Rolex exclusivity and prestige

[Switzerland]

Hello

I'm new to the forum and from Switzerland.

While growing up, I've always associated Rolexes with great, successful people. As grown up, I finally saved up and pulled the trigger on a Two tone submariner black dial. I'm not a great wis but after buying it, I noticed so many people wearing a Rolex in my area. Crazy. Even, if it's a pretty expensive watch, I'm shocked how many people actually are wearing Rolexes. To the point where I ask myself: Is it really that exclusive and holding that much prestige ? Of course, they're fine timepieces with some solid history. But still, whether you like it or not, it's also known to be a status symbol. Many people buy it for that reason alone. I'm just very surprised about how many people have them. Some of them are very young. Like, 20 years olds are wearing Rolexes here. Is that the same where you live ? I'm thinking of changing the brand because it doesn't seem to be that special anymore now that I see like one a week on somebody else...

[GTC]

Generally speaking, if liking your Rolex is primarily a function of a sense of prestige and exclusivity, the initial rush of ownership will pass no matter what watch you own, and it’s unlikely you’ll ever be satisfied with any watch in the long term any way. Rolex is in my mind an exceedingly high enough quality product that it can be enjoyed in ownership and use without external recognition.

[mahefa]

Hello,

Well in country where we live has wealth per adult figure of $537,600, which puts it at the top of the world ahead of Australia and the US in second and third. I quess many people who move in to Switzerland are wealthy too.

But in Switzerland country side people do not wear that much of Rolexes. I live in Geneve and here kind of many people have expensive watches, Rolex amongst them.

[GTC]

Well the U.S has to spread their nineteen trillion dollar GDP around a little bit more. He started it.

[mulgogy]

I find that with watches and cars, once you own it, you tend to spot the same thing everywhere.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by mulgogy

I find that with watches and cars, once you own it, you tend to spot the same thing everywhere.

That is true, noticed the same with sneakers this summer as I was buying a few to make a little collection.

[smym18]

Originally Posted by mulgogy

I find that with watches and cars, once you own it, you tend to spot the same thing everywhere.

This for sure.

[tadbart]

I'm not wealthy, compared to most. I don't have a lot of things that exude exclusivity and prestige. I live in a small house, drive a Toyota pickup, and work in a hospital (not a doctor).

The Sub is probably the "nicest" thing I own.

That thing is a tank, and can take all the abuse that work and play require of it. In my estimation, it's like having the nicest hammer on the jobsite.

That stated, I do realize that it is a luxury item that cost what many would consider a large sum. Common decency suggests not being flashy with such things. I'm not in a special exclusive club because of the watch I wear.

[Gospodin]

The fact is, Rolex is mass produced and the SS models are reasonably affordable to anyone with a non-minimum-wage job. Their watches ARE perceived as prestigious and exclusive by the general population however.

[onemany]

Originally Posted by Gospodin

The fact is, Rolex is mass produced and the SS models are reasonably affordable to anyone with a non-minimum-wage job. Their watches ARE perceived as prestigious and exclusive by the general population however.

Yeah, I agree with this. Rolex produces the most luxury watches in the world by a fair margin. That's not really the definition of exclusive.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Switzerland

Hello

I'm new to the forum and from Switzerland.

While growing up, I've always associated Rolexes with great, successful people. As grown up, I finally saved up and pulled the trigger on a Two tone submariner black dial. I'm not a great wis but after buying it, I noticed so many people wearing a Rolex in my area. Crazy. Even, if it's a pretty expensive watch, I'm shocked how many people actually are wearing Rolexes. To the point where I ask myself: Is it really that exclusive and holding that much prestige ? Of course, they're fine timepieces with some solid history. But still, whether you like it or not, it's also known to be a status symbol. Many people buy it for that reason alone. I'm just very surprised about how many people have them. Some of them are very young. Like, 20 years olds are wearing Rolexes here. Is that the same where you live ? I'm thinking of changing the brand because it doesn't seem to be that special anymore now that I see like one a week on somebody else...

Rolex is working on that problem.

To be perfectly honest, outside WIS circles, Rolex really is the only brand that universally matters.

[Seibei]

I like Rolex because it is a good watch. What if everyone wore a Rolex? Rolex would still be a good watch and I would still wear it. I am not really into status symbols. The less people know about my real status, the better.

It is better to be superficially poor and substantially rich than it is to be substantially poor and superficially rich.

[zjd168]

This is not serious is it?

I guess a lot of ROLEX owners like you the OP "finally save up and pulled the trigger " to get one. What kind of exclusivity, prestige and/or status symbol you are looking for if it can be obtained by this way? Please share your achievement story you think you finally deserve the privilege of owning a Rolex watch while other common people you believe don't.

The simple association with Rolex to successful people is probably wrong to begin with.

Sorry for the frankness.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by zjd168

This is not serious is it?

I guess a lot of ROLEX owners like you the OP "finally save up and pulled the trigger " to get one. What kind of exclusivity, prestige and/or status symbol you are looking for? Please share your achievement story you think you finally deserve the privilege of owning a Rolex watch while other common people you believe don't.

The simple association with Rolex to successful people is probably wrong to begin with.

Sorry for the frankness.

I agree but Rolex doesn’t. Hence the
manufactured shortage and increase in demand for
popular sport models juicing up in value ...
What a bunch of cr@p...

[fdm79]

Originally Posted by Switzerland

Hello

I'm new to the forum and from Switzerland.

