controversial Rolex demographics

[Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bigbear

But we justify our exuberant purchases in the name of gold, or history, or legacy, or complication or what ever we can do to justify.......

Sounds about right.
People pay for the brand name. A well designed product with superb provenance. Same reason why so many buy/wear fakes instead of homages without the name. It would be amiss to say some part of all of us isn't drawn to Rolex because of its name of gold.

[RRGHOST1]

I know someone who recently got a Black TT SubC and loves it and i have the Blue TT SubC and they are quite popular but as said buy the watch you want. They are probably telling you dont buy a Rolex because they dont want you to get one because they cant buy one themselves. A Sub is a great watch.

[kilyung]

I don't think you can generalize a buying segment of the population based on what they buy. If that were the case, would you call everyone who drove a BMW a yuppie? Or someone who enjoys cruise vacations an old fart? Get what YOU want and ignore the stereotype.

[drjfc62]

Sure there are people who are baffled by someone spending thousands on a watch. So what? As others have said, buy it (or not) for yourself--you're the only one you have to please in the end. I have about 20 watches, of which only the TT sub and DSSD would be considered high end, but I like all of 'em and wear what I want cause I like it that way.

[ingoodtime]

I am sure there are many perceptions of Rolex by the masses. The name Rolex conjures up many to me. Owning them leaves me with many emotions. The first one is Ahhhhhhh....I enjoy wearing it, I could finally afford one. Then there is, am I a watch snob, am I a jerk for spending so much money on a SS watch when less expensive brands work just as well? Will people think I am crazy for spending so much on a watch?

There is also the fear factor. Will someone mug me for my watch?

I enjoy the brand and personally recognize the history of the brand. I also love the fact that they have not strayed very far from their earlier designs so there is always a family resemblance. When I look down at my wrist and see my Rolex, I feel comforted. We are building history together. I know my newphew loves mine and he knows someday, it will be his.

All I can say is, buy the watch you want or you will end up flipping it at a loss to buy what you originally wanted. Go try it on and see if it sings to you. It is a classic size nd comfortable.

[B. Doggy]

You'll love Rolex, irregardless of what someone else says or thinks.

[FeelingTheBlues]

I am 21 and I've never bought any watch for a status symbol, whether it was made of gold or not and no matter what the brand was. I've always bought them because I liked them, period.

If you like the Rolex Submariner then by all means buy it and enjoy it to the fullest but one should never buy something because his friends or somebody else tells him to do, especially when it costs that much.

P.S.: I love the black TT Submariner so if you buy one you'll have a fan right here!

[tlbarrs]

I would say get the sub it sounds like that's what your heart is telling you to do, as for your friends it doesn't matter what they think as long as you are happy. I recieved my first Rolex today a sub 14060m a watch I have dreamed about owning for many years, opening that Rolex box was a magical feeling one that will stay with me for the rest of my life, I am expecting some of my work colleagues on Monday to have the green eyed monster, how much? what a waste!! etc ect but I don't care what I spend my money on is up to me and I love it!! that's all that matters buy what makes you happy.

[Z-Sub]

If you can afford it with the money you earned yourself, it does not matter who says what.

I love the SS version more as I think it fits all ages equally well.

[Wacker23]

I always wanted a Rolex. Im glad i bought one twenty years ago..be careful because that first Rolex usually turns to 4 or 5 after 20 years..

[jedinite]

It's your money, buy what you want not what they want.

[wishywatchy]

I'd be interested to know what watches your friends have? At 21 im guessing there wont be many quality watches.

When I bought my first Rolex I showed my best mate, his response, whilst lifting up his sleeve was 'why have you bought one of them, you should have bought a proper watch' at which point he shoved his TAG Heuer 1000 in my face and said 'This is a SWISS made watch'

[TauKappaEpsilon]

Originally Posted by wishywatchy

I'd be interested to know what watches your friends have? At 21 im guessing there wont be many quality watches.

When I bought my first Rolex I showed my best mate, his response, whilst lifting up his sleeve was 'why have you bought one of them, you should have bought a proper watch' at which point he shoved his TAG Heuer 1000 in my face and said 'This is a SWISS made watch'

LOL unfortunately that is not the case. They both have Omegas. One has a limited edition America's Cup Professional Chronograph (Seamaster) and the other one has a brand new seamaster 300m.

[jackwebb]

Originally Posted by TauKappaEpsilon

LOL unfortunately that is not the case. They both have Omegas. One has a limited edition America's Cup Professional Chronograph (Seamaster) and the other one has a brand new seamaster 300m.

I have a Planet Ocean. And yeah it was the best watch in the world… until I put a Rolex on.

[ecsub44]

Rolex sells hundreds of thousands of watches a year. I would assume that the majority of those purchases are by people that simply want to "own a Rolex". They know nothing about the movements, styles, history, etc. They probably couldn't care less.

