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Old 24 April 2018, 02:53 AM   #1
Zakual
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My first Rolex!

Hello all,

To cut a long story short I set a goal to have a Rolex by age 30 and fortunately I turned 27 this month and I am in a very lucky position to be able to buy my first luxury watch.

I am drawn to the sports models; Sub No-date and GMT2 Batman in particular.

My budget is c.£8k although at a push I could increase it with some persuasion (need to keep the girlfriend happy!).

Do any of you wise people have any advice or memories of your first purchase?

What do you consider to be a great first piece to start off a collection?

Regards
Zak
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Old 24 April 2018, 03:05 AM   #2
jstan9
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I have the BLNR Batman and Love it, so I’m biased. I think, at 27, it might be absolutely perfect. It’s five years old now, and, to me, already a classic in the storied history of the Rolex GMT.


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Old 24 April 2018, 03:10 AM   #3
Zakual
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I have the BLNR Batman and Love it, so I’m biased. I think, at 27, it might be absolutely perfect. It’s five years old now, and, to me, already a classic in the storied history of the Rolex GMT.


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Thanks for the reply jstan9!

I am currently comparing the 116710BLNR Batman and the 116610LV Hulk.

The angel on my shoulder says get a black on black sub no date for your first one, but the devil on my other shoulder is saying get something a bit different!

What do you think of the Hulk?
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Old 24 April 2018, 03:11 AM   #4
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No wrong choice there!
Personally, I bought the sub date when I was about your age, 25, but the BLNR wasn't out yet.
Good luck
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Old 24 April 2018, 03:17 AM   #5
Zakual
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No wrong choice there!
Personally, I bought the sub date when I was about your age, 25, but the BLNR wasn't out yet.
Good luck
Thanks mjclark32!

It's a tough call between black on black sub no-date which looks absolutely classic and elegant and the BLNR which looks beautiful but, (in my inexperienced opinion) looks a bit risky!
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Old 24 April 2018, 03:19 AM   #6
Zakual
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Originally Posted by jstan9 View Post
I have the BLNR Batman and Love it, so I’m biased. I think, at 27, it might be absolutely perfect. It’s five years old now, and, to me, already a classic in the storied history of the Rolex GMT.


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Thanks jstan9!

Forgive me if this is rude but did you buy new or pre-owned? I could save hundreds of £ buying pre-owned or an unworn piece. There is just something about being the first person to open the box that is seducing me into paying more cash!
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Old 24 April 2018, 03:28 AM   #7
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I would go with BLNR. My first (and only) Rolex doesn't have a date function and I wish it did. If I had more than one, I could live without the date function at times, but for a one and only the date is important, IMO. The multi-time-zone functionality of the GMT is convenient, too.
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Old 24 April 2018, 03:32 AM   #8
Zakual
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I would go with BLNR. My first (and only) Rolex doesn't have a date function and I wish it did. If I had more than one, I could live without the date function at times, but for a one and only the date is important, IMO. The multi-time-zone functionality of the GMT is convenient, too.
Buckeye4life, thank you for your advice.

The more I look at the BLNR the more I am falling in love with it.

Right now in the UK they are going for about £8.6k brand new which translates to $12k. Quite a premium!
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:02 AM   #9
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The BLNR would be absolutely perfect. I bought a SS GMT as my first Rolex and wore it day in and day out for 15 years- with shorts, jeans, t-shirts, dress shirts, suits, and tuxedoes. It’s the perfect all around watch.


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Old 24 April 2018, 04:21 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Zakual View Post
Thanks mjclark32!

It's a tough call between black on black sub no-date which looks absolutely classic and elegant and the BLNR which looks beautiful but, (in my inexperienced opinion) looks a bit risky!
Where's the risk They are stunning.

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Old 24 April 2018, 04:22 AM   #11
Sarosh
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The BLNR all day, everyday. It’s an absolute stunner of a watch. Dressed up or down. I love mine.
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:27 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Zakual View Post
Thanks jstan9!

Forgive me if this is rude but did you buy new or pre-owned? I could save hundreds of £ buying pre-owned or an unworn piece. There is just something about being the first person to open the box that is seducing me into paying more cash!
Really, you are paying for knowing the entire history of the piece and being able to put each scratch on it yourself.
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:28 AM   #13
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Get on the list for the new pepsi GMT and you'll have it by your 30th. The BLNR is a solid option as well.
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:28 AM   #14
Zakual
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[QUOTE=Wobbly;8514151]Where's the risk They are stunning.

Wobbly that is absolutely beautiful. That picture alone has sold the Batman to me, just need to find a UK supplier now and I already know I am going to be paying +£2k over retail....but I want it!!!
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:30 AM   #15
Zakual
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Get on the list for the new pepsi GMT and you'll have it by your 30th. The BLNR is a solid option as well.
I'm currently wearing a Bulova Sea-King and it's been great to me but I can't put up with it for another 3 years
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:30 AM   #16
Zakual
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Really, you are paying for knowing the entire history of the piece and being able to put each scratch on it yourself.
I like that concept and NEVER EVER get it polished or if I ever do come to sell, collectors will be put off right?
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:31 AM   #17
Zakual
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The BLNR all day, everyday. It’s an absolute stunner of a watch. Dressed up or down. I love mine.
Thank you for your kind advice, I am 100% going with the BLNR now :)
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:32 AM   #18
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My first Rolex was the BLNR. It's still my favorite. Black subs are a dime a dozen and don't hold any appeal for me though. I have the LVc, but it doesn't go with nearly every outfit (like the BLNR does!)
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:34 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Zakual View Post
Hello all,

To cut a long story short I set a goal to have a Rolex by age 30 and fortunately I turned 27 this month and I am in a very lucky position to be able to buy my first luxury watch.

