Should I buy a Rolex Submariner?

[monokakata]

I bought a Submariner in Fiji in 1968 for $130, and wore it for years. It was really handy in the rain forest, and when I started running, the movable bezel worked as a kind of stopwatch (this was before LCD wrist chronometers).

Eventually I stopped wearing it, mostly because it was big and heavy and needed reconditioning.

Also, having a Rolex had gotten to the point that other posters have mentioned -- having to explain or apologize.

It's true that a stainless steel Submariner doesn't require as much explanation as a gold one or one with diamonds and all that crap, especially when it's fairly beaten up, as mine is.

Eventually my son took it and he wears it now and then, in NYC.

 

[slick316]

Buy it if you like it. Plain and simple. Don't let people tell you why you should or shouldn't get it.

Everyone makes purchases that others find stupid or questionable, so what? Buy it for yourself, because you like it and want it.

Make your own decision and live with it.

 

[JohnLT13]

Out of curiosity, why do you wear it?

Its a watch, why does anyone wear a watch? Need to tell time maybe?

Nice try but I never told him not to buy a watch, I told him to buy a better one than a cheesy rolex.

What you told him was " Bling of a drug dealer" You know a lot of drug dealers?

 

[Mr. McMac]

This thread has become silly. Arguing over whether or not this young guy should own a Rolex is ridicules. It's his money. If he wan't to spend it on a watch that's way overpriced, that's his businesses. Enough said....

 

[mtasquared]

Mac is the Rolex of the computing world.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Its a watch, why does anyone wear a watch? Need to tell time maybe?

But any watch can tell time, which is why I asked why you bought the Rolex if aesthetics had nothing to do with it. This is a friendly question, nothing more...

 

[JohnLT13]

But any watch can tell time, which is why I asked why you bought the Rolex if aesthetics had nothing to do with it. This is a friendly question, nothing more...

It was an anniversary gift from my wife.

 

[mobilehaathi]

It was an anniversary gift from my wife.

Ahhhh, now I understand.

 

[eric/]

This thread has become silly. Arguing over whether or not this young guy should own a Rolex is ridicules. It's his money. If he wan't to spend it on a watch that's way overpriced, that's his businesses. Enough said....

Well he asked for advice. So... yeah

OP, I wouldn't do it. Take a trip somewhere, or spend it on other stuff. The watch, at your age, just isn't worth it.

 

[Zmmyt]

no. simple as that. in my opinion it's a silly thing to do.

they are pretty ugly to begin with and such a waste of money which could be spend much more wisely.

 

[Comeagain?]

Out of curiosity, why do you wear it?

To tell time. Why do You?

 

[mobilehaathi]

To tell time. Why do You?

I'd refer you to post #31.

 

[Happybunny]

Hey Ya'll,
Im 19 almost 20 years old. Im debating to spend the money on a Rolex. Ive earned the money and want to go with Rolex in case I ever want to sell it, and I love the look. Kind of worried if people will think im to young? What do ya'll think? Looking at the Submariner, dad has the Yachtmaster and loves it.
Be honest! My parents think its a great investment and ill have it forever, just want some more opinions my some watch lovers.
Thanks a lot,
Griff

Have you tried this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_8-Ball

 

[jwingfie]

Hey OP, the sooner you do what you want and not what random people on the internet want, the better off you will be.

 

[jf1450]

Get a $200 Seiko and donate the rest to Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). Help somebody that has difficulty helping themselves. You might just feel better about it.

Jeff

 

[Maddix]

Take note that many people here have no clue why a $5000 Rolex is probably less accurate than a $20 watch from Wal-Mart.
I don't like the cyclops or date magnifier on Rolex's.

 

[Arran]

My general rule about stuff: Own nothing that you'd be upset to lose.

 

[GermanyChris]

If I were going to spend 3500 on a gift to me it wouldn't be on any kind of computer. I probably wouldn't spend it on anything but a watch. Watches are beautiful mechanical things, you either get that or you don't. If it were my 3-5K though I'd not get a Rolex even a stainless submariner I'd look around for something more personal and unique.

 

[elistan]

Two posts, both in this thread.

Nothing to see here folks...

Fascinating. Why would somebody join MacRumors specifically to ask advice on putchasing a watch? Why not someplace like 6speedonline which has a dedicated watch sub-forum? Perhaps they've been a lurker here for a while and like the community?

