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10 June 2012, 12:32 PM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
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Watch: Rolex GMT 1675
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Datejust sturdiness?
Hi everybody,
I am looking at buying a Datejust (either the 116200 or the 116234). I already have a Rolex Sub w/o date, Rolex GMT 1675 (Pepsi) and the Rolex GMT II (Coke). I like the versatility of the Datejust as either an elegant or sportive watch. I am planning to use it as a daily watch. Therefore, I was wondering about the experience Datejust owners have: is it sturdy enough to be worn at the beach, go swimming with it and occasionally do no-impact sports with it? Thanks, bboris |
10 June 2012, 12:36 PM | #2 |
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Real Name: Steve
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It's built Rolex tough...
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10 June 2012, 12:39 PM | #3 |
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Watch: Oyster Perpetual
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For the beach and playing sports, G-shock is it.
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10 June 2012, 12:42 PM | #4 |
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Real Name: Tom
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Yes it is but sub is tougher
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10 June 2012, 12:43 PM | #5 |
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Real Name: Bob
Location: Dallas, Texas
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I've had a DATEJUST for many years; it has proven itself reliable, and durable in all kinds of environments from swimming and skiing to spa and golf. And it always went well with a suit. Sometimes I don't know why I chose to buy more ROLEX when this one served me so well over all these years...
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meteor flying to Earth onto my wrist... 116509 Daytona Meteorite, 116520 Daytona Black, 116710 GMTIIC, 16013 DATEJUST, CARTIER SANTOS 100 W20090X8, IWC Big Pilot, IWC Top Gun "Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end." |
10 June 2012, 12:54 PM | #6 |
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I rarely take mine off and it takes everything I can throw at it.
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My Trusty TT DJ |
10 June 2012, 12:56 PM | #7 |
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This pretty much says it, but to be more to the point, the DJ is an Oyster and just like every other watch in the Oyster line, it is rugged and durable.
Don't let the pretty face and fancy links fool you.
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10 June 2012, 02:12 PM | #8 |
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Watch: Rolex GMT 1675
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Great. Thanks a lot everybody for your fast replies. It is reassuring that it is a tough watch. Now, I just have to decide which of the two models I will get and wait for my bonus.
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10 June 2012, 05:21 PM | #9 |
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Real Name: Bill Hart
Location: Richmond, NY, UK
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Tough as hell
I raced a bike (cycle) at a very high level for a good few years (a lot more than ten)......my DateJust was on my wrist at every race.....I rode thousands upon thousands of racing and training miles wearing it.....I crashed a few times and it thankfully avoided any damage (amazingly)......I will also admit that in all that time I only had it serviced once....that was after a crash when it did get damaged.......it is a 1988 16030 with a black dial.....my eldest son (Colnago Jnr) now has it, it was there at his birth and he has associated that particular watch with me....he never wore a watch until he got the DateJust, he has never taken it off since he got it.....here are before and after pictures of it when it had its only service....notice that even though it is an '80's watch it has A Luminova dial and hand set, these had to be replaced after the crash......like I said, tough as hell
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10 June 2012, 05:25 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
Love before & after repairs HAGWe |
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10 June 2012, 05:55 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
My Explorer 14270 has a similar story (not including bicycle racing), like seeing/doing everything, the birth of my children, a crash (with helping hands from my youngest), and a long time before it's first service. Best, A |
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10 June 2012, 06:12 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
I see that you joined TRF in May, so welcome! You have been given good advice in this thread already, but let me summarize the (IMO - and to my experience) week points: * The caliber: Any automatic caliber is sensitive to impacts, and the DJ and the Submariner has exactly the same caliber. The rotor axle is especially sensitive, and on the older models withouth the double balance bridge (like in your 1675) the balance spring can get tangled at an impact (not too uncommon on the calibers 30XX - but not common either...) => So no real difference between the DJ and other models. I believe that the best performer from a "sturdiness" perspective is the ladies caliber 2235. * Crystal: Same crystal on all 36 and 40 mm models (with date): 30mm diameter, and 2mm thick. Will shatter at heavy impact. No difference between the models. * Case: Crown shoulders will protect the crown, but a bigger case do not protect the movement against impact. * Caseback: The Submariners/sea-dwellers have thicker caseback for improved pressure capability. (But a DJ is well over engineered, and I know that the caseback for models with thinner backs have been tested to 300 meters... ) * Gaskets: Pressure test your watch every year if you are a diver. (I test them every second year, and replace gaskets if needed - not expensive). With the exception of the triplock crown on the professional models, the twin lock is good for a lot of pressure. So, unless you are a professional saturation diver (with need of a helium escape valve - or diving below 100 meters) all Rolexes can be considered equally sturdy. For me a more important difference to take into account is legibility, that is much better on the professional models. This said, I am currently enjoying my 20 year old DJ 16200 today, that has the same caseback, middle case, crown, gaskets... etc as my "professional" Explorer 14270. Best, A Edit: I forgot; A rotatable bezel is more sensitive than a fixed bezel. There is a thread about this right now. It can be knocked off. It is not a big thing on the older models, but the new ceramic models have the bezel kept in place by help of a synthetic (plastic) retaining ring, that should be replaced every time the bezel is removed. This is why I consider the Explorer models to be the most sturdy watches with regards to few moving (external parts) and legible dials/hands. The bracelets on the older vs newer models could also be discussed from a sturdiness/longevity perspective. |
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11 June 2012, 12:11 AM | #13 | |
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wow
Quote:
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11 June 2012, 12:23 AM | #14 |
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I always love it when the Sub guy finds out that just maybe it is not the end all to be all.
