What is your definition of a "sports" model?

[jlovda]

When I walked into the AD in Bergen, Norway last summer to purchase a sports Rolex the only two on display that fit the mold were a Milgauss and a Exp II. I bought the Exp II. My personal feeling is that a Rolex sport watch has a numerical bezel; either fixed or rotating. The Exp I has a long heritage but in my mind it is simply an OP with a "name" and Mercedes hour hand. The Milgauss is also just a variant of an OP. I also think an Air-King is just an OP with a lot of numbers on the dial and Mercedes hands. I'm curious what others here consider "sports" watches.

[marc2828]

my definition is: stainless steel/no polished center links. PM and polished case/bracelet are dressy watches that I cannot dive 4000feet which I regularly do....(settle down...joking people)

[MTBer]

SUBJECTIVELY, any watch I would wear during any sporting activity, without worry of damage nor replacement cost...so, a G-Shock

[brandrea]

Pretty much the whole Rolex line are sport watches IMO.

[JacksonStone]

The sports watches are categorized by Rolex as the Professional line. All Professional watches have a key trait that is purpose-built for use in a given "professional" activity beyond mere time telling: the Submariner is a dive watch; the GMT is a multi-time-zone watch for pilots; the Explorer is a rugged watch for climbers; the Explorer II is for cave exploring; the Milguass is for scientists in environments with high degrees of magnetization; the Daytona is for racing; the Yacht-master is for staying topside drinking Champagne while divers wearing Subs toil below the surface, scraping barnacles off the hull.

The non-professional models primarily serve as time-telling devices (that also tell the date, day, or some other calendar function) not for use in a particular profession. The Sky Dweller blurs the line somewhat, since it's not categorized as a Professional model, but it does include a second time zone. However, its primary advancements are in calendar functions, which are more general in application.

[_speedmaster_]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

The sports watches are categorized by Rolex as the Professional line. All Professional watches have a key trait that is purpose-built for use in a given "professional" activity beyond mere time telling: the Submariner is a dive watch; the GMT is a multi-time-zone watch for pilots; the Explorer is a rugged watch for climbers; the Explorer II is for cave exploring; the Milguass is for scientists in environments with high degrees of magnetization; the Daytona is for racing; the Yacht-master is for staying topside drinking Champagne while divers wearing Subs toil below the surface, scraping barnacles off the hull.

The non-professional models primarily serve as time-telling devices (that also tell the date, day, or some other calendar function) not for use in a particular profession. The Sky Dweller blurs the line somewhat, since it's not categorized as a Professional model, but it does include a second time zone. However, its primary advancements are in calendar functions, which are more general in application.

/thread

[Krash]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Pretty much the whole Rolex line are sport watches IMO.

Yep, except Cellini.


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[Dr.Smellody]

Oyster case for me. I'll decide the purpose.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

The Sky Dweller blurs the line somewhat, since it's not categorized as a Professional model, but it does include a second time zone. However, its primary advancements are in calendar functions, which are more general in application.

The Sky Dweller is a dual, time-zone watch for jet-setters and boardroom executives, who are a bit too sophisticated and wealthy for a watch designed for mere service-industry professionals.

It is also an design exercise for Rolex to show off their ground-breaking innovations in the watch complication department.

It really is quite a marvel of the watchmaker's art.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by jlovda

When I walked into the AD in Bergen, Norway last summer to purchase a sports Rolex the only two on display that fit the mold were a Milgauss and a Exp II. I bought the Exp II. My personal feeling is that a Rolex sport watch has a numerical bezel; either fixed or rotating. The Exp I has a long heritage but in my mind it is simply an OP with a "name" and Mercedes hour hand. The Milgauss is also just a variant of an OP. I also think an Air-King is just an OP with a lot of numbers on the dial and Mercedes hands. I'm curious what others here consider "sports" watches.

You can dive to 100 metres wearing any of those watches so they are all sports models.

Add in a bit of exploring if you want.

[jrs146]

The true definition of a sports model is any Rolex that you can’t find at your AD.


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[WristCheckDaily]

Anything that has a premium over retail lol


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[Brew]

Other thank Cellini, they're all "sports" models. Rolex splits the sports pieces into "Classic" and "Professional" lines. Perhaps this is the distinction you intended, OP?

[The Sub-lime One]

One you can’t get!

[tyler1980]

sports watch... nautilus, DD, DJ, Royal Oak, etc

professional sports watch... sub, fifty fathoms, Daytona, etc

dress watch... calatrava etc



Anything not a dress watch is a sports watch. Sports does not mean you can play football with it on but means its a less formal watch. Same as with a sports jacket. Its not a football uniform, its a less formal jacket than a tux.

If its not a professional sports watch, it can still be a sports watch.

