Rolex and image

[SteveM46]

Folks

I've been having a debate with my wife recently about watches. I have an Oris big crown, which I've had for....16 years now - it was paid for out of my very first work bonus and I'm very fond of - but I always promised myself a Rolex one day, maybe for my 50th in 2-3 years time. My wife is of the view that a Rolex is a pretentious brand and that wearing one screams that the wearer aspires to improve their status in life, but can't look beyond the obvious brand. She feels that if I'm going to spend Rolex money (I'm talking sub-£10k, probably nearer £7-8k) then I should seek out a brand which, in her eyes at least, is more 'exclusive'.

The fact is that I've always wanted a Rolex, much like I've always wanted the 911 I put in the garage earlier this year (and will probably sell to fund the Rolex!), and I've never really stopped to think about the image it portrays. So I would really welcome views from the floor on how you think Rolex is viewed, how it compares with what might be considered as more 'exclusive' or desirable brands (whichever they are).

I will almost certainly end up buying one one day, just because I've always wanted one. However, if it's going to say something about me then I would quite like to know what that is!

Thanks all

Steve

[Miguel Alvarez]

You should count yourself lucky. Mrs Alvarez would bust me down to Sekonda level if she could.

Seriously now. I don't see them in that way. Sure they are an easy choice for the "what can I spend £4-7K on?" But they are also a solid product. Not to say other cheaper watches aren't.

If you've always wanted one then go ahead and get one. You'll only be looking at whatever you buy instead and think nice but it's not a Rolex. Regardless of what you buy.

[ApexJimi]

I can sort of see where your wife is coming from. As watch nerds, we appreciate Rolex for what they are, but to the average person who couldn't give a monkey's about watches, Rolex is viewed as an aspirational brand.

The way I see it, if it's what you've always wanted, then go for it - I doubt very much you'll be disappointed.

[JonBoy1]

You need to keep in mind that youre buying the watch for you.

I had no concerns of the thoughts of others when I bought mine, it was something that I had wanted from a young age (a watch that I had seen in a magazine and thought 'that is stunning, how the hell will I ever afford that'

My decision however was based on the fact that I had a specific watch that I fell in love with and not because I just wanted a Rolex.

If you look at the price of the Rolex you intend to buy and you look at all watches in that price range and below, and still come back to the Rolex as your preferred choice, pull the trigger.

As per the previous comments, I dont think you will regret the purchase, if thats the route you choose

[Lunablack]

I don't really go with any of this Rolex and image stuff... Ie you must be a poser or a flash Harry to wear a Rolex...

I'm just a pretty ordinary joe shmo, but I know what I like, and I like, rolex, omega, IWC etc etc and I like to mark significant life goals by spoiling myself.... And why not, you can't take it with you, so if you can afford it, it's what you want... Go for it, and sod what anyone else thinks...

Just to add a little encouragement

My 50th pressy to myself



And my cheer myself up pressy, after a significant long term health issue was come to terms with...

Edited by Lunablack on Tuesday 13th December 19:56

[DKL]

I know what you mean about looking a bit pretentious but you need to find what you are looking for. I couldn't so I bought something very similar but much newer. Just didn't gel - it felt very shiny and flash. But when I did find what I wanted - a more vintage piece - then it just fits better.
A lot of (pretentious) rubbish probably and is it worth it, maybe not, but I do rather like it!

[RYH64E]

I look at a Rolex owner and see someone who has been persuaded by clever marketing to pay upwards of £7k for a £500 watch, and who is proud to have done so.

[PaulHogan]

I do admire Rolex but whenever I see one my first thought is FAKE! I'd quite like to commission a watch for my 50th. It's unlikely I'll be able to commission a Breguet or a Smith so Dornbluth or DMH is more likely.

[Lunablack]

RYH64E said:

I look at a Rolex owner and see someone who has been persuaded by clever marketing to pay upwards of £7k for a £500 watch, and who is proud to have done so.

Good job most owners (including me) couldn't give a toss what some bloke on an Internet forum thinks then eh?

[paulmon]

I have owned two in the past 10 years and sold my last one because it no longer felt special. Too common, dare I say chavvy. A victim of its own success. I still feel the design of the GMT, SM and Explorer are classic so they will stand the test of time. The image now though keeps me away.

