The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I know exactly what you mean Driver, I have a Datejust II with diamond markers that was gifted to me, I put it on a very nice crocodile strap to give it a dressier look, worked amazingly for me, Rolex purists nearly lynched me. Someone actually asked if my bad taste was hereditary

To be honest, I am of two minds on Rolex these days. On one hand, they are amazingly built and are a very good value, and their resale is incomparable. The only brand I can think of where every model is an icon. maybe excluding the Celini, and every model does what it needs to superbly well. On the other hand, they are so popular and common, and so loved by non-WIS for the wrong, annoying reasons that I just don't wear mine. I see a Datejust, Sub, or GMT Master everyday on 20 people in the office, and countless others on the street! Why would I want to wear one when I can put on something unique and interesting?

I really do like the Sky Dweller though, the innovation and usefulness outdo the likeness to the common Datejust, a Blue dial Sky Dweller would be all the Rolex I need.

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Certified watch nut.

Yes I said in another thread recently, I think that for what Rolex DO (i.e. make very robust, immaculately finished, iconic, incredibly classic and timeless, tool/sports watches) then they are really tough to beat. They aren't haute-horlogerie ; with the exception of the Skydweller they aren't making complicated movements - but what they are doing is making incredibly functional, simple but well-made and,in my experience, deadly accurate sport watches.

I guess where you are in the world Altair, you probably see a lot more Rolex in the wild than I do (although I do see a few Subs the office), but I agree they are often the obvious choice for non-WIS who wake up and decide they want a "decent" watch. I only have a BLNR at the moment (I sold my LV and Deepsea), but the only other ones that I'm interested in are the SD43 - perfect size for a Rolex IMO - and the steel Skydweller. I actually really like the black dial version..... which is handy for me as the blue is harder to come by!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

That's a very accurate way of summing up Rolex Driver. Yes over here Rolex is the standard gift from parents to their kids as graduation gifts, makes the brand totally unappealing to me.

That said, I do like the direction they are heading with reducing supply, I say hold on to your Rolexes as they will increase in value dramatically in the coming years. If Rolex go the route my AD thinks they are going: Reducing supply, installing sapphire case backs, working on upgrading their finishing, they might be interesting again.

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Certified watch nut.

The prices on the secondhand market are going bananas at the moment for Rolex SS sports models. If I'd held on to my old Sub LV, I'd have made £10K on it by now, looking at prices they're currently going for.

Interesting that your AD thinks Rolex are contemplating going down the display back route : would you say he's a reputable source, or do you think he's just spitballing? This is the first I'd heard about display backs,...... but I like the idea for certain models!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

He is the biggest distributor in the Middle East, and visits Rolex HQ yearly. I think he might have heard something. Might be just him guessing.

I can see the logic, the market for mechanical watches in general has hit an all time low with the rise of smart watches, aka the bane of my existence.( I hate them with a passion and devotion that is unlike me) and it might be Rolex’s move to sell less at a higher price point. Exclusivity and rarity would increase appeal, but that would have to be justified with quality and focus on high end watch making. The Sky Dweller is a sign Rolex is changing things up.


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Certified watch nut.

The only good thing I think smart watches bring to the party is getting a whole new generation of people wearing a watch again. Hopefully a few will tire of the expense of the planned obsolescence of smart watches, and will gravitate to something a little more classy and that will potentially outlive them.

Not a bad theory your AD has there. I'm interested to see what "the Crown" brings to Baselworld in '19 (assuming they even go of course!).

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Driver8

Site Moderator