What makes a Rolex special???

[xcuseme96]

Seems like a basic question.. I didn't give my dad's watch a second thought for 15 years. As an heirloom recipient I did not dream of owning a multi thousand dollar watch. I did not look into what makes it special. So now I ask this community what makes a Rolex special???

[ParisDakarBmw]

Quality workmanship, attention to detail, and the limited numbers found on the average guys wrist.

[jizeal]

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/why-i...o-popular.html

[dddrees]

The history, the workmanship, the quality, the design, the durability.

The re-sell value tends to be higher with Rolex than any other brand. That says something about the watch brand as well.

[HL65]

To me--It is timeless--over the years it has withstood the test of time and when everyone has changed with time-Rolex has held strong to their durable classic look!! Nothing like a Tool watch!!

[BarkMaster]

The fact your dad left it to you.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by barkmaster

the fact your dad left it to you.

truth.

[seand442]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

The fact your dad left it to you.

I think a lot of people's watches have a story that only the wearer knows. When that gets passed down, hopefully there is a conversation that goes with it describing some of the events the watch has been through and why it means something to the owner. Through that, your child now has another piece of family history. The fact that a Rolex will keep running for generations is a bonus.

[timeisfathaoftruth]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

The fact your dad left it to you.

X4.....and to know that that you could someday give it to your son and it will be even more special.

[slcbbrown]

Tough, good looking, well designed, and made for a lifetime of use and a fair amount of abuse. Some of the more exotic brands are great watches but aren't always made to be durable. Some even have to be returned to Switzerland for service.

Rolex has a world wide network for service, and there are countless numbers of non-Rolex watch guys who can do nice service on your watch.

[sond86]

Style, class, here's my dream one

[R1@160@alltimes]

It's only special if it means something to you.

[LostInTime]

Originally Posted by sond86

Style, class, here's my dream one

You were being ironic, right?

[Joey_V]

Rolex is just timeless.

Yes, there are brands that put out better styled ones for the current time period, but those may become blase as time goes forward. Yes, there are brands that put out new features on a watch, but this may become unnecessary as you get used to the watch.

But Rolex, they keep true to their roots. Simple, elegant, but always in style.

[therolexguy]

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ight=Why+Rolex

[sea-dweller]

The quality, the mystique behind the brand (good product marketing) and the product positioning (again, good marketing).

[GradyPhilpott]

There have been some very eloquent posts on this subject during the time that I've been a member.

I won't go into all the details, because many have already done so, but it should suffice to say that Rolex stands for a nearly unique combination of innovation, timelessness, heritage, a commitment to perfection and never ever taking shortcuts to save expenses.

Nearly every Rolex model has a pedigree that goes back to the introduction of the name Rolex. Rolex always seeks to improve their watches and in doing so, make them not only more expensive, but also more desirable.

In the words of Hans Wilsdorf himself:

"It is not with low prices–but on the contrary–it is with improved quality we cannot only hold the market, but improve it." –Hans Wilsdorf 1912

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"On looking back into the past, I find that, in developing and extending my business, I have always had certain aims in mind, of course from which I never deviated. Perhaps these aims can be summarized as follows:

1.) To create watch designs suitable for both men and women.

2.) To standardize a range of movements of different sizes.

3.) To obtain so high a degree of quality, that our watches, whatever the caliber, should be recognized as “ chronometers” by the Observatories.

4.) To give current models the benefit of the results and improvements obtained with specially constructed high precision specimens.

5.) To maintain this high degree of precision by protecting the movements against the penetration of dust and impurities, the danger to which the wrist watch is particularly exposed.--Hans Wilsdorf

And our task is not yet finished; we intend to intensify our efforts. But what has been achieved in the past serves to strengthen my faith in the future and my conviction that the fame of Rolex will prove worthy of the position it has one in the world." –Hans Wilsdorf 1946

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2010/0...and-rolex.html

Some other factors that make Rolex so special.

