Why do you think Rolex is a status symbol?

[OrangeSport]

I think it is primarily a watch, but the quality image, longevity of designs, higher price than most people spend on a watch and successful marketing all combine to make Rolex a recognisable product that can be seen as a status symbol.

[Stonerider]

Why try to hide it ... Yes it shows status, hence it is not something you see "daily". Same goes for special cars or quality clothing.... it is all in the branding.

And by the branding you show that you appriciate the product for whatever your reassons are. Same goes in fashion.

Personally, I picked my rollie up more or less the same day I stopped working offshore at an AD'er, as a manifest to myself, from that time.

Since I am not a diver, but more have been travelling, I choose the GMT-ii-C. I dont collect watches and I use it every day in the office, out hiking, at parties .... I love it as it is and at the same time it brings memories from the past as well as telling me, "yes it was worth it"

Cheers

[moviefreak]

Depends on who is looking.. a low price watch owner might see it as a status symbol.. a high end brand owner...lets say Patek.. might see it as a newbie low status symbol...

[Onikage]

I think whoever sees one as only a symbol of status probably thinks like that themselves. They probably compete with their neighbors for who has the best lawn and the nicest fence.

[snowbird]

Rolex certainly has very effective marketing so it has good name recognition, more so than other high end watch brands in terms of name recognition by the average non-WIS person.

However few people notice watches so I don't think it's much of a status symbol.

[OrangeSport]

Perhaps "iconic" is a better description....

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Really?

I always thought of my watches as a time telling device... Not status symbol. Shouldn't I have it glued to my forehead then???

Maybe for us WIS but to every Non-WIS Rolex means a lot of things (and not all good).

[capote]

For the avarage Joe/Joe Six Pack Rolex IS perceived as a luxury item. Most people haven't heard of the brand Patek Philippe, less can spell it and almost none would recognize it. Because Rolex has been very succesful with marketing EVERYBODY knows that Rolex is an exclusive watch. Perception is everything.

Give 100 persons on the street a choice between a grand complication Patek or a SS sub. What would 99% chose?

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by capote

For the avarage Joe/Joe Six Pack Rolex IS perceived as a luxury item. Most people haven't heard of the brand Patek Philippe, less can spell it and almost none would recognize it. Because Rolex has been very succesful with marketing EVERYBODY knows that Rolex is an exclusive watch. Perception is everything.

Everyone recognizes the brand name and knows that it is offensively expensive, few could identify a Rolex without reading the text on the dial and even fewer could guess the correct number of digits after the dollar sign.

[FremStar]

I agree with the folks that stated Rolex is not a status symbol as there are a dime a dozen out there, now talking about a tour de Ille Vacheron would be something entirely different, besides I think folks here enjoy Rolex timepieces for the history and not to brag and compete with one another... just my thoughts...

[buke45]

Because they are expensive

[eric23]

I don't think it is, most people can spend 5-10K on a watch if they choose too. I guess it depends on how you spend your money and if you can save up 5-10K before you spend it on something.

[mtasquared]

Genius marketing and genius product to back it up.

Although I guess Patek and Richard Mille says you're even richer, who knows.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by rossi46

why? Because it costs many times more than the average watch, and adds little to no more functionality. This same concept works across all kinds of product lines: Automobiles, clothing, electronics, etc.

An $8,000 rolex that does nothing more than an $80 brand x watch is a status symbol, whether you know the history and multitude of past innovations of rolex or not.

edited to add: those that claim that a modern-day rolex is a "tool watch" (whatever the hell that means these days) have fallen victim to just as much marketing crap as those that buy one because roger federer wears one.

+1

[DiamondJack]

Status is a completely relative concept..... and what may be a status symbol to one person maybe absolute "run of the mill" mediocrity to another.

But to consider the question properly......you need to step outside your own perceptions and look at it from the "average" person's perspective if you can. I appreciate this is difficult but when you have a debate like this, there is no point just arguing your own corner otherwise it's just a "I think its a status symbol" or "I dont think it's a status symbol" game of internet tennis with lots of blah blah blah......added in for colour

There are plenty of watches, clothes, shoes, handbags, cars, bikes that are all made within a similar level of quality and yet they all will have hugely differing values attached to them. Why is that???

Surely its because we as people have been encouraged over time by those very clever marketing guys and gals and, of course, lots of iconic brand placement, to attach higher values to the brands we aspire to own.

I would argue that Rolex is arguably the most recognised and lusted after watch brand in the world. If you were to stop 10 complete strangers from all walks of life and ask them to name an expensive brand of watch, I would bet that probably 7 out of 10 would say Rolex.

