Interesting WIS conversation, PP Vs Rolex, Name recognition

[TheVTCGuy]

Was with a couple other WISes earlier this week, and we had a very interesting discussion about Rolex and Patek. Actually, the topic was your Grail watch, would you rather have an All Gold Rolex, or a SS Patek, considering similar pricing. One WIS said the AG Rolex, while another chose the PP. Nothin really incredible about that, we all have different goals, but the reasons for the AG Rolex was not what you would think.

My thought was, someone would pick the Gold Rolex because of the Precious metal, this was obvious, but the reason he gave was completely different. He said he would choose the Rolex because the average person (non-WIS) had never heard of Patek, where everyone in the world had heard of Rolex. I agree with his conjecture that a non-watch enthusiast had probably not heard of Patek, and didn’t realize they were arguably the finest watch maker in the world, but asked it the name-recognition was really the reason he chose Rolex over an (arguably) finer timepiece like a PP. Before I get to his answer, let’s jump to the other WIS that chose PP.

He was adamant, that he would much rather own the finest timepiece he could afford, and (in his opinion) the superior quality of a PP outweighed the Precious metal value of an AG Rolex. He expressed the watch was for HIS enjoyment, and the fact that non-WISes would not recognize the name was not only NOT a detriment, but an advantage.

The Rolex choice person, stated (paraphrasing) The Rolex is a fine watch, and what makes it more enjoyable is that it is universally recognized as a fine timepiece, and for him, that made his choice over the PP.

I hope I have explained the conversation clearly, but the bottom line is there were two opposite ends of the spectrum, as I see it anyway. One WIS, although of course appreciated the Rolex quality and being a fine timepiece, weighed the recognition from general population as being a very high asset, SO MUCH SO HE WOULD EVEN TAKE A SS ROLEX OVER A SS PP. The other WIS didn’t care if anyone recognized the name of his watch (again, actually seeing that as an asset), it was the superior quality of the timepiece itself that made the deciding factor.

It really caused me to think. The scenario started as a PM Rolex versus a SS Patek, but veered towards name-brand recognition. It made me question myself actually, for I admit, when non-WISes ask what kind of watch I am wearing, and I answer Rolex, you can see the recognition in their response that I have a fine (expensive) timepiece. If the situation were different, and they asked, and I responded Patek Phillipe, (most likely) they would not have the recognition of it being a superior quality (and again, expensive) timepiece.

I did a little sould-searching…. Is it the name “Rolex” or more importantly, people’s recognition of what I own that fuels my desire for these timepieces? I KNOW for a fact that it is not THE reason, but am trying to come to terms with how much that weighs in to my love for the brand as opposed to say, Omega, or Breitling, or even Tudor.

What do you think? How much does the recognizability of a Rolex, as a fine and expensive timepiece, by a non-WIS, influence your love for the brand and buying decision making?

PS Please don’t say it weighs in at absolutely nothing, I would find that hard to believe. It could be a very very small amount, but I think we are all proud to wear and show what is the most recognized watch brand in world at least a tiny tiny bit. Further more I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.