You might be thinking of buying a Rolex diamond watch. However, the thought of that much investment and the fear of buying something that doesn’t look/fit right can be scary. Here is an article which can help you decide which is the best Rolex diamond watch, how to wear it and how to make sure it functions properly.
Buying The Best Rolex Diamond Watch
If the thought of a men’s Rolex diamond watch makes you immediately think of overly embellished flashy pieces, then we’re here to show you some fantastic alternatives that don’t subscribe to that style. Rather than fully iced-out watches, these four models offer a more subtle approach to wearing diamonds on a man’s watch. From a Submariner to an Air-King and some in between, here are four great ways to wear a men’s Rolex diamond watch.
Diamond Dial: Rolex Submariner Watch
It is a super cool two-tone Rolex Submariner with a slate Serti dial. While Rolex uses the term “Serti” as a label for any of their diamond watches, in watch collecting circles, Serti typically refers to a very specific dial style found on select Submariner and GMT-Master watches.
This particular Serti dial on the Submariner houses eight diamond hour markers along with three sapphire indexes. The diamonds complement the gray dial well, while the blue sapphire matches the blue bezel on the 40mm case. Coupled with the two-tone Rolesor metal combination, this Submariner Serti comes together for a very appealing Rolex diamond watch.
Diamond President Rolex Watch
Yellow gold and diamonds is a classic Rolex combination. And it doesn’t get much better when that combo is on a Rolex President watch. But rather than a full diamond Rolex President, one with just a few gems touches on the dial works best as a men’s luxury watch.
Take, for instance, the yellow gold President from Rolex’s current lineup. The eight brilliant-cut diamond index is joined by two baguette-cut diamonds at 6 and 9 o’clock. This design layout makes way for the characteristic duo of windows at 12 and 3 o’clock to indicate the day and date, respectively. With its iconic solid yellow gold 36mm Oyster case, fluted bezel, President bracelet, and silver dial with diamonds, the Day-Day 36 is a stunning example of a dressy Rolex diamond watch.
Diamond Rolex Daytona Watch
Rolex’s sportiest model, the Daytona chronograph, actually wears diamonds surprisingly well. Especially on a two-tone steel and yellow gold models, such as the Rolex Daytona. Five-digit Daytona references indicate that they are Zenith Daytona versions running on Cal. 4030, which are modified Zenith El Primero automatic chronograph movements. These are the models that came before Daytona watches equipped with in-house Cal. 4130 movements and after the manual-wound vintage Daytona watches.
The champagne dial of the Daytona pairs well with the 18k yellow gold bezel on the 40mm case, winding crown, and center bracelet links. Additionally, the eight diamond hour markers add even more luxuriousness to an already ultra luxurious chronograph. A diamond Daytona is a sporty way to wear a Rolex diamond watch.
Diamond Rolex Air-King Watch
As one of Rolex’s entry-level models, a diamond Air-King may come as a surprise to some. However, the Rolex Air-King ref. 114234 is indeed a higher-end version. Not only does it boast an 18k white gold fluted bezel on the 34mm stainless steel case, this version of the Air-King ref. 114234 also shines a little brighter thanks to 11 diamonds sitting alongside the Roman numerals.
The white dial, monochrome metal construction, black numerals, and white diamonds marry well to produce a casual, yet chic Rolex timepiece. Better still, the Air-King ref. 114234 is one of the most affordable ways to wear a men’s Rolex diamond watch.
Diamond Do? Or Diamond Don’t?
The various models show the diversity of diamond Rolex watches. Sporty or classic, dressy or casual chic, the choices are varied. So, if you’ve been skeptical of diamond watches in the past, take a closer look and the options may just surprise you.
How to get the best fit for your Diamond Rolex Watch
Just like clothes and shoes, it’s essential to get your Rolex to fit just right. Too tight and it’ll be uncomfortable to wear and look like you’re wearing a child’s watch. Too loose and not only will it look sloppy, but the watch will have a tendency to spin around your arm and be prone to more knocks and bracelet stretching. If you need to get the perfect fit but don’t know how to size a Rolex, read our handy guide for some useful tips.
Don’t Wear Your Rolex On Your Actual Wrist
Although colloquially we say one wears their watch on their wrist, this isn’t exactly the case. A watch should be worn on the lower part of the forearm, just adjacent to the wrist. Whether you’re wearing the watch on a metal bracelet or a Rolex leather strap, here is our stance. Wearing a watch directly on the wrist will be uncomfortable for several reasons.
First, the bone that protrudes on the pinkie side of the wrist (the head of the ulna) will likely hurt if there’s a heavy Rolex watch sitting on top of it for a long time. Plus, the winding crown (or the chronograph pushers on a Daytona) will have a tendency to dig into your hand, eventually causing blisters or scratching. Not good!
