Chip on the shoulder - Rolex Vrs Omega
Discussion
There does seem to be a predominant "conflict of interests" here and the two camps seem to be quite firmly Rolex and Omega!
I am just as guilty of it, and I stand myself firmly in the Omega camp, with my own bigoted "Second Hand Car Dealer" opinion of Rolex.
Now don't get me wrong, I actually like Rolex watches, just not the image i perceive of them.
Anyway, that’s not the reason for this post ...
i just thought that rather than each thread I read turning into a battle of the brands perhaps the Omega fans stand on the right, the Rolex fans on the left, and those that could not give a monkeys either way can go to the stalls and enjoy the ensuing battle.
Gentlemen, take your sides and forever hold your peace!!!
I am just as guilty of it, and I stand myself firmly in the Omega camp, with my own bigoted "Second Hand Car Dealer" opinion of Rolex.
Now don't get me wrong, I actually like Rolex watches, just not the image i perceive of them.
Anyway, that’s not the reason for this post ...
i just thought that rather than each thread I read turning into a battle of the brands perhaps the Omega fans stand on the right, the Rolex fans on the left, and those that could not give a monkeys either way can go to the stalls and enjoy the ensuing battle.
Gentlemen, take your sides and forever hold your peace!!!
It's a strange thing, branding and indeed the image people associate with watches. I suppose people buy watches for different reasons.
You could take a hundred people with Submariners and the reasons would range from "it's expensive and others will envy me" to "It's a good strong watch that I liked the look of".
As with Speedmaster Professionals, some like the NASA tie in perhaps to show the watches durability or even because they think it makes them somehow a bit like an astronaut themself. Perhaps they just like the look, who knows.
I like both watches and many other that I see as classic i.e they have been around in similar forms for many years. They also both have interesting history attached to them. I also like IWC Flieger type watches some older Zeniths, some Breitling Navitimers - in fact I see another thread emerging.
I usually don't sell on watches as I imagine my children or grandchildren wearing them, this helps me justify to myself and my wife the buying of them.
What we can all see is that for most, watches are a deeply personal thing as they are probably the only item of jewelry that a man wears. How often on this forum and before in the P and P do we see someone post a photo of their watch and others thinking and even saying it is disgusting?
I enjoy a bit of 'banter' as much as the next person but I hope this forum stays a bit above the Pie and Piston watch slander and one up man ship.
You could take a hundred people with Submariners and the reasons would range from "it's expensive and others will envy me" to "It's a good strong watch that I liked the look of".
As with Speedmaster Professionals, some like the NASA tie in perhaps to show the watches durability or even because they think it makes them somehow a bit like an astronaut themself. Perhaps they just like the look, who knows.
I like both watches and many other that I see as classic i.e they have been around in similar forms for many years. They also both have interesting history attached to them. I also like IWC Flieger type watches some older Zeniths, some Breitling Navitimers - in fact I see another thread emerging.
I usually don't sell on watches as I imagine my children or grandchildren wearing them, this helps me justify to myself and my wife the buying of them.
What we can all see is that for most, watches are a deeply personal thing as they are probably the only item of jewelry that a man wears. How often on this forum and before in the P and P do we see someone post a photo of their watch and others thinking and even saying it is disgusting?
I enjoy a bit of 'banter' as much as the next person but I hope this forum stays a bit above the Pie and Piston watch slander and one up man ship.
It is all a bit Ferrari /Porsche.......
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver (I actually chose mine as I understand to Omega movement is better. That is not to say I would not actually like a Rolex at some point).
Paneri = Lambo = we all want one at the end of the day
RUNS AND HIDES AS PIN HAS BEEN PULLED
BTW I don't mean the above...
Lets just all get along....so glad this forum is finally active
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver (I actually chose mine as I understand to Omega movement is better. That is not to say I would not actually like a Rolex at some point).
Paneri = Lambo = we all want one at the end of the day
RUNS AND HIDES AS PIN HAS BEEN PULLED
BTW I don't mean the above...
Lets just all get along....so glad this forum is finally activemy 2p - i think omega are very nice watches and would love to own one, but i *prefer* my sea dweller though and can't have both 
. i would have the omega over the submariner with date though as i don't like the look of the magnifying spot over the date.
at the end of the day (comes night
) *i* think it's down to personal preference.
