Life with Rolex

[ApacheDriver]

From a guy who has been collecting watches for about 15 years, I'm still torn by the "Rolex thing". Beautifully finished watches? Without question. Well made? Certainly. Hold their value? Check. The best watches in the world? That's where things get fuzzy.

I will undoubtedly keep coming back to Rolex now and again, consider one, then buy something else. I just can't get past the fact that if you took "Rolex" off the dial (and apparently every other surface of the watch these days....), would I pay $8500.00 for a steel watch with a good Swiss automatic movement? No. With that said, I do struggle with the same question for a $2000 watch. What's in a brand? What is status? Do you want to know that what's on your wrist is the best thing in its category in the world? Or, do you need others to know(or think) that what's on your wrist is the best? When you ask someone who knows nothing about watches what the best watch in the world is, they will, 9 times out of 10, say "Rolex". When you ask a master watchmaker the same question, opinions vary widely. Whose opinion would you put more stock in?

Apologies for the stream of consciousness style, but it's always interesting to kick this question around again. I've owned three so far: Sea-Dweller, DeepSea, and a no-date Sub from a while back. Enjoyed them all, sold them all. The fact that it said "Rolex" on the dial was never enough to keep them interesting to me.

Final thought: Why is there such a deep coolness chasm between Sean Connery (or Jacques Cousteau) wearing a Sub in the 60s and a fat guy at the blackjack table in Vegas today?

[streetracer101]

As far as Rolex being a status symbol is concerned - its a dynamic dilemma. The only time anyone has made a comment about my Rolex was to ask me if it was real. Other then that, in the 3 months I've had it nobody has ever said anything. However, if you were to ask a non-wis what is one of the most luxurious watch makers, Rolex would likely be the brand they conjure up. The reality is that most people (WIS aside) don't care about watches or even look at what's on the wrist. Hell, even the wealthy doctor or engineer with one Rolex probably won't notice someone else's unless they are a WIS.
The fact that the op had the bezel pop off..well we all wear our watches differently. I never have experienced this, nor have I ever managed to royally ding any watch. In fact, it blows my mind when I look at the FS section and see how mangled some people manage to make their watches..I don't get it. Having said that, I work in a hospital and when I am doing more rigorous activity, I usually have something like a Sinn, Luminox or G shock on because I'd rather damage a cheaper watch then a more expensive one.
One last thought about value - I would love to be able to buy a watch and not worry about its resale. However when you become a watch flipper as I am, it is always in the back of your mind. That's also the reason why I almost never buy new. I don't like to take a massive hit when I decide to sell a couple months or years down the road. My sub was in the low 4's price-wise...expensive as hell, but it is also the only watch that I have owned for more then a couple months and the thought I selling it has never crossed my mind. I agree that a new Rolex will easily set you back 8k or more but it is possible to find really good deals on just about every brand of watch used including Rolex.

[mikelb]

I have a 1981 Rolex gmt. I bought it because a Tudor I had just purchased had been returned for service to often. So with a real case of stupid I put the money (+ some) on the Rolex. Trying to look back and read my own mind as to why I did that. Frankly, I don't know. The first time I wore it to work I got in a resistance and scratched the crystal. Second tim:e I wore it I grab a friend and it fell off my wrist. Then I was at a friends house and it fell off again and his step daughter tried to stomp on it. I know that if I keep it I will need to have some serious service work done and a new band The question for me is: Will it be worth the cost to fix it? I live in bfe Arizona and no one cares what kind of watch it is; I 'have critters and apparently they don't care either. I would only consider a Rolex again if I were much younger and only if I could afford a DSSD and only if I lived where I could show it off and someone actually knew what it was... OR NOT. There are really great watches to be had including Rolex. In the end the you buy and wear what you want for your own edification. I will add that in the time I have had this watch I would not have worn it more than than two total months. I do believe that for the most part we, as watch lovers, only purchase what we like for our own enjoyment. Took me about 35 years to figure that out.

[pinkybrain]

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.

Not here to bash Rolex. I have no experience with the brand. That said, I commute on the MTA into Manhattan, on the next stop after Greenwich. I see A LOT of Rolexes. Every day. Different types. There are, in fact, corners of this planet where Rolexes are quite common.

[DuDro]

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 with you but I need to question how one can live in Las Vegas and only spot a few Rollies "in the wild" over the past 5-years?!?

[PatagoniaDan]

I like Rolex - and being so I also notice it on other people's wrists. I would have to strongly disagree here. A casual stroll at our local mall typically yields 5+ sightings. I am certainly not questioning your statement since it is your personal experience, but in the past five years I've seen a LOT of rolexes - and this is in Georgia of all places. When I was in Vegas last July I stayed at the Venetian and spent a good bit of time at the Rio and it seemed like every other person had one. They are a great watch but FAR from rare.

And regardless of how many we all think we see in the wild, the production and sales numbers are what they are. No one can argue that they are not mass produced.

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.

[ChrisGalbraith76]

I too, have enjoyed the OP's post.

I like the sub very very much. But it is not the 'be all, end all' in the world of tool watches.

Purely from a tool watch point of view, Seiko has been kicking ass since the 60's in this department (look up Seiko 6215 300m diver's) and for a price that has not seen competition from its swiss counterparts. It's only a matter of choice going in the swiss direction - let alone a rolex - when one's after a reliable tool watch, especially nowadays.

And now that you've mentioned Sinn, if you do not have anything against japanese watches, I'd suggest you look into the JDM (Japan Domestic Market) Seiko PROSPEX line before wasting time (and money) on a Sinn.

Don't get me wrong....I like some of the Sinn diver's models, too. But, again, from a tool watch point of view, Seiko would still be my number 1 choice when it comes to cost effectiveness allied to ruggedness. That is my personal oppinion.

[cdnwatchguy]

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!!??!!??)

I don't see the OPs post as bashing. It seems like a well thought out reasoned write up. You may agree or disagree with his sentiments but it is a well articulated argument. And, before you jump to conclusions, I currently have 3 Rolex in my collection.

[wristclock]

I agree with you but I need to question how one can live in Las Vegas and only spot a few Rollies "in the wild" over the past 5-years?!?

I w thinking the exact same thing. I live in San Diego and have traveled a lot of places around the US and Rolex is the lux watch I see the most of along with tag and Omega. They are everywhere, they definitely seem to be the default lux watch and for a good reason they are a pretty great watch that covers most of the bases except dress watches where the Celini falls short.

[streetracer101]

I agree with you but I need to question how one can live in Las Vegas and only spot a few Rollies "in the wild" over the past 5-years?!?

I've lived in Vegas 2 weeks. I am military, so I am generally only around G's and Seikos. Prior to that I lived deep in Texas, where people are more concerned with trucks and cowboy hats then watches. It's funny to me that everyone assumes that if you live in Vegas, you automatically gamble and hang with the sharks. Contrary to this belief, I haven't met many people that ever even go to Paradise, NV. Believe it or not, there is more in Vegas then neon lights, gambling and strippers..some of us have to work legitimate jobs.