Rolex

I have had a Datejust 41 for a few years and over time found it wore too large on my relatively thin wrist. I decided to swap it out for a Datejust 36 which I absolutely love. Went from oyster bracelet/smooth bezel to jubilee/fluted as well and really enjoying the look.

ShapeShifter wrote

I've had my Daytona Cosmograph since 1973. Wore it to work regularly in my career from the late 70's to early 90's. Pretty much stopped after the Rolex Brand got popularized in music videos. Was also told after my last servicing, that oem parts were very hard to find for this model. Then, was offered cash and a trade, so that could have just been an attempt to make me fall for their deal. Will likely pass it along to my son.

DAD??

Got a call from my AD yesterday afternoon that she'd gotten her hands on a "unicorn" watch for my wife: a 31 Oyster Perpetual Celebration.

Ever since Rolex released the Celebration last year, my wife has been *lusting* after it. We'd placed a "just for fun" order with our AD on the very long-shot chance of her ever getting one in.

And, she did. And she called us yesterday.

So, we went down to the AD last night and took a look. My wife had been wanting the 36, but after comparing an OP36 on her wrist, the 31 just fit her better. (and since she already has a green OP31, I wasn't quite sure why this was even an issue, but she *is* a girl).

She fell in love with it and wore it to work today.

I think it's a fun watch, but maybe a little busy for my personal tastes-- at least in the 31 size.

My wife however? May never take it off. She was mumbling about wearing it to Paris next month (we're flying over with a two other couples to see Taylor Swift and go to Giverny and Champagne), but I nipped that in the bud. This would be.... a tough one to replace if she lost it or it got stolen. The prices on the secondary market are sort of stupid.

R.

^ agreed with you. Be very mindful and careful in Paris, especially on metro and tourist attractions.

They were 75 grand. And I did not think I’d ever turn a profit off that becuase generally keep my watches. I only sell the ones I don’t like for some reason. I went with a two tone Daytona with the navy face. It’s my daily and I love it.

SigmaShift wrote

One thing I've learned is, never pass up what an AD offers you if you can make a few bucks

Can’t beat Rolex and F1

My latest acquisition picked up last December, 126610LN.

First Rolex, purchased it in Paris 1999. Served me well over the years.

Nice Daytona!

Latest acquisition, brand new GMT II "Bruce Wayne"

40th Birthday present from my wife (many years ago).

SigmaShift wrote

Latest acquisition, brand new GMT II "Bruce Wayne"

Congrats. I’m still waiting to see it in person but if I’m going to get another GMT it’ll probably be 5 digit Coke bezel.

0-60Motorsports wrote

Congrats. I’m still waiting to see it in person but if I’m going to get another GMT it’ll probably be 5 digit Coke bezel.

the grey component is lighter depending on the lighting

CTPJ wrote

40th Birthday present from my wife (many years ago).

What year is this piece?

My dad has the modern blue Sub with...blue dial

Germanauto wrote

What year is this piece?

My dad has the modern blue Sub with...blue dial

She purchased it new for me in 2000.

The watch everyone loves to hate…Air King. This is my favorite Rolex/daily wear. #126900

Received it from my dad, who got it as a wedding present right after WW II. Never serviced but still works.

2022M550i wrote

The watch everyone loves to hate…Air King. This is my favorite Rolex/daily wear. #126900

Absolutely agree. I'm wearing my #126900 right now.

However, it's caused me two problems.

1. I'm medically grounded by the FAA at the moment but expect to get my Medical back around October. I've already talked to my AD about getting another piece then in celebration of "having survived something that should and would have killed me".

I was leaning towards the 40mm Explorer, since I've always wanted one.

HOWEVER-- I've been wearing my Air King a lot lately out of rotation and have really started to enjoy it. My wife had gotten it for me as a present since I'm a professional pilot and at first, I didn't love, love, love it but couldn't say anything since she'd gotten it for me.

That's changed. Now, the Explorer looks boring and the Air King just looks..... right. Yes, the dial's a little complicated, but I get a lot of comments on it as it's a bit of an "unusual" Rolex. I definitely get a lot more notice with it than I do with my Sub.

So, I don't think I'll be picking up an Explorer (unless Rolex *finally* comes out with a white face) and I'm starting to consider a GMT Master II. But that causes its own issues as I'm torn between the Pepsi and Batman.

2. The Air King is absolutely savage on leather straps. Everest et. al. only make rubber straps, which I'm not fond of. I'm going to get a perforated goatskin leather strap with Rolex green stitching custom made with curved keeper bars. The issue is that the new Air King (and Explorer, fwiw) have sort of a sharp "notch" under the bezel when you remove the band. That notch just utterly destroys a normal leather strap (which is probably why you don't see any). I just got done taking pictures and measurements for the custom strap maker, but he's about 4-5 months out.

R.

I used to own one of those Air King models as well. I like Air King models but not among my fave Rolex watches either . The watch is missing a huge piece to me : It needs a GMT MASTER II like or Submariner style bezel . In a sports watch, smooth bezel never works neatly to me

Nivarox wrote

I used to own one of those Air King models as well. I like Air King models but not among my fave Rolex watches either . The watch is missing a huge piece to me : It needs a GMT MASTER II like or Submariner style bezel . In a sports watch, smooth bezel never works neatly to me

I'd argue that it's more of a tool watch than a sports watch, being all pilotey.

And therefore, the bezel should DO something. The ones on the Sub and the GMT are there for a reason-- either second time zone or dive time elapsed. Not sure what putting one on an Air King would do unless you included a hack function.

Just my 0.02.

But for the record? The new #126900 is a HUGE improvement over the previous one. I'm very glad my wife didn't get mine any earlier. The odd single "5" always irritated me, and I really like the new crown guards and appreciate the new movement and power reserve.

R.

flybigjet wrote

But for the record? The new #126900 is a HUGE improvement over the previous one. I'm very glad my wife didn't get mine any earlier. The odd single "5" always irritated me, and I really like the new crown guards and appreciate the new movement and power reserve.

I agree. The loom inside the 3,6 and 9, the new case with the crown guards, wider band with new style clasp… new movement. To me it’s a Home run.

I love the corporate green logo/secondhand with yellow crown. To me, sometimes simple is better. I have a submariner and a Pepsi GMT, Omega Speedmaster racing…. the air king is hands-down my favorite. I love it. I don’t have to worry about Setting a date or anything. Throw it on and it is easy to see with my aging eyes. there is no other Rolex like it and I’m glad they kept it around.

It’s almost like a 50-50 split. 50% of the people hate it, 50% of the people love it.

BTW- from your previous post, I have my share of health issues… I get it. Good luck with continued health improvement and getting back up in the air!

2022M550i wrote

The watch everyone loves to hate…Air King. This is my favorite Rolex/daily wear. #126900

I for one, just love the looks of it. Very clean design and classy and doesn't look like a billboard. A+++