My older son graduated Summa Cum Laude from high school in 1989. I asked him what he’d like for a present and he said “a Rolex”. I bought him an Air King from a local jeweler for about $900. After a week or so I thought gee if my 18 year old has a Rolex, I should get one too, so I bought another Air King for myself. When my wife saw how nice our watches were, she wanted one too. The Ladies Air King cost 50% more than the men’s model, since they’re so much smaller. Two years later Son #2 said he wanted one too but with a different color face. My local jeweler told me I’m his best Rolex customer and asked if I had any more kids, and I said no, that’s the end of our Rolex purchases. That same watch 30+ years later sells for $3099+ used.
My first Rolex was an AirKing, purchased new in 1982 in the Bahamas for $400. That watch today is over $6k. I wore it for fifteen years and traded it for $900.
