Yes I know the old adage about opinions being like ****holes in that everyone has one, but if you could have one Rolex sports watch and one only, what would the quintessential choice be?
My impression is that the GMT seems particularly popular at the moment, whilst the date sub appears to be the classic "safe" option and the Yacht Master the left field choice.
So at first glance it would be a date sub - but is that actually the case?
I'm looking to chop in my entire collection (aside for a DJ and a full sized auto pre-bond Seamaster) for one in a bid to reduce servicing costs to a sensible level, so I'm keen to know what the general consensus is, or if there even is one...
I think you summed it up in your opening para. Horses for courses and each to his own and all that. It even extends to the new v vintage debate with some preferring the new Ceramic versions and others hunting out the older 4 and 5 digit versions. I personally am very much in the latter camp.
My favourite Rolex sports watches would be the DRSD, a 5512 or 5513, a 1675 and 16520 Zenith Daytona.
Last edited by Wallasey Runner; 12th August 2020 at 11:02.
Here's mine,the 1016
Like you say, opinion only but If I had to sell all bar 1 it would be the sub no date I would keep. I always wanted one growing up and it was my grail watch for many years.
Clean, classic design. Functional and wear for any occasion.
upload photos
Last edited by TonyAFC8; 12th August 2020 at 13:16.
For me the 42mm Polar Explorer II. You don't tend so see loads of them about. It is fully brushed and the white dial is really quite nice.
We know what they look like, but just for the hell of it.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
I’m in the Explorer camp. All my others could go but I’d have to keep an Explorer I and an 40mm Explorer II Polar.
Surely that depends on who you ask and what they want from a watch.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Beautiful watch. These don’t get much recognition but they are stunning.Originally Posted by noidea
For me the 42mm Polar Explorer II. You don't tend so see loads of them about. It is fully brushed and the white dial is really quite nice.
We know what they look like, but just for the hell of it.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A friend of mine received a black one of these as a wedding present - they're pretty much the perfect all rounder.For me the 42mm Polar Explorer II. You don't tend so see loads of them about. It is fully brushed and the white dial is really quite nice.
We know what they look like, but just for the hell of it.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
If I had the funds for three I think it'd be one of these, a DJ and a sub.
I'm thinking a sub is the way to go.
One watch I'll be replacing is a PO and although I love it I find myself wearing much smaller watches these days, so a sub feels like a good replacement.
I just sold my Sub as at 40mm it was a bit small for my changing tastes.
I can't see the Explorer going anywhere, it is probably one of my favourites. As you say a perfect all rounder.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
It’s all based on your lifestyle really. My favourite Rolex sport would be a vintage Pepsi. But I couldn’t have that as my only one as it wouldn’t be right for my daily wear or on holidays as I tend to be in and out the sea on holiday and prefer a tougher watch for general use.
So for me by 14060 is perfect. Slim enough, simple dial and tough.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My usual watch when in Spain where I am in and out to the pool or in the sea 2 or 3 times daily is my 1655 Explorer11. It was designed for a rough life, so why fret about it.
There is something satisfying in using an old watch as it was intended. All you have to do is keep it well serviced.
Without getting to silly money I think it would have to be a 114060 Sub ND from the current collection or a good SD 16600. Failing those a 14060M would do the job well.
https://i.imgur.com/o41p4zG.jpg
I'd have to say this one for me. As an alternative I would add my voice to those saying Polar Explorer.
Whilst I don't have any strong feelings either way, the no-date version of the sub does feel like the perfect incarnation, with the DJ being the more natural setting for a cyclops. An Explorer II is what I'd most likely look at next to fill the gap between the two.
I only wish I'd bought an SD when I had the chance a few years ago - when I look at the current prices of them now they were a comparative bargain back then.
There is nothing more Rolex than a 16610 in my view
Last edited by Vanguard; 12th August 2020 at 12:42.
Any Oyster Perpetual design. That’s the genius of Rolex. Just add marketing.
"Quintessential" IMO has to be the Rolex Sub non dates (any 4/5 digit)
Pre GMT, Bond, symmetry, purity, yadda yadda.
then the 16610, then Pepsi. (any 4/5 digit)
I don't think ceramics are quintessential tbh.
Easy!
Pro-Hunter from Kamal.
