When did weight - weigh in on quality ??

[Sixxgrand1]

Merry Christmas all.

I was just wondering when the weight of a watch played in on the perception of quality of the timepiece. I have read threads back and forth about how the hollow links were light yet more then up to the task, then how the solid links provided a more solid feeling, and read how a lighter watch is more comfortable. First we discuss the size of the case (too big, too small - big is the new fashion..?) and now it seems we discuss the weight of the watch...hollow works well but too light, yet solid with the supercase a little too heavy....

I wore a solid gold 18KT Breitling which weighed 263 grams - read 9.3 (not troy) ounces (much heavier then a Platinum Day/Date) and the feeling I experienced was it simply was too heavy for a timepiece as you felt it with every move. I worried about the pins in the bracelet failing through really active use and such. I have owned three titanium automatics and they felt as it they were made of paper.

Since May I wear an Explorer II and the weight and design and bracelet makes it disappear on my wrist - in total comfort. More so then the Ti models - no, but it's a Rolex. Well maybe yes more so because I feel a presence on my wrist. Too light in my thoughts - never.

So my point is that the weight of the watch - be it platinum, gold, stainless or titanium is of non issue. This issue of perceived quality compared to the weight of the watch is pointless really - regardless of weight of the watch or material. I believe there is a watch which weighs less then an ounce (case+strap) and costs over $400,000...Think about how many higher end watches then Rolex come on a rubber/leather strap - AP Bumblebee comes to mind...and Lange etc...I never read comments about how the weight of the timepiece adds an increase/decrease to perceived value....sorry for the blather...wife is pouring strong nog's....

[Rani Drama]

You're right. However the concept of weight can be attributed to lots of different items. I purchased a ring in platinum because gold just felt too light to me. It didn't have a substantial feeling nothing special to it. But for me i look at it more as density as opposed to weight. A huge watch like a breitling you expect it to weigh a lot but a smaller watch that is quite dense will be an unexpected surprise. Going back to the ring. The platinum ring just has so much density to it when you hold it you can't help but be surprised at it's weight especially if someone has never held a platinum ring before.

[dddrees]

Opinions vary, but thats why you have all kinds of different options in the first place.

[CPTL]

Agree with you about the comfort of the Exp-II. I have an Expy polar and a 16610--both purchased around the same time. The Explorer quickly became my favorite, garnering 90%+ of the wrist time, because I'm a very active person and the Sub feels much heavier while running, swimming, hiking, etc. Explorer is light, comfortable, and much less noticeable.

As for what is "too heavy" or "too light"...well, that's subjective, and depends on individual preferences (which will probably be dependent on what the wearer does while wearing the watch).

Hard to argue with the logic that solid steel links are better than hollow links, because Solid is Solid and Hollow is Hollow. However, for a true "high performance" design, you want to make somethiing just strong enough to ensure that it won't fail without any additional weight. Using this logic, it's hard to argue against the oyster bracelet with oysterlock clasp.

[tfduff723]

It is ironic how the weight "factor" does play into the equation.

I have a GMT IIC as well as a EXPII & GMTII. The IIC does have a heavier, more substantial feeling but when I switch back to one of the others I really appreciate the lightness & comfort. I never really equate the difference to quality but instead to the design and style.

At the end of the day... a Rolex is a Rolex is a Rolex. There are many other factors that create the timeless quality. Not to mention the fact that even the "lightest" Rolex often feels more high end to me that other comparable watches.

[DG123]

My guess is that for comfort reasons Rolex originally designed its bracelets with hollow links. I think the recent move to solid links is born from a marketing strategy to "update" the product while at the same time stay true to Rolex's well established traditional designs. For example, larger faces and solid link bracelets make a classic design model "new", at least from a marketing perspective. The changes are something to talk about and give the consumer a reason to buy a newer model number.

Originally Posted by Sixxgrand1

Merry Christmas all.

I was just wondering when the weight of a watch played in on the perception of quality of the timepiece. I have read threads back and forth about how the hollow links were light yet more then up to the task, then how the solid links provided a more solid feeling, and read how a lighter watch is more comfortable. First we discuss the size of the case (too big, too small - big is the new fashion..?) and now it seems we discuss the weight of the watch...hollow works well but too light, yet solid with the supercase a little too heavy....

I wore a solid gold 18KT Breitling which weighed 263 grams - read 9.3 (not troy) ounces (much heavier then a Platinum Day/Date) and the feeling I experienced was it simply was too heavy for a timepiece as you felt it with every move. I worried about the pins in the bracelet failing through really active use and such. I have owned three titanium automatics and they felt as it they were made of paper.

Since May I wear an Explorer II and the weight and design and bracelet makes it disappear on my wrist - in total comfort. More so then the Ti models - no, but it's a Rolex. Well maybe yes more so because I feel a presence on my wrist. Too light in my thoughts - never.

So my point is that the weight of the watch - be it platinum, gold, stainless or titanium is of non issue. This issue of perceived quality compared to the weight of the watch is pointless really - regardless of weight of the watch or material. I believe there is a watch which weighs less then an ounce (case+strap) and costs over $400,000...Think about how many higher end watches then Rolex come on a rubber/leather strap - AP Bumblebee comes to mind...and Lange etc...I never read comments about how the weight of the timepiece adds an increase/decrease to perceived value....sorry for the blather...wife is pouring strong nog's....