Datejust sturdiness?

[bboris]

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

[Trouble15]

It's built Rolex tough...

[DG123]

For the beach and playing sports, G-shock is it.

[tkerrmd]

Yes it is but sub is tougher

[bewithabob]

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...

[oneillba]

I rarely take mine off and it takes everything I can throw at it.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Trouble15

It's built Rolex tough...

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.

[bboris]

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.

[Colnago]

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

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Colnago

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

Great post !
Love before & after repairs

HAGWe

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by Colnago

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

Bill, you've told us this story before, and I enjoy reading it every time! Especially since you have now given the watch to your son.

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

[acce1999]

Originally Posted by bboris

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

bboris,

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.

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by acce1999

bboris,

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.

Nicely said. Keep in mind that "toughness" for a watch is, typically, referring to the movement's robustness. If you aren't diving with your DJ, I doubt that you will ever notice a difference between a DJ and a Sub or GMT.

[landroverking]

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.

[Oyster1982]

The DJ is a very sturdy watch, and elegant to boot.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Yes it is but sub is tougher

The only difference is the price and water resistance its no tougher.

[dan5]

Can someone please tell me the movement in a Z serial DJ? Thanks

[Adam K.]

Originally Posted by dan5

can someone please tell me the movement in a z serial dj? Thanks

3135.

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by padi56

The only difference is the price and water resistance its no tougher.

I was typing something like this but you said it perfectly.

[vintage69]

Originally Posted by DG123

For the beach and playing sports, G-shock is it.

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.

[Z-Sub]

With the introduction of Ceramic bezel insert, it'll be "tough" to say which is tougher in the long run.

[runner1]

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.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Yes it is but sub is tougher

Not really only difference is the extra W/R.

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by runner1

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.

My first Rolex was a GMT in 1973, and I've got a 14060, now. But, the watch that created my interest in the brand was my father's TOG from about 1959, which he wore for almost everything. It's now my favorite watch (out of several), but it's also the watch I wear for the roughest treatment. It's the watch I take hiking, and if I'm going to be doing a little climbing with my hands, I throw the watch in a pocket of my rucksack.

I believe the watch is on its' second or third bracelet, though.

[leetheway]

The DJ should be able to handle everything you can throw at it in daily situation.

[AH0RSEY]

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.

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

My first Rolex was a GMT in 1973, and I've got a 14060, now. But, the watch that created my interest in the brand was my father's TOG from about 1959, which he wore for almost everything. It's now my favorite watch (out of several), but it's also the watch I wear for the roughest treatment. It's the watch I take hiking, and if I'm going to be doing a little climbing with my hands, I throw the watch in a pocket of my rucksack.

I believe the watch is on its' second or third bracelet, though.

Nice! Can we see some pics of this watch?

[rmfnla]

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..?

[pmar124]

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.

[Big Tone]

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!