Moving on from Rolex

[Aboutderntime]

I love my Rolex watches and have experienced a number of the sport models. They are robust and excellent timepieces that capture many of the icons in the watch world. I will probably never part with most of my current Rolex pieces.

That being said, sometimes they feel a bit redundant especially with regards to the dial (sub, gmt, exp ii, YM, etc).

I’m curious to know if there are any die hard Rolex fans that have made a jump to another brand that has captured a collection loyalty.

If so, I would be interested to hear about the brands (models) that caught your attention post Rolex and your experience with that process.

[ducatiti]

I've been going back and forth with Omega since Rolex is not readily available.

Love Omega's movement and finishing but there is something about Rolex that keeps me luring back. Rolex is my very first watch, and been a fan for years so this plays a huge part.

[Kenny G]

I think if one is in the position to collect Rolex, then the logical next move is to PP/AP/VC.

You’re 100% correct in the redundancy of Rolex sports models but watches were never meant to be collected. If they are, you’ll have redundancy no matter what brand you collect.

Personally, i wouldn’t want any more than maybe 3 watches from any brand….well, I might want them, but I wouldn’t buy them due to the redundant factor.

[Tylerlsu2008]

I only have an Exp II and hoping to get a GMT in due course, but after that I would be happy. I agree on the redundancy point. I enjoy the Omegas, Panerai, and IWC in my collection very much.

For me, Omega is the brand that i'm the most naturally drawn to as a peer to Rolex.

[Jack T]

I too have had my run with Rolex. They are great watches, among the very best in my collection, but I’ve had the ones that I want.

Omega makes a first rate watch, my Aqua Terra and Planet Ocean are rock solid, aesthetically pleasing, give me pleasure whenever I wear them.

Likewise, Grand Seiko, beautiful finishing, precision movements and eye catching dials. They aren’t all as robust Rolex, but they are beautifully made time pieces.

[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by Kenny G

I think if one is in the position to collect Rolex, then the logical next move is to PP/AP/VC.

You’re 100% correct in the redundancy of Rolex sports models but watches were never meant to be collected. If they are, you’ll have redundancy no matter what brand you collect.

Personally, i wouldn’t want any more than maybe 3 watches from any brand….well, I might want them, but I wouldn’t buy them due to the redundant factor.

Second this

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I’m not post-Rolex but I’m in acquisition stasis for the moment. I have a solid array of watches and don’t yearn for anything but inevitably that day will come. I have the same number of Panerai as I do Rolex but that’s not a statement or a strategy. As far as the process it’s totally organic, I buy what I want when the opportunity presents itself.

[pendlepants]

Rolex was my first luxury watch and I’ve bought a number of them, but have since moved into a lot of other brands for the reasons you mention. I’ve got a Panerai for the distinctive design, love Omega for the finishing and quality of the movements, have some smaller/micro brand watches like Grand Seiko and H. Moser for the value/quality ratio of their finishing, and have started seriously collecting Cartier for the balance of their history in watchmaking and the quality of their pieces.

I think that some diversification over time is natural and part of a move from love of a watch to love of watchmaking. That’s something to be celebrated!

[Joearch]

I enjoy a blended collection of Rolex and Panerai. Many don’t understand Panerai, which is fine with me. I have been wearing them for 20 years or so and like the older references that stay close to the DNA of their origins. Nice counterpoint to Rolex every now and then.

[burnthesehills]

My Omega Seamaster 300M is as good if not better than my Submariner ever was. It is also readily available and much less expensive. I still love Rolex, but I can definitely recommend Omega especially if you are looking for bang for the buck.

[JimSnyder]

To me a collection is not every one of the newest Rolex watches. Mix it up

[tictoc1]

Among well known brands, I like zenith and JLC as brands that offer a large variety in there line up

Also Check out
- Christopher Ward, that has a nice striking hour watch which is a steal at the price its offered at
- Yema
- King Seiko
- Aventi, unique design but its a little bold for most people
- Frederique constant

[mykii]

I went from Rolex to AP/PP but the shenanigans there have me coming back to Rolex, and frankly, Omega. Omega has a lot of interesting vintage, Neo-vintage, and modern pieces, which have become interesting to me again.

[bluestreak]

I haven’t moved on from Rolex. The three I have are fairly different (Polar Explorer 2, LV sub and OP). The two brands that interest me the most recently are JLC and Zenith. I think they have some interesting watches. I’ll eventually get an Omega.
My AD has me on the list for a Patek 5212, but I’m not holding my breath.
I’ve personally have no interest in AP or VC.

[airchitect]

I’m thinking about this myself. Thinking of limiting my Rolex collection to two or three core pieces and then moving on. I really want to try an omega though I don’t always love their aesthetic. I’d also like a Santos, a couple GS, a Navitimer, etc… I feel like it’s time to break loose a little bit. Could def do a Panerai or something of that ilk if the right model were to come along…


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[Malum]

I like Rolex Sea Dwellers and Explorers , IWC and Breitling Pilot watches and Omega Speedmasters .These are the watches I enjoy . I do have an issue now , I really want the Ti YM . Damn it .

