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This is the exact Rolex my father has! I never recalled it looking small on his wrist. Concerns on sizing should really ever only be on whether it's suitable on the wearer and not whether it falls into a 'mens' category or not.

It really doesn’t look silly, I’d adore that watch. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose.

Go back into watches a year or two ago and have begun to talk watches with my customers - the number of these small Rolexes out there is amazing. Sitting in a drawer, never serviced(to much money), not running but kept. Men bought them as a status piece right before retirement or they were bonus gifts - worn a few years and then put away.

Discounts were normal then... apart from Steel Daytona’s! We used to refer to steel & gold as steel & yellow metal. I’ve always known this to be because the ‘trade’ should not describe gold as gold unless it was hallmarked and because it is used with steel in the article it can’t be hallmarked. B/W = bracelet watch.👍 Edit: Just to clarify, the ‘gold’ is solid gold but I think it contravenes the hallmarking act to describe it as so. I used to wear that size back in the day and occasionally a bubble back.... wow I was so cool!😂

Great seeing vintage watches in this setting. Side note, I love my 36mm OP with white grape dial. Not as vintage sized as a 31 but the 36 is such a perfect size for a skinny wrist like mine.

My dad had one in the late 80's too. The way I look at it is the watches are so small that they were worn for the bracelet - taking watches as jewelry to another level. This was especially popular in Asia.

I prefer the small size of this watch, as I have small arms and a tiny wrist. A large faced ''normal'' mans watch looks like a dinner plate on my wrist. In the past, I have even been known to wear a ladies watch - the same style and colour as the mens version, but just because it's a smaller dial and looks in proportion to my wrist.

My dad bought a 16750 GMT1 pepsi from Paris in 1982 and got a 15% discount on it. I have the watch, box, papers and receipt still!

I wouldn't buy a 31mm myself these days either but I didn't think it looked SO ridiculous on your wrist. Cool to see the old box and papers, thanks for sharing!

Love seeing older Rolex watches having the complete sets. Such a nice story they tell....

Really enjoyed this more laid back type of video, takes me back to your earlier videos! This watch is so charming, and although it’s 31mm, it actually doesn’t look bad on your wrist!

In 1988 I walked into a jewelry store called Mappins, (gone now) in my local shopping mall, bought a gmt master 16700 for 1800.00 cdn, that included a 15% discount, walked out with the watch. Had to go back a week later to pick up the warranty paper which they'd sent to Rolex Canada to have my name printed on it. Except for the price, which seemed like alot of money at the time, it was no different than going into a store and buying a shirt. I miss the 80's :)

i have a exact same model in 36mm my father purchased in Sept '89. He bought it, kept in the original box, stored in the vault. I got it from him the other day, has everything and it's a dead stock, with all the papers and original receipt. It's so awesome to see all the papers, it even came with Rolex calendar of 1989!!!

A Datejust is still a potential one-watch collection. It just works pretty much anywhere, appropriately.

Always appreciate your take on the wild and wacky world of watches. About to pick up an older Perpetual and just love vintage lots. Heading over to your shop now because there's always a need for a new strap. ;)

Great video, I really enjoyed the look back in time at the purchase of that Datejust. I have one of around the same age but mine has the tapestry dial and has been serviced. To me they are iconic examples of Rolex watches and I do still wear mine from time to time. Thanks again......nicely done!

Nice little watch, incredible condition for a ripe old age of 34 years old. A little TLC for the movement and the fact that your Dad-in-law kept the whole kit is super cool! Adds to the intrigue of this Wrist Art! It would be lost on my wrist (7 3/4" or 19.7 cms) . Thank You for the video, much enjoyed. :)

I much prefer all of the old packaging, boxes, booklets, certificate, much more interesting vs the stuff you get now.

Adrian, just found my dads 36mm date just. Bought in ‘91. He’s still got the business card let alone the other bits and pieces. The history feels so cool! Appreciate your video on it. 👍🏻 he’s never had it serviced either… 😂

Getting this 80s vibe with the b-roll and the music 😄 Great video lad! Greetings from Germany :)

I would love to see how this watch performs after a service. Maybe a follow up video?

These kind and size of Rolex watches are still hard to sell. You can tell by looking in the window of any dealer - they are plenty on display. They don't give discounts, due to being threatened by Rolex. Instead they sell to the grey market - especially in Japan small sizes are still popular. You get great deals in the grey / second hand shops around Ueno, Nakano, etc.

