What is an "Old Man's" Rolex ?

[mml4]

Originally Posted by lucevan le stelle

Responses to this thread so far have encouraged me to consider the Ulysse Nardin Erotica Hour Striker for my 100th birthday (when it arrives).

Would post a picture, but not sure how the mods would feel about it.

Given the overtly insulting remarks posted with regard to TT watches and the folks that buy them it appears the moderators will abide just about anything.

[robotkiller]

Originally Posted by lucevan le stelle

Spoke to several WIS recently about collecting going forward and age milestones and both expressed the opinion that a watch collection should always be "age appropriate", that is, reflect the age of the wearer.

So what would that mean exactly, especially in Rolex terms? Does that suggest that a Day-Date or Cellini on the wrist of a 25 year old, or an Air King on a 70 year old, is "bad form"? If you are in assisted living must you be sporting a Patek and not an SKX? If you are "immature" can you then wear anything? I do see a lot of two-tone in Florida among older people, can that possibly a guide.

Question is whether you feel age should be part of the decision on what you buy, and whether your collection should necessarily be one thing at 30, 40, 50, or 60+ years of age, regardless of your exact likes.

And, is there in fact an "old man's" Rolex?

Rolex is inherently conservative. They haven't changed all that much in 50 years. They are ALL old man watches.

That said, all the models are age appropriate. But the Jubilee bracelet is a bit old fashioned looking and somewhat dated, IMO. So I can see why some say it's what you see on an old man's watch.

[Spoonage]

An old man’s Rolex is one of 2 things...

1. A Rolex that belonged to your Father / Grandfather that was given to you.
2. Any Rolex you purchased when you were younger. Fast forward “x” years and now it is an old man’s Rolex as long as you still have it.

[agentsmith350]

No such thing imo

[lucevan le stelle]

Originally Posted by mml4

Given the overtly insulting remarks posted with regard to TT watches and the folks that buy them it appears the moderators will abide just about anything.

While you may not find my post that you quote funny, or misunderstand my attempt at humor, I am not clear how it is in any way disrespectful to anyone here. However if a 100 year old TRF member feels that way, I will certainly withdraw it.

My intention in making the original post was not to offend anyone's sensibilities, how people took it, or where they took it, is their own matter. And while people will generally say "buy what you want" I still am not sure if there is not some relevancy to considering whether a watch in either style, function, or category should be in accord with your age, and exactly how that works.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by mml4

Given the overtly insulting remarks posted with regard to TT watches and the folks that buy them it appears the moderators will abide just about anything.

i love the 80's. I promise. Its actually the best decade in the history of the world. TT is very 80's vibe. Nothing wrong with that. Plus its coming back into style as are other things from that time period.

TT was out 10 years ago, not any more. YG for that matter is also back.

[locdoc11]

I love how so many people here are getting offended! I mean come on folks! I'm 49 and Ive owned a whole slew of Rolexes. My current collection consists of a SD43, a TT GMT with black dial, and a TT (RG/SS) DJ41 with Jubilee bracelet and chocolate dial. We all joke about the DJ36 TT with Jubilee being an old man's watch. It may be or not be such, but a lot of folks associate older men with that watch.
It's a funny discussion, anyways. If you consider what people thought about watches and Rolex in the 1960s and 1970s, if you bought a GMT or a Sub, it was because you thought of them as very nice tool watches. Most people who could afford a Rolex then bought a Day Date or a DateJust. Nowadays, it's cool to own a Sub even if you can't spell SCUBA. It's a different time now, and folks wear Rolexes for different reasons now.

[amh]

Originally Posted by locdoc11

I love how so many people here are getting offended! I mean come on folks! I'm 49 and Ive owned a whole slew of Rolexes. My current collection consists of a SD43, a TT GMT with black dial, and a TT (RG/SS) DJ41 with Jubilee bracelet and chocolate dial. We all joke about the DJ36 TT with Jubilee being an old man's watch. It may be or not be such, but a lot of folks associate older men with that watch.
It's a funny discussion, anyways. If you consider what people thought about watches and Rolex in the 1960s and 1970s, if you bought a GMT or a Sub, it was because you thought of them as very nice tool watches. Most people who could afford a Rolex then bought a Day Date or a DateJust. Nowadays, it's cool to own a Sub even if you can't spell SCUBA. It's a different time now, and folks wear Rolexes for different reasons now.

Agree, no need to get insulted, it's not personal.

Fashion has changed, it's a plain fact. Wear what you feel comfortable with.

Before:
(looks smaller than a modern ladies' watch!)



Now:
(and even the GMT is not considered a large watch)

[jburson250]

Originally Posted by chloebear

Wow! What a great watch Jim. That watch has some stories!

Indeed, it does . . . it survived it's earliest years in nuclear propulsion plants. Always thought the heat made the original gilt dial crackle. Design flaw, maybe.

A go-cart rollover turned the original riveted bracelet into a handful of scrap SS. Made quite a mess of me, too. Watch head and my head somehow survived, though. Bought a new Jubilee for it.

By the early 90's it ran erratically and looked horrible. Two attempts had been made to fix the dial. Both unsuccessful. A new 93150 bracelet and 580 end-links helped a bit.

In 2006 I read several glowing reports here on TRF about RSC Dallas. I sent it down there, hoping for a miracle. That's just what they produced.

