Is Rolex a status symbol watch

[triton]

Just like to know what are your views as to if rolex is a status symbol watch

here in sg, the boss *mainly chinese* wears a rolex. it shows that they have 'made it' in terms of life. most of them wears the gold or gold with diamonds.

however, the younger generation now wear the sports models.

[dman]

Too some extent it certainly is for most, and that is not a bad thing, just true.

For many WIS it is a symbol of appreciation for strong, fine, reliable and good looking timepieces.

[JJ Irani]

Yes, I guess to most people out there, it would be a status symbol....just like a BMW or a Merc or, for that matter, any high-end quality product.

JJ

[Robb]

Originally Posted by dman

Too some extent it certainly is for most, and that is not a bad thing, just true.

For many WIS it is a symbol of appreciation for strong, fine, reliable and good looking timepieces.

I agree, to some extent it it. But I do not wear one for status or to show off, I simply think that they are the best looking watches money can buy. I love the looks and quality.

[Tools]

Absolutely.

[Mennald]

Yes, a Rolex is perceived as a status symbol.

[puffnmo]

What's wrong with a Rolex being a status symbol anyway .... the world is a sandbox and I love to play... Larry

[watchfreak2003]

Originally Posted by Robb

I agree, to some extent it it. But I do not wear one for status or to show off, I simply think that they are the best looking watches money can buy. I love the looks and quality.

DITTO

[astcell]

Well all watches may be a status symbol. They just may be low status.

[Solo118]

definately not to mention it has the quality to back it up...

[Rawhyde]

To some, they are nothing but a status symbol. Something to flash at people and show-off.

To me, a Rolex represents fine mechanical craftsmanship and design. In a world where most products have been "cost-reduced" to the point that they are not really worth having, a Rolex is designed and built to last a lifetime or longer. Like any other manmade device, they require occasional service and repair, but they are designed and constructed so that those necessary repairs are possible. How many times have you purchased a device or machine that you can't even have repaired...a disposable gizmo of some sort?

Until I bought my first Rolex (in 1990), I'd NEVER had a watch last more than a year. I was paying ~$100 each for these disposable watches (1-3 times per year) in 1980's and 1970's dollars. I have always appreciated well made things, so in a fit of disgust I was determined to find a watch that would last! I paid $500 for my second hand Air King, and it runs and looks as good as new. I had it serviced once by Rolex in 2001 or 02. I just started wearing it again about 6 weeks ago when I sent my Tudor Chronograph into the local watchmaker for service.

To me, a Rolex represents quality and longevity. It's actually the cheapest watch I've ever owned considering the ongoing costs of buying $300-$400 worth of disposable POS watches each year over the last 17 years (and the fact that I could triple my money if I decided to sell it).

I have no "status", I'm just a guy who likes and appreciates fine things. I think it just makes sense to own and enjoy a Rolex watch. I'm no Red Adair, or golf pro, or Everest conquerer, or opera singer like in the ads; I'm just an engineer who believes in getting his money's worth!

Rawhyde

[astcell]

There is a saying here in Russian that when translated goes, "I do not make enough money to be cheap quality things."

[Jocke]

I never use my Rolex as a status symbol, I don´t care if someone see it.





Jocke

[JJ Irani]

[amanda]

The fact its seen as a status symbol by some people totally puts me off owning one (well I do own 1 but its a pretty low key model) I wore the GMT for a few weeks, had at least 10 people point and say 'is that real' or 'geez we pay you too much' blah blah blah hated it... hated it hated it. The Panerai draws no attention at all.... occasionally I'll notice someone staring at my wrist but usually they dont comment.

Which peeves me off as I'd love a Sub no-date and I just hope it doesnt get the same bullcrap reactions off people that the pepsi gmt gave....

I didnt vote by the way... i'd like another field.. 'i wish it wasnt a status symbol'

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by amanda

The fact its seen as a status symbol by some people totally puts me off owning one (well I do own 1 but its a pretty low key model) I wore the GMT for a few weeks, had at least 10 people point and say 'is that real' or 'geez we pay you too much' blah blah blah hated it... hated it hated it. The Panerai draws no attention at all.... occasionally I'll notice someone staring at my wrist but usually they dont comment.

Which peeves me off as I'd love a Sub no-date and I just hope it doesnt get the same bullcrap reactions off people that the pepsi gmt gave....

I didnt vote by the way... i'd like another field.. 'i wish it wasnt a status symbol'

Well, Amanda...I wouldn't let any comments deter me from getting something I really loved. As long as YOU are genuinely happy with it....that's all that really matters at the end of the day!!

[Teofilo]

Originally Posted by amanda

The fact its seen as a status symbol by some people totally puts me off owning one (well I do own 1 but its a pretty low key model) I wore the GMT for a few weeks, had at least 10 people point and say 'is that real' or 'geez we pay you too much' blah blah blah hated it... hated it hated it. The Panerai draws no attention at all.... occasionally I'll notice someone staring at my wrist but usually they dont comment.

Which peeves me off as I'd love a Sub no-date and I just hope it doesnt get the same bullcrap reactions off people that the pepsi gmt gave....

