Clarkson has a pop at Rolex

Clarkson has a pop at Rolex

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AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,696 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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"When did Rolexes become naff? There must have been a time when they were elegant and beautiful and worn by people with taste and discretion. But then one day they became the timepiece of choice for people called Steve. And now I think it’s fair to say the only thing in the world that’s worse than a fake Rolex is a real one.

I don’t doubt for a moment that they are well engineered and designed to survive a nuclear holocaust but you only ever see them sticking out from the cuff of a suit that’s a bit too shiny, wrapped round the tattooed wrist of an arm that’s a bit too thick. "

I know this has been done on here but I thought we might as well get the ball rolling again.

My view is that they are the 911 of the watch world. The 911 is a fabulous car. It is wonderfully engineered and will outperform most things in its price range and beyond. They can be bought by aficionados for their looks and capabilities.

Unfortunately they are also the default choice of the know-nothing, considerably richer than yow demographic. No passion for cars but want to make a statement? The 911 fits the bill.

037

1,317 posts

147 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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You sound fun!

AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,696 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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smile

NicD

3,281 posts

257 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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They were naff (to me) when I first had sufficient to buy one, so, an awful long time ago.

Slagathore

5,808 posts

192 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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They are the go to upmarket watch brand. One that would be recognised the world over. Maybe with Omega in 2nd and Tag and Breitling fighting it out for 3rd? They're certainly what dominate the high street chain stores over here.

Up there with Apple, Coca Cola, Mcdonalds etc for brand recognition.

If you want someone to know you spent a lot of money on a watch, buy a Rolex. That's what watches are to a lot of people, just a fashion accessory, like an expensive car. Or a statement piece.

They're a victim of their own success, as they say.















Doc Toad

490 posts

150 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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Jeremy who...?


turbobloke

103,863 posts

260 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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It's the Clarkson equivalent of a Russell Brand moment, though clearly Rolex watches aren't Made In Bangladesh. After infant school, possibly even earlier, people's choices really should be made independently of what others think. JC must have been writing for or about a small group of people in Generation FB who crave approval and 'likes' and submit to peer pressure with enthusiasm...and who can only afford not to have one watch. It's still silly though, just as silly as claims that people are defined by a car, not least as those with relatively expensive watches and cars will tend to have more than one watch and more than one car, possibly including a 911. The attempted definition fails. That said, by the same token, Clarkson should and presumably will ignore what anyone else thinks about his utterances, and continue to trouser as much as he can for writing anything that others will pay to publish, no matter how weak it is. Irony is like that.

Sump

5,484 posts

167 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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That's why I like Patek Philippe so much.

bigandclever

13,775 posts

238 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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21 June 2015
AstonZagato said:
My view is that they are the 911 of the watch world. The 911 is a fabulous car. It is wonderfully engineered and will outperform most things in its price range and beyond. They can be bought by aficionados for their looks and capabilities.
Unfortunately they are also the default choice of the know-nothing, considerably richer than yow demographic. No passion for cars but want to make a statement? The 911 fits the bill.
12 June 2013
AstonZagato said:
I have always regarded Rolex as being the Porsche 911 of watches. They are fabulous things, well engineered, great at what they do, lovely to look at (and unchanging in style), good residuals. Enthusiasts rightly like them.
However, they also happen to be the default choice for know-nothing cocks trying to impress and demonstrate that they are "considerably richer than yowww".
17 Aug 2011
AstonZagato said:
I have always thought of Rolex as the Porsche 911 of the watch world. Superb engineering, classic style, excellent performance - a top product of which to be proud. However, sadly - whilst bought by enthusiasts - they are also the default choice of a far wider group of know-nothing people with no passion other than to show off their wonga. If I look on the wrist of 75% of the investment bankers I know, they will have a Rolex. Rather spoils it for me.
You're consistent, I'll give you that laugh

AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,696 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
quotequote all
bigandclever said:
21 June 2015
AstonZagato said:
My view is that they are the 911 of the watch world. The 911 is a fabulous car. It is wonderfully engineered and will outperform most things in its price range and beyond. They can be bought by aficionados for their looks and capabilities.
Unfortunately they are also the default choice of the know-nothing, considerably richer than yow demographic. No passion for cars but want to make a statement? The 911 fits the bill.
12 June 2013
AstonZagato said:
I have always regarded Rolex as being the Porsche 911 of watches. They are fabulous things, well engineered, great at what they do, lovely to look at (and unchanging in style), good residuals. Enthusiasts rightly like them.
However, they also happen to be the default choice for know-nothing cocks trying to impress and demonstrate that they are "considerably richer than yowww".
17 Aug 2011
AstonZagato said:
I have always thought of Rolex as the Porsche 911 of the watch world. Superb engineering, classic style, excellent performance - a top product of which to be proud. However, sadly - whilst bought by enthusiasts - they are also the default choice of a far wider group of know-nothing people with no passion other than to show off their wonga. If I look on the wrist of 75% of the investment bankers I know, they will have a Rolex. Rather spoils it for me.
You're consistent, I'll give you that laugh
I am indeed. Good research. I'm sure that I'll say it again too.

Check back in two years time. It will be time to repeat it again.


Edited by AstonZagato on Sunday 21st June 11:44

Doc Toad

490 posts

150 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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AstonZagato said:
I am indeed. Good research. I'm sure that I'll say it again too.

Check back in two years time. It will be time to repeat it again.


Edited by AstonZagato on Sunday 21st June 11:44
Hmmm I sense a connection. Someone bought me a Clarkson book for xmas one year, turned out to be a collection of his columns from the ST. I read them again (he does make me giggle now and then) before realising that all he does is write the same four columns over and over with a few tweaks.

Has anyone seen AstonZagato and Jeremy Clarkson in the same room together?

HOGEPH

5,249 posts

186 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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IWC is a little more understated.

guards red

667 posts

200 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
quotequote all
AstonZagato said:
I am indeed. Good research. I'm sure that I'll say it again too.

Check back in two years time. It will be time to repeat it again.


Edited by AstonZagato on Sunday 21st June 11:44
I own an old 911 and a wear a crappy Tag Heuer Carrera that wouldn't stoop to pick up off the payment should you find it. I am, I suspect, no where near as rich as yoww. You're my hero, I wish I was you.

daytona365

1,773 posts

164 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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He's got a point. Gone the same way as Burberry, Gold jewelry and Range rovers/BMW's.

AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,696 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
quotequote all
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.

Vipers

32,866 posts

228 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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I have tattoos, wear a Sea Dweller, which I bought for my occupation, don't wear suits though, well not those type of suits biggrin

911's, give me a Volvo anyday.




smile

AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,696 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
quotequote all
Doc Toad said:
AstonZagato said:
I am indeed. Good research. I'm sure that I'll say it again too.

Check back in two years time. It will be time to repeat it again.


Edited by AstonZagato on Sunday 21st June 11:44
Hmmm I sense a connection. Someone bought me a Clarkson book for xmas one year, turned out to be a collection of his columns from the ST. I read them again (he does make me giggle now and then) before realising that all he does is write the same four columns over and over with a few tweaks.

Has anyone seen AstonZagato and Jeremy Clarkson in the same room together?
Funny you should say that but there are scary parallels. We are both the same sort of age. Both lived in Fulham at the same time. Both got married at the same sort of time. Both had kids at the same time. He's fatter than me.

Magic919

14,126 posts

201 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
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AstonZagato said:
I used to have a 911. They are excellent cars. 994 Carrera 2.
Hopefully your watch knowledge is better.

Sump

5,484 posts

167 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
quotequote all
Magic919 said:
AstonZagato said:
I used to have a 911. They are excellent cars. 994 Carrera 2.
Hopefully your watch knowledge is better.
rofl

bitchstewie

51,102 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st June 2015
quotequote all
I thought Clarkson wore Omega which now seem to be the preserve of any salesman who sets foot on our site?

Either way Clarkson writing something in an attempt to be provocative is hardly anything new is it?