Life with Rolex

[wristclock]

Nice write up, I would love to own a sub but like you say they are waaaay to expensive. If they were in the 3500 range I would already have one but 5k for a decent used piece is too much for me and forget 8k that's nutz. I really dispize how snooty the brand has become, not bashing the owners but the boutiques and jewelry stores they are in disgust me, the sales staff know zero about watches and act annoyed if you ask a question. Strangely enough I am treated remarkably better in ultra high end watch boutiques where I would never be able to afford a Patek or Lang but the sales staff are very friendly.....go figure.

[cestommek]

I think that Rolex (and other swiss brands) is overpriced.
there are many brands in the 500$-1500$ range with real tool divers.Swiss, Japan and German, for example; Certina,ORIS, Sinn,Seiko, Helson, Nivrel...

[cestommek]

Now, these Rolexes were from back when the Sub was a tool watch used by professional divers and military, and not the fashion watch it has become today. It had faults but overall my experience with these watches was good - they served me well. But this is not a perfect watch by any means and if I was buying today would not be my watch of choice, mainly because of the inflated price but also because the watch does have real world problems that Rolex has not addressed as they should when you consider the price.

...

And now the main drawback to attempting to own a Rolex Sub - the price. Everything about the watch costs too much. Why else would the Navy have dropped the watch as they did? The stainless steel Sub should not cost over $2,000 max - in my opinion, any watch that costs the $6,000 to $7,000+ that a new Rolex does better be made of solid gold or have diamonds on it or something! I mean, let's face it - the only reason a Rolex commands these prices is because of all the drug dealers and hot tub commandos that over the years have turned what was once considered the ultimate tool watch into a fashion accessory.

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I agree friend
Regards

[Doctorsti]

Take it with a grain of salt but as a 2 year owner of a ceramic Sub 116610 I can say compared to the, at minimum, 100 other watches from $50-5,000 I've had I feel it's well worth the price of admission. I have worn my Sub for pretty much anything and everything, no bezel popping off, no stoppages, and only daily adjustments to the glidelock to keep it fitting better then any other watch I own. At -1 second a week I certainly won't complain about it's accuracy. I've had a bunch of Sinn's and they make a great watch no doubt but for as much as I liked them the bead blasted finish (not easily touched up) or the sub-par bracelet clasp are two areas I was at odds with. Don't get me wrong I love them Sinn's and I will probably own another in a year or two but if they somehow could change their bracelet clasp to something closer to the rubber strap deployment clasp they have I would be ordering one new (only if it microadjusts).



To prove Rolex does some engineering this thing had to take a few hours of an engineers time, at least!

[DaBaeker]

I think you got the best out of rolex if you ownedone in the 60s and 70s. I'm a vinage guy and though I did buy a new PO2500 for 2k it is the only new dive/dress watch I ever threw down for. I can't say I am eager to own another new Omega or Rolex (for many of the reasons stated) but my '63 GMT I hope to never part with.

[pinkybrain]

In today's dollars, your 1972 Rolex would cost approximately $2,000. Lets just stop and think about that for a moment.

[streetracer101]

The notion that a Rolex is commonplace is nonsense. Aside from the one in my watch box, I've probably only seen 2-3 in the wild over the past 5 years. I agree that Rolex is a bit of a status symbol, but that's only because it is a recognizable brand with a name/trademark that is easily recognized by the public as being both valuable and "exclusive". The sub is easily the most iconic/replicated watch in the world. That is because it is versatile, comfortable and timeless. Is it a bit plain, simple and subdued?..absolutely, but that's part of the appeal.
One of the biggest draws of a Rolex is that that company will be around 50 years from now, and parts will be available. Also, if you ever want it to look new, RSC can probably make that happen. Additionally, while the current MSRP's do suck, they have done a lot to assist current owners by increasing their inherent value. For example, my preowned 14060 cost more 5-10 years after it was made then what it originally sold for. How many other brands do you know of where used watches commonly fetch more then they initially sold for 5-10 years later?
As for the notion that other cheaper watches are higher quality..I'd 100% agree. As with any consumable good, there will always be someone making something of higher quality for less. However, the true question is how do these items stand the test of time? Do they dwindle in value and function or do they maintain their value or increase in value? There are many brands that have excellent quality, but many questions remain about their overall value and staying power years down the road.
Last, while Sinn makes terrific watches, a comparison between a Rolex and Sinn is apples to oranges. Sinn bezels are notoriously sloppy/plasticy, they have vulnerable AR coatings, and they have nowhere near the level of finishing/refinement or accuracy of a Rolex. Are they bad to the bone? Of course. But they fill a totally different niche.

[angst]

Rolex hasn't had much luck with bezels or watchbands over the years either. One niche I do like having filled is the one where the watch comes home with the bezel still on it, instead of in your pocket, and that has been a real problem with a Rolex for me. Not imagined, not possible, but been there did that actually happened. And not just once, either. Same with the watchband clasp opening abruptly on its own on me. I never actually lost the watch, but came way too close a couple of times.

As far as company longevity and quality and availiability of repair and restoration I feel Seiko has proven itself over time, yet at prices that most people can still afford. I still like Rolex Subs, as I have said before, but just don't feel they are worth a starting price at $6,000 - $7,000 in stainless.

As far as a feature of the watch being to increase its resale value to more than what you spent on it, that concept is alien to me as I buy a watch to wear. If it does what it is supposed to do and holds up to the demands I place on it, then the last thing I plan on doing is selling it just because I can get more money than I paid for it. The only time resale value or new cost comes into it is if I manage to lose or destroy my watch and I have to get a new one. Then, that can actually pose a problem because if the value has gone up too much it prices me out of replacing it with the same watch.

Maybe it's my peasant mentality, or just the fact I want a watch to use and not reflect my financial worth. Rolex never used to be about money and now it is, but as far as I'm concerned I won't be joining the club as long as there is Seiko, and Sinn, and others making good stuff that is affordable.

[jackruff]

Does every thread have to be a Rolex bashing... if you don't like it, or can't or don't want to afford one, move on and let it go.........( yer OK I should have posted this on the numerous other threads that were not about Rolex but somehow ended there...mmmm may be something in that!!??!!??)

[FredBMOC]

0.2 cents worth from a new guy:
I personally bought a GMT II Ceramic 3 years or so ago; I think the watch is beautiful and still have it in my watch box but wear it very rarely. I wore it today and wondered Why I don't wear the Rolex more often but I simply can't find the reason other than I think the watch has a certain "image" attached to it and it may not be the one I am trying to project? Someday I'll hire a shrink to examine this more in depth

Regarding the comment about Rolexes being rare to see in the wild, I would respectfully have to disagree, at least in my neck of the woods and in my industry I see lots of people wearing Rolexes.

Thanks to the OP for sharing his Rolex story, it was entertaining to read it.