Rolex range comparison

[gimpex]

Hi ,

While waiting for my Omega Sppedmaster I havent forgotten about the upcoming Rolex sub... but the more I look at (and read about) the Rolex watches the more I see that I like , but also a little confusing as some seem very similar.

Is there a simple table or something showing the differences / similarities between the models. I appreciate that there are hundreds of variations but if for example you take SS , there is yachmaster , explorer , sub , GMT , all with similar designs and sometimes even colours .....

Maybe I am jsut confused because I am new , but if anyone can point me to some comp tools it would be great

Thanks for reading

[bayerische]

I figure what you mean by similarity is the oyster case. That is almost the same on all watches.

But the differences on the watches you named are huge if you ask me. Rolex is very traditional, that's what I love. Sure there's some over the top creations, but those are usually only reserved for the ultra-rich (due to price).

Take the Omega 3570 Speedmaster, a classic. Same design still works. Very sought-after watch. Rolex is a bit the same over the entire range. Gives the brand great sophistication and style.

I'm in no way trying to beat on Omega here, I just often use them as reference since it's a brand that I have experience with, and I think Omega has gone over the top with styling, James Bond edition watches etc... I can understand Swatch (not company, but as brand) doing these a bit "tacky" variations, but not Omega.

Anyway back to topic...

SS watches.
Submariner, you have the great choice between a black bezel or a wonderful green with maxidial. (LV, ok discontinued, but still available at some AD's and on the used market.) With date and no date options.

Yachtmaster I guess you mean the one with a platinum bezel? The case is more elegant, curved, shiny, more bling, but still very subtle. Red seconds hand, completely different bezel.

Explorer, 24h hand (GMT), white dial option with marvelous black hands to add a wonderful contrast to the dial. Rigid SS bezel. This watch feels very different from a Sub or GMT master, it's a bit smaller, but enough to feel the difference.

GMT master 2, used to be available with black, black/red and blue/red aluminum bezels, now only in ceramic black bezel. But if you have seen this new bezel up close and personal, you understand why they made it ceramic. It's great. Platinum filled digits! 24h hand (GMT), they changed the hand color to green, previous models red. Bigger case, maxi dial.

I was of a similar opinion as you before I got into Rolex, I thought they had very similar watches all across the line, but once you get into Rolex, you start to appreciate the small subtle changes across the models, instead of massive, ground breaking designs (good or bad) from model to model. This subtleness as found on the Speedmaster professional is perhaps the key to why a Rolex made back in the 50-ties is still almost as modern as the one sitting on a shelf at the AD.

Timeless.