Rolex has been manufacturing watches with 34mm case diameters for the majority of their long and distinguished history; however, these “mid-size” models such as the Date and Air-King often get overlooked due to the multitude of options that exist in the more standard, 36mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual case size. However, Rolex has manufactured a number of excellent watches – both vintage and contemporary – that have 34mm case diameters, and their highly versatile size allows them to look at-home on wrists of virtually any gender or measurement.Although the Datejust collection has historically had a case diameter of 36mm for the standard full-size model, Rolex also manufactures a line of watches called the Date that offers many of the same design traits and features of the Datejust – even the same movement too – only in a slightly smaller overall package.One of the most “quintessentially Rolex” watches currently in production with a 34mm case diameter is the reference 115234 Date. With a Cyclops magnification lens, stainless steel Oyster bracelet, and 18k white gold fluted bezel, the reference 115234 Date checks all the same design boxes as the Datejust, just with a slightly reduced size. Additionally, since the 34mm Date and the 36mm Datejust share the same movement, the reference 115234 is in no way a “lesser” watch compared to the Datejust, just one that is 2mm smaller.Since consumer trends favored smaller wristwatches in past decades, a number of great vintage Rolex references exist with 34mm case diameters. One of the longest-running Rolex models of all time is the reference 5500 Air-King, which boasts a super clean and minimal dial design that perfectly complements its slightly reduced case size.The reference 5500 remained in production for thirty-seven years, during which time it was fitted with both Rolex’s Caliber 1520 and Caliber 1530 movements – neither of which were chronometer-certified. Due to their long production run, reference 5500 Air-King watches were manufactured in relatively large numbers and can still be purchased for very reasonable prices. Fitted with one of the cleanest and least text-heavy dials found inside any Rolex watch, the Air-King 5500 pre-dates the widespread implementation of chronometer-certified movements and represents one of the best entry points into vintage Rolex collecting.Although the Day-Date President is the classic all-gold Rolex watch, it has never been manufactured in a size smaller than 36mm. However, throughout its history, Rolex has produced a number of all-gold watches within their Date collection that have 34mm case diameters, and lack the additional complication for displaying the day of the week that is found on the flagship Day-Date line of watches.One of the more modern incarnations of the all-gold 34mm Date is the reference 15238, which stands out due to a number of characteristics that help separate it from previous iterations of Rolex’s all-gold 34mm Date watch. While earlier examples were made from 14k gold, there reference 15238 is craft from 18k – the same as what Rolex uses to manufacture their flagship Day-Date President watch. Additionally, the Date 15238 is fitted with Rolex’s Caliber 3135 movement and a synthetic sapphire crystal, which give it all the ingredients necessary to be a fairly modern watch.
Looks-wise, the watch that comes the closest to an all-steel model is now the ref. 116509, which is cast in solid 18k white gold and has the price tag to prove it.That means a delve into the archives is the only avenue still open should you want one, and it is the previous generation that is proving the most affordable. The ‘Zenith’ Daytona ref. 16520, powered by the fabled El Primero, is still the gateway into steel Cosmograph Daytona ownership.Of course, the word ‘affordable’ is all relative. Prices start at around the $20,000 mark, which is a hefty slice of anyone’s money. Yet beyond being one of the most handsome and capable models ever made, any Rolex Daytona represents perhaps the surest investments watch collecting has to offer.It’s a tough call, but the starkly austere Explorer might well be the watch that has changed the least (visually) over its 70-year run. That is even for a manufacture that updates aesthetics at the glacial pace that Rolex does. Every reference, from the prototype Pre-Explorer ref. 6150 from 1952 up to the last of the ref. 114270s in 2010, have been simple three handers, with the beautifully legible white on black 3/6/9 dials, housed in a 36mm case.Then along came the ref. 214270, identical in the detailing but the first example to grow beyond the dimensions in 58-years, measuring 39mm. It increased in size for the same reason as the Datejust – fashions demanded it – but unlike that watch, it became the only option available.That is no bad thing. The Explorer is perhaps the last of the true tool watches in the Rolex catalog. There is nothing about any iteration of the watch that is designed to look flashy or draw attention to itself, and a few extra millimeters doesn’t change that. The new Explorer is basically the old Explorer, and whichever you choose will come down to whether your wrist size suits one or the other.Its strength has always been in its simplicity, and it remains one of the best value for money prospects on the pre-owned Rolex market. $5,000-$6,000 is the buy-in point for a well set up example of the ref. 114270 or, if you fancy going the real vintage route, the celebrated ref. 1016 (personal timepiece of James Bond author Ian Fleming) starts at a little over twice that. Tough, elegant and perfectly built, the Explorer has always stayed true to Rolex’s roots.
