Many people will want to choose their basic collection diary when they first enter the Rolex series, but because of the wide range of styles (including different sizes, materials, styling, Chrono24, a well-known online trading platform for second-hand watches, has provided 4 important reference indicators for watch enthusiasts before starting with the log, and the answer will become clearer and clearer after clarifying what your needs are one by one for the following indicators.
1. Find out what you need to buy a watch
The Rolex diary has a wide range of options for both the secondary market and new watches, and it is important to find out things such as size before you get your hands on it. Generally, male wearers will choose a log watch with a size of no more than 36 or 41mm, but because the difference in the diameter of the two styles is 5mm, there will be some difference in wearing it, so you should first explore what you want. If you have a small wrist circumference, or prefer to wear a more elegant style, then choose 36mm, on the contrary, if your wrist is thicker, or prefer the watch to look stronger and sporty, then choose 41mm is a decision that you will not regret. The opportunity to go to a watch shop to try on a different size log is of course the best way, but if you don't have the time/opportunity to try it on, you can actually search the Internet for keywords to see pictures of other people actually wearing, which can give you more ideas for choosing a size.
▲The log is rich in size and shape, and there are many entry points to think about.
In addition to the size, the Datejust series must also screen the case material and strap type, and consumers can consider buying a stainless steel or gold steel case for the Dateri, which is directly related to their preferences and budget. After locking the material, we still have to worry about choosing an Oyster strap or a commemorative strap. The reason for choosing the Oyster strap is probably that it is a classic design, and the watch with the Oyster strap will look more sporty, as for the reason for choosing the commemorative strap is simpler, because it was originally a type of strap specially developed by Rolex for this series in the early days, which belongs to the original configuration of the Datejust series. Each link is made relatively small, so this strap can fit the wearer's wrist line, but it should also be noted that because there are relatively many parts of the chain link, it also virtually increases the probability that the parts may be damaged due to wearing for a long time, so the cost of maintenance and repair can also be evaluated before buying a watch before making a decision.
For the log series also to consider a need is bezel design, the main bezel of this series has polished shape and triangle groove shape, generally speaking, polished bezel with oyster strap, triangle fluted with commemorative strap is more Xi combination, but if you want a more personalized style, you can also try to choose polished bezel with commemorative strap or triangle fluted bezel with Oyster strap, in the familiar to create a little new.
2. The public price and popularity of the product
For example, on the Chrono24 website, the top-selling log sizes are 36 and 41mm, and from the ChronoPulse data, you will also find that the secondary market price of this series in the first two years is in a period of decline (of course, not only the log market is declining, but the overall environment is the same), but most of the calendar series are still overpriced now. As for the reason for the high and low prices of each diary second watch, including the size (usually the price of 41mm is better than the price of 36mm), the material (the price of gold and steel is higher than that of stainless steel), and finally there is another point is whether the original accessories such as watch boxes, documents, etc. are complete, and the higher the price of the watch with a complete box and a single watch, it is not difficult to understand this reason.
▲In recent years, there have been many new designs of the noodle plate.
In addition to the general plain sunray pattern, in recent years, there have also been designs such as gold brick pattern, palm leaf pattern or flower pattern to attract the attention of consumers, and the design with pattern may enhance the market price of the watch. Then there is the condition of the watch is also very important, the more old the watch, the better the condition of the watch, the higher the price.
3. Have a basic understanding of the ins and outs of the journal series
The Datejust was born in 1945 to celebrate the brand's 40th anniversary, when the first Datejust watches were made of precious metal cases with a diameter of 36mm, and the series was the first chronometer to have a date window at 3 o'clock on the dial, self-winding and waterproof.
▲The first diary series in 1945.
By the middle of the 20th century, the journal series began to appear in gold and steel versions, which made the series a little more selective; now we are Xi to see the word "DATEJUST" on the face plate not from the beginning, but only appeared for the first time in 1957. In the 1960s~1970s, the models of the Datejust series underwent a transformation, when the 1600 was a polished bezel, the 1601 was a fluted bezel, and the 1603 was a so-called "Engine-turned" strip bezel, which became the classic designs that collectors eagerly pursued in the future.
In the 1970s, with the advent of the 3035 calibre, which was able to set the date quickly, the Datejust was optimised in terms of overall quality. Since 1988, Rolex has replaced acrylic crystals with sapphire crystals. Around the turn of the millennium, the luminous coating of the log was changed from tritium to LumiNova, and later to the more effective Super-LumiNova, gradually enhancing the watch's night-time readability. In 2009, the 41 mm diameter of the Log II was first introduced, but it was discontinued for a time, but in 2016 it was reborn again in the form of the Log 41 and has become the main size of the series. These are some of the important milestones in the evolution of the diary series, and understanding these histories before starting will give you a better understanding of the watch and a better choice of directions.
4. Journals from different periods have their own attractive advantages
Due to the long history of the diary series, the tables in this series can also be roughly divided into classical, modern and neoclassical periods in between, depending on the age of production. People who like the sense of time, the ancient classic is the most suitable, the diary of this period will have more obvious traces of aging, but in a way it also represents the glory of the brand and the series, but relatively speaking, the use of the watch in the classical period must also be more careful, usually to start this kind of high-seniority log to ensure that the starting pipeline is trustworthy, but also pay attention to whether there are obvious problems with the operation of the movement, and the condition of the watch is also very important, for example, you are keen on tropical dial watches, but the environment that forms this dial may be related to humidity, resulting in heavier moisture inside the watch, which may make the parts in the movement need to be repaired and replaced。
▲The diary of the neoclassical period has an attractive advantage in price.
As for those who pursue modernity and the condition of the watch, of course, the modern log is preferred, which may reduce some of the pleasure of feeling the proud history of the watch, but in exchange for the more evolved practicality and precision of the watch, the more modern the watch, the more new technology the brand will incorporate to improve the wearing experience of the watchowner.
The last type of neoclassical period positioning is more ambiguous, they may be compatible with the advantages and disadvantages of classical and modern watches, usually not so high-profile, but there is an advantage that because there are relatively few people who want this period diary, so the watch can have more discount space, if you are looking for a Rolex watch, and there are no other special conditions, the neoclassical diary is just what you want.
Article source: World Watches
Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author
Good article recommendation, if there is any infringement, please contact to delete.