很抱歉,我们的杂志没有您选择的语言版本。
03/23/2022
 5 minutes

My First, but Not Last, Rolex Watch: The Oyster Perpetual

By Hyla Bauer

The first time I really focused on Rolex was when one of my best friends got a Rolex for her 18th birthday. I had seen Rolex watches before, of course, but I hadn’t given them much thought. When she told me that the watch didn’t need to be wound, nor did it require a battery, I was intrigued. How did it keep going without a battery?

The watch’s automatic movement was a marvel to me, and it sparked my interest in watches and mechanical movements. My friend’s Rolex was both beautiful and sporty, so she could wear it with a dress or jeans. The other thing I really liked about it was that it was two-tone gold and steel, making it versatile enough to match with yellow gold, white gold, or silver jewelry.

The Long, Winding Road to My Perfect Rolex

I admit, I did own a few watches before I bought my first Rolex, an Oyster Perpetual, about six years ago. For more than 20 years, I’ve been a journalist in the watch and jewelry industry. I love watches, inside and out. Every year when the watch shows in Basel and Geneva rolled around, I fell in love with at least a few watches. Let me tell you: It’s hard to decide on a favorite watch when you’ve been up close and personal with so many amazing timepieces. Almost all of the watches I fell for were very expensive – naturally – and out of my price range, which was probably a good thing.

Year in and year out, though, Rolexes were always among my favorites, even though unlike other brands, they didn’t change much. In my mind, it’s because the design of a Rolex watch is iconic and truly timeless; it’s no wonder that they’re extremely popular. Most Rolexes can be worn with almost anything – a suit, a pair of jeans, or swimwear. A Rolex watch from the 80s and 90s is still as relevant design-wise today as when it was first released. And it goes without saying that Rolex’s superb movements are built to last.

My Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 mm
My Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 mm

For Me, Bracelet Watches Are a Must

I much prefer watches on a bracelet to those on a strap for everyday wear. I like the weight of a bracelet and the substantial feeling it imparts; I’m always aware that I’m wearing it. For me, watches on bracelets are more comfortable, and it’s OK if they get knocked around a little bit in my day-to-day life. Watches on straps are much lighter, of course, and they certainly have their place. I have a couple of dress watches on straps that I love; they’re undeniably elegant. I have a couple of different colored straps for each of my watches, and it’s great to be able to change them out to match an outfit, or to switch to lighter colors in warmer weather. Still, bracelet watches are my go-to for day-in, day-out wear.

Having honed my taste for many years, I knew exactly what I was looking for when I decided to buy my Rolex. I wanted a two-tone yellow gold and steel watch, so it would work with any jewelry I decided to wear. My favorite Rolex bracelet is the Oyster. I love its clean lines and the relative simplicity of the thicker links. Many people I know prefer President bracelets, and although they are very, very comfortable on the wrist, my Oyster bracelet is, too. To me, the look of the President bracelet with its many smaller links distracts from the main attraction, which is, of course, the case and dial.

Looking for My Perfect Dial

Speaking of dials, my hands-down favorite color is blue, so naturally my Rolex had to have a blue dial. Blue is neutral enough to wear with any color of clothing. It’s cheerful, and a great alternative to black. I sought a clean, simple, time-only display, which is harder to come by than you might think.

Size-wise, I wanted my Rolex to look and feel substantial on my wrist, but not too bulky. The 34-mm case size suits me best. My watch has a fluted bezel, which adds just the right touch of elegance.

Buying Another Rolex Is Just a Matter of Time

My next Rolex watch?
My next Rolex watch?

With all of my specific criteria in mind, I began my quest. I would have loved to have bought a new Rolex, but pre-owned Rolex watches have lower price tags. When I bought my watch, I was doing some freelance work at The RealReal. Their pre-owned Rolex prices were good, and more importantly, every watch is individually inspected and authenticated. One of the directors of authentication previously worked for Rolex. He inspected the watch I ultimately chose and gave it his full approval.

I’ve had my Rolex Oyster Perpetual for six years now. The movement keeps excellent time, and it has never needed a repair. Mechanical watches should be serviced every now and then, though. The only issue I’ve had in the six years since I’ve owned my Rolex was that a little bit of condensation appeared under the crystal a couple of years ago. When it happened, I thought I probably hadn’t screwed the crown down tightly enough. I don’t ever wear my Rolex while swimming, nor do I completely submerse it under water – neither is advisable for an older watch, unless it’s been thoroughly inspected by an authorized Rolex watchmaker and declared waterproof again.

Hoping for an easy fix to evaporate the condensation, I unscrewed the crown, pulled it out to its farthest position, and left it in the sunlight for a few hours. The condensation went away, but a few days later it was back. Knowing that I needed professional help, I took my watch to a trusted friend who’s a Rolex expert in the industry. He looked at it, and it turned out that the gasket that blocks moisture from seeping in between the crystal and the case was simply dried out, which happens to virtually every older watch. A simple gasket replacement, which is very easy for a watchmaker to do without disturbing the movement, fixed the problem. The movement was totally unaffected by the moisture – a testament to Rolex’s high watchmaking standards.

I love my Rolex. I wear it nearly every day, and I don’t intend to part with it any time soon. My friend still has hers from her 18th birthday, and it still looks great and runs like a charm. Will I buy another Rolex when my budget allows? Probably. I really love the Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman”. I also love mother-of-pearl dials, so a Pearlmaster is likewise on my wish list. I haven’t started a quest for my next Rolex yet, but I think it’s just a matter of time.


About the Author

Hyla Bauer

Hyla Bauer's passion for watches was born the first time she traveled to Switzerland for the Basel and Geneva watch shows. For her, a watch is one of the most intimate and precious things a person can wear. They are precious, built to last, and have a personal meaning for their owners.

Read more

Latest Articles

IWC-Mark-2-1
03/20/2024
 4 minutes

Aviation Heroes: The IWC Mark Collection

By Barbara Korp

Featured

10-best-watches-under-2000-1-1-2-1
Top 10 Watches
 5 minutes

10 Best Watches Under $2,000

By Donato Emilio Andrioli
Jorg’s $24,000 Watch Collection
 4 minutes

The Best for $24,000 in 2024: Jorg’s Perfect Watch Collection

By Jorg Weppelink
Rolex-Submariner-2-1
Watch Market
 4 minutes

Three Discontinued Watch Models and Their Remarkable Price Performance

By Sebastian Swart
10-best-watches-under-2000-1-1-2-1
Top 10 Watches
 5 minutes

10 Best Watches Under $2,000

By Donato Emilio Andrioli