Rolex: Identifying a Top 10 "Daily Wearer" from the neo-vintage era 1990-2010

Mar 01, 2019,01:13 AM
 

Over the course of 2018, I wrote a number of articles that aimed to put together a list of Rolex that were no longer in production but were from the post 1990 era. The aim was to  identify watches that are cool in their own right, great references, modern and robust, but with a twist - an element of rarity. To my mind, it was marrying the concept of a daily wearer with a twist. I wanted my “most desirable” list to be priced in a $5000-$20000 range, with the majority of the watches in the bottom half of that range.

Well, the list was compiled slowly over the course of last year. It is now time to recap on that list and summarise it. I don’t think there is a point in calling it a Top 10 as that will imply that No.1 is somehow “better” than No.10. So, I will produce the list randomly so that no inference will be made. I am attaching the links to the six articles I wrote last year in case anyone wishes to re-read any of it as all of the 10 watches are encompassed in those six articles.

To re-iterate, the aim of the list is to provide members with watches that I consider to be outstandingly cool beaters at a price that is not crazy. The watches will represent what I think is a fantastic value to rarity ratio.


No.1:  Reference: 16610 LV “The Kermit”

No.2:  Reference: 16760 “The Fat Lady”

No.3: Reference: 16700 (Swiss)

No.4: Reference: 16700 (Swiss made)

No.5: Reference: 16710 (Swiss)

No.6: Reference: 14060 (Swiss)

No.7: Reference: 14060 4-line with Long F - “The LGF”

No.8: Reference: 16570 (Swiss) “The Red Sox”

No.9: Reference: 16710 (Stick dial)

No.10: Reference: 168000 “The Zubmariner”


Vintage Rolex is so often all about the minutiae. Well, its not just the vintage era that has this issue. Even the modern variations of Rolex have minute differences that can differentiate. Basically, I have three main references that I collect; Patek Philippe, Rolex and JLC. I see Patek Philippe as a manufacturer that specialises in high end complications. I see Rolex as a manufacturer that produces great tool and sports watches. JLC is a different category for me as it is there for sentimental reasons. Hence, for a Patek collector, I see great sense in finding Rolex that act for me as great everyday wearers. But to be honest, the problem with an everyday wearer is that it can become quite boring. My hope for the above list is that it ticks enough boxes of interest to act as an everyday wearer that retains loads of fun and interest…..with that twist of rarity.




 1) 16610LV                                www.watchprosite.com /

2) 16760                                     www.watchprosite.com /

3) 16700,16710,16570,14060    www.watchprosite.com /
    
4) 16710                                    www.watchprosite.com /

5) 14060                                     www.watchprosite.com /

6) 168000                                   www.watchprosite.com /








More posts: 116610LV14060165701661016610LV167001671016760168000Explorer IIGMT MasterGMT Master IISubmarinerSubmariner Date

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Don't do that to me! :)) [nt]

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : March 1st, 2019-01:30

Not so easy to get one I wanna :) [nt]

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : March 1st, 2019-01:43

You need to read the article! [nt]

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-04:14
Focuses on the "Swiss Only" aspect

ypu could....and my reply would be.....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-05:17
cool watch, but not as rare as a pureblood Swiss Only (data taken from when i did the analysis) ...  

Series of posts I can always return to

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : March 1st, 2019-01:33
Thanks for this compilation Joe now it will be even easier to return to them Cheers D

I had a chance to try out...

 
 By: mahesh : March 1st, 2019-01:41
from the collection of vlad With something like this, I can end my Neo-vintage quest ! Best, Mahesh., ...  

;) [nt]

 
 By: amanico : March 1st, 2019-14:25

You are welcome [nt]

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-04:14

:))) [nt]

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : March 1st, 2019-06:33

No 16520?? [nt]

 
 By: watch-guy.com : March 1st, 2019-03:26

as above....i don't see it as a beater

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-04:15
In teh context of what I was trying to do, i would look elsewhere for a Chrono

Well....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-04:15
I don't see the Daytonas as daily beaters to be fair. Also, their prices have now rocketed and I was looking for beater value!

