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JJ Irani · 3 June 2006, 03:05 PM

Okay guys,

We've been through that "Character" crap and how scratches on your watch give it "character".

What a load of crap!!!

It's a friggin' scratch for Christ's sake....just a bloody scratch.

How does "character" come into the picture??

And then we have the famous statement: "I wear the watch for its History!!" Yikes!! WTF has "History" got to do with your liking (or disliking) a particular watch??

You want History, go watch the History Channel or maybe Discovery. Why would you want History on your wrist?

If I love Rolex so much it's because I love the brand and what it stands for. Not because some dame called Mercedes whatever wore it whilst swimming across the English channel or 'cause of all its other "Historical" events. I love Rolex for what it is....a (bleep) ROLEX!!! Can't be simpler than that, can it?

So, guys, let's leave words like "character" and "History" in their proper context and not confuse them with our beloved watches.

And if I want BOTH, I'd take advantage of the loose "character" in the "History" teacher any day!!!

Kapiche?

Cheers - JJ

C.J. · 3 June 2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Okay guys,

We've been through that "Character" crap and how scratches on your watch give it "character".

What a load of crap!!!

It's a friggin' scratch for Christ's sake....just a bloody scratch.

How does "character" come into the picture??

And then we have the famous statement: "I wear the watch for its History!!" Yikes!! WTF has "History" got to do with your liking (or disliking) a particular watch??

You want History, go watch the History Channel or maybe Discovery. Why would you want History on your wrist?

If I love Rolex so much it's because I love the brand and what it stands for. Not because some dame called Mercedes whatever wore it whilst swimming across the English channel or 'cause of all its other "Historical" events. I love Rolex for what it is....a (bleep) ROLEX!!! Can't be simpler than that, can it?

So, guys, let's leave words like "character" and "History" in their proper context and not confuse them with our beloved watches.

And if I want BOTH, I'd take advantage of the loose "character" in the "History" teacher any day!!!

Kapiche?

Cheers - JJ

But, if it weren't for Rolex history how would you know it was a good watch to buy?

LmtdSlip · 4 June 2006, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.J.

But, if it weren't for Rolex history how would you know it was a good watch to buy?

because he would se the price tag....

JJ Irani · 4 June 2006, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LmtdSlip

because he would se the price tag....

Hello and welcome to TRF. Nice entrance, by the way!!

Southern Jessie · 4 June 2006, 07:00 AM

Simple answer to your question, JJ - without its history Rolex would be nothing now.

Same for Panerai.

History is what made Rolex the icon it is amongst us watch enthusiasts.

As much as I like my GMT, it is just another watch I have had and it means nothing more to me. Now, if David (Subfiend) sold me a submariner he had worn during his undersea explorations, this would make the watch far more special and valuable to me than a plain new Submariner that is just like the millions of other Submariners in the world.

That is why the vintage market is so expensive. That is why you pay $20,000 for a COMEX Submariner used by a specialist diver who recorded every dive he made for the French company. That is why you pay $20,000 - $25,000 for a British Military Submariner used by a soldier in active service...maybe in combat. That is why vintage Panerai with Rolex movements/parts, used in WWII and by the Egyptian army are being sold for upwards of $60,000 at auction.

Is it crap or BS to say that character or history makes a watch more special and therefore more fulfilling to buy? No, I don't think so. On the contrary, I think it makes perfect sense and even helps justify in our own minds the ridiculous amount of money we spend on watches.

dman · 4 June 2006, 01:35 PM

Top notch post Shane!!

5 June 2006, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern Jessie

Simple answer to your question, JJ - without its history Rolex would be nothing now.

Same for Panerai.

History is what made Rolex the icon it is amongst us watch enthusiasts.

As much as I like my GMT, it is just another watch I have had and it means nothing more to me. Now, if David (Subfiend) sold me a submariner he had worn during his undersea explorations, this would make the watch far more special and valuable to me than a plain new Submariner that is just like the millions of other Submariners in the world.

That is why the vintage market is so expensive. That is why you pay $20,000 for a COMEX Submariner used by a specialist diver who recorded every dive he made for the French company. That is why you pay $20,000 - $25,000 for a British Military Submariner used by a soldier in active service...maybe in combat. That is why vintage Panerai with Rolex movements/parts, used in WWII and by the Egyptian army are being sold for upwards of $60,000 at auction.

Is it crap or BS to say that character or history makes a watch more special and therefore more fulfilling to buy? No, I don't think so. On the contrary, I think it makes perfect sense and even helps justify in our own minds the ridiculous amount of money we spend on watches.

Beautiful and correct post Shane. A top watch company 'haut' or not, would be nothing without history. They'd just be an upstart that no one would buy cuz there's no 'history' to back up their product.

Rolex has an outstanding history full of firsts and impressive patents. Sadly, Rolex has sat on their laurels mostly since the 1960s and relied on their name recognition and obfuscation of facts to feed their impressive marketing machine. As Shane said, Rolex would be nothing without its history. Same with Panerai, Patek and any other major luxury brand.

I like the fact that I have a Rolex BECAUSE of the history behind the brand and because its a tough watch. Not simply because it says Rolex on the dial. I like the fact that I have a Panerai because of the history behind it and the brave men of the Italian navy who wore it in battle... and because it's a big tough dive watch with a bomb-proof movement.

To buy a Rolex, or any watch simply because of what it says on the dial is pure and simple showmanship... nothing more.

Goodwatch · 3 June 2006, 04:40 PM

Pipe down JJ!

