Discussion
HereBeMonsters said:
I was setting the date on my Sottomarino on the train this morning, and the chap next to me non-casually flicked his wrist to show off his black Rolex Sub. Which had a ticking second hand. Have they started making quartz watches recently? 
They've been making quartz watches for ages, but I don't think they make a quartz Sub, could it have been a fake?However, as apparently I am not a "serious" watch collector, having never owned a Rolex, I probably don't know.
On the volume topic, the COSC numbers are not a complete guide, e.g. I don't think the Cellini range are COSC certified.
tertius said:
HereBeMonsters said:
I was setting the date on my Sottomarino on the train this morning, and the chap next to me non-casually flicked his wrist to show off his black Rolex Sub. Which had a ticking second hand. Have they started making quartz watches recently?
They've been making quartz watches for ages, but I don't think they make a quartz Sub, could it have been a fake?However, as apparently I am not a "serious" watch collector, having never owned a Rolex, I probably don't know.
On the volume topic, the COSC numbers are not a complete guide, e.g. I don't think the Cellini range are COSC certified.
But now they don't make any quartz models.
And the sub have NEVER been quartz, that was a definite fake
hilly10 said:
The only reason I own a Rolex is its a Sub and its the most comfortable well made watch ot there., and I love the classic design.
Can you sort your profile picture out please Paul? I got a crick in my neck trying to work out whether you were driving that car you'd driven in nose first off a bridge.I remember, as child, when Rolex was a revered brand, worn by the cognoscenti, and a notable event if you saw someone wearing one - history, innovation, status. When I did my pilot training, some of airlines used to provide their flight crew with Rolex watches and this was seen as the essence of prestige.
That started to change in the '80s when new money and status symbols ruled, and they became more mainstream, and this has progressed through to the present, where they are so common place that they no longer carry any real exclusivity, unless you want to pay absurd amounts for extravagant precious metal variants - and even then who knows if it's genuine or fake?
,
All of which is a shame, because there is still a hint of magic in the Rolex name, but you could say the same for BMW, Mercedes, and countless other brands. Commercial success is ultimately more important than exclusivity.
That started to change in the '80s when new money and status symbols ruled, and they became more mainstream, and this has progressed through to the present, where they are so common place that they no longer carry any real exclusivity, unless you want to pay absurd amounts for extravagant precious metal variants - and even then who knows if it's genuine or fake?
,
All of which is a shame, because there is still a hint of magic in the Rolex name, but you could say the same for BMW, Mercedes, and countless other brands. Commercial success is ultimately more important than exclusivity.
I doubt Rolex care if watch enthusiasts think the brand is the kind of think they want to be associated with.
Most of their sales are in China and Russia where people want things that are well known to be expensive. That's what Rolex does well, makes watches that everyone recognises as costing a lot.
Great for Rolex, all they need to do is keep ramping up the price and the demand keeps increasing. You can imagine their Marketing people deciding that they want to make their watches appear to be more exclusive. No need to develop new movements or some complications just put the price up.
Most of their sales are in China and Russia where people want things that are well known to be expensive. That's what Rolex does well, makes watches that everyone recognises as costing a lot.
Great for Rolex, all they need to do is keep ramping up the price and the demand keeps increasing. You can imagine their Marketing people deciding that they want to make their watches appear to be more exclusive. No need to develop new movements or some complications just put the price up.
Geneve said:
I remember, as child, when Rolex was a revered brand, worn by the cognoscenti, and a notable event if you saw someone wearing one - history, innovation, status. When I did my pilot training, some of airlines used to provide their flight crew with Rolex watches and this was seen as the essence of prestige.
That started to change in the '80s when new money and status symbols ruled, and they became more mainstream, and this has progressed through to the present, where they are so common place that they no longer carry any real exclusivity, unless you want to pay absurd amounts for extravagant precious metal variants - and even then who knows if it's genuine or fake?
,
All of which is a shame, because there is still a hint of magic in the Rolex name, but you could say the same for BMW, Mercedes, and countless other brands. Commercial success is ultimately more important than exclusivity.
