Seeking Your Thoughts

[CorgiKCD]

About to buy my first Rolex!

I am considering a sub (silver bracelet/black face), explorer I, and datejust (oyster bracelet with either blue or black face with stick markers).

It would be a daily wearer.

I wear suits quite a bit (trimmer cut/narrow lapel look) and on the weekends either athleisure wear or jeans/Black v-neck tees. I wear a lot of navy, grey and black with an occasional pop of color.

I have a 7 inch wrist and would never make it as a bouncer.

I’m old enough to know better but young enough to occasionally ignore that advice and do it anyway.

Budget would be high 5s to low 8s. Of course anything cheaper would but great and I could probably justify a bit more for the right deal. I would hope in all instances to get box, papers, and watch in fairly great shape.

I like the sub because it is such an icon and it speaks to me. And I dive. But I’m not sure I want a diver for a daily wear in the office. I have a Vostok Amphibia that I dive with already and if that breaks or gets stolen then c’est la vie. I’m a little worried about having $9k on my wrist in some of the places I’ve been for diving. Also I think the Amphibia and sub are roughly the same size and I feel like the Amphibia is great for diving, occasions office visits weekend fun but a tad too large on me for a standard Tuesday morning on the train. That new model sub with the upgraded bracelet looks sweet but my AD doesn’t have one for me to try on.

I like the datejust 36 as a classic look and certainly a daily wearer. But I fear it is too refined and not sporty enough for me. I feel that I would grow to love this watch but I don’t have a big crush on it. I think the newer models are bigger than 40 (too big for me) and for what they cost I’d rather get a sub. I’ve tried these on and they fit nice.

Which brings me to the Explorer I. As I see it, this is maybe a bit more sporty than the datejust but more office appropriate than the sub. If memory serves they moved to a 39 size which would be good for me, with the newer 39s having the longer hands. Or maybe I could get a decent deal on one of the stubby hand 39s or a non-vintage 36. Some of the collectible explorers move out of my price range pretty quick. In terms of lust, this is probably in 2d place. Not having a date is I think is a con as all my prior watches have a date function.

Any thing I am wrong on? Another watch to consider? I didn’t mention but a top notch bracelet is way high for importance. The Vostok braceket is as awful as I thought it would be but I love the watch anyway.

Thanks!!!

[dafuture]

If you feel the Sub is too big, definitely get the Explorer. It's a great size, slim enough to fit in any suit, and doesn't look at all out of place with a t-shirt and jeans.

Ask me how I know!

[CorgiKCD]

Originally Posted by dafuture

Ask me how I know!

How??

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by CorgiKCD

How??

Based on his signature, I'm going to go out on a limb and say he knows because he has an Explorer. Call me crazy.

[watchwatcher]

You need to try some of these on and see for yourself how they look on your wrist.

It sounds like the Explorer is your leading candidate, but you would be surprised what a difference seeing them in the flesh makes.

[JacksonStone]

Given your bracelet preferences, I would avoid vintage. At 7 inches, your wrist may dwarf a 36mm DJ. Do you need a date feature? If so, that would be a strike against the Explorer. The current SubC wears the largest of the models you're considering, which might be appropriate for you, but my bias is toward a more robust look. I have a 6.33 inch wrist and wouldn't wear smaller than 39mm, so consider the source. Others might feel differently. Among the choices you listed, I think either a current-gen Explorer I or a SubC would both work for you, with preference to the Sub if you're considering a date. (The timing bezel and Glidelock clasp are also useful features.) My own feeling is that the SubC is not too sporty to wear with a suit or at the office. I also think a current-gen Exp. II would be a good consideration as well. It's more sporty, though.

I agree with others that you should try before you buy, if at all possible.

[nikesupremedunk]

First Rolex, always go with a Sub Date. There really isn't a better first Rolex out there, and if I can do it over, that would be my first choice. Truly the best all arounder that goes well with anything and everything.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by nikesupremedunk

I can do it over, that would be my first choice.

What was your first Rolex?

[CorgiKCD]

I love the advice!!! Thanks

[Reddy_Kilowatt]

My 2 cents...

Option 1: buy a Sub Date

Option 2:
Look at all the Datejusts, including the 36mm and try them on.
Same for the Explorer 1.
Same for Oyster Perpetual 36 and 39.
Choose the one you like.

If you choose the Explorer 1, it may be a 7-day/week watch for you. If not, find an inexpensive dive or tool watch for weekends. There are many options. (EDIT: or stick with your Vostok.)

Option 3: Look at Omegas.

