Buying Your First Rolex: Complete Guide to your First Rolex Purchase

Buying Your First Rolex: Complete Guide to your First Rolex Purchase

Rolex is arguably one of the most recognizable and prestigious names in watchmaking. For many, owning a Rolex is a goal and a dream, but once that dream gets closer to becoming a reality, how do you know which Rolex watch to own? There are literally hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of Rolex models that you can choose from, so how can you possibly just settle for one?

One thing is for sure, and that is that you most likely aren’t going to be unsatisfied with your Rolex watch. They’ve been manufactured for more than a century – refined, improved, and developed, and they’re the most well-known luxury watches brand that is not only famous because of its strategic marketing, but also because it has proven the test of time of being reliable workhorses that, at the same time, bring its wearer lots of joy.

Buying a Rolex watch is a special moment, but buying your first Rolex is an even more special occasion, but in doing so, you want to make sure that you are completely satisfied with your purchase – but as someone who has never bought a Rolex before, how do you know which you choose? How do you know where to start? How do you know which model and watch you should choose?

Now, the process of buying your first Rolex watch may seem daunting, but do not freight. In this article, we’ll go through the questions you need to ask and the things you need to consider when buying your first Rolex watch so you can be completely satisfied and feel happy with your Rolex for many years to come.

Buying your first Rolex: things to ask yourself

First things first. When buying your first Rolex, there are a few things you want to ask yourself. First off, begin by asking yourself why you want to buy a Rolex. Because the reason people want to buy a Rolex watch can differ. Some people, for example, only want a Rolex watch for the sole reason that it is a Rolex and as a status symbol. Now, there is nothing wrong with that, so if that’s what you want, then do that, but this is something worth having in mind since it can also affect the Rolex watch you choose to buy further on.

If you have a completely different reason for buying your first Rolex, for example, because you set it as a goal 20 years ago because you saw it as a symbol of success and wanted to mark your success, then you may have a completely different idea of which Rolex watch may be suitable for you.

Why do you buy a Rolex watch?

There are many different reasons why people buy Rolex watches, but in particular, if you look at the people who buy their first Rolex watch, you’ll find that there are often one of the following three reasons:

1. Reward yourself after having reached a milestone in your life or celebrate a special achievement or occasion. Buy a watch that you can pass on to your children and that will get its own history.
2. Buy it as an investment – to buy a Rolex that holds its value over time, yet still brings you lots of joy while wearing it.
3. These are the most common reasons first-time Rolex buyers buy their first Rolex, but you may buy your Rolex for completely different reasons. It may just be because you have wanted one for a long time, and now you think it’s time to finally get one.

Depending on which of these reasons fit with your reason for finally getting a Rolex, it can affect the watch you will ultimately buy. For example, if you’re buying a Rolex that you are going to have in the office or at business meetings, you may choose a completely different Rolex watch compared to if you are buying a Rolex watch as an investment or as a way to invest and place your money.

A debated question is ”is Rolex the best choice?” and ”should you really get a Rolex watch?”. Of course, these are questions that canned will be debated for all eternity, but what we can say is that buying a Rolex watch is seldom a bad idea if you want to, because you’ll get a high-quality, great watch that has proven itself reliable and timeless, that will be just as stylish today as in 100 years, and the watches will outlive you and several of your following generations if looked after properly.

Since you’re here, you’re looking to buy a Rolex watch, and that’s great, but the debate of ”what is the best watch company” will never be settled, so if your heart is leaning towards Rolex, then that’s absolutely the watch you want to opt for. And the truth is that humans really aren’t rational in their decisions, so while some argue that ”there are better watch brands out there”, the reason you want a Rolex watch may be completely different than the fact that you want ”the absolute best watch”.

A Rolex watch is a reliable workhorse that will continue ticking year after year, and just to prove the immense attention to detail that Rolex pays, they make every single component

for their watches in-house and is the only watch brand in the world in doing so. They even have their own foundry where they make their own metals.

