New or Old Models?

[sakuraba]

I greatly prefer the older references than the newer ones. There's a sleekness to the older case that was lost with the fatter lugged supercase.

That said, it takes me a while to warm up to change, so who knows how I will feel about the ceramics 10 years from now.

[swish77]

Vintage Rolexes are simply "cooler." They have a feel, a warmth, that the new blingy models will never attain. I love Plexi cyrstals, even though they can scratch; I love the old Oyster bracelets, even though they can stretch and rattle. To wear a well-preserved 40-year-old time piece that keeps COSC time is a great feeling. I have old (5512, 16030) and new (14060M, 16710, 114270). And while I happily rotate them, the vintage models get more wrist time because they feel like old friends.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

I'm a new Rolex fan, I just prefer the designs - love the supercase look

Originally Posted by Paracentesis

Yes, but aren't you trying to sell them?

Personally, I think the older models look more elegant, and the new ones more elephant.

Personally I find that the die-hard advocates of older models are often unnecessarily disrespectful, perhaps even bordering on the offensive when commenting on newer models.

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by spuds

Personally I find that the die-hard advocates of older models are often unnecessarily disrespectful, perhaps even bordering on the offensive when commenting on newer models.

I thought it was just me that has noticed this. Kinda silly if you ask me. The newer models aren't THAT radically different.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

I thought it was just me that has noticed this. Kinda silly if you ask me. The newer models aren't THAT radically different.

I don't know why some of these guys feel the need to be so offensive when expressing their dislike (contempt even?) for the newer models.

Just goes to show Dan......

Anyone can buy a Rolex but they can't buy class eh mate?!?

[dieseldragon]

I think that for me I love the old more and new almost as much, however I would change my personal debate to New or Used. Used gives value and you dont have to fear that the watch may get the odd dink here and there as its value is already reduced.

[TheDude]

The more vintage I buy, the less I wear my GMT-IIc. I still like it, and it's still far superior to older models, but it simply doesn't have the same draw for me. It feels like it comes from a different maker/place. I suppose that's testament to how much Rolex has advanced its products, but it's still "different".

[rmfnla]

My TT DJ (16013) with the white Roman dial is still the most beautifil watch to me.

That being said, I really like the smooth, dome bezels available on the new ones so I put one on; really looks great with the oyster band!

So I guess I like the old styles with a slight update.

[HORNBLOWER]

For me the only gmt is the tranny tt master, stunning, and if you can get a nipple dial even better again. So much nicer than the master 2. The tranny tt Master looks like a 1950s movie u.f.o from the side!!! COOL.

[Chipmunk]

I like them young...... I mean new.

[chris russell]

and my gf is gonna stay with her classic '74 Gremlin. Classics both. They just don't make'em like that anymore.

[Frogman4me]

I like the technology advancements as I believe that's important in being the biggest independent watch company in the world. But for my I realized I am a vintage guy, I do not like anything that is too flashy and I realized this once I purchased my GMTIIC. The style although I like looking at it as it is marvelous, it's just not for me.

[AWS]

Classic styling and minimal changes (or slow to change) are what I like about Rolex. I do appreciate the upgrades and improvements such as the maxi dial, ceramic bezel, bracelet, etc. It just takes me longer to embrace change but who knows down the road. For now, I stick with the ones I like.

[Paracentesis]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

I like the technology advancements as I believe that's important in being the biggest independent watch company in the world. But for my I realized I am a vintage guy, I do not like anything that is too flashy and I realized this once I purchased my GMTIIC. The style although I like looking at it as it is marvelous, it's just not for me.

I too prefer understated elegance. The new models shout, the older ones whisper. But if you like the new ones, that's all good.

[rad87gn]

I love them all but I am currently fine with the "older" ones that I have. No itch to get a newer model.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by gmh1013

For me its older....I just dont care for most of the new models coming out and will stick with older GMT and Im looking at an older Explorer 1 Monday.
Just like cars and guitars I prefer my Rolex(s) to be a older/vintage model.

I prefer the newer and the older! Seriously, each has it's own design and sometimes I am drawn to an older model; sometimes to a newer model.

I personally doubt Rolex "tool watches" were ever used for their intended purposes by the majority of owners twenty, thirty or more years ago. I suspect that's a myth in large part. It would be interesting to see how many Subs were bought by divers over the years. That's not a dig against Rolex or "tool watches," but there's a bit of wannabe in most of us; so, for example, I might buy an Explorer and in some small way feel some kinship with mountain climbers, but I don't have to climb a Himalayan peak for my ownership of the watch to be legitimate.

I just can't afford to participate in the vintage market, which is a market with no true price ceiling. I would love to own some of the historical watches, but I would rather go for new materials and new designs with my limited budget.

[Submarino]

I personally love older models. I just got this today.

[Zed Homme]

I really like them both. The new case with its squared off lugs reminds me a bit of the older 5513 case. To each their own but I think Rolex got it right with this new design. To those that dislike the old bracelets, perhaps it is time to join the Nylon Nation....

[Yazo]

Vintage!

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by Yazo

Vintage!

Yazo, just out of curiosity's sake, when does a watch become "vintage?" The 16610 has been discontinued, but I think it will be many years till they would be refered to as such. How goes your epic vintage search anyway?

[FLB03TT]

It's a tough call for me. I think my GMT Master II Pepsi is wonderful, but I also see compelling virtues in the new GMT & Sub C. Time will tell what ends up on my wrist.

[ersnyder]

For me, I like all the new stuff: big lugs, big crown guards, maxi dial, ceramics, PCL's, all of it!!! But, a classic Sub or GMT is a thing of beauty too!