Rolex

Rolex closed the ADs near me and has opened a Rolex Boutique instead in Bellevue. I need to go there to see what (if anything) they have in stock. The local ADs had only limited number of display models for the last few years.

Interesting though they let the ADs keep the Tudor line.

I’ve never owned a Rolex, and some day I’d like to own one. I traditionally prefer pilot type dials. For example, I like the looks of Sinn, Laco, Bell & Ross. Very simple. Very plain. On a black background. So naturally I’m gravitating towards the Rolex Air King model.

But I’m torn because there are several design features I don’t like about the Air King. For example, I don’t like the indices being a mixture of hours and minutes. I wish the indices were simply just hour indices. Plus, I don’t like the size of the indices being a mixture of small ones and big ones. It’s almost I feel like telling the Rolex designers… “Please make up your mind!”

Does anyone else feel the same way? Did Air Kings always look like that over the years? Maybe I need to look at another brand, but I’d rather not because I love the Swiss precision/quality of a Rolex and the fact they hold their value very well.

JoeyO wrote

I’ve never owned a Rolex, and some day I’d like to own one. I traditionally prefer pilot type dials. For example, I like the looks of Sinn, Laco, Bell & Ross. Very simple. Very plain. On a black background. So naturally I’m gravitating towards the Rolex Air King model.

But I’m torn because there are several design features I don’t like about the Air King. For example, I don’t like the indices being a mixture of hours and minutes. I wish the indices were simply just hour indices. Plus, I don’t like the size of the indices being a mixture of small ones and big ones. It’s almost I feel like telling the Rolex designers… “Please make up your mind!”

Does anyone else feel the same way? Did Air Kings always look like that over the years? Maybe I need to look at another brand, but I’d rather not because I love the Swiss precision/quality of a Rolex and the fact they hold their value very well.

I've got the latest evolution of the Air King and I absolutely LOVE it.

My wife got it for me because, well, the whole pilot thing. It's very rare to see in the wild-- I've had guys wearing Daytona's talk to me about how much they love it seeing it actually being worn.

It's a pilot's watch. So, the indices are sort of a thing-- And? The spash of green? Really makes the watch pop-- it's similar to the Explorer I, but after wearing the Air King for a while, I passed on an Explorer because of how.... bland it looked in comparison.

YMMV.

R.

PS: My "go to work in the jet" is a Sinn 856 UTC. UTTERLY bombproof-- I don't know what the German's are using for their casing (whatever "tegimented steel" is), but it's terrifyingly immune from scratches.

The Air King? The bracelet will scratch in the jet-- hence the Sinn.

R.

Thanks Flybigjet for the feedback. Yes, for a while I considered the Explorer I but I agree with you that Air King’s touch of green/yellow colors make it pop more. I don’t like monotone watches. Do you have the pre or post year 2022 version? I like the slight improvements that were made in year 2022.

JoeyO wrote

Thanks Flybigjet for the feedback. Yes, for a while I considered the Explorer I but I agree with you that Air King’s touch of green/yellow colors make it pop more. I don’t like monotone watches. Do you have the pre or post year 2022 version? I like the slight improvements that were made in year 2022.

I've got the post-22. MUCH better watch, IMHO. The "05" instead of the "5" really balances out the face, and the crown guards (like a "real" tool watch) really look good on the casing.

And? A better movement with a longer power reserve.

I'm wearing it today on a quick trip to Wine Country as a matter of fact!

R.

Thanks Flybigjet. I hear the post 2022 version is a tad thinner, which is always good.

On a totally different subject, does anyone know so any leather or rubber straps that are comparable with Rolexes? I suppose the strap would have to be well-crafted and reliable.

JoeyO wrote

Thanks Flybigjet. I hear the post 2022 version is a tad thinner, which is always good.

On a totally different subject, does anyone know so any leather or rubber straps that are comparable with Rolexes? I suppose the strap would have to be well-crafted and reliable.

Everest straps are quite nice.

The problem with the latest Air King and explorer is that they have a sharp facing under the cantilever (basically the bezel)-- it tears up leather straps.

R.

DD.

I don’t see any folks with an Oyster Perpetual. I don’t own a Rolex, but is that model generally frowned upon by Rolex collectors? I like its clean lines and the fact in comes in some interesting colors, such as pistachio, beige, and lavender. But I don’t know whether I’d get tired of the one color, eventually over time.

JoeyO wrote

I don’t see any folks with an Oyster Perpetual. I don’t own a Rolex, but is that model generally frowned upon by Rolex collectors? I like its clean lines and the fact in comes in some interesting colors, such as pistachio, beige, and lavender. But I don’t know whether I’d get tired of the one color, eventually over time.