I am drawn to the sports models; Sub No-date and GMT2 Batman in particular.

My budget is c.£8k although at a push I could increase it with some persuasion (need to keep the girlfriend happy!).

Do any of you wise people have any advice or memories of your first purchase?

What do you consider to be a great first piece to start off a collection?

Regards
Zak
If it's between these two, I certainly wouldn't have price be the determining factor of your decision. You'll see this advice a lot of this site: pick the watch that sings to you the most. There are varying positives and negatives to each of these watches. The BLNR is a beautiful watch but the Sub has it's own cult following, especially in this community. If you're open to the GMT, I think you should also consider the Sub date as well. Functionally speaking, it's pretty tough to compare the GMT to the Sub no-date.

The SS Sub and SS GMT are both excellent choices for a first Rolex. Both these watches are very versatile and can easily be dressed up and down. One thing to consider with the BLNR is the PCLs (polished center-links) and blue bezel. While to many of us it makes the watch absolutely beautiful, others find it a bit too "flashy" for every day wear. Just something to consider. Personally, if it was my first Rolex I'd take the BLNR over any SS sub (including the LVc).
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:40 AM   #20
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Thank you for your kind advice, I am 100% going with the BLNR now :)
Trust me 101% you won’t regret it!
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:41 AM   #21
Zakual
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My first Rolex was the BLNR. It's still my favorite. Black subs are a dime a dozen and don't hold any appeal for me though. I have the LVc, but it doesn't go with nearly every outfit (like the BLNR does!)
Thank you el-heffe, I hope to join the BLNR club very soon!
In my industry black subs are quite common, I want something different and the BLNR jumps out at me.
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Old 24 April 2018, 04:43 AM   #22
Zakual
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Icon10

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Originally Posted by Carry The Interest View Post
If it's between these two, I certainly wouldn't have price be the determining factor of your decision. You'll see this advice a lot of this site: pick the watch that sings to you the most. There are varying positives and negatives to each of these watches. The BLNR is a beautiful watch but the Sub has it's own cult following, especially in this community. If you're open to the GMT, I think you should also consider the Sub date as well. Functionally speaking, it's pretty tough to compare the GMT to the Sub no-date.

The SS Sub and SS GMT are both excellent choices for a first Rolex. Both these watches are very versatile and can easily be dressed up and down. One thing to consider with the BLNR is the PCLs (polished center-links) and blue bezel. While to many of us it makes the watch absolutely beautiful, others find it a bit too "flashy" for every day wear. Just something to consider. Personally, if it was my first Rolex I'd take the BLNR over any SS sub (including the LVc).
Thank you for your advice. I would prefer the bracelet to be brushed steel rather than polished centre links, however I will most likely buy an after market blue rubber strap for everyday use and save the bracelet for special occasions!
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Old 24 April 2018, 07:01 AM   #23
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Congrats, great looking watch a real stunner. I think it looks great with the black rubber bandb
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Old 24 April 2018, 07:16 AM   #24
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[QUOTE=Zakual;8514181]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wobbly View Post
Where's the risk They are stunning.

Wobbly that is absolutely beautiful. That picture alone has sold the Batman to me, just need to find a UK supplier now and I already know I am going to be paying +£2k over retail....but I want it!!!
I waited just under a year for mine. Put your name down at your local AD and forget about it, you will have it soon enough and save the £2k premium
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Old 25 April 2018, 02:10 AM   #25
Zakual
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Just a quick update all!

I had a Rolex Submariner Date on order, I cancelled it yesterday and today I have ordered the BLNR. I wish I had the patience to wait for an AD however I was advised there were 35 names ahead of me and given an expected time frame of 12-24 months! So I am paying a premium...but I think it is worth every penny!

Expecting delivery this Friday - I cannot wait!
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Old 25 April 2018, 02:14 AM   #26
Carry The Interest
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Originally Posted by Zakual View Post
Just a quick update all!

I had a Rolex Submariner Date on order, I cancelled it yesterday and today I have ordered the BLNR. I wish I had the patience to wait for an AD however I was advised there were 35 names ahead of me and given an expected time frame of 12-24 months! So I am paying a premium...but I think it is worth every penny!

Expecting delivery this Friday - I cannot wait!
Congrats man! I think you made an excellent decision! I'm sure you must be very excited for the watch to arrive. Make sure to follow up with pictures once you have it on your wrist!
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Old 25 April 2018, 02:40 AM   #27
Zakual
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Congrats man! I think you made an excellent decision! I'm sure you must be very excited for the watch to arrive. Make sure to follow up with pictures once you have it on your wrist!
Thanks! It's really addictive isn't it?
When I was researching I fell in love with the Submariner, the Daytona, the DeepSea, I even found myself admiring DateJusts.

I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a very expensive hobby
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Old 25 April 2018, 02:42 AM   #28
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My first was a 5 digit Seadweller. I wish I still had it

Any professional Rolex model is a solid way place to start.
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Old 25 April 2018, 03:01 AM   #29
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Congrats on reaching your goal ! Great choice of watch which I'm sure you love wearing. But please don't let the "addiction" get the best of guy and get sucked into paying above list often - Pure silliness even if you have throw away money.

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Old 25 April 2018, 04:08 AM   #30
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Congrats! Both would have been fine in this case. Pics when you receive!
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