I didnt vote by the way... i'd like another field.. 'i wish it wasnt a status symbol'

Amanda, have no fear with the Sub non date. No one will notice or make comment......I've worn mine for 3 months now and only one person so far has realised it was a Rolex........Stealth all the way

[John685]

Yes, I believe it's a status symbol, but that can vary depending on who you ask. IMO, it's probably more of a staus symbol to those that don't have one and they attach more importance or monetary value to it than the actual owner.

We have become such a plastic (throw away) society and it's nice to find something that has history and value. It's made to last and can be passed on to future generations. I view it as an item that expresses my values regarding quality, craftsmanship and yes even a work of art.

[Blue Bull]

Its the Pimps watch,the Billionares watch,Average Joe's watch,the Watch Lovers watch.Doesnt matter who wears it,in the watch world ,Rolex is the business

[frostie]

rolex is a status symbol. Everybody knows the name rolex and the combine it with wealth

[Obsession]

Originally Posted by frostie

rolex is a status symbol. Everybody knows the name rolex and the combine it with wealth

Exactly, and I dont know how will a blue TT look so cocky on my wrist but I dont care I will finally buy.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by aykun325

Exactly, and I dont know how will a blue TT look so cocky on my wrist but I dont care I will finally buy.

Well, you are not cocky, you have a great attitude, so it will look great on you!

[roadcarver]

Any thing could be a status symbol, depends on which part of the world you live in.

In a 3rd world country, having a heard of goat for example could be living the life of luxury.

Rolex for me is not a status symbol.

[STB]

Well, of course it is. Would you buy one without the logo, or Rolex brand printed?

[Green Arrow]

Originally Posted by STB

Well, of course it is. Would you buy one without the logo, or Rolex brand printed?

This was a great question for me. I've worn Rolex for about 25 years now, and lately bought a solid gold Jaeger LeCoultre Master Calendar "status watch" Was even thinking about a Patek Phillippe. I had moved away from Rolex toward "status" watches.

Now I have two Rolexes again - a 93 TT Daytona and a new champagne dialed TT Yachtmaster, neither of which gets ANY attention.

I also tumbled onto Panerai, which is a brand I really like, despite knowing that it isn't nearly the watch movements of JLC (except the 190)

And my favorite night lume watch is my Ball "Mad Cow"

Would I buy Rolex without the name. You bet. I buy what I like. And I like Rolex. Why? I can put on my Yachtmaster, see it at night or at a play or movie, wear it in the ocean, pool, or running, rinse it off, and do it all again the next day. If they made a 44 mm water proof Daytona with better quality all night lume, it would be my only watch, I think.

[Gaijin]

Well, whether you like it or not, it definitely is a status symbol.

I think most of us here don't wear it as such, (which is good) but it definitely is.

[ohlins]

dun subscribe and dun believe

[amanda]

I think the general person on the street that doesnt know much about watches thinks Rolex is like a $20,000 watch.. like thats the starting price to get one... so alot of the comments and 'status' may centre around that.

Also I once was looking for some information on my VW Golf on a WV Forum and stumbled across a post asking about watches. One guy totally ribbed another because he drove a 10yr old VW and wore Rolex... he was dumbfounded, 'you wear a rolex and drive that piece of crap' was the general consensus... a few more posts down, you could see that this guy thought a Rolex as a big gold laiden diamond encrusted watch that cost 50k... he had no idea that you could purchase a Rolex for as little as 2k if you do your home work.

I found it all amusing and a little sad

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I guess all know Rolex and what the price of it is, or at least most people know that it is expensive. So owning one? Yes, it is a status symbol.

[Obsession]

Originally Posted by amanda

I think the general person on the street that doesnt know much about watches thinks Rolex is like a $20,000 watch.. like thats the starting price to get one... so alot of the comments and 'status' may centre around that.

Also I once was looking for some information on my VW Golf on a WV Forum and stumbled across a post asking about watches. One guy totally ribbed another because he drove a 10yr old VW and wore Rolex... he was dumbfounded, 'you wear a rolex and drive that piece of crap' was the general consensus... a few more posts down, you could see that this guy thought a Rolex as a big gold laiden diamond encrusted watch that cost 50k... he had no idea that you could purchase a Rolex for as little as 2k if you do your home work.

I found it all amusing and a little sad

Wow nice that you are a VW fan, by the way I bought a 10 year old BMW and I'm member of a BMW forum and at a meeting with a much more expensive BMW I saw a guy with a FAKE Rolex Daytona. But no body can not tell me that why I drive an old BMW with a real ROLEX cause BMW prices in TUrkey is 3 times more expensive than in USA and it's hard to buy. By the way 1 thing that you think is wrong. As I see nobody thinks that ROLEXes are 20K unless they are gold or have golden parts. SS Rolex owners will be angry to me but really gold or any part in yellow color makes ROLEX to look like 20K ROLEX even it's 7K but SS doesnt show the logo even till 2007 all is thin and brushed and now platinium big and shining cases has come.