Fratello Talk: Is there still magic in modern Rolexes?

Welcome to the latest episode of Fratello Talks. Does modern Rolex still have the magic? That’s the question that Nacho, RJ and Thomas tackle today. There’s no doubt that modern Rolex watches are reliable luxury timepieces. But for many enthusiasts and collectors, nothing compares to the older four- and five-figure models. This is reflected in the prices that some of these models (not to mention the rarer ones) fetch on the pre-owned market. But what exactly makes them more special than current Rolex watches? Is it their mix of pop culture presence, aesthetics, nostalgia and rarity? And do the models sold today still retain the special elements that their predecessors had? We may never know, but it’s still a topic worth discussing. But before we answer those questions, let’s answer this one: What’s on men’s wrists today?

Wrist Check

Fittingly, in keeping with the theme of today’s show, RJ is wearing a 1996 Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600. It’s a classic five-figure Rolex model with features that the brand’s newer models have long since dropped: an aluminum bezel insert, a folding clasp, and tritium lume. With its use of ceramic, Super-LumiNova, and a sturdy milled clasp, the newest models of the Sea-Dweller are objectively superior. But if you ask the people gathered around Mike today, they’d all be happy to accept this ’90s model over a more recent model.

Thomas is once again wearing a VPC Type 37HW in a lovely dove grey colour. As mentioned last time, you can find out more about the brand and the watch here, but for those who want a quick rundown, this is the watch Thomas made. This is his uncompromising interpretation of the ideal GADA watch.

Finally, Nacho wears his trusty Breitling Aerospace F65362, which he enjoys on a rubber strap from CNS Watch Bands. The strap features a tropical-style perforation pattern and lizard print, mimicking the one worn by Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now on his bezel-less Rolex GMT-Master 1675. For this reason, CNS has dubbed it the “Marlon Bando-O,” which somehow suits this most sketchy of watches perfectly.

Fratello Talk: Is there still magic in modern Rolexes?

We asked ourselves this question here at Fratello HQ. The conversation got heated during a sunny August lunchtime, so we decided to revisit the topic on the Fratello Talks podcast. There’s clearly something special about vintage Rolexes, whether they’re early models from the 1940s or models too recent to be truly vintage. Even neo-vintage watches from the ’90s and early 2000s hold a special place in the hearts of watch enthusiasts. This could be due to nostalgia for the watches they grew up with or the unmistakable character that these watches exude thanks to the materials used in their construction. But do modern watches have the same appeal? That’s the topic of today’s show.