My wife has two: A Celebration and a Green dial.

She LOVES them-- they're a little more dressy than Sub/Air-King/GMT etc. tool watches.

Very elegant. If they were still making the reddish/orange faced one, I'd pick one up in a heartbeat.

R.

JoeyO wrote

I don’t see any folks with an Oyster Perpetual. I don’t own a Rolex, but is that model generally frowned upon by Rolex collectors? I like its clean lines and the fact in comes in some interesting colors, such as pistachio, beige, and lavender. But I don’t know whether I’d get tired of the one color, eventually over time.

Most Rolex guys are into the Explorer and the Datejust and just skip over the OP but personally I like the OP a lot more than the Explorer. I don't own a Rolex though so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Nothing in their catalogue really gets me excited under $10k

The problem with OP's is they have no bling factor. No fluted or color bezel and no interesting band. It makes up for it in the dials but it the cheapest Rolex so simply for that reason a lot of people will view it with disdain.

After a long internet search, I found the one Rolex model that I would love to purchase, but unfortunately it’s out of production. It’s the Milgauss Black Face with clear crystal. It doesn’t have the green crystal. It was made 2007 thru 2013. Bummer. I don’t like most Rolex designs, but this one I like. Does anyone have this model?

JoeyO wrote

After a long internet search, I found the one Rolex model that I would love to purchase, but unfortunately it’s out of production. It’s the Milgauss Black Face with clear crystal. It doesn’t have the green crystal. It was made 2007 thru 2013. Bummer. I don’t like most Rolex designs, but this one I like. Does anyone have this model?

Chrono 24 is a good option - search the model number and see if any available.

JoeyO wrote

After a long internet search, I found the one Rolex model that I would love to purchase, but unfortunately it’s out of production. It’s the Milgauss Black Face with clear crystal. It doesn’t have the green crystal. It was made 2007 thru 2013. Bummer. I don’t like most Rolex designs, but this one I like. Does anyone have this model?

Search "REF 116400"-- easy enough to find.

Here's an example. It really is a stunning piece.

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/rolex-mint-full-set-milgauss-black-dial-orange-accents-smooth-bezel-oyster-steel-40mm-116400--id45779808.htm?searchHash=efe5fef8_iGOPn1&pos=10

Good luck!

R.

The problem with the Milgauss is that it's not even close to the best in class anymore for it's original purpose. I imagine at some point in the future they will release a new model and it will at least equal current day competitors.

kudos wrote

The problem with the Milgauss is that it's not even close to the best in class anymore for its original purpose. I imagine at some point in the future they will release a new model and it will at least equal current day competitors.

Sure, but are people really buy the Migauss because they’re working in electromagnetic fields? I doubt it. Today a person can save $10,000 and buy a $50 Timex digital quartz watch and it will be electromagnetic proof. I simply like the history behind the Milguass, being a scientist myself, and I think it’s one of the better looking Rolex’s. Plus, I love the lightning bolt! I love that lightning bolt!

JoeyO wrote

Sure, but are people really buy the Migauss because they’re working in electromagnetic fields? I doubt it. Today a person can save $10,000 and buy a $50 Timex digital quartz watch and it will be electromagnetic proof. I simply like the history behind the Milguass, being a scientist myself, and I think it’s one of the better looking Rolex’s. Plus, I love the lightning bolt! I love that lightning bolt!

i loved the emerald-faced Milgauss and was sad it was discontinued when i learned about it during the search for my first Rolex. maybe that was a good thing because i prefer watches with a date complication. i ended up purchasing a DateJust "Wimbledon" with smooth bezel and oyster bracelet, which accomplished a similar look to that Milgauss

Watches and Wonders starts tomorrow (14 April).

R.

Rolex is building a new Rolex Boutique near me. Does anyone have experience with a Rolex Boutique? I wonder if the actually will have watches to sell or just peaces to show and put you on a wait list.

P.S. They pulled the Rolex line from all the ADs near me. They do let them still sell Tudor watches.

DanG wrote

Rolex is building a new Rolex Boutique near me. Does Antone have experience with a Rolex Boutique? I wonder if the actually will have watches to sell or just peaces to show and put you on a wait list.

P.S. They pulled the Rolex line from all the ADs near me. They do let them still sell Tudor watches.

It's the same as all the other stores that sell Rolex. Some say it's even harder at a Rolex boutique. Personally, I always buy from a watch store that has multiple brands so no matter what I want the spend history is there.

My father picked this up from the factory after WWII - still works