Which model is the quintessential Rolex?

[Stan Cooper]

My first awareness of the Rolex brand was as a USAF recruit taking flying lessons at the Vandenberg AFB aero club in the early sixties. My instructor was a Lt. Colonel whose "real job" was as a command pilot, and he wore a 1675 GMT-Master. For me the quintessential Rolex has always been a Pepsi.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by richamby

YG DD is what the World knows as a Rolex.

Ask yourself which Rolex was the first to be faked, way back in the day.

Luckily there is Google. Daytona was first and sub is by far the most copied. Listen DD is legendary but I put it at the second level behind sub/TT datejust, with Daytona, then Pepsi.

1. Submariner/TT Datejust Champagne
2. DD/Daytona
3. Pepsi GMT

[PepsiBezel]

Originally Posted by JRell

Agree minus the date. The first was without a date and Rolex sets the submariner apart, never has had any other dial colors, bezels. It is the only variation that is only called the Rolex submariner. The sub date is great, but there are plenty of options throughout the years. This is why I think it answers the original question of this thread, the most quintessential. By definition, representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class. I was actually thinking the datejust TT until I wrote this reasoning, plenty of datejust options. Now leaning towards the submariner.

Never thought of that, but you convinced me. Co-signing on this opinion. +1

[JRell]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

Never thought of that, but you convinced me. Co-signing on this opinion. +1

Yes thank you! Rolex does this intentional. Like a wink wink, there is the submariner and everything else.

[downtorock]

two-tone datejust 36


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[JRell]

Little live inspiration.

[GaoKS]

TT DJ, Sub & DD

[Toms]

Sub

[JRell]

Melt into the bezel. Only Submariner with no other color options, PM, TT, etc. Submariner. Melt into the bezel.

[Arid]

Originally Posted by Richie07

Rolex then and Rolex now are different. Classic Rolex - think 4/5 digit. A steel Sub, A Pepsi or a two tone DJ. Modern Rolex - something in PM - a Yacht-Master or Daytona.

You lost me at “Yacht-master”

[1sttimerolex]

Originally Posted by samson66

When you think "Rolex" which exact reference pops in your head as the quintessential model?

I don't mean something your necessarily own, but if you had to pick one that sort of represents the entire brand to the public, which would it be?

To me, from the time I was a kid right up through today this is the one I always pictured. And the funny thing is I never really wanted to buy this one. Wound up going with the RG TT instead just because I prefer rose gold over yellow.

But this to me is always the one that sticks in my head. The two tone yellow gold champagne dial Datejust. Just oozes Rolex DNA!

YG DD would be the ultimate rolex.
A submariner (with or without the cyclops) would be the most iconic rolex.
But this dj - tt yg, fluted, jubilee with the champagne dial, is the most rolex of all rolexes.

[the_natural]

How is this even up for debate?

Submariner.

[Guinness58]

Originally Posted by JRell

I guess agree to disagree. If you are suggesting wealth status for those who even know Rolex, well yeah there are other options. Quintessential is what is the brand’s best representation. Maybe Daytona will be because of their SS white dial ceramic, but no way the YM. Maybe the SD as it looks like a big datejust. For example, most people wouldn’t even know the YM is Rolex, thus removing the word quintessential from the equation.

Rolex like most everything else in life has evolved. What is quintessential to one generation is different to another. I, like many others on this forum, love my 5 digit sub but I am not sure how relevant it is today to the larger market. To be overly simplistic I believe they have gone from from extremely well made tool watches to jewelry with prices to match (although still well made). I see the same parallel with Range Rovers. My 1989 model was great off road but not what I would call luxury. I doubt many of today’s models venture off the pavement although they are still as capable if not more so. Unfortunately I have to agree that it has come to wealth and status for too many buyers and collectors.

[stark1]

Submariner, likely because it's the Rolex I see worn on most wrists out in the wild.

