Rolexes.. is it just me?
Discussion
More and more I see people in sports and exotic cars, sporting a Rolex and posting videos of 'watch rolls' or photos of their watch and the badge on the steering wheel.. Cringiness aside, most of them tend to be Rolexes, the typical status symbol. Everyone I know with a bit of money flocks to them as almost a rite of passage to having made it. Some of these people are about as much 'watch people' as they are 'car people' in that beyond posing in photos with it, they aren't the type to go for a blat in their pride and joy, get it dirty, take it to the track or drive it any more to the odd coffee meet.
But I seem to be the only person that really doesn't like Rolexes
Genuine question for the people out there that have one or many - do you buy them because you actually like the pieces? Is it the quality / prestige? Or is it more of a flex? Or simply a place to part some cash without fear of the residuals (compared to other brands).
Wierder still, I do love Hublots and Tags despite being cheaper, lower quality etc etc. But they just do it for me. And the odd Rec watch that satisfies my inner car nerd
But I seem to be the only person that really doesn't like Rolexes
Genuine question for the people out there that have one or many - do you buy them because you actually like the pieces? Is it the quality / prestige? Or is it more of a flex? Or simply a place to part some cash without fear of the residuals (compared to other brands).
Wierder still, I do love Hublots and Tags despite being cheaper, lower quality etc etc. But they just do it for me. And the odd Rec watch that satisfies my inner car nerd
thejaywills said:
But I seem to be the only person that really doesn't like Rolexes
I do not get any mechanical watch, in my autistic head a watch tells the time, it should be accurate, all Mechanical watches are woefully inaccurate compared to something connected to a time server, they are like buying a sports car and never going WOT...First of all, Rolex make very good watches and they have a good horological history behind them so I can understand the love. They are often seen more as a status symbol. Something people to aspire to and celebrate milestones by purchasing.
Now, all that said, I'm a watch lover but I really don't like Rolex. They are mass produced watches with good high quality movements but they are a masterclass of marketing. I can honestly say there is only one Rolex I like the design of and that's the standard no date black sub. Even then I'd choose a Seamaster over it as it has arguably the better movement, you can walk into a shop and buy one and it's cheaper. If I were spending more on a dive watch it would the new smaller 50 fathoms or possibly the SeaQ.
I don't understand how the AD's can make you buy watches you don't like, just for the possible chance, if they like you, to get a model you do want later down the line. They are taking the absolute mick out of their own customers. It's not a rare F.P. Journe or high end Lange.
But for me, my biggest gripe is more simple than that. I really don't like their designs. The Daytona is ugly with those screw down pushers and odd looking bordered sub dials. The Explorer is boring and doesn't appeal. The day date and date just are awful to my eyes. Jubilee bracelets, cyclops date windows, fluted bezels... no thank you.
I think image is a major problem with them too. If you look rich and have a Rolex, I'd rightfully or wrongfully assume you had no interest in watches and just wanted to flex with the logo. If you don't look rich, I'd assume, again rightfully or wrongfully, that it's a fake.
Other than that, go buy a Rolex. If you are allowed to buy one
Now, all that said, I'm a watch lover but I really don't like Rolex. They are mass produced watches with good high quality movements but they are a masterclass of marketing. I can honestly say there is only one Rolex I like the design of and that's the standard no date black sub. Even then I'd choose a Seamaster over it as it has arguably the better movement, you can walk into a shop and buy one and it's cheaper. If I were spending more on a dive watch it would the new smaller 50 fathoms or possibly the SeaQ.
I don't understand how the AD's can make you buy watches you don't like, just for the possible chance, if they like you, to get a model you do want later down the line. They are taking the absolute mick out of their own customers. It's not a rare F.P. Journe or high end Lange.
But for me, my biggest gripe is more simple than that. I really don't like their designs. The Daytona is ugly with those screw down pushers and odd looking bordered sub dials. The Explorer is boring and doesn't appeal. The day date and date just are awful to my eyes. Jubilee bracelets, cyclops date windows, fluted bezels... no thank you.
I think image is a major problem with them too. If you look rich and have a Rolex, I'd rightfully or wrongfully assume you had no interest in watches and just wanted to flex with the logo. If you don't look rich, I'd assume, again rightfully or wrongfully, that it's a fake.
