If not a “collector” one finds that ONE Rolex does the trick

[heljestrand]

6 years chasing watches, 60 plus watches bought and all but a handful of vintage and lower tier Swiss (Longines Legend Diver and Carl F. Bucherer) remain. 5 months ago I finally purchased a now discontinued Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm White and my thoughts of adding a few fun watches I’ve thought about in the past like the Breitling Aerospace, Chopard Mille Miglia, and IWC Petite Prince seem silly to add even a single one of those now.

This is a testament to if you aren’t a collector of sorts, once you secure a stainless steel Rolex on your wrist IMO it truly ceases to make sense to add anything else. If I did add anything now or in a few years it would surely be another Rolex. Even then I’d feel like I would be cheating on my original choice that I was so fortunate to acquire. Anyone else get off the hamster wheel of buying and flipping after you acquired your Rolex?

Like I said I have a handful of 1970’s vintage Seiko divers, the modern Legend Diver and the Bucherer on a Patek crocodile strap for dressier occasions. I guess I could flip those and buy the Breitling but the OP 39 would likely get 90% plus wrist time. Thoughts?



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[inglewood1026]

Its all personal choice. Different models for different occasions - putting on a specific watch makes you feel a certain way. That being said, if you have one that can be dressed up/down and seems to bet getting all the wrist time, I am a huge advocate of minimalism if not a collector.

[subtona]

OP39 is perfect.
a rolex is certainly a perfect one watch collection.

[brandrea]

Sounds like you’ve found nirvana, congratulations

[Vipes]

Very nice OP! I think we all go through certain stages with watch collecting. I’ve thought about certain watches in my collection that maybe true long term keepers. I can see myself keeping maybe 2 watches and giving the rest to my sons.

[MONTANTK]

I feel the same way honestly. I picked up an OP36 from an AD a few weeks after it was discontinued and suddenly that’s all I wear. I have my Oris up for sale now too. I’d still like to get a smaller diver but I’m in no rush. Next up is either a Panerai or a Speedy.

[Tikandtokalot]

Seems sound to me enjoy and wear the one you connect with it should be a long term relationship.
Sometimes less is more.

[japenney]

Honestly I have been wearing this longines vhp chronograph almost every day lately. It is convenient and precise. Accurate 5 to seconds per year with a innate perpetual calendar and 50m water resist. Not too shabby for $1000.

[It's Hedley]

That's a beautiful watch OP! I know what you mean. I have 5 watches and that to me seems like too many. I have a Sub Date incoming next week and I will then start to unload a watch or two.

[BigAppleBill]

Originally Posted by heljestrand

6 years chasing watches, 60 plus watches bought and all but a handful of vintage and lower tier Swiss (Longines Legend Diver and Carl F. Bucherer) remain. 5 months ago I finally purchased a now discontinued Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm White and my thoughts of adding a few fun watches I’ve thought about in the past like the Breitling Aerospace, Chopard Mille Miglia, and IWC Petite Prince seem silly to add even a single one of those now.

This is a testament to if you aren’t a collector of sorts, once you secure a stainless steel Rolex on your wrist IMO it truly ceases to make sense to add anything else. If I did add anything now or in a few years it would surely be another Rolex. Even then I’d feel like I would be cheating on my original choice that I was so fortunate to acquire. Anyone else get off the hamster wheel of buying and flipping after you acquired your Rolex?

Like I said I have a handful of 1970’s vintage Seiko divers, the modern Legend Diver and the Bucherer on a Patek crocodile strap for dressier occasions. I guess I could flip those and buy the Breitling but the OP 39 would likely get 90% plus wrist time. Thoughts?

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I completely understand what you’re saying. I also picked up an OP39 and it’s currently my only Rolex. For me, it’s as close to a one-watch that I’ve ever owned. Comfortable fit, under-the-radar (clean dial, smooth bezel & no cyclops), robust movement (identical to the no-date Sub), built like a tank, accurate, ability to be formal or casual, good for any activity including swimming. What’s not to like?

[Plant]

I have similar thoughts about my smooth bezel oyster bracelet DJ. I still look at watches on the internet, but now I see them and think "its cool but it wont stop me from wearing my DJ 90% of the time so do I really need to spend thousands of dollars on it"?

Ive effectively gone from cycling through 4 watches making a change every day to wearing the DJ all the time unless Im wearing a $10 beater casio for the stopwatch. It seems unlikely that I will be able to add anything to break this trend so now Im a 1 watch + beater guy

[thenewrick]

The older movement and lesser bracelet shifted me towards the new OP. Also I think the new OP is a hair wider case which I like.

