How long will Rolex be THE watch?

[Cato]

So, Omega was THE watch of the mid 20th century, Rolex holds that title today.

What brand will become the icon of wealth and ambition when (and if) Rolex lets go? Tag?

[2005rivers]

I think Rolex will be #1 for a while, all the others are battling for 2nd. (i'm not just saying that because I'm on TRF)

[Kanger]

One word...... Forever!

[Rolesor]

IMHO - I really don't think tag could ever compete for that - based on the image rolex has managed to create alone, Rolex appears to be miles ahead in quality and craftsmanship.

Which they obviously are!

[franksremote]

IMHO - I think Rolex watches will always have a place as a "starter" high-end watch, to most folks, with a continued well deserved #1 ranking considering the brand recognition they've so effectively established, but there are quite a few watchmakers that command a much greater price tag for their timepieces that even Rolex wouldn't be able to compete with; Pateks come to mind as a manufacturere that has price tags that make Rolex costs seem like pocket change, not to mention the exclusivity of their ever-changing limited release models. My 2 cents...

[Gerardus]

Agree, Rolex stays number1.

[swissautopro]

Originally Posted by Rolesor

IMHO - I really don't think tag could ever compete for that - based on the image rolex has managed to create alone, Rolex appears to be miles ahead in quality and craftsmanship.

Which they obviously are!

Must agree. Tag has way too many quartz models in their line and no in-house movements. They still use ETA and Valjoux, which are fine engines (I have watches featuring the ETA 2824 and Valjoux 7750), but just not "there" in terms of Rolex quality and craftsmanship.

IMHO, if anything were to knock Rolex off their throne, it well may be a name no one has heard of yet. But they would have to be heavily, heavily funded. I just don't see it happening. Rolex has too much history and mystique (in the vintage realm, particularly).

[Goodwatch]

It certainly depends on the audience. Rolex is one of the most recognised watch brands in the world, even the most uninitiated know Rolex. But in the truly high-end watch world Rolex don't play a role.

The whole clever marketing and sponsoring keeps Rolex ahead of the competition. But consider this: there are other brands that command the same or more for their watches but use a modified ETA ebauche. Rolex make everything themselves, robotised or not!

Given the choice, I will go for Rolex if the choice is between watches in the same price range.

[bokmeipai]

Originally Posted by Cato

So, Omega was THE watch of the mid 20th century, Rolex holds that title today.

What brand will become the icon of wealth and ambition when (and if) Rolex lets go? Tag?

Rolex has always been the icon of wealth & will continue to be.

[swissautopro]

Originally Posted by franksremote

IMHO - I think Rolex watches will always have a place as a "starter" high-end watch, to most folks, with a continued well deserved #1 ranking considering the brand recognition they've so effectively established, but there are quite a few watchmakers that command a much greater price tag for their timepieces that even Rolex wouldn't be able to compete with; Pateks come to mind as a manufacturere that has price tags that make Rolex costs seem like pocket change, not to mention the exclusivity of their ever-changing limited release models. My 2 cents...

I agree, partly, Frank. But it is the higher price tags that will keep them out of the "hands of the people" so to speak. I disagree with your "starter watch" theory. Most people who graduate to a higher level of timepiece don't jump from a Timex or Casio to a Rolex. They may go to a Seiko quartz, then to a Tag quartz, then to a lower level automatic, and then to a Rolex. Not necessarily in that order, mind you. But there are very, very few Kyle's around, IMHO.

[DWdrummer]

I believe they will always be THE watch the majority of people who are not WIS, such as many of us here are. I love all watches. I have a special place for Rolex however. I love Omega watches as well, I just really like all of them. Its amazing to me, that something with all those small and tiny pieces, keeps time. No battery, no computer, nothing but gears and springs to mark the moments of our lives. Its incredible to me.


Rolex at least in completely made in house. When you buy a Rolex its like buying a Mercedes Benz, you get that heritage and pedigree. You get the prestige and brand recognition as well. You get resale value and retained value as well as they best thing of all. Pride of ownership.

Now to a lot of people Rolex is mid tier as compared to Patek, AP, and others. However while I do like those brands they are not Rolex. I would bet money they wont hold up to everyday hard use as our Rolex watches would. Maybe that is not their place or purpose and that is fine.

To me Rolex is and always will be THE watch to own.

[Fiery]

Right now the only company I could see one day rising to Rolex's level is Omega. But it would take literally decades, and a lot of efforts (commitment, hard work, $$).

However, I don't see even Omega to knock Rolex off the throne of mass produced wristwatches. Unless Rolex makes a huge mistake, I don't think it can fail or drop from #1.

[WatchnRoll]

I don't see it changing dramatically over time for Rolex....

However, Panerai has stepped up into a premier brand that many people are wearing today.

It has history and is well made. I am willing to bet Panerai is a close second.

