Which Rolex has the 'best' History?

[Kostas]

Originally Posted by Mystro

This question is a moving target. It depends on what generation you are as to which model might have more historical significance.

agreed

[Watch Explorer]

Originally Posted by Mystro

This question is a moving target. It depends on what generation you are as to which model might have more historical significance.

Makes it more interesting imo. Historic facts are still facts though, but it's great hearing people's opinions on whats important to them.

[Rolex fan 61]

Explorer

[1rolexman]

Submariner or Daytona


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[Pauln]

This is a very interesting discussion. It’s true that the Explorer as we know it today did not reach the peak of Everest in 1953, but it is the result of what Rolex learned by supplying Himalayan expeditions with a dozen or so watches every year that needed to be returned to Rolex after the climbing season for testing. Tenzing Norgay was, supposedly, wearing an OP when he reached the summit. An OP gifted to him because he was a member of the unsuccessful 1952 Everest team. I don’t think this takes away from the Explorer’s role in climbing history. That would be like saying the Sub’s historical record is less because the watches Rolex put on the Bathyscaphes didn’t have the word “Submariner” on the dial.

I think both the Sub and Explorer have fantastic histories and have been used by many famous climbers and divers. Other Rolex’s take a back seat, IMO.

I know we’re discussing Rolex, but when it’s all said and done, it’s hard to beat the history of the Speedy Pro.

[Chaching]

"THE" Paul Newman Daytona . . . . .

[JohnGT3RS]

Since I just picked an Explorer yesterday, it has to be the Explorer. Sub close second. For one specific watch, Paul Newman’s Daytona.

[vazquez1085]

But who was the first President with the “President”?

[Skwisgaar]

Originally Posted by vazquez1085

But who was the first President with the “President”?

Eisenhower was the first President to wear a Rolex. The company gifted him a gold Datejust in 1950. He preferred wearing a Vulcain Cricket. JFK was the first President to own a DayDate but he never wore it. It was gifted to him in 1962 by Marilyn Monroe. He thought it would be wise to get rid of it and gave it to a trusted aide.

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[ras47]

While the Sub is certainly one of the most iconic Rolex (or any brand) watches, having a history is a specific criteria. I'd give the nod to to the GMT. It's creation as a cooperative effort between Pan Am's international pilots and Rolex, and availability since 1954, qualify as quite the history in my book. Also, the GMT did indeed make it to space as others have said. Not as part of NASA's official required equipment list, but as the personal choice of Astronauts.

[Castlesinthesky]

Originally Posted by ras47

While the Sub is certainly one of the most iconic Rolex (or any brand) watches, having a history is a specific criteria. I'd give the nod to to the GMT. It's creation as a cooperative effort between Pan Am's international pilots and Rolex, and availability since 1954, qualify as quite the history in my book. Also, the GMT did indeed make it to space as others have said. Not as part of NASA's official required equipment list, but as the personal choice of Astronauts.

This ^^^^^^

[Jace]

Originally Posted by Castlesinthesky

This ^^^^^^

This too. ☝️☝️☝️☝️


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[gliderpilot]

Originally Posted by ras47

While the Sub is certainly one of the most iconic Rolex (or any brand) watches, having a history is a specific criteria. I'd give the nod to to the GMT. It's creation as a cooperative effort between Pan Am's international pilots and Rolex, and availability since 1954, qualify as quite the history in my book. Also, the GMT did indeed make it to space as others have said. Not as part of NASA's official required equipment list, but as the personal choice of Astronauts.

The GMT was also worn by the Concorde test pilots in the 1960s

[Watch Explorer]

I think I side with the Oyster Perpetual for sheer historical impact.

Nice GMT Ras47

[TimeToWatch]

It’s got to be Paul Newman’s Paul Newman. Rolex wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for that watch. From a free market perspective, its unprecedented price is reflective of its importance.

[ashbaug2]

Originally Posted by TimeToWatch

It’s got to be Paul Newman’s Paul Newman. Rolex wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for that watch. From a free market perspective, its unprecedented price is reflective of its importance.

I'm pretty sure Rolex was doing just fine before Paul Newman was sighted wearing a Daytona. The Daytona, on the other hand, might have benefited very nicely from having Mr Newman wearing it, as it wasn't a popular model.

The Datejust is my vote; It was the precursor to all of the "Professional" models and also worn by practically every world leader of major significance in the last 70 years, at some point.

[Jarett]

Submariner ? Explorer ? GMT ? Daytona ? .... uff, that is question ! :)

[Innocenti]

If you want a watch with the best history that surely has to be the omega speedmaster

[ras47]

Originally Posted by Innocenti

If you want a watch with the best history that surely has to be the omega speedmaster

True. I cannot think of a watch with a more storied history than the Omega Speedmaster. But this is about the Rolex watch with the best history. I don't think anybody rivals Omega for a watch with a storied history.