[MrGoat]

I think the only watches I will add (no time frame) is a YG 5 digit blue sub, a birth year GMT and possibly a black sub. I wanted a rose gold root beer gmt but haven’t thought about it as much lately so I think it’s out. I am completely content with my 16613 at the moment though.


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[Aircraftman]

What a gorgeous watch and it looks great on your wrist

I feel the same way about my Explorer. While I do have more than one Rolex. I have often thought if I had to get rid of them all but one, I’d be fine with just my Explorer. It gets about 75% of my wrist time anyway.

[gnuyork]

I'm right there with ya. Even with the 39mm White OP, though I wasn't lucky enough to grab one in time and I'm not willing to shell out the secondary market upcharge. I'm also not willing to purchase pre owned.

I'm quite disappointed in the discontinuation, and also with myself for not purchasing the one I tried on in 2018.

So now I have moved on to the possibility of the Explorer (I'm on 2 waitlists) and contemplating if I should consider the OP36 (previous gen white dial) which can be had for more reasonable prices. I am concerned the Exp may wear a touch large on my 6.5" wrist, but the OP39 looked good when I tried it, but so did the OP36 more recently... really torn.

But yeah, when I make that choice, it will probably be the watch I wear forever. I have some others, and I'm not sure if I would keep or sell off. But all I really need is one good one that can sort of do it all. The OP or Explorer, or DateJust fits that to a T.

[WatchGuy1966]

That is, potentially, the perfect daily Rolex. It checks so many boxes.

[Paul7]

Originally Posted by BigAppleBill

I completely understand what you’re saying. I also picked up an OP39 and it’s currently my only Rolex. For me, it’s as close to a one-watch that I’ve ever owned. Comfortable fit, under-the-radar (clean dial, smooth bezel & no cyclops), robust movement (identical to the no-date Sub), built like a tank, accurate, ability to be formal or casual, good for any activity including swimming. What’s not to like?

Lack of a date function.

[acheronsgrief]

I very much agree, I recently shaved down to one watch and it’s been an excellent decision for me.

[BigAppleBill]

Originally Posted by Paul7

Lack of a date function.

I see this as a positive. I still rotate watches and I dislike setting the date. Also, the OP39 has a beautiful symmetry without the date window. Also, it’s less recognizable as a Rolex without the cyclops lens. Win, win win.

[Paul7]

Originally Posted by BigAppleBill

I see this as a positive. I still rotate watches and I dislike setting the date. Also, the OP39 has a beautiful symmetry without the date window. Also, it’s less recognizable as a Rolex without the cyclops lens. Win, win win.

Don't you still have to set the time if you rotate a number of watches? The OP is nice for sure, I also appreciate it's under the radar look.

[SLWoodster]

agreed. That OP39 gives me FOMO.

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by BigAppleBill

I completely understand what you’re saying. I also picked up an OP39 and it’s currently my only Rolex. For me, it’s as close to a one-watch that I’ve ever owned. Comfortable fit, under-the-radar (clean dial, smooth bezel & no cyclops), robust movement (identical to the no-date Sub), built like a tank, accurate, ability to be formal or casual, good for any activity including swimming. What’s not to like?

One of my biggest regrets for bad decission:




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[BigAppleBill]

Originally Posted by Paul7

Don't you still have to set the time if you rotate a number of watches? The OP is nice for sure, I also appreciate it's under the radar look.

Of course. But I consider setting the date a bridge too far.

[garyk]

OP, great thread...

[alphadweller]

I don't really believe in grails anymore but it's nice to hear when someone can find contentment in this crazy hobby. The OP39 is a great watch and it looks fantastic, enjoy it and wear it in good health.

[RoscoPico]

congratulations on being back on the wagon :) no seriously, hope you remain content.
a s/s rolex didn't nearly do the trick for me though. in fact i have sold about 4 as i wasn't in love with the color schemes or the size, and really only felt this way after having them on my wrist
but that op does look great on you, congrats again

[173rdabn]

WOW! You got that one right.

[jrs146]

I envy you! I really do. I hope to someday find the comfort in a single timepiece.


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[faz]

I too at some point was completely content with my one 16613LB watch, in fact, I wore it for 9 years as a GADA watch.

Then I found TRF.

[Stan Cooper]

I have an even dozen watches, but only one Rolex. It's a 16710N GMT-Master II and is the watch I wear about 98% of the time. The other 2% is when I'm traveling in a high crime area and I wear a cheap quartz dual time zone "Swiss Military" watch functionally similar to the Rolex. I have no desire to buy another Rolex. This one is perfection to me.