What I got back, $850 and three months later, is what you saw in the Post #63 photo. I only wear it a few days a month, but it's consistent at +8 seconds a day.

I wore it into our local AD last week on my hunt for an SD43. Their Rolex Rep was there. He said he'd get me a 43 real soon . . . I'm quite sure the 5512 unlocked the door, so to speak.

I appreciate your kind compliment, chloebear. Thank you!

[GMT Aviator]

This is an old mans Rolex.
My fathers. Purchased in 1972 and worn every day since.
He is now 92 and in very poor health in a care home. At his request, his watch is now at RSC having what will likely be its last ever service. Should get it back later this month.
He loves this watch. Throughout his career as a pilot this has been on his wrist at the controls of 707’s, DC10’s and others. It’s traversed the planet countless times and was keeping perfect time even when it went to the spa for its last time. It now needs re-sizing as with increased age has come decreased wrist size and it’s too loose for him. It will see out it’s days with him in the nursing home.
I look at more modern DJ’s like the TT41 with jubilee and they remind me of this watch. I don’t see them as old mans watches, but watches more in keeping with the generation that put all of us where we are today and I’d happily wear its modern equivalent...and do!
The second picture is it next to the watch he wore pre ‘72 before purchasing the Rolex. The only other watch he wore most his life which he started wearing after leaving the RAF in WW2. A Longines. The Longines has been fully restored two years ago.

[masyv6]

I suppose I'd consider a DD an old man's watch....or at least that's what the missus says to me every time I consider buying one

[storm66]

My Dads 78 and wears a No date Submariner

[dwamps]

Anything 2 tone. Yellow gold Datejust or Day Date

[mml4]

Originally Posted by lucevan le stelle

While you may not find my post that you quote funny, or misunderstand my attempt at humor, I am not clear how it is in any way disrespectful to anyone here. However if a 100 year old TRF member feels that way, I will certainly withdraw it.

My intention in making the original post was not to offend anyone's sensibilities, how people took it, or where they took it, is their own matter. And while people will generally say "buy what you want" I still am not sure if there is not some relevancy to considering whether a watch in either style, function, or category should be in accord with your age, and exactly how that works.

Didn't mean your post was insulting but rather you shouldn't be concerned about posting a photo of a non Rolex. It may or may not be against the rules but the moderators tolerate a lot worse.

[hbombkid]

I would love to see a poll who posted a gold 80s date just

[rhairman]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

This is an old mans Rolex.
My fathers. Purchased in 1972 and worn every day since.
He is now 92 and in very poor health in a care home. At his request, his watch is now at RSC having what will likely be its last ever service. Should get it back later this month.
He loves this watch. Throughout his career as a pilot this has been on his wrist at the controls of 707’s, DC10’s and others. It’s traversed the planet countless times and was keeping perfect time even when it went to the spa for its last time. It now needs re-sizing as with increased age has come decreased wrist size and it’s too loose for him. It will see out it’s days with him in the nursing home.
I look at more modern DJ’s like the TT41 with jubilee and they remind me of this watch. I don’t see them as old mans watches, but watches more in keeping with the generation that put all of us where we are today and I’d happily wear its modern equivalent...and do!
The second picture is it next to the watch he wore pre ‘72 before purchasing the Rolex. The only other watch he wore most his life which he started wearing after leaving the RAF in WW2. A Longines. The Longines has been fully restored two years ago.

That's a really cool story and a very nice watch

I hope your father will recover and live longer to enjoy the watch after it comes back from RSC.

[Naples09]

I see many older gentlemen in FL wearing SS Subs.

[173rdabn]

Too many a...holes with stupid opinions. Get a life. Old man watches indeed.

[elkaholic]

Originally Posted by Quailhunter

Let’s see, I’m 74 and own DayDate, DateJust SS, BLNR, Calatrava, Swiss Army, and Luminox. I drive a BMW, hunt worldwide , fish, build furniture, and work out 4X times a week.

There is old old and young old. Making unfounded generalizations is unwise.

I like your style and hobbies, and I agree.

I’m almost 40 and have had a 36mm TT DJ on jubilee for the better part of the last 18 yrs. I’ve worn it often in that time, among an ever changing collection of other Rolex models. Couldn’t care less what others think it looks like on my wrist.

[Mousehunter]

I got my first “gold” watch when I was 18-a gift from my uncle. At the time all I could think it is was an old man’s watch. It was only later I realized it was doing hw mage to a JD.

Back then, the only Rolex a living person would wear was a Sub-the rest were for dinosaurs and fossils.

That was 30 years ago, I am starting to appreciate dd’s now... Still, not really my style.

[mahefa]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Dumbest advice I ever heard... Collect what YOU like.

110% agree

[Mousehunter]

I do not think any insults are intended. Old mans watch=classic styling. Timeless styling is why Rolex is popular. My AirKing would have looked perfectly at home on my fathers wrist. Abet wheni think of his wrist, it is his 50 year old ones, not his 78 year old one (when he past) and I am 49 now. Likewise I have worn dive watches since I was 18. I can just afford nicer ones now

[nyc2la]

This is my “Old Man’s” Rolex. I abhor stereotypes, wear what you want, when you want to wear it.

He has worn this everyday, for every occasion, for the past 30+ years or so.

[Speedbird-1]

You'll all be 'old men', sooner than you think.
What d'you reckon you'll be wearing then?
........and, does it really matter?