My First Vintage Watch: Rolex Datejust Reference 6824

By Abigail Harris

As a cross country and long-distance runner, time has always been important to me. Like most runners, I had a Garmin to time my runs. It was fine, but like most electronic objects, it was inanimate and disposable. The same could be said for my Apple Watch: it’s not exactly something I expect to hand down to my future children one day. I always thought watches were cool, but I didn’t fully appreciate mechanical watches until I began working at Wind Vintage and I got my first vintage watch: a Rolex Datejust reference 6824 in steel from circa 1983. At 31mm and on an Oyster bracelet, it feels like the perfect watch: petite, yet strong and capable. Don’t kill me, watch nerds, but I prefer having the date on my watch!

One of the appeals of vintage watches is the curiosity about the history of the watch’s previous owner or owners. In the case of my Datejust, there is a sentimental engraving on the case back: “TO JERRY, / FROM IRIS / 40 YEARS / 2-25-90”. I wonder about who Jerry and Iris were. I wonder if Iris was buying it for her husband and accidentally got a 31mm instead of a larger 34mm or 36mm watch and that he didn’t wear it much as a result and that is why it remains unpolished! And the watch is from circa 1983 - was it already pre-owned when Iris purchased it? You can’t get these kinds of stories buying a new Rolex from a retailer.

When I got my first Rolex, I didn’t know as much about the history and development of the Oyster case. Wearing my Datejust each day, I have learned about Mercedes Gleitze and her Rolex Oyster as she crossed the English Channel nearly a century ago. It’s clear that the Rolex name is synonymous with rugged durability. When I did some research online to learn more about the Rolex Datejust reference 6824, I was shocked to not be able to find an unpolished example, most had overpolished bezels and ugly dials!

Now, it is cool to make my own stories with my Rolex Datejust, whether working at Wind Vintage, traveling to The Bahamas, or visiting my friends and family. This is why I love vintage watches and I am excited to share my passion with others.