Luxury is relative...but for me, luxury was a Tag when I started off working( 1995). I bought a 4000 series when I got my first year bonus. I was so very happy and proud of the watch. Please understand that I come from your typical average Malaysian family living in a terrace house and having parents that drive a Proton.
Along the lines, I fell in love in an IWC (2002) and got myself the 3706 after many many years of owning my one and only Tag. I bought it purely because I love the looks of the watch.
Then itchy backside me was walking around one fine day and chanced upon the Ball Engineer Master II diver GMT (2008), black dial and gold indices. The price was reasonable and I just couldn't help myself but to purchase it.
So far...I only bought watches on the average of one piece every six years. Which I thought was not too bad.
Got married not too long after and my firstborn joined us in 2011 and finally bought my very first Rolex. It was the Milgauss GV that caught my eye. Long story as to why I came to that decision, and that will be a story for another day.
2014, for my 40th birthday I got myself the GS SBGR 083 (Sold off the IWC to help fund this) as it really caught my eye and being limited to only 700 pieces worldwide, it was a real bargain for the price.
2015, while on a working trip to Frankfurt, Germany...I chanced upon the Nomos Orion 380 while walking around town. Price was also reasonable and my credit card came out faster than Wyatt Earp can draw his six shooter.
Thank you for bearing with me so far and that is my timeline for watch purchases to date.
That said...if I knew then, what I know now...if one can afford it...I would go Rolex first. The price, built quality, heritage is really bang for buck if you really think about it.
Most of the forum has already suggested that you go down that path, and so would I. Good luck and happy hunting...
Patrick