First Rolex advice
Discussion
Hello PHers
I've been extremely fortunate in the last few years, and managed to achieve a number of personal milestones, both in terms of career goals and family ones, and would like to commemorate this by purchasing my first Rolex - which will be another personal milestone checked off!
I would like to go for either the Submariner or GMT Master II as these are the styles that I most recognised as 'Rolex' over the years and have always coveted as my first purchase. I'm going to wait to try both on as I'm in no rush and want to ensure I make the right decision, but wanted peoples view on which they would recommend and what made them pick one over the other.
The watch will be used daily, rather than as a dress piece, so part of the decision making factor will be on perceived durability and comfort of the bracelet and clasp, so any views on the differences between the two models would be much appreciated.
Needless to say I'm very excited!
I've been extremely fortunate in the last few years, and managed to achieve a number of personal milestones, both in terms of career goals and family ones, and would like to commemorate this by purchasing my first Rolex - which will be another personal milestone checked off!
I would like to go for either the Submariner or GMT Master II as these are the styles that I most recognised as 'Rolex' over the years and have always coveted as my first purchase. I'm going to wait to try both on as I'm in no rush and want to ensure I make the right decision, but wanted peoples view on which they would recommend and what made them pick one over the other.
The watch will be used daily, rather than as a dress piece, so part of the decision making factor will be on perceived durability and comfort of the bracelet and clasp, so any views on the differences between the two models would be much appreciated.
Needless to say I'm very excited!
I'm in the very lucky position to have both, Hulk and BLNR, I like a bit of colour!
I got the GMT first, as it was what was available when I had the initial cash together and it is lovely, slightly blingier than the sub due to the polished centre links. It also has the extra timezone function which is not that much to get excited about, but makes resetting the thing for holidays and shorter month date changes far easier, which i do like.
There's no right or wrong answer, both wear very similarly, the sub probably will take a knock slightly better given there's no polished links to show them up, but that's about it.
The sub is, however, the one i wanted right from the off. Especially the green version. So when came up I grabbed it with both hands. I suspect in your heart of hearts there's one you want more and for most people Submariner is Rolex.
I got the GMT first, as it was what was available when I had the initial cash together and it is lovely, slightly blingier than the sub due to the polished centre links. It also has the extra timezone function which is not that much to get excited about, but makes resetting the thing for holidays and shorter month date changes far easier, which i do like.
There's no right or wrong answer, both wear very similarly, the sub probably will take a knock slightly better given there's no polished links to show them up, but that's about it.
The sub is, however, the one i wanted right from the off. Especially the green version. So when came up I grabbed it with both hands. I suspect in your heart of hearts there's one you want more and for most people Submariner is Rolex.
Master Bean said:
Buy them outside of London. Somewhere in the sticks where there will be less of a waiting list.
Or, check out our very own Dominic H at Hackett Watches in Hatton Garden.That's where I got my Batman (and others)
https://www.hackettwatches.com/hw/items/brand?open...
AJB88 said:
Planning on new? or 2nd hand, if new the Submariner (presuming a black one) will be the one you can get quickest, between few weeks and a few months, GMT Master will probably be 2+ years.
Yes, planning on buying new as its my first. I (and my business partner) travel a fair bit so will be keeping an eye-out in airports etc., we also live outside London which will hopefully reduce the wait list issues.Gio G said:
OP, just out of interest, why a Rolex? do you not hold any other watch brands in high esteem worthy of celebration for a milestone? I am just curious...
G
Nothing against other brands, I have a £500 Rotary I am very fond of as my wife gave it to me on our wedding day so I'm by no means a devotee to Rolex or focussed on the prestige, but its always been a milestone that I have wanted to tick off since seeing some of my idols getting them - hopefully I will have a chance to get others in the future!G
I would start with a no-date Submariner. Mine took about 3 months to come in from an out of London AD, who I've since built up a relationship with ordering various other watches. I have come across this watch on my travels in Europe in AD's (it's always worth asking as they are rarely on display).. GMT's are harder to come by in my experience, along with the Sub with the Date function.
HD Adam said:
Or, check out our very own Dominic H at Hackett Watches in Hatton Garden.
That's where I got my Batman (and others)
https://www.hackettwatches.com/hw/items/brand?open...
I do like the Batman, I've always been a fan of blue on watches. Thanks for the recommendation I will have a look.That's where I got my Batman (and others)
https://www.hackettwatches.com/hw/items/brand?open...
If durability is one of two key concerns, then both will be as durable as each other for all practical purposes. The GMT’s 100m water resistance is sufficient for anything you’ll likely ever do in water, including Scuba diving, but the 300m Submariner has a slightly thicker case and updated Crown.
