About a month ago I was considering vintage datejusts and when I was out and about on my way to try some on I saw my first Speedy reduced in person. It's perhaps just my opinion, but I really feel like the old datejust are very flimsy feeling compared to today's, modern watches. You might enjoy the weight and the heft of the Speedy reduced more. And, perhaps, someday pick up a new datejust even if it's the 36 which is just a heftier more satisfying watch to wear.

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You're a college student and live an active lifestyle. The Speedy seems like a much better fit - it has a much more youthful, action persona. It's got the racing and moon mission connection going for it. The Datejust is a bit stuffy by comparison IMO - more of a dressy watch for older men at cocktail parties. Wait until you're at least 30 to get that

 

The Datejust is a bit stuffy by comparison IMO - more of a dressy watch for older men at cocktail parties. Wait until you're at least 30 to get that

This is pretty funny.

Input duly noted, thanks guys.

Perhaps one of the reasons the Datejust is on my mind is that it would be such a solid backbone for my collection as it grows and changes down the road. I definitely agree that the speedy would fit my lifestyle more, but then again every watch I own is in my rotation, so I'm not sure that fitting my lifestyle directly equates to more wrist time.

 

I voted speedy
but

you said an active lifestyle so if swimming with this watch is part of the equation only the DJ has a screw down crown.

Jim

 

Nothing wrong with a Speedy reduced.

 

Il second that.

 

Nothing to add, just support to exactly what Tompie said. ^^^^
Good luck with your purchase and with your studies.

 

Personally, there's no way I wouldn't buy new for my first "big boy watch".

 

Get a Rolex Explorer 212470. You are welcome.

 

Do not forget to investigate the cost of maintenance, especially when buying used or vintage.

 

Hey everybody,

My name is Paul and this is my first post on here (despite being an active reader for about a year). I have come to a bit of a crossroads with regards to my next purchase, and have decided to spend my virgin post seeking your advice!

I have only been collecting watches for about a year, but it is safe to say I have the bug bad. I am proud of the collection I have amassed but it is finally time to spend some real money($2k - $3k) on my first "big boy watch" - something truly iconic that I can have forever.

Long story short, I have narrowed down my choices to either a vintage Datejust or a Speedy Reduced (I am well aware that nasty R-word after Speedy will cause some debate, but I would rather have the automatic movement and save the extra $1k the Pro would cost).

I have always loved both watches which is why I am so on the fence. One thing to keep in mind is that I believe strongly that watches are meant to be worn, so whichever I buy will get a lot of time on the wrist; I live a very active lifestyle which the watch will be exposed to.

Perhaps my biggest concern about the Rolex is that I am still in college, and while the money I have saved for the watch has come from my own hard work, I'm not sure if I "deserve" to wear the Crown when I haven't even started my career yet.

Anyways, sorry for the lengthy introduction and thanks in advance for your help!

Paul

Hi Paul,

Its midnight here. I had gone to bed but I couldn't sleep for thinking about your post. I just got back up again to type this.

I agree with the DJ = old mans watch. I am an old man with a DJ.

But I wouldn't buy either. If I were you I would buy an airline ticket.

Go and float down a river in Cambodia, on an inner tube, drinking cheap beer.
Climb Mount Batur at dawn and see the sunrise across Bali. You will never forget it.
Go into Asmoro Dangut bar in Jalan Blora, Jakarta, and hear a beautiful girl sing. And if her name is Dewi, give her my love.
Stand in Bangla Road and watch the sunset, in the silent company of a thousand ladies (and ladyboys) of the night.
Swim at dusk in the Andaman Sea. Swim until it is dark, and guess which way is back to the beach.
Get drunk in 15 countries in a month.
Hold a dying mans hand, as he passes to the next world.
See the new moon in Thailand.
See a baby born and marvel at the miracle.
Stand on a beach a Tarawa, and remember heroes.
Climb a sea wall in Vietnam. Then drop a long way to the ocean.
Walk the Choam Khsant region, though the Dangret mountains, and visit the Preah Vihear Temple.
Walk to the DMZ and wave to Uncle Kim.

Do all of this with a $10 watch on your wrist. That watch will mean more to you than any other watch ever will.

And my biggest regret is that I would not be there with you.

Its now 12:30 here. I am going back to bed. I hope to dream of such things.

rosco

 

Suggestion may be valid but it wasn't what was asked though.

It is like someone asking whether they should have burgers or pizza and you telling them to eat a salad because it is "good" for them even though you have NO CLUE as to their lifestyle (maybe they eat salad every day, the person may be asking particular day what he/she should have).

Same thing here, perhaps the person has traveled around the world already to more exotic places than where you are suggesting.

