Four reasons why I love Rolex
Some vintage watch collectors love Patek Philippe, Jaeger Le Coultre, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, some love Panerai, some love IWC, some love Grand Seiko, some love Cartier, A Lange, Richard Mille, some don't care… they wear anything they can pick up for the pure function of a “Watch”.
I was about to mesmerize Rolex when I listened to the sailors talking about it when I was on board merchant vessel working as Radio officer.. .. They mentioned how much they could earn by “smuggling” legally Seiko 5 into the Africa in the 70s. And Saved up money to buy a authentic Rolex.
I saw Patek Philippe or Nardin Maritime Chronometer in the chart room behind the Bridge… but that is the ship’s basic instrument that work with Sextant to get position of the ship.
Even the Satellite, Omega and Loran is operational (these are the major Navigational aids in the 80s). Of course, Patek and Nardin Chronometers are the dream item for Maritime collector.
I met the sailors, Oiler, Carpenter, chief engineer, Second officers, Quarter masters, Chief Steward, Radio Officer, Captain… in my three ships I worked. They worn Rolex. When I asked what is your preferred watch you would like to buy most? They all seems go to one Watch : Rolex.
But Why!?
Tool Watch
The Sport Rolexes were created for rugged use and waterproof, that is so important to have a perfect water proof watch to be used on board to avoid to be corroded by Sea water.
Their movement is so strong and reliable, imagine a carpenter has been using his Date Just every day for 15 years. No watch could survive that way!
We all call Rolex as “Tool Watch”
Purpose-built
Vintage Rolex collectors love the romantic notion that so many of the classic models were created for specific, functional purposes —The Rolex GMT-Master was originally designed for PAM AM trans-continental pilots.
Milgauss (literally, ‘thousand gauss’) for engineer working in strong Magnetic field Power Plant or engineering lab.
Submariner for divers, etc….
People love wearing them as they are built for tough environment, not simply as jewellery or decoration like others.
Details
Early release “Flat 4” bezel of Submariner green bezel Ref 16610LV, ‘Underline’ Dial, Bart Simpson’ dial, Double Red, Green and Chicken Blood dial of the Day Date 1803, 2, 3 or 4 hallmarks on the watch case, plus so many other combination of dial, case, crown and Rolex logo...
There are so much fun for people to collect these watches as they carry not just a watch but the details that makes you obsessed, and the development story on WHY they were designed like that!
There are so many other interesting details that may you find from watch collector, book, Google that you can explore the reason behind, that is the funniest part of watch collection. I don’t think other watches has so much details as Rolex does.
Value
A Mint Condition of a Submariner, GMT Master, Day Date would carry a Vintage Value. Rolex collectors get excited to own a wearable investment, rather than those Stamps that has to be stored in the Safe Box at certain temperature with controlled R.H., or a Ching Dynasty Vase that people can only appreciate in your living room or museum, and you had better don't touch it!
A Real vintage Rolex has turned into a Walking Museum on your Wrist!
No Matter Submariner, Daytona, Explorer and Milgauss. Those are models that continue to grow in value faster and steadier than most other existing classic watches. I told Anthony to keep his first released Deep Sea Ref 116660 D-Blue un-used, as after a period to time, the watch may contribute certain portion of your retirement Fund.
Like those Telefunken Vacuum tubes ECC803S, ECC802S, as its value grow year by year because they will not be made again. And the company is not able to repeat the same quality if they were re-make again as compared with those they were manufactured as in the German Factory 50 years ago. A NOS in box is now value 900 times you bought in the 60s.
Nowadays
No one would not disagree that Rolex is among the world’s most recognizable luxury brands of watch.
So Do I…
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