A little story, a new watch and some pictures

[watchstudent]

So, I bought a new watch recently and I really quite like it so I thought I would do a post about it. This is a long one and I guess quite self-indulgent really, so no offense taken if you don’t fancy it!
2018 has been a rather special year for me. I have started my specialty training to become a GP, got married and me and my wife have bought our first house together, so extremely busy but one of my best. The last two are pretty darn expensive so buying an expensive watch made no sense whatsoever. But us WIS folk have a funny way of justifying these things I guess! I forewent a wedding band for one.
I have always loved Rolex, I never really went through the stage of not liking them because they are popular/cliché. To me, they are just one of the best brands around, in any category. They have a design language that appeals to me, most of their watches are timeless (sorry…), all well made and they are a brand that is still truly independent.
Anyway, on to the watch.




It is, obviously, a Rolex Submariner ref 114060. Firstly, a little back story of how I bought it. I basically decided over the course of a weekend that I wanted a Rolex and wanted it soon to mark 2018 and because well, because I just wanted one. I convinced the wife that actually if we needed the money back, that wouldn’t be hard (and may even make a profit). Done, decision made. But I was just merely expecting to put my name down and have to wait an age to get one of the steel sports watches I had on my shortlist (Sub, Explorer, BLNR, Daytona (hahahaha)). First stop was Michael Spiers in Exeter, which was sweet relief from some Christmas shopping. Had a nice chat in there with the manager about the mental Rolex market and he told me that they had a BLNR in a few weeks ago, damn! They don’t do waiting lists though, they would rather give everyone a chance and all their SS sports models go in the window and first come first served. So got back home and was just pondering how to go about this and then thought well I would just pop down to the Michael Spier’s in Plymouth and see what the situation is there.

“Hello sir, can I help you”

“Well, I am sure you get this a lot, I am looking for a stainless steel sports Rolex”

The manager went on to ask me which ones I was interested in. And we chatted about my interest in watches, how I loved Rolex, how I was very disappointed that they didn’t make the 116600 anymore, and that I also love the 114270.

“Well the BLNR and Daytona are hens teeth for us at the moment, but you are interested in an Explorer?”

“Well yes!”

“Please take a seat sir”

They had a delivery that day and he bought me out a fresh Explorer. I liked it, but, decided I just didn’t love it. Having tried a 114270 before, I knew that that was the Explorer I would always really want, the 39mm just seemed wrong, even if the hands are now sorted. I am disappointed.

“Which submariner do you prefer sir?”

“Oh definitely the no-date.”

“Really? I much prefer a date. Wait just one moment Sir.”

Out comes a fresh 114060, my 114060.



It was a strange one. I was basically vetted by the manager. He wanted these to go to genuine watch lovers and not be sold on for a profit; as such they will keep the warranty card for a year (I know some people hate this, I am not really bothered). Not totally sure why he tried to sell me the Explorer over the sub and didn’t just bring out all the SS ones he had, but there we go. What do you guys think about all that?
Back to the watch…

There is really very little point in doing a thorough review (as there are so many out there better than mine would ever be) but I thought I would highlight some of my favourite parts.
Firstly, that design.



It has, of course, been imitated a thousand times. But this cannot be beat. For sure there are watch faces that I prefer, but in terms of a dive watch, no, this is it for me. The symmetry, the “cleaness”, mercedes hands, deep deep inky black dial, so legible.

The bezel. Now we get onto the more contentious parts. Many do not like the shine, and actually and I still have one foot in and one foot out of that camp. But on this watch it just works, when you are outside of the ADs lights, it is subtle and for me just makes it pop. I like that it will always look great.



Dem lugs. Look. I loved the 116600 because it did not have these fat lugs. If I am honest with myself, if I had the choice of this watch but with some slimmer lugs, I would take it. But, I wanted a 2018 watch and once the watch is on the wrist any concerns about the lugs, for me, disappears. Again, the watch just works. I like the heft and I love just how well machined and put together it feels, the lugs are part of that. I think the watch is definitely more sporty than a 5 digit reference, but that is fine by me, I usually dress casually and this watch is part of a collection.







The clasp. This thing is just amazing. Makes my Speedmaster clasp seem like a cheap knock-off. The clicks and clunks are so satisfying and the micro adjust is a revelation. Previously I didn’t like bracelets, this has changed now. Another reason I am very glad I went for this over an Explorer.





The lume. Just cool. Love the blue.




Overall, I am over the moon with this watch. Although it is nice to know I shouldn’t lose money on it, I really hope I never need to sell it. It is my Rolex. I did not think I would be able to say that for a number of years, but there we go.

Over the last year or two, I had taken a back seat with this hobby (I think because of the increasing price of the watches that appealed most), but this watch has stoked that fire again.
It now joins my Speedmaster (which was a graduation present back in 2015).





Hmmm, I think maybe a better pairing after a strap change.





I know, I know how boring and predictable, a Sub and a Speedy. True. But like I said I just love classic, timeless designs and that is why I absolutely love both of these watches. I have had Christopher Ward’s, a Bremont, a Nomos, a Seiko, all gone now; with just these two left. I will buy more, hopefully something dressy next but these two form the foundation of my collection and I could not be more satisfied with my predictable choices.