[fishingbear]

Black sub or any Datejust on Jubilee

[904VT]

Originally Posted by JRell

Luckily there is Google. Daytona was first and sub is by far the most copied. Listen DD is legendary but I put it at the second level behind sub/TT datejust, with Daytona, then Pepsi.

1. Submariner/TT Datejust Champagne
2. DD/Daytona
3. Pepsi GMT

Not sure this will age well

Your rankings on the other hand, would be very similar to mine.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by 904VT

Not sure this will age well

Your rankings on the other hand, would be very similar to mine.

lol I hear you, but stand by my convictions.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Guinness58

Rolex like most everything else in life has evolved. What is quintessential to one generation is different to another. I, like many others on this forum, love my 5 digit sub but I am not sure how relevant it is today to the larger market. To be overly simplistic I believe they have gone from from extremely well made tool watches to jewelry with prices to match (although still well made). I see the same parallel with Range Rovers. My 1989 model was great off road but not what I would call luxury. I doubt many of today’s models venture off the pavement although they are still as capable if not more so. Unfortunately I have to agree that it has come to wealth and status for too many buyers and collectors.

I get what you are saying, but the sub continues to be the most copied. Subs are the brand, mega popular even today.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Richie07

Wealth and status. Not producing specific mechanical tools for specific extreme environments or sports.

Hence modern Rolex is a PM Yacht-Master, Daytona or maybe a Sky-Dweller.

The Sub is from a classic era but anyone who says it quintessential Rolex is wrong as the company has evolved.

In fact, I’d say the strength of Rolex is there is no single quintessential Rolex model. There is a quintessential design language (oyster case, fluted bezels, cyclops, Mercedes hands) but not a model. This is why everyone loves Rolex!

Originally Posted by JRell

lol I hear you, but stand by my convictions.

Oh I meant solely that we're lucky there is google


Regarding Rolex and quintessential, the great thing about Rolex watches is there really is an argument for each of the models around for years. All really are classics.

[alphadweller]

Subtona GMT by far.

[HACKNSACK44]

Submariner for me....

[szabo_martin]

Gold President is the Rolex non watch people think when they think Rolex

[azgr]

For me it's the SS submariner, although I may be biased because I recently purchased one

[peterskinner]

All of the DNA of Rolex stems from the design of the Oyster Perpetual. Thats where the heart of Rolex remains.
Automatic and waterproof. The Sub, no matter how feted, simply extends the philosophy of the OP. No Oyster Perpetual, no Submariner.

[Michael T]

DayDate 40 yellow gold.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Michael T

DayDate 40 yellow gold.

Would have to be a champagne dial I think if the day date is used as an example in this case. Do love the white dial day date though.

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

Submariner and GMT Pepsi.

This^


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[DaveDhc]

I have a 1950 Oyster Perpetual which has wide indices at 3, 6, 9. This watch has a white dial. I have a 2020 36mm Oyster Perpetual with double indices at 3, 6, 9 and it also has a white dial. Both watches have essentially the same size and shape case, but different hands. But it is clear that they are from the same manufacturer. It's also clear that 2020 watch is a modern version of the 1950 watch. That's a 70 year old line.

One could argue about the details of what quintessential means, but I feel like we are talking about the watch which has the longest staying power within Rolex. To me that is the 34 or 36 mm Oyster Perpetual.

It was an Oyster Perpetual that went to the top of Everest and that event has become an important part of Rolex's history. Rolex still essentially makes the watch and it isn't the Explorer line, its the Oyster Perpetual line. The Oyster Perpetual is a longer lived line than the Submariner. Of course you could argue for the DateJust and its beginnings in 1945. The Oyster Perpetual only goes make to 1950 (Yep, I have a first year Oyster Perpetual which is in almost perfect shape.).

Since the Oyster Perpetual is associated with the Everest event, my vote goes with it instead of the DateJust.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by ks58

Submariner

Yes


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[Gab27]

Stainless Sub, although probably the Sub Date is more recognizable than the Sub.