Rolex

OK, this has to be a purely subjective answer...and in no specific order:

1: 6200/04/05..... the first official submariner. The birth of what most people understand today to be Rolex. I kknow it originated from teh turn-o-Graph, but the first Submariner has to be in there for me.

2: 6098...explorer is born. Rolex was always a tool watch, but the explorer established it as THE tool watch.

3: 6541.... launch of the Milgauss...with that jagged second hand. Iconic and again showing Rolex to be innovative providers of watches that have real specific purpose.

4:  This isnt the first Dayto from Rolex, so not an original. However, the 3346 is the watch that for me really gave birth to that "Rolex" personality. It looks like a modern watch and it was first produced in the mid-1930s. If i saw one of these for sale, wild horses could not stop me!

5: Comex. Just because.

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1) 5510
2) 6263
3) 1665
4) 8171
5) 6543

Top 5... difficult question. So many to choose from....

 But very good question

 

# 1665 Double Red Seadweller otr a "great white" both a nice, or Comex...

# 1655   Rolex EXPLORER II REF 1655 FRECCIONE /steve McWuees

# 5512/13 love the simple submariner with no date

# 5517 Military Submariner... say no more

# 1803/1806/1807 Day Date, we need a good and honest Mr President...

# 16xx Bummer, was it already 5... I have more I would take on the list as well

 

And which ones do you fancy luisplata ?

Cheers

Hans

This message has been edited by hans_jorgen_1968 on 2010-05-28 14:50:20

1# PN 6264

2#1675 Pepsi Cola

3#1655 Steve Mac Queen MkII Orange Hands

4#6062 like the one Miles has!!!!

5#8171 just to top it all !!!!!!

..but difficult ones

I would have added a millgsuss, a GMT variant on my choices to get to  list of the most "essential" Rolexes

But, I ran out of space....

Cheers

Hans

1) explorer 1655

2) submariner 6536

3) milgaus 6541

4) yachtmaster 2 in white gold

5) the 8171, refer to Philipp's post at rolex.watchprosite.com

 

 

What matters to me is the condition of the whole watch and the beauty of the dial.

So, I would prefer a sublime 1675 over a mediocre 6542, for example, or a very nice 5508 to a " so so "  6538.

That been said, I would consider:

1/ 6538 Gilt.

2/ 6542 bakelite bezel + Gilt Dial.

3/ 6541.

4/ 5517 or 5513 MN.

5/ 1655.

Yep, without doubt, this would be my dream team.

Best,

Nicolas

 

 

But today:

1. Rolex Jean Claude Killy Datacompax ref. 6036/6236

2. Rolex Oyster Cosmograph triple date moonphase ref. 6062

3. Rolex Military Issue Submariner ref. 5517

4. Rolex Tiger-stripe Prince Brancard ref. 971

5. Rolex Oyster octagonal case watch with enamel dial 

MW

Tough to narrow it down to just 5 Rolex watches.

1.  5517

2.  6263 PN Panda dial

3.  5513 Comex

4.  6542 Bakelite

5.  5510

As you can tell I'm partial to the Sport models.

I also have some honorary mentions:

6.  6538

7.  Starry dial

8.  JCK

9.  5513 MilSub

10.  Any Comex

is that there is a huge amount of variation.

 

Comex get mentioned a lot. As do Daytos. But after that the variation is wide

1. The Datejust: The watch for all people- for Rolex lovers, watchnuts and the average guy in the high street, who wants the "best " watch in the world. The first true luxury watch, new bracelet; Jubilee, and first watch with a  date window

2. Ref 6200 Submariner

A close call between this and the ref 6610 Explorer as the "Father" of the tool watch. I give the 6200 the win because the Submariner is more iconic to more people. For me a watch has to be of wider appeal than our "elite" group ;-), The big crown, the Explorer dial, rotatable bezel, the perfect vintage..

3. Rolex GMT Master 6542

 

The first tool watch we could all justify in having....the first watch that could let you phone Australia and not wake them up. Was a close call between this and 1675.....

4. The Daytona 16520 R series:

Why this, why not Paul Newman, or 6263? The 16520, has a unique feature in Rolex's history. It was the 16520 Daytona, that sparked Rolexmania. Before this watch nobody collected Rolex with such passion. the first Rolex with a waiting list...this watch made people who never thought of ever buying a Rolex buy a Rolex, it made the Sub Date, exp 1 exp 2 and GMT alll desirable.

 

and finally,NO.5: perhaps amongst the real world , the most purchased, most wanted diver/tool watch ever, the

Submariner date....ref, 1680/16800/16610/11610...why all....because really it does not matter, its the model thats important, its the Porsche 911, instantly recognisable, wanted by many, tough, family history..and always desirable whatever the age with a cult following, my personal fav is the 16800 matt...

 

Just my opinion ofcourse...LOL