Rolex Submariner 50th Anniversary Collection

this year it is 20 years since I purchased my first "serious" wirstwatch. I recall vividly the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph with silver dial and integrated steel bracelet. It was a large moment for me. Sure my interest in wristwatches was there before, the decade prior I had ventured into an Omega Seamaster and a Breitling Aerospace to name a few favourites. But the VC was a clear and solid step up. The reasoning was mainly a wish for something refined yet under the radar. Rolex was not for me at the time as my impression was signal value too loud and also as I found it too predictable. So VC it was. I proudly wore this for about three years and hardly anybody I knew noticed to my great delight. Then in 2006 I happened upon a Patek 5711 and I was immediately smitten and that got me into the worm hole.... The VC was traded in and a Nautilus was it for me. This was 2006... and my deeper dive into my watch journey was well under way. Fast forward a decade or so and we get to a time when wristwatches stepped up in the mainstream... mixed emotions for me as there was obvious joy in that many seemed to begin appreciating fine watches but less joy in the heightened concerns around personal security and in that many pieces started to become nearly impossible to acquire in stores. Well to keep it brief, this latest arrival marks for me my 20th anniversary since getting my first non-Daytona and how much more fitting than getting a Daytona. Times are a changed and the era of under radar is past and we instead just have to be discreet as ever wearing instead. I have long admired this iteration and when it was recently replaced and discontinued this year I was quite disappointed. I really appreciate the single color ice blue dial against the brown ceramic bezel. The replacement version is wonderful as well but for me the brown rings around the subdials work well with the standard platinum version but I prefer the option to not have these brown rings present. The baguette diamond index markers are less important for me but they do add a nice subtle touch and gives an notable levels of depth on the dial. Luckily for me my AD had one last piece saved for me and I just picked it up, must be one of the last ones as it just arrived from the factory. Happy Easter!