The other camp is those that truly appreciate the brand history, quality, etc.

I'd say it's a 90/10 split.

[bigbear]

I have seen that there is a perception with some members on this board that they have a greater right to own a Rolex because they know the history or the mechanics of the watch and those that just buy a Rolex as a brand name, are less worthy of it.

I believe that's a false assumption and a guy who buys a Rolex to showoff to others is just as worthy of it as the guy who knows every single nut and bolt in his Rolex or one who can write a book on Rolex or one who can assemble a Rolex's movement with his eyes closed.

Afterall, a Rolex is NOT earned. It is bought. No one is any more worthy than anyone else. Your $10,000 are as good as my $10,000.

[Hairdude1]

Get the sub

[cptmike03]

I would say find a 14060M new while you can and buy it. Lots of history behind that, it's a classic, and much more affordable then the new "C" models. And don't worry about what others think. The same people who told me that my watches are too expensive are the same people who spend the same amount of money on other things that will not last like a Rolex (ex. 60 inch LED TV). Take a look around and you will notice that many of your friends are spending like money on other things.

[nauticajoe]

Who cares what are people think. Do what makes you happy.

Good luck!

[Le Chef]

10 years from now you will have moved on in life. You will have moved to another city or country, gotten a good job (hopefully), own property, etc. Chances are you will have a completely different set of friends. If you bought the Sub it's likely you would still be wearing it and enjoying it. There's something very enduring and endeering about an icon like the Sub that few other watches can give you.

[thechoson]

Interesting, OP.

I was just reading an article about how Omega is greatly eclipsing Rolex among the young in China.

That got me wondering how the young here perceive each brand, although I'm guessing the overall market for luxury watches is not as large here as it is in China.

To simplify a larger issue, I have an issue with the whole "conformity = bad" concept. ALL of us to a certain degree care what people think. And we need to, it's just a basic evolutionary drive to be accepted by others.

So I do understand your dilemma about caring what your friends think and the desire to fit in.

But ultimately it's your decision. Maybe you can get the watch you want- a Rolex - but not wear it as much around the people that might be judgmental about that kind of thing? If that will bother you, absolutely nothing wrong with getting a nice Omega either.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by TauKappaEpsilon

Many people that I've spoken to all have this idea that people buy Rolex's as a status symbol and they dont necessarily care about the watch/know exactly what it is they are buying. What do you all think about that? Do you think that argument holds any weight, or do you think that the majority of people buying Rolexs genuinely like them?

Rolex makes almost 1,000,000 watches per year. How many people on earth do you really think bother to know anything about mechanical watches? The vast majority of people who buy Rolex are not buying a great mechanical watch (which it is), they're buying a Rolex. You see that echoed in posts on every watch forum I've ever read.

Here's a funny story: I purchased my first Rolex while an undergraduate in college. I bought it because it was a classically styled watch with an in house movement. I paid a very reasonable $3500 for it. Upon seeing my watch, and how much I enjoyed it, my very good (and very wealthy) friend decided he wanted one too. Before picking up his own Rolex he asked his dad if he had any he didn't want. His dad gave him a solid gold Daytona. My buddy had no idea about the value of his new watch. He knew it was a Rolex and that it was gold so he liked it.

I suspect that a large large portion of Rolex customers share more in common with my buddy and his father, than they do with me.

[floater156]

I couldn't care less what my friends think, you're old enough to make your own decisions.

[threemonkeys]

I've been wearing a Rolex for 15 years. I've only had two or three comments on my watch during that time (none negative). My point is - most people won't know or care what you are wearing.

[thechoson]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

I've been wearing a Rolex for 15 years. I've only had two or three comments on my watch during that time (none negative). My point is - most people won't know or care what you are wearing.

I think most people associate Rolex = Datejust or another similarly well known design.

A Sub is a pretty iconic design as well, but I've only had 1 person make a comment on my watch in the 4 years I've worn it. My own father, who's also been wearing a Rolex for over 10 years, said, "that's a Rolex?!" when he saw my watch up close.

[Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

i've been wearing a rolex for 15 years. I've only had two or three comments on my watch during that time (none negative). My point is - most people won't know or care what you are wearing.

that

[Tunapro]

If you don't buy the Sub, you will always be longing for it....I know, I tried.

I bought a bunch of "almost" watches, and never had the thrill until I bought my first un-molested Sub at an AD.....Awesome experience!

Ten Rolexes later....couldn't be happier....Go for it!

[Zed Homme]

Get what you like, it is your money. People buy omega for status as well.

[Genesis]

I've wanted a Sub since I first saw it...Buy the watch you want, not what your friends think you should have....

[Raspberry]

Get what you want not what people tell you to buy. Also be very thankful that you are fortunate enough to buy a Rolex at 21 years!