Other than that, go buy a Rolex. If you are allowed to buy one
Dave Hedgehog said:
I do not get any mechanical watch, in my autistic head a watch tells the time, it should be accurate, all Mechanical watches are woefully inaccurate compared to something connected to a time server, they are like buying a sports car and never going WOT...
More like buying an old classic sports car rather thsn a modern one.Yes, it is fundamentally worse at everything, but that's not the metric by which you choose it.
Dave Hedgehog said:
thejaywills said:
But I seem to be the only person that really doesn't like Rolexes
I do not get any mechanical watch, in my autistic head a watch tells the time, it should be accurate, all Mechanical watches are woefully inaccurate compared to something connected to a time server, they are like buying a sports car and never going WOT...Dave Hedgehog said:
I do not get any mechanical watch, in my autistic head a watch tells the time, it should be accurate, all Mechanical watches are woefully inaccurate compared to something connected to a time server, they are like buying a sports car and never going WOT...
More like buying a V8 engined car rather than a Tesla.You men something like this?
I love cars and equally love watches.
I prefer the old stuff over modern cars.
Only have one Rolex in my modest collection of watches, which is the one in the pic above. I bought it mainly for the historical significance of the model line and it's PanAm/aviation links. It wasn't purchased for 'The Gram' or any other social media platform. I totally understand your point though and it irks me when I see a steel sports or Gold Rolex snapped with a Merc/Ferrari/Bentley/Rolls Royce etc posted on Instagram or Facebook.
Unfortunately these products are available to the masses (with means) and not just enthusiasts, so there will always be some sort of flash show off stuff going on. I guess it's been that way since high end cars and watches became luxury/status symbols. Just that back in the day there wasn't any social media around to capture it. Was all going on then too.
I think Rolex is one of those brands that anyone can recognise whether they are into watches or not. It is seen as a status symbol to many. Probably the biggest reason why non enthusiasts buy them to 'give it the large'.
Edited by JAGS on Thursday 25th September 17:08
Edited by JAGS on Thursday 25th September 17:13
The vast majority of Rolex watches look awful to me, some of them grotesquely so. Although a few look bloody lovely... I have a white faced Explorer 2, but actually prefer the look of the black face Explorer 1. Also love the Airking, GMT Master 2 Pepsi (especially on Jubilee strap) and the JC Deep Sea that I am supposedly waiting for.
This type of Rolex that a typical Championship footballer wears makes me want to puke!!
This type of Rolex that a typical Championship footballer wears makes me want to puke!!
I've been keen on a Rolex for some time, but the more I've got into watches recently, the more I've been put off.
I could have bought an entry level Rolex for around £12-£13k this summer, but opted for a couple of Tags, a Breitling, an Omega and a couple of G-Shocks instead. So now I have a nice selection to choose from and won't get accused of wearing a fake watch all the time, nor am I worried about wearing them out in London for fear of getting stabbed.
Spending an hour reading the Rolex bubble thread on here also did the trick...
I could have bought an entry level Rolex for around £12-£13k this summer, but opted for a couple of Tags, a Breitling, an Omega and a couple of G-Shocks instead. So now I have a nice selection to choose from and won't get accused of wearing a fake watch all the time, nor am I worried about wearing them out in London for fear of getting stabbed.
Spending an hour reading the Rolex bubble thread on here also did the trick...
Dave Hedgehog said:
I do not get any mechanical watch, in my autistic head a watch tells the time, it should be accurate, all Mechanical watches are woefully inaccurate compared to something connected to a time server, they are like buying a sports car and never going WOT...
I like mechanical and quartz. Mechanical because I think it's jolly clever that you can tell the time pretty darned accurately using springs and gears and levers and so on. A few years back I did some work for Alfred Dunhill and was surprised at the range of expensive (but not ludicrously so) goods such as suits and watches. The managers there were irritated that most people (like me) thought of them as a cigarette company. I asked why they didn't publicise their range of watches ETC more. But apparently the fact that most people hadn't heard of them was exactly the appeal for those who had.
Tony1963 said:
It really REALLY doesn t matter what you re into or what it costs, as long as it s legal and doesn t hurt anyone.
Why anyone would watch videos of men showing off their cars and watches is beyond me.
You'd have loved the late Max Mosley. His home videos were legal and without hurting, but not cars or watches...more underground scenes with commentary in ze German accent. Why anyone would watch videos of men showing off their cars and watches is beyond me.
Most Rolexes sit too bulky for my tastes. Also I prefer watches where I can admire the movement.
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