Do Rolex make good looking watches?

[peterskinner]

Well, do they? They make striking looking watches, iconic watches, genre defining watches...but good looking watches ?
This question was raised by a friend who is a major collector (128 high-end watches.) He has come to the conclusion that Rolex make surprisingly few great looking watches.
I know this sounds daft, given the fame and sales of Rolex, but I kind of see his point. And then there's the vexed question of what constitutes 'good looking' anyway. But it got me thinking. Which makes a change.

[dysondiver]

subjective , i guess.

[Cru Jones]

watches don't become "iconic watches, genre defining watches" without being good looking. just seems like your major watch collector friend has different tastes.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

watches don't become "iconic watches, genre defining watches" without being good looking. just seems like your major watch collector friend has different tastes.

Boom.

[UnicoJG]

In all honesty, no. Rolex has the name and they make great reliable watches, but not aesthetically. Without discussing the watch movements, there are many watch brands that look better than Rolex watches. But they are NOT Rolex!

[The Libertine]

I, for one, think Rolex makes great looking watches.

[WS9D]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

I, for one, think Rolex makes great looking watches.

I AGREE!


The one thing that drives me to Rolex is the style of the watches, not the name. If they said Omega on them, id be the biggest Omega fan. If they said XYZ brand, then I'd be a XYZ fan. There's a reason we see so many people wearing Invicta homage pieces, because they like the style, and Invicta did a pretty good job at reproducing it.

I've had a few omega's, but style and design wise, they didn't do it for me. They have since left the collection. Even the beloved SpeedMaster 3750.50 doesn't quite do it for me.

[sathwik]

They make good looking watches, but not the best looking watches. And they don't make good looking movement or at least a good looking winding rotor

[capacitance]

IMHO...Imitation is the best form of flattery. There are a lot of watch companies that emulate/copy Rolex...and I am pretty sure Invicta does not sells so many of their watches because of durability or quality. I would say the Sub C is very iconic "man's" tool watch. Definitely a specific niche, but appealing because of it.
Out of curiosity? Does your friend give his top favorites? 128 watches, I would love to see that collection, sounds interesting to say the least.

[peterskinner]

Originally Posted by capacitance

Out of curiosity? Does your friend give his top favorites? 128 watches, I would love to see that collection, sounds interesting to say the least.

He's a private sort of guy and doesn't really display his watches. I do remember once when a cushion moved on the sofa, and behind it was a Day-Date, with diamond bezel, which he had 'forgotten.'
His prize watch is a George Daniels, so rare he keeps it in a safe at Harrods. One day I want to at least handle it (you have to wear protective gloves.) In truth, he's in it as an investor first, watch lover second. I know he agrees with the notion that Patek and Rolex are the best long-term buys.

[Smax]

They're good looking to me (especially the sports models) but the key selling factor is how solid Rolexes look compared to most major brands.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Smax

They're good looking to me (especially the sports models) but the key selling factor is how solid Rolexes look compared to most major brands.

X2


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[liuk3]

Go buy something else if you want. Vote with your wallet.

[joe100]

Not all of their designs are hits, but we don't covet these expensive little machines because they're not pleasing to the eye

[AK797]

They look great to me. I've been to AP and PP but I still love the look of many Rolexes.

[japenney]

I think there is atleast one Rolex model that would appeal aesthetically to anyone. I guess that is all we can hope for from a major watch brand. Most people do not buy multiple watches of the same brand. Unless we are looking at collectors.

[cop414]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think that many Rolex watches look absolutely great, a couple not so much. Several I've learned to love after time, I never liked the look of the Sky Dweller until I learned about its complications now I think it's a stunner.

[ming the merciless]

Some look very good, some I'd have to sell immediately if I was given one.

[GoingPlaces]

100% subjective.

[THC]

I constantly think the other brands do not make good looking watches. But as stated, all tastes are different in everything

[Jason71]

*Yawn*

[Roboshap]

As many have noted, it's a subjective thing, but there's good reason why Rolex watches, regardless of the model, are so often imitated and popular. The brand is known for making timeless and classic designs that I think are very eye-catching in terms of appearance and general appeal, especially their use of color in many different references.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Jason71

*Yawn*

[1William]

Subjective answer. I think most Rolexes are beautiful, a few, not so much. As a brand they are the best. At least to me.

[RolexxxeloR]

Though Rolex is my favorite brand, I'm only interested in about a third of the line overall... So for me, it's a valid question. There isn't one dress watch (e.g, Datejust, OP, Cellini) I'd ever consider purchasing from Rolex.

[never ready]

Like people have said, its personal choice when it comes to looks. I only chose my watch (ER Daytona) as imo its stunning and its a bonus that its a Rolex

[~JJ]

Subjective, debate till your blue in the face. I'm just curious which brand(s) your friend believes lead in aesthetic design.

[peterskinner]

Originally Posted by ~JJ

Subjective, debate till your blue in the face. I'm just curious which brand(s) your friend believes lead in aesthetic design.

I don't know. He has a soft spot for some JLCs and Pateks. Me, I think ALS take some beating for aesthetics, but they don't do some key genres such as dive watches. IWC make rather attractive looking models. And Nomos watches seem to me to have a minimalist look which is very elegant.
You can't really claim first-place in design when your watches are plastered with somewhat boastful writing about 'superlative' and so on.
Don't misunderstand. I like Rolex a lot, but they are probably not in the first rank for looks. Not for me, anyway. I buy them for other reasons...mainly their sheer quality of build and their amazing history. And their integrity. It's Rolex as an all-round package which is probably the key to their market dominance.

[RRGHOST1]

It is subjective,i don't like AP,PP or any skeleton designed watch made by anybody but that's just me, however good the movement looks.

[ap1]

Yup