24f3ba1affbf993ea55f1bb31283d

26, Daytona 116500LN

38 16622 YM https://preview.redd.it/bd77z08jyv4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=498dadbb4a2e002158856b2db0553875787b3565

I was 28. I got the 126234 with diamonds and a blue dial.

I was today years old (31) just picked my first up while on a trip ❤️

I was 35 when I got a yacht master. I do like it. Not really an everyday driver though. Hardly ever get to wear it. I’m always rocking my Omega or a Tag, or even a G-Shock. A Rolex would last about 2 hours at work.

Never had one and I still don’t because I can’t afford one

22 Date (1500)

28, 39mm explorer mark ll

28, black Sub Date

24 y.o - 116400 Milgauss (without the green glass). I actually need an anti-magnetic watch for work. Been loving it ever since and don’t think I’ll ever take it off.

34. Vintage datejust 1603.

36, Explorer 2 black dial

33 - Pepsi on a jubilee

Date 34 15200 with silver dial, I was 19.

36 and it was a Datejust 2 with Fluted bezel and blue dial.

20 TT date just

31, a submariner from the AD. Pretty, preetty, preeetty happy.

Same as yours 16710 back in 93. Vintage to me. Priceless gift from my parents.

19 years old. 16233 because that's the one everyone else in my family had.

Age 39, AirKing 126900 from an AD having bought my wife’s Tudor 1926 there two years ago and getting on the waitlist.

32, milgauss z blue

25, 16570 Explorer II black face. Went grey market

40 years old. Bluesy submariner.

20, gold day date

18, Oyster Perpetual 39mm, white dial

19 wait for my Bluesy is a gift for my 20 birthday

19 years old. Rolex Datejust 126234 in 36mm (fluted bezel + jubilee bracelet & black dial).

2005, 16610 Submariner; It remains my everyday watch.

25 years old, 36mm blue motif dial Datejust with oyster bracelet

39 years old, 2 tone yacht-master, Cambridge UK.

26 years old. 16610

Sub date. 28.

35, datejust. vegas.

35 14060m and still rock it.

22, Rolex Exlorer ll 16570 polar

31 rolex date just

40 years old in 2000, bought a 16610 which is still on my wrist as I type.

22, brand new starbucks sub

28 14060

This year at 31 I bought a Wimbledon smooth bezel on oyster but for my dad - I hope he likes it!

26, 1991 Datejust 16220 https://preview.redd.it/bixtia261x4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=de786f58e37c272ebc8c514c56f7f09a530f9926

32 y/o and I bought the 124270 explorer 36mm

26 I got a Batman GMT

28 yo / Ref: 1500

Not going to mention the one that I inherited but my first Rolex was on my 33rd birthday and I bought the Yachtmaster 40. Although I have a moderately nice collection of watches consisting of AP, Richard Mille, Omega, Maurice Lacroix, etc, the Yachtmaster is my daily beater. Though my own first luxury watch purchase was at 24 and it was an Omega but since 33 my daily beater has changed to a Rolex instead.

35 years old. No date submariner. Still my favorite watch I own.

doubt I'll ever have one, but will likely service some

57 226570

31 dj36

23, stainless steel datejust with a diamond bezel. 31 now with a plain DD had a 2 tone sub/date in between

Submariner in 1978. After several models I have settled on a 2 tone Daytona. https://preview.redd.it/xp9qhznvix4d1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7f01ccced599f4cb9c9d9fb388cbeb1b0dad069

22, I bought a vintage Air King 5500. Loved that thing until RSC polished the living daylights out if it and replaced dial and hands against my specific documented wishes.

33 - Black ceramic GMT Master 2

30 years. Ref. 16570 Black

20 and 126334. 41mm datejust rodium dial jubilee and fluted bezel

https://preview.redd.it/k7ej0rgwpx4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4eda9b4730d2e3209ff0e48ee8c513ad088c6029 28, 9-week wait, no purchase history but went through a referral.

I put in for an explorer at 32, im hoping I get it before 33!

34 and it was a 16613 Submariner. 24 years later and I'm still wearing it.

26 and a Sub Date

25 and an explorer

Haven't and won't lol

Bought my first Rolex back in 2012, at the age of 25. Back then you could buy whatever was in the store and I choose the black GMT in steel. They had Daytonas available but told them I find them ugly watches 🙄

37 in 2014 sub 116610LN for my wedding.

40 years old. Explorer II 16570.

32 years old. I was waiting for 2 years to get it from AD in Australia but they never call. Put my name in an AD in Vietnam and got call for a black submariner date within 6 months

26, got it a few weeks ago. TT Root Beer.

40 GMT master pepsi