a crown for every achievement: what's your rolex story?

[minimerc]

i was from a very poor family, the idea of owning a normal watch (let alone a rolex) never ever crossed my mind. Sine graduation, i wore a swatch with leather straps bot by my gf (now my CO) until i bot my 1st rolex dj 16220 white face with roman dial when i was 29. Despite owning several branded rojaks which i never wore them, the DJ was my daily beater for the past 9 yrs and it has witnessed both the toughest and sweetest periods in my 38 yrs of life until 2 month ago when i got deeply posioned by the vintages GMTs. then the family just multiplied! nevertheless, the dearest watch among all the blings blings and vintages is still the Swatch watch bot by CO with her meager pay post graduation.

[Darkangel]

I believe I told of my story before? Quite some time back...here goes again..

I chanced upon a lonely SS Datejust that was hiding in a drawing for many years...back when I was 14. I took it out once in awhile...put it on the wrist...admired..and put it back. Few months later..I slowly gained control of the watch...and my mum knew i liked the watch very much,so i wore it at home, and to some occasions.

Over time...I finally took over the watch, but by then I was deeply poisoned after I decided to find out more about the watch. It belonged to my grandfather btw...he had a SS DJ and YG DD when he was alive, YG DD was taken by my uncle and SS DJ was taken by my dad. But my dad didn't like watches so he just left it in the drawer.

So you can probably say...First Rolex at 14.

Then when I was 16 that year...I told myself...I will buy my own. Not impossible...save aside some money everyday, why not? On 1st Jan, wrote it as my New Year's Resolution...Rolex Submariner. Then somewhere in Aug...I did very well in one of my competitions, and had pretty sufficient $ for my watch and next day I went to pick up a Rolex Explorer II. Loved that...my first Rolex Purchase.

Within 6 months, sold off to fund a share purchase, which I lost I believe close to 60-70%? Sad I was...but too bad man bo pian have to move on.

But I still had my SS DJ which I kept dearly and will keep in the future, I spent close to $1k on servicing and a new bracelet for this baby of mine...which is a small amount to the priceless watch I own.

An inspiration to me...because I believed that what my grandfather built, I can too...and even though almost everything was lost after he left, I will pick up from whatever I have,with all my resources,experience from my parents,relatives and grandmother. Something which I almost sold off...but good thing there was something inside me that told me to keep it. I will definitely treasure this piece.

Age 16 was a very exciting 1, bought my first Rolex, set up SGROC with our founding batch here. The people I got to know from SGROC, the knowledge...priceless to me. You can say SGROC is my blood and sweat?

Though i m not the owner in name...but I was the founding batch...I would surf SGROC religiously without fail everyday. After school,after class, anytime! I would be doing my usual,moving of threads, replying to threads, replying to questions from strangers whom I never knew face to face. But it's the passion and wonderful people that kept me here and will keep me here.

I must say I am very thankful to many of the SGROC people I knew who helped me in many ways...directly or indirectly...I really appreciate from the bottom of my heart.

Fast forward the not so good year after that. Lost money here and there so no purchases when I was 17.

It was only until recently which I managed to acquire enough funds and bought my Submariner in Oct. I knew I had to start from a Submariner because that was my very first aim. My initial aim to own a Rolex by 18...achieved.

What's next for me...well...I more or less know what I want and will definitely work towards it. I anticipate another piece coming my way soon...

Only thing on my Rolex list would be a solid gold piece before I complete my collection. Likely to be White gold and 2nd choice rose gold. Most likely WG. But it's a very tough decision, because WG means that not for everyday where and not for certain places.

I may get a panerai? which I thought I would never to get..lol But..MAYBE ONLY!

Then next step would be going into Patek. Route planned quite far, I m sure there will be changes along the way. But hopefully not much.

[iMac08]

Me also came from a not so well to do family. But since young i have always love to look at watches. Cause family not rich so usually take pass it on watches from my rich cousins...but of course nothing to fanciful except some japan edition casio etc.. when i started working i told myself i must get hold of an automatic watch. Told myself i will buy my first automatic with my pay...then realise it is not decent enough...Saw a U boat and i love it.I told my wife i must buy a watch before i empty my saving for our wedding.i ended up buying it before my wedding only to realise i can't wear it cause the sleeves can't button. i only got my rollie when i switch job to mark the jump.... Then decide to buy 1 for every child we get when i first heard she was preg..sadly it was ended as a early miscarriage. decided to add 1 more automatic for her just to encourage her...that's my story.

and yes,other than PP seems like not many ppl in sgp truly appreciate watches and most only know rolex...

[augpat]

Nice Topic!
I am average earning person holding a middle class job.I am very sure that everyone of us have a story behind our Rolex watches.I strongly agree that it's not easy to get one.The most important point here is,How much did we sacrifices to get one of this timepiece although we have much commitment to contribute.The hardship!

But our heartfelt happiness start when someone approach us and say
"wow you are wearing Rolex" "must be rich" meaning we have archived something great in lifetime.I did wear many other brand but never receive any comment of a such.It must always Rolex...... a brand that even small kids also know.

Rolex is the brand that hold our status!

