Can You Actually Daily a Vintage Rolex? Learn From My Mistakes 

I wear a 1981 Datejust every single day. I swim, ski, hike, do absolutely everything with it. My grandfather bought it new in Switzerland in 1981.. he also got a matching one for my grandmother. When my grandfather passed away he left me the watch. It is my most prized possession, he was an amazing man! I’m wearing it now as I type this. It has been bulletproof although the acrylic crystal does scratch easily.

My friend has worn his Datejust daily since he bought it new in 1982. He's had it serviced twice by Rolex. The old Datejusts are indestructible.

My DateJust is 37 years old and I wear it daily. I’m 64 years old and love this watch.

My wife has worn a Rolex continuosly since 1988. It's been serviced once by Rolex. It' s a time telling tool it's not a piece of art to be worshipped and adored. Just wear and use a watch it's always replaceable.

I daily wore a 1968 Rolex Oyster Precision from the age of 19 (2003) until about 5 years ago (2018) on and off but it was probably the most worn watch of a large collection over that time; I serviced it once sometime around 2005 for $150 or so including a new genuine Rolex crystal. It kept excellent enough time that I didn’t spend time thinking about whether it was right or not for months at a time. At one point, with no repair done, I was stupid enough to try to pet a goat, maybe 2012 or 2013, and that goat violently butted my hand against a fence post, causing a huge chip in the crystal. Thing was otherwise fine. I stopped wearing it because I purchased a 1962 Omega Seamaster DeVille in 18k gold, and I wore that for two years basically continuously, keeping perfect time, in 2019. In mid-2021 I bought a 1957 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer in 18k gold, and I wore that for basically a year, but there was a problem with it, mostly relating to me speed walking while holding a cane in the hand I wore it on the wrist of. I then bought a 1988 Ebel 1911 SportChrono in 18k with the El Primero and have worn it since. Of course it needs service, of course it isn’t as waterproof. This is true of any watch thats over about 5 years old. The amount of money I saved wearing those over keeping a less-than-5-years-old Rolex on my wrist easily covers the service costs and the ownership of a cheap waterproof watch for trips to water parks.

Some great comments here. I've been (mostly) dailying a 1601 Wide Boy from 1979 and it's a fantastic watch. 36mm is a such a great size!

Yes. I received a Submariner for my 18th birthday in 1991. I wore it daily until I started collecting watches when I was 45. I still wear it. That’s the point.

So glad I found this channel where you give much more in depth details and concerns for us who might want to go vintage rolex. This is why we follow channels from watch enthusiasts vs those bling Rolex dealers who really know very little about watches and are more of a show off channel.

Just got a 1960's Rolex 6694 for daily wear. Loving it.

Great video! 🙌🏻 you cleared a lot of my doubts

My experience exceeds yours. I have worn my Datejust daily (apart from two service outages) since I bought it new in 1969. No problems whatsoever.

It was my only watch from 1987 to 2019. Everyday

yes, I agree with you about the bracelet. I have 1961 Omega watch with rice bead bracelet which is very loose. However, I really enjoy that bracelet and "being loose". it is a history and experience of appreciating and wearing the watch. Thanks again Oleg. Have a great day.

Many of your recommendations could be said for all vintage watches. Thank you for your information.

Very nice video for people who consider about buying a vintage rolex. Recently I decided to buy a vintage model 1803 after watching this video. Thanks a lot. Of course I do subscribe your channel.

I daily my 1971 two-tone datejust. I love it and think it is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your insights.

Got to love those Aegler movements.

I have this exact watch / dial. Won it in a poker game haha original everything on it and only serviced once.

