Discussion
Generally, whenever I have felt the need to go and buy a watch and have taken the trip into the City to check out what's available I have always ended up coming home with something other than a Rolex.
I realise that what I HAVE come home with is somewhat cheaper but Rolex have never really captured me as I would have expected when I tried them on. My Omega SMP Bond, for example, just felt right when I put it on my wrist. The bracelet looked and felt fantastic, wrist presence seemed just about right without being too 'look at me' and it felt comfortable.
The same with my old PO which has since been flipped on elsewhere. I have a fantastic TH Carrera Chrono which I will never part with, which on its leather strap just feels right.
I really want to love Rolex, and I really would like to WANT to own one.
Does anyone else feel they trade on their name now? I mean, I don't feel like the feeling of quality is there like there is with the likes of my Omega or Navitimer that I owned for a short while. I think when I was trying them on the bracelet definitely let them down, and that is across the board.
The new White Gold sub...
That a colleague of mine had on this week, £19k worth of watch? I just don't see it.
Maybe this topic has been done to death but when you guys bought your Rolex, did you just gel with it right away? That feeling that 'YES! This is the watch' sort of thing.
I really like the look of the Sub with the green bezel and originally my thoughts were provoked by these... http://www.dream-watches.co.uk/watchsingle.asp?id=... which can be bought second hand for around the £3k mark now.
But is it worth the premium over my £2k SMP?
Do any of you feel a little self conscious in certain circumstances when wearing your Rolex?
All these questions, sorry, but I really want to want that green Sub!!
I realise that what I HAVE come home with is somewhat cheaper but Rolex have never really captured me as I would have expected when I tried them on. My Omega SMP Bond, for example, just felt right when I put it on my wrist. The bracelet looked and felt fantastic, wrist presence seemed just about right without being too 'look at me' and it felt comfortable.
The same with my old PO which has since been flipped on elsewhere. I have a fantastic TH Carrera Chrono which I will never part with, which on its leather strap just feels right.
I really want to love Rolex, and I really would like to WANT to own one.
Does anyone else feel they trade on their name now? I mean, I don't feel like the feeling of quality is there like there is with the likes of my Omega or Navitimer that I owned for a short while. I think when I was trying them on the bracelet definitely let them down, and that is across the board.
The new White Gold sub...
That a colleague of mine had on this week, £19k worth of watch? I just don't see it.
Maybe this topic has been done to death but when you guys bought your Rolex, did you just gel with it right away? That feeling that 'YES! This is the watch' sort of thing.
I really like the look of the Sub with the green bezel and originally my thoughts were provoked by these... http://www.dream-watches.co.uk/watchsingle.asp?id=... which can be bought second hand for around the £3k mark now.
But is it worth the premium over my £2k SMP?
Do any of you feel a little self conscious in certain circumstances when wearing your Rolex?
All these questions, sorry, but I really want to want that green Sub!!
The Sub is a nice watch. But I have not bought one because they are a bit... obvious? A bit aspirational perhaps.
I may end up buying one just because they are such a good looking watch. But there is definitely something a wee bit cheesy about them and I suspect they are way overpriced based, as you say, on the brand.
Manks
Edited for afterthought: A couple of years ago I went to see a chiropractor. He was in his 20s and a well dressed lad, he was wearing a new Rolex Sub. It sent the wrong message and when I did not feel I goot good treatment for my money I didn't go back. Not just because of his watch obviously, but I suppose I thought, "leave looking flash until you can do your job properly mate".
Edited by Manks on Wednesday 19th May 08:59
im afraid I dont have one anymore, I was the same may years ago like many watch lovers - thought it was the watch to aspire to...
then when I actually had one for a while, and it didnt impress me in any way really...sure it was solid and well made, but nothing outstandingly better than Omegas and IWC I had in the past
every business meeting I went too I felt like I was "in the club" and wearing a uniform with my default choice Rolex...that most other people were wearing too
the more I learnt about watches, brands, production volumes, marketing etc the more I looked at other brands
Now for many years since I flipped the Rolex, and have worn an IWC flieger chrono on steel ....at the time they were making less watches in a year than Rolex sell in a week, making them a niche choice ...but since became more popular. Its descreet and solid for daily wear, does what I want without looking flash or like a status symbol
I also have a couple of Zeniths for "best"...thats about it really. Had dozens of different premium watches over the years and Im just left with a couple of sentimental value ones, and an IWC to wear daily
I have not had the urge to purchase another Rolex...I think they did 1.2 million watches last year, plus all the fakes out there...they are like BMW to me - a victim of their own sucess ; great "premium" quality products that have become more common than "common" cheaper products ...dont buy one if you want to be an individual...but if you have the matching BMW and Pork 911 then go for it - they make a great uniform for the sucessful businessman LOL
then when I actually had one for a while, and it didnt impress me in any way really...sure it was solid and well made, but nothing outstandingly better than Omegas and IWC I had in the past
every business meeting I went too I felt like I was "in the club" and wearing a uniform with my default choice Rolex...that most other people were wearing too
the more I learnt about watches, brands, production volumes, marketing etc the more I looked at other brands
Now for many years since I flipped the Rolex, and have worn an IWC flieger chrono on steel ....at the time they were making less watches in a year than Rolex sell in a week, making them a niche choice ...but since became more popular. Its descreet and solid for daily wear, does what I want without looking flash or like a status symbol
I also have a couple of Zeniths for "best"...thats about it really. Had dozens of different premium watches over the years and Im just left with a couple of sentimental value ones, and an IWC to wear daily
I have not had the urge to purchase another Rolex...I think they did 1.2 million watches last year, plus all the fakes out there...they are like BMW to me - a victim of their own sucess ; great "premium" quality products that have become more common than "common" cheaper products ...dont buy one if you want to be an individual...but if you have the matching BMW and Pork 911 then go for it - they make a great uniform for the sucessful businessman LOL
Lost soul said:
AB said:
Lost soul said:
AB said:
The new White Gold sub...
