1970’s Exp 2, Milgauss, Sea dweller, no one wanted them, well no one apart from real watch lovers.
Even through the 80’s Submariner and GMT’s were easily available as no one was buying like they want to now.
Pretty much everything that is super popular and hard to find today...
1) 2016 Dec - Eiseman’s Jewelry at the Northpark Mall in Dallas - Hulk, Batman, SD4000 all on display. I did not buy from them because they did not give any discount.
2) 2017 Jan - Haltom’s in Grapevine (Suburb in Dallas) - Hulk offered at 8% discount because it was sitting on their display for more than 1 month. SD4000 offered at 10% discount because it was on their display for more than 2 months. Last time I checked with them, they don’t sell rolex anymore.
3) 2017 Jan - Bachendorf’s in Galleria Dallas. 114060 offered at 8% discount without any problems or asking.
Daytona was always tough to get. But all Subs, Batman and SD4000 before Summer of 2017 were super easy to get because they were not that popular.
The newest iteration of the Air King is a sleeper I am telling you. It's the only Rolex with the minutes on the dial and also the only Rolex with a green logo. I am telling you that when Rolex discontinues the model it will be highly sought after. Currently everyone is saying how ugly it is opting for the explorer 1 instead most of the time. I love it and I'm waiting for it to be announced that the line is discontinued.
25 years ago (I had been wearing my Submariner for 15 years prior to that) but the Explorer-II 16570 white dial caught my eye....
It was more of playing catch-up since regretfully I never buying the 1655 Explorer-II; but I digress.
For a LONG time I saw ONE other guy on a flight in Europe wearing the 16570.....but I had one and loved it.
I wore it 90% of the time for 20 straight years.....
I gave it to a daughter because ALL new bracelets and clasps are far superior.
(I wouldn't give you 30 cents for any old watches now)
Now I see folks frenzy around the 16570....I simply don't get it....
Same feeling for older Rolexes. Got my first Rolex exactly 30 years ago in 1989, it was a TT black dial Sub. I wore it for 6 years till I put on my wrist an AP Offshore; I was so impressed by the built quality and the feel of the bracelet that I stuck with AP for years, and only regained interest for Rolex when they started using ceramic for their bezels and solid links/end links for their bracelets. I certainly wouldn't wear an older Rolex even if it was gifted to me, let alone pay money for it.
Unpopular -> Popular = Manual wind 4 digit Daytonas
Popular -> Unpopular = 116400GV Milgauss was super popular when it first came out, but has cooled down since.
The polar dial Explorer II got popular after all the watch Youtubers talked it up. It was one of the last steel sports to be available. They used to go on about how it was the runt of the litter; it was always sitting their in the display case. Now fellas appreciate all that white and steel.
I never understood this hype around the polar while the black dial version is discarded by the community. This is a clear example of how influencers can impact judgment.
Nope, never liked white dials on sports watches. Old white dial exp 2 are still affordable though. The black looks much better but I still prefer a rotating bezel.
I added a Glidelock bracelet to my 16570 Polar. This gives me a great watch with an improved (in my opinion) bracelet. If my wrist didn't shrink and swell during the day, then the 5 digit bracelet would be great.
The 16570 has ridden the 5 digit SS popularity wave. That doesn't mean it isn't a very good watch.
The Exp II was never a popular watch. I think it has something to do with the non rotating bezel and hence the popularity of the GMT which in the 5 digit models is now becoming very expensive. Once these reach a level that 99% can’t buy at then the 5 digit Exp II will start creeping up.
You guys are kidding, right? The 5 digit Explorer II isn’t creeping up? I bought one in February of 2017 for $4,200 - Polar dial, P serial, full kit. Wore it for a few months but just didn’t bond with it, so I let it go in a trade. That same watch now is selling for at least $6,500, and that’s a conservative price. I’m seeing some offered for over 7.
These watches might not be the most popular but they’re no longer made so there is a finite supply.
You guys are kidding, right? The 5 digit Explorer II isn't creeping up? I bought one in February of 2017 for $4,200 - Polar dial, P serial, full kit. Wore it for a few months but just didn't bond with it, so I let it go in a trade. That same watch now is selling for at least $6,500, and that's a conservative price. I'm seeing some offered for over 7.
These watches might not be the most popular but they're no longer made so there is a finite supply.
I would have to vote for the Explorer 2, and not just because I have one. Even as little as 5 months ago people were still calling it a "dog" and "ugly" and you could still find it in store. Now, the Polar is one of the most popular sub-$10k pieces in the Rolex line. Wait lists are getting longer and demand is getting much higher.
True, it's not like the other GMT's or certain Subs in terms of demand, but again, pretty wild when you consider it was never popular then suddenly shot up in demand.
Attached are a few photos. The 97200 bracelet fits the (no lug holes) 16570 well. I used the 16570 spring bars.
Of course a local AD warned me Rolex wouldn't recommend using a bracelet on a watch it wasn't designed for. But it has stayed attached, including on a few three-wheeler rides.
In the winter I might put it back on the original bracelet. But for the other three seasons, I will definitely stick with the Glidelock.
I feel like the yacht master 40mm platinum has been underrated for so long that its about time it start heating up. THat may be happening now?
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