The Rolex Daytona, one of the most classic watch series ever, became a collector’s piece and a must-have to all watch lovers. But we must ask if it’s worthwhile for the $85,700 platinum version? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Rolex was launched in 1908 making quality watches. In 1926 they released the first waterproof watch, the “Oyster”, which established the brand as a sports watch, thanks to the famous English Channel crossing by the British swimmer Mercedes Gleitze.
Sure, they also have a “social” design, the Cellini, since the 1970s, but frankly speaking, have you ever seen someone wearing a fake Cellini? If you have, congratulations! As far as I know, almost everyone wants a Rolex Oyster, a water-resistant watch.
Except for quartz movement models, Rolex Cellini, and Oyster (produced until 2001), replica Rolex is always famous for its automatic winding models. The Cosmograph Daytona was a child band of their 1950’s chronograph and we’ve talked about his before.
The watch became well known when Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman” model got many different versions. What the most famous version were those with the so-called “Panda” dials – white dial with black subdials and vice-versa, resembling the “bear” eyes. (Rolex called them “exotic dials.”)
In some countries such as Brazil, however, the inexpensive fake Rolex Cosmograph Daytona did not perform well on market. Because every Rolex fan prefers the “perpetual” automatic movement, patented in 1931. But the Daytona had a manual winding mechanism, which made it stay unsold on sellers showcases. Nobody wants to use a fake Rolex that had to be wound manually.
Some collectors in Europe began to buy those “old stock” cheap Daytonas with distinct features around the world and their prices began to rise in auctions. Small differences in the dials made a watch gain thousands of dollars over its ordinary counterpart. Thus the collector fever started.
Later, in 1988, Rolex had a new design of fake Daytona. First, they change the older Valjoux mechanism with a Zenith El Primero self-winding movement, one of the best chronograph movements ever made. It was adjusted by Rolex to reduce maintenance costs. Also, instead of the smaller case diameter of the first models (37 mm), now the replica watch had a 40 mm case, screw-down chronograph pushers, and a sapphire crystal instead of a plastic window.

You might miss the news that the fake Rolex has launched for the very first time a ‘Pepsi’ GMT-Master II in ‘Oystersteel’. Yes, a two-color red and blue Cerachrom bezel insert, WITH a Jubilee bracelet. The five-link Jubilee bracelet is also made from Oystersteel and characterized as an ‘Oysterclasp’, which has access for 5mm of adjustment. It’s also worth noting that this is the first time we’ve seen a Jubilee bracelet on a sports Rolex in modern times. 
The Oyster case also gained some changes and has been redesigned. It’s noticeably different in comparison to the GMT-Master II BLNR (Batman), which is also still in production. Aesthetics aside, the new Pepsi GMT also features a completely new generation movement — the 3285 caliber, which features a beefed-up 70-hour power reserve.
Another small but noteworthy detail is the extra Rolex crown on the dial, which you’ll notice at six o’clock, between ‘Swiss’ and ‘Made’. This appears to be on all new 2018 models. They are small touches like these that help collectors distinguish between different references at the first view, and are often used historically as markers of a transitional period.
Rumors were going wild as to exactly what GMT configuration we’d see from the replica Rolex this year and really went crazy when teaser videos showing the makings of a Jubilee bracelet were released. Normally, I suppose it’s safe to say the watch community has been crying out for another steel GMT with either the Coke or Pepsi bezel inserts. Even though the Rolex provided the Pepsi bezel in white gold, the price of entry was far too high.
If early feedback from the public is anything to go by, then Pepsi is a hit. It’s obvious that a lot of work has gone into the design and execution of the Pepsi — the Rolex replica put in a lot of effort when making this vintage-inspired piece. As a matter of fact, this unique model has 10 patents, from the clasp to the movement.

Rolex enlarged their Explorer line of watches in 1971. Instead of simply being a new version of the existing Explorer watch, this watch was a totally different timepiece and was consequently given the “Explorer II” designation. Designed particularly for speleologists exploring deep caverns below the earth’s surface, the fake Explorer II characterized a large 24-hour hand, and a fixed, stainless steel bezel with 24-hour markings to serve as a great prominent AM/PM indicator. 
The Rolex Explorer II replica watches were met with a rather mixed reaction from the public upon its initial release. Relatively few people liked a watch specifically designed for professional cave exploring, and many criticized the design of the model as cluttered and difficult to read. Despite having a rather narrow and unusually specific target demographic, the Rolex Explorer II has remained in production and has become one of the cornerstone offerings in Rolex’s current sports watch lineup.
Subsequent generations of the Rolex Explorer II far more closely resembled each other in design, but this unique model used a different dial and handset than Rolex fitted to all other Explorer II references.
Inside the Rolex replica, Explorer II resides Rolex’s caliber 3187 movement, which features Paraflex shock absorbers for greater shock/impact resistance, and an hour hand that can be independently set from the 24-hour hand to simultaneously display a second-time zone. What’s more, different from the original one, which was only ever fitted with a black dial, this fake watch is available with either a black or white (polar) dial, with the “Explorer II” name now appearing in orange text to match its signature, bright-orange, 24-hour hand.
One of the very special features of the replica Rolex as a company is that they are constantly working to refine and upgrade their watches; however, they are always moving forward with their designs and never make heritage or re-issue pieces. Although that model is a very distinguished watch from the original one, the oversized, bright-orange 24-hour hand connects the two timepieces and allows the spirit of the original Explorer II to be encapsulated in a thoroughly modern sports watch that still possesses its own special and unique appearance.