And I have had three. I must agree that the DJ aside from the depth rating is every bit as tough as a Sub and GMT, and the Exp II maybe the best sport watch in the Rolex lineup. |
11 June 2012, 12:45 AM | #15 |
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The DJ is a very sturdy watch, and elegant to boot.
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It 10pm do you know where your Datejust is? http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...DA0MC5qcGc.jpg |
11 June 2012, 12:53 AM | #16 |
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The only difference is the price and water resistance its no tougher.
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ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder |
13 August 2012, 06:47 AM | #17 |
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Can someone please tell me the movement in a Z serial DJ? Thanks
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13 August 2012, 08:21 AM | #18 |
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13 August 2012, 08:31 AM | #19 |
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13 August 2012, 09:33 AM | #20 |
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For play, G-shockis are fine. In my home town where they mined copper underground, Rolex was the desired watch. Remember, Rolex set the standard for toughness. Until the decline of the industry during the 70's, there were 2 official Rolex dealers in the town of 2000. They sold many Rolexes.
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13 August 2012, 11:02 AM | #21 |
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With the introduction of Ceramic bezel insert, it'll be "tough" to say which is tougher in the long run.
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SS Submariner Date "Z" SS SeaDweller "D" SS Submariner "Random" TT Blue Submariner "P" SS GMT-Master ll "M", Pepsi Pam 311, 524, 297 |
14 August 2012, 10:38 PM | #22 |
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I thinking of purchasing a used one here on TRF....And after reading everyone's thoughts it has assured me that the DJ 36mm M serial will take on all activity's except diving.
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14 August 2012, 10:42 PM | #23 |
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Not really only difference is the extra W/R.
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ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder |
14 August 2012, 11:04 PM | #24 | |
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good plan
Quote:
I believe the watch is on its' second or third bracelet, though. |
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15 August 2012, 12:10 AM | #25 |
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The DJ should be able to handle everything you can throw at it in daily situation.
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15 August 2012, 12:20 AM | #26 |
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I would maybe consider the oyster bracelet with PCL's might wear a little more than the brushed versions, but if you don't mind that then the case is rock solid.
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Current rotation; AP15500ST grey, White Daytona 116500, WG Black/Red Daytona 116509, White and Black EXP 42, GMT2C.... too many previous it makes my head hurt thinking about them. |
15 August 2012, 01:44 AM | #27 | |
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Quote:
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15 August 2012, 09:05 AM | #28 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: Richard
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Watch: TT DJ
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I've been wearing my avatar since 1982
Golf, swimming, cycling, softball, snow & water skiing, rock concerts, rough-housing with various children, dogs and women, pub crawls, drunken brawls (but not for a few years, now), sailing... Replaced the original fluted bezel and jubilee band, but only for cosmetics. It's been serviced a few times but it's never let me down. What do you think..?
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13 September 2012, 02:31 AM | #29 |
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Hi guys-Great responses and some very good insight. How have each of you found the longevity of the Oyster vs Jubilee? And for those who have the newer style bracelets, is there higher chance of stretch on the TT Oyster or TT Jub? I wonder if I am better off choosing to go the SS route. Thanks.
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13 September 2012, 02:45 AM | #30 |
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I've owned my DJ for 12 years now. It was my first luxury watch purchase and I wore it every single day for 12 years. My wife bought me an Omega for our 10-year anniversary (8/31) and I've been wearing that ever since. I've never had any issues with ruggedness. Something else I like about the DJ is you can find so many options to customize it if you choose. When I first bought my DJ it had a plastic crystal, white dial w/ roman numerals and stainless steel fluted bezel. I have the original jubilee bracelet and LOVE it. I have since upgraded the crystal to sapphire, added a custom MOP diamond dial and also added a diamond bezel. I plan on giving this to my son when he graduates from college. He's only 8 now, so I have a few more years ahead of me to enjoy it!
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