GM factory grows bigger, now it even has more Rolex in stock than Noob. We need to wait for a long time for Noob factory to release their stocks, but if you place orders from GM factory, then you just need to wait for less time. I have to admit that Noob created the best Rolex replicas in the past, now the glory of this factory no longer exists, its main competitors J12 and GM all do better than them. The only one advantage of Noob factory which they still keep is their super 4130 clone Daytona, now Submariner and GMT-Master are no longer their star products.GM is a great factory, it often publishes new watches and has a large stocks, today, I want to introduce a Yachtmaster II from GM factory, it is the first replica Rolex YachtMaster II watch that is made with 904L stainless steel in our market. In recent years, Rolex has unveiled several YachtMaster models in different sizes, but I still love the YachtMaster with counterdown function, although this replica does not have the counterdown function, it is still a good replica watch.I like this YachtMaster watch due to its blue color usage on the bezel and dial, the blue color is exactly in line with the ocean them which Rolex YachtMaster wants to present. The replica is made of 904L stainless steel on case and bracelet, 44mm case is brushed, with two chronograph pushers set at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock. The bezel is rotatable and features a blue ceramic insert with deep engravings that has the same tone as platinum markers of genuine Rolex.The dial is white, the circle on the center is for countdown for yachting, while on this replica, the countdown function is fake, so the central hand with a big red triangle does not work. The dial has a good visibility, a small second subdial at 6 o’clock has a blue circle with white markers, central seconds-chronograph hand is in bright red color, which will start to work if you push the button at 2 o’clock. By the way, the hands are updated, they are the new hands which Rolex updated in 2017 basel.Movement is clone 4161, it is the first time for a factory to use a clone 4161 movement on a replica Rolex YachtMaster, you know, even Noob and AR still have not used this movement, so, GM factory created the precedent.
Date Sizes While the first sizes of the Datejust and the Date were 36mm and 34mm (respectively), Rolex did add more size options to both collections over the years. For instance, somewhat puzzlingly, Rolex has in the past produced the Lady-Datejust and the ladies’ Date with 26mm cases, and the mid-size Datejust and mid-size Date with 31mm case sizes. However, perhaps for greater clarity between the two models, Rolex has since discontinued all of the smaller Date versions and currently only makes the Date 34. Additionally, Rolex has also ceased making the Lady-Datejust 26, replacing it with the Lady-Datejust 28. Furthermore, over the course of the last decade, Rolex has also added larger options for the Datejust.Rolex Datejust SizesThe Rolex Datejust has always offered far more metal choices and different style options compared to the Rolex Date. Although there are some vintage and discontinued Date 34 models in solid gold and two-tone steel and gold, Rolex has now simplified the choices to just two: full stainless steel or stainless steel with a white gold fluted bezel, both of which have 34mm cases and are fitted with Oyster bracelets.