That a colleague of mine had on this week, £19k worth of watch? I just don't see it.
Err its white gold thats why That a colleague of mine had on this week, £19k worth of watch? I just don't see it.
Anyway, I'm off to General Gassing to respond to every car thread with 'Then do not buy it then'.
AB said:
Lost soul said:
AB said:
Lost soul said:
AB said:
The new White Gold sub...
That a colleague of mine had on this week, £19k worth of watch? I just don't see it.
Err its white gold thats why That a colleague of mine had on this week, £19k worth of watch? I just don't see it.
Anyway, I'm off to General Gassing to respond to every car thread with 'Then do not buy it then'.
make your mind up or are you a woman
Lost soul said:
AB said:
Lost soul said:
AB said:
The new White Gold sub...
That a colleague of mine had on this week, £19k worth of watch? I just don't see it.
Err its white gold thats why That a colleague of mine had on this week, £19k worth of watch? I just don't see it.
I love my Milgauss, and yes, i find it a very comfortable, easy watch to live with. I have an Omega too, but always wanted a Rolex - so i bought one
But, if i were to up the budget (£5k+) i think i would be looking elsewhere. An entry level Rolex is as good as a £20k Rolex IMO.
Hope i make sense
Does anyone in the younger generations actually aspire to Rolex? I don't know anyone around my age with one, they seem to be seen as a very cheesy middle-aged businessman's choice.
What's quite interesting though is the success of colourful Sub homages like Toywatch - the "anti-Rolex" effect perhaps?
What's quite interesting though is the success of colourful Sub homages like Toywatch - the "anti-Rolex" effect perhaps?
Phooey said:
I love my Milgauss, and yes, i find it a very comfortable, easy watch to live with. I have an Omega too, but always wanted a Rolex - so i bought one
But, if i were to up the budget (£5k+) i think i would be looking elsewhere. An entry level Rolex is as good as a £20k Rolex IMO.
Hope i make sense
The Milgauss I see in a slightly different light - if you don't know your watches then you don't particularly see it and think 'Rolex' IYSWIM?But, if i were to up the budget (£5k+) i think i would be looking elsewhere. An entry level Rolex is as good as a £20k Rolex IMO.
Hope i make sense
The Sub etc are quite clearly 'Rolex' and I think there is where I have the issue with the image. People can say they don't care what people think of them, but in reality I'd hate someone to think different of me just because of my choice of watch. It's a fact of life that people do. I'm not one of them obviously.
AB said:
Phooey said:
I love my Milgauss, and yes, i find it a very comfortable, easy watch to live with. I have an Omega too, but always wanted a Rolex - so i bought one
But, if i were to up the budget (£5k+) i think i would be looking elsewhere. An entry level Rolex is as good as a £20k Rolex IMO.
Hope i make sense
The Milgauss I see in a slightly different light - if you don't know your watches then you don't particularly see it and think 'Rolex' IYSWIM?But, if i were to up the budget (£5k+) i think i would be looking elsewhere. An entry level Rolex is as good as a £20k Rolex IMO.
Hope i make sense
The Sub etc are quite clearly 'Rolex' and I think there is where I have the issue with the image. People can say they don't care what people think of them, but in reality I'd hate someone to think different of me just because of my choice of watch. It's a fact of life that people do. I'm not one of them obviously.
If you think it will make you feel less special than your friends, then Rolex is not the watch for you.
edited to apologise if that last sentence sounds a little patronising
Edited by Phooey on Wednesday 19th May 10:22
Lost soul said:
A Rolex is just a hard wearing tough watch , i have had my Sub for 20 odd years i have dived to 42mts with it on and worked on my car while wearing her they are solid
This.I suppose, it could be dependent of your age group as well. Being an old git, my rememberance of Rolex is exactly this, a tough working watch of superior quality, as personified by the Sub, and it's issue to the SBS, film use as Bond's watch and all that sort of stuff from the 60/70's era. As such it's that aspect that it's 'assperational' to me, as it was to my late father, but his asperation was to the other side of Rolex from that era, the 18k 'President' day-date etc.
He had to 'make do' with a bi-metal Datejust by the early 1980's, which I inherited, and use as a dress watch....not my thing, but purely from sentimental reasons.