To each his own. I agree upon the character part, but it all is ones own choice. I have jackets costing a bundle and I treat them well. But I also know guys who start to trash ‘em, soak ‘em in hot water, use sandpaper, etc., right away, just to give the jacket ‘character’. But it’s their money JJ.

And then there’s the history and the historical parts attached to a watch. History i.e.: the watch you’re Grandfather, who used it in WWII, gave you and you’re planning to give your son. What is wrong with that? It could be a Hamilton or a Rolex. And if there are historical events attached to the brand (Explorer, JJ, the Explorer), what could be wrong with that? What triggered you to choose Rolex in the first place? Not because it was some obscure brand, made in NZ!

mailman · 3 June 2006, 07:02 PM

How about this.....What's the history of the character of the watch you're wearing?

Another thing JJ, it's capisci, not kapiche. Capisci?

C.J. · 4 June 2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mailman

How about this.....What's the history of the character of the watch you're wearing?

Another thing JJ, it's capisci, not kapiche. Capisci?

I was wondering if that's what he meant

Prince · 4 June 2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mailman

...Another thing JJ, it's capisci, not kapiche. Capisci?

He was actually not far off. Check it out...

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Capiche

Rockrolex · 4 June 2006, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mailman

How about this.....What's the history of the character of the watch you're wearing?

Another thing JJ, it's capisci, not kapiche. Capisci?

It's got less history than character, and not much of that, either. He hasn't had it long enought to acquire any history (and it won't likely be around long enough to acquire any) and he babies it so much it doesn't have a chance to garner any character. In other words, it's a plain vanilla watch. Ho humm!!

Earl · 4 June 2006, 01:47 AM

Sorry JJ and C.J., although I don't find the GD word offencive I'd rather not go there on our forum.

thanks for understanding

C.J. · 4 June 2006, 01:53 AM

*

3 June 2006, 03:05 PM	#1
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	First it was "Character" and then "History" !! Okay guys, We've been through that "Character" crap and how scratches on your watch give it "character". What a load of crap!!! It's a friggin' scratch for Christ's sake....just a bloody scratch. How does "character" come into the picture?? And then we have the famous statement: "I wear the watch for its History!!" Yikes!! WTF has "History" got to do with your liking (or disliking) a particular watch?? You want History, go watch the History Channel or maybe Discovery. Why would you want History on your wrist? If I love Rolex so much it's because I love the brand and what it stands for. Not because some dame called Mercedes whatever wore it whilst swimming across the English channel or 'cause of all its other "Historical" events. I love Rolex for what it is....a (bleep) ROLEX!!! Can't be simpler than that, can it? So, guys, let's leave words like "character" and "History" in their proper context and not confuse them with our beloved watches. And if I want BOTH, I'd take advantage of the loose "character" in the "History" teacher any day!!! Kapiche? Cheers - JJ __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

4 June 2006, 01:35 PM	#6
dman Lifetime TRF Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Daren Location: Austin Watch: the road Posts: 13,585	Top notch post Shane!! __________________ You either get it or you don't, if you have to ask, YOU DON'T!! I really hope that midget cop doesn't find me in Kokomo.

3 June 2006, 04:40 PM	#8
Goodwatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Real Name: Frans ® Location: Rotterdam Watch: the sunrise... Posts: 10,230	Pipe down JJ! To each his own. I agree upon the character part, but it all is ones own choice. I have jackets costing a bundle and I treat them well. But I also know guys who start to trash ‘em, soak ‘em in hot water, use sandpaper, etc., right away, just to give the jacket ‘character’. But it’s their money JJ. And then there’s the history and the historical parts attached to a watch. History i.e.: the watch you’re Grandfather, who used it in WWII, gave you and you’re planning to give your son. What is wrong with that? It could be a Hamilton or a Rolex. And if there are historical events attached to the brand (Explorer, JJ, the Explorer), what could be wrong with that? What triggered you to choose Rolex in the first place? Not because it was some obscure brand, made in NZ! __________________ Member# 127

4 June 2006, 01:53 AM	#14
C.J. "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: * Posts: 10,196	* __________________ Me? I'm still looking for Kokomo. I just hope that damn golfer isn't there

4 June 2006, 07:00 AM	#5
Southern Jessie Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 278	Simple answer to your question, JJ - without its history Rolex would be nothing now. Same for Panerai. History is what made Rolex the icon it is amongst us watch enthusiasts. As much as I like my GMT, it is just another watch I have had and it means nothing more to me. Now, if David (Subfiend) sold me a submariner he had worn during his undersea explorations, this would make the watch far more special and valuable to me than a plain new Submariner that is just like the millions of other Submariners in the world. That is why the vintage market is so expensive. That is why you pay $20,000 for a COMEX Submariner used by a specialist diver who recorded every dive he made for the French company. That is why you pay $20,000 - $25,000 for a British Military Submariner used by a soldier in active service...maybe in combat. That is why vintage Panerai with Rolex movements/parts, used in WWII and by the Egyptian army are being sold for upwards of $60,000 at auction. Is it crap or BS to say that character or history makes a watch more special and therefore more fulfilling to buy? No, I don't think so. On the contrary, I think it makes perfect sense and even helps justify in our own minds the ridiculous amount of money we spend on watches.

3 June 2006, 07:02 PM	#9
mailman TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,510	How about this.....What's the history of the character of the watch you're wearing? Another thing JJ, it's capisci, not kapiche. Capisci?

4 June 2006, 01:47 AM	#13
Earl "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Who Me? Location: Northern Virginia Watch: out Posts: 4,616	Sorry JJ and C.J., although I don't find the GD word offencive I'd rather not go there on our forum. thanks for understanding

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