Baron - Mr Red
14613
Something old, something new: spot-the-difference
As I cradle my Sea-Dweller, admiring its wonderful rail dial and appreciating its weight and presence on the wrist, my wife turns to me and says…”It looks just like all the others!” “Absurd!” (I think).
And this got me thinking more. As time passes and our respective knowledge grows, we become very specific to detail. I think it is true in most areas of life. The exclam dot; or the rail dial; or the nature of the font. These seemingly small issues take on a big meaning. Yet to someone who looks at the watches in a purely aesthetic manner (like my wife), I can easily see how many specific Rolex do appear quite similar.
So, out of interest I lined up my 5508 Sub against a modern-day contemporary. To be honest, although the DNA is still there, the comparison shows a lot of differences. Time has definitely changed the watch!
So instead, I tried something else - to find the Rolex reference that, through time, has kept closest to its original….even when that original is 60 or more years old.
The outcome was actually very obvious. I have lined up 3 watches…the 114270, 6610 and 14270.
It is like a game of spot-the-difference. All have stainless steel cases. All self-winding movement. No dates. Simplicity. Black 3-6-9 dial. Mercedes hands. No crown guards. On and on the list can go.
OK…the one in the middle has a little bit of red writing and the respective depth ratings may have altered a touch. But wouldn’t you agree that the Explorer 1 has remained remarkably close to its original, despite 60 years of time and “modernisation”. OK, I hear some of you might say that these two modern Explorers are now discontinued and the 36mm variation is no longer available. That is fair enough. In this world, bigger is the current mode. But the question is, would you agree that the Explorer 1 is the Rolex that has stayed closest to its original DNA?
Actually, there are a few questions I have. Second, if you don’t agree that it’s the Explorer 1, what would your suggestion be? And finally, I’d love to see posts of the ancient vrs modern that have moved most apart over time. I am thinking the original Milgauss is some way away from its Rasta descendant! Though it still has some of that DNA.
Something old, something new: spot-the-difference
That's cheating
What have you done!
I'm afraid for me your comparison shot
uhmmm...Ubik....
There are several
yep...