Best one and done Rolex?!

[ukwatchguy1]

Always pondering the question as to what is the best one and done Rolex?!

Currently have a batgirl, but my considerations would be:

Sub date 41mm - can get that perfect fitment with the glidelock and will never go out of date

Daytona 116500ln - I see this as the best steel Rolex, but PCLs, hard to read in lower light and the sheer grey price of it in the first place…but apparently it is the comfiest Rolex out there and I can see why after trying one on

Hulk - the classic sub but with added colour pop, although as a one and done hard to match with everything

GMT master 2 of some description like batgirl - a bit more special than submariner with the jubilee bracelet and colour pop, but the numbers on the bezel are huge and will this be a timeless watch or go out of date?

Most the time I wear my Apple Watch so don’t need to worry about the rough stuff as use the Apple Watch for that

Interested in people’s opinions on what they see as the best one and done, whether on this list mentioned or not

[Reinhard in SA]

I'd say

1.Datejust
2.GMT Master ll
3.Submariner

[espanol]

Any Rolex could be a one-and-done. Robust, oyster cases, great bracelets, etc.

For me it’s the 36mm Explorer. It’s been serviced twice needing two separate crystal replacements, once from 4x4’ing in Kenya and the other from time in neighboring Ethiopia. It’s been worn nonstop.

You can wear any Rolex every day.

[KatGirl]

The original Oyster Perpetual is a great one and done. Unfortunately, for me, I can’t be a one watch person. If I could, it would be my choice. It’s more versatile than the bimetal DJ, I think.

Kat


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[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

The original Oyster Perpetual is a great one and done. Unfortunately, for me, I can’t be a one watch person. If I could, it would be my choice. It’s more versatile than the bimetal DJ, I think.

Kat

I completely agree, it's my favourite current-ish Rolex. I have two 114300s, a blue and a black, somewhat defeating the purpose!

[John Doyle]

Explorer 1 36mm. You really don't need anything else.

[Moonwatcher]

Depending on character traits, lifestyle or mood:
A 36 mm DJ fluted jubilee steel + white gold
A steel Submariner or Submariner date, doesn’t matter.
If really just one: the Datejust. But that’s a purely theoretical question, just for the sake of discussion ��.

[996marty]

Has to be the 16710 with all the variations with the inserts and bracelets

[Number3]

Datejust.

[lab rat]

Sub 41 for me. Glidelock is so useful.

[Nyl]

For me, it would be the GMT II: you have a ceramic bezel that cannot be scratched, GMT function, a date, nice colors and it's less boring than the Sub.
If it was easily available at my AD, I would personally go for a BLNR or a GRNR

[MSL]

124270

[Yacht-Master]

Smurf.

[RoRoRo]

One and done would depend on your tastes. More casual - professional line, smarter - classic line or a variation of the above like a Datejust fluted on oyster.

[In-N-Out]

16710 for me if I had to choose

The beauty of Rolex is that if you ask 10 Rolex enthusiasts, you might get 10 different answers...and each one of them would be correct

[majidessa]

My creitera for a one and done watch , it should be black, can handle a beating and not too blingy, can be used both for casual and formal occasions.

My order of preference is
1- Rolex Black Sub (Date or No Date),
2- Explorer I 40mm (36mm can be a bit small on some wrists as an everyday watch).

[Stupot]

One and done for me needs to be very legible at a glance, have a date, be able to dress up and down, and preferably with a GMT complication which is super useful when travelling.

Probably BLRO, although I am finding it a bit small these days, I have a Tudor GMT that I end up wearing way more, I just prefer its size and not caring so much about banging it on anything or getting mugged, and I like playing with different straps. So there is an argument that could be the one, although I appreciate you said Rolex!

If they ever get round to putting a less easily damaged/scratched bezel on the Exp II, possibly ceramic, then that would likely be the one.

[Hemdog]

Interesting that nobody said day date yet

[Krash]

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[WatchEater666]

No date sub.

[Harry-57]

If there was a one and done for me it would be the Explorer II with the white dial today, the BLRO tomorrow, the Hulk the day after and the blue SS Sky Dweller the day after that. A Milgauss would be my one and done early next week.

I know this doesn't properly answer the question because I haven't factored in any of my non Rolex watches, many of which would also quality. That's the great thing about one and dones, there are so many to choose from.

[brandrea]

That’s an easy one for me. It’s the Submariner. Time only, useful timing bezel, can be worn with just about anything.

[jamesbondOO7]

It would have to be a GMT: dual (triple, I know) time zone and date.

[travisb]

Submariner is the ideal one and done.

[Ohiorolex]

The good news for you is you already have one of the best one and done Rolex watches. Colors are pleasing, robust, versatile. It’s fun to have lots of watches but if you were to only have one luxury watch, yours would be an ideal choice.

[SMPc]

Originally Posted by Reinhard in SA

I'd say

1.Datejust
2.GMT Master ll
3.Submariner

I second this! Depending if you travel a lot, change 1 and 2

[ikincooper]

Depends on a number of factors, mostly surrounding your lifestyle, interests and hobbies/activities enjoyed.

I’ve lived quite happily with my only Rolex being an SD4K (for 3.5 years) a 116500 Black dial Daytona (for 1.5 years) and now a BLNR (for 1 month).

I could, and probably will, quite happily live with others in the future as all are ultimately fine as a 1 and done. That said, whilst I’ve experienced the above as my singular Rolex watches, I’ve also had others as part of multiple Rolex’s being in my collection at the same time (SubC ND, a previous BLNR, a DJ36 and an Explorer 1).

Given I’m on my 2nd BLNR that’d be my current choice. Why? Having a date is helpful and I find the cyclops iconic and beneficial in terms of being able to read the date at a glance. It’s much more legible than I found my Daytona to be plus I get the 2nd time zone (or 3rd using the bezel). I can use the bezel to time to within 2.5 mins which is accurate enough for my daily needs and lastly I like blue as most of my clothes are grey, blue or white.


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[Marcjvr]

Any one of them

[Old Expat Beast]

The practicalities and functions aren't that important (I've never used any of my Subs' bezels to time much of anything, and can't recall using my GMT to track a second timezone, even though I was a travel writer for 25 years). The one-and-done is the watch you get a kick out of seeing on your wrist every day.

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by ukwatchguy1

Always pondering the question as to what is the best one and done Rolex?!

Currently have a batgirl, but my considerations would be:

Sub date 41mm - can get that perfect fitment with the glidelock and will never go out of date

Daytona 116500ln - I see this as the best steel Rolex, but PCLs, hard to read in lower light and the sheer grey price of it in the first place…but apparently it is the comfiest Rolex out there and I can see why after trying one on

Hulk - the classic sub but with added colour pop, although as a one and done hard to match with everything

GMT master 2 of some description like batgirl - a bit more special than submariner with the jubilee bracelet and colour pop, but the numbers on the bezel are huge and will this be a timeless watch or go out of date?

Most the time I wear my Apple Watch so don’t need to worry about the rough stuff as use the Apple Watch for that

Interested in people’s opinions on what they see as the best one and done, whether on this list mentioned or not

The classic sub date. The current 41mm is lovely. I have three variations, all are superb. The submariner is the Porsche 911 of watches. The end.