Following on from Steve's 'price aside, would you wear this' - looks or exclusivity?

[jameshe]

Following on from a thread Steve created around 'price aside, would you wear this' using a diamond encrusted steel daytona as an example

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...=1#post1776763

Steve raises an interesting question here - who desires these kinds of watches purely for exclusivity (attached to the high price) or because they 'look good' to them, and think that the designers at Rolex are creating masterpieces in these watches?

Personally, if a YG DD cost the same as a SS Sub (or vice versa for that matter - if a current SS Sub cost £20k) would people seriously be choosing the DD over the Sub purely based on looks and how they liked wearing it? To an extent this has been seen with the vintage pieces such as the PN Daytonas and DRSD's..
Because I am not from that era, (I can understand) but cannot personally appreciate why you would desire a vintage SD or daytona if the current SD's and daytonas were priced at the same price point.

I personally think that this would suggest that many people buy Rolex for exclusivity, and demonstrate the same decision making behaviour when purchasing within the Rolex product range..

A £4000 sub ceramic, or a £4000 1970's (dont know which was the 'best' vintage decade) submariner?

A £20,000 SS white dial Paul Newman, or a £20,000 SS white dial 2010 Daytona?

Do we buy primarily based on exclusivity or looks (whether WE 100% like it, rather than something we 80% like on ourselves, but is uber exclusive/expensive)?

[ral]

I think some Rolex watches are... plain ugly regardless of cost. Some like the 36mm Day-Date is pure masterpieces. If it lost its "exclusivity" and was produced in stainless steel I would still want it, and more importantly be better able to purchase it.

In brief, if a Day Date cost the same as a Sub, I would be first in line for the double D. In the end, the fact that it says Rolex on the dial is still very important (Sandoz has a Day-Date that looks exactly like Rolex's)... This watch is pushing 50, and still keeps excellent time...



I think that is why Rolex is Rolex, its a luxury watch built like a tank. Now, if only I could find the correct date wheel for this watch....

[Fiery]

No offense to gold+diamond Rolex owners, but if I wanted exclusivity, and I wouldn't feel the "everyday" YG/WG Rolex watches exclusive enough, then I'd get a watch from another manufacturer. Rolex produces too many watches to be considered a truly exclusive brand.

[BASSETHOUNDS]

I don't think anyone buying such Rolex has the intention wearing it everyday . Anyway given the right occasion I'd wear it . My wife has the infamous " Leopard " Daytona , she too doesn't wear it every day . Still , she has worn it with a plain T-shirt and jeans and it still "works" . Ok you love it or you hate it .