Rolex was founded in the early 1900’s. Since that time, the brand has grown into one of the most recognizable luxury watch brands in the world with a collection of classic watches that have been meticulously perfected over time. With its commitment to excellence and world-renown reputation, it’s unsurprising that many professionals buy a Rolex watch to commemorate a defining moment in their career. The question for many buyers is not which brand they will buy from, but which model. It’s a fair question, and one that tends to illicit a wide variety of answers. Today, we’re going to take a look at the top three essential Rolex watches people tend to buy when they are celebrating an achievement. Let’s dive in:
The Submariner 116610
The Submariner was always destined for greatness. Rolex’s first dive watch, the Submariner, offered a higher depth rating than any other timepiece in the Rolex collection and was equipped with a rotatable bezel, which was still a relatively new concept at the time. Over the next several decades, Rolex increased the Submariner’s depth rating to 300 meters/1,000 feet and updated the bezel to offer a unidirectional design. Those changes, albeit integral to the evolution of the brand’s diver, were just the tip of the iceberg. While many variations of the Submariner have since been released, the classic stainless steel and black dial and bezel option remains the most sought-after by collectors.
In 2010, Rolex released one of the newest variations of the Stainless steel Submariner via ref. 116610. While a stainless steel dateless 6-digit Sub followed a few years later, the ref. 116610 remains the more sought-after choice among collectors as it replaces the long-produced ref. 16610. Its case is noticeably more modern, offering broader lugs as well as the addition of a maxi dial and a Cerachrom bezel. A Cerachrom bezel is the patented name for this new style of bezel. These bezels are made to resist corrosion as well as fading. The bracelet has also been updated to offer a sleeker clasp that blends into the rest of the links on the bracelet more effortlessly. Tough yet easy to wear and very iconic, the ref. 116610 is a must-have for any collection.
The Daytona 116500
What draws so many eyes to the Daytona is its incredible history and sporty style. Rolex’s first chronograph came to market in the mid-1950’s, but it wasn’t until shortly after Rolex became the official sponsor of the Daytona Speedway that the name “Daytona” started to appear on the dial. They Rolex Daytona comes with a unique feature on the marked bezel to help those involved in the racing community. Stainless steel references are among the most desirable variations of the Daytona with the newest ref. 116500 currently taking the market by storm.
These Daytona watches are in high demand that Authorized Dealers need to place their customers on the waitlist lasting up to two years. This Daytona is crafted with a 904L Oystersteel finish, the reference 116500 also boasts the line’s first Cerachrom bezel insert, which is celebrated for its toughness and rich hue with the option for a black or white dial. With short supply and high demand, donning the Daytona has firmly established itself as an essential Rolex watch for years to come.
The Oyster Perpetual ref. 114300
Every serious collector needs at least one sports reference and one dress reference in their watch collection. The Oyster Perpetual is one of Rolex’s longest produced models and can attribute its immense success to its classy time-only dial and sophisticated feature set. One of the newest additions to the OP line is the Oystersteel ref. 114300, which boasts a slightly larger 39mm Oyster case complete with anti-shock technology and a COSC certification +2s / -2s per day. Rolex paired the steel finish with several attractive dial options, including a Dark Rhodium dial topped with blue accents, a rich blue dial topped with green accents, or a grape dial topped with red accents. Let’s not forget Rolex’s “late” introduction of the white dial or the black dial. Sleek, classy, and modern, the Oyster Perpetual is the quintessential contemporary dress watch.