[Sublovin]

You don’t have to define it. Rolex does that for you

[jdpny]

IMO those models with crown guards - I know you are saying what about the EXP1, the original sports watch, I think that crown guards are a development that was determined to be necessary through Rolex studying what the potential/realized damage failure areas are and made a very early addition to correct this. Otherwise... why add them?

[AK797]

Originally Posted by jrs146

The true definition of a sports model is any Rolex that you can’t find at your AD.


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We are truly in the post post-modern world. Now where's that fourth horseman?

[dr35mm]

To me it’s about crown guards (only exception is Explorer I) and Clasp lock.


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[jdpny]

To me it’s about crown guards (only exception is Explorer I) and Clasp lock.

Agreed

[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Pretty much the whole Rolex line are sport watches IMO.

So you consider Cellini a sports watch?

To me it’s three categories:

1- Cellini a dress watch
2- DD, DJ, and skyD are versatile dress/sports
3- everything else as sports watch (would wear on a tux)

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

So you consider Cellini a sports watch?

To me it’s three categories:

1- Cellini a dress watch
2- DD, DJ, and skyD are versatile dress/sports
3- everything else as sports watch (would wear on a tux)

No I do not. I consider Cellini a dress watch.

I specifically said Rolex which IMO are all sport watches, yes even the DD references

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[Panych]

I am not sure that it is appropriate to call any mechanical watches as “sport watches”. Professional do not do sport wearing mechanical watches. Maximum what they wear are quartz watches.

Therefore, I would classify watches as follows:
- dress (calatavra, cellini, etc.)
- professional/tool (sub, gmt, chrono, milgaus, etc.)
- casual (the rest of watches, such as DJ, DD, Aqua Terra, RO, Nautilus, etc. )

[ccaballero]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Pretty much the whole Rolex line are sport watches IMO.

Agreed. The full professional line are sport watches.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ccaballero

Agreed. The full professional line are sport watches.

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[Chester01]

Originally Posted by jlovda

When I walked into the AD in Bergen, Norway last summer to purchase a sports Rolex the only two on display that fit the mold were a Milgauss and a Exp II. I bought the Exp II. My personal feeling is that a Rolex sport watch has a numerical bezel; either fixed or rotating. The Exp I has a long heritage but in my mind it is simply an OP with a "name" and Mercedes hour hand. The Milgauss is also just a variant of an OP. I also think an Air-King is just an OP with a lot of numbers on the dial and Mercedes hands. I'm curious what others here consider "sports" watches.

All Rolex watches with the exception of the Cellini line are in my opinion sport watches, though some more so than others and were in fact designed to be from the start.

[Albatross]

Originally Posted by Panych

I am not sure that it is appropriate to call any mechanical watches as “sport watches”. Professional do not do sport wearing mechanical watches. Maximum what they wear are quartz watches.

Therefore, I would classify watches as follows:
- dress (calatavra, cellini, etc.)
- professional/tool (sub, gmt, chrono, milgaus, etc.)
- casual (the rest of watches, such as DJ, DD, Aqua Terra, RO, Nautilus, etc. )

There are exceptions to every rule. I general, I agree with above. However, it is also pretty well documented through many pictures taken during actual competition that Phil Mickelson wears a Cellini during competition on the PGA Tour. So, the all encompassing statement that "professionals do not so sports wearing mechanical watches" is incorrect...at least when it comes to Phil. He's one the greatest professionals in history in his sport...hall of famer...and he not only wears a Rolex during play, he wears one that is not even considered to be a "sport model". Therefore, I conclude that ANY Rolex is a watch that can be used for all occasions...from the board room to sports activities. Isn't that actually what we love about them?

Personally, I am totally comfortable going to work in a suit wearing my Datejust, and then coming home, throwing on a pair of jeans and a T-Shirt, and going outside to throw a football around with my kids. I don't change watches in the meantime.

I guess that could spawn another thread: " Is it safe to throw and catch a football with a Rolex on?" Yes.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Pretty much the whole Rolex line are sport watches IMO.

I agree, Brian. I started off with a DJ and did everything known to man in that watch...played golf, swam, jogged, sauna, skiing...you name it. I was too young and dumb to know you had to baby your precious time piece.

I guess the only thing I would not put in the sports range would be the Cellini line, but heck, I saw one on leather the other day at the AD that looks like it could take everything I could throw at it these days. (The list has gotten a little shorter over the last 20 years.)

[TswaneNguni]

A GMT II full ice model in a Ferrari ..

All Rolex watches are built tough

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I agree, Brian. I started off with a DJ and did everything known to man in that watch...played golf, swam, jogged, sauna, skiing...you name it. I was too young and dumb to know you had to baby your precious time piece.

I guess the only thing I would not put in the sports range would be the Cellini line, but heck, I saw one on leather the other day at the AD that looks like it could take everything I could throw at it these days. (The list has gotten a little shorter over the last 20 years.)

I wish I knew then what I know now

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