 

[artschool]

Hey Ya'll,
Im 19 almost 20 years old. Im debating to spend the money on a Rolex. Ive earned the money and want to go with Rolex in case I ever want to sell it, and I love the look. Kind of worried if people will think im to young? What do ya'll think? Looking at the Submariner, dad has the Yachtmaster and loves it.
Be honest! My parents think its a great investment and ill have it forever, just want some more opinions my some watch lovers.
Thanks a lot,
Griff

definitely buy a submariner. its got a great heritage and the newest version has a much improved catch. only hard decision is whether you get a date or non date. some people like the cyclops other don't.

----------

Take note that many people here have no clue why a $5000 Rolex is probably less accurate than a $20 watch from Wal-Mart.
I don't like the cyclops or date magnifier on Rolex's.

i dont like the cyclops either, but you can get the non date or the seadweller, neither of which have the magnifier.

 

[carlgo]

Consider a refurb Rolex. Sold at actual Rolex dealers, they are fully rebuilt, look like new and have a long warranty. I don't know about an investment, but they do hold their value and will be just as good 50 years from now.

The older, basic stainless model is very understated and elegant. Kind of vintage and not too big. One could even get an actual vintage, collectable watch. But get one that can be fixed, that has parts available. Rolex is evidently good at having parts. Of course there are other excellent brands as well.

Tacky? Compared to cell phones?!!!!! Not even close. Cell phones have evolved into the tackiest device of all time, certainly by far the most annoying and "look at me!" device ever.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Fascinating. Why would somebody join MacRumors specifically to ask advice on putchasing a watch? Why not someplace like 6speedonline which has a dedicated watch sub-forum? Perhaps they've been a lurker here for a while and like the community?

Given the nature of the post and the lack of posting history, it is reasonable to suspect the OP is just trying to stir up trouble.

 

[snberk103]

...
Be honest! My parents think its a great investment ....
Griff

Can someone explain to be how this is an 'investment?" In my world one invests with the hope that you will eventually have more money, above and beyond the rate of inflation. Either through the later sale of the investment, or by getting some monetary return during the life of the investment. Do Rolex watches increase in value as they get used? Cool! Can you charge people for telling them the "Rolex Time"?

====

One place I worked at, long ago, one of the developers took regular trips to either Thailand or Mexico - mostly Mexico. But when he returned from Thailand he would always bring back half a dozen 'Rolex' watches (wink wink) that he'd pick up for cheap. A couple of which he would take with him on his trips to Mexico so that if was hit up for a bribe by Mexican customs or a police officer, he could 'allow' the officer to have the Rolex instead of cash. His system seemed to work well for him - he says he saved lots of money that way.

 

[monokakata]

Do Rolex watches increase in value as they get used?

Potentially yes. Mine certainly did. I was given to understand that it was worth maybe $3000 in 2010, up considerably from $130 in 1968. I'm not about to fire up Excel and work out what the rate of increase was, and what 1968 dollars were worth in 2010, because that's not the point.

Point is that it increased in value quite considerably -- but over nearly 45 years. Maybe the OP intends to hang onto his for a long time.

I bought mine because it did exactly what I needed a watch to do, at that time (be extremely rugged, completely waterproof and keep the best time possible), and there were few other watches that did (and that a graduate student could think about buying). I never regretted buying it and it performed perfectly for me.

To put it in some perspective, it cost me just over twice the amount I was paying for monthly rent back in Cambridge, so it wasn't a big wallet-buster.

Right now I'm wearing a plastic Casio that keeps much better time. It should last a couple of years at least. I'm long past worrying about what's on my wrist. On the rare occasions I have to dress up, and the Casio would look kind of weird, I just don't wear a watch at all. Someplace I have a Movado with a run-down battery that I don't care about enough to get replaced.

Some people care about these things. I'm not going to argue with them. I'd advise the OP not to do it, but if he does I'm not going to make fun of him.

 

[snberk103]

Potentially yes. Mine certainly did. I was given to understand that it was worth maybe $3000 in 2010, up considerably from $130 in 1968. I'm not about to fire up Excel and work out what the rate of increase was, and what 1968 dollars were worth in 2010, because that's not the point. ...

Just for fun... I looked up a couple of inflation calculators. Your $130 1968 dollars would have been worth between $830 to $860 (more or less) had you invested in something that simply kept up with inflation. So, in the sense of an investment.... you certainly did well.

While I may not think spending that money at that age on a watch is wise, I wish I could say I was wise at that age too. So... I also agree that this is the OP's decision.

My main quibble was the rationalization of the watch as an "investment". I doubt that the word was being used in the monetary sense. If they want to buy it they should just buy it, and not ask for advice. Sigh....