[NLYogi]

To me it is more about the brand itself, its heritage and horological inventions (date wheel, Oyster etc.) as opposed to some particular watch’s history.

[Amochosto]

It’s got to be the Rolex of 1914 the wach that started the entire process of moving men from wearing pocket watches to wrist watches. First wristwatch to earn the class A precision certificate from Kew Observatory which seems to have been a certification process to certify watches were accurate enogh to use for navigation purposes.

I'm not saying the movement from pocket watches to wristwatches wouldnt have happened without these watches, but its undeniable these watches happened to be the moving force behind it.

Second must be the OP. Look at the writing on your Rolex watches. Unless you have some amazing early models, (or a Cellini?) your Rolex is an Oyster Perpetual _____ I have an Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller, Oyster Perpetual GMT Master II etc. All modern Rolexes are either OPs or OPs with additional complications.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Amochosto

It’s got to be the Rolex of 1914 the wach that started the entire process of moving men from wearing pocket watches to wrist watches. First wristwatch to earn the class A precision certificate from Kew Observatory which seems to have been a certification process to certify watches were accurate enogh to use for navigation purposes.

I'm not saying the movement from pocket watches to wristwatches wouldnt have happened without these watches, but its undeniable these watches happened to be the moving force behind it.

The moving force behind men accepting/adopting wristwatches rather than pocket watches was WW1. No one brand was "the moving force" behind it, and Rolex didn't figure in significantly at all when it came to officer, trench, and aviator watches, other brands were far more numerous and popular. If one had to pick the single biggest player post war it would have been Cartier.

Rolex has done much in wristwatch history, but inventing or popularizing the wristwatch is not one of them.

[Amochosto]

Originally Posted by CRM114

The moving force behind men accepting/adopting wristwatches rather than pocket watches was WW1. No one brand was "the moving force" behind it, and Rolex didn't figure in significantly at all when it came to officer, trench, and aviator watches, other brands were far more numerous and popular. If one had to pick the single biggest player post war it would have been Cartier.

Rolex has done much in wristwatch history, but inventing or popularizing the wristwatch is not one of them.

I read an article that was much more promotional about Rolex being the driving force of wristwatch use, and yes I did know WWI played a significant role. I guess I should have been more skeptical of the claims. In any case after reading a bit more about points you made, I still think the early high accuracy Rolex wrist watches rank near or ahead the OP as the Rolex watches with the most important history.

[Watch Explorer]

Originally Posted by Amochosto

I read an article that was much more promotional about Rolex being the driving force of wristwatch use, and yes I did know WWI played a significant role. I guess I should have been more skeptical of the claims. In any case after reading a bit more about points you made, I still think the early high accuracy Rolex wrist watches rank near or ahead the OP as the Rolex watches with the most important history.

The OP has a well rounded history, from historical innovation to exploration and feats of endurance.

[Rebel]

Submariner.

[lenfried29]

I value the memory/history of the watches relative to me and my family first. That being said it's not a Rolex in my collection.

[jfp2476]

OP!

All this talk of Hillary/Norgay and the questions swirling around...no questions about Sir Francis Chichester and the Gipsy Moth IV...
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ar...ster-perpetual

A truly unsung badass circumnavigating the globe and sending TELEGRAMS about his awesome OP. Case closed

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[Explorer1nyc]

The sub has gotten more votes than any other watch for Rolex w/ best history - which the op asked about

That's gotta say something, and I don't even own a sub

#2 seems to be the Oyster Perpetual

[Bosbevok]

Has to be the DD called the President because more US presidents, including JFK, have worn one than any other Rolex.

[Skwisgaar]

Originally Posted by Bosbevok

Has to be the DD called the President because more US presidents, including JFK, have worn one than any other Rolex.

That's incorrect. JFK never wore the DD that Monroe gave him... it could have turned scandalous. Eisenhower's Rolex was a DJ. The first President to wear the DD was LBJ. Reagan wore a DJ. Obama wore a Tag until his SS detail gave him a Jorg Gray for his birthday. Clinton and Bush both wore Timex but Clinton was actually very much into watches... he owned Panerai, A. Lange & Sohne, Cartier, etc. But no Rolex.

The President's Watch has been the Vulcaine Cricket since the Truman administration. Eisenhower even did ads for them while he was still active duty. If LBJ was giving you a gift, you could bet it was going to be a Cricket. He once said he "felt somewhat less dressed without it." They are definitely handsome pieces. But I know I would choose a DD in a skinny minute. I suppose a watch that costs only $8k says "Man of the People" a little better than one that costs $36k.

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