Are watches art ? Is rolex art or a toolwatch ?

[L-16610]

I just read this post
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=55630

Please, Scroll to the end of this post.

Do you agree or disagree ? Are watches art ? Is a Rolex art ? Are those really expensive Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and others art ?

Thanks for giving me your opinion

[Tools]

I don't think that a Rolex watch, although beautiful in it's own right, is art; nor do I think that Rolex even strives to attempt to be art..

It's just not their thing.

Patek on the other hand, as well as some other high-end brands, market their products as if they were art. They are known for their complications and intricate work. Their watch is a bear to work on, and fragile by Rolex standards...but they think that this is the price you pay for having one of their creations. Of course, Patek makes other watches that most people can get with some savings....after all, selling million dollar watches at the rate they sell them won't keep them in business..

..

[cody p]

i'd say it's both.

[Alcan]

Some of Andrew Vorontsov's pieces are art from my perspective:

http://andrewvorontsov.com/works.html

[SLS]

No, it's a watch...not much art involved IMO.
~Scott

[clenz]

I see a Picasso every time I stare into the reflective ceramic bezel of my GMT IIc

[Numismatist]

It's a watch, the mystique, exclusivity, price, and marketing are the art.

[RossInIllinois]

Originally Posted by Tools

I don't think that a Rolex watch, although beautiful in it's own right, is art; nor do I think that Rolex even strives to attempt to be art..

It's just not their thing.

Patek on the other hand, as well as some other high-end brands, market their products as if they were art. They are known for their complications and intricate work. Their watch is a bear to work on, and fragile by Rolex standards...but they think that this is the price you pay for having one of their creations. Of course, Patek makes other watches that most people can get with some savings....after all, selling million dollar watches at the rate they sell them won't keep them in business..

..

I agree its more of a tool watch no matter how many diamonds Rolex tries to paste on some models you just can't hide that fact. The movements and styles are very straight forward and still based on very old school designs.

[veefour]

Old discussion: Industrial Disign = Art???

[veefour]

Old discussion: Industrial Disign = Art???

[delldeaton]

But that also depends on how you define each, in my opinion.

[KJacques]

The design and construction of an automatic movement is art. The movement of the gears and spring is delicate, robust and beautiful. The fact that time is harnessed and placed into such a small intricate package is a complex and wonderful art. It is like holding the movement of the stars and the planet in your hand.

As is the design of the watch itself. If the watch design stimulates and excites your senses and imagination in any way, then let no one tell you it is not art.

But in the case of some designs, the art can be ghastly indeed.

[Quicksilver]

I would never desribe a watch as art using the correct definition of the term. Any watch, no matter how beautifuly decorated, is a tool to be used.

A work of art is something which moves you and gives you some insight into life that its difficult to achieve in any other medium.

Watches are beautiful examples of craftsmanship and they may be "artistic" but they are not art. They are just beautiful watches.

[Bisquitlips]

I personally DO think that our timepieces are a work of art.

Art is a work that has to do "something" for me in order to entice me to purchase it.

My Rolex does fit that criteria.

It is created by artisans. Assembled by artisans. And worn by those who appreciate the work involved to create one of these superb complications.

Regardless of the category they may fall into, they are indeed works of art in their own right!

[Perdu]

A tourbillon is art.

[Z-Sub]

I would think the work that went into making these timepieces is art.
The end product is a nice tool watch with inner beauty

[Jedi]

Originally Posted by Perdu

A tourbillon is art.

Why?

[Hamilton Carvalho]

I never looked at a watch as a tool, for me a watch is art.

Originally Posted by L-16610

I just read this post
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=55630

Please, Scroll to the end of this post.

Do you agree or disagree ? Are watches art ? Is a Rolex art ? Are those really expensive Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and others art ?

Thanks for giving me your opinion

[bodybump]

IMO i see art in Rolex everytime they open the back case and see all the mechanism right there... and tell myself..WOW!!! very excellent craftsmanship how they put all of this together..

[mailman]

Zero art involved in any Rolex.

[entropydave]

Originally Posted by mailman

Zero art involved in any Rolex.

Sorry - completely disagree there; The Rolex movement is a combination of functionality and art - the insides would be much more roughly hewn if there was no aesthetic involved!

[boyet]

Originally Posted by tools

i don't think that a rolex watch, although beautiful in it's own right, is art; nor do i think that rolex even strives to attempt to be art..

It's just not their thing.

Patek on the other hand, as well as some other high-end brands, market their products as if they were art. They are known for their complications and intricate work. Their watch is a bear to work on, and fragile by rolex standards...but they think that this is the price you pay for having one of their creations. Of course, patek makes other watches that most people can get with some savings....after all, selling million dollar watches at the rate they sell them won't keep them in business..

..

i agree

[astcell]

Art watch:

[karmatp]

Originally Posted by mailman

Zero art involved in any Rolex.

I completely agree, I don't want a piece of art on my wrist, I want a rugged watch that can take a beating and then pass it on to my kids.

For those that don't agree, have you ever compared a Rolex movement to higher quality brands movements. A Rolex movement looks like a pinto next to a porsche, which is fine by me, I don't want a pretty movement, just a tough, accurate one.

[KJacques]

Originally Posted by karmatp

I completely agree, I don't want a piece of art on my wrist, I want a rugged watch that can take a beating and then pass it on to my kids.

For those that don't agree, have you ever compared a Rolex movement to higher quality brands movements. A Rolex movement looks like a pinto next to a porsche, which is fine by me, I don't want a pretty movement, just a tough, accurate one.

Art is pretty and elegant and art is powerful, rugged, harsh, and sometimes ugly. But then I see art in almost everything. It's all in what moves you.

[clock]

I think Rolex is both art and tool. What I consider art may not be what the next considers art; personal judgement.

Rolex is an icon, especially popular models and was certainly designed as tool watches.


I remember Frank Zane from the '70's.

[Hamilton Carvalho]

Here is the answer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOOoJERr3Jg

Originally Posted by L-16610

I just read this post
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=55630

Please, Scroll to the end of this post.

Do you agree or disagree ? Are watches art ? Is a Rolex art ? Are those really expensive Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and others art ?

Thanks for giving me your opinion

[hsung]

When a Rolex watch is paved with diamonds and rubies, it's an attempt to be artistic because the stones do not add any function to the watch except beauty and a higher price tag.

[Perdu]

Originally Posted by Jedi

Why?

Because it is such a significant complication, often added to others and presented with a highly elaborately decorative movement. It's not just meant for telling the time, but for looking at in admiration.

[Jedi]

The tourbillon WAS a significant movement for regulating pocketwatches that were used in only one orientation. A wristwatch negated the need for a tourbillon.

Currently, it serves no purpose in timekeeping when it comes to wristwatches. One can construe is as art (when used in the manner you describe) but mostly it's just a superfluous complication used to jack up the price of a piece.