How Do Rolexes Stack Up Against the Competition

[SLS]

The 50 fathoms is an awesome watch. Pretty close call on that one.

[breitlings]

In terms of the differentiation the other brands. however in my practice the rolex is more robust and often keeps better time longer than ap breitling or omega. In terms of waterproofing, hard to beat Rolex. GMT vs Navitimer, very different watches almost impossible to compare...

In terms of anti-magnetic Omega may have a slight advantage.

[Calatrava r]

I suspect the differences you ask about are insignificant. Rolex is about looks and preferences with nice value retention as a bonus.

[Art 1]

I have a $500 Seiko dive watch on now that would preform as well as a Sub right now if I were to go for a dive. Probably better infact, the lume is so much better.

[007_Omega]

Ok, I'll try to actually answer your question without just screaming Rolex.

Diving Use-Rolex is king. There is an excellent article online where a diver compares various different popular divers and he states that the Submariner is the best. The "Bond" 300m Seamaster is a joke of a professional diver. The rotating bezel is hard to grip and use which is a big no no when you are wearing diving gloves and need to actually use the thing. Not to mention a manual helium escape valve for a watch with 300m of water resistance...


Aviation- Would you rather have a GMT or a slide rule calculator on your wrist? I'll take the GMT hand. Rolex wins again.


Magnetic Resistance- This where Rolex loses. Milgauss is using very outdated technology and Omega has surpassed Rolex in anti-magnetism. Strong rumors of a 2019 Milgauss which will probably come with a new top of the line anti-magnetic movement.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by 007_Omega

Ok, I'll try to actually answer your question without just screaming Rolex.

Diving Use-Rolex is king. There is an excellent article online where a diver compares various different popular divers and he states that the Submariner is the best. The "Bond" 300m Seamaster is a joke of a professional diver. The rotating bezel is hard to grip and use which is a big no no when you are wearing diving gloves and need to actually use the thing. Not to mention a manual helium escape valve for a watch with 300m of water resistance...


Aviation- Would you rather have a GMT or a slide rule calculator on your wrist? I'll take the GMT hand. Rolex wins again.


Magnetic Resistance- This where Rolex loses. Milgauss is using very outdated technology and Omega has surpassed Rolex in anti-magnetism. Strong rumors of a 2019 Milgauss which will probably come with a new top of the line anti-magnetic movement.

nice post — enjoyed reading it.

[Slurve30]

My first "high end" watch I purchased was a "Bond" Seamaster 300m and it will always be a special watch to me. I like the looks of it better than the sub, but if you're actually diving or timing with it, the sub is better. The bezel on the SMP is hard to get a hold of and turn and pretty much impossible to do with wet hands.

[Tha Baron]

99% of the people who own these watches don't use these watches to dive, fly or work at CERN. Today, it's just marketing...

[SkyJuice]

Rolex brand perception (force) is strong among the general public.

[epc2]

Diving and Aviation , Rolex takes the crown , Antimagnetic don't know haven't paid attention to those models since I have no interest in them.

[mangoseed]

-Diving use- How does the Sub line stack up against those from Omega or the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms? ; Submariner, much more durable movement

-Aviation- Rolex GMT vs the Breitling Navitimer ; Totally different watches, one is a GMT and the other is a chronograph with a slide rule

-Use in heavy magnetic scenarios- Rolex Milgauss vs Omega Aqua Terra ; insufficient knowledge to comment

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by mangoseed

-Diving use- How does the Sub line stack up against those from Omega or the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms? ; Submariner, much more durable movement

-Aviation- Rolex GMT vs the Breitling Navitimer ; Totally different watches, one is a GMT and the other is a chronograph with a slide rule

-Use in heavy magnetic scenarios- Rolex Milgauss vs Omega Aqua Terra ; insufficient knowledge to comment

What proof do you have that the Rolex movement is more durable than the Blancpain 1315 movement?

[mangoseed]

Originally Posted by MSchott

What proof do you have that the Rolex movement is more durable than the Blancpain 1315 movement?

What proof do you have that putting a dress watch movement in a diver warrants an explanation?

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by mangoseed

What proof do you have that putting a dress watch movement in a diver warrants an explanation?

What idiots they are.....perhaps you should volunteer your wisdom and insights on what a dive watch should be....

https://www.thenakedwatchmaker.com/decon-blancpain

[joli160]

Originally Posted by asiparks

What idiots they are.....perhaps you should volunteer your wisdom and insights on what a dive watch should be....

https://www.thenakedwatchmaker.com/decon-blancpain

Thanks for sharing, the BP after all is the original diver, nicely copied by Rolex

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by mangoseed

What proof do you have that putting a dress watch movement in a diver warrants an explanation?

Huh? The FF movement is not a dress watch movement. It’s 5.65mm thick. Also. It’s arbitrary to say “dress watch” movements are not tough. Who defines such things?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by MSchott

What proof do you have that the Rolex movement is more durable than the Blancpain 1315 movement?

