Ever been put off a brand due to volume?
Discussion
I'm currently on holiday in southern Sardinia. I swear I have never seen so many Rolex's worn on one site. There must be hundreds. That and Cartier bangles.
My plan was to pick up a 2013 non-date Sub that my mate is selling as soon as I get back, but I may just abandon that now. I've really enjoyed my Tudor Heritage Black Bay on holiday because nobody has one.
The brand available through the hotel shop is Hublot but I've only seen one on a wrist. I'm not going there .. .
My plan was to pick up a 2013 non-date Sub that my mate is selling as soon as I get back, but I may just abandon that now. I've really enjoyed my Tudor Heritage Black Bay on holiday because nobody has one.
The brand available through the hotel shop is Hublot but I've only seen one on a wrist. I'm not going there .. .
Not really - I bought my Sub for myself, not anyone else.
But, there are many reasons why someone might not want a Sub, or feel uncomfortable wearing one, and a perceived ubiquity is a perfectly valid objection, so fair enough.
Rolex make close to a million watches a year, and the Sub has been around as arguably their most iconic model for 63 years (perhaps the Datejust beats it to that title). Plus they're durable & tend to be looked after over the decades. So, you are going to see plenty of them.
Chuck in the fakes, homages, and the fact that the Sub & Blancpain FF basically invented what a dive watch should be & look like, and the 'look' becomes ever more prevalent.
But iconic design is iconic design - the same could be said for a Porsche 911, Tuxedo, iPhone, anglepoise lamp, Eames chair etc. Some things just work.
Before I bought the Sub, I read widely about its history and the impressive Rolex manufacturing process. I appreciated that it represents a track-record of landmark Rolex innovations - many of which the world now takes for granted across all brands. Roll into that the past usage by the French COMEX pro dive team, the Royal Navy, Jacques Cousteau, Fidel Castro, Steve McQueen (and yes, of course, - 'James Bond') etc. etc. and it just held a strong appeal to me.
I have a Red ETA Tudor Black Bay as well though, and it's a cracking watch.
But, there are many reasons why someone might not want a Sub, or feel uncomfortable wearing one, and a perceived ubiquity is a perfectly valid objection, so fair enough.
Rolex make close to a million watches a year, and the Sub has been around as arguably their most iconic model for 63 years (perhaps the Datejust beats it to that title). Plus they're durable & tend to be looked after over the decades. So, you are going to see plenty of them.
Chuck in the fakes, homages, and the fact that the Sub & Blancpain FF basically invented what a dive watch should be & look like, and the 'look' becomes ever more prevalent.
But iconic design is iconic design - the same could be said for a Porsche 911, Tuxedo, iPhone, anglepoise lamp, Eames chair etc. Some things just work.
Before I bought the Sub, I read widely about its history and the impressive Rolex manufacturing process. I appreciated that it represents a track-record of landmark Rolex innovations - many of which the world now takes for granted across all brands. Roll into that the past usage by the French COMEX pro dive team, the Royal Navy, Jacques Cousteau, Fidel Castro, Steve McQueen (and yes, of course, - 'James Bond') etc. etc. and it just held a strong appeal to me.
I have a Red ETA Tudor Black Bay as well though, and it's a cracking watch.
Edited by UnclePat on Saturday 30th September 21:32
My most worn brands from what I have are ones that aren't readily available on the High Street and I'd be lying if I said that this wasn't part of the appeal of ownership. It has always been a factor in my watch purchasing decision making process however a) I'd never buy a watch if I didn't think I'd wear it, regardless as to its ubiquity and b) if I really fancied a particular watch I'd most probably give one a try, finances permitting, regardless as to which brand it is.
Eddie - see how you feel about things when you're off holiday and back to reality. Stating the obvious here however you should be financially safe should you decide to buy it and then flip it later on. Also, do you already have a Rolex? Or previously owned one? I may be wrong however a platinum Yachtmaster rings a bell.
Eddie - see how you feel about things when you're off holiday and back to reality. Stating the obvious here however you should be financially safe should you decide to buy it and then flip it later on. Also, do you already have a Rolex? Or previously owned one? I may be wrong however a platinum Yachtmaster rings a bell.
CardShark said:
My most worn brands from what I have are ones that aren't readily available on the High Street and I'd be lying if I said that this wasn't part of the appeal of ownership. It has always been a factor in my watch purchasing decision making process however a) I'd never buy a watch if I didn't think I'd wear it, regardless as to its ubiquity and b) if I really fancied a particular watch I'd most probably give one a try, finances permitting, regardless as to which brand it is.
