I have this 1997 Rolex Datejust Two Tone with Black Jubilee Dial and gold Arabic hour markers, which I really like


Now I am eyeing a 1985 GMT Master II Root beer like this (not real picture of my target watch, just picture from a website)

I don't want to own two Rolexes, so should I trade up my Datejust to GMT Master 2 Root beer?
What's your advice?

 

Root beers rock.

 

several more votes and probably I will crawl to that shop and stomach the price difference.........

 

Root beer gets my vote. But if I can only own one Rolex, it will be the 1675.

 

I have unique taste, so I think I am in line with you. I don't like the main stream two tone black dial GMT Master.

 

Root Beer is that little different= COOL.

 

Respectable Member Privateday7

Definitely a root beer but I would rather have the early model with the 'nipple' dial.

Thank-you.

 

I know, the venom has entered my vein.

 

I agree with the rest, specifically SeaMonster. I like the two tone nipple dials with the dial that turns burgundy in the correct sunlight.

 

Yes, even the darker brown dial is more attractive. However it is more difficult to find in Jakarta. Last weekend I saw two for sale in my frequently visited second hand watches shop. Both GMT Master 2 16713, one a 2003 and the other a 1985. The next day I brought my father in law in this shop again. He has been looking for GMT Master 2 with black dial for sometimes.
Once he looked at the Root Beer he immediately change his mind and took the newer (2003) Root Beer.....so only one left. That's when my dilemma begin.

 

Respectable Member Privateday7

Do not worry, this venom with lengthen your life-span.

Thank-you.

 

Respectable Member screwlewz

Definitely the nipple plus its color-change dial will make the whole watch look so lively.

Thank-you.

 

I would like to dwell a little in your "I don't want to own two Rolexes". To me it sounds like it is a stand - not from a economic point of view but for some other reason. Why have you put this restriction on yourself? Having two or more Rolexes does not make you a bad person...

But if that is your choice - only one of the two you have presented to us - go for the root beer.

Not that is has anything to do with your choice, but any Rolex not popular with the Rolex crowd is destined to become a collectors piece in the end. The watches that were difficult to sell are the ones most coveted now. 60-70-ies Daytonas, orange hand Explorers, Oysterquartzes, etc. were shelfwarmers. Dealers had to take them to get the popular ones.

Root beer GMT: s - plastic or sapphire crystal, nipple or no nipple, has never been flying off the shelves. I, for one, do not understand why.
regards
JE

 

JE, thanks for your response

Of course it is not. My father owned and loyal wearer of Rolex for almost his entire adult life. How could I say owning them make bad person.
It is more discipline and a bit economic reason,too. If there is watch budget surplus available, my first priority right now (and probably next 1-2 years) is completing my vintage Omega. Unlike you I am only a new (1 year next month) watch collector, which still learn to 'pacing' my acquisition and divestment so I can say I am a collector, not a hoarder. In the next 3-6 month I plan to sell probably 25-30% of my collection and focusing on ones that aligned with my collection theme.
Actually owning popular Rolex is like holding Bond (at least in Indonesia). The value almost never depreciate. So they are the most logical choice watch to own. Fortunately most of us vintage watch collectors are not really logical human creature.

So now are they flying off the shelf or still become the stepchildren among Rolexes in shop's window?
I google about root beer and in Rolexforum they call this Rootbeer has the aura of 70's porn actor watch .

Again, yours is beautiful. The ones that I have seen in Jakarta mostly has lighter brown dial - this one has more dramatic presence.

 

Respectable Member Privateday7

Those you see in Jakarta do not have a rich color because probably, they had been exposed to too much strong sunlight.

Thank-you.