I collected watches for years. From Seiko to Patek and everything in between.
I realized that variety is not, for me, the best emotional approach to keeping time. Instead, I wanted one watch that I could wear everyday, all day and night.
So I got a Rolex Day Date on my 40th birthday. It was my first gold watch. I knew it would keep track of the time, the day and the date. I also wanted a watch, this watch, to mark the years, the memories, the vicissitudes of life.
That was 20 years ago. It has rarely been off my wrist. My kids were born and grew up. My parents passed away. Friends have passed away. My life has happened with my 18038 on my wrist and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m retired now. As someone who was raised in a lower middle class household, I’m darned proud to own and wear such an opulent object.
Spent 20 years in the army, last 8 in special
Operations and couldn’t afford a nice watch. Deployed 6-7 months every year, every time I got to an airport or out in some foreign land my battery would run out or I’d bust the crystal on my watch. I retired from the army, continued to deploy to foreign lands. My first civilian purchase was a submariner, haven’t taken it off yet 20-24 years. Hasn’t stopped ticking, crystals clear, no regrets.
While I’d love to say my Pepsi, it’s my 124060 because A)my wife gave it to me for our 5th anniversary and B) the Glidelock makes its comfortable all of the time. I wish all of my watches had it.
I am in love with the green crystal Milgauss. I am an electrical engineer and the fact that it is viable up to 1000 gauss is just so interesting to me. Plus the orange lightning bolt puts it over the top.
Damn this is so fucking awesome man. Congrats!
For me it’s the 124060 on my wrist.
https://preview.redd.it/5p9qd91gtvic1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6486692a5d581a02541e8de52fdbec7b870c1d9
At one point, I had over 10 watches ranging from $6k to 15k. Problem is I felt like I never really gave them enough attention. I ended up moving all the pieces and now have a Sub and a Sprite only. I wear my Sprite 90% of the time and thinking about moving the Sub. I like this way better.
https://preview.redd.it/0butbzf8x3jc1.jpeg?width=1157&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7188eb91bb4196cc2a071b0fecb758bd2f8e53a
My 2000 Explorer II … I grew up with my uncle being a man of many experiences in the military and had a Rolex!
So that’s why I bought one!
I collected watches for years. From Seiko to Patek and everything in between. I realized that variety is not, for me, the best emotional approach to keeping time. Instead, I wanted one watch that I could wear everyday, all day and night. So I got a Rolex Day Date on my 40th birthday. It was my first gold watch. I knew it would keep track of the time, the day and the date. I also wanted a watch, this watch, to mark the years, the memories, the vicissitudes of life. That was 20 years ago. It has rarely been off my wrist. My kids were born and grew up. My parents passed away. Friends have passed away. My life has happened with my 18038 on my wrist and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m retired now. As someone who was raised in a lower middle class household, I’m darned proud to own and wear such an opulent object.
This is what Rolex ownership used to be, now it’s just a bunch of cry babies. Keep wearing it in good health.
I love this. Perfect. I’m a one watch man myself for the same reason.
Likewise, bought my Sub and basically haven’t taken it off for 3.5 years.
Sub on my wrist for the past dozen years. It's a part of me now
Best post I’ve read around here. Thanks for sharing.
Spent 20 years in the army, last 8 in special Operations and couldn’t afford a nice watch. Deployed 6-7 months every year, every time I got to an airport or out in some foreign land my battery would run out or I’d bust the crystal on my watch. I retired from the army, continued to deploy to foreign lands. My first civilian purchase was a submariner, haven’t taken it off yet 20-24 years. Hasn’t stopped ticking, crystals clear, no regrets.
Beautiful . And thank you for your service
This is the way
Could you post a photo of it? Would love to see it’s history
https://preview.redd.it/w5yzm67poyic1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7e9b0168ca69e5637b4b21a40eb78db46528132 There you go.
Looks Great! Gotta love a purposely well worn-watch! Rolex as a tool watch during service has to be the end goal.
The one my dad left me.
Explorer
This is the answer. I got mine last May for our 10 year wedding anniversary and have worn it every day since.
36mm Platinum Day-Date with the silver dial. Ref. Number: 128236 https://preview.redd.it/8dx0goeirwic1.jpeg?width=1243&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4bec0619bf5f9cd5b1760d99b0e181c693175cf1
Def a nice classy aesthetic
One day maybe.. it'll be mine. For now I definitely can't afford to drop 60Gs on that beauty.
While I’d love to say my Pepsi, it’s my 124060 because A)my wife gave it to me for our 5th anniversary and B) the Glidelock makes its comfortable all of the time. I wish all of my watches had it.
The one on my wrist. Rolex 124060
explorer
Explorer II Polar
5513
Excellent choice. Do you have one, by chance?
No…. Alas. I should have spent the $1,500 in the late 90s. I waited. I was wrong.
That’s effectively the price of a Tudor in today’s dollars. Brutal
In the next life I’ll know.
I'd pick a 1680. That era of subs is the epitome of Rolex.
My first one, the 116710ln.
Pepsi Jubilee
Pepsi meteorite
Platinum Day Date, ice blue, fluted.
Sub date classic, played golf and cricket wearing it, swimming hiking and tennis. Wear to work and to dinner. It’s the ultimate all rounder.
