Clarkson has a pop at Rolex
Discussion
Martin_M said:
Moving up the price range, I know that a lot of people love the submariner but again, for the money I just don't think they look all that special.
Which is precisely why I love mine. A SS Sub is a design classic and a nice quality tool watch.But that's because I'm an old git and therefore to an extent agree with the notion that Rolex of today is not the image of Rolex of yesterday, that I grew up with and the image of today is about the blinged up jewel encrusted 'hey look at me' want to make a statement brigade -
ash73 said:
I think they are a bit "Audi". When I see them on the wrist check thread they all look the same, which I can't understand as there are so many more interesting designs out there.
I like some of the Omegas though, ironically they seem to have more of a 90's Audi image (anyone remember the "not my style" Audi advert?).
I don't think pictures do any watch justice really. I like some of the Omegas though, ironically they seem to have more of a 90's Audi image (anyone remember the "not my style" Audi advert?).
ash73 said:
I think they are a bit "Audi". When I see them on the wrist check thread they all look the same, which I can't understand as there are so many more interesting designs out there.
I like some of the Omegas though, ironically they seem to have more of a 90's Audi image (anyone remember the "not my style" Audi advert?).
I get that completely. It's very rare to see some of the more different designs. They're either a big jump in price or they don't hold their value as well as the standard Sub/GMT/DJ/Exp. I like some of the Omegas though, ironically they seem to have more of a 90's Audi image (anyone remember the "not my style" Audi advert?).
It's funny I've gone off Omega as the years have gone on. Some of the older designs are stunning but the newer ranges don't do much for me. I'd like a Speedmaster at some point though.
AstonZagato said:
I used to have a 911. They are excellent cars. 994 Carrera 2. Loved it. Sold it when I left Germany. First car to take me beyond 150mph. Loved being thrashed - I'd try to vmax it every day on the autobahn.
I like TAG watches. Never owned one but I lusted after them when I was younger. So I would stoop to pick it up. In the end, the first serious watch I got was a Breitling which many people hate as a brand. In fact I'm wearing it now. It is my most treasured watch and would be the last to go mainly because it was a present from my wife for our first anniversary. But I still like the way it looks.
I hate TAG watches (because they are unreliable and look like poo) and I wouldn't be seen dead in a 911(because it would confirm that I'm a knob, which I obviously am) .......however there is a difference .....TAG's (mostly) have the beating heart of a crappy $40 movement were as 911"s have half decent engines......... unless you purchased a 996 then you have a high chance of the engine blowing up.......Rolex make great reliable movements and watches that hold their value well.....but they do sell more than 1m / year which is a bit off putting I like TAG watches. Never owned one but I lusted after them when I was younger. So I would stoop to pick it up. In the end, the first serious watch I got was a Breitling which many people hate as a brand. In fact I'm wearing it now. It is my most treasured watch and would be the last to go mainly because it was a present from my wife for our first anniversary. But I still like the way it looks.
My main concern with rolex is that every man and his dog has one. Then there is the fact that there are so many fakes about... and unless you get the opportunity to have a real close look, some of the fakes are convincing and degrade the value of all others.
I say that as a Breitling / Tag / Omega / Rolex owner. For me a watch needs to be pretty unique, for example its hard to convincingly fake a Monaco 24.
I say that as a Breitling / Tag / Omega / Rolex owner. For me a watch needs to be pretty unique, for example its hard to convincingly fake a Monaco 24.
GSP said:
My main concern with rolex is that every man and his dog has one. Then there is the fact that there are so many fakes about... and unless you get the opportunity to have a real close look, some of the fakes are convincing and degrade the value of all others.
I say that as a Breitling / Tag / Omega / Rolex owner. For me a watch needs to be pretty unique, for example its hard to convincingly fake a Monaco 24.
anybody who buys a fake is a fake ....they are worn only by complete tits .......you should never worry about buying a good watch (Tag and Breitling not included in good watches) because people might be wearing a fake version of it, because you know its real and that's all that matters I say that as a Breitling / Tag / Omega / Rolex owner. For me a watch needs to be pretty unique, for example its hard to convincingly fake a Monaco 24.