. i would have the omega over the submariner with date though as i don't like the look of the magnifying spot over the date. at the end of the day (comes night
) *i* think it's down to personal preference.bermyandy said:
XJSJohn said:
Marki said:
Irish said:
It is all a bit Ferrari /Porsche.......
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
I would say its the other way around, Rolex dependable rugged durable
uhh ohh ... i hear gloves being taken off
Youve not heard of RMS then..
are we talking quadratic equations here??
bermyandy said:
XJSJohn said:
Marki said:
Irish said:
It is all a bit Ferrari /Porsche.......
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
I would say its the other way around, Rolex dependable rugged durable
uhh ohh ... i hear gloves being taken off
Youve not heard of RMS then..
Well my Submariner is from the 993 era so no
XJSJohn said:
Marki said:
Irish said:
It is all a bit Ferrari /Porsche.......
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
I would say its the other way around, Rolex dependable rugged durable
uhh ohh ... i hear gloves being taken off
...to be honest, Rolex is more akin to the Porsche and BMW brands - excellent, well engineered, reliable drivers cars, but both with significant image problems.
I have read these posts with great interest for a while now. Resisting the urge to put my own view in as it is just that, my own personal opinion. These watches are all great and have their own good/bad points.
I own a Sub date which I treated myself to last year for my 25th (Birthday). I love the watch and will keep it as like the rugged style and esp the date "bubble"! But I also look to get other watches as they all hold little moments of glory or stlye within them. A panerai is high on the list and TBH prob the next one over a speedmaster unless I find an early moon watch snoopy or special edition or the likes.
But with all of them I think its down to the person. Some people like BMW's some Porsche some even Ferrari but for me its got to be individual and reflects the person. Not because it cost X amount and I want people to think I'm a certain person. I got my car like the watch because its something I love and have wanted for years. Not saying its the best but for me for now I love it. The car will change and maybe a new watch will come but for now Im sitting on the fence on the watch part. But TVR's or anything British will always be close to my heart!
I own a Sub date which I treated myself to last year for my 25th (Birthday). I love the watch and will keep it as like the rugged style and esp the date "bubble"! But I also look to get other watches as they all hold little moments of glory or stlye within them. A panerai is high on the list and TBH prob the next one over a speedmaster unless I find an early moon watch snoopy or special edition or the likes.
But with all of them I think its down to the person. Some people like BMW's some Porsche some even Ferrari but for me its got to be individual and reflects the person. Not because it cost X amount and I want people to think I'm a certain person. I got my car like the watch because its something I love and have wanted for years. Not saying its the best but for me for now I love it. The car will change and maybe a new watch will come but for now Im sitting on the fence on the watch part. But TVR's or anything British will always be close to my heart!
Edited by goon1001 on Thursday 10th May 10:51
i think rolex is a bit more 'Jaguar' - classy and understated but looking a bit dated and more suited to the older generation........ (i DO like that 50th anniversary green bezel one though...perhaps thats the new XKR!)
seriously tho DOES IT MATTER? we all come on here to express and get other peoples opinions on subjects....
I bought a Tag Monaco 'Steve McQueen Edition' simply because its the coolest watch EVER....not bothered too much if it loses a second a week or whatever
(i DO like that 50th anniversary green bezel one though...perhaps thats the new XKR!) seriously tho DOES IT MATTER? we all come on here to express and get other peoples opinions on subjects....
I bought a Tag Monaco 'Steve McQueen Edition' simply because its the coolest watch EVER....not bothered too much if it loses a second a week or whatever
Marki said:
Irish said:
It is all a bit Ferrari /Porsche.......
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
I would say its the other way around, Rolex dependable rugged durable
Although no Rolex could even make it through all the tests for extreme conditions that NASA put the watches through. Ok, these tests were designed far beyond the usage a normal man could put the watch through, but thats the point. Anything that could survive the NASA tests could proudly wear the "dependable/Rugged/durable" badge with pride.
