The enthusiasts rolex?

Best all-arounder? My vote would be the Explorer I.

just get the one you like best...that status symbol blabla is a load of bollocks anyway in my opinion....nobody cares about watches....99,99% of all people don´t care what is on your wrist....you buy the watch for yourself, not for the opinion of other people, you are the one that have to look at it.

If you really like a watch, you would not buy it because, in your thoughts, maybe, somebody, somebody you don´t even know, might think perhaps, you or wearing a status symbol? Pfff, come on, you really give 2 shits?

If you like the Sub the most, just get the Sub....or whatever model you like....get what you like, just my opinion

Datejust? The longest model in production, the first watch to have the jubilee bracelet, the first watch to have a cyclops and a million variants in size and configuration?

A pretty strong GADA. Plus it's the only Rolex I own!

I think either of the Explorers or the Oyster Perpetual if you want a more understated model, could go for a slightly older sub though, pre polished centre links, they’re not too in your face

For me it would be a vintage Rolex perpetual calendar chronograph from the 1950s...

The problem is you need about $200k to afford one 🥺

My choice would be a SS Panda Daytona 16520 from 1993

I don’t often sell my watches especially to friends but I was tired of a few Rolex watches that I still owned not some of my vintage models but a few Datejusts and two Subs( before the insanity of more recent years). The Datejust were quickly purchased by a friend who wanted Rollies for his sons, the Subs eventually bought by a man who sold his half of a professional services business and looking to upgrade his $18usd Miami special Pepsi. My watches were full set but he just wanted the timepieces, did not care about the boxes or papers, the documents were kept with my other papers but the boxes I did toss. We are good acquaintances so we would meet occasionally with other mutual friends for a group lunch or coffees, he never wore his new subs still sporting the fake watch from Miami. Finally he admitted that many of his quite wealthy friends were giving him a hard time about the Rolex watches as being ostentatious, show off items that betrayed his humble background. Additionally the somewhat tool Rolex watches were lightly regarded by some of the newer persons that he and his wife were socializing with after he suddenly became a multi millionaire with the sale of his business to his former partner. He was sort of blaming me for selling the Rolex subs to him said the Datejust models might have been a better fit. I reminded him nobody looks at your watches unless it is another watch guy. He agreed but asked me to buy back the two subs for the sake of our friendship. I don’t even take out books from a public library suggested he take the subs to a respected buyer seller who will treat him fairly but is a business guy after all. A sale was worked out after I produced the original papers but a lessor offer was made due to the missing boxes. I have met with my friend only once since his return from Florida and I expect to see him once more before he leaves Canada in December to escape the winter. We used to meet once every few weeks, he remains one of the nicest most genuine guys anybody can meet. Of course he was hammered in selling the subs to the buyer/ seller guy but is now also miffed that he didn’t sell during the recent hyped period. One of his friends said that it always a mistake to buy a watch from a watch guy, just bad luck! Haha.

Vintage Explorer II. Love the patina. Not mine.

For daily wear I say the Explorer I or a subdued DJ.

I've never seen that one, quite nice. Like the steel bezel. Is it yours?

The “status symbol the brand brings” will apply to any Rolex when it comes to the general public, just as any other luxury brand will for anyone who knows the prices of these things; I’d ignore that if I were you — that was a mistake I made early on in my journey that robbed me of the enjoyment of a lot of watches; fcuk what anyone else thinks … if you like it and can afford it comfortably, life is too short.

If you want a GADA Rolex that’s not the Sub, my vote will be for either a DJ smooth bezel (oyster or jubilee) or an OP41. If you can find them on the secondary market for a decent price, the Explorer 39 and a black Milgauss also fit the bill. What’s your budget by the way?

I feel like this watch is a secret gem of the line, the Datejust Turn-o-Graph. I don’t own one, actually have never seen one in person, but the size, the rotating bezel and the little pop of red on the date and seconds hand tie it all together for me as unique but still class, and I hope they don’t get too pricey by the time I meet my savings goal to pick one up.

Explorer II is also a phenomenal looking piece imo

Explorer if you want a daily wear. Datejust if you like something dressier. Any other depending on what you like...i also wear both so either can be gada if you like

While the Explorer is a definitive answer, I think the Datejust gives more universal appeal and is the silhouette of what people think of when they think "Rolex". Explorer is definitely a grail, but for my money it's the Datejust for me.

I have a few different models but I'm with you on the Explorer. I own the older model. I dont really give a rat's ass what other people think..Nobody cares what watch Im wearing that day other then all of us here!! LOL

Either Explorer, IMHO.

Any Rolex is a long term asset that the investment community has hijacked for potential gain. It's better to just enjoy them as the quality timepieces they are whichever model you have.

Don't know about other enthusiasts, but the Milgauss is the Rolex for me. As someone who aspires to be a scientist in some way, shape, or form (I might be closer than I think; I'm applying to uni at the end of the year and crossing my fingers for a scholarship,) the story behind it really hits that special part of my brain. I am much more partial to Rolex now than I was before. I used to be the "tool watches are for tools" type, but the bug is making its way inside. The green sapphire and orange lightning bolt seconds hand are the cherries on top for me. I really hope Rolex brings it back before prices go up and away and I'll be able to afford one when the time comes.

If the Milgauss is out of the question, my choice is the Oyster Perpetual. Yes, it's the cheapest and most "boring" Rolex out there, but it's simplicity is its charm. I particularly love the balls dial (ahem, "celebration dial.")

One model cruelly overlooked by enthusiasts is the Oyster Precision. Vintage only and one of the cheapest out there. I was about 95% of the price away, being a broke teenager, but I saw a lovely example being sold on a boutique's website. As a lover of all things '50s, my heart was stolen.

(Not an Oyster Precision, but very similar to the Precision I saw for sale a while back, which has likely been sold)

The Milgaus would be the one for me but alas they are no more (though there is the gray market I suppose) so long live the airking.

I'm admittedly biased.

This is the most understated model in my opinion and probably what I'd buy, if I wasn't so pissed at Rolex and their crap dealer network. Rolex Air-King (116900)

Personally I love the simple look and I'm sure that wearing it would get me looked down on enough by the Rolex fan boys at Top Golf to make me smile 😀

I think the Explorer I does the best job of playing both sporty and dressy if you need it to be.

The sub is sporty, not that dressy

The Datejust with fluted bezel is dressy but not as sporty

Explorer II is most tooly, not so dressy

GMT Master II is probably the most eye catching with the coloured bezels

Sorry, I know it is early in the morning here but none of this makes sense...You are telling this story..why?

Yes it is early I wanted to explain my experience with a friend who wanted a Rolex for reasons that he did not know himself. After all a watch is just a watch. It was not my intention to confuse or waste members’ time.

Best,

J

No worries...I was just curious..

My wife cautions me about my stories, she suggests that I return to the daily grind and make a few extra dollars.

Cheers,

J