21 Y/O Kid -- wants Rolex; Hmmm?

[116618wannabee]

Hard working kid -- been sweating my 16610 watch for years.

His BD is next week. My wife says wait till he graduates college. I say 21st BD gift - give him my 18 year old watch.

Looking for validation "see honey, the Rolex community says ....."

Anyone? Anyone?

[Jason71]

Don't do it. Not the time yet IMHO

[joe100]

Wait until after college. Definately.

[dysondiver]

buy him a timex ,, see if hes grown up enough to look after it ,,, then progress...


i got a puppy , instead of a baby ,, girlfriend is long gone ,,,


me and my dog still live together the very best ,,,
hth

[zama]

Wait till he graduates, but by all means tell him what you expect until he hits that mark.

[mjclark32]

Sounds like a great graduation gift to me. I graduated with a couple friends who received watches for graduation (one a sub another a GMT). I bought my first "nice watch" (IWC AT) at 22/23 years old. You know if he deserves it, do what you think is right.

[samsam]

I say why not. 21 is a good milestone.


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[bobznew]

I can provide a unique perspective, because I was once a 22 y/o who had a luxury watch given to him as a graduation present.

When I graduated college, my father gave me a choice between a vintage Patek (1960's model similar to the Calatrava of today) and his everyday Submariner. I chose the Patek.

Fast forward to today. I have worn the PP on less than a handful of occasions, and to this day it sits in a lock box at the bank. I'm about to have it appraised and serviced in order to trade it in or sell it and apply the funds to a new watch of my own that I pick out.

My point is not to say "I wish I had chosen the Submariner over the PP when I was given the gift." My point is to say that I didn't appreciate the watch as much as my father appreciated it in his lifetime. It was a wonderful gift, but I wasn't the type of person at 22 y/o who understood what was being given to me. Now at 35 y/o, I do understand, but I still don't want the PP as much as I want a Rolex of my own, which I have chosen.

If I had shown interest in my father's watch(es) prior to graduating, that would've made this a different story. As it was, my father was basically throwing a very nice watch at me as a gift, yet I didn't properly appreciate it, because it wasn't "my thing".

Before giving such a wonderful item to a young person, I would take careful inventory of his interest in watches, Rolex brand, etc.

Of course, his reaction may be 180 degrees different than my own, who knows? Good luck either way. Your son is very fortunate that his father is actually considering something like this.

[toph]

Why not? You know more than anyone if he deserves it and is ready for it. A boy has to grow up some day.

[bobznew]

Originally Posted by 116618wannabee

Hard working kid -- been sweating my 16610 watch for years.

I didn't read your post thoroughly I see.

I say if he's interested, then why not? My issue was that I wasn't interested when the PP was given to me.

He will likely appreciate it.

[jay1988]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Don't do it. Not the time yet IMHO

What information are you using to draw the conclusion that it's not time yet? We barely know anything about him.

I know many 21 year old guys who I would never give a Rolex too.

I also know a 21 year old who set up a company a few days after his 18th birthday and sold it a few months ago. He's practically retired and he's only a few months shy of 22. I wouldn't begrudge that guy a Patek if he was into watches.

I would lean towards giving him it tbh. 21 is a pretty big birthday. He's a hard worker. Wanted it for ages. It's certainly a gift you can give that he can keep forever and say "my Dad gave this to me on my 21st."

Only you can decide if it's right. You say he's a hard working kid. Do you think he would take care of it? Trying to be as objective as possible, does he deserve it? You're also giving him your 18 year old watch. It's not like you're buying another one.

[Jim Smyth]

So if he gets it now does Dad get a new watch?

[H_tony11]

I would say wait until he graduated from college.
It will give him more sentimental value and more mature to understand the aspect of receiving luxury good which you have kept all this time.but hey thats my opinion, u should do what u think its right.

[cop414]

Tough call, is he "into" watches? Mature enough to understand what's being given to him, understands the costs involved in the future as far as servicing? I first was of the opinion, wait until graduation but would hold judgement until I knew the answers to these questions. I'd still probably wait till graduation though.

[Furbo]

We can't give you an answer, you know if he deserves it. I think it will mean more to him while he is still in college.

[1William]

If he is a hard working and good young man and he is into watches I say why not. I think life is to short to get bogged down. You know if it is the right thing based on your sons actions and outlook.

[Roller07]

Wait until he graduates from college. Birthdays are overrated.

[trumpedaces]

I would say wait until after he graduates from college, incentive the gift. Maybe a fresh service and transfer of ownership once he graduates (with honors! lol)

[HogwldFLTR]

I say the heart knows no wrong. If he'll appreciate it, 21 is good. College graduation has so much going on to mark it. At 21 it will really stand out and make that year special. I don't have anything to mark that year in my life other that knowing it was there. A watch would have been so cool. YMMV.

[tkerrmd]

Anytime is the right time to receive a Rolex as a gift, for me the sooner the better to start the WIS training, if he is a good kid he will understand appreciate what the watch means to both you and him. My kids do. And the joy we get out of enjoying our watches together is priceless....

[subtona]

should be fine if hes proven himself so far to be responsible, i say go for it.

[Ector495]

It's your watch to give. Make the decision you feel is best and stick with it. I'm sure your son will take good care of it if he's a hard worker and appreciates nice things. I would insure it before if you haven't already, just incase.

[kam1]

Originally Posted by Furbo

We can't give you an answer, you know if he deserves it. I think it will mean more to him while he is still in college.

Agree with this, assuming he meant after college. And just think if he becomes obsessed with Rolexes like the rest of us at his age!

[Nissanzx1]

Give it to him now, on the condition it's never to be sold. No time like the present. Also, you might suggest he insures it under a personal articles policy (at least for a few years) as I remember my 20's well... I would hate for some young girl to swipe it off his night stand!

When I was 21, I had a few Rolex's and I was more anal about them than I am now. Only mistake I made at that time was flipping up into the next piece...

Cheers,

-GH

[JJL]

Tough call. From my personal experience I'd want to say give it to him after he graduates college. I went to school in the city (Providence RI) and it wasn't the safest environment. With all the crazy stuff a college kid gets into over the years, I don't see the need to have a luxury watch on his wrist - it's just a higher % of something happening to hit (scratched up, lost, stolen, etc...)

On the flip side, I do have a few friends who's parents bought them Rolexes after graduating high school, and they were fine with it through college and still wear them today.

I think it's fine if you decide to, but I also think there is a higher risk associated with it. The kids in college, he doesn't need a Rolex right now. IMO.

[iazrollie]

He's hard working, reward him.

[kilyung]

As long as you're willing to let it go and not stress over it (he is 21yo), then sure present it to him.

[BoomerSooner]

I received mine after high school and took good care of it because it was my father's. College was fine and even graduate school.

Go for it and get yourself something new too.

[watchwatcher]

Yes, give it to him. Absolutely.

[Brenngun]

Listen to your wife on this one. Graduating from college is a much bigger accomplishment than a 21st birthday. It would reinforce the message that hard work brings rewards both personal and otherwise.