My First Rolex and How I Got It
Hi friends, I acquired my first Rolex yesterday and I know the brand is polarizing, but I figured I would share with the community because this is the kind of story I would have wanted to hear while being on a waitlist. The two production models I’ve wanted are a white dial, stick marker, fluted bezel, Jubilee bracelet Datejust 41 and a Batman with an Oyster bracelet. I first started asking around late last April and have put my name down in every boutique I’ve visited in the past year (in Las Vegas, Vancouver, Mexico City, San Francisco).
I’m in Portland this weekend and, as usual, I visited every Rolex AD. At the second jewelers, I hesitantly asked the sales rep, “I’m from out of town and I thought I’d try my luck. What do you have available?” As anyone who shops Rolex nowadays knows, expectations are low since boutiques have thousands of customers on their waiting lists, should be giving locals priority, and manufacturing has yet to accelerate. To my surprise, instead of mentioning an obscure model like an Everose Day-date 36 with a diamond studded dial for sale, or flat-out saying ‘Nothing’, the salesperson asked me what I was looking for. I responded with the configuration I wanted for the Datejust and she leaned in and said in a hushed voice due to nearby customers, “We might have that, but in Roman numerals. We just received a shipment this morning and we haven’t sorted through it yet. Let me check.” She went into the back room and I was in total shock. I looked at my fiancé and said, “If she really brings a Datejust out, I’m fucked. I’m going to be $10k poorer because I’m walking out with that watch.” Indeed, she did bring out the Datejust I wanted, albeit with Roman numerals instead of stick markers. My fiancé affirmed the watch looked much better than a stick marker Datejust, in addition to any other Rolex I’ve wanted, such as the Yacht-master 40 with a silver platinum dial and the Batman. I happily purchased the watch and was in a daze with how the day unfolded.
I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of days with my Datejust 41. I know Rolex gets a bad rap because it’s absurd you have to wait years and rub elbows just to give your money away. However, my take on it - and this is the same opinion I’ve had before and after owning a Rolex - is that watch collecting is an addictive activity for me and I’m glad there are brands with scarcity and a forced waiting period. This hobby is lifelong, and if I have to wait a couple of years for a Datejust, or seven-plus years for a Batman, I should patiently explore other companies or hold onto my money and enjoy the watches I have already.
I recognize the Datejust is not a professional model and the economy is doing worse, so those were factors in my situation. Nevertheless, I wanted to share my story because if I got lucky asking for a Rolex, others looking for one can too.
Building a collection of different case materials and dial techniques
Your patience and determination sure paid off! Nice watch!
Your patience and determination sure paid off! Nice watch!
Thanks!
Congrats, its a beauty 👌
Congrats, its a beauty 👌
Thank you!
Thanks for the story. Beautiful watch that you're sure to enjoy for many years to come.
Nice. I agree with your fiancé, the roman numbers looks better than the stick indices. Certainly fits the fluted bezel. Congratulations!
It's always amazing, in the Rolex stories that get posted up here, just how many watches 'arrived that morning' or were 'from an order that was just cancelled'. Incredible, really 😉 Wear it in good health.
Thanks for the story. Beautiful watch that you're sure to enjoy for many years to come.
I think so, thank you!
Nice. I agree with your fiancé, the roman numbers looks better than the stick indices. Certainly fits the fluted bezel. Congratulations!
Thanks, I think she is right as well
It's always amazing, in the Rolex stories that get posted up here, just how many watches 'arrived that morning' or were 'from an order that was just cancelled'. Incredible, really 😉 Wear it in good health.
Really? I can’t remember reading anything like that in recent memory. Thanks!
Wowzers Congratulations on a beautiful watch!!!! My first Rolex was a very similar configuration ! I am super excited for you right now! This watch is beautiful, you absolutely earned it = never quitting on the search AND making the cash to pay for the watch! Wear this watch is great health and Enjoy!
Wowzers Congratulations on a beautiful watch!!!! My first Rolex was a very similar configuration ! I am super excited for you right now! This watch is beautiful, you absolutely earned it = never quitting on the search AND making the cash to pay for the watch! Wear this watch is great health and Enjoy!
Thank you! You’re very kind. The Datejust is a classic!
Congratulations!
It is so refreshing to hear of an AD in business to sell things! Congratulations on a lovely looking watch and for being in the right place at the right time!