He already says he has "active lifestyle". Perhaps he wishes to do the activities with a nice watch to remember it by.
It appears that YOU always had nice watches and appear to have done all the things that you list (you have owned Rolex for almost 40 years along with bunch of Omegas as well) why shouldn't he?

 

To get you thinking:

Asmoro Live Dangdut and Bar (Jl Blora) | Jakarta100bars Nightlife Reviews - Best Nightclubs, Bars and Spas in Asia

The Asmoro......

sunset on Bangla Road

 

To get you thinking:

Asmoro Live Dangdut and Bar (Jl Blora) | Jakarta100bars Nightlife Reviews - Best Nightclubs, Bars and Spas in Asia

The Asmoro......

sunset on Bangla Road
View attachment 12482691

Wow. Those are incredible views and your original comment has me wanting to get there sooner rather than later.

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I think the key point was the active lifestyle. I've owned plenty of vintage watches from Cartier to JLC. I never, ever, EVER, wore them doing "active" things. I wouldn't wear the vintage Datejust while playing sports or hiking either. Go with the speedy reduced and let the dings/dents/scratches form your history.

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Neither. Get used Explorer 36mm (not too much more than DJ I THINK...) Much more rugged, will age much better IMHO or get newer Air King if cost is really an issue.

I would not get the speedy reduced. If you want speedy, spend few more bucks and get speedy pro. Your wallet will thank you down the line.

Now, no knock on vintage Rolex, it does NOT age as badly as people say especially you do not get fluted bezel. Also, once you get gaskets changed, sports won't be much of an issue - much better WR than speedy reduced (30m - 100ft - 3ATM vs. Rolex has 10ATM or 300ft)

 

Fellow college student here. Regarding the fear of wearing the crown, I wouldn't worry about it. If you're a dbag, that will be evident regardless or what watch you wear. If you're a nice guy, then of the 2% of those that actually notice what watch you're wearing, it won't matter either.

I think the whole appeal of the speedy is the manual wind moonwatch. For the price of a reduced (which sell on the forums at a pretty hefty discount), you could get a much more interesting and better designed chrono (Sinn, Oris, Seiko).

 

Also, OP, this person knows what's up. His advice is great.

 

I voted for the Speedy Reduced, but really I recommend the Speedy Pro. If you actually do rotate through your watches, then you will have to wind them up in the morning (unless you have a winder) so the manual winding would be the same. If it's the money, just wait until you can afford it. I'm not knocking the Reduced at all, I think it's a really nice watch, but if you are looking for something iconic that you could keep forever, the Speedy Pro would be the better choice.

 

I can't big up the DJ enough as mine went everywhere with me (and I mean everywhere) right up until the day it retired.

 

I'm voting DateJust (or Oyster Perpetual) because I think it's more robust than a Speedy. Better WR, better bracelet, no pushers to knock on anything... I've got a speedy edition and its a great watch but, in college, I was a bit rougher and I'd be much happier dinging up an OP case than the Speedy. When I was in college I wore a quartz Tag Aquaracer and, I'll tell you, it went through some abuse and I appreciated that WR (when you're drunk on spring break and everyone runs into the ocean at 3am you usually don't stop to think if you should remove your watch... just sayin)

Go smooth bezel on an Oyster bracelet and it has a sporty look for sure, and there are tons for sale in mint condition.

NOT my FS post, but an example of whats out there
WatchNet: Trading Post: FS: Rolex 114300 Oyster Perpetual No Date 39MM Smooth Bezel
https://www.watchuseek.com/f30/fs-r...x-explorer-i-36mm-black-arabic-114270-stainless-steel-d-serial-b-p-4521027.html

 

Considering your age and between only these 2 watches I'd have to say Speedmaster - a younger, hipper watch, at least to me. By all means get a Rolex someday but maybe tie it to some personal achievement, something that makes it mean more than just having enough money to do the deal... All IMO...

 

Voted Speedy Reduced. Perfect for a college guy. If both heritage and WR are really important to you, I agree with those who suggested you spend a little more and get the used 36mm Explorer over a vintage DJ. They fit great and don't have nearly the "it's a Rolex " feel.

 

I'd rock a Datejust if I were you. Something cool about a young person wearing a grandpa watch.


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Please don't question if you "deserve to wear the Crown". A Rolex is just a watch, mate. If you have the dough to buy something and you earned that money from honest work then you deserve it.

 

Rolex for me always although i would prefer a sports model

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You earned your money, don't let anyone tell you you don't deserve it. But with that said, I'd vote for the Speedmaster Reduced, a younger look for sure.


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I vote the speedy reduced.