That brand awareness comes with a certain value whether it applies to you personally or not. The fact you may be able to buy a used Rolex for $2,000 is irrelevent since A) for most people, spending even $2,000 on a watch is way more than they would ever consider anyway and B) this has absolutely no impact on the brand's desirability overall unless of course Rolex suddenly ran a worldwide advertising campaign selling the second hand value of an old DateJust...... Not that likely......

So status symbol.......????? I think most people i.e. the general population would agree Rolex IS a status symbol simply because the general perception is that it's expensive. Whether that applies to you or not, is just a reflection of your personal circumstances and should not detract from the general argument.

[Rags]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

It aint a status symbol in my house. My wife still thinks I'm a moron!

J

My wife also. She wants to know what my rolex does differently as opposed to my Tags or Seikos..

[jemwatch]

cause they are awesome!

[LightOnAHill]

Not just marketing, but pricing (which is technically part of marketing, but we won't get into that).

Status symbol? Yup. Effective when it needs be if used as such? Yup. Enjoyable besides being a status symbol? Absolutely. Letting any of the aforementioned be the only reason for owning? Bad. Have many reasons and wear in good health! :)

[gettocard]

Rolex has "luckily" lost it's status symbol thing. Not among Vegas hookers tho...

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Deep Sea

I don't think it's a status symbol at all. Anybody with as little as $2K can buy a used Datejust, so that hardly says 'status symbol'.

Yesterday, I was talking to a guy who, having noticed my Rolex and learning its cost, said that my status was "insane."

So maybe to some, it is a "status" symbol.

I certainly don't see it as one, however.

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

It aint a status symbol in my house. My wife still thinks I'm a moron!

J

I didn't see your post. "Moron is a status, you know, as well as a clinical term at one time.

Originally Posted by jemwatch

cause they are awesome!

And they certainly are awesome.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

ROLEX IS a status symbol simply because the general perception is that it's expensive. Whether that applies to you or not, is just a reflection of your personal circumstances and should not detract from the general argument.

what diamondjack said, I just didn't want to type it out!

[Postnikov]

When I was young, one had to buy a Swiss watch for quality reasons (mostly it was a Rolex) - it was the quality that counted - not the name. Than came the first James Bond films and marketing - now you buy it, because James Bond had one....
Decide for yourself why Brands getting important for you!

[Mickey®]

Marketing, Price and Quality... Desirability!!!

[rolepam312]

We are all somewhat victims of marketing... Rolex outspends almost every watch company in terms of advertising, most people generally associate Rolex As one of many luxury brands, and one who chooses to buy a Rolex fully understands that you are buying this " luxury " it still projects " status" whether you intended or not... No one "needs" a 8000 dollar time telling piece...it's not even that accurate! What's wrong with being honest about it?

[brownbear]

What is Rolex for 200, Alex?

[cedargrove]

I also believe Rolex is a status symbol for many people, however not merely due to marketing - clearly the quality has had something to do with it.

An example of pure marketing status would be when those hideous Von Dutch trucker hats conveyed some sort of status.

[Le Chef]

You could argue Rolex is a status symbol because people recognize they cost (relatively) a lot of money. I'm just not sure what it signifies about what kind of status.

You have more money than other people? But there a likely people worth a helluva lot more.

You have great taste? But taste is subjective. For some a yg President is great taste, for others it's the height of tackiness.

You have an appreciation of the finer things in life? Well where do Patek and Vacheron fit?

Frankly if people think my GMTIIC is a status symbol then I want to get rid of it and buy something more anonymous.

[prullo]

When I was in college in 1985 a Porsche 911 Turbo and a Rolex submariner poster shared wall space with a Christie Brinkley poster in my dorm room. Coming from a middle class family and being raised by parents whose parents were a coal miner and steel worker in the 1930's and 40's, Porshes and Rolexs were the best you could get in my mind and my parents minds as well.
I never stopped wanting for those items and what they represented to me. When I purchased my first Porsche it elevated me to a new level of self worth and self confidence. When I purchased my first Rolex Submariner the same could be said for the feeling it gave me. I never got Christie Briinkley but a mans gotta know his limitations.
With 3 children, the Porsche is long gone. I still have the sub and it shares wrist time with my Deepsea. I actually love them both and I appreciate everything they stand for to me as well as to others who appreciate the finer things in life even if they are not the "finest" finer things available.

[rayt]

a crown for every achievement.more of a personal trophy for me..

[toph]

good marketing and in general people are fickle and easily swayed. it is not a status symbol just some people see it that way.