Just two days ago I bought a 1968 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1501. Phenomenal condition of the watch and also the movement. I will test the water tightness soon and then it might become a daily as well. Love it so far!

accidentally came across your channel, but immediately became interested. special thanks for the clear pronunciation - I speak English quite superficially, but I don’t experience any difficulties when viewing (I write in translation, sorry if it’s wrong)

I think the stretched jubilee bracelet looks better on the vintage Rolex...and they are actually more comfortable on the wrist...😊

Two years ago I bought one exactly the same specification and year as that which you are reviewing. I have wanted a Rolex since I was a teenager. I wear mine every day and only remove it for showering and dishwashing/ handling rough objects. I am in love with my Rolex so why would I not want to feel it and look at all the time?😊. Good review. 👍

I traded in a Datejust 162300, a Cartier tank solo and a Datejust 16013. For my grail watch ! A 1988 Rolex 18038 with original black dial with Romans. I daily wear this watch and I love it! My only concern is developing more stretch on the bracelet but I love wearing a vintage day date. For those days where I want to be carefree I got me a blue seiko sk5 on the rubber strap. I also have a Cartier roadster that I wear with silver jewelry but the vintage Day date is a dream come true for me!

I bought mine last October I wear it everyday. Love it

And, I know a dude that bought his DayDate in the mid 70s. Still wears it everyday

I currently have a vintage tudor in my rotation and is my most worn, not exactly a rolex but close

Picked up my first rolex 3 months ago, ref 1601 with gold fluted bezel and other than when i shower or do the dishes its been on my wrist the entire time. Its a beautiful, slim piece that keeps time well. Does exactly what i need it to do and makes me feel good when i wear it. If i need something more rugged or waterproof, i just switch to my other daily driver, a midsize 36mm quartz marathon TSAR

good,informative video.i thought all datejust were WR to 100M, but if you look at old catalogues anything before around 1985 is 50M,only submariner and explorer are higher.this surprised me when checking 1982 catalogue.

Pressure test it. It’s an oyster case. It’s literally designed to be water proof

I inherited a datejust from the 70s. I wear it eventually and it works fine. I haven´t serviced it yet, though.. Do you think I could replace the acrylic for a sapphire?

I wear my datejust 1601 daily. I had it serviced last year and it keeps great time! Absolute work horse of a movement

Whats the shop name you service the watch

Do you have a link to the Etsy bracelet? My jubilee broke and I honestly don’t want to send it in to be fixed lol.

I just bought vintage 1630 and need a aftermarket jubilee for daily use. Can you send a link to that etsy store?

I have vintage Omega Mark II and I think it’s great daily watch

Yes. I’ve got one Rootbeer GMT II and have had a Coke. They work now like they did then

I daily my 1967 5513 Meters First Sub. The only change I made was fitting a more robust NOS 93150 Rolex Bracelet.

A most interesting video. Thank you! WHERE is Mr. Bond???

My dad had one for about twenty years. He grew to hate it as it kept terrible time even after servicing. He finally took it to a Jeweler - sold it and bought a citizen.

I collect Tudor Royal watches from about 1957. I have 5 and i wear them in rotation on a daily basis. They are all fine.

I have a submariner Starbucks but really want a daydate yellow gold president 36mm but worried to wear it daily swimming etc 😢

I just purchased a 16014 sold in the year 1980. Had to be a vintage Rolex from this year. I'm not that big into Rolex but for some reason I just had to have a Rolex from my birth year. Have to admit it won't be worn daily, just for special occasions I guess but it might also just be in the watch box. For me it's more important to just own a Rolex from this year. I guess it will be worn occasionally but very rare. My daily is currently a Grand Seiko with a Spring Drive movement.

I have an 18038 president and soon will add an older datejust such as a 1603. A perfect beater watch with the rolex look is the old Bulova Oceanographer 333 with a 10k bezel. Great for more everyday wear and vacations

You have that watch with papers and box?

What is a good price for this?

Hi, I am also looking for an aftermarket jubilee bracelet for my datejust. would you mind telling me the reference of your bracelet on ETSY, or at least the vendor's name ? Regards.

I wore the very same one steel and gold for 15 years. Never once serviced. Now rests in the collection.

I wear a 1966 datejust ref. 1600 plain bezel nearly every day. I use the original jubilee or one of 4 leather straps that i have for it. I carry a seiko diver in my briefcase just in case. No problem.