In spite of owning a few Rolexes. I do say, I have to agree.That started to change in the '80s when new money and status symbols ruled, and they became more mainstream, and this has progressed through to the present, where they are so common place that they no longer carry any real exclusivity, unless you want to pay absurd amounts for extravagant precious metal variants - and even then who knows if it's genuine or fake?
,
All of which is a shame, because there is still a hint of magic in the Rolex name, but you could say the same for BMW, Mercedes, and countless other brands. Commercial success is ultimately more important than exclusivity.
Geneve said:
I remember, as child, when Rolex was a revered brand, worn by the cognoscenti, and a notable event if you saw someone wearing one - history, innovation, status. When I did my pilot training, some of airlines used to provide their flight crew with Rolex watches and this was seen as the essence of prestige.
That started to change in the '80s when new money and status symbols ruled, and they became more mainstream, and this has progressed through to the present, where they are so common place that they no longer carry any real exclusivity, unless you want to pay absurd amounts for extravagant precious metal variants - and even then who knows if it's genuine or fake?
,
All of which is a shame, because there is still a hint of magic in the Rolex name, but you could say the same for BMW, Mercedes, and countless other brands. Commercial success is ultimately more important than exclusivity.
couldn't agree more.......wise wordsThat started to change in the '80s when new money and status symbols ruled, and they became more mainstream, and this has progressed through to the present, where they are so common place that they no longer carry any real exclusivity, unless you want to pay absurd amounts for extravagant precious metal variants - and even then who knows if it's genuine or fake?
,
All of which is a shame, because there is still a hint of magic in the Rolex name, but you could say the same for BMW, Mercedes, and countless other brands. Commercial success is ultimately more important than exclusivity.
This morning on a long, boring drive my mind started to wonder and I pondered this question. And I think I've come up with an analogy which probably makes little sense.
It could be long winded, so if you're not interested, ignore this post
I have a best friend. Let's call him Alec. We met in childhood and instantly struck up a friendship. To this day we're best friends although we very rarely see him. However, when we do see each other it's like no time has passed at all. It's a very comfortable feeling.
However, Alec is not loved by all, which I can understand. He is a bigoted snob, but I don't care. He's my best mate and it doesn't matter to me.
He is the Rolex in this analogy. Despised by some and loved by others.
When I tried a Daytona, I just knew that I had to have one, so I eventually did. And though I rarely wear it (mainly due to the lack of a date complication), every time I do it has that comfortable, unassuming feeling of meeting an old friend.
I think it sounded better in my sleep-deprived head this morning!
It could be long winded, so if you're not interested, ignore this post
I have a best friend. Let's call him Alec. We met in childhood and instantly struck up a friendship. To this day we're best friends although we very rarely see him. However, when we do see each other it's like no time has passed at all. It's a very comfortable feeling.
However, Alec is not loved by all, which I can understand. He is a bigoted snob, but I don't care. He's my best mate and it doesn't matter to me.
He is the Rolex in this analogy. Despised by some and loved by others.
When I tried a Daytona, I just knew that I had to have one, so I eventually did. And though I rarely wear it (mainly due to the lack of a date complication), every time I do it has that comfortable, unassuming feeling of meeting an old friend.
I think it sounded better in my sleep-deprived head this morning!
EwingJR said:
This morning on a long, boring drive my mind started to wonder and I pondered this question. And I think I've come up with an analogy which probably makes little sense.
It could be long winded, so if you're not interested, ignore this post
I have a best friend. Let's call him Alec. We met in childhood and instantly struck up a friendship. To this day we're best friends although we very rarely see him. However, when we do see each other it's like no time has passed at all. It's a very comfortable feeling.
However, Alec is not loved by all, which I can understand. He is a bigoted snob, but I don't care. He's my best mate and it doesn't matter to me.
He is the Rolex in this analogy. Despised by some and loved by others.
When I tried a Daytona, I just knew that I had to have one, so I eventually did. And though I rarely wear it (mainly due to the lack of a date complication), every time I do it has that comfortable, unassuming feeling of meeting an old friend.
I think it sounded better in my sleep-deprived head this morning!