I had always wanted a Sub for the reason mentioned earlier, but, had other things to spend money on, and so bought an Omega SMP a few years back for my daily wear watch. I however, after a while just couln't get on with the SMP braclet/clasp, as there is no fine adjustment as per the supposidly inferior Rolex version, my wrist size being just inbetween link settings
Also, sadly, the Omega has just not been up to the task of a tough everyday watch, and I've also been very much less than impressed by the Omega service/warrenty repair customer service...or should I say Swatch Group, especially when compared to what my Dad had with, and I've had with, Rolex with his watch.
So......although it maybe an isolated case, I've recently bitten the bullet and bought a Sub as my everyday watch to replace the SMP (which I may now keep instead of selling on), and I really don't care for others perception, I'm now happy
However, I would also say, that I'm not overly keep on any of the current Rolex offerings (other than the trad non-date Sub) and I've never liked the blinged up look of so many of the recent stuff......which to me is perhaps why Rolex now have a 'bad' image.....but if that's what they need to offer to sell watches to stay in business, then I guess you can't blame them.
Having met a few watch enthusiasts in the last year, I've been able to try out many watches. I have to say, Rolex subs just lack something. Ignoring the fact that I dislike the Mercedes hands, it's the bracelet that struck me as being somewhat of a let down - feels like it should be on a Lorus. I mean, they don't even make fitting end-pieces. What is that about? There's no logic to the design of the staggered end-pieces either from an aesthetic perspective.
Having recently purchased a GMT I have to say that I am happy with it. I have the bi-,metal, which I suppose does stand out, but its not my daily wear. I bought the watch because I like the aesthetics and it is a comfortable fit, and not because I want to be part of some clique. At the end of the day I would have bought the watch no mateer who the manufacturer was simply because I like it.
On the number of fakes out there issue, I couldnt care less, I bought the watch for me, not anyone else. I know its real, thats all that matters.
I agree that some Rolex' that I tried on did feel a bit light weight on the bracelet, but this one is spot on.
As for Omega servicing, dont get me started, the reason I had the money for the GMT was that my PO Chronaograph was returned to Omega two months from purchase as it was losing 10 mins an hour. Basically the treatment I got from Omega, led my jeweller feeling 'sorry' for me (Omega had the watch in their possession for longer than me!) and giving me a full refund. Not the sort of service you expect on a 3.5k RRP watch.
On the number of fakes out there issue, I couldnt care less, I bought the watch for me, not anyone else. I know its real, thats all that matters.
I agree that some Rolex' that I tried on did feel a bit light weight on the bracelet, but this one is spot on.
As for Omega servicing, dont get me started, the reason I had the money for the GMT was that my PO Chronaograph was returned to Omega two months from purchase as it was losing 10 mins an hour. Basically the treatment I got from Omega, led my jeweller feeling 'sorry' for me (Omega had the watch in their possession for longer than me!) and giving me a full refund. Not the sort of service you expect on a 3.5k RRP watch.
I get what you're saying. When I first started getting into watches I looked at Rolex as the default option of something to aspire to. Still wouldn't mind one but thesedays I'm only really moved by the Milgaus.
I've tried a few on over the years some for days on end (part trades) and have never been massively moved. If I'm being honest I'd be buying one for its name and how others are wowed by it.
I've tried a few on over the years some for days on end (part trades) and have never been massively moved. If I'm being honest I'd be buying one for its name and how others are wowed by it.
I got into watches about 5 years ago, starting with a simple quartz Seiko that my dad gave me. I liked it's style, it's simplicity, the way it looked different than anything anyone else wore without being obscene.
And that's what a want in a watch. A Rolex, you might say, doesn't have that 'difference' aspect about it, but where I live and the people I work with, it does. Nobody really knows what a Rolex looks like, so there is no snob factor, just a clean, simple design, and a timeless quality about it too (sub nd).
Before the Rolex I tried a U-Boat, Panerai and Bell & Ross - all of which seemed great at the time, but lacked that special 'something.' I hadn't really warmed to Rolex, especially after trying a DSSD and a Sub date, neither of which I liked.
And offer to PX a couple of watches for a sub nd came up, and I took it, regretting it almost the instant my watches left my hands. But after a while of wearing the Rolex, appreciating the fine detail and surprising aspects it has to offer, I haven't looked back. I can't say entirely what it is I like about it, except that now I don't want any other watch.
And that's what a want in a watch. A Rolex, you might say, doesn't have that 'difference' aspect about it, but where I live and the people I work with, it does. Nobody really knows what a Rolex looks like, so there is no snob factor, just a clean, simple design, and a timeless quality about it too (sub nd).
Before the Rolex I tried a U-Boat, Panerai and Bell & Ross - all of which seemed great at the time, but lacked that special 'something.' I hadn't really warmed to Rolex, especially after trying a DSSD and a Sub date, neither of which I liked.
And offer to PX a couple of watches for a sub nd came up, and I took it, regretting it almost the instant my watches left my hands. But after a while of wearing the Rolex, appreciating the fine detail and surprising aspects it has to offer, I haven't looked back. I can't say entirely what it is I like about it, except that now I don't want any other watch.
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