Every single Rolex tested flat out broke before the tests were even completed. Every single Omega tested not only continued to work, but passed the tests with flying colours and the watch was certified for use on the space program. Hell without an Omega moon watch the Apollo 13 crew would have never made it home. Lovell himself made that comment after they had to rely on the watch to time the critical LEM burn. This one event won Omega the prestigious "Snoopy Award" from NASA, the first (and I beleive only) issued to a company outside of the Aerospace industry.
Which would you say was the more dependable watch again, a make of watch that failed the toughest most stringent independant tests known to man, or the one that passed the tests in good enough condition to be worn as if nothing had happened to it?
ps. I dont dislike Rolex by any means (Love the Submariner), but it narks when they are pressumed to be "dependable and rugged" just because they look it. Simple fact is that as good as they are they are not made better than an Omega, the extreme use NASA tests clearly proved that many years ago.
Civpilot said:
Marki said:
Irish said:
It is all a bit Ferrari /Porsche.......
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
I would say its the other way around, Rolex dependable rugged durable
Although no Rolex could even make it through all the tests for extreme conditions that NASA put the watches through. Ok, these tests were designed far beyond the usage a normal man could put the watch through, but thats the point. Anything that could survive the NASA tests could proudly wear the "dependable/Rugged/durable" badge with pride.
Every single Rolex tested flat out broke before the tests were even completed. Every single Omega tested not only continued to work, but passed the tests with flying colours and the watch was certified for use on the space program. Hell without an Omega moon watch the Apollo 13 crew would have never made it home. Lovell himself made that comment after they had to rely on the watch to time the critical LEM burn. This one event won Omega the prestigious "Snoopy Award" from NASA, the first (and I beleive only) issued to a company outside of the Aerospace industry.
Which would you say was the more dependable watch again, a make of watch that failed the toughest most stringent independant tests known to man, or the one that passed the tests in good enough condition to be worn as if nothing had happened to it?
ps. I dont dislike Rolex by any means (Love the Submariner), but it narks when they are pressumed to be "dependable and rugged" just because they look it. Simple fact is that as good as they are they are not made better than an Omega, the extreme use NASA tests clearly proved that many years ago.
fair point and well made. i do think the omegas are amazingly well made watches (and look
too). i would love to own one (and may yet), but i would not sell the SD for it. i didn't go for the SD because it's a *better* watch than the omega, just because i liked it slightly more 16610LV said:
...to be honest, Rolex is more akin to the Porsche and BMW brands - excellent, well engineered, reliable drivers cars, but both with significant image problems.
"Wot he said". The image, marketing, pricing (price fixing, even) of the Rolex as an aspirational, quality product, with good resale values, while generally being of lower quality than the price (badge aside) would suggest, and the "look at me" aspect of the branded looks, seem to be a common feature among all three. Not to say that they were not quality products in the past, and all three companies are clearly very successful, but they are all trading on a reputation that their product no longer deserves.
Mercedes, too, though they are reported to be changing that. We shall see...
Civpilot said:
Marki said:
Irish said:
It is all a bit Ferrari /Porsche.......
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
I would say its the other way around, Rolex dependable rugged durable
Although no Rolex could even make it through all the tests for extreme conditions that NASA put the watches through...
Every single Omega tested not only continued to work, but passed the tests with flying colours and the watch was certified for use on the space program...
Which would you say was the more dependable watch again...
...errrr...put that same NASA certified Speedy 1000 feet under water and let's see what happens!
16610LV said:
Civpilot said:
Marki said:
Irish said:
It is all a bit Ferrari /Porsche.......
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
Rolex = Ferrari = poser
Omega = Porsche = driver
I would say its the other way around, Rolex dependable rugged durable
Although no Rolex could even make it through all the tests for extreme conditions that NASA put the watches through...
Every single Omega tested not only continued to work, but passed the tests with flying colours and the watch was certified for use on the space program...
Which would you say was the more dependable watch again...
...errrr...put that same NASA certified Speedy 1000 feet under water and let's see what happens!
Try and set the alarm on either of them and my casio wins
! Horses for courses - if I'm heading into space then I'll wear my Speedmaster, if I'm deep sea nitrogen diving then I'll try and remember to put my Sea-Dweller on. All other scenarios I'll pick the watch I fancy that day and be happy in the knowledge that I'm wearing a pretty decent watch with a bit of a story (and talking point) behind it! Hows that for sitting on the fence
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