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I wanted to get some thoughts on the long-term style and popularity of Rolex sports models. Right now, it seems like stainless steel sports Rolexes—Submariners, GMT-Masters, Daytonas, and Explorers—are the dominant choice among collectors and casual wearers alike. Every time I go out, I see plenty of Submariners on wrists, on instagram tons of celebrities and influencers can be seen wearing these watches. To me this is just reinforcing how desirable these models have become.
But looking at the history of collecting watch, trends tend to shift over time. There was an era when smaller, dressier pieces were the norm. I remember watching a hodinkee video where collectors where flocking to bubbleback Rolexes, considering them highly collectible.
In the early 2000s, Panerai and Breilting took the spotlight with their oversized, bold designs, only for preferences to shift again over the years. Given how cyclical watch trends can be, it makes me wonder:
Could stainless steel sports Rolexes ever become unfashionable?
Is there a point where people might move away from these tool watches in favor of smaller, more elegant pieces?
Are we in the middle of a long-term cycle, or is the dominance of steel sports Rolexes here to stay?
Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts! Have you seen any shifts in collector preferences that might hint at future trends?