Eddie - see how you feel about things when you're off holiday and back to reality. Stating the obvious here however you should be financially safe should you decide to buy it and then flip it later on. Also, do you already have a Rolex? Or previously owned one? I may be wrong however a platinum Yachtmaster rings a bell.
Yeah, Sea Dweller, blue / platinum yachtsmaster in collection. I always felt them to be a special purchase but this week on holiday has certainly taken a bit of that exclusivity away from my feelings. I may still pick up the sub and make it a daily beater but my previous daily (Pelagos) I feel is a possibly a better and more interesting shout. The nice thing about the Black Bay is that it feels special on leather, more so than I expected. It's not a swimming pool wearer though, despite the dive rating. That leather wont last without care. Eddie - see how you feel about things when you're off holiday and back to reality. Stating the obvious here however you should be financially safe should you decide to buy it and then flip it later on. Also, do you already have a Rolex? Or previously owned one? I may be wrong however a platinum Yachtmaster rings a bell.
It's 20 past 11 here and I'm rambling. I'll see how I feel when I'm back on weds.
ecain63 said:
The nice thing about the Black Bay is that it feels special on leather, more so than I expected. It's not a swimming pool wearer though, despite the dive rating. That leather wont last without care.
Have you tried it on the fabric strap that also comes with it? (I'm fully aware this suggestion is less-than-useless whilst you're away on your current holiday).Apparently, it's hand-woven in France by the same company that supplies fabric to Chanel & the Vatican. That may be all marketing guff, but there's no doubt that it's a much superior product to a bog-standard NATO strap - thick weave, adjustable, metal keepers, spring bar postitions woven-in (i.e. it stays put on wrist), and no annoying double-back end piece to tuck in.
Much as I love the leather strap, and how it complements the red & gilt tones on my model, I may never go back - the fabric is supremely comfortable, easily cleaned, quick-drying & suits the 'look'.
UnclePat said:
Have you tried it on the fabric strap that also comes with it? (I'm fully aware this suggestion is less-than-useless whilst you're away on your current holiday).
Apparently, it's hand-woven in France by the same company that supplies fabric to Chanel & the Vatican. That may be all marketing guff, but there's no doubt that it's a much superior product to a bog-standard NATO strap - thick weave, adjustable, metal keepers, spring bar postitions woven-in (i.e. it stays put on wrist), and no annoying double-back end piece to tuck in.
Much as I love the leather strap, and how it complements the red & gilt tones on my model, I may never go back - the fabric is supremely comfortable, easily cleaned, quick-drying & suits the 'look'.
You know what? I did consider taking the mesh strap but really wanted the leather look with the more formal dining arrangements that they have here. I'm a pain I know.Apparently, it's hand-woven in France by the same company that supplies fabric to Chanel & the Vatican. That may be all marketing guff, but there's no doubt that it's a much superior product to a bog-standard NATO strap - thick weave, adjustable, metal keepers, spring bar postitions woven-in (i.e. it stays put on wrist), and no annoying double-back end piece to tuck in.
Much as I love the leather strap, and how it complements the red & gilt tones on my model, I may never go back - the fabric is supremely comfortable, easily cleaned, quick-drying & suits the 'look'.
The volume of Rolex related posting is getting somewhat irritating I must admit. I see nineteen threads ( and one sticky)on the first page of this forum, eleven of them are solely or heavily Rolex related. Its getting dull.
Never used to be like this. Not sure if it's a change in the demographic of posters or if Rolex have achieved a marketing coup, either way the watches are certainly ubiquitous!
Not having a pop at you for starting this thread Eddie, in answer to your question, if I wanted a Rolex, I wouldn't let the fact that uncle Tom et al have one put me off. But I don't want one, I find 'em a rather uninspiring choice.
Never used to be like this. Not sure if it's a change in the demographic of posters or if Rolex have achieved a marketing coup, either way the watches are certainly ubiquitous!
Not having a pop at you for starting this thread Eddie, in answer to your question, if I wanted a Rolex, I wouldn't let the fact that uncle Tom et al have one put me off. But I don't want one, I find 'em a rather uninspiring choice.
mikeveal said:
The volume of Rolex related posting is getting somewhat irritating I must admit. I see nineteen threads ( and one sticky)on the first page of this forum, eleven of them are solely or heavily Rolex related. Its getting dull.
Never used to be like this. Not sure if it's a change in the demographic of posters or if Rolex have achieved a marketing coup, either way the watches are certainly ubiquitous!
Not having a pop at you for starting this thread Eddie, in answer to your question, if I wanted a Rolex, I wouldn't let the fact that uncle Tom et al have one put me off. But I don't want one, I find 'em a rather uninspiring choice.