”The reasons for getting a Rolex do not have to be special, but getting a Rolex is always a special occasion.”

Now, have in mind that even if this is not the first time you buy a Rolex watch, this guide can still be helpful, so continue reading..

When should you buy your first Rolex watch?

This is a question frequently asked by people who are looking to buy their first Rolex watch, and it is also quite a debated question. The real answer is that it depends. Really, no one should tell you when you should and when you shouldn’t get a Rolex watch. If you want a Rolex and you feel comfortable buying a Rolex watch, then there’s no one that should keep you from this.

Now, there’s a lot of debate about this question of people telling you to do this and do that, but we will give you the advice that you should buy whenever you want and whenever you feel ready to do so. This goes both financially and emotionally.

Some people recommend that, because Rolex watches are further up on the scale of quality luxury watches, you should buy a Rolex watch when you’ve tried a lot of different watches and gotten more familiar with the world of watches and what you like. This isn’t a completely dumb idea, because after all, for a lot of people, buying a Rolex watch is a lot of money and thus a great decision to make.

Buying your first Rolex: Which watch should you choose?

This is the biggest question of them all. And it’s not only asked by first-time Rolex buyers but also many other people who are looking to buy a watch.

With so many Rolex models and iterations to choose from, if you have no previous experience or idea of what models are available to choose from, the decision of only narrowing it down to one watch can be a tricky task.

Furthermore, when you also include older and vintage watches into the equation, the opportunities really are endless.

So, where do you start?

Well, the first step to choosing a Rolex watch is research. The more research you’ve done, and the more data you’ve gathered about the different Rolex models, the better of a decision you will make, and the greater the chance that you’ll be satisfied with your decision for a long time to come.

New or vintage?

In terms of research, start by asking yourself if you want a new Rolex, if you want a vintage Rolex, or if you want a Rolex that maybe isn’t brand new, but is a few years old. Since Rolex discontinues different models every now and then, this will also affect the watches that you have to choose from. When talking vintage watches, none of these watches are in production anymore, and this means that you have a completely different range of watches to choose from.

Most of Rolex’s models, however, are continued to be manufactured, but in different iterations, so while you can get a modern Rolex Submariner, for example, if you’re looking for vintage watches, you can still get a Submariner, but these are different both in design and movement than from the modern watches that are produced today, and this is something worth considering.

So in choosing if you want a new or an old Rolex watch, have in mind that an old watch that you fall for probably isn’t manufactured identically today brand new.

Buying a new or old watch is all about personal preference, but as mentioned, this will also affect the watches that you have to choose from. Some people only want to buy brand-new watches and prefer that no one has worn them before them. Others, however, are only looking for the best deal possible, and in many cases, this means buying it second-hand.

Also, have in mind that buying your first Rolex from an authorized dealer means that you have a more limited array of watches to choose from because they only sell modern watches that are currently in production, and some models may not be available in-store. This is why buying from a watch retailer like Millenary Watches often is a good idea since it allows you to buy brand new, completely unworn watches, but also vintage and pre-owned watches – in most cases at a lower price than retail, depending on the demand.

Many people who buy vintage Rolex watches don’t solely buy them because of the fact that it is a model that is no longer in production, but also because vintage watches have a certain charm to them, in many cases patina, and beautiful signs of aging that adds a beautiful personality of the watch, and makes it much more interesting. Vintage watches also have a history that is unique to each watch, which is something that vintage-watch owners appreciate. Furthermore, the hunt for a vintage Rolex watch is something that a lot of people find interesting, because, unlike new Rolex watches, no watch is similar to the other.

Things like wear, patina, and signs of aging are different on all watches, thus making it more interesting to hunt for the perfect piece in the desired condition.

When buying a brand new watch, you know exactly what you’re getting, and each piece is exactly identical to another watch of the same model.

When you’ve decided if you want a new or old Rolex watch, it’s time to research the different models that you have to choose from. This is where the real work starts.