They are bit like Stone Island clothing. Incredibly aspirational and trendy in the late 80s/Early 90s but now just tat imho.

P

[RYH64E]

Lunablack said:

Good job most owners (including me) couldn't give a toss what some bloke on an Internet forum thinks then eh?

All part of their cunning plan, it's obviously working well.

[Lunablack]

RYH64E said:

All part of their cunning plan, it's obviously working well.

It's working well for me, as neither of my watches cost anywhere near £7k, but both are worth more than I paid......so in effect they're free...

I do find it funny, when people think they can judge someone just because of the watch they're wearing...

But I suppose we all judge others by their choices.. why is it I think certain brands of car drivers are wkers??

[Ari]

Do you guys honestly think that 99.9% of the public even notice what you're wearing?

I have a Rolex. What message does it send out? None, because I don't stuff it in peoples faces shouting "Rolex Rolex", ergo, they've no idea I'm wearing it.

As has been said, buy for you, not for everyone else, especially since no one will notice it.

[RichB]

Lunablack said:

But I suppose we all judge others by their choices.. why is it I think certain brands of car drivers are wkers??

Same reason I suppose, p.s. didn't you say BMW drivers a moment ago or was I imagining it? Any way they are not a make I would want but then I don't like diver's watches, I don't think fake or builder-made-good, I just don't like them.

[Lunablack]

Ari said:

Do you guys honestly think that 99.9% of the public even notice what you're wearing?

As has been said, buy for you, not for everyone else, especially since no one will notice it.

Spot on.... When I proudly showed my sister what I'd bought for my 50th, she said, that's nice, I like the Green edge on it, and carried on digging cat st out of the litter tray

[stiglet]

RYH64E said:

I look at a Rolex owner and see someone who has been persuaded by clever marketing to pay upwards of £7k for a £500 watch, and who is proud to have done so.

I bought this 25 years ago and it has been worn through thick and thin including being driven over earlier this year at a motorsport event( whilst I was wearing it )



After a service



Proud to have paid £750 for a £3k watch? - no not really - then again it may be worth £7k in another 25 years - ask me then

[groak]

Let's face it, if any of us really need to know the time, a quick glance at our mobile phone or bottom right hand corner of a 'puter tells us it. So the rest is really about preference and choice.

Some people say Porsche are for wkers, but most people who drive one know it's one of the best cars money can buy. And Rolex is kind of Porsche for watch people. Sure, there's tons of them, but they don't sell well to so many people for no reason. Great day-to-day watch, plus dressy enough to do special, and posh enough to be aspirational. Okay, it's not a Breuget or a Patek, but when it takes a ding it's a lot less neurotic to deal with.

[Ikemi]

RYH64E said:

I look at a Rolex owner and see someone who has been persuaded by clever marketing to pay upwards of £7k for a £500 watch, and who is proud to have done so.

I'm not a fan of Rolex myself, but I think your statement is a little unfair. Even though Rolex turn out a substantial amount of watches, you do have to remember that the movements are all in-house. The majority of watch companies that produce and implement in-house movements charge at least £4K for their watches. There are exceptions, such as Seiko, but I'm speaking for the majority of Swiss manufacturers.

[Fittster]

groak said:

Some people say Porsche are for wkers, but most people who drive one know it's one of the best cars money can buy. And Rolex is kind of Porsche for watch people. Sure, there's tons of them, but they don't sell well to so many people for no reason. Great day-to-day watch, plus dressy enough to do special, and posh enough to be aspirational. Okay, it's not a Breuget or a Patek, but when it takes a ding it's a lot less neurotic to deal with.

There's a big difference between Porsche and Rolex. A Porsche offers value by offering the same level of performance as more expensive car, such as Ferrari. On the other hand a Rolex is technically no better than far cheaper watches and can't even play the exclusivity card that other similarly priced watches do.

What puts me off a Rolex is the knowledge that they only cost a fraction of their list price to manufacture. You pay a lot for the image.

[XJSJohn]

Rolex doesn't have to be big and bling either, I have this one in my modest collection,



A late 60's Oysterdate with papers that i bought a few months ago for the equivalent of just under a grand sterling

edit - bloody pissed picture