“A straight line is not an inaccuracy but an accuracy” - Phistus McGraph

Dude I love the fact, you listened to us and indorse you’re own products. I think it’s cool and it works.

Great idea for a very interesting video. Thanks for giving us a peek into the time machine.

I've had a 36mm Datejust since about 1985. I'm wearing it right now. It's time keeping is close enough for me. Actually just now it right on having been reset for daylight savings time here in the States.

Great video, I always enjoy your uploads! Will the snowy intro scenes change with the seasons?

Hi Adrian, thanks for the video. I bought a Speedmaster at a reputable dealers in Paris in 1990 (not quite the 1980s but close). They gave me a discount of 15% for paying cash for it. Of course Speedies were more affordable in those days, and frankly a bit old fashioned.

The music choice change was amazing...well done, Adrian

My smallest watch is a 1950's Roamer 33 mm's and my largest watch is a Nixon which is 44 mm's and I have various others between those two sizes , I like them all they all fit well on my 7 inch wrist .

I remember back in the day, Watches of Switzerland in Bournemouth would take any watch as a 10% deposit and do 12 months interest free credit. My father was a good customer there and they would offer very good discounts on Rolex for him.

My old Seiko Quartz I had for my 18th is 31mm and I wore it for 30 years until the date wheel stopped working. I took an age to choose it and always loved it. Never thought it small. Currently looking to restore it.

I got a Datejust I bought in 1971 paid 350$ I bought it in Florida no discount 36mm two tone yellow gold silver linen dial still have it !! Great channel !!👍

I have an 18K gold Rolex Chronometer dress watch from 1949 that is 35mm. I love the history of it, but I'm not really sure of its provenance. I don't have the original papers. So cool that you do...

Back in 1997 I got a 10% off my Rolex Explore 2 polar dial from Watches of Switzerland and I got £150 off a Rolex submarine from Frazer Hart back in 2003 and I never forget as they a few steel sport Rolex in the window. Amazing how times have changed.

Extremely interesting video. Kudos Adrian, you consistently come up with interesting content. At least in the US, prior to 2017, discounts on a Rolex went as follows. SS: 5% TT: 10% PM: 15% - 20%

My father has the exact same watch, I adore it. I actually prefer smaller watches in general (outside of G-shocks). Thankfully watchmakers aren't tempting me with new purchases with ever-larger watches.

I thought I’d tuned into Beverley Hills Cop there for a moment. Sat with s mate while he brought a sub no date from Argyle Arcade in Glasgow about 10 years ago and he got I think 20% discount.

That 30mm Rolex I inherited (showed you it at Manchester Redbar), I had to give it to my wife as it was so tiny. Realise that is an awful lot older at late 40’s but never realised they were still making gents that size in the 80’s!! 😳

I actually love my 31mm! I wanted a watch that felt similar to an F91-W. It looks classy in all settings, and frankly makes my "mens" sized watches all feel a bit oversized in comparison!

I just inherited a 37 years old Rolex which is a datejust. It didn't come with the box but it did come with original receipt. The one I have looks very similar. It was purchased in 1986 in the Cayman Islands during my fathers vacation on the NCL cruise "Song of America" May father paid $2900 in 1986.

I inherited a datejust from a relative. It was purchased on 1975. It’s a 31mm with blue dial. I’ve shown it on my channel. I wish I could wear it but it’s just too small for my 7-7/8 wrist and I don’t have the extra links to make the bracelet larger to fit my wrist. Trying to convince my wife to wear the watch.

Hi I got 35% discount on 16710 y-serie and 2 years later I bought 16610lv with 25% discount. Still keep the original receipts and both watches were bought from the same AD.

Loved the video I just wanted to correct you on one subject, when the watch runs behind the line is supposed to plummet down according to the number shown above. If it's running right, for example +/-0 with a beat error off 0 it shows as a straight line

What is even better than the story of box and papers is when you randomly find the box and papers to your dad's 1987 Datejust which you did not know you had (I had the watch). The story it told was a lot. The price, the date it was purchased, reference number info. As far as the 20% discount, I purchased my modern 116234 at 15% off and no tax which is pretty much 20%. This was in 2016. The DJ is my grail watch.