It is so refreshing to hear of an AD in business to sell things! Congratulations on a lovely looking watch and for being in the right place at the right time!
Shame it’s not the norm; however, it does feel like I stole it from the next person on the waitlist. Thanks!
Do you have anymore pictures of it? Really nice dial / bezel combo though and wouldn’t mind snooping some more 👀
I was in shock because I imagined the waitlist would be longer in Portland than any other city I’ve visited because of the lack of sales tax. I walked in expecting nothing
We’re a hidden gem, great place to buy
Do you have anymore pictures of it? Really nice dial / bezel combo though and wouldn’t mind snooping some more 👀
Sure! I like the bezel and bracelet because they catch the light at any angle but also hide scratches well. The clasp is polished and already has a scratch
Congratulations!!! Every once in a while you get lucky and get the watch you want (hopefully, we'll be seeing more of these stories with Rolexes in the coming year).
Congratulations!!! Every once in a while you get lucky and get the watch you want (hopefully, we'll be seeing more of these stories with Rolexes in the coming year).
Thanks! I hope so too
I think true enthusiasts are sincerely stoked for you and many are even rooting that you knock down other watches on your life list, Rolex or otherwise (after your wallet recovers of course 😅). People who transfer their negative feelings about a watch company to the wearer aren't doing this hobby any favors. Nobody gave you anything and you didn't have to buy less popular watches you didn't want so wear it like you earned it my friend because you did. Looking forward to more photos!
Glad lightening struck for you. Congrats!
I think true enthusiasts are sincerely stoked for you and many are even rooting that you knock down other watches on your life list, Rolex or otherwise (after your wallet recovers of course 😅). People who transfer their negative feelings about a watch company to the wearer aren't doing this hobby any favors. Nobody gave you anything and you didn't have to buy less popular watches you didn't want so wear it like you earned it my friend because you did. Looking forward to more photos!
Thank you! WatchCrunch has always been kind so maybe I am transferring the Rolex negativity over from YouTube
Perhaps because I've definitely seen it there, on FB and even on WC in the six weeks I've been here. Comments on WC that I've seen go unchecked include "how Rolex owners are" and "Rolex owners that don't know better". I always find it psychologically telling that some "enthusiasts" will stop everything they're doing to push out a hot steaming unsolicited pile of negativity rather than adopt a live and let live philosophy and just scroll on by. Surround yourself with healthy relationships though and chances are you'll get more high fives than low blows. Truly happy for you!
Perhaps because I've definitely seen it there, on FB and even on WC in the six weeks I've been here. Comments on WC that I've seen go unchecked include "how Rolex owners are" and "Rolex owners that don't know better". I always find it psychologically telling that some "enthusiasts" will stop everything they're doing to push out a hot steaming unsolicited pile of negativity rather than adopt a live and let live philosophy and just scroll on by. Surround yourself with healthy relationships though and chances are you'll get more high fives than low blows. Truly happy for you!
Agreed! That and we wouldn’t have the industry as it stands today without the “Rolex owners that don’t know better”.
Congratulations!! That's got to be an awesome feeling. I look forward to finally being able to buy the 2 Rolex models I'm after.
Congratulations!! That's got to be an awesome feeling. I look forward to finally being able to buy the 2 Rolex models I'm after.
Thank you! Looking forward to your New Watch Alerts. It’s worth the wait!
Can’t go wrong with a date just
Congrats on this! It’s a beauty. I actually think that’s a delightful combination and makes the DJ very classy. I had a similar experience last year. Stopped in the Miami boutique and was asked the same question. When I mentioned DateJust, the sales rep replies, “Two just came in.” In my case, neither was what I wanted so I passed. However within a few months, my local AD texted me with a picture of the one I wanted and yes, I bought it. I’m a huge fan of the DJ. Mine is quite understated and it’s always special to wear it.
Congrats on this! It’s a beauty. I actually think that’s a delightful combination and makes the DJ very classy. I had a similar experience last year. Stopped in the Miami boutique and was asked the same question. When I mentioned DateJust, the sales rep replies, “Two just came in.” In my case, neither was what I wanted so I passed. However within a few months, my local AD texted me with a picture of the one I wanted and yes, I bought it. I’m a huge fan of the DJ. Mine is quite understated and it’s always special to wear it.
It’s quite the experience. There’s really nothing like it with a fluted white gold bezel and jubilee bracelet in 904L stainless steel