For your other concern of comfort/clasp, then I urge you to check out the Submariner’s ‘glidelock’ clasp, which allows you to adjust the bracelet length in circa 2mm increments over about 20mm in total, and you don’t need any tools whatsoever - it’s a godsend on a hot day if your wrist swells, or if your weight fluctuates. The GMT will have an easy-link clasp which also allows you to lengthen by circa 5mm, but it’s not as finely tuneable to your exact preference, as it’s either that full 5mm or nothing.
For your other concern of comfort/clasp, then I urge you to check out the Submariner’s ‘glidelock’ clasp, which allows you to adjust the bracelet length in circa 2mm increments over about 20mm in total, and you don’t need any tools whatsoever - it’s a godsend on a hot day if your wrist swells, or if your weight fluctuates. The GMT will have an easy-link clasp which also allows you to lengthen by circa 5mm, but it’s not as finely tuneable to your exact preference, as it’s either that full 5mm or nothing.
The sub is a great iconic watch and to me looks good in nearly any colour.
If I could have three it would be:
Black (no date) because I like the simple lines and don’t really like the Rolex date bubble.
Green (LV) – which I own (and there is no choice, it must have the date!)
TT blue. Probably the easiest to get hold of. When I tried it on I fell for it, the dial is fantastic.
If I could have three it would be:
Black (no date) because I like the simple lines and don’t really like the Rolex date bubble.
Green (LV) – which I own (and there is no choice, it must have the date!)
TT blue. Probably the easiest to get hold of. When I tried it on I fell for it, the dial is fantastic.
I think you need to try both on and then decide.
I love my 16610 date Sub - it’s iconic, my first Rolex and is, simply, a Submariner.
I’m very fond of my 16610 Sub LV - a bit different, a bit of colour and another iconic Submariner.
However, my favourite and the one I wear everyday is my 16710 gmt master II with Pepsi bezel. It’s from 1990, the bracelet is very worn, at least 3 of the minute indices have worn off and she loses a bit of time. But I think it’s a great looking watch and every time I’m in the CET time zone I delight in telling people what the time is at home while wittering on about the gmt hand!
Maybe consider an older, pre-owned Rolex. They really are lovely things.
I love my 16610 date Sub - it’s iconic, my first Rolex and is, simply, a Submariner.
I’m very fond of my 16610 Sub LV - a bit different, a bit of colour and another iconic Submariner.
However, my favourite and the one I wear everyday is my 16710 gmt master II with Pepsi bezel. It’s from 1990, the bracelet is very worn, at least 3 of the minute indices have worn off and she loses a bit of time. But I think it’s a great looking watch and every time I’m in the CET time zone I delight in telling people what the time is at home while wittering on about the gmt hand!
Maybe consider an older, pre-owned Rolex. They really are lovely things.
Edited by FarQue on Thursday 28th February 19:32
Master Bean said:
Buy them outside of London. Somewhere in the sticks where there will be less of a waiting list.
The dealers which sell the most watches receive the most watches. I was told a 2 year wait down in Chichester for a non date sub last year. Rolex Bond St got me one in 6 weeks.
ds. mutsy88 said:
AJB88 said:
Planning on new? or 2nd hand, if new the Submariner (presuming a black one) will be the one you can get quickest, between few weeks and a few months, GMT Master will probably be 2+ years.
Yes, planning on buying new as its my first. I (and my business partner) travel a fair bit so will be keeping an eye-out in airports etc., we also live outside London which will hopefully reduce the wait list issues.If you mean the new BLRO (red+blue ceramic bezel with jubillee bracelet) then you'll be extremely lucky to get one of those anyone on spec from UK or abroad.
More chance of getting a Sub or normal all black bezel GMT perhaps, but even so, SS Sports Rolex are very hard to get hold of almost everywhere on the planet now due to demand. AD's keep them back for big spending customers (grey dealers in reality)
Good luck.
Mutsy
Well done on getting to this stage..
Both your choices are excellent.. if you're buying new there are obviously some variables, straps, bezels, colours which you have probably already configured on the Rolex website. I owned a submariner for many years before it got nicked. Very difficult to beat... just got better and better.
I bought a brand new Rolex earlier this month... I went into the authorised dealer with an open mind.. just tried on what they had...
Surprisingly I came out with something I did not expect to buy.
I'd encourage you to do the same... try them all on see what feels right, looks right... you might be surprised...
Well done on getting to this stage..
Both your choices are excellent.. if you're buying new there are obviously some variables, straps, bezels, colours which you have probably already configured on the Rolex website. I owned a submariner for many years before it got nicked. Very difficult to beat... just got better and better.
I bought a brand new Rolex earlier this month... I went into the authorised dealer with an open mind.. just tried on what they had...
Surprisingly I came out with something I did not expect to buy.
I'd encourage you to do the same... try them all on see what feels right, looks right... you might be surprised...
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