YM = yellow metal ( usually gold) but illegal to state in UK as not hallmaked in this instance

I bought my 34 mm oyster precision 6426 by mail order from Alexander's of reigate in 1989 (I live in glasgow)I paid £380 which must have had a discount.the price list for 1989 shows it as a discontinued model but it was still available as an oysterdate for £490.it's been serviced once in the late 90s and runs about +4 secs a day.

Can you do a video on his 36mm Datejust? Great video. Cheers

“Even kept the links...”. Ha ha! However, I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t keep the links. Would seem crazy to get rid of them.

It looks great, bring back smaller watches!

The "ym" might really mean yellow metal because I believe many watches back then used plated steel for the bracelets, and it was only the bezel that was genuine solid gold. I've seen quite a few Tudors and Seikos with this mix, so its plausible Rolex did the same, especially if it was a folded bracelet

Great peak into the past. I really like the 36mm, that is a perfect size for me, I am not sure about a 31mm, but then again it is a Rolex so I would try it. Thanks, Brian.

Hi Adrian, @5:31 you say “1968” - maybe at little graphic *1986 could be added. More importantly, thanks for this video. It’s interesting how tastes in size change. The ref.96 - the watch that saved Patek was 30.5mm and a huge hit with the male market. 35.5mm, intruded later, was called “oversize”, and we forget that the first AP Royal Oaks, at 40mm were called “Jumbo”. I have 7.75” wrist and my most recent new watch purchase was a Rolex DJ 36 2019 version. I think 36mm is the Goldilocks size. We will later laugh a bit at the over 40mm pieces a bit in a few years. But rather than anticipate that I am trying to simply ignore size for the main part and just enjoy the watch. That 31mm piece looked pretty good on your wrist.

The two-tone Datejust, for me, is simply the first image that pops up into my mind when I think of Rolex's ethos. It's pure class but can go to the tennis court, the beach, golf, etc. I'm probably the minority here, but there's a certain charm to the old Rolex boxes that the new ones do not have. I love the old Rolex box with the folding cloth to cover the watch. While 31mm is certainly small - I prefer 34-36mm watches - I would still wear that to formal and special occasions. Is your father-in-law selling it? Lol looks like it's in excellent condition.

I have the Tudor version of this and I actually like it more over the Rolex version. I like the fact it has a more affordable ETA and a Rolex case! Great piece!

I purchased a Rolex Date SS/Yellow Gold from an AD in April 1986. I think it is a 34MM case. I also received a 20% since I paid with cash.

I bought a green green sub and a Batman from AD in late 2016 both with discounts of 15 and 10 percent respectively.

In 2008, I came into some good money, over €30k but didn’t consider buying a Rolex...thought they were too expensive and was afraid to even check the price...how I wish I had bought a gmt master ii back then with the money...anyway used the money to pay off debts and only managed to buy a Rolex in 2018

Dude YES that Segway to the 80’s music so awesome

That size is called a MID SIZE in the states. Sold them in the late 60's.

Very interesting Adrian to inject some history in the channel !! I picked a 1996 Rolex catalogue in Jersey in 1997 as I got my first job in a hotel (kind of)....here are some examples (UK prices not CI): 16200 was 1870£ , 14270 was 1660£, 16610 was 2120£....yes, that's history !!!! :(

Adrian, anyway you can review the Omega Seamaster 300m white dial? Or what are your thoughts?

How is the condition of the bracelet? I have 16013 from 1987 and the bracelet is not streched anymore. Do we have a chance to have it repaired? Thank you.

You gave me an idea. Maybe I could collect box and papers since I can’t afford to collect Rolex watches 🥂

I have a a virtually unworn oyster speedking ref 6430 (30.5mm) with box and papers. My grandparents got it for my dad's 21st in 1983 with 25% off rrp at £193. I think it was built in the late 1970s. It was unfortunately too small for my dad to ever wear on the bracelet.

For me personally the 34mm Rolex is the limit qua size for mens watches.

I think the 31 mm looks surprisingly good actually.

Bought many Rolex in the 90’s up to the early 2000s and believe it or not you could sometimes wiggle a small discount on a SS-Sport model and see a couple sitting in the AD’s cases regularly. DJ especially the precious metals could be had for a decent discount at special sales events. The regular in store discount was limited to 10%. Been told by the old timers that during the 60s, 70s into the 80s, a dealer could literally have a Rolex sitting in the display case for years. I’ve bought a number of vintage Subs and Explorers that were built years before they were actually sold by the AD. Things have changed.