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Malum

I like Rolex Sea Dwellers and Explorers , IWC and Breitling Pilot watches and Omega Speedmasters .These are the watches I enjoy . I do have an issue now , I really want the Ti YM . Damn it .

I really want the titanium Yachtmaster as well. If I get it I will likely sell my LV sub since I have a rule that I can only have one example of a particular movement in my collection. It kind sucks because that watch was hard to get, lol.

[10klakes]

Rolex does it for me, but I’ve hit a note with my collection that has satisfied me. I’ll still study and follow releases or threads, but my acquisition of more (at this time) has subsided. I appreciate other brands, but I’m not going to be a collector of watches, I’m a collector of Rolex. But that’s just me…

[csaltphoto]

Rolex does have a strong continuity of design language which is part of the strength of the brand. One thing to keep in mind is that until recently Rolexes were seen as a "One watch for life" kind of watch. Even with the different iterations, a Rolex looks like a Rolex (The different Cellini's being an outlier but even these are extremely well thought out and executed dress watches)

Rolex basically has 3 designs. Rotating bezel sports watches. 3-handers in a variety of flavors. And the Daytona. The YM2 and Skydweller are kind of outliers but YM2 DNA is Daytona and Skydweller DNA is DJ.

For me, one Rolex is enough. If I were to branch out I would get something like a Santos. If I wanted to spend car money on a watch a Nautilus maybe.

[usmc_k9_vet]

I’m a huge Rolex fan, but I wouldn’t necessarily say I’ve made a jump to another brand. I intend to get more Rolex, but I’ve also got Omega and H. Moser and would love to add an AP, PP, and VC someday.

I put Rolex and Omega on the same level when it comes to build quality. Obviously Omega are readily available and cheaper than a similar Rolex. For my first all precious metal watch I’ll be going with Rolex hands down. I just think they do a better job in that area. I do like Omega’s movement tech.


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[mmbiker]

I told myself one watch per brand.

But lately, I been thinking a second Rolex again…. Breaking my own rules…


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[Harry-57]

It's not about brands for me, it's about watches I like. My last significant watch purchase was an Omega and my next one is likely to be the same, because Omega make a model I particularly like and would like to have in my collection as soon as I think I've earned it. The advantage over Rolex is that I can walk into my AD, point, and get a discount, as I did with my last Omega, and the one before that.

[pearson1995]

Imo Rolex do sports watches the best. Daytona, GMT and Sub belong in any collection. I also like the DD40, so that’s 4 Rolex watches that I think don’t overlap too much. Although personally I have a BLNR and haven’t got a sub.

After that though, I think branching into other brands is a good idea. AP and JLC is what I went into, the Royal Oak and Reverso gave my collection great variety.

Next I want to go into PP and Lange, but again trying to avoid overlap and having variety in my collection.

[robinmgb]

Originally Posted by Kenny G

I think if one is in the position to collect Rolex, then the logical next move is to PP/AP/VC.

You’re 100% correct in the redundancy of Rolex sports models but watches were never meant to be collected. If they are, you’ll have redundancy no matter what brand you collect.

Personally, i wouldn’t want any more than maybe 3 watches from any brand….well, I might want them, but I wouldn’t buy them due to the redundant factor.

I agree, personally I sold any Rolex models once I’d made the step up as never wore a Rolex again, they become redundant and unloved

[bp1000]

I stay loyal to my hobby so if Rolex continue to produce watches I like, I'll keep buying.

This hobby is diverse, many brands, Rolex is just one of them.

[John Doyle]

Agree with you. The professional models look too similar. I ideally would like to own 1 exp 1, 1 exp 2, 1 gmt master 2, one dd36. Perhaps a daytona. The rest is all too similar looking.

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Agree with you. The professional models look too similar. I ideally would like to own 1 exp 1, 1 exp 2, 1 gmt master 2, one dd36. Perhaps a daytona. The rest is all too similar looking.

Isn't that the case with many brands though?

I'm another old time Panerai guy and whilst their range is mainly split into Luminor and Radiomir they also look 'samey' and I'm quoting a friend who said Rolex watches were 'samey'.

Ignoring the not so popular 11.59, AP with their various is royal oak lines are churned out year after year.

[brandrea]

I like Panerai for their unique aesthetic.
I like Omega for their space history.
I like Patek and Lange for their beauty.

[911991]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Agree with you. The professional models look too similar. I ideally would like to own 1 exp 1, 1 exp 2, 1 gmt master 2, one dd36. Perhaps a daytona. The rest is all too similar looking.

I agree 100%, especially those that are basically the same watch except for a dial color or bezel color. I ended up selling those that were similar or redundant, and have not looked back since...

[Know1isgod]

This is a Rolex Forum so everyone pretty much has appreciation for the brand. For me, growing tired of the AD hoops and secondary market pricing. Certified Rolex offering 116900 Air-Kings at $11,750? David SW has one at $8,775 as I write this. You could grab that get it Rolex Serviced and have the same peace of mind for much less money.