While growing up, I've always associated Rolexes with great, successful people. As grown up, I finally saved up and pulled the trigger on a Two tone submariner black dial. I'm not a great wis but after buying it, I noticed so many people wearing a Rolex in my area. Crazy. Even, if it's a pretty expensive watch, I'm shocked how many people actually are wearing Rolexes. To the point where I ask myself: Is it really that exclusive and holding that much prestige ? Of course, they're fine timepieces with some solid history. But still, whether you like it or not, it's also known to be a status symbol. Many people buy it for that reason alone. I'm just very surprised about how many people have them. Some of them are very young. Like, 20 years olds are wearing Rolexes here. Is that the same where you live ? I'm thinking of changing the brand because it doesn't seem to be that special anymore now that I see like one a week on somebody else...

It's most definitely not the same where I live !

[vivicorsi]

Hmm although I know that it shouldn’t matter what other people think of you- and most of the time it isn’t, still for me it would be the exact opposite . I rather go under the radar than „bling bling“. It would bother me that people know how expensive my watch was.
So what you said makes me like Rolex even more. :)

[oldman2005]

Maybe a readjustment of expectation is needed. You don't need to be wealthy nor successful to own a Rolex, Rolex makes almost 1 million watches a year so most middle class can afford for one if they want to...If you're looking exclusivity maybe Patek Philippe is the one?

[TickTockChuck]

Originally Posted by oldman2005

Maybe a readjustment of expectation is needed. You don't need to be wealthy nor successful to own a Rolex, Rolex makes almost 1 million watches a year so most middle class can afford for one if they want to...If you're looking exclusivity maybe Patek Philippe is the one?

Indeed! Rolex makes a great looking, well made watch with iconic designs, but they do make a lot of them. Many famous people have worn them, but yet are attainable to regular folks. I buy for personal satisfaction and the number of owners is irrelevant to me. So if you need exclusivity, then you need to move up the price chain. Good luck. Cheers!

[Rashid.bk]

That's cool. I like Rolex and will continue to like it regardless of how many people buy them.
I'm not buying to join the prestige and exclusive club.

You might want to get an RM.
Welcome to the forum.

[Koala]

I think limited edition/run watch models in the 3-4 numbered production figure range, regardless of brand, actually embody the exclusivity you're looking for.

[Juantxo]

For the past ten or more years, at least, Rolex has been selling close to one million watches a year. That’s a lot of watches. However, you’ll notice that European royalty, the big whips of the world’s economy, movie stars and singers, in short, the rich and famous all over wear Rolex watches. Why? Maybe because they are solid and dependable watches like no other.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

because they are solid and dependable watches like no other.

I agree with the first part, but not the second.

[DoDe]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

For the past ten or more years, at least, Rolex has been selling close to one million watches a year. That’s a lot of watches. However, you’ll notice that European royalty, the big whips of the world’s economy, movie stars and singers, in short, the rich and famous all over wear Rolex watches. Why? Maybe because they are solid and dependable watches like no other.

Famous people wear Rolex because they are solid and dependable? You make the Rolex` PR go

[Yobber76]

I daresay most people that spend $8000 and up for a wrist watch aren't primarily concerned with having the time and date readily accessible. You can do that with a $100 quartz anything.
Whether we flash it around, whether it's gold or SS, we bought these watches because they mean something to our inner egos. There can be many individual reasons for this, desire, achievement, reward for years of hard work, or you have plenty of money and you love the finer things. None of them are wrong or bad, but they do feed our id.
For many people, I would list myself as one, Rolex was the name that meant luxury watch to me.
That being said, I don't see a million of them around, I don't ever mention my watches to anyone, I just wear them. And though after years of work I can afford them without major sacrifice, I still think they are kind of expensive, and in the big picture, not a necessity, but a want that fed an inner need.
Would I move to another watch brand because of additional status, or more people wear Rolex? No, I think Rolex has given me what I needed, and great watches to boot!

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Yobber76

I daresay most people that spend $8000 and up for a wrist watch aren't primarily concerned with having the time and date readily accessible. You can do that with a $100 quartz anything.
Whether we flash it around, whether it's gold or SS, we bought these watches because they mean something to our inner egos. There can be many individual reasons for this, desire, achievement, reward for years of hard work, or you have plenty of money and you love the finer things. None of them are wrong or bad, but they do feed our id.
For many people, I would list myself as one, Rolex was the name that meant luxury watch to me.

Rare is the honest man.

[Bigblu10]

Welcome to the forum! Lets see a wrist shot of your Sub!

[Etschell]

i prefer rolex. it is the king of watches. wis may disagree but everyone knows rolex. not everyone knows patek, ap or vc. so keep your holy trinity i will take my king above all.

they dont make the prettiest or the most complicated but they make the best watch for my lifestyle and that is what really matters. fantastic watches for all conditions.

[mikkolopez]

Am not into getting Rolex or any brand for its exclusivity. In the world right now, lots of way wealthy people that can buy these more than I could.

That said, I instead value my achievement of getting my Rolex through my own blood, sweat and tears and that is priceless to me alone.


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[landroverking]

The was a story sometime back about a man that was beaten and robbed.

Took everything except his $300k Patek.
Rolex would have been the first thing taken. Preception is reality.

[gccmd]

If you are looking primarily for exclusivity Patek is the way to go. I would say it quite rare to spot them on people’s wrists. Usually only WIS types actually recognize them and understand how expensive they are.