Rolex has the following models:

• Yacht-Master
• Date
• Submariner
• Sea-Dweller
• Oyster Perpetual
• Milgauss
• Masterpiece
• Datejust
• GMT-Master
• Explorer II
• Explorer I
• Daytona (Cosmograph)
• Oysterquartz (Day-Date and Datejust)
• Day-Date
• Cellini
• Air-King

All these models are made for a particular purpose, whether that be to simply tell the time and be a beautiful piece of jewelry or to be a rugged diver’s watch. This is the reason why it’s worth considering what you’re going to use your watch for. Now, take the Submariner for example. Just because it’s a diver’s watch doesn’t mean you cannot wear it as an everyday piece. In fact, the majority of people who wear a Submariner never dive with it, but simply use it as an everyday watch because they like the design, and it’s mostly about looks and design that you want to consider in choosing a piece.

Functions

In buying your first Rolex, you want to consider the functions and characteristics you want your watch to have. Maybe you want a date function in your watch so that you can easily keep track of the time, or maybe you want a day function that indicates what day it is. Depending on your needs, you’ll narrow down your potential candidates.

But most importantly, the thing that most people factor into the equation when choosing their first Rolex watch is the model. Therefore, begin by researching the design of each of the models listed above, because all of these watches, while they may vary in things like dial color and metal, have a distinctively shaped case that remains the same within that specific product line. 

Circling back to the Submariner, for example. While there are several different dial colors of the current Submariner in production, and different models that are made in precious metals or steel, the shape and distinctive shape and design of the case stay the same.

Normally, it is in researching the watch models that Rolex makes that people tend to fall for a specific model, and when you’ve got your eyes open for one or two models, you have much fewer candidates to choose from. For example, most people who fall for the Daytona don’t buy a Daytona because they’re in desperate need of a chronograph. They buy it because they like the looks of it.

If you have a hard time deciding model, we can take it one step further and divide Rolex’s watches into two categories. These categories partly tie in with what you are planning to use your watch for, but also the characteristics you want your watch to have, and what you plan on using it for.

These two categories are normally sports watches and dress watches. Then, we have a third category that some sports and dress watches may also fit into at the same time. That is versatile watches.

Sport Rolexes

Sports Rolexes is quite a broad category that many watches can fit into, but as the name suggests, it’s a category that more sporty and rugged Rolex watches fit into.

The most popular Rolex watches are the sport Rolex models. While these watches are indeed made more sporty, many people tend to use them as everyday watches and not when they’re ”sporting” because of the simple fact that they like their design.

But at the same time, it can be good to know that these rugged watches are particularly durable that are able to take a beating better than dress watches.

The most popular sports Rolex watch is the Submariner. This has water-resistance of 300m if you decide to go diving, and it has a durable movement that is resistant to shocks and other stress on it. It has a very sporty design as well which reflects its personality, and most people choose to buy it in stainless steel, while it is possible to get it in precious metals, which naturally makes the watch less sporty and more elegant and luxurious. Rolex collectors and most watch collectors consider this a crucial piece in their collection since it’s such an iconic piece, and it’s a watch that, despite being a sports watch never goes wrong, and goes just as great with a suit as with jeans.

Another popular sport Rolex is the GMT-Master. Today, only the GMT-Master II is in production, but if you want to buy vintage GMT-Masters, you have a broad array of GMT-Masters to choose from – including the GMT-Master I.

The GMT-Master is very similar to the Submariner in style but also exists in several different iterations. The case of the two models is the same, but the GMT-Master has a unidirectional rotating bezel and a third GMT-hand that allows you to keep track of several time zones at the same time.

A Rolex GMT-Master really never goes wrong and is almost as versatile and iconic as the Submariner.

The third popular sports Rolex is Explorer 1 and 2. The 1 and two looks quite different in style, but they are both sporty and robust timepieces, of which the movements are particularly developed to deal with high and low temperatures, as well as shocks.

The Daytona is another popular sports Rolex watch, but this costs a little bit more than the two mentioned above (when comparing steel with steel versions). The Daytona is not a watch for everyone, but it has a very sporty look with chronograph buttons which is a style that many Rolex enthusiasts enjoy.

