In the insulated world of internet Rolex forums, the classic Sub is deemed to be the 'most popular' model in the Rolex line. But if one could possibly divorce themselves from the on line bubble, this iconic model with that Champagne dial is most likely THE most sold around the world. A wide angled view of the number of people wearing this model over the past decades at least gives the impression it is far more popular than the Sub with the Rolex wearing population.

As for the bracelet stretch, it is widely thought that issue is the deterioration of the steel attaching bars between the links and not the links themselves that have stretched. Rolex forums are awash with comments from those who have discovered and used the services of at least two craft shops that have developed the mechanical technology to pull apart the links and replace the internal shafts holding the whole assembly together, thereby returning to 'factory new' the condition of the Jubilee bracelet.

 

Thanks. I will investigate this.

As stated in the article, the watch belongs to a friend of mine and I'm not sure what he's planning to do with the watch. But fixing the stretch would be my main priority. The wear and tear are just amazing to my eye and I wouldn't touch anything personally.

And you're absolutely correct: DJ has probably sold more than the "most iconic" Submariner over the years.

Cheers!

 

Interesting read! My dad recently gave me his, which was given to him by his dad:

Pretty rough shape, esp the bracelet. I mailed it to RSC Dallas, still waiting on them to confirm receipt and provide me a service estimate.

EDIT: Since you mentioned stretch on your friend's. I was told RSC will just suggest swapping out the bracelet for a new one, I'm really leaning toward doing that despite the cost. My dad's watch needs a new endlink as the gold has fallen off over the years, and if the stretch is fixed then it will be too small for my wrist (some links have been lost over the years as well), so I figure at that point I'll just pony up and get a nice fresh new bracelet.

 

Wow. Your bracelet looks exactly the same as on the review watch, save the end links.

Weird that the solid gold has faded away. Or perhaps the end links are plated?

 

I believe they are plated.

 

It's pretty dented and worn, I wouldn't call it its "original shape". People seem to think that damage only happens on flat surfaces, leaving 40-year-old edges pristine and blade-sharp regardless of how beaten-up the watch is. Especially if they weren't that sharp to begin with

 

Yes... "original shape" was probably bad wording. I meant that the case has never been polished or touched.

 

Great stuff as always JP!
All through latter 70's and 80's I was obsessed with the Submariner and wore only that.
However, my eye always zoomed in on anyone wearing a Datejust....the case profile is so much nicer.
A few years ago I started buying new 41's and settled on these. Maybe for the nostalgia vibe, who knows.
In fact I've wanted a Day-Date-40, but would lean toward a Yellow DJ41 with Jubilee instead if that ever shows up.
Thanks!

 

Thanks my friend.

Those are absolutely stunning.

I feel the 36mm is excellent, classic shape for someone with smaller wrists/hand, nothing wrong with that.

But for someone bigger in size the 40/41mm works better. I agree.

 

 

The most fascinating thing about this guy was that in the movie he listed all the Genesis albums that fans usually dislike. Hahah.

Great bad guy character, great watch.

 

That Oyster/smooth bezel combination isn't bad, either. I once photographed my friend's 36mm DJ with those specs. Stunning.

 

Regarding smooth bezels on Datejusts, I much prefer the overall look of the 36mm as shown with its "domed" bezel.
Plus I love how the glass sits up higher off the bezel, and silver dials can't be beat.
The 41 bezel is flat and a bit too large.
If I had 7" wrists or smaller I would only buy 36mm watches.

 

It's strange after I've been wearing my smaller watches how HUGE the 40mm classic 16610 Submariner feels on the wrist. It was considered big watch before the era of XXL watches. It's mainly just how YOU see it on your wrist. If you look at the mirror, the watch size 36-39mm looks perfectly normal and balanced, even on a larger wrist.

 

Someone said that ladies' DJ is the best selling Rolex model when it comes to sheer volume. But then again there aren't much competition in the ladies' range.

It would be interesting to see the model specified sales figures.

 

I think that the stainless Submariner and two-tone Datejust two watch combination is perfect. I also LOVE the older Rolex models with drilled lugs, allows you to very easily change between bracelets and straps.

 

I agree.