Steel Daily Wearer - Advice Needed

[JMJW]

Hi All,

New to the forum and the world of Rolex so I was wondering if I might kindly ask the wisdom of much more experienced people here about a watch decision?

Basically, I'm looking for a 'daily wear' steel Rolex. I've been an Omega Seamaster 300m wearer for 20-something years, since my late-20s, but looking for a change to something a little less overstated, but still tough, functional and waterproof enough to swim/shallow dive in.

My dilemma is that I think the OP in 39mm with white face would be absolutely perfect, however, with Rolex discontinuing this and used prices starting to mount up, I'm wary of it as a daily wear - it looks set to be more of a collector's watch maybe(?). I'm not so into Rolex as a status symbol, more about their original USP of being very well engineered, durable, plus the 'timeless' understated but sophisticated design aesthetic of the steels.

I tried the nearest current catalogue watch I could find, which is the 41mm Datejust at my local AD, with the plain bezel and Oyster bracelet. This is close to perfect -

Positives:
- Just close-ish in size to 39mm
- White dial with plain dash markers
- I do like a date on my watch
- New price is OK
- These don't seem to go up to ludicrous prices used, so not as bad insurance/mugging-wise(?)

Not-so-goods:
- Not brushed steel all over - the bracelet centre links and lugs are polished - I very much like the brushed steel look on an everyday wear (and just generally if I'm honest)
- 41mm with a white face actually looked a little large to me, even though I'm used to a 42mm Omega diver - go figure...

So hm...

I'm kind of looking for this to be a forever watch, and I do wear my watches every day, no matter what I'm doing, so I'd like it to be right but also not crazy to insure or going so dear used that I'm going to worry about it too much.

I looked at the standard OP, price is right new, but none of the current dial colours are quite right for me, I don't think - not sure why they offer black and not white - the silver is a bit 'old businessman' to me, but the bright colours are a little too 'in fashion now, but might look dated in 20 years'. Same with the Explorer as I don't want a black dial really.

I guess my question is, is there a watch I'm overlooking? Either new or a slightly older model which, in my newness to the range, I'm not aware of and which fit the wish-list above?

Would really appreciate any thoughts/ideas!

[Stan Cooper]

I picked up a gently used 116264 Datejust 36 Turn-O-Graph recently that strikes a nice balance between dressy and sport, and think it's perfect as a "one size fits all" piece. Just MHO. It's also available with a black dial. They sell for around $7k to $8k in near mint condition. Bezel is white gold.

The oyster bracelet does have polished center links which hasn't been a problem for me.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

I picked up a gently used 116264 Datejust 36 Turn-O-Graph recently that strikes a nice balance between dressy and sport, and think it's perfect as a "one size fits all" piece. Just MHO. It's also available with a black dial. They sell for around $7k to $8k in near mint condition. Bezel is white gold.

The oyster bracelet does have polished center links which hasn't been a problem for me.

Probably one of the most underneath the radar Rolex watches ever, and a very cool watch!!!

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by garyk

Probably one of the most underneath the radar Rolex watches ever, and a very cool watch!!!

Thanks, Gary. I agree.

[prnceofpersia23]

Have you considered the older white dial Explorer 2? All brushed, 40mm, but wears small with its flat bezel. Very useful as a daily with the date and GMT complication

They can still be found at reasonable prices. Reference 16570.

Originally Posted by JMJW

something a little less overstated, but still tough, functional and waterproof enough to swim/shallow dive in

Meets all your criteria, imo.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[stateman]

Unless you mean that it needs to be a Rolex (which is great of course), you're almost describing an Omega Aqua Terra 38mm.

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

I picked up a gently used 116264 Datejust 36 Turn-O-Graph recently that strikes a nice balance between dressy and sport, and think it's perfect as a "one size fits all" piece. Just MHO. It's also available with a black dial. They sell for around $7k to $8k in near mint condition. Bezel is white gold.

The oyster bracelet does have polished center links which hasn't been a problem for me.

This is a great watch, if you can find one in such fine condition. I was going to suggest an Explorer, it’s versatile, durable and discreet. And there’s a variety of DJ options that would make a very good every day watch.