Rolex dress watches

While Rolex is particularly known for its iconic sports models, Rolex is also known for its elegant and timeless dress watches, where the Datejust and Day-Date models are the centers of attention.

If you want a dress watch that fits better under the cuff and that looks more elegant and neat, you should probably opt for a dress watch. These tend to be neater in design, in particular, thinner, but these are also available in smaller diameters which gives them more dress watch characteristics that air more focused on elegance and minimalistic design.

While the watch industry has moved towards larger watches, a dress watch tends to be on the smaller side, usually not more than 40mm, but there are a few Rolex dress watches that are larger than that, but which millimeter you should have on your watch obviously depends on the size of your wrist and your own preferences. And since most Rolex watches are available in different sizes, we won’t go too much into the sizing of a watch other than that dress watches, in general, tend to be smaller and neater.

A dress watch should be elegant, and stylish, and look great for more dressed-up occasions, and fortunately, Rolex has a whole array of dress watches that you can choose from.

While the Day-Date and Datejust are the most popular dress watches, watches like the Oyster Perpetual and Air-King are also good alternatives.

Have in mind, though, that the Day-Date is only available in precious metal, and this will obviously increase the price of those watches, but at the same time, a precious metal like gold gives a great look that is perfect for dressed up occasions.

Versatile

The third category is versatile watches, and here, it’s mainly the Explorer models that fit into this category. The Explorer is a sporty watch that is versatile and rugged and can be used for sporty activities.

The color of the dial

For some people, the color of the dial is extremely important. On some models, you have a whole array of different dial colors to choose from, whereas other models only have a few dial color options.

For example, if you want to buy a modern Rolex Submariner in stainless steel, the only color of the dial that you can buy is black and green, however, if you’re willing to pay the price for a white gold version, you can also get it in blue.

But if you, on the other hand, want to buy an Oyster Perpetual Rolex watch, there’s a whole world of colors to choose from for your dial – white, blue, green, black, and brown, just to name a few.

Therefore, if you feel that the color of the dial is very important, it will greatly narrow down the watches you have to choose from – unless you say you want a black dial, of course – which is the most common for Rolex watches.

Metal type

The metal type of your Rolex watch is another thing that is worth considering.

There are different types of metals you can choose from, but overall, it’s about precious metals or stainless steel. Therefore, we won’t list them all below.

The most common metal types you can choose from are:

• White gold
• Yellow gold
• Rose gold
• Two-tone (stainless steel and gold – either rose gold or yellow gold)
• Stainless steel

Within the different models, the thing that tends to affect the price the most is the metal of the watch. For example, a Rolex Submariner 116610 in stainless steel retails at about $8700, but the exact same model in full yellow gold $3500 which goes to show that there’s an enormous price difference between gold and stainless steel. As such, this can also affect the choice of Rolex watch.

This brings us to the next point: your budget.

Budget

The last thing you want to consider for buying your first Rolex is your budget. Obviously, not all Rolex watches are created alike, and this is also reflected in the price. If you’re looking at retail price, Rolex watches start at around $5000, but if you don’t mind buying vintage and older watches, you can get some Rolex models for about $2500 and even less than that. The watches that are normally in this price range are Datejust, Oyster Perpetual, and Air-King Watches.

If you have a budget of $4000, it’s obvious that your budget isn’t enough for buying a brand new Rolex watch from the retailer. In this case, you may be able to get a brand new watch from a watch retailer like ourselves, or, you can get an older watch, which gives you a greater selection of watches to choose from.

Conclusion

Buying a Rolex watch is a special experience, no matter if you’re buying your first Rolex watch or adding another watch to your collection. It’s a decision that deserves a lot of thought and consideration to make sure you are completely satisfied with your purchase.

If you are looking to buy a Rolex watch, you are more than welcome to contact us at hello@millenarywatches.com and we will assist you in your purchase and help you find the ultimate watch for your budget and your preferences.