[BRABUS]

Hi bro

I dont know about watch n always just wear normal till one day I saw Omega adverisement, walk to retail n appreciated but wow for the retail price. Walk in to other shop, get a Titoni brand new. Trying to understand what is cosmo movement but found this forum, from that day onwards, posion starts.......finally collect my TT Daytona today I happy liao

Hi bro, congrats on your TT daytona , wear it in good health , the daytona is a real beauty among other sports model , its sporty yet refine enough for formal occasion .

[jazz_samz]

Wow. You guys have very touching experiences to share. I m moved by all of them and am happy that you brothers learn the most important thing in our life. That is to live it with courage.
I dun have any reason in owning my first Rolex. But rather found this forum, then learned more abt IWC and yearn for it the most as it was a watch I set my eyes on when I was in my teens. Went shopping with my parents at Centerpoint and while walking towards the escalator, the IWC piece at the display caught my eyes. I told myself then if I were to buy my first watch, it had to be that.
I did so in 2008 and that also started my journey in watch collection. My 2nd watch then was my 1st Rolex, a 16610. Then 16710. And a 6694 which I recently sold to a good bro here.
I do hope my dad gives me his TT DJ with diamond markers one day though. Then with that, I do hope to start a family tradition as passing a watch of mine to each if my kid. A family heirloom. For now, I have a IWC and a 16710. So I am covered. Kekkek
sorry that my version isn't really Rolex but rather the faintest link to the TS thread and those who shared is that a treasured watch that represents our life's goal.

[Starlight]

Btw, one of the best enjoyment here, I get to knew few kakis start from strangers, this is priceless

[Starlight]

I dont know about watch n always just wear normal till one day I saw Omega adverisement, walk to retail n appreciated but wow for the retail price. Walk in to other shop, get a Titoni brand new. Trying to understand what is cosmo movement but found this forum, from that day onwards, posion starts.......finally collect my TT Daytona today I happy liao

[116520]

Actually the moral of the story is: when you in finanical crisis, it is always good to have a few Rolex in your safe....

[dennistwc]

actually........=( she told me that too...........

Later, i ll propose this idea to my wife..hope she wnt ask me to fly kite..

[Watch-connoisseur]

A crown for every achievement

During my sec school days back in 1990's tag heuer was the craze. My friend brought 1 and I was amused how such a tiny(small size) and unfancy watch will cost $500. Thats a lot of money back then.

I never heard of rolex until some of my friend move from tag to rolex. I was only 16 then. Like most of us, I was born poor. It never occur to me I will buy such a expensive watch as it was not justifiable when I don't even have the money to buy levi's jean.

Fast track to 26 years old, I had a gf whose ex-bf brought a datejust for $5000. She must have been influence by him when one day she casually passed a remark saying she will buy a rolex for herself. I asked her how much and learned that it cost $5k. It was then that I know the price of rolex and I just said 'crazy' beneath my breath.

I couldn't accept how one could spend so much on a watch when I was changing cars every 2 years and losing more money that way.

Along the way, I chalked up hefty credit card bills and rolex watch was not even in my dictionary. I spent 3 years clearing my debts and only had $100 spare every month for leisure.

During one of my brain-storming on earning money, I found out people, especially guys like to spend on watch rather than clothing. I found a supplier from germany and began to sell german automatic watch. I was 29 then.

As the extra cash pour in, I begin to look at omega and rolex. I made my first purchased on a Omega speedmaster and I had my first Rolex at the age of 31. It was a GMT master 16700 which I sold it when I was 32.

Thou the time was short, I have learn so much about rolex and admired their business model so much that I fall in love with them rather than the watch itself. Haha.

Now, I owned 3 of them and one is currently on sale. Hehe. Like my friend always tell me: Your collection is never complete unless you own a Rolex. I will pass 1 of my rolex watch to my children in future ONLY if they achieve something in life as thats the way this watch is being present. Only then can they truely love the watch and keep it forever. Thats my humble story on rolex and hope it won't bore you.

[feilong108]

wow..touching life stories...

[wjunkie]

Nice story and great achievement indeed, and thanks for sharing.

I'm not from a well to do family and my dad can't (absolutely can't) afford a Rolex. We were very much spent our money on daily necessary things like food. Dad told me about Rolex those days but never occurred to me I'll buy one....

After I started my first job 20 years ago, our family financial strength started to improve but sad to share my Dad passed away before my university graduation. I know he wanted me to study hard and join me on my university graduation day. Unfortunately, we never got our chance to share our happiness together.

Like most of the people, I formed my own family and now I have my own children. I just like my Dad in his old days, sharing my tough life with my children. Somehow, I don't think they can feel the toughness of life in any way, just like me last time when my Dad told his story. At times, I also mentioned Rolex to them but never got a chance to show them one.

Things started to change two years back when I was seriouly looking one Rolex for myself. I was looking around for Rolex watches, new and pre-owned, but never commit one until early this year. I bought my first Rolex to mark an important milestone in my life. I bought one Rolex to remember my Dad, and hope to pass it down, together with its story, to my offspring.

I'm now a SD owner and I'm extremely happy with my SD. Occasionally, admired my SD for a few seconds and recalled some of the story my Dad had told me. Hope the story will continue to pass down to the next generation and to remember the great man in the family.....my Dad.

[feilong108]

at the age of 22 i got my 1st ah beng style datejust 16233 with aftermarket diamond bezel...then things goes down hill when i was 24....just managed to recover the down hill trend when i was 26.....haha..life for me is certainly a roller coaster....

[iMac08]

actually........=( she told me that too...........