Shopping for a new watch can be fun, if frustrating, but at least your current watch is terrific.

[JMJW]

How cool, I have never seen one of those before - never even heard of a turn-o-graph!

I think personally I'll look for one without a turning/numbered bezel as I'm changing specifically to get a way from a diver/bezel type watch, but yes very nice looking watch indeed. I love the red date - is that what they call a 'roulette' date?

What it does do is make me wonder about the combination of a fluted bezel with an oyster bracelet, very nice.

It also makes me wonder whether I should try on a 36mm, as I've only tried the 41mm which seemed quite big to me, despite being used to a 41mm diver. Do these fit quite big in a 36?

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by prnceofpersia23

Have you considered the older white dial Explorer 2? All brushed, 40mm, but wears small with its flat bezel. Very useful as a daily with the date and GMT complication

They can still be found at reasonable prices. Reference 16570.



Meets all your criteria, imo.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Sorry, I should have mentioned I'm trying to get away from the wide/turning/numbered bezel look of my current diver - so one criteria is the OP/Datejust type bezel.

Oddly, the Explorer II is just a watch that doesn't float my boat design wise. I could dig an Explorer I if they did a white dial, though!

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by stateman

Unless you mean that it needs to be a Rolex (which is great of course), you're almost describing an Omega Aqua Terra 38mm.

I think I am looking for a Rolex this time

The Omega is nice, but a much more modern feel, to my eye. I really am trying for the 'timeless' OP/Datejust aesthetic.

[Viking]

Originally Posted by prnceofpersia23

Have you considered the older white dial Explorer 2? All brushed, 40mm, but wears small with its flat bezel. Very useful as a daily with the date and GMT complication

I was thinking the same exact thing. I am wearing mine as I type this. I could easily wear this all day everyday. It's tough, functional, and can be used in any occasion.

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by Jack T

This is a great watch, if you can find one in such fine condition. I was going to suggest an Explorer, it’s versatile, durable and discreet. And there’s a variety of DJ options that would make a very good every day watch.

Shopping for a new watch can be fun, if frustrating, but at least your current watch is terrific.

I would be all over an Explorer I if they did a white dial.

[LC23]

Originally Posted by JMJW

Hi All,

New to the forum and the world of Rolex so I was wondering if I might kindly ask the wisdom of much more experienced people here about a watch decision?

Basically, I'm looking for a 'daily wear' steel Rolex. I've been an Omega Seamaster 300m wearer for 20-something years, since my late-20s, but looking for a change to something a little less overstated, but still tough, functional and waterproof enough to swim/shallow dive in.

My dilemma is that I think the OP in 39mm with white face would be absolutely perfect, however, with Rolex discontinuing this and used prices starting to mount up, I'm wary of it as a daily wear - it looks set to be more of a collector's watch maybe(?). I'm not so into Rolex as a status symbol, more about their original USP of being very well engineered, durable, plus the 'timeless' understated but sophisticated design aesthetic of the steels.

I tried the nearest current catalogue watch I could find, which is the 41mm Datejust at my local AD, with the plain bezel and Oyster bracelet. This is close to perfect -

Positives:
- Just close-ish in size to 39mm
- White dial with plain dash markers
- I do like a date on my watch
- New price is OK
- These don't seem to go up to ludicrous prices used, so not as bad insurance/mugging-wise(?)

Not-so-goods:
- Not brushed steel all over - the bracelet centre links and lugs are polished - I very much like the brushed steel look on an everyday wear (and just generally if I'm honest)
- 41mm with a white face actually looked a little large to me, even though I'm used to a 42mm Omega diver - go figure...

So hm...

I'm kind of looking for this to be a forever watch, and I do wear my watches every day, no matter what I'm doing, so I'd like it to be right but also not crazy to insure or going so dear used that I'm going to worry about it too much.

I looked at the standard OP, price is right new, but none of the current dial colours are quite right for me, I don't think - not sure why they offer black and not white - the silver is a bit 'old businessman' to me, but the bright colours are a little too 'in fashion now, but might look dated in 20 years'. Same with the Explorer as I don't want a black dial really.