A 'Sports' Rolex? Define 'Sports'!! Rugby??
Quintessential sport watch must be a submariner. As said above a couple of times...
If non sports...the rolex website itself mentions Oyster Perpetual is the quintessential Rolex!
Last edited by Boss13; 12th August 2020 at 13:12.
Well I did play for the school first XI once as a sub.
Hmm, I'm sure there's a joke there somewhere...
A solid gold submariner would do the trick.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Much as I love this
if I could only have one
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
Interesting - out of curiosity, why?Much as I love this
if I could only have one
Quintessential has to be the sub but I’d stick with a 16710 if I were whittling down.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
For me it is the triple six SD.
hard as nails - no worries about depth rating. Non traditional with the no cyclops, but proven movement
So wish I’d kept this one.
Hmmm... difficult question and most answers will reflect what the commenter has in his/her own collection (human nature, innit). I think my vote would go to the 5513 but to be honest I could easily have opted for the GMT or a modern Submariner variant.
When you start thinking about the entirety of the sports/professional range old and new it does make you realise what consistently brilliant watches Rolex have produced over the decades. It makes my wonder why some people get such pleasure out of knocking the brand because there really isn't another like it.
No date Sub, and it you want a reference 14060. The final and technically best iteration of the original submariner.
The only one to survive in my collection SD4K
Last edited by numberjack; 12th August 2020 at 15:03.
Well this has certainly given me some food for thought, including helping me realise how fundamentally flawed my original question actually was.
On the back of this I'm going to pull the relevant funds together and try to source a sub (no-date or date, in that order of preference), and in the meantime see if I can find somewhere to compare one or both with an SD, as I've never actually had the opportunity to handle one.
I've said plenty of times that the 16600 is the perfect watch for me. Classy and not flashy.
Compared to the 1680 it's more robust, more accurate, cheaper to service, has a quick set date and better bracelet. It's also not so valuable that dinging it would be a massive issue.
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
Another 16600 vote from me but I am probably biased as that is the one that still remains in my collection! Otherwise would consider a no date Sub or some form of GMT
Has to be the 16610 for me in first place.....
Although the Explorer2 comes close.....
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Difficult choice but for me the 6263 edges it.
If you asked any random man on the street to draw a picture of a watch, they'd probably draw something that looked like a Submariner, which makes it the quintisential Rolex for me.
With that said, I'm not personally a fan and the one for me is a BLNR.
My favourite is the GMT, had one since '86. But the quintessential one is some variant of the Submariner.
But that's the wrong era no date so not a clean or classic design. Sorry for your loss.Like you say, opinion only but If I had to sell all bar 1 it would be the sub no date I would keep. I always wanted one growing up and it was my grail watch for many years.
Clean, classic design. Functional and wear for any occasion.
If I had to keep only 1 Rolex it would be this. I know it is big and bulky but the dial is mesmerising and I just adore the heft of this on my wrist. That being said my polar EXP2 was my only Rolex for 2.5 years, back in the sensible days
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
14060M 2 Liner.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think if you put the question to non wis the answer would be black dial submariner - that’s what I think people not on forums would think is ‘the’ Rolex sports watch.
Doubt they would overthink the date versus non date symmetry.
Lots to choose from, it all depends if you like a golden oldie or a new kid on the block.
This is certainly a contender.
Someone at work saw my Sub ND and said they didn't know it was a Rolex because it didn't have a "bubble". They then said "oh I didn't know they did one without a date. Was cheaper then?"
To be honest I don't think the average person (if there is such a thing) would recognise a Rolex as readily you might think.
I've had two people at work notice my DJ, alongside two or three friends who own various models themselves, but never someone random.
+1 from my side with the Sub Date have had one for years and absolutely love it.
Interesting point on the D/ND I’ve had that in the past where a random person asked my mate if his was a Rolex since there wasn’t the Cyclops!
S
5-digit serial Submariner or GMT Master; both thanks to popular fiction one being popularised by Bond the other by Magnum giving them equally iconic status and recognition.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Depends on what you define as "sports" but the Daytona is it for me. The sub is now to ubiquitous, homage'd and copied to be quintessentially Rolex.
If I had to pick a model it would be the 16710 because I like the whole history of the GMT Although I prefer the term professional rather than “sports”
That is superbHere's mine,the 1016
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