I think u still can find a nice 116520

 
 By: Passionata_george : March 1st, 2019-11:16
Sub 20k,imho a great honest daily watch

This is great stuff. Thanks!

 
 By: descartes1 : March 1st, 2019-04:02
It’s interesting no sea Dweller makes the list because historically it is that reference that produced some many nuances and rarities.

I love Sea Dwellers but.....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-04:16
If one looks at post 1990 and not from current production, there is not a lot of great choice. I would be very tempted to put the SD4000 on the list

I think the 16600 is a very nice watch, although perhaps there is no production ‘quirk’ that offers within any particular serial range the rarity you have identified in others.

 
 By: descartes1 : March 1st, 2019-06:44
Still, considering that in its era it was Rolex’s most technically advanced and most expensive professional watch in its era it is amazing what a virtual bargain it is today compared to many other references of that era.

For sure.....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-06:47
I am a huge fan of the Sea-Dweller. Probably one of my favourite genre within Rolex. And the 16600 is absolutely a great watch. I suspect I will need to compile a second list!!!

Wow! That is a compliment!

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-04:17
I am humbled.

Thanks a lot for putting this together, Joe.

 
 By: Pretty Boy : March 1st, 2019-08:03
A great guide to Rolex neo-vintage watches. Some really interesting pieces in your list. The only one of these I ever owned is the Kermit but unfortunately I sold it a couple of years ago. Not the only watch I regret selling. 😭 But such is life. Best, V. ... 

Thanks Volker

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2019-08:40
I own quite a few on the list...LoL I do love variation and I think Rolex ...and particularly the sports models..... make a great choice for daily beater

Great list

 
 By: Passionata_george : March 1st, 2019-11:19
the golden era of Rolex ,very reliable strong watches ,strong healthy bracelets no worry to wear it daily and yet all the charm what an older watch has

Such a dangerous post...

 
 By: Arie - Mr Orange : March 1st, 2019-14:20
Informative, magnetising, enticing, luring....in other words: a WIS shouldn’t read it. Or maybe he should 😉

Hello Joe / Baron ( Red). Appreciate your post.

 
 By: geross : March 1st, 2019-16:38
Got myself, The Bully. Just about the time you wrote those posts on sports Rolexes. Cool, watch. What a coincidence. I bought this before I read your post. Thanks. Cheers 🍻 Geross ...  

Bully is a win

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 2nd, 2019-02:46
So much vintage DNA. Yet built like a tank. Simplicity of the dial is superb. I love this watch

Thanks...

 
 By: keks : March 1st, 2019-17:18
I have been semiconsciously tried to avoid this series of yours to save myself from yet another pursuit.... you list too many compelling reasons to find one of these half modern references that I have excused myself from for a number of reasons. Now this ... 

For a Patek collector.....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 2nd, 2019-09:36
.....makes a lot of sense!

Well said.

 
 By: zabreg1 Mr White : March 3rd, 2019-01:31
I feel the same. Aaaaaaaarrrrgggghhhh.

As you know, I have become a victim of this as well

 
 By: crown comfort : March 2nd, 2019-02:54
with the 14060M LGF... Loving that watch for what it is and what it represents to me. And those other posts are indeed very tempting Rolae as well. CC ...  

OH, but you’re far from being the only one.

 
 By: zabreg1 Mr White : March 2nd, 2019-03:40
Many of us have fallen to this ‘plague’ Joe was so kind to create. So glad I managed to get my hands on it. ...  

when you say "victim"??? [nt]

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 3rd, 2019-01:56

What else would you call it?

 
 By: zabreg1 Mr White : March 3rd, 2019-07:51
I had no chance, in hindsight.

Great series of posts, Baron!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : March 2nd, 2019-03:21
Great theme, great analyses and even greater watches! Best Blomman

I never miss all your post

 
 By: Quan : March 4th, 2019-02:50
informative, thanks

+1! [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : March 5th, 2019-23:31

that is very kind [nt]

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : March 8th, 2019-02:26