michael gould said:
[...] you should never worry about buying a good watch (modern Tag and modern Breitling not included in good watches) because people might be wearing a fake version of it, because you know its real and that's all that matters
Apart from the qualifiers in bold, agreed. Early TH were well built, decent movements and exceptionally good value for money at the time. Similarly, vintage Breitlings are very nice watches and well worth considering
Variomatic said:
michael gould said:
[...] you should never worry about buying a good watch (modern Tag and modern Breitling not included in good watches) because people might be wearing a fake version of it, because you know its real and that's all that matters
Apart from the qualifiers in bold, agreed. Early TH were well built, decent movements and exceptionally good value for money at the time. Similarly, vintage Breitlings are very nice watches and well worth considering
tigerkoi said:
As for the rest of this "debate"...then I can only add the following:
1) I think the whole cast of TOWIE wear a Rolex. Flicking through the telly channels, I admit to pausing on ITV2 if I see Jessica Wright or Chloe Lewis sashaying around in a new bikini, living it up on 'Marbs'. But as I do, I can't fail to notice that every single cast member seems to have walked into Fraser Hart in Lakeside Thurrock, maybe spent an average of 27 minutes and not looked at anything else except the Rolex cabinet.
TOWIE guy: "Yeah one of them mate. Cheers. Have ittttttt-aaaaa!"
Salesperson: 'Sorry sir, the chronograph or the Submariner?'
TOWIE guy: "Nahh mate, the one on the left. That one, yeah. Cheers. I'll take it now, don't worry about the box and that. Cheers."
They get given the watches.1) I think the whole cast of TOWIE wear a Rolex. Flicking through the telly channels, I admit to pausing on ITV2 if I see Jessica Wright or Chloe Lewis sashaying around in a new bikini, living it up on 'Marbs'. But as I do, I can't fail to notice that every single cast member seems to have walked into Fraser Hart in Lakeside Thurrock, maybe spent an average of 27 minutes and not looked at anything else except the Rolex cabinet.
TOWIE guy: "Yeah one of them mate. Cheers. Have ittttttt-aaaaa!"
Salesperson: 'Sorry sir, the chronograph or the Submariner?'
TOWIE guy: "Nahh mate, the one on the left. That one, yeah. Cheers. I'll take it now, don't worry about the box and that. Cheers."
NDA said:
I think they're a bit mass market and Clarkson, therefore, has a point - they're the standard aspirational watch. Bit like a 911. Great bit of kit, but somehow not very 'original'.
I realise this will be a deeply unpopular view amongst Rolex owners.
I am an owner and completely agree with the view too. I have a white-faced Explorer II, purely because it doesn't shout Rolex. I'd like a GMT and/or Sea-Dweller, but I'm not sure if I would actually buy either of those because of that view. I should add, I would only be looking at early 2000s watches as I dislike the later ones. Nothing from their current range interests me really. I realise this will be a deeply unpopular view amongst Rolex owners.
The only watches that would really interest me are the modern versions of what I have previously mentioned (bar the Explorer II, as the modern one is too large IMO), but removing my lack of desire for the modern design, they are just too damned expensive. I know it's difficult to justify cost when you do have 'expensive' watches, but £6900 for the Sea-Dweller 4000 is too much for a 3-handed sports watch.
Edited by LukeBird on Monday 22 June 19:54
AstonZagato said:
What constitutes modern? My Breitling is almost 25 years old.
That's kind of difficult because it's been a steady slide towards inflated pricing and reduced costs rather than a step change. Personally I'd be reasonably happy with anything from either brand up to around the late '90s but others might set the line earlier or later.tumble dryer said:
tigerkoi said:
...Clarkson is famously acerbic. Doesn't mean his observations are wrong. Merely that the person who couldn't care less for knowing what's what between a 5512, a DeepSea and the Red Sea, but wants what they perceive to be the brand is ripe for poking fun at. And cars, watches, stamps...well it's perfect ground for the culture clash between those who "think" they are genuine enthusiasts and the image victim.
I wish I'd written that.Right on the button on so many levels.
Edited by tumble dryer on Sunday 21st June 23:38
I'm not sure if it's just a consequence of the sheer global scale of the brand, or that there are aspects of the product(s) and brand that just drive an animated division between the lovers & the haters, but there's nothing quite like Rolex "politics" in the watch world. Maybe in luxury brands full stop?
Variomatic said:
michael gould said:
[...] you should never worry about buying a good watch (modern Tag and modern Breitling not included in good watches) because people might be wearing a fake version of it, because you know its real and that's all that matters
Apart from the qualifiers in bold, agreed. Early TH were well built, decent movements and exceptionally good value for money at the time. Similarly, vintage Breitlings are very nice watches and well worth considering
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