History
Rolex was founded in the early 1900s by a young man named Hans Wilsdorf, who was only 24 years old at the time. Rolex has established itself as a brand that transcends all boundaries.
There’s hardly much to say about day-to-day living inside a private corporation whose manufacturing factory is more guarded than the Crown Treasures!
No doubt, there are numerous variations. The internet will provide encyclopedic amounts of information on which model is the best. Fortunately, we have the lite version for you.
We’re catering to Rolex purists here, which means you’ll have to choose from three vintage models: the Submariner, GMT, or Sea-Dweller.
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The Submariner (starting at $7,000)
The Submariner is a self-winding watch that does not require recharging or a battery. The natural motion of your hand and wrist provides it with its power. This is considered the work beast of all Rolex watches.
It’s substantial with a 40mm case, but not so much that you’ll feel bogged down.
In 1953, the very first iteration of the Submariner was released. The majority of Rolex collectors will tell you that this is the most identifiable of all Rolex watches. Surprisingly, it’s also the most widely imitated.
It was designed for divers, as seen by its incredible 300m water resistance. It features a unidirectional bezel that allows you to quickly determine how much time (oxygen) you have left so you can gauge when to commence ascending.
The newer variants of the Submariner pay homage to the classic form from the 1950s in terms of design. The overall style works equally well with jeans as it does with a three-piece suit. It’s Rolex’s most refined traditional design.
History of Submariners
Start by looking up the 5512 and 5513 if you want to do your homework. Between 1958 and 1978, as well as 1962 and 1989, these variants were created. They’re stainless steel, and despite the fact that this was even before the date window was introduced, the design is unquestionably sophisticated. Due to the low quantity of 5513s produced, the 5512 is slightly less expensive than its sibling.
During 77 and 87, the 16800 ($8,900) was for sale. Another stainless steel classic, however, this time, Rolex began to use white gold markers and glossy dials instead of matte dials with hand-painted markings.
This version provides the connection between the old and the new.
From 1981 through 1990, the 16808 ($19,950) was an 18-carat gold Rolex. This model’s valuation is unbeatable. The blue or black dial gives you that lovely old aesthetic with modern components. Prices start at $14,500 and go up to $25,500.
The current Submariner model is the 116610LN ($9,950). It has a different feel than its predecessors’ thanks to its broad lugs. This variant will set you back roughly $8.5k.
GMT Master (starting at $10,995) and Master II (starting at $12,560) are two models available.
The GMT was introduced in 1954 and is the second most popular Rolex model. It was created as a consequence of a collaboration with Pan Air and was designed for pilots who were required to tell time over multiple time zones.
The GMT sports an extra hand and a bezel to track many time zones throughout the world. Long-haul flights became more popular in the 1950s.
Although the design is similar to the Submariner, several minor variances exist. For starters, there’s the 24-hour bezel.
The GMT Master II, which was released in the 1990s, is still available today. The GMT is waterproof, although not quite as much as the Submariner.
A two-tone or solid bezel is available on both the Master and Master II. The Pepsi, priced at $17,936, is an exemplar of an eye-catching Rolex model.
A GMT is a conventional Rolex appearance that has some additional color and delivers the same design.
Models from GMT
Between 1981 and 1988, the 16750 was available. This type was akin to the Submariner in that it was a transitory watch from Rolex at a period when the company was making some distinctive advances.
This variant had the trademark matte dial before 1986. However, it was afterward replaced with a glossy dial. The date could now be adjusted thanks to the implementation of a quickset option quickly. If you’re interested in the subject, look for a gold brown “coffee” or “root beer” bezel; they’re one-of-a-kind items.
The GMT Master II is a pioneering watch. The 16760 was a stainless steel product that was available between 1983 and 1988. It had a red and black bezel, as well as an unusually large crown guard. Because of its voluptuous appearance and thick case, it was affectionately dubbed the “Fat Lady.”
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Sea Dweller ($13,554) and Deep Sea ($14,375)
Both of these watches are dive watches in the same vein as the Submariner. The Sea-Dweller is the big brother of the Sea-Dweller, being larger and more robust in terms of water resistance. This was created in the 1960s with the purpose of emulating the Submariner’s much-loved design features.
The Sea Dweller’s case is thicker. Therefore it adds extra weight to the wrist. The helium escape valve, which implies the watch can go to over 1,200m, which is much more than the Submariner, is one notable characteristic that distinguishes the two.
In 2008, the Sea-Dweller was retired and replaced by the Deep Sea. It can endure three times its original depth. That’s right, 3,600 meters. If you could somehow imagine it, there’s an even bigger offer.
These variations have become increasingly popular over the last 5-6 years. This is most likely due to the internet and the ability to buy them there.
Should I invest in a Rolex?
There is no excuse not to buy a Rolex if you have the means. Rolex is one of the best-known, most-loved, and most-trusted brands in the world, with a history spanning over 100 years. Rolex is inextricably related to the high-end market.
It will not depreciate in worth, the metals will not deteriorate over time, and the timekeeping will be precise. When people see a Rolex on your wrist, their attention will always fly.
