Which post year-2000 Rolex will become a classic

[Nimzowitsch]

Hi fellow members,

Which Rolex produced past 1999, in your humble opinion, do you reckon will become an evergreen classic and why? I am of course not expecting you to be able to predict the future, but I just wanted to hear your opinions :)

My vote goes for the 114270 (produced 2000-2010) Rolex Explorer.

I think inevitably the trend of oversized watches will die down and 36-38mm will become the norm. Should that happen, the Rolex Explorer will be hailed as the last "modern" Rolex made in 36mm before the "madness" for oversized watches started and I reckon it will be revered and sought after. Also, the dial is so crisp and classic, it will *never* go out of style.

Also, it happens to be my grail watch which I am saving up for hehe :)

Looking forward to hearing your responses!

[BumbleB]

I think the SkyDweller.

The complications are very slick and the watch wears really comfortable.




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[steeevvvooo]

Not convinced "oversized" watches are going anywhere. 40-42mm is the new norm I think. People are getting bigger, and while the trends will ebb and flow a little in the short term I think long term the trend is larger than 36mm. Typing this as I wear my vintage 36mm DJ

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[DLRIDES]

Possibly the 116600 Sea Dweller, last of the “no cyclops”

[acfcheung]

116600, the only non-supercase ceramic modern and the last SD without cyclops.

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[acfcheung]

throwing in a picture for good measure

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[georgekart]

I think DSSD will become a post-2000 classic if a trend for big watches stops. Think about it this way. What's the watch you think of as most classic 80s Rolex? It isn't the one you like the most from that era or would wear most likely. It's the blue dial gold Sub. Because it incompasses the era. What is the post-2000 era? Large, thick SS black divers with ceramic bezels. DSSD has all of that covered.

Now if the trend for large watches doesn't stop, I say SD4K will be the classic. It is a black SS diver, but it isn't particularly large, thick, it is a first ceramic SD, it still has no cyclops and it was produced for short period.

[Sublovin]

I would say the DSSD or maybe the new Air King. It is typically something that was under appreciated at the time.

[DGB]

No hesitation, the Daytona.

You have the very last of the Zenith movement in 2000, super collectible.
Also the first white 116520 turning to cream colour.

These are investment grade watches, prices have already skyrocketed, I am sure it will continue, crisis or no crisis.


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[Onequik135i]

Zenith Daytona along with the 16710.

[Hollie_Rollie]

I’d vote SD4K

[gunhose]

ds gradient blue/black dial first might be last first production diver 3900 meters exclusive clasp

[garbanzo]

The best bet would be the SkyD.
Production numbers are low and the complication is an excellent one.
Hopefully there will be some kind of ”improvement” soon to make the 1st gen ss production run short

[Finslayer83]

2000 - 2002 Sub dates.

SEL + Lug holes.

Only you smoothcaser's would disagree

[omx5o]

The DSSD is pretty unusual. If they discontinue it then it's a strong contender.

[AlexWazo]

I feel like the polar explorer 16570 went from the being the seen as the ugly one to something rather unique and appreciated in the Rolex lineup, would be cool to see it go further and be seen as a classic. It was produced before 2000 so not sure if that counts though haha

[ajas]

DSSD MK1 Black

[TheDude]

White and orange Milgauss




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[Chester01]

The 116520 Daytona. The reason being that it is the first Daytona with an in-house movement and with ss bezel, maintains the tool watch integrity before the full jump to wrist jewelry. People get nostalgic about the zenith Daytona, and I owned one but the reality is the Rolex movement is superior and a clear improvement to the zenith. The ability to hack the time and extended power reserve at least for me was a real functional improvement.

[LooseCann0n]

Good to hear (and agree) with the 116600 SD4k.
The last of the old sea dwellers before they got supersized. And ceramic bezel to boot.

I really love this watch - will end up going to my son when he starts work in around 15 or so years time.




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[subdateII]

Originally Posted by Chester01

The 116520 Daytona. The reason being that it is the first Daytona with an in-house movement and with ss bezel, maintains the tool watch integrity before the full jump to wrist jewelry. People get nostalgic about the zenith Daytona, and I owned one but the reality is the Rolex movement is superior and a clear improvement to the zenith. The ability to hack the time and extended power reserve at least for me was a real functional improvement.

That's my vote too. The bracelet is also better than on the Zenith Daytona.

The most discernable variation (although there are many) of the 116520 model which was produced for 16 years would the thin hands vs fat hands. There could be an interest from collectors for it.

[Gold Crown]

Sea Dweller 4000

[TimeToWatch]

Mark V 16520 "Zenith Daytona" (2000 only), 16610LV flat 4 "Kermit", 116600 "SD4K", 116519LN "OysterFlex Daytona" are my picks

[Freespeach]

Considering I am a classic in my own right...any watch that I own and is on my wrist

[omx5o]

Not sure about the SD4k. A true 'classic' needs to be a popular watch, not just a rare one.

[TimeToWatch]

Originally Posted by omx5o

Not sure about the SD4k. A true 'classic' needs to be a popular watch, not just a rare one.

So you're saying the 6263 PN Daytona, which sat in cases unloved for around a decade, isn't a classic because it wasn't popular??

[Nimzowitsch]

Originally Posted by omx5o

Not sure about the SD4k. A true 'classic' needs to be a popular watch, not just a rare one.

I can't agree more.

The Daytona's from the 60's were far from rare, and so were Rolex Explorer 1016. Yet, they have become, what I consider, classics. Same goes for the vintage GMT Master II Pepsis.

A classic is a watch that would be recognisable and sought after by the community and newcomers to the community, but also one which will not be unattainable for most.

In other words, rarity does not guarantee that a watch will become a classic.

[Anton911]

Definitely the Daytona,look at the prices even now and they are discontinued.
As someone previously mentioned the first series 116520,thin hands and the dial turning an off white or panna.
This only happened to a small number of early serial numbers,definitely these pieces.
Also mint full set 116520’s.

[scubadds]

Originally Posted by Anton911

Definitely the Daytona,look at the prices even now and they are discontinued.
As someone previously mentioned the first series 116520,thin hands and the dial turning an off white or panna.
This only happened to a small number of early serial numbers,definitely these pieces.
Also mint full set 116520’s.

great, I just got my 2004 F back from previous trade..thin hands

[djgallo]

Originally Posted by omx5o

Not sure about the SD4k. A true 'classic' needs to be a popular watch, not just a rare one.

Not true.

Many unpopular watches are leading classics. Four digit Daytona’s come to mind. And how about that Kermit....some of the best classics have been unloved when they were first introduced.