I'm casually shopping a mid 80s birthyear 5-digit DateJust for the next few years. I can definitely daily that. Just want to run it on leathers and be low-key and rotate with my other dailys. Maybe not a fantastic idea as a first 'luxury' piece. But a nice 3rd-5th option when you can wear whatever else, appreciate versatility and really know what you like. It has to be quick-set though!

I do. 1966 1675, it was my father's. Wonderful to wear super comfortable but the vintage bracelets are garbage. I have 2 original rolex bracelets, a rivet and a jubilee but I have a new jubilee for it, that's all. It's something I have to be careful with it sure but it's totally wearable daily

It depends on many factors tho. My dad wore his 6265 since early 70s til today daily. No prob, the movement also vry clean. Coz he regularly service his watch through legit watch maker.

How does a magnifier effectiveness wear out? I can understand that it may need some PolyWatch, but does it actually optically change over time?

"daily" can be an adjective, adverb or informal noun (a newspaper published every day). It is never a verb.

i'd deff wear a vintage DJ on a daily basis in the work environment because it's classy and I wouldn't care about getting it all scratched up. If I had a new DJ, which I desperately yearn for, I'd wear that on the weekends to avoid it becoming a scarred desk diver.

I thought that a 100m pressure test was part of the Rolex service?

Easy to get the bracelet tighter by a guy in Essex

I just checked the prices on semi vintage Rolex watches. If I bought one it would need to be in very good condition. The price would not be cheap at all. I would only wear it on special occasions. They cost sometimes 5 to 6 thousand dollars. This is a worthy watch to own. Not a beater watch. Not just a watch to wear everyday like a Seiko.

Bracelet tightening in Canada? Who was this?

daily is a verb?

I inherited a 1962 Oyster Perpetual Date. I’ve been told it needs $2,500 worth of work. Is it worth it?

I got better bracelets period correct. And heavier

Rolex is a very sturdy watch. Of course you can wear it daily. Every mechanical watch should be services every 5 years. I service it only by rolex. Comes back like new and with guaranty. I' ve been wearing it for 15 years.

What does "daily" mean?

I wish I could have one but I'm poor and I can't have one but I can still have a plastic watch ⌚😭

Yes, yes, yes....but where is Mr Bond!!

I wear a 1680 from 1977 pretty regularly. Dont even see why this was made into a video.

Is a 1991 Datejust considered vintage? I daily mine.

You're over thinking things. Any watch can be a daily watch. It's just marketing bs that companies tell u this is for that and that's for this etc etc etc. It's just to make you buy more products...any product for that matter. They make "new" rules for fashion... nowadays suddenly man should carry manpurses and wear women's suits ... All just to sell more. Next year it's gonna change again. Same for all watches. Just wear what you think is comfortable.

I have been wearing a Rolex datejust bought new in 1984 ever since. Two services and a new bracelet 25 years ago. The bracelet is the weak point!

I have smashed my datejust twice. Just send it back to Rolex for repair.

I have worn my 16700 black black about 4000 days since 2005 and still within 2s/d. Stop wearing it and brethren daily about 5 y ago because of stupid attention. Tudor, micro’s, sub 5k, and GS now

Service costs alone is enough for me to not deal with Rolex. In-house servicing is ~$1000. Parts are very expensive. And Rolex is very strict.

I own a 1969 GMT Master 1 Pepsi which was given to me by my late grandfather. I had it serviced after he died. I was surprised that the maintenance fee was too high ($1000) and I was fortunate that the parts that need to be replaced were in stock. I tried wearing it daily for about a month but some people have a keen eye on Rolex watches that they seem to want to snatch it or grab it on my wrist and I hate the attention I get from it so I just put it in the watch winder. I'm fine with just wearing a Seiko for a daily driver.

Great watch. But buying a fake bracelet????

My experience with (expensive) vintage watches: they aren't worth their asking price. Especially not Rolex watches...

oh my dear lord, his bracelet looks so f… you could stretch it to make it look like a brezel.

I daily my Rolex 16014 for a month straight and set it twice during that month. The minus 2 seconds adds up over time.

You bought a fake bracelet? Is that even legal? What a shame.