There's nothing like a good analogy. And that is nothing like a good analogy. It could be long winded, so if you're not interested, ignore this post
I have a best friend. Let's call him Alec. We met in childhood and instantly struck up a friendship. To this day we're best friends although we very rarely see him. However, when we do see each other it's like no time has passed at all. It's a very comfortable feeling.
However, Alec is not loved by all, which I can understand. He is a bigoted snob, but I don't care. He's my best mate and it doesn't matter to me.
He is the Rolex in this analogy. Despised by some and loved by others.
When I tried a Daytona, I just knew that I had to have one, so I eventually did. And though I rarely wear it (mainly due to the lack of a date complication), every time I do it has that comfortable, unassuming feeling of meeting an old friend.
I think it sounded better in my sleep-deprived head this morning!
Perec said:
There's nothing like a good analogy. And that is nothing like a good analogy.
Well, the moral of the story is that as long as it's my time I'll choose my drinking buddies. And as long as it's my money I'll choose whether I want to buy a Rolex or not (I'm clutching at straws).In fact, I might just phone Alec now and research deals on a 116613 Submariner
audidoody said:
Trouble is that Omega are now playing that game. My PO cost me £2,000 with discount two years ago. The new one is more than double that. Even with its upgraded movement and bezel, that kind of increase is hard to justify.
Yes, it's crazy. Omega try to brand reposition just by increasing the price. Watches though where spending more doesn't really get you a 'better' watch (in the sense that they all tell the time) are one of the luxury goods where this kind of marketing based on cost can really work. It's a balancing act for the watch company but if people are happy to keep paying the rising prices then who can blame them. Odd to think that most of these companies were bust (except Rolex) in the 80s when the quartz and then digital watches really took off. Now that watches are sold largely based on image and notions of indicating success or wealth, it doesn't really matter if they tell the time well or not.
el stovey said:
Yes, it's crazy. Omega try to brand reposition just by increasing the price. Watches though where spending more doesn't really get you a 'better' watch (in the sense that they all tell the time) are one of the luxury goods where this kind of marketing based on cost can really work. It's a balancing act for the watch company but if people are happy to keep paying the rising prices then who can blame them.
Odd to think that most of these companies were bust (except Rolex) in the 80s when the quartz and then digital watches really took off. Now that watches are sold largely based on image and notions of indicating success or wealth, it doesn't really matter if they tell the time well or not.
Good post.Odd to think that most of these companies were bust (except Rolex) in the 80s when the quartz and then digital watches really took off. Now that watches are sold largely based on image and notions of indicating success or wealth, it doesn't really matter if they tell the time well or not.
It's jewellery innit.
el stovey said:
audidoody said:
Trouble is that Omega are now playing that game. My PO cost me £2,000 with discount two years ago. The new one is more than double that. Even with its upgraded movement and bezel, that kind of increase is hard to justify.
Yes, it's crazy. Omega try to brand reposition just by increasing the price. Watches though where spending more doesn't really get you a 'better' watch (in the sense that they all tell the time) are one of the luxury goods where this kind of marketing based on cost can really work. It's a balancing act for the watch company but if people are happy to keep paying the rising prices then who can blame them. Odd to think that most of these companies were bust (except Rolex) in the 80s when the quartz and then digital watches really took off. Now that watches are sold largely based on image and notions of indicating success or wealth, it doesn't really matter if they tell the time well or not.
A case in point. I recently bought a SMP. I've had a few of them over the years. The current incarnation has a ceramic bezel, a co-axial movement and a bracelet that you can adjust yourself with a screwdriver. Not to mention a 3 year guarantee. I think the RRP is around £2,700. The last one I had came with a blue wavy dial, an alloy, scratch magnet bezel, a non co-ax movement, and a bracelet that had to be sized by a jeweller. RRP on that was nearly £2k ISTR, with a 2 year warranty.
Is the new one worth an extra £700 RRP over the old one? Bearing in mind that no-one in their right mind pays RRP for an Omega, I'd say yes, the increase in price is worth it.
I like it, and I might even hang on to it for a few months, which will be a bit of a record for me with an Omega.
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