Watches for POWs and help in the Great Escape

The very fact that Rolex is owned by a charitable trust that operates without fanfare in my opinion makes Rolex not just a maker of fine watches, but a solid citizen of the world community. That is a priceless attribute.

[niner niner seven]

Rolex makes the best movements

[xcuseme96]

Fascinating. Truly fascinating, thank you all. I look forward to discovering more about my piece of chronometer history.

[austinnh]

-One of the things that is so important to me is the aesthetic design. Rolex makes some of the best aesthetic designs. This is why Rolex designs are so widely copied throughout the watch industry-particularly the sub and datejust design. It is also why the designs do not go out of style, or at least have not over the past 50+ years. They're just good designs, functionally and aesthetically, not attached to any temporal fashion trends.

-They also use good materials and construction methods that result in a better looking watch that will also last, and keep it's movement well protected and functioning well. This is why your dad's watch still works.

-Their movements are very very functional. Not as decorated as some, and don't have the latest fantastic fantasy complications. But they work, very well. Better than almost all others. That's what matters to me.

-Then they support their watches with good after sales service and a network of good service centers and independent watchmakers. This is another reason why your dad's watch still works. (this is one aspect that has been spotty at times, but generally it's good)

All these are the ingredients of the ultimate watch, IMO.

I don't care about all that history, mystique, marketing, exclusivity, classy blah blah blah.

[JBat]

For me it has little to do with resale value or anything like that. I love the history of the brand, the timeless quality of the designs, the fact that the company largely holds true to its roots and avoids drastic changes to it classic designs. Mostly, I just love the way they make me feel when I'm wearing them.

[robsteve]

What makes a Rolex special is not in particular that it is a Rolex, but that it has stood the test of time to be passed on to the next generation. It may also be a gift from somebody that loved you and wanted to give you a special gift to last a life time and chose a Rolex because of the reputation of the brand.

In my case I have Rolex watches that fit both descriptions. The 1953 Explorer in my avatar was my Dad's, which he inherited from his father. I was also given a Oyster Perpetual Date by my Mother on my 25th birthday because my Dad always had his Rolex and she wanted me to have one too. Then about 12 years ago, I bought my wife a two tone Ladies Date-just a few days after the birth of our first child.

I joined this site about a year ago when I put on my Dads watch during the Holidays. This site got me excited about the Rolex brand again and I sought to buy myself a Rolex, as I had never chosen one for myself, just had the inherited one and the one gifted from my Mother. In that quest, I decided upon a white dialed Turn-O-Graph. Now, almost a year later, when I have my three Rolex watches sitting in front of me, it is the 1953 Explorer my dad wore and the 1989 Oyster Perpetual Date that my mother bought me for my 25th birthday that mean the most to me. These two watches have a connection to my now deceased parents and I don't think I would ever part with them, just pass them on to the next generation. In my wife's case, when she looks down at her 12 year old Date-Just, she has a reminder about her first child being born.

Sometimes I think our vision gets clouded by the value or how collectible a watch is. If you keep your watch, it will always be your father's watch and when you wear it you can think about him and all the great times you had together, plus all the adventures he had while wearing it.

Robert

[oo7]

Memorable name. Memorable founder. Memorable owners. Memorable achievements. Targeted marketing with an understanding of their users. Broad price ranges with evolutionary designs rather than revolutionary hype and all at the right time and place with some luck along the way.... and last but not least.... a loyal group of followers who are emotionally attached to the product.

[Cato]

Personally,

1) It's association with adventurers a la National Geographic ads of the 1980s.
2) Status symbol.

[vintage69]

Rolex is the quality standard to which all others are compaired

[marshallr47]

They are built to withstand the test of time.

[Le Chef]

Rolex do a better job than everyone but Swatch at marketing the brand. It's a robust, durable watch: the Jeep Wrangler of watches.

[tictocChuck]

Bond....James Bond

That was first intro to Rolex!

[JBat]

Originally Posted by tictocChuck

Bond....James Bond

That was first intro to Rolex!

That too!

[Numismatist]

" What makes a Rolex special??? "

It's what brings us all together here on this forum!