In the world of luxury product acquisition, there are few things more distressing to the mind of a passionate collector than the thought of harm coming to their valued possessions. Yes, nothing in this realm can hold a candle to health or the well-being of one’s loved ones, but these small treasures, often rare or unique (and certainly expensive) hold a special place in the heart of one who has dedicated their time and effort to make them theirs.I am often asked if it is important to insure a collection of used luxury watches. In fact, I am asked it more often then makes conscionable sense to me, because the answer is simple: Yes, yes you should. And more to the point, if you own a luxury watch like a Rolex Submariner (let alone if you own numerous luxury watches) and you’re asking that question, you should save your breath for the insurance provider on the other end of the phone.And that’s really the best place to start. In this digital age, it seems we’ve all become a bit interaction-shy, but with a complex and potentially serious situation like making an insurance claim, it is always best to have set-up your policy having talked directly to another human being – an expert in their field. You really should leave nothing to chance. Don’t be afraid to ask stupid questions – insurance is complicated and rules and regulations vary from country to country (massively) and occasionally, even from region to region. If you move to a new area, don’t just assume that your previous policy will port seamlessly. Check it out. Trust me: It’s worth it.Having lived most of my life in the UK and Germany, I have intimate personal experience with moving a watch collection across borders. And the differences are stark. Some things are easier in some territories, and some things are harder, but the three things you should focus on first when looking into insuring your collection (or single watch) is the total value of your collection, how many “declarable” models you will need to put on your policy, and how all of this can affect your remaining contents insurance.So let’s start with the first point. This is relatively simple. Add up the retail value of the watches in your collection. When doing this, make sure you collate invoices and receipts (if possible) into a physical and digital folder. Scan everything, stick it in a PDF and email a copy to yourself rather than keeping it on your hard-drive alone (it stands to reason that if your property gets turned over your laptop may go the same way as your watches).
Open the case back, you can find a high quality automatic movement inside, it is an Asian ETA 2836-2, the auto rotor has uniform brushing lines, its plates on the base have beautiful fish scale patterns. There are 2836-2 numerals engraved on the movement plate. If your watch is slower or faster, adjust the regulator to + or -. You can also see the balance wheel featuring a rosy shock absorber. The replica Rolex GMT Master II watch is only 3 seconds slower each day, other specifications like beat rate, lift angle are normal.Another review about a high end replica Rolex watch, it is one of my favorite replicas. To let more people understand this replica watch, I will give a detailed introduction of AR coated cyclops and some special research on this watch, at the same time, I will objectively describe the disadvantages of this replica so give you guys an objective evaluation.The watch I will introduce is the best Rolex Yacht-Master replica in the market, it is equipped with a 25-jeweled automatic movement. The picture below displays all components of this watch, it will be reviewed from case, case back, crystal, hands, bracelet and other places, as the most representative replica, this Yacht-Master has the best quality.We can notice that the replica case is refinied, the outer bezel uses sand blasting and polishing craft, the bezel of genuine Rolex Yacht-Master is made of platinum and stainless steel, the sand blasted part is stainless steel while the raised markings use platinum. To make the replica look closer to gen, its outer bezel uses the same craft on sand blasted part, on the polished raised markers, the replica is plated with Zinc, it is the only one replica Rolex Yacht-Master using this technology.The dial is the most difficult place to replicate, this blue color used on genuine dial is concocted by Rolex themselves. While being adjusted for six times, the replica dial has been done exactly the same as genuine on depth, glossiness and saturation.Certainly, the logo engraving is perfect. The lettering on case back is engraved by laser machine. This is a great attempt in replica watch field, because it can greatly reduce scratch rate and speed up productivity.Every factory has been searching for one perfect solution for the AR Coating on Rolex cyclops in the past two years, the AR Coating has always been the biggest difficulity in replicating a Rolex. The bluish tint on Rolex cyclops ar coating is actually a combination of colors, the main color is yellow, supplementary colors are blue and red, so now you have a completly brand new understanding of this?The solution of a real invisible Rolex crown was done perfectly in mid-2014, the crown design can not be said to be hidden, it is just half invosible because of being printed, you can still see it just slightly adjust the angle. While a real invisible crown logo can only be seen under special lighting conditions, the most direct way is to use a flashlight below the 6 postion, in other cases, it is very difficult to see.Refer to the making experience of mature Submariner hands, the replica features a pure red second hand, the hands are also filled with SuperLume material like the genuine Rolex watch.The bracelet uses 316L stainless steel, so it looks more glossy than the genuine.