I guess my question is, is there a watch I'm overlooking? Either new or a slightly older model which, in my newness to the range, I'm not aware of and which fit the wish-list above?

Would really appreciate any thoughts/ideas!

39-40mm
oyster or jub
date or no date

decide those 3 and you will narrow down to a watch

[prnceofpersia23]

Originally Posted by JMJW

Oddly, the Explorer II is just a watch that doesn't float my boat design wise. I could dig an Explorer I if they did a white dial, though!

Well that's always criteria number one, got to like the watch! And I would love a white dial Ex1 as well.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[bullies]

I've had both the OP39 and DJ41 (blue/smooth/jubiliee). They do wear a little differently, but it was probably due to oyster vs jubilee.
I, too, prefer having a date. Have the oyster bracelet brushed and go for it
(will post an old pic side by side when i have the chance)

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by bullies

I've had both the OP39 and DJ41 (blue/smooth/jubiliee). They do wear a little differently, but it was probably due to oyster vs jubilee.
I, too, prefer having a date. Have the oyster bracelet brushed and go for it
(will post an old pic side by side when i have the chance)

Do you mean you can have the brushed effect on the bracelet modified afterwards, or perhaps buy an OP bracelet (if it fits the DJ)? If so that might be a good option!

Which did you prefer out of the 36mm/41mm (I guess it depends what size wrist you have...?).

When Rolex specify 36mm/41mm do they mean the width of the dial itself or the whole watch face including the bezel?

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by LC23

39-40mm
oyster or jub
date or no date

decide those 3 and you will narrow down to a watch

I could live with either watch and with or without date.

Size-wise, I've only tried on a 41mm, so probably best to try on a 36mm and then I'll see instantly if it's even an option.

I suppose what I'm asking is a bit more subtle than that - I think, from a bit of Googling, that, e.g., the older Datejust had brushed lugs/bracelet (?) but no idea how far back you have to go to get that model. I also don't know which models/years of OP had white dials but not Roman numerals, etc. There seems to be a large variation out there, especially when taking into accont bracelet and bezel choice.

[Rado63]

While you can certainly live with a DJ as a daily wear watch, the watch has more polished surfaces than a sports watch. Scratches are easier to notice on those polished surfaces. The sports watches have more brushed surfaces. As mentioned the now discontinued 40mm explorer 2, or a SUB or GMT from the five digit production would be outstanding as a daily but you want a white dial. Today Oyster Perpetual if in black or silver dial are not trading on the secondary as high as the other dial colors, but again you want a white dial. I feel you already chose the top watch for you and that is the 114300 in white dial. Yes the prices are climbing but you want a forever watch, so I would find the nicest example, and take it home now. You will look back in a year from now and prices will be holding or increasing. Since there is at the present time no white dial for the current 124300 the price for the previous version 114300, will stay up.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum.

I don’t necessarily agree that the OP will ever be a collector piece, but we can agree to disagree.

Buy the OP (as it’s the one you want) and wear it would be my advice.

[JMJW]

Thanks, that's good to know re: scratching of the polished surfaces on the DJ, which I'm not that keen on anyway.

So, OK, yes, maybe the OP in white it will have to be. Need to try on a 36mm to see if it's too small, in which case I'd have to seek out a 39mm I guess.

It would be much easier in the OP if I liked black, but I'm trying to get away from that.

The only other option I've considered is a blue face, but I'm not sure it's as versatile... and I wear a lot of blue, so it might get 'lost', wheras the white has some pop to lift it out, so...

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Welcome to the forum.

I don’t necessarily agree that the OP will ever be a collector piece, but we can agree to disagree.

Buy the OP (as it’s the one you want) and wear it would be my advice.

To be honest, if you're right and the 39mm white OP isn't going to go to nuts prices and kind of stabilize where it is, it would be my first choice for sure.

[Jackie Daytona]

May be the odd suggestion, but if it’s your watch and something meant to be kept and not sold why not do the DJ in white like you mentioned, and have the top of the lugs and pcls professionally brushed? Should fit your needs perfectly.

