Alright, so I’ve been meaning to share this for a bit. It’s about how I ended up with this Rolex 36 Datejust. It wasn’t an overnight thing, lemme tell ya. More like a slow burn, then a bit of a chase.
Why a Datejust 36, you ask?
Well, for a long time, I just wore whatever watch was around. Nothing fancy. But you get to a point, you know? You want something that feels… well, solid. Something that’ll last. I looked at a bunch of stuff, online mostly, sometimes peering into shop windows. Lots of flashy things out there, big watches, complicated watches. But I kept coming back to the Datejust. And the 36mm size, that just felt right for me. Not trying to make a huge statement, just wanted something classic, something that could go with pretty much anything.
I figured, if I’m gonna get one good watch, this is the one. It’s got history, it’s not too in-your-face. Simple, really. My thinking was, get the one you really want, even if it takes a bit more effort.
The Hunt – Oh Boy, The Hunt
So, decision made. Easy part done, right? Wrong. Finding one, that was the actual “practice” part. I started by doing the usual stuff:
- Popped into a few authorized dealers. Nice shops, polite people. But “the list”… yeah, everyone knows about the list. They’d take my name, smile, and I knew it was a long shot.
- I wasn’t in a crazy rush, so I thought, okay, I’ll be patient. For a while.
- Checked online forums, just to see what other folks were saying, what their experiences were. You learn a lot that way, see what’s realistic.
Honestly, at some points, I almost gave up. Thought maybe I’d look at something else. But I had that specific Datejust 36 in my head – the dial color, the bracelet style. When you fixate on something, it’s hard to shake it. I even considered going the pre-owned route, but for my first one, I kinda wanted that new experience, you know?
The “Aha!” Moment
Months went by. I’d casually check in with a dealer I’d built a bit of a rapport with. Not pestering them, just a friendly “anything new?” kind of chat. And then, one day, out of the blue, I got a call. They had something very close to what I was looking for. Not 100% the exact configuration I first dreamed of, but man, it was close enough, and it was beautiful.
I went down there pretty quick. Sat down, they brought it out. That feeling, when you see it in person after all that time… yeah, it’s something. I knew right then and there, this was it. No more hunting. No more waiting.
The paperwork didn’t take too long. Swiped the card. Shook some hands. Walked out with a heavier wrist and a lighter wallet, but feeling pretty darn good.
Living With It
So, what’s it like actually having it? It’s great. Seriously. It’s just a watch, at the end of the day. It tells time. But it’s also a reminder of the patience, the little bit of legwork. It feels good on the wrist. Solid, like I wanted. It’s not something I show off, it’s more of a personal thing. I look down, see it, and it just makes me feel… satisfied.
It’s funny, you go through all that effort, and then it just becomes part of your day. But a good part. No regrets at all. It was a bit of a journey, but that’s what makes it mine, I guess. Just wanted to share how it all went down for me.