Blancpain is an aftersales and reliability nightmare. Yes they are beautiful and have heritage, but there's not a lot of movements that can beat the Rolex 31 series in terms of simple durability.
If the blancpain had a 2824 with the new high end balance/hairspring and increased power reserve it would be so much better at being a sturdy tool watch, but alas.

[Alex_TA]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Blancpain is an aftersales and reliability nightmare. Yes they are beautiful and have heritage, but there's not a lot of movements that can beat the Rolex 31 series in terms of simple durability.
If the blancpain had a 2824 with the new high end balance/hairspring and increased power reserve it would be so much better at being a sturdy tool watch, but alas.

Have you owned Fifty Fathoms?

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Alex_TA

Have you owned Fifty Fathoms?

I doubt it but Bas repairs watches for a living. He definitely knows what he's talking about.

[G8RDPM]

Beauty is in the eye of the....
Rolex retains great resale value.

[No SUBctitute]

The Sub and Planet Ocean are comparable in terms of features, function, and accuracy.

The Sub ABSOLUTELY TROUNCES the Planet Ocean in comfort.

[d0wnShifT]

I'm in the aviation world and would love getting a Navitimer next however the resale values are less than a Rolex. I'll be looking for a GMT Master for my next purchase.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

In the different manifestations of its offerings? For example-

-Diving use- How does the Sub line stack up against those from Omega or the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms?

-Aviation- Rolex GMT vs the Breitling Navitimer

-Use in heavy magnetic scenarios- Rolex Milgauss vs Omega Aqua Terra

I love the history of mechanical watches in general, and it would be interesting to see how Rolexes fare across a multitude of different scenarios. I am not just talking about the aesthetics, but the actual functionality of the watches.

SD4K>>> Omega or Blancpain

GMTII >>>>Navi

Milli >>>> OAT

Can't separate out aesthetics. Just buy a wrist computer if you don't care about aesthetics.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

In the different manifestations of its offerings? For example-

-Diving use- How does the Sub line stack up against those from Omega or the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms?

-Aviation- Rolex GMT vs the Breitling Navitimer

-Use in heavy magnetic scenarios- Rolex Milgauss vs Omega Aqua Terra

I love the history of mechanical watches in general, and it would be interesting to see how Rolexes fare across a multitude of different scenarios. I am not just talking about the aesthetics, but the actual functionality of the watches.

Well they all function mostly the same as for dive watches most bought today are mainly desk divers. As for GMT watches basically all the same they all tell the time and have a GMT time zone function.As for the heavy magnetic scenarios its very doubtful today if anyone would be, or work, in a environment that would need strong magnetic protection.Today its mainly bragging writes marketing, mine is bigger than yours and today many buy into marketing hype.

[Exploradori]

Here's how frustration with Rolex stack next to other brands given their ridiculous shortage and way of treating their potential customers:

Rolex >> all other brands.

Ridiculous.

[zengineer]

This thread is clearly the winner in one category I can think of.

[Junior_]

Originally Posted by zengineer

This thread is clearly the winner in one category I can think of.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

In the different manifestations of its offerings? For example-.....

-Aviation- Rolex GMT vs the Breitling Navitimer....

....... I am not just talking about the aesthetics, but the actual functionality of the watches.

The GMT Master is by my favorite Rolex and probably favorite watch overall.

However, as to the question of pure aviation functionality the Navtimer with it's chrono and slide rule/whiz wheel takes it. The Rolex displays 2 or 3 time zones, which is great, but that's very little compared to the Navitimer designed for making time/fuel/distance/rate calculations and conversions.

For performing aviation-related functions, Navtimer takes this one, easily. One has to get into digital-age watches designed for aviation (such as the Garmin D2B) that incorporate GPS, altimeters, wireless, etc etc to find ones with more all-around usefulness. Even so, a whiz wheel is bulletproof as it never dies or fails.

[avalvo]

Hmmm... For Dive, I think the Pelagos is an awesome choice. Lume is the best I have ever seen. Bremont's S2000 is also a great Diver. I love MY SMP 300 for desk diving, but it's not a practical Diver. Other choices would be the Sea Dweller or Deepsea.

Aviation... A Sinn 903, better implementation of the slide rule than the Navitimer and water resistent because of it. Though I don't see these slide rules as practical for most pilots and hard to use for those with aging eyes. Otherwise, a Sinn 358 Diapal makes a dam nice chrono with a gmt function.

What Rolex brings to the table is wonderful execution. The movement is top notch along with other nice implementations, but they are not practical tool watches. I say this owning every watch mentioned here and as a Diver and Pilot.



Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk

[jagwap]

Anti-Magnetism is actually a practical feature. I work in engineering, and there are some large magnets about. It affects my watches.

I have had to de-magnetise my Tudor Heritage Chono multiple times. So many time that I built my own de-magnetising rig.

I am looking for an Omega I like which also has their proprietary 15000 gauss protection. I have't found one to my tastes yet.