Customize it a bit if need be. It’s your watch

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by JMJW

I love the red date - is that what they call a 'roulette' date?

The date wheel on the T-O-Gs is red only; the 'roulette' date wheel alternates between red and black. The red date wheel, second hand, and 'T-O-G' on the dial add a touch of color to an otherwise monochrome piece, and that was one of the attractions for me.

The Turn-O-Graph was used by pilots for timing checkpoint intervals and switching fuel tanks, and is nicknamed 'Thunderbird' after the USAF aerobatic demonstration team. It's also convenient for timing parking meters and hard boiled eggs.

[yesnaya]

As far as brushed bracelets go you have:

Submariner
Sea-dweller
Explorer
Airking
OP

Seems like the sea-dweller is out of your size range. Of the remaining watches the submariner is without a doubt the one to get. If you dont mind going used, the 39mm explorer 1 or the OP39 white dial are also options. If the brushed bracelet is key, these are basically your rolex options. And I would choose the submariner date everytime.

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

May be the odd suggestion, but if it’s your watch and something meant to be kept and not sold why not do the DJ in white like you mentioned, and have the top of the lugs and pcls professionally brushed? Should fit your needs perfectly.

Customize it a bit if need be. It’s your watch

I'd be totally up for this if it's a possibility without ruining the watch - do people get this done successfully?

As you say it's going to be my watch and no intention to sell on, just wear and enjoy.

If so, do authorised service centres do this, or if not are there any known 'trusted' workshops (particularly UK) which would do a bang-on job?

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

The date wheel on the T-O-Gs is red only; the 'roulette' date wheel alternates between red and black. The red date wheel, second hand, and 'T-O-G' on the dial add a touch of color to an otherwise monochrome piece, and that was one of the attractions for me.

The Turn-O-Graph was used by pilots for timing checkpoint intervals and switching fuel tanks, and is nicknamed 'Thunderbird' after the USAF aerobatic demonstration team. It's also convenient for timing parking meters and hard boiled eggs.

Thanks for the extra detail on the watch and its history, that really is very cool and great to start to know more unusual models.

IMO a red-only date makes it even better

[JMJW]

Originally Posted by yesnaya

As far as brushed bracelets go you have:

Submariner
Sea-dweller
Explorer
Airking
OP

Seems like the sea-dweller is out of your size range. Of the remaining watches the submariner is without a doubt the one to get. If you dont mind going used, the 39mm explorer 1 or the OP39 white dial are also options. If the brushed bracelet is key, these are basically your rolex options. And I would choose the submariner date everytime.

Thanks. I think it would be the 39 OP white dial out of those for me as I'm trying to move away from the 'diver' aesthetic.

I do need to try on a 36mm to see if it's big enough, though, as that might open up more options from older model ranges?

[IamJacky]

OP if you're thinking about a forever watch then scratches on the PCL is irrelevant because you can always send to RSC to service it. From your description I recommend the DJ41 (dial/bezel/bracelet of your choice) or the OP, they are both timeless. Good luck!

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by JMJW

How cool, I have never seen one of those before - never even heard of a turn-o-graph!

I think personally I'll look for one without a turning/numbered bezel as I'm changing specifically to get a way from a diver/bezel type watch, but yes very nice looking watch indeed. I love the red date - is that what they call a 'roulette' date?

What it does do is make me wonder about the combination of a fluted bezel with an oyster bracelet, very nice.

It also makes me wonder whether I should try on a 36mm, as I've only tried the 41mm which seemed quite big to me, despite being used to a 41mm diver. Do these fit quite big in a 36?

The Turn-o-graph is what was used back in the early '50s as the predecessor or foundation for the sub and then GMT Master. They took the Turn-o-graph, played around with it, and created the first sub. In fact, if you look at pics of the original Turn-o-graph (reference #6202) it looks almost identical to the first sub (6200). If you didn't know better, at quick glance you would think you are looking at a vintage sub.

[novae500]

I had an Omega 300 Seamaster bought new 18 years ago and wore it daily since it was my first expense watch. Then 12 years ago i picked up my first rolex, Coke from member local to me here. Caught the bug and kept on buying rolexes thereafter.