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cjohns · 11 January 2012, 11:03 AM

When did Rolex really go over the top from being just a higher end time piece to be "the watch to have",,,mid 80s ?? I'm in my 50s and I have always loved watches but didn't really pick up on them until the mid 90s.CJ.

MoBe · 11 January 2012, 11:51 AM

I can`t give an exact date but I`ve wanted a Rolex since the sixties,probably because my father was a watchmaker working from home.

slcbbrown · 11 January 2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoBe

I can`t give an exact date but I`ve wanted a Rolex since the sixties,probably because my father was a watchmaker working from home.

My father and a couple of his work friends had them in the late 50's, and I've known the brand ever since. My semi-educated guess is that the brand took off after WWII with the US economy and the acceptance of the idea of a sport/dress watch. The Datejust with metal bracelet was pretty special for the time.

liptonnr · 11 January 2012, 12:05 PM

I would guess the late 70's to early 80's! Movies and tv have done a lot for the brand image,

sprtrlx · 11 January 2012, 02:23 PM

i started to notice wristwatch enthusiast in the early 90s.the established business people were wearing 18k dd.im sure it goes back way before this,but this is when i started to notice people wearing upscale pieces.

dddrees · 11 January 2012, 02:28 PM

I vaguely remember their ADs from the 60's. I always thought that a Rolex was something you could point to and say you finally made it.

Dan Pierce · 11 January 2012, 02:30 PM

April 3, 1980.
dP

Alcan · 11 January 2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

April 3, 1980.
dP

At 10:10 am.

Adam K. · 11 January 2012, 10:20 PM

Actually, I think it was April 28th, 1980...at 10:10 AM (and .31 seconds, to be exact)

Dan Pierce · 11 January 2012, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcan

At 10:10 am.

Al, you were always more precise than me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam K.

Actually, I think it was April 28th, 1980...at 10:10 AM (and .31 seconds, to be exact)

What the hell, Adam. At least I got the month and year correct.

dP

topgear · 11 January 2012, 11:12 PM

my father acquired a TT DJ in the mid 80s.

I have always wanted one myself.

Cru Jones · 11 January 2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

April 3, 1980.
dP

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcan

At 10:10 am.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam K.

Actually, I think it was April 28th, 1980...at 10:10 AM (and .31 seconds, to be exact)

mike · 11 January 2012, 11:34 PM

Among certain groups Rolex has always been desirable. I got my first in the 60s and it was darling of certain military groups.

azguy · 12 January 2012, 12:54 AM

I think it was around the time Wall Street was released and people dreamed, work and fought to be captain of industry and a Rolex was a great gift if you achieved that

Richmond1958 · 12 January 2012, 01:53 AM

Seriously, I'm not up on my James Bond trivia, but didn't some of the very early Bond movies (maybe the books) have Mr. bond in a Rolex? I thought I remember a scene in Goldfinger showing one.

I suspect that, given the early image of James Bond and popularity of those first movies, that might have had some positive effect on demand.

RRGHOST1 · 12 January 2012, 03:19 AM

Sean Connery in Dr.No i think wore a supposedly modified Sub and i think Ian Fleming even wrote Commander Bond wore a Rolex. Cannot ever remember him having an Omega untill product placement came out.

CAPDSSD · 12 January 2012, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolexplorer2

i think Ian Fleming even wrote Commander Bond wore a Rolex.

This is true. I read all the books in the sixtys. I remember Bond once took off his Rolex and wrapped it around his fingers, brass knuckle style, getting ready for a fight.

My introduction to Rolex was through those books.

Maxfli · 12 January 2012, 04:07 AM

In the Ian Fleming books, didn't Bond wear an Explorer? (Or am I dazed and confused as usual?)

azguy · 12 January 2012, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxfli

In the Ian Fleming books, didn't Bond wear an Explorer? (Or am I dazed and confused as usual?)

Pretty sure it was a Sub 14060

mike · 12 January 2012, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxfli

In the Ian Fleming books, didn't Bond wear an Explorer? (Or am I dazed and confused as usual?)