As the first wristwatch with an automatic date display on a dial, the Datejust Oyster Perpetua took place in the amazing Rolex history. This iconic timepiece for men, with a special classical design, is a synonym for luxury and elegance.
The first Rolex Datejust watch has been created in 1945. It was a technological achievement and made entirely of yellow gold ahead of the time. The complete name of this watch, Rolex Datejust Oyster Perpetual, signified the very best that the watchmaking industry could make – Oyster case and bezel that protected the perpetual (self-winding) movement from shocks, water, pressure, and dust.
This name shows that the fake Rolex had carried out the pure quality from the past and upgraded it with the strong touch of advanced technology. New Rolex watches from the men’s Datejust collection are powered by the Rolex Caliber automatic movement, which comprises 31 jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28.800 vibrations per hour.
This mechanism is the officially certified chronometer, which means that it responded to the most demanding testing by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronometers), with the highest correction in a variety of positions and temperatures. It guarantees about 50 hours’ autonomy when it’s not worn.
The Datejust watches have very gorgeous features from the past, so prestigious and recognizable that after some modifications in the 1970s, and the replica Rolex designers have not changed anything at all.
Nevertheless, the well-known and popular Swiss watchmaker offers many varieties in the Datejust Collection. Keeping the same basic design, with the magnifying Cyclops eye and distinctive 36 mm case, variations are controlled by different materials and colors of a dial, a few types of the bezel, and finally, on different bracelet models.
Rolex Replica crafts its Datejust timepieces in extremely tough and highly polished 904L steel, 18-karat yellow/white/Everose gold, or Rolesor (combination of steel and anyone form of gold). The most striking models in the collection come with the Rolex signature feature, and best-designed fluted Oyster bezel, which had been a very functional and protective element before it became a purely aesthetic element.
Hermetically sealed Oyster case, screw-in crown, and sapphire crystal cover guaranty great durability and water resistance up to 100 meters.
Made solely of steel, the Datejust model is a depiction of ageless excellence. This Rolex watch has a domed bezel, a sapphire crystal glass, and a jubilee bracelet with a crown clasp. The dial comes in silver and white color.

We should not ignore the fact that vintage Rolex watches tend to appreciate, along with their reliability, and exquisite craftsmanship, it all adds up to a vintage market that has always prosperous – never more so than today. That depends on who you ask. Some say a watch has to be at least 20-years old to qualify, others believe a piece doesn’t reach that status until a new version of that special model is launched. However, others would think when some materials are phased out of their construction: for instance, when tritium gave way to Luminova in the nineties.
No matter what definition you would make up your mind to go with, owning a top-quality vintage Rolex can be an extremely rewarding experience, not just for the cool, set-yourself-apart factor, but also for the thrill of the hunt. Nothing beats tracking down and snagging that perfect reference for collectors—that one-of-a-kind model with a story to tell.
The quality of the current influx of fakes is so convincing that no amount of photos the watch can give you all the information you need to tell if you’re bidding on a genuine article. Our website is really a good recommendation for replica branded watches. The more traditional type of auction, rather than the eBay version, is increasing massively in popularity. You’ll have read about the incredible sums being paid out recently for lots such as Paul Newman’s Daytona or the ‘Bao Dai’ that belonged to the last emperor of Vietnam—now the most expensive Rolex ever sold. If you were thinking that your pockets might not be quite deep enough to join the elite at one of these events, think again.
The lots that make the headlines are just a tiny sample of the pieces sold at auction. The auction houses make most of their revenue offering the type of vintage watches that are well within reach of the rest of us, and can be a great place to find that special reference you’ve had your eye on. Auctions are great, but only if you can keep your emotions in check! It’s very easy to get caught up in a bidding war in all the excitement and go well over your budget. It’s just as easy to forget the extra 10-20% charge you have to pay to the auctioneer on top of your winning bid.
Where buying at auction scores points is in its transparency. You can physically hold the watch in your hand, and then discuss it with the staff and also get a good idea of its provenance in the site catalog. Reputable houses, such as Sotheby’s or Christie’s, have highly-trained specialists to inspect every watch that comes through their doors and the pieces are offered for sale on their recommendation. So, if they feel they are looking at a ‘Franken-watch’, a vintage piece that has had parts interchanged with non-standard or inferior replacements, which will be noted in the item’s description and reflected in the estimate.
That doesn’t mean you get away without having to do your due diligence here as well. Take as much time as you need to investigate the seller among forums and by reading testimonials. See how long they’ve been in business, the qualifications of their watchmakers, and whether they use genuine Rolex parts for servicing. Additionally, search if any major publications are endorsing a vintage Rolex seller for an unbiased opinion. You’re buying the seller as well as the watch. See what kind of guarantee they offer and what it entitles you to in the unlikely event you end up with a fake.
Buying a vintage Rolex is an adventure and challenge. Get it right, and you’ll be rewarded with a truly stunning watch that transcends fashion and will be passed down to children and grandchildren. On the contrary, get it wrong, and your reward is a hole in your wallet where there used to be money. In conclusion, spend time conducting research. Try and take your emotions out of it, and if anything seems off, move on.