Rolex

I can't tell how and where I saw the name Rolex for the first time. I can just say that I thought about offering myself a Rolex quite regularly since 1988! I can be that precise because I kept the catalogues since that time.

I have to be honest and say that I was a bit young in 1988 to buy myself such a watch, or nearly any watch, as I was 15! When I later went into capacity to materialize my passion for horology into a watch on my wrist, the Rolex name was at the same time for me a symbol of quality in calibres and usable watches, and on the contrary a symbol of wealth expressed to others, what in France we name "un signe exterieur de richesse". Something I was not willing to show!

I come from a small and somewhat poor town of fishermen where I could still see Rolexes on the wrist of the rich men, while I hardly ever saw a nice watch from another brand out of my own wrist! No kidding, and I'm sure many of us have felt the same situation.

So the wish to buy a Rolex for myself remained a wish for so long. I still have to buy myself a Rolex in fact!

But an unexpected offer happened around a month ago. I was trying to sell some watches I don't wear anymore and was offered to exchange one of them - a Panerai 210 - against a Rolex!

The decision to accept was taken rapidly, without seeing the watch offered, as I was tempted to finally try a Rolex on the long run. And I didn't even have to buy it!

The strange part of the story was that I've hesitated for long between an Explorer 1 and a Submariner no date, even thinking about a Daytona quite often, but never thought about a GMT Master! Living on the sea side I was appealed by the water resistance of the 14060, was also caught by the supposed discretion of the Explorer 1, and have always loved the Daytona.

I had of course for long noticed the so-called "pepsi cola" but don't ask me why I had never been appealed! I had had the opportunity to see two of them on the wrists of two of my father's old friends, and was probably seeing them as old men's watches!

Should I add that for those twenty years the only thing I hated on Rolex watches was the loupe on the date?

I've now worn the watch below for three weeks!

My own Rolex GMT Master 16700

The watch is apparently from 1989, as the exchanger indicated. I've not had time to check anything yet.

The watch works well but is a bit fast IMO. The crown has a strange feeling when manually winding and I think something may be worn inside at that point. I will certainly get it serviced next year if finances allow to do so!

The bezel as you can see has a nice faded two tone. It is not properly aligned but I can live with it till it's serviced. The tritium indexes and hands are more white than cream coloured but they keep the watch cool! No green light coming from this one. Of course they are not too flashy in the dark but it's enough at night to tell the time when I wake up!

The most colourful Rolex probably

The best surprise, out of the fact that I love the watch and have nearly worn it for the entire last three weeks, is the immediate adaptation to the loupe. I had borrowed a Sub date from a friend once and not been able to appreciate the watch. The date was my main conscious concern. Maybe the full black appearance was a problem too!

So I immediately got used to the loupe on this one. As I'm shortsighted I really appreciate it on daily basis.

The modern crossing bridge

I had looked at vintage Rolex watches during these 20 years but the point that was catching my eyes was the current calibre with its crossing bridge and Breguet end curve spring. I'm more and more appealed by watches with chronometric capacities and feel that these modern calibres from Rolex are in that league. The central second hand is also one of my favourite choices. I will certainly be a pain for the watchmaker who will service my new watch, as long as it will not be perfectly timed! I'd better tell him before.

The red 24 hour hand

I also find the 24 hour hand practical. I don't know if it's the colour but I often read the time on the 24 hour hand instead of the 12 hour one. I hope to still be able to read the time on my other watches in a few weeks.

Breguet end curve spring

The case size is perfect for my modest wrist (that was the main problem with my 45mm PAM 210). The Oyster bracelet is very pleasing to wear (I had the same on a Tudor 94010 a few years back). Overall that makes that watch a very easy watch to wear.

Apparently the GMT Master is not too well known because people around me who know that I have something with watches don't seem to notice this one. I hope it will last!

Already a vintage flair

Finally you've understood that I'm quite happy with this one! It's as pleasing as it was unexpected only a month ago! I have no idea if it will last, but I'm sure it won't be my only Rolex. Now I want a black dial Daytona again! It won't be for soon as I need more to sell watches than buy any, but I've surpassed the mental barrier that was preventing me from wearing a Rolex!

I need more of this one

I hope you like it too!

Thank you for reading.

Cheers

Dje