Rolex

PhinneyWood
199

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A few thoughts

We will probably never see a 40mm sea-dweller ever again. This represents the best 6 digit Rolex ever in my opinion. 2.5 year production. No cyclops with a fat crystal. Trim lugs. Trim crown guards. Matte dial. Fully graduated bezel. HEV. I get why Rolex made the SD43 and it’s been a success to be fair. Having a 40/41mm sub. A 43mm sea dweller that’s a little more capable and a 44mm beast works in the catalog. Also the new 50mm monster. But to me this represents Rolex at its best. 3135 is more reliable than the newer movements. Sure less antimagnetic and less power reserve but I’d take reliability over those things. It’s amazing that Rolex packed 4k feet of capability in a watch than wears pretty much the same if not smaller than a submariner. It looks like a non date to most and those that know, know. This one has its stickers, for now. I remember passing on this watch at the AD in 2015 and it just sat there. And I thought, good - I made the right decision getting a GMT because nobody wants that SD4k… and it will always be there if I want it. Well I was dumb, after it was discontinued I realized the mistake I made. Don’t get me wrong I love GMT’s but this one is the last true tool watch Rolex made. They didn’t make it for the IG flex, or the sales bonus. They released it because the true collectors missed it after the deepsea replaced it in the line-up. It was a sorry for the hideous maxi case. But it had its quirks, Rolex still hadn’t worked out the glue for the cyclops to work at 1220 meters and the end links didn’t quite sit flush. Which was a thoughtful decision (same thing on the current jubilee and presidential bracelet endlinks). I think this watch represents a moment in time for Rolex, before Tudor became their love letters to the past. A time I wish we could have back but won’t. So here’s to the Le Mans and gemsets we all want today but remembering when Rolex was Rolex and made cool shit for cool people and not a puzzle day date and flooded submariner. 🥂 Thanks for reading.

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