Birth year Submariner generally seem to be the most popular, I have a GMT (not birth year) that I really love. I personally would like to get myself a Birth year Daytona, but that would be extremely expensive. A Datejust is certainly a good choice, but I think an Air-King is an underrated model.

 

I was in the hunt for a birthyear (1985) Rolex as well and also had decided it to be either a Datejust or a Sub. I found a decent 1985 Sub first and bought that (and have since bought a new Datejust). If I had found a nice 1985 silver dialed DJ before the Sub, I would have bought that. I have a 7.25’ish wrist and like the 36mm DJ fine. You should not worry about the size of the Sub with a 6.5 inch wrist. If you are wearing suits on an every day basis I would go for the DJ. On several occasions my Sub has bothered me while wearing a tight fitting shirt

 

But @albertob if you have a budget of €8k I would strongly urge you to consider buying the new DJ, 126234. You won’t get a birthyear but you get the certificate with your name on. I can tell you it is an amazing watch. Some photos to persuade you

 

Completely agreed

 

Being honest I’m getting familiar with the values. The explorer ii seems a good match for what I’m looking for, but not as iconic as the sub.

I’m still not so much into the Rolex world yet, but you made definitely the point.

 

Point taken .

And beautiful watch! can you also share the sub you got?

 

1985, Sub 16800

 

DJ.
1986 is a good year because it is a 5 digit ref with quick set. Also, You can find one with brushed oyster bracelet (one of the best watch bracelets ever made). Don't go for jubilee bracelet. They are comfortable but they don't last very well, it ll come with a lot of stretch unless it was restored or replaced.

So, I would look for a DJ, smooth bezel or fluted, oyster bracelet. This is one of the best Rolex ever made.

But, unfortunately these have gone up in price. It is not worth paying over 4k for one of these since you can get a new OP39 for 5.3k brand new.

Good luck hunting. Think about your options and what makes more sense financially.

 

Both DJ and Sub are iconic pieces for a first (and even only) Rolex.

But i would choose DJ because you want a date function.

The truly iconic Sub for me is the classic no date.

 

I also ticked this box (rolex BY) recently. Plus more (mickey mouse). Also my first vintage rolex. And first manual wind rolex.

Good luck with your hunt.

 

Gents,

I have been to some vintage shops here in Milan to clarify a bit my ideas.

I found out that the DJ36 is the best for my tastes and wrist. The sub can still fit, but I prefer the proportions of the 36.

I also checked some prices and for a good one 36 with box/papers I need to pay 5k euro... and , considering that for 1.3k euro more, I get a new one with my name on the papers, I’m quite doubtful (steel, oyster bracelet, date).

On one side, I would buy myself a new one with my name on the papers.
On the other side, I have my year birth and a vintage piece.

As many commented, the year-birth thing after a while looses (a bit) it’s meaning. It’s important to have a good watch, and I agree with that. So maybe I’ll give it some more days of reflection... because, at this stage, to me it makes more sense to buy a new one.

I tried also the new models (36 mm), both steel/oyster and white gold/jubilee. As other pointed out, the oyster fits very comfy and apparently is very long lasting.

does any of you purchased a new one with these characteristic?

 

I tried this

 

As mentioned I got the new DJ with silver dial, jubilee and white gold bezel. I like the white gold bezel better than the steel bezel on the new models. I think the plain steel bezel is less elegant. It doesn’t bother me at all and I would happily wear one but if you have the money for a white gold one I like it better. The new black dial is super cool. I chose silver because all my other Rolex have black dial and I wanted something lighter. I almost chose the Oyster bracelet but ended up with jubilee. Oyster makes it a little more sporty but either bracelet is brilliant. I have considered getting an Oyster for mine as well. Just haven’t got around to it as money had been needed elsewhere

 

Unless it has a rare and special dial, that price seems EXTREMELY inflated to me since you can get a nice 16014 with bracelet for $3,500 USD any day of the week (without box and papers). So an extra $2k for the B&P seems like far too much. But if you are insisting on a specific birth-year watch with B&P, I guess you will either have to pay a hefty premium or be extremely patient.

 

thanks Dan for the tip.

I also checked a bit on chrono24. Yeah, I know that this website has many times inflated prices, but I found similar price points for BP


https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/date...1986---automatik---36mm---aaw--id12560257.htm

 

IMO it is not helpful to try to justify an inflated asking price with an anecdotal example of another inflated asking price. That watch has probably been sitting unsold on C24 for ages and the seller is just leaving it there hoping that someone with more money than sense will eventually come along. That's not how you do valuations. You should identify actual selling prices using the eBay advanced search for SOLD items, forum sales, auction sales, etc.

 

Thanks for the inputs Dan, much appreciated !

 

hey same birth year and wrist size brother. I would say go for a 16750. I have a 16760 and its a bit big on my wrist, but amazing watch.

 

Gents,

After some research I came back.
Apologies for asking some naive questions previously (I could have done more research on my own).

So, as mentioned, after some researches I came back. I tried some different models and had time to reflect about them.

Considering the budget, my small wrist and my preferences I decided to drop the birth year model and to focus on new watches.
I narrowed down to the following models:

O perpetual 34



Date 34 mm (here in WG, as they did not have the SS which I would buy)


Datejust 36 mm (here the SS version with jubilee as the did not have the version with oyster bracelet which is the one I would buy):




Now, my impressions.

I love the OP for the brushed steel.
Also this dial, gives to the watch a sporty look (at least to me), which I like.
I prefer this bracelet over the polished bracelet of the date/datejust.

I love the datejust/date for the date function.
Probably the date 34mm fits better my wrist for my preferences (I’m not a big fan of these oversized watches that now are so popular, specially on my small wrist 6.2”). But again it does not have some functions that the DJ36 has, like the adjustable buckle/clasp you can regulate on your own of some mm.
Also, I read that the movement 3235 (DJ), is better compared to the 3135 (date) for power reserve 70vs48 hours, and for resistance to shocks.

As there they are all on my budget, I’m now reflecting on what I prefer more. If more sporty look of OP or a bit more classy DJ/Date.
The watch would be a daily wearer which should look nice with a suit, but also To go at the beach (my aim is to never take it out , this is why the DJ and it’s better resistance to shocks would come handy).

I tried the blue dial, as I find it very elegant and versatile. Probably I will also try the black dial (although for the OP is not available with the 369 numbers that recall the Explorer I, which I love).

Any recommendations out of these 3 models from owners/connoisseurs?

Thanks and have a great weekend!
Alberto

 

Here is mine 1986 16030.