Hope you kept this one. The size looks great and follows the rule of thirds on wrist. Price wise, these aren't that much cheaper than the 36mm these days.

great material, the watch comes from 22 April, 1986, I from 29 April, 1986 :)

Speak about the Carl F Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral. Is a really interesting swiss watch!

Honestly, for a watch that hasn’t been serviced in 30 years, those figures are pretty damn good and real testament to the engineering in these old pieces. If it’s holding power reserve, it should just need a service

Dang the camera work in the video is incredible! High quality

It is yellow metal. Proper 80's Lex. I can almost imagine Bobby Ewing wearing one. 😭

I got the exact same Watch as a gift from a family member he worn it for a couple of years before giving it to me. I personally am not a huge fan ob big watches because I always find them looking too chunky but I do consider buying one in 36 mm I’m just not sure if I will like it

It actually looks good on your wrist imo.. I like that the face isn’t taking up the whole wrist and you get to see the bracelet from the top😎

Went to my AD where I’ve been an average customer. Was negotiating on a DJ31 steel and rose gold... 3% discount. No wait list, tons of stock... they just don’t need to discount to meet their sales goals

Great video. Having just picked up a 26mm as bargain in small ads, it is identical to this and fascinates me. Same winding noise, but I think it’s gone 47 years without a service but does still keeps time...and that beautiful sweep. Very interesting that the time graph varies on positioning. I know you have said previously you had a home kit but would like to see this repeated with a tourbillon - supposedly stop this from happening right?...keep up the good work. #watakiwatches.

Interesting . Thank you.

I got a Old Datejust yellow gold From my grandpa (i think its 29 or 30mm ) i thought a Long Time about whether i wear it or Not... i have a 6.7 inch . Everyone told me that it looks too small, but After this Video i will wear the watch :)

It shows how times have changed in just the past couple years! I got my first Rolex back in November 2012, a submariner date and manage to get about 7.5% off its list price from my AD!

My daily wearer is a datejust 36 mm from my birthyear 1984. Unfortunately in terms of practicality it has a plexi rather than sapphire crystal, so I dare not swim with it. But that’s the only downside, it’s a watch that goes with virutally anything, from shorts to tux.

I'm liking that Tobermory mug you got there. Been to the distillery have we?

I have a 1995 Rolex Submariner (Bluesy) 16613 . With original receipt from Leslie Davis AD list price was £3245 and has A 20% discount

Impressive accuracy on the explorer.

I have inherited the very same datejust 31, model 68273, SN is of 1985 according to unofficial lists (no papers). My Weishi accuracy measures are exactly the same as yours, which is astounding. Incidental question: as I have no box either, could you mention the box reference so that I can grab one somewhere?

Neat. I think, given the current events (and likely next couple of years), these kinds of under-sized / smaller watches will become more and more relevant. Somehow I don't think people will want to wear flashy, large watches anymore.

Im a guy and I have a 5.7 to 6 inches wrist. You think 31 is too small?

Things probably work a little differently in the Far East. While getting a discount might not be the norm in the UK, it was, at least back then in Singapore, a given. A 31mm datejust, with a fluted bezel and a jubilee bracelet I bought in the mid 80's from an AD came with a 25% discount. The substantial discount was partly due to the fact that I knew the shop owner. Otherwise, it would most likely have been only 15% to 20%. Today, of course the landscape has changed a great deal. The mention of a discount would, I guarantee you, solicit the most raucous of laughter form the sales person, at the very least.

Are your tubular or seatbelt nato straps more comfortable?

Own a vintage Datejust which is 36mm in size & a new 39mm Explorer. Not all that different in terms of quality if you ask me, although the Oyster bracelet is obviously far superior to the Jubilees of yesteryear.

It was actually called “boy size” back then..

Dude, that was a funky jam in there...

I had a watch that sounded like that. Did not know it was dry :)

Awesome watch ! Regardless of the size due the history hence it’s a titan for it !

So in 1986 I bought my submarina and was offered, with out asking, a 20 per cent discount. BTW I was offered a Daytona with the same discount but I wanted a date and cyclops. Who knew. But I still own the little subie that cost all of 775$ 1980s dollars. I should have bought two.

Great watch...got 300 Eur discount on my 214270 at an official retailer in 2018 over here in Germany...but I guess these times are also over

Datejust is simply Timeless!

I think it looks rather good on your wrist, modest for sure, but not too small by my count