[FSUGeoff]

Sub date, not question

[Mrcoach32]

In my opinion, you just can't go wrong with a Sub date. It's really a great, great watch. I was anti-Sub "everyone has one" guy until I tried one on and then I saw why it's the icon of icons. It's nice on the eyes, can pretty much put up with anything you throw at it, and so versatile.

[Fabrice M]

I would get the sub. As you say, it’s your favorite. The sub is the most iconic Rolex and arguably the most iconic watch ever made, and the design is definitely timeless. To me the date just feels very 80’s and the Explorer. It works as well under water as it does in a tux, and I don’t feel it would be out of place in an office setting. The watch should represent your personality, and from your description, the sub is definitely you. The explorer I is a nice watch, definitely, but if it is your only Rolex, go for the sub.

[droptopman]

Definitely try them on and see how they look and feel on the wrist. Sub(s) are my go to. Work in any and every occasion for me. Work great in an office environment IMO.

[TickTockChuck]

All your selections have merit. As you said, the black Sub date is an iconic design which is pretty versatile for suits or the beach, but will be louder than an Explorer I or DJ. Sounds like you want to fly a bit under the radar, so I would suggest the DJ41 as an alternative to the 39mm Explorer which have a similar slim form factor and imho feel about the same on the wrist. I was thinking of a DJ41 in black, rhodium or blue with stick markers, smooth bezel and oyster braclet. Both have a 100M depth rating, but the DJ41 has a greater power reserve plus a date function (see attached link). There's no substitute for spending some time with your AD and trying a few on. Good luck and welcome to TRF. Cheers!

https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex...-review-price/

[geebob]

Looks like you need and want a date function, so a Submariner Date will suit you better than the other two models.
If you don't need a date function though, I would suggest Explorer 1.

[christopheran]

Sub date is one of the few watches you could literally do anything with. I’d go with that for a 1 piece collection.

[abozz]

After searching for decades por the perfect watch ending find it in the cliché of the venerable Submariner!

[Joemck]

Subc date fits well with suit/ office attire. It’s my favorite watch. Definitely a buy what u like scenario. No worries about it not fitting in. Wear my sub with a suit several days a week. Explorer at 39mm also works quite well. No bad choice.

[brandrea]

You can never go too far wrong with a Submariner

[speedbird90]

116610LN, can't go wrong.

[Krash]

I just bought my first Rolex. Bought a sub. I wear it to the office every day. It goes great with black suits and blue suits. I also have 7” inch wrists.

I also considered the Exp 1 but at the end of the day, I got the Sub because that’s what I really wanted. I would have really regretted getting anything else.

Here’s a picture. I’m wearing it right now.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Beelzy]

Get a Sub Date. if it seems too loud on occasion or you wish to be more under the radar,
Put it on a nice strap. It's classic understated elegance!

[MickCollins1916]

My first, and for a long time my only, was a 14060m. The Submariner was a great choice, and though I have a number of watches now, including an Explorer, if I had it to do over again, I’d still pick the sub. Great watch.

[paltak]

The classic 16600 SD is one of the best values atm.

[HogwldFLTR]

On the sub clearly there are two paths, Date vs. Sub. Which are you after? Once that decision is made then the next is vintage, transitional, or modern. The later wears larger and is shinier and more akin to jewelry.

Regarding the DJ, the DJ41 is actually smaller than 40mm (39.5 which is smaller than the sub). The DJII is right at 41 mm so don't rule out the DJ41 especially with a seven inch wrist.

The Exp 1, regardless of vintage, is in the same boat as the Sub as it doesn't have a date. It's a great watch with good night time legibility. I do find that having a date is pretty useful and when I don't I wish I did.

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by CorgiKCD

sub..sub..sub..sub..love..sub..sub..date.. top notch bracelet

You've already made up your mind Sweetheart. Neeexxxxtttt.....!!!

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

You've already made up your mind Sweetheart. Neeexxxxtttt.....!!!

Very astute.

[timeldn]

I would recommend you visiting the AD to try out various models and see how you feel. You may change your mind on some models after trying them on.

Good luck

[WaxedElvis]

I might be going against the grain - but here is my story - my first and only, for a LONG time, was a DJ (36) - oyster, smooth bezel, black with sticks. I got it in the mid-90's and wore suits a lot back then, not as often now. IMO it looks good with anything and I wore it ALL the time doing everything - it's a classic. Picked up a Sub-D and several others later, but don't regret the DJ as my first. Still wear it with suits when I have to wear one. No bad choices, pick what YOU like. Personally, I'd rule out the Explorer I because I would prefer a date complication, although I do have a Daytona and love it too, so that shouldn't be a deal breaker if that's what YOU want. With several Rolex, and other brands too, in my collection, the DJ, IMO, is still the most versatile and good all around watch.