So when you’re figuring out how to size your Rolex, make sure the watch sits snug on the area next to the wrist.
Check If Your Rolex Watch Has A Built-In Extension System
Some Rolex watches come equipped with clasps that can be adjusted. For instance, the modern Rolex Submariner, Deepsea, and Sea-Dweller watches are outfitted with the Glidelock adjustment system. If you look underneath the Glidelock clasp, you’ll see that you can extend or contract the bracelet in 2mm increments—without a tool. You just need to pop the adjustable side of the bracelet from the clasp and glide it back and forth along the clasp until you find the size you need, then click the bracelet back into place. Submariner watches with the Glidelock system extend up to 20mm while the Deepsea and Sea-Dweller extend up to 26mm.
Some Rolex watches, such as the Datejust, GMT-Master II, Daytona, and many others, come with an Easylink extension system for micro adjustments. Using a similar method as above, you can just pop one side of the bracelet away from the clasp and extend it out for a larger fit or fold it inward and snap it back for a tighter fit. The Easylink can extend/contract up by 5mm.
It May Be Necessary To Remove A Bracelet Link
If the Rolex still doesn’t fit right after using the built-in extension systems, then it be may necessary to remove a link or two from the bracelet. You can find a watch specialist you trust to do this, or if you’re feeling confident, you can also do this at home with a few tools. If you are removing links from your Rolex bracelet, keep in mind that the clasp should be as centered with the case as possible, rather than off to one side, to keep things balanced.
If you’re removing the links yourself, you will need the appropriate screwdriver, a red bottle of Loctite solution, a soft cloth to lay your Rolex on while working on it, and some paper towels.
Use the screwdriver to carefully unscrew a pin holding two links together and pull out the pin. Then wipe the leftover Loctite residue on the pin with a paper towel and set it aside. Repeat the process to unscrew the pin on the other side of the link you want to remove.
To put the bracelet back together, apply a small amount of the Loctite solution on the end of one pin, join the two open links together, thread the pin through the hole, and carefully screw it back into place. Make sure to keep the leftover link(s) and pin(s) in a safe place in case you need to readjust or sell your Rolex watch in the future.
One of the most common questions we get is “How often should I be servicing my Rolex?”. To answer this question, we wanted to make sure that we covered every aspect so we brought in our crew of expert watchmakers to help put together this quick guide. This quick guide will help you learn more about servicing your Rolex timepiece.
How to take care of your Diamond Rolex Watches
Serving Rolex Watches is necessary to keep your timepiece in great condition.
When discussing a Rolex there are three main categories that most timepieces fall under. New, Over 7 years old, and vintage. Depending on which of the following your watch falls under you will want to take appropriate action. Of course, you can service your watch much more often if you prefer, but we are just recommending this below at a minimum.
1. New Watches – Under 7 years old. No service is normally necessary unless the watch has been damaged or is operating very poorly.
2. Watches Over 7 years of age. Generally, a full-service overhaul is recommended. Even if the watch is operating to COSC standards to keep it sufficiently lubricated.
3. Vintage Watches. We normally do not recommend a service, unless they are running very poorly – 25% below COSC standards. It is very important to keep a vintage Rolex with its original parts and to choose a watch repair person or facility that can deal professionally with vintage grade watches. There is a small handful of them around the country and there is plenty of information on the Rolex Forums. Of course, you can also choose to send it to one of several Rolex Service Centers owned and operated by Rolex, USA. Please visit Rolex Service Centers Locations USA for more info.
A few months ago, Rolex announced that it will be offering a 5-year warranty on all new watches sold starting from July 1, 2015. The watch must have been purchased through one of its authorized dealers. To help consumers adapt to this new policy change, Rolex is providing 1 extra year of warranty free of charge for those who purchased sometime during the last two years – between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2015 . This extends the original 2 year warranty that has been in place for decades to a total of 3 years for the manufacturer’s warranty. This new warranty applies to all Oyster and Cellini model watches.
What Happens When I Have My Rolex Serviced?
Servicing a watch will entail a number of complicated procedures. It starts by disassembling the movement and cleaning the parts. Once cleaned, the movement is reassembled, during which time parts are fully lubricated properly. Gaskets will also be changed and your watch will need to be tested to ensure that it is waterproof.
What Does COSC Mean?
For those who might be wondering COSC stands for ContrôleOfficiel Suisse des Chronomètres, which is the official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. This institute is responsible for certifying both the accuracy and the precision of timepieces in Switzerland.
What If I Want To Sell My Rolex?
For those looking to sell their Rolex, it is a good idea to find out if the establishment you are selling to requires this. A single service goes for about $800 USD depending on the model. In some cases, an online dealer will have their own in-house watchmakers who are able to service the watch at a much cheaper rate.