Agree, it's like a Porsche forum now, 'expressions of interest', waiting lists, AD's etc... All the Rolex watches mentioned on this forum were easily obtained - some on 0% finance - not even 24 months ago. Never used to be like this. Not sure if it's a change in the demographic of posters or if Rolex have achieved a marketing coup, either way the watches are certainly ubiquitous!
Not having a pop at you for starting this thread Eddie, in answer to your question, if I wanted a Rolex, I wouldn't let the fact that uncle Tom et al have one put me off. But I don't want one, I find 'em a rather uninspiring choice.
mikeveal said:
Not sure if it's a change in the demographic of posters or if Rolex have achieved a marketing coup, either way the watches are certainly ubiquitous!
Popular? yes, ubiquitous? I wouldn't say so... apart from maybe the default Submariner, but even they are less common than you may think, hence the waiting lists for those also. As somebody who works in the richest area of the UK, I hardly see any Rolex' on my daily travels. I'd go as far to say I see more PP, Hublot and JLC than anything else.The reason for all the threads is because a) Rolex have artificially engineered the market to create the most demand, publicity and desirability and b) perhaps they also now make the most desirable watches...
I think what you are experiencing is a shift in audience combined with a shift in Rolex's marketing strategy. Times and tastes in general change, and so do our own personal views as we get older. For example I went into Fraser Hart at the weekend to discuss a Rolex DD40, and enblazened across their wall was 'ceiling to floor' pictures of David Beckham in a t-shirt wearing a Tudor, tattoos on show etc. Whilst I once admired Tudor from a far, now I wouldn't even contemplate buying one, as I'm clearly not their target market (I'm 40, 2 kids, house etc), It's shallow I know but I think having that image cheapens the brand and moves it into mass-market territory, but for every one of me there is somebody who does like them. Rolex on the other hand haven't changed their watch offering that much, they still offer broadly the same, so it's all down to the marketing strategy IMO.
Old threads, but figures should be ballpark...
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/annual-production-...
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/watch-manufacturer...
Rolex make about a million watches a year, JLC about 35K, PP 40K, and Hublot I couldn't see. At a conservative guess, Rolex make about ten times the combined volumes of JLC, Hublot and PP.
Not sure that Rolex sales can be compared to PP, they have different price points. If you're seeing more PPs than Rolexes, that would suggest to me a lot about the wealth of the area you frequent and little about the volume of watches sold globally!
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/annual-production-...
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/watch-manufacturer...
Rolex make about a million watches a year, JLC about 35K, PP 40K, and Hublot I couldn't see. At a conservative guess, Rolex make about ten times the combined volumes of JLC, Hublot and PP.
Not sure that Rolex sales can be compared to PP, they have different price points. If you're seeing more PPs than Rolexes, that would suggest to me a lot about the wealth of the area you frequent and little about the volume of watches sold globally!
critical mass said:
I have some sympathy with the OP.
I quite fancy a Rolex Sub but am put of by the number of owners are are not, or never have been, submariners.
Of course, being a Submariner would mean you don't need the features it offers (unless you need to escape or fall overboard!) I quite fancy a Rolex Sub but am put of by the number of owners are are not, or never have been, submariners.
If you want a Rolex, buy one, if not...
M
If other people factor into your watch buying decisions, you're buying watches for the wrong reasons.
If you like the Sub, then buy it. To hell with everyone else and what they wear. If you're worried that other people will look at it and thing 'oh no, another Rolex' then you're not buying it for yourself, you're concerned about image.
Go for the no date. They are a little more unusual than their cyclopsed brothers, and less instantly recognisable, and they are a purists choice due to their symmetry. Get it at the right price, and it'll likely appreciate, and serve you very well.
If you like the Sub, then buy it. To hell with everyone else and what they wear. If you're worried that other people will look at it and thing 'oh no, another Rolex' then you're not buying it for yourself, you're concerned about image.
Go for the no date. They are a little more unusual than their cyclopsed brothers, and less instantly recognisable, and they are a purists choice due to their symmetry. Get it at the right price, and it'll likely appreciate, and serve you very well.
I have a strong preference personally for a discreet watch so my normal watch is a gold JLC Reverso Duo that virtually nobody ever notices.
I find Rolexes to be full of stuff I would never use as I do not dive, and too large on the wrist. See them (or similar styles) everywhere so obviously they have huge appeal. If I buy another watch it would likely be a Breguet which are also quite discreet.
I find Rolexes to be full of stuff I would never use as I do not dive, and too large on the wrist. See them (or similar styles) everywhere so obviously they have huge appeal. If I buy another watch it would likely be a Breguet which are also quite discreet.
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