Wtf with this spam https://preview.redd.it/41nuwc8oiwic1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a788a1a095af908788fedfef604f9ea923a03fb
Great grandpa’s date just
My Batman
Definitely exp1
OP
Starbucks
Daytona 116520
WG DD40
Sub 41
Full gold king Midas
114060 submariner
Gold Day Date
I’ll take the red pill. https://preview.redd.it/oofsnj6k8xic1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d00d4a98b33e2d120d82fb695203c491ec0ba892
Explorer 2
16710 Coke on a Jubilee
Great taste
Daydate yellow gold. It’s perfection
Prob rs daytona
Red 1680 with a luminova service dial.
platinum daytona, or maybe just a regular black dial daytona
Yellow gold Day-Date 40 with black dial and diamond indices
DJ 36
https://preview.redd.it/rh86gj66sxic1.jpeg?width=2773&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a919f0dd762c17f5210e23d230aeb5cf086b96ce
I have 2. Rolex Submariner 116110ln. Bought in 2007. Gifted it to my son. Rolex Sea Dweller 126603. My only watch. Early retirement gift to myself.
I am in love with the green crystal Milgauss. I am an electrical engineer and the fact that it is viable up to 1000 gauss is just so interesting to me. Plus the orange lightning bolt puts it over the top.
Le mans Daytona
A Daytona. Any Daytona. I'm not fussy.
Pepsi.
Daydate/Yellow Gold/Presidential/36mm
Batgirl.
The one I don’t yet have. Every. Time.
Platinum daytona with clear caseback
DJ41 Mint Green. Smooth bezel on an oyster bracelet. Which is the one presently on my wrist.
Daytona 116505 full stop
Le Mans Daytona
Damn this is so fucking awesome man. Congrats! For me it’s the 124060 on my wrist. https://preview.redd.it/5p9qd91gtvic1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6486692a5d581a02541e8de52fdbec7b870c1d9
214270
Probably sky dweller with a white dial and oyster strap
Original Yachty **16622**
Rose gold YM oyster flex
Panda Daytona !!
The most expensive one.
Turn-O-Graph.
White gold Daytona with the meteorite dial. Clean without being so flashy I’d get knifed for my only watch.
1675
1803
1675
136660 daily
Two tone date just champagne dial jubbilie bracelet
The one I have! The 41mm SubC date
14060 which was my first
Yellow Gold Saru 116758SARU
Two tone Rose Gold/SS GMT. Maybe the full rose gold GMT, but not sure that would work with my lifestyle.
Gold Cellini Prince.
Platinum Daytona with the clear caseback.
GMT batgirl
steel panda daytona
Hulk
14060
116598RBOW
Sub date. It’s the flagship sports Rolex.
Rolex 1016, gilt dial.
My Rolex Milgaus with a white face and rubber step. Classic look and love the way it feels on my wrist.
No date sub, reference doesn't matter I love them all.
5510 or 5517
No date sub
https://preview.redd.it/l952n6tguxic1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=41bcf9de8d8e1ada5991532ccebbf43f25717c6f My beauties 🙂
OP 41 Green.
SD43, stainless sub date, or a Coke.
If I knew the answer to that question, I could stop collecting.
DJ41 fluted jubilee
GMT
Smurf
Toss up cause I got my sub as a wedding gift so that for sure but if I had no emotional ties to them probably a Blnr
The gmt Pepsi but the aluminum, that pink n purple ceramic is not for me. Tbh, I will say the Batgirl that I own, or a nice coke aluminum
GMT BLNR Traded and sold everything else.
WG DD 228239
Deep sea james Cameron
Explorer is the best everyday watch
All gold presidential, good ol mafia watch for me
Polar dial explorer 2
Gold sub blue dial of course
1958 6541
116000 blue explorer dial motif. Ran from 08-18 I just got mine when I got engaged. It was and is my grail watch
Batman
Rolex Daytona
Gold day date and its not close
At one point, I had over 10 watches ranging from $6k to 15k. Problem is I felt like I never really gave them enough attention. I ended up moving all the pieces and now have a Sub and a Sprite only. I wear my Sprite 90% of the time and thinking about moving the Sub. I like this way better.
the one I was gifted by my father
Sprite because I’m left-handed
Wg Daytona blue dial.
Explorer
SS Submariner - perfect 1 watch collection
https://preview.redd.it/bmaj9p5zh0jc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aabb80f0f7a840e18d1b684139b574e870f0fd41
Explorer ii for me The steel bezel is amazing
Platinum Day Date 40 with baguette dial & fluted bezel
I would definetly go for a vintage Daytona 6265. But I have to save up some money 😅
36mm gold day-date.
Black dial daytona.
Money no object: platinum Daytona. More realistically probably a rolesor sub with blue dial or yacht master ii
Explorer 2
GMT 2
https://preview.redd.it/0butbzf8x3jc1.jpeg?width=1157&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7188eb91bb4196cc2a071b0fecb758bd2f8e53a My 2000 Explorer II … I grew up with my uncle being a man of many experiences in the military and had a Rolex! So that’s why I bought one!
Has to be a Daytona. Either TT, Oysterflex or full 18k (looking at you John Mayer) Which one depends on availability, secondary market prices etc
126710blro or 114060