What current sports model will age best?

[Linuxjon]

Hey y'all. Bought my first Rolex (DJ41 fluted) last month after a lifetime of collecting lesser brands. Figured I should join here.

I've built a good relationship with my SA, and I get the impression that I've got an opportunity to take my choice of their incoming watches. She said that she would have offered me their last SD43 if she had known I was ready to buy again.

I've got a young son and want to make a purchase that will have aged well when he inherits it. What sports model(s) make the most sense? The no date Sub is top of mind- but maybe I look at something more limited like the green bezel? The "hot" stuff now like the BLNR make me worry they'll seem like oddball choices in 20 years.

I'm also tempted to just skip the sports model and buy a Skydweller next, but again, worry that'll seem like an oddball selection way down the road.

Appreciate any feedback.

[Giovannibravo]

ND Sub is probably the best bet. It's my first Rolex and will never leave the collection. Personally, I believe a Kermit might not age the best. Black Submariners will always be in style. SD43 is another good option as well. Also, EXP1 is classic.

[Rori]

non ceramic gen.

[JRell]

BLNR has been around for years and already has its own history. GMT alone will always be a Rolex historic watch. The left handed GMT could be an odd ball choice in years to come. 124060 is always a safe bet. I traded mine in and prefer the 126610LV.

[Chewbacca]

Still the old reliables. Submariner date, GMT, Daytona etc.

Although my fave sport model, the 42mm Exp2 , likely won’t do as well.

[Rodmo]

Firstly congratulations on entering the Rolex clan. Your son is very lucky for you to be so thoughtful.

Both my wife and I purchased the 14060M as first Rolex watches, about 20 years ago. Have added a few other models since then.

The Sub ND remains our go to for travel, about town, working in the yard etc. We've even worn them to black tie. Very versatile and classic.

[Ichiran]

The ones that change the least will age best. Porsche 911 is the best example.

[brandrea]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum

IMHO, the Submariner never will go out of style.

[-Ally-]

Explorer I

[dmash]

Sub date

Forever cool

[Benzsiam]

Kermit II, Pepsi or Sky Dweller, whichever comes first would be a great choice.

[johnorpheus]

BLNR will last. Rolex designs are classic and will stand the test of time for the most part. As far as color, stick with black, white, or blue as core (red is fine on the bezel of the BLRO or on the SD43 and adds a cool touch). I like certain shades of green, but not really a core watch color. Most Sub variations and BLRO, BLNR, as well as SD43, all good options.

[Calatrava r]

Another vote for Sub Date. Probably the most classic and most desired by people for everyday wear.

[Stan Cooper]

The GMT-Master has been a favorite for nearly seventy years, and that's not likely to change in the foreseeable future. The original Ref. 6542 introduced in 1954 had a red and blue bezel insert, and that original color combination is still the most popular today.

If your son ever becomes a pilot - military or civilian - or a world traveler, he will thank you.

1954:


2022:


Chuck Yeager and the B2:

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

The ones that change the least will age best. Porsche 911 is the best example.

This. That means:

Sub (black, with or without date)
Explorer I
BLRO Jubilee (Jubilee always has PCL from the beginning)
OP36 (even though that size has existed less than 20 years)
Daytona (black dial; black bezel in white dial seems like a fad)

Of course there are also TT/gold models likely to age well indeed. Assuming you’re taking steel, though. However if you’re thinking PM, I’d vote yellow gold, as it’s been part of the sports lineup way longer. Sub in either blue or black, Daytona come to mind.

[enjoythemusic]

nd sub

[Pw92676]

Can’t go wrong with Sub

[Beto737]

Any Sub, Daytona, or any Pepsi GMT…

[kieselguhr]

The Submariner



Perpetually.

[1665fan]

Daytona

[red1108nyc]

For me, I am thinking 16520, 116520, 16710, 16610, 16600, 16570 models with sharp original case.

[yesnaya]

Cant go wrong with a SS sub (any of the current 3), SS GMT (any of the 6 variations), SS Daytona (either of the 2 dial colors). They will not be quirky or weird in 20 years. Quite the contrary, they will still be quite desirable.

[HMHM]

Black submariner. Doesn’t matter date or ND.

[Meyrin]

No question for me, the Submariner (i.e. no date). I can´t imagine it ever going out of style or fashion. It´s virtually timeless!

[Blanch]

Submariner.
Specifically the #114060 "No Date."
Also the #116613LB gold text "Bluesy" and #116610LV "Hulk."
The 11 series maxicase models are unique.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Blanch

Submariner.
Specifically the #114060 "No Date."
Also the #116613LB gold text "Bluesy" and #116610LV "Hulk."
The 11 series maxicase models are unique.

i don't know if you can say the 11 hulk will be timeless. green isn't normally a timeless color because it's not very neutral, look at the stella dials of the 80s/90s that no one cared for for decades after. the fact that there were almost no green watches among AP/rolex until the last 5 years says the same

the same goes for chocolate dials and rose gold. it can become the next yg + champagne but time will tell

[Bobcat Sig]

It's been pretty well covered; the Sub, Sub-Date, the BLNR GMT are all classics, as is the Exp I.

[Blanch]

Originally Posted by huncho

i don't know if you can say the 11 hulk will be timeless. green isn't normally a timeless color because it's not very neutral, look at the stella dials of the 80s/90s that no one cared for for decades after. the fact that there were almost no green watches among AP/rolex until the last 5 years says the same

That's exactly the essence of the post "Which current model will age best?" and my comment of the 11 series maxicase models; 116610LV Hulk.

Stella dial Presidents, which were duds decades ago, now commanding high premiums, is the perfect example.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Blanch

That's exactly the essence of the post "Which current model will age best?" and my comment of the 11 series maxicase models; 116610LV Hulk.

Stella dial Presidents, which were duds decades ago, now commanding high premiums, is the perfect example.

stella dials are going for high prices because they were super limited and are vintage. the op was asking from a timeless/wearability perspective not an investment perspective. yeah the 11 hulk might be going for a lot in 20 years because of its limited run but that doesn't mean it aged well, aging well means something is timeless and never goes out of style. stella dials are 100% out of style and no one is wearing them today, they just sit in the safes of collectors because they're a collectible

[noshake]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

The ones that change the least will age best. Porsche 911 is the best example.

This ^