Which modern Rolex will become a future popular vintage?

[bmwsubmariner]

Full disclosure, I own one, but 116600 SD4K. Who knows if I’ll own it long enough to see it become a collectible, but it really is an excellent watch and I’ve never seen another one in the wild.

[airchitect]

There are only a handful I can think of that were/are “limited” pieces and not total dogs. The top of that list for me will be the SD4K. Absolutely ignored in its time, that one will circle back around. Some of the Daytonas etc are great, but won’t be options for most buyers. I might also add in some of the watches with unique dials and the Milgauss, but for a single model, SD4K gets my vote.


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[Toproll85]

Originally Posted by BbdD2275

It might be fun to think / anticipate / predict about which modern Rolex will become a popular vintage model in coming decades.

It's above all funny to think that even in decades, the materials make them still seem new !
No patina, the gold indexes and hands will not have moved, nor will the ceramic, just scratches.
True vintage is already behind us. That's what we have to think !

The only evocation of vintage will be the year of production, and the possible release of the catalog. Anyway.

Finally, we can predict that the successful models will remain so (Sub, GMT, Daytona).

References can do well for a good price in the future, such as OPs with colored dials.

No one cares, but the redline SD43 will be a collector's item when it's gone, the past says so, redlines are coveted...

[douglasf13]

When you look at past watches like Daytona, Exp II Freccione, 1019 Milgauss, etc., it seems that the underselling sport models of today will be the big money watches later…so AirKing??? Who knows?? People may not even care about mechanicals in 50 years.

[ERH]

In my humble opinion, the 16570 Polar has all the elements of a classic.

[Pablito]

My bet on color dials OP and 116500 Daytonas since they're the last to get asymmetrical lugs. This last detail is the perfect ingredient to offer them something belonging to the "past".
In the explorer range, the 39 mm should be in the club as well, because sooner or later smaller diameters should be in the trend cycle.

[Ferdelious]

116600 SD4K, I hope!

[Lesnerelli23]

116610, no question in my mind.

The super case is unique and whether you love it or hate it, you have to admit it stands out!


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[stephentross]

Sea Dweller 116600

[m3tek44]

Smurf and meteorite Pepsi gets my vote

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[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by BbdD2275

It might be fun to think / anticipate / predict about which modern Rolex will become a popular vintage model in coming decades.

I go first. 116719.
1. The first precious metal (WG) pepsi.
2. The first ceramic pepsi.
3. Only been produced from 2014-2017. (Then comes 126710, 126719, etc.)
4. Black dials and blue dials can be officially swapped at RSC. (It amazed me for a modern Rolex).

What do you think? What is your choice?

Popular vintage what does that even mean exactly?

Should it be 50+ years or at least how old to be considered even a vintage?

[BbdD2275]

Originally Posted by kopi-c

Popular vintage what does that even mean exactly?

Should it be 50+ years or at least how old to be considered even a vintage?

Interesting questions. But how old can a man be considered old? It depends.

It will be good to try not restrict ourselves with unified definitions. Feel free to share your opinion or not based on your understanding of the aging. Various opinions from folks based on their own criteria are inspiring. The consensus of selected pieces or definitions are not necessary.

[FrontHeadlock]

Originally Posted by BlakeA

This…right here. It’ll be all ‘smart’watches. Disposable/outdated, just like our phones.

I always cringe at men who wear smartwatches. "I can keep track of my vitals as I work out!"

Lmao, OH WHAT AN ATHLETE!

[JPJ]

Originally Posted by FrontHeadlock

I always cringe at men who wear smartwatches. "I can keep track of my vitals as I work out!"

Lmao, OH WHAT AN ATHLETE!

If its not on Strava it didn't happen

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Rolex explorer 1 36mm

This. It just works.

[KatGirl]

I don’t believe Smart watches will take over, as that would have happened, by now. There will always be mechanical watch enthusiasts. I noticed everyone is picking watches they currently own. My 36 silver dial OP with gold hands and indices already presents as a classic, so I will pick that, and the newest 36 mm Explorer. I also think the mint green 36 DJ is a good candidate. I see the colorful dial OPs as more of a passing fad, and people will wonder what we were thinking….

Kat


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[JPJ]

Anything with a 'short' production run or transition model, agree the SD4K fits that bill.

[2thdock]

I think smart watches have already taken over, and I wear the Apple Ultra to work, gym, and as a running watch. Great watch. It comes off as soon as I finish those activities. As for future, I predict any Sea Dweller.

[liuk3]

116710 BLNR
16710 BLNRO
Tudor 79220N

[the dark knight]

Not being a smartass, but what past vintage Rolex is NOT popular today? I mean a Rolex is a Rolex. Sure they aren't fetching crazy prices, but even 1601 DJs remain popular and sell well.

So I would imagine literally every Rolex model (maybe besides the dress watches?) will be popular vintage watches in the future.

[BraveBold]

116500 Black Dial. Low production due to circumstances over past few years, will age better than the white dial.

Smart watches will have zero impact on future collectability. If something would have killed the mechanical watch as an item to collect, it would have been digital watches.

[puma1552]

White dial OP39.

Olive dial RG DD40.

[landon]

The first Rolex mechanical smartphone will be one for the ages.

[Jackie Daytona]

Milgauss.

Strange and eclectic but cool. Somewhat unpopular for its time just like the Daytona 40 years ago. Not overly popular so a bit rare as well. It’s different but cool.

[taybo20]

What do you think about the 2020-2023 126610LV? Will the Mk1 green sub be something people want? Or will everyone just want the warmer color?

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by 2thdock

I think smart watches have already taken over, and I wear the Apple Ultra to work, gym, and as a running watch. Great watch. It comes off as soon as I finish those activities. As for future, I predict any Sea Dweller.

Yeah, Apple sold as many smartwatches last year as Rolex did in the prior 30-40 years. The question is how big of an audience remains interested in mechanicals. My great-grandparent’s nice pocketwatch isn’t very desirable, these days, but we’ll see.

[Oytun]

I tried using an Apple Watch a few times, i realized i didn't need those nonsensical features. It just makes me feel like a nerd.

I also don't need any additional radiation exposure...

Would you put up a real Picasso painting from your wall and replace it with a LED screen showcasing NFT artworks? I don't think so.

[Chute]

As others have said, 116600 SD4k. Love the matte dial and last of the 40mm Sea Dwellers.
I’d also submit the 116622 six digit Yachtmaster with the platinum dial. There’s tons of 5 digit 16622’s with the platty dial but not many platinum dial 116622’s as they soon went to blue dial.
The white OP 114300 is a classic that will always be a great watch.
Any 116520 stainless bezel with blue chromalight lume. Those were the last ones before the introduction of the 116500.
The hugely useless Yachtmaster 2. Maybe sometime I’m the future they’ll laugh about the odd complication.

[Akacoke]

Vtnr.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Oytun

I tried using an Apple Watch a few times, i realized i didn't need those nonsensical features. It just makes me feel like a nerd.

I also don't need any additional radiation exposure...

Would you put up a real Picasso painting from your wall and replace it with a LED screen showcasing NFT artworks? I don't think so.

Eh, it’s generational. My relatives in the early twentieth century would have mocked wristwatches, which were considered quite feminine at the time, in favor of their pocket watches.