[warrior]

In our lifetime, Rolex will be the premiere brand for most. However, Panerai? Come on...they're decent watches ( and people who really like the style REALLY like the style) but I personally think they are more of a trendy brand for the well to do. That's reflected in their prices, of course.

You mention history and being well made....well, Omega and Breitling have richer and more established histories. And, in terms of quality and range, they're probably better than Panerai as well.

Originally Posted by WatchnRoll

I don't see it changing dramatically over time for Rolex....

However, Panerai has stepped up into a premier brand that many people are wearing today.

It has history and is well made. I am willing to bet Panerai is a close second.

[Safetrends]

I am cheering for Rolex as always.

[squinky1]

THE watch for a WIS is different than THE watch for an average Joe.

[ESKO]

Originally Posted by Safetrends

I am cheering for Rolex as always.

X2
But I do love a lot of watches from other brands. Like someone else said, Rolex holds a special place in my heart. I went from a G-Shock, to a Festina, to a Movado, to a Rolex..............I am Captain Hooked!!

[Cato]

I wonder if this discussion was going on in the '50s and fellows were swearing up and down how their Omega Pie Pans were going to be top dog forever.

or in the 20s, perhaps the Longeins gentleman were doing the same as they hand wound their retangular time pieces

hehehe, perhaps men were twiddling their mustashes in the Victorian era talking about their Hunters!

[Armand]

I LOVE my Rolexes!

But here in Austria there is a strong BREITLING following. Coupled partially with BMW´s ... no kidding, really.

I suppose, it´s the slightly cheaper "entrance" price and the wider distribution - Breitling is available at much more dealers. Or the complicated dials - IMHO NOBODY of those Breitling owners understands the slide ruler principle anyway - but perhaps that´s an ADDITIONAL reason to buy them.

I am an Engineer ( University ), and I DID learn how to use a slide ruler, but the feature I find MOST useful on a watch is the GMT function and the "Hour jump" for travelling.

Anyway, Breitling owners all the time claim, how well their watch compares to ROLEX.

I have nothing to declare, to claim, I simply wear a ROLEX. Other´s feel the need to explain and claim.

:-)))

Hermann

[RolexPete]

Rolex will be number 1 as long as I live, in my opinion.

[Zirotti]

How long will Casio or Fossil be THE watch? People wear what they like. End of story.

[Cato]

Originally Posted by Armand

I LOVE my Rolexes!


Anyway, Breitling owners all the time claim, how well their watch compares to ROLEX.

I have nothing to declare, to claim, I simply wear a ROLEX. Other´s feel the need to explain and claim.

:-)))

Hermann

I wore Omega for a decade and always felt wanting until I got my Rollie.

A lot of us got to know Rolex from magazine ads of adventurers and self made men. Now, most teen boys seem to be into video games and EMO hair styles. I wonder if we Gen X and Boomers might be the Last of the Mohicans.

[rfknauss]

Cato, when I bought my first Rolex back in 1978, they were number 1 ...... still are in my opinion ........ don't see that changing in the near future.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by kanger

One word...... Forever!

My man.

[JJ Irani]

As long as I'm ex-CEO of Rolex............forever!!

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

As long as I'm ex-CEO of Rolex............forever!!

[snow_rocks]

As long as I have a wrist, Rolex will be the watch!

[WWIIBuff]

Until I get a patek

[mike]

Originally Posted by warrior

In our lifetime, Rolex will be the premiere brand for most. However, Panerai? Come on...they're decent watches ( and people who really like the style REALLY like the style) but I personally think they are more of a trendy brand for the well to do. That's reflected in their prices, of course.

You mention history and being well made....well, Omega and Breitling have richer and more established histories. And, in terms of quality and range, they're probably better than Panerai as well.

I would tend to agree that Rolex will remain the premiere name for most. Their marketing machine is second to none.

However, don't sell Panerai short. They do indeed have a history that in some ways is tied to Rolex as well as a military background.

Panerai is generally credited with starting the big watch trend that many thought would eventually go away. In fact it seems other brands (including Rolex) have jumped on that train.

Pricing actually is on par with some of the offerings from Rolex (and others) along with the fact that Panerai makes far fewer examples on a yearly basis than Rolex or Omega et al..

Certainly the in house movement vs. the out sourced movement used in many Pams has been an ongoing discussion for a long time, but other brands in their pric range also use out sourced movements. Truth be known (at least in my own experience) Pams (as well as others) seem to be quite capable of taking about anything that Rolex can.

I'm not one to baby my watches and I've noticed no difference in time keeping or the ability to absorb abuse.

[rimakis]

Guys, lets be serious. Patek is the best company horologically speaking. No one can argue against that. Rolex will always be the waterproof watch company, IMHO (and I mean that in a good way).

Regards
George