First Rolex

[Mr Tom]

Hi All,

I am in the position of being able to afford my first Rolex. I currently own a Tudor Black Bay 58 and Tag Carrera.

I love the GMTs and Daytonas but cannot afford that level as yet. I have put my name down on an Air King (£6.6k with approx a 12m wait) last weekend - I like the dial and feel it’s a bit left field for a Rolex. However I’m not sure if I would be better going for a Datejust or a second hand Sub. Smooth bezel doesn’t do much for me (I know the AirKing is smooth but the dial for me makes up for it) and if I had a Datejust I would have to go for a fluted dial and jubilee bracelet.

I suppose it’s just down to personal preference but would be interested to hear views on the above options.

Thanks

[aproctor1]

I would just buy the one you want, used.

[okgo]

The fluted bezel and jubilee is very shouty - I have a blue one in 41. My wife has a 36 smooth bezel with a black face and I think it’s the more versatile watch if you’re only to own one.

[Mr Tom]

aproctor1 said:

I would just buy the one you want, used.

Any reason why used other than to skip the wait?

[fflump]

Mr Tom said:

aproctor1 said:

I would just buy the one you want, used.

Any reason why used other than to skip the wait?

If you want the latest model Air King they are available in the UK below list - one on Ch24 full set partially stickered still for £6k

FWIW I’d think about the style of watch you want and start from there - an Air King is very different to a Datejust which is very different from a Sub. Or are you just looking for something that is a Rolex?

[AB]

I don’t think fluted bezel and jubilee is shouty on a datejust.

I have the silver dial 41mm and it works perfectly with any outfit, so versatile.

I think if I had to have one Rolex it’d be that.

[Bob_Defly]

Mr Tom said:

Hi All,

if I had a Datejust I would have to go for a fluted dial and jubilee bracelet.

...

interested to hear views on the above options.

Personally, it's the one Rolex that I really don't like. It looks like an old man's watch (in the worst way possible), and even when I'm an old man, I'll still hate it. The gold one is Trump's favourite watch. But this picture is the epitome of what the DJ/DD is to me image-wise.



The Air-King and Milgauss are much better looking watches IMHO, and the only Rolexes I would wear.

Edited by Bob_Defly on Wednesday 31st December 13:47

[gregs656]

The epitome of the DJ is the Day-Date?

Dress watches are coming back round and while the DJ isn’t a dress watch it is a dressy every day watch, and to my mind they’re better when you lean into the dressy side of them with the fluted bezel.

If you’re going smooth bezel I think something a bit more sporty like the Air King or Explorer is the way to go.

[UK_Scat_Pack]

The Air King is more classical looking but imho not worth £6k. For that money I would rather have an Omega personally. They have a better (and cooler) image than Rolex’s these days. I still like a Rolex though. Good luck with whatever you decide. It’s always nice getting a new watch.

[Geertsen]

I’ve never understood the current Air-King, it has the most bizarre dial to the point of being a mess dare I say it. I don’t hate it, it just doesn’t seem like it’s been designed by an actual designer with the V 05 10 3 20 25 6 etc.

[CrippsCorner]

Bob_Defly said:

Personally, it's the one Rolex that I really don't like. It looks like an old man's watch (in the worst way possible), and even when I'm an old man, I'll still hate it. The gold one is Trump's favourite watch. But this picture is the epitome of what the DJ is to me image-wise.



The Air-King and Milgauss are much better looking watches IMHO, and the only Rolexes I would wear.

That's funny because my 3 favourite Rolex's are the Milgauss 100% No.1 (black face/green ring) and then Air-King, and... fluted/Jubilee Datejust

I think with grey dial it's both classy and bling at the same time. Definitely not in gold however!

[stevewak]

Go vintage steel Datejust/Jubilee with plexi glass and black face. 36mm. Very reliable and not shouty, other than 'old money'.

Gold DayDates of that era (1970s) can look really good but hard to get with gold strap as they wear out and get melted down. Non-gold face makes a big difference.

[Janluke]

Buy the watch you want. If the Air King is speaking to you then it's the right one

It's not one of the high demand models so I suspect you'll get one quite quickly or as already mentioned they seem to be available outside the dealer network "new and unworn" for around retail

Edited by Janluke on Wednesday 31st December 13:52

[Bob_Defly]

gregs656 said:

The epitome of the DJ is the Day-Date?

Dress watches are coming back round and while the DJ isn t a dress watch it is a dressy every day watch, and to my mind they re better when you lean into the dressy side of them with the fluted bezel.

If you re going smooth bezel I think something a bit more sporty like the Air King or Explorer is the way to go.

Apologies, I meant to say DJ/DD, they all look similar to me.

[aproctor1]

Mr Tom said:

aproctor1 said:

I would just buy the one you want, used.

Any reason why used other than to skip the wait?

Pretty much, unless you want one of the easily available watches, which are akin to a Merc A180.

Plenty about.

[pistolpedro]

16610 Submariners seem great value at the moment and would make a great first Rolex, but there’s probably a bit too much crossover with the BB58.

I’m not sure which Carrera you have, but assuming it’s not a chrono, a fluted Datejust on a Jubilee would provide a really nice contrast to the other two watches in your collection.

Personally, I’d look at an Explorer 1 over an Air-King; hackneyed as it may sound, it really is a watch you can wear all the time. For me the addition of crown guards on the Air-King pushes it slightly more towards the sports end of the spectrum, making it a bit less versatile than the Explorer, which seems to strike the balance just right

[hungry_hog]

Other than the 16610 suggested above (which is an excellent choice), have a look at the Sea dweller 16610 and 14060 / 14060M (no date sub).

I like the datejust, but the fluted bezel for me is a scratch magnet (white gold), and the smooth too plain.

I think the Subs / SD make better daily watches if you can live with the thickness

Edited by hungry_hog on Sunday 11th January 17:47

[oddball1313]

For some reason they stopped doing the engine turned bezel a long time ago which is a shame as I think it works really with the oyster case. I got this for my 21st 31 years ago and i still think it's a great balance of a watch that can be worn on the beach or with a suit.

IMG_3972 by oddball13131313, on Flickr

[Wheelspinning]

oddball1313 said:

For some reason they stopped doing the engine turned bezel a long time ago which is a shame as I think it works really with the oyster case. I got this for my 21st 31 years ago and i still think it's a great balance of a watch that can be worn on the beach or with a suit.

IMG_3972 by oddball13131313, on Flickr

That's a cracking looking watch and made me smile.

I decided a few years back that each of my 5 kids were going to get a Rolex for their 21st, and I really hope they are as proud of the watch and remember the occasion as much as you do 31 years later.

3 down, 2 still to go.

[CrippsCorner]

Not seen that before, really like it. What's the dial size?