When I bought my 1st Rolex...

[Bladeshot]

My first was a 16570 polar in about 2003. I had a Seamaster 2234.50 GMT and loved it, but always wanted a Rolex. The 16570 was a little more $ with trade. The Rolex was priced at about $3.9 or so. Can’t recall for sure.

I enjoyed that polar for a few years and then bought 2 used Submariners, 16613LN, out of Italy. The dollar was up against the Euro. I was able to get into those 2 watches for about $3500 each, plus duty. I know that was risky. I would advise against it, for your first foray into trading.

Funny thing is, I asked both Italian sellers what condition the watches were in. One said “excellent”. The other said “good.” When I got them, the one described as excellent had a loose bracelet and the “good condition” watch had a tight bracelet. You never know. Photos are critical.

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed trading around. The TT Sub and Platinum dial Yachtmaster were what I always thought I wanted. The TT Subs are gone. But I am keeping a coarse dial platinum Yachtmaster.

Thanks for posting a fun thread.

[-dustin]

16570 when I was 2-weeks-ago years old. We were in the middle of a global pandemic. It was a strange time in America.

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by cop414

14060M in 2012 for $6500.

Same model, same year, same price. I was in NW Florida and after some research decided on it after being disappointed by the new ExII redesign.

[MrMercedes]

2005 I had just written some great exams while studying and wanted to reward myself with something. I then paid € 3,720 for my 16710BLRO. I got married with her on my wrist, built my house and I still have many wonderful moments with this great watch. When I bought her, I didn't think I would ever buy an even more expensive watch ... well, that was 15 years ago! :-)

[Chope Man]

In August 1977 my parents offered me my first Rolex for my 18th birthday.

42 years ago then. Nearly 43.

It was a Submariner 5513. Sub no date of that period, letting apart the rarer 5512 with its chronometer certification.

The cost then was 1800 Francs. Actualized with the conversion in Euros and with inflation (of 306,4%) it would now be 1115 euros (1208 USD) of today.

But we all know that Rolex prices increased quicker than inflation...

This gives the full interest of OP question! Thank you for this thread, then ...

I think that at that time a 5513 represented 1/10 of a good car such as an Alfa Romeo Guilia Super.

Now, a SS Rolex is rather 1/3 or 1/2.

[douglas225]

My wife saved her bonuses secretly for two years and on my 30th birthday (2002) she surprised me w card and money to “buy a rolex”. Despite having always been a watch guy, I was more into athletic and i thought at the time, more rugged watches. She wanted me to get the submariner date, but I felt, even back then, that I had seen them everywhere. I, therefore, elected the explorer 1 ($3000) for its subtle beauty but ruggedness. Had i known about the sub no date, i prob would have selected it. None the less, I wore the explorer nearly every day for 17 years until accidentally rediscovering the many offerings and, more important, history of rolex and tutor, which really drew me in.

[dazooom]

I bought my first Rolex, a Submariner Date (16610) in October 2007. I paid full retail of $5,200 + $40 shipping.

A friend recommended the AD inside the Wynn Resort/Casino, Las Vegas because it would be tax free to ship it to Virginia. I simply called them, placed my order over the phone and it arrived a few days later. So simple! I had wanted one forever, and kept watching the prices go up every year, so I figured I might as well get it because it will never be cheaper than this, glad I did.

[Treble Treble]

This is a cool thread. I bought a 16610 in 2005 D series with Date at the local AD in Dubai. I’ll be honest had no plan just went for several beers and had a look in the boutique in the hotel. They had a 50 anniversary green bezel also but I liked the black better still do! It’s was about 3500 USD, had it serviced once and it’s still looking amazing. I’ll post a picture in a mo...


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[Treble Treble]

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[ratty]

It was 2009. I went in to look at an Apollo 11 40th anniversary Speedmaster but I could not (still can't actually!) decide if I wanted to buy it or not. The sales assistant let me have a look at a Submariner out of the window and I bought that instead. If I remember correctly it was between 3 and 4 thousand pounds.

I still have it and would not swap or sell it.

[REFZ]

December 2012 - Submariner 114060 - € 4800 (after a discount of 22%)

[emtee]

It was 2013 and a time when basically every sports model apart from Daytona were always in the AD windows. I’d initially lusted after the EX2 42mm in black but when I eventually went in and tried it on realised it was too big for my wrist so decided to try on the EX1 and it fit like a glove. Paid £4300.