It was described as a Rolex Oyster Perpetual on an expanding metal bracelet. I don't believe the specific reference was ever mentioned.

Ian Fleming wore an Explorer.

signcarver · 12 January 2012, 06:36 AM

i remember the ads from the eighties, usually full page color in high end magazines, featuring a very accomplished person in his / her field of endeavor.

In the eighties the tt datgejust with fluted bezel was the watch to have with fakes on the streets of NYC and imitations by many companies.

St Thomas 16610 · 12 January 2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

April 3, 1980.
dP

Love it Dan!

11 January 2012, 11:03 AM	#1
cjohns "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Clark Location: Ramsey Minnesota Watch: GMT Master II Posts: 954	Rolex ???? When did Rolex really go over the top from being just a higher end time piece to be "the watch to have",,,mid 80s ?? I'm in my 50s and I have always loved watches but didn't really pick up on them until the mid 90s.CJ.

11 January 2012, 02:28 PM	#6
dddrees "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Dan Location: USA Watch: This N That Posts: 34,253	I vaguely remember their ADs from the 60's. I always thought that a Rolex was something you could point to and say you finally made it. __________________ When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

11 January 2012, 02:30 PM	#7
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,216	April 3, 1980. dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

12 January 2012, 04:07 AM	#18
Maxfli "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: U.S. Watch: Sub Date 16610 Posts: 573	In the Ian Fleming books, didn't Bond wear an Explorer? (Or am I dazed and confused as usual?) __________________ ~ TRF MEMBER 38,553 ~

11 January 2012, 11:51 AM	#2
MoBe "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 6,773	I can`t give an exact date but I`ve wanted a Rolex since the sixties,probably because my father was a watchmaker working from home.

11 January 2012, 12:05 PM	#4
liptonnr "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: Nate Location: Pottsville, PA Watch: Sub-c LV, GMT's Posts: 988	I would guess the late 70's to early 80's! Movies and tv have done a lot for the brand image,

11 January 2012, 02:23 PM	#5
sprtrlx Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: pa Posts: 98	i started to notice wristwatch enthusiast in the early 90s.the established business people were wearing 18k dd.im sure it goes back way before this,but this is when i started to notice people wearing upscale pieces.

11 January 2012, 10:20 PM	#9
Adam K. Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: WA Watch: All the Oysters Posts: 811	Actually, I think it was April 28th, 1980...at 10:10 AM (and .31 seconds, to be exact)

11 January 2012, 11:12 PM	#11
topgear "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Middle East Watch: 116710 LN, PAM390 Posts: 887	my father acquired a TT DJ in the mid 80s. I have always wanted one myself.

11 January 2012, 11:34 PM	#13
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Among certain groups Rolex has always been desirable. I got my first in the 60s and it was darling of certain military groups.

12 January 2012, 12:54 AM	#14
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	I think it was around the time Wall Street was released and people dreamed, work and fought to be captain of industry and a Rolex was a great gift if you achieved that

12 January 2012, 01:53 AM	#15
Richmond1958 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Rich Location: USA - Minnesota Watch: 116610LN Posts: 97	Seriously, I'm not up on my James Bond trivia, but didn't some of the very early Bond movies (maybe the books) have Mr. bond in a Rolex? I thought I remember a scene in Goldfinger showing one. I suspect that, given the early image of James Bond and popularity of those first movies, that might have had some positive effect on demand.

12 January 2012, 03:19 AM	#16
RRGHOST1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: luke standing Location: england Watch: Rolex TT SubC Blue Posts: 3,997	Sean Connery in Dr.No i think wore a supposedly modified Sub and i think Ian Fleming even wrote Commander Bond wore a Rolex. Cannot ever remember him having an Omega untill product placement came out.

12 January 2012, 06:36 AM	#21
signcarver Banned Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Steve Location: New Jersey Watch: 116610LN Posts: 127	i remember the ads from the eighties, usually full page color in high end magazines, featuring a very accomplished person in his / her field of endeavor. In the eighties the tt datgejust with fluted bezel was the watch to have with fakes on the streets of NYC and imitations by many companies.

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