“One-Watch collection” philosophy

[cerendigit]

Suppose that:

* you wanted to keep only one “expensive” ($6000+) watch from your current collection and that would be a Rolex (you would have to sell the others).
* you could have other inexpensive watches as well, but still trying to keep the total number of watches to a minimum.

Which model of Rolex would you keep and why?

* Would you chose a “fancy” watch (e.g. Yellow gold, colorful dials, blingy) but only wear it on occasions?
* Would you chose a “plain” watch (e.g. monochrome, three-hands, steel), but then wear it everyday?
* …. ?

[cerendigit]

I’ll start. I think I would lean towards a plain-ish Rolex, but still don’t try to wear it everyday.

Probably this 214270


I just don’t feel this would be appropriate to wear with a suit, so I’ll have a cheaper (and less conspicuous), leather band watch.


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[subtona]

Always a sub (was my only for 20 years as a daily wear) jogging, cooking parking meters and appointment keeping are a few of the regular uses I found for the timing bezel.

If travel is common then the explorer II

In both cases I have opted for the 5 (sub is a G and exp II is a P) digit references with lug holes.
Makes strap options plentiful and secure.

[Calborn]

definitely my 116500LN.

• stealthy unlike yellow/rose gold, but doesn't lack gravitas
• steel is light on the wrist, but still has heft
• can dress up or down for any occasion

[douglasf13]

I’ve done just that. Had an Air-King, SubDate, DJ, Exp II and Tudor DD, as well as other brands, but now it’s just a simple 114270.

p.s. didn’t you just sell your Explorer??

[SLWoodster]

Paul Newman’s daytona.

It fulfills all your requirements. Everything else feels extremely inexpensive after



Don’t settle for less, that’s not marketed Rolex way.

[Rori]

Originally Posted by cerendigit

Suppose that:

* you wanted to keep only one “expensive” ($6000+) watch from your current collection and that would be a Rolex (you would have to sell the others).
* you could have other inexpensive watches as well, but still trying to keep the total number of watches to a minimum.

Which model of Rolex would you keep and why?

* Would you chose a “fancy” watch (e.g. Yellow gold, colorful dials, blingy) but only wear it on occasions?
* Would you chose a “plain” watch (e.g. monochrome, three-hands, steel), but then wear it everyday?
* …. ?

I love the one watch philosophy, broke it lately but I’ll soon be going back to one and that one is gonna be a Rolex diver in monochrome.


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[Chute]

I’d agree with the 214270 if I didn’t have a Daytona 116520. I’ve thought about this many times and if I could only have one watch it would be a stainless Daytona.
It wears just as well as the Explorer 39 but has just a little more shine with the PCL’s

[Agamemnon]

I'd keep the white Daytona

[AF_Rob]

One and only collection would be a Sub Date, maybe in PM. It does all I need in a daily.


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[Peter Toronto]

I’ll also add to the list of people that would wear their Explorer 39 as their one and only. For me it’s the comfort, the size, the simplicity, the minimal amount of flash relative to other Rolex models, and the versatility.


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[George58]

at my age I could get away with my
dd 18078

[hello93]

Daytona. To each there own but under OP's parameters it makes no sense to pick anything other than the Daytona. You can name endless alternatives for the sub, gmt, explorer, etc for under 6k and practically none for the Daytona

[B2 Stealth]

GMT. Historical, modern, suits my aviation lifestyle. SS BLRO checks all the boxes.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by hello93

Daytona. To each there own but under OP's parameters it makes no sense to pick anything other than the Daytona. You can name endless alternatives for the sub, gmt, explorer, etc for under 6k and practically none for the Daytona

Zenith, breitling, omega, Tudor you name it all make chronographs there’s no logic to what you said.

Out my collection - god knows! Probably a yellow gold with a black dial.

[arcampado]

I have many Rolex, but if I could only keep 1 this would be it

[HMHM]

I would keep the 124270 Explorer I 36mm! Most versatile watch in the catalogue!

[Harry-57]

None from my current collection. I met my one and done yesterday, the full RG Sky Dweller. That and a Carrera or a Monaco and a Seiko 5 would do it in theory, but I much prefer to have wider variety.

[travisb]

Tough choice between a SS Sub or GMT.

[stevestil]

116500LN


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[Pw92676]

Black Daytona 116500

[hello93]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Zenith, breitling, omega, Tudor you name it all make chronographs there’s no logic to what you said.

Out my collection - god knows! Probably a yellow gold with a black dial.

Consider the market value for the Daytona compared to the alternatives you mentioned. If there are so many alternatives why is there such a massive premium for the Daytona compared to subs, explorers, etc. And you should think before you answer with "hype"

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by hello93

Consider the market value for the Daytona compared to the alternatives you mentioned. If there are so many alternatives why is there such a massive premium for the Daytona compared to subs, explorers, etc. And you should think before you answer with "hype"

Two words; artificial scarcity

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by hello93

Consider the market value for the Daytona compared to the alternatives you mentioned. If there are so many alternatives why is there such a massive premium for the Daytona compared to subs, explorers, etc. And you should think before you answer with "hype"

The honest answer genuinely IS hype though. Supply and demand is the reason Daytona secondary prices are high - demand is simply higher than the supply. And what drives that demand (in the absence of it being demonstrably 'better' than any other alternative)? Hype.

Yes the Daytona is a very good watch (assuming you like the aesthetic) with a very good movement, but there are a number of excellent alternatives out there.

[1William]

A SS Rolex Diver. Right now it would be my SD43 but it could be a Submariner ND down the road.

[Benzsiam]

For me, it would be Day-Date.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by hello93

If there are so many alternatives why is there such a massive premium for the Daytona compared to subs, explorers, etc. And you should think before you answer with "hype"

I've thought about it and the answer is hype.

The Daytona wasn't innovative in any way. It even used a zenith movement. It does looking achingly cool and of course, it has "Rolex" painted on the dial. That's all it's got.

[Driver8]

I could easily live with my BLNR as a one-and-done. My 116610LN is a close second, but the additional complication and splash of blue swings the BLNR for me.

[S.Explorer]

I'd go for the "plain" one and wear it everyday (unless playing sports, etc.).

Would go for the Explorer as it's subtle, comfortable, looks good and does what I need a watch to do. Goes well with anything.

My black bezel GMT is also good, nice to have the date and 24 hour hand but not as subtle.

[HHIslander]

If I had to pick one Rolex, it would be a white dial OP39. It’s simple and gorgeous. I’ve come close to reducing my collection to just that.

If I had to pick one watch, it would be JLC master control calendar chrono, newly offered on a bracelet. That watch is really appealing to me these days.