Rolex

This is Part 3 of the series that aims to identify future classics from within the ranks of modern Rolex watches - areas perhaps that vintage collectors have not paid attention to. Historically, if one looks back at the many different vintage Rolex watche...  

Your depth of knowledge never ceases to amaze me. Plus you keep pushing me towards where I don’t want to be pushed. Keep them coming, maybe I end up finding something for myself.

....it isn't necessarily knowledge as no sooner is it in my head than it disappears. At least with this, seeing "Swiss" only seems a nice and easy spot.

very interesting to read and I think this article will see some changes in behaviour what is sought after. It's a complicated world out there and you made it just a bit more transparent. CC

Your posts reminds me why did I join watch purists forum in the first them coming Best , Ahmed

Obviously everyone has different ideas of what a forum should be....glad you found this interesting

makes me want to acquire a rolex.... I really found this interesting, thanks for taking the time to share!

Maybe a nice addition to the PP for some variety

As if I need more horological temptations...

Agree with the others This is why we read the purists Thanks again Julian

This is the closet I get to modern Rolex And I sold it ....... ...  

First, is it your view that the "Swiss" only effect exists, in large part, across the Rolex product range, to all references which were in active production during your reference dates 1988/89? Thereby one would expect a similar analysis on say, the Dayto... 

1) I would think that the 1998/99 transition away from Tritium can be seen in any of the references. I would be very surprised if it was just Subs, GMTs and Explorers. To be fair, I was introducing the "Swiss" only issue as an effect on these 4 watches, b... 

Very interesting. You posit an intriguing "investment" thesis (the word investment must be used loosely of course as we are discussing watches, notwithstanding current market behavior). Does your analysis of the "Swiss" outlier suggest comparable rarity -... 

There are a lot of moving parts to what makes a watch desirable for a collector. Rarity is definitely one factor, but I think there are many. A part of the reason I have confined my parameters to mainly GMTs and Subs is because of that historical tendency... 

I have several 5 digit Rolexes from this era and it’s something to think about. One point of information— I really like the SELs in terms of comfort, quality and wearability, and if I am not mistaken, I think the Swiss only production run included non-SEL... 

You make me feel that I need to start hoarding 😬

I still have to find a nice 16700 / 16710, to achieve my GMT MASTER Collection. Well, with a 16760 and a 16750. Then, I will have to attack the 116710 question. It is very interesting how a line evolved along the year. It is thrilling to try to own them. ... 

the last GMT Master is a must...surely? 16700.....

In the Rolex world, small details make a big difference! Best Blomman

.....though I could argue that the word "Observatory" on a HF makes a world of difference too.... small differences definitely matter.

Also, one of the few we see for GP... Best Blomman

I thought it was something one could just get repainted on at will.

it could be dishonesty but also naivety and/or stupidity

I know that "SWISS" only dials went on for two years only, and mark the transition from tritium to luminova, before going "SWISS MADE" in 2000 when superluminova was used. As a collector, however, I would go 10 times out of 10 for a "SWISS-T<25" tritium d... 

.... as ever, we can all have our specific preference. I take rarity. You take Tritium. No harm. No foul.

16700 is U serial Pepsi and 16710 A serial Pepsi ...  

No message body

Thanks for the effort

Dear Baron..thank you so much for allaying my fears...i just bought an A serial 16700 with the "Swiss Made" dial and for the last few weeks it has been a nagging fear at the back of my mind as i see so few of them on the market...could it be genuine? coul... 

I like how you’re so detail oriented!