Surprise encounter with “two-tone” Rolex watches in Japan

[Otto]

I was in a Rolex boutique in Tokyo yesterday for about half an hour and to my surprise, every male who walked in while I was there was wearing a “two-tone” Rolex model; sub, YM, DJ, and a Sky-Dweller. The watches looked fantastic. Over the course of three decades here, I have come to think of Japan as primarily a white gold, platinum, stainless steel market. I was really surprised. And all of these guys were young. Amazing.

[JSolution]

I’ve always loved two tone. Never visited Japan three decades is a long time! Do you think this is more because of availability?

[Mifune]

TT is the future... :p

[Brew]

TT (and) rocks!

[danicasi2002]

Am here in Lyon France. I saw two tone subs, sea-dweller and new 36 explorer on the AD window with prices on them. Will post later

[TheVTCGuy]

That is interesting. I wonder if it is a fashion attitude change, or we are seeing more of them because they are easi(er) to obtain? Maybe both.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

That is interesting. I wonder if it is a fashion attitude change, or we are seeing more of them because they are easi(er) to obtain? Maybe both.

Actually Paul TT has been very popular in Asia in general for quite some time

[Old Expat Beast]

In my 30+ years in Hong Kong, two-tone Datejusts (and Tudor Prince lookalikes) seem to have always been the official national watch among the 50+ age group.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

That is interesting. I wonder if it is a fashion attitude change, or we are seeing more of them because they are easi(er) to obtain? Maybe both.

I think it’s probably both.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

In my 30+ years in Hong Kong, two-tone Datejusts (and Tudor Prince lookalikes) seem to have always been the official national watch among the 50+ age group.

When I lived in Singapore and traveled frequently to Hong Kong, I saw a lot of “two-tone” Rolex watches, however, except for DJs, I haven’t seen that many in Japan, especially in recent years. That’s why I was surprised.

[Muzikman]

Kinda agree. Even in India, two tones are counted as more prestigious and luxurious than Steel watches in general. Unless someone’s a watch guy who knows the global steel rolex craze currently.


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[Benzsiam]

SS is more in demand because it's cheaper than TT.

I have always loved TT.

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by Muzikman

Kinda agree. Even in India, two tones are counted as more prestigious and luxurious than Steel watches in general. Unless someone’s a watch guy who knows the global steel rolex craze currently.


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Gold watches better than steal?
Who would have thought of that?

[alphadweller]

I'm futureproof with my TT Sub, should take me nicely to retirement in 20 years time.

[sparksgmt]

I don't mind two-tone watches, but i prefer to wear watches with more metal consistency

[henrylee]

TT is back in fashion

[Andad]

Originally Posted by bob sims

Gold watches better than steal?
Who would have thought of that?

?

[Leicaman]

I’ve been here in Japan for going on almost 20 years now and I don’t see that many TT Rolex around except on over 60’s. Mainly see SS , especially on the younger guys.

[ltmgeller]

TT is so versatile. A must for every collection

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Leicaman

I’ve been here in Japan for going on almost 20 years now and I don’t see that many TT Rolex around except on over 60’s. Mainly see SS , especially on the younger guys.

I've been here over 30 years and I agree with you, which is why I was very surprised.

[peterpl]

if you guys have been in Japan for over 30+ years I would think you guys are over 50 now correct?

You guys must not be up to date with social media and hypebeats. The young guys are rocking TT for several years now and TT has been on the pickup big time.

I'm still mid 30s so consider myself quite young still but have been onto social media and hypetrains since I was early 20s.

Forget about that TT stigma and only oldies wear it. Its all bullcrap these days. Rappers, stars, hypebeats and general young guys who follow urban culture are all rocking TT. I actually think full gold has overtaken SS on social media and the "Flex" culture now and TT is surging back in popularity.

Gold is the king again these days on social media and hypetrains.

[brandrea]

Interesting. I see quite a few TT watches in this area too, mind you, they aren’t usually Rolex

[Brew]

I'd like to be able to claim some level of social media coolness, but, alas, I'm just a child of the 'burbs. The Tribe does TT. Simple as that.

[Tensai]

Tastes change lightning fast these days. There is no right or wrong.

People who claim to be experts in hype are typically off the mark. Social media is a meaningless cesspool of self-proclaimed experts :)

Two tone is classic, and always will be.

Enjoy your watches!

[peterpl]

Originally Posted by Tensai

Tastes change lightning fast these days. There is no right or wrong.

People who claim to be experts in hype are typically off the mark. Social media is a meaningless cesspool of self-proclaimed experts :)

But but.....that is the meaning of hype. Ordinary people (sheep we like to call them) following the hype/fashion shot callers and trying to mimic the latest craze that they put out to the world. In the hypebeats circles there are certain ppl that have ALOT of influence (i.e) Travis Scott just to name one but there are heaps of them. Different ones for different areas like shoes or clothes or watches or cars etc...

So when you see the masses on social media flexing their new Platinum Daytona that they got a loan out for they are actually doing it to follow REAL guys that actually have influence on hype & urban culture.

All the marketing guys on here would know this. Thats why certain ppl get paid in the Millions for a single post even if its an indirect advertisement of something in the background.

[Snaponmyrolex]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

Am here in Lyon France. I saw two tone subs, sea-dweller and new 36 explorer on the AD window with prices on them. Will post later

Looking forward your further post.

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[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by peterpl

I actually think full gold has overtaken SS on social media and the "Flex" culture now

When was steel ever #1 on social media besides the watch crowd spamming SS watches on IG which no one cares about? Even going back to the 90s and 2000s it was always a yellow gold daydate that was #1 with celebrities and musicians.

No one cared about SS watches or flexing in the 90s/2000s or early 2010s.

[dannyp]

Time will tell (see that, see what I did there?). The dealer who sold my my IWC 13 years ago said something interesting at the time: If you want to know what will be in vogue here (this was in LA, FWIW) next year, look at what the Japanese are doing today. If that's still true, then perhaps a sign of the times (and great foresight by Rolex in releasing TT versions of SD and Exp).

[173rdabn]

Younger generation have different taste than us old farts.

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

I'm futureproof with my TT Sub, should take me nicely to retirement in 20 years time. Attachment 1233486

THAT is a watch for life