A sit down with some of the most desirable modern Rolex available today...
Here at WatchGecko, we’re naturally exposed to all manner of watches every day. At the time of writing this, I currently have eight watches on my desk (as well as one on my wrist). So when a friend visits with this tier of watches and mentions it is only a snippet of his collection, it’s fair to say it gets a lot of our attention.
The Rolex Yachtmaster - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
So today I wanted to run through a few of the watches we recently spent some time with to give you a little taste of what’s to come on the Mag in the coming months…
Rolex Daytona 116506 - Platinum
The Rolex Daytona 116506 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
First up we have a Daytona, but not just another Daytona. This is the 116506 Platinum Daytona and this is the one that changed my mind on Daytona’s. It’s not that I dislike the model at all, but more the fact that time only watches are what I gravitate towards. The first thing you spot on this Daytona is that colour scheme. The ice blue on its own could have felt a little washed out; however, the brown bezel really completes and brings this watch together.
This release is the 50th-anniversary model marking the first time the Daytona went platinum, and coming in at 286 grams, this thing is hefty on the wrist. Therefore it came as a bit of surprise to me when I found this watch to be pretty stealthy on the wrist. Most people who see this piece simply see it as a nice looking watch with a great colour scheme; the fact its platinum flies right under the radar of most and for others is a welcomed added bonus.
Probably my favourite design feature of the watch is the subdials and the way the track the numerals sit on replicated the brown bezel. This really helps the watches clarity and visual impact.
Rolex Day-Date 40 - Yellow Gold + Factory Diamonds
The Rolex Day-Date 40 Yellow Gold - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Day-Date in 40 has always been a watch I’ve looked fondly upon but my appreciation never went further because I had been put off by the larger size. If I’m honest, I still feel the 36mm case is the correct size for a daily wear, but the 40 in person feels amazing. Now, this is owned and worn by the wife of our friend hence the diamond bezel but this didn’t affect my appreciation for this piece. A yellow gold Day-Date on a president bracelet is the yellow gold watch to own and this 40mm version with the polar white dial makes visual sense.
One of the most impressive and stand out features on this piece are those roman numerals which are hand polished and applied by Rolex. These are essentially small mirrors on the dial that play with the light endlessly.
The 60th anniversary rose gold with green dial Day-Date also lives in this collection which would probably be my pick of the bunch. Maybe more on that one soon...
Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600
The Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Next up is the 2017 Rolex Sea-Dweller which came with a lot of updates for this traditionally more tool watch model. The Sea-Dweller is designed to step in and take over when the Submariner is pushed to its limits, hence the 1220m water resistance rating and helium escape valve.
This new 2017 model saw the addition of red text on the dial, the cyclops (unseen on the Sea-Dweller before) and a 43mm wide case growing from the predecessor reference 116600. The first thing to note here is that size. Yes, 43mm is on the large size when it comes to Oyster cases but I was pleasantly surprised with how comfortable this felt on the wrist. It didn’t feel too big or clumsy. I think a contributing factor of this feeling is down to the case thickness. When compared to the Sea-Dweller Deepsea this piece is much more appropriate on the wrist.
Rolex Daytona 116509 - White Gold
The Rolex Daytona 116509 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Here we have a white gold Daytona with a grey racing dial, reference 116509. With it's red accents thoughout the dial, this is a combination that on paper I would be nervous about as I feel if executed badly it could look a little vague and lacking purpose. However, in true Rolex fashion, this isn’t the case. The watch feels refreshingly less luxury and more sporty than some Daytona references.
Combine this with the black leather strap and it’s another stealth look complete.
Rolex GMT Master II 2018 - Steel w/ Jubilee Bracelet
The Rolex GMT Master II in Steel - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
And last but not least we have one of the hottest watches of 2018, the stainless steel Rolex GMT Master Pepsi. Although the summer is now over, in my eyes this model was made to be worn in the sun. It’s all about that bracelet on this watch. Unsurprisingly it’s ridiculously comfortable. The quality, fit, form factor and relationship between the case on the GMT Master is executed perfectly.
Sure the case is beefed up on these new models, but the magic of the jubilee keeps the real estate the watch takes up on the wrist down. The ceramic blue and red bezel has a tendency to change and adapt in appearance based on the light hitting it.
I can see why this watch was and still is very very hot.
The Chopard Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
So that’s a quick rundown of a pretty desirable watch collection. Of course, there were other models that deserve an honourable mention including a Yachtmaster, rose gold Daytona, a modern Submariner, Cartier Drive, Chopard Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph and Roger Dubuis Tourbillon Easy Diver.
Stay tuned to the Mag as I’m sure we will take a look at these watches, and more from the collection soon...