[Ny325]

The current price of a SS Submariner Date, cost more than what I paid for my SS 36mm DateJust, and my SS Submariner Date combined. Rolex prices have skyrocketed over the years. The only model I think is fairly reasonable today is, the 39mm OP.

[Kirsty87]

Gold 36mm Day-Date

£1000 cash

2008

Just sent it off for servicing (new glass, extra link etc), and it cost more than the watch originally did.

[Goochy]

Gmt ii £1640 1995.

[iliketime]

Polar explorer 2 around april 2016 for $5400ish after paypal fees. Not a lot of trusted sellers was willing to go paypal. I had a little mishap with an ebay 16570 in black dial earlier that year before I went with trusted seller.

[Meyrin]

It was February 26th 1996, and I just walked into a Rolex AD and bought my Sub 14060 new for then DM 3,450 (roughly €1,725 = very roughly $1,875), not one cent above the MRP as listed in the Rolex catalogue at the time. A lot of money for me at the time, and I blew nearly all of a large cash bonus! I've worn my Sub nearly every day since, and haven't regretted buying it for one second! In those days buying a new Rolex was as easy and uncomplicated as buying a pair of shoes...

[johnjm]

My first two were given to me. One is a 6285 if I remember correctly. My grandfather bought it in the late 50s for GBP50 via snail.mail. still have it. Honeycomb explorer dial and large crown.



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[Rocco21]

My first Rolex purchased at AD was a 14060 for around 4500 I believe.

[emtee]

Originally Posted by Kirsty87

Gold 36mm Day-Date

£1000 cash

2008

Just sent it off for servicing (new glass, extra link etc), and it cost more than the watch originally did.

You paid 1K for a 36mm Daydate? That doesn’t seem right....

[Aberdein]

1980 in Jeddah Saudi a St St Daytona. Cost about £300 equivalent. Lost it two years later.

[640ibimmerguy]

Just bought my first one today over the phone. Being shipped today and should have it in the morning!

[chippie]

April 2 1998 i took a chunk of money into town to buy a new Hi Fi system.
After not deciding on my preferred choice it seemed a downer to return home without my "gift" after saving up.
Found myself in an AD and walked out with a GMT 2 coke and 1 years 0% for the balance.
Still have it but hoping to add a SD43 this year.

[Twmffat]

Summer 2010 bought a 116660 from AD having negotiated a 10% discount and paid about £5k for it if I remember correctly. The watch was in the window along with Subs and GMT’s. I’d lusted after a Rolex for years ever since writing off for and receiving their brochure in the mid 70’s. The brochure even came with images of the watches on plastic strips so you could see what they looked like on your wrist. I was all set for getting one there and then until I saw the price list. My favorite (aSub) was more expensive than Dads’ new car! 30 years later... Lol

Happy memories.

[jerseyb]

Mine was in 2014. A pre owned black dial 16570 from Tourneau. Paid $5500 out the door. I picked black because I felt like it's more versatile than the polar.

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[vintagewatch]

My first Rolex: 1950's Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking 6430. I purchased it at an antique show in 1987 for about $175. Still have it!

[KevinH75]

This is an awesome walk down memory lane.

1999, Masseys Jewelers Salt Lake City. Brand new 16710 (coke). $3,850

2 weeks later I was up in Sun Valley ID for a quick summer camp out with friends and saw a white dial 16520 (Zenith Daytona) in the window of a jewelry store in town. Price tag iirc was $6,500.

[swils8610]

I remember asking for a discount on the Sub I bought and was firmly told no! I left that night without purchasing it. I called the next morning to buy it and the sales girl chuckled a bit and said it’s sized for you and ready to go. I knew you’d call this morning and take it...we’ve become friends for the last 17 years.


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[topher2u2]

I bought my first this year. It’s an Explorer 114270 and I’m beyond thrilled with the watch.


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[fozzyf18]

My college bookstore had a Sub date for $1500 in 1994/1995. Every time I went to the bookstore I looked at it, but that was a leap that was too great for me back then. I bought a Citizen Aqualand for $499 instead. Wished I had just ponied up for the Sub. My wife bought me a TT Sub as an engagement present in 2002- $6500.