Rolex = materialistic sometimes?

[ron17402]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

This thought has triggered me to ask a question that will perhaps provoke some of you into some soul searching. Say I know of a watch, equal in price as your average Rolex but with even better build quality, sturdiness, autonomic run time and precision. The brand, however, is totally unknown in the world and in fact, it is made in main land China. Would you buy it? Would you spend you hard earned cash on a watch, better (a relative understanding) than a Rolex but with a name that in translation means ‘Young Bamboo’?

What about the style? You can't quantify style.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by ron17402

What about the style? You can't quantify style.

Style is in they eye of the beholder and you're dodging an answer

[veilstylez]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

A very good thread! Thank you for starting it. It is one of life’s enigmas. Without a doubt, Rolex is one of the most recognizable upmarket watch brands in the world. Somehow, our dear Hans managed to convince the world that Rolex is the watch to own. Sure, they are not bad, far from it. Sturdy, quintessential and reliable. But one of my watches, a Citizen Promaster, is all that and more. Alas it is just that, a Citizen. But they are not the pinnacle in watch design. They are relatively simple (not a bad thing) and incomparable with the horological gems that emerge from the workshops of Franck Muller, Patek and even Chopard. This thought has triggered me to ask a question that will perhaps provoke some of you into some soul searching. Say I know of a watch, equal in price as your average Rolex but with even better build quality, sturdiness, autonomic run time and precision. The brand, however, is totally unknown in the world and in fact, it is made in main land China. Would you buy it? Would you spend you hard earned cash on a watch, better (a relative understanding) than a Rolex but with a name that in translation means ‘Young Bamboo’?

do you think if rolex wasnt as known as "rolex" that a lot of us would not have bought it?

Honestly Im not sure if I would buy that watch your talking about only because im sure theres a reason why its not known if its a better timepiece. Hummm..

[ron17402]

It's jewlery that tells time. It's high quality jewerly. A Rolex is not specifications, it's wearable art.

You can't consider a Rolex without considering it's style.

For me, I want a Rolex because I think it personifies my style. I could easily buy a Cartier Roadster, but I think a 116710 is more my style.

There are other watch brands out as good a quality as Rolex, but they do not appeal to me stylistically.

You certainly bring up a good point though.

[Interested Bystander]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

A very good thread! Thank you for starting it. It is one of life’s enigmas. Without a doubt, Rolex is one of the most recognizable upmarket watch brands in the world. Somehow, our dear Hans managed to convince the world that Rolex is the watch to own. Sure, they are not bad, far from it. Sturdy, quintessential and reliable. But one of my watches, a Citizen Promaster, is all that and more. Alas it is just that, a Citizen. But they are not the pinnacle in watch design. They are relatively simple (not a bad thing) and incomparable with the horological gems that emerge from the workshops of Franck Muller, Patek and even Chopard. This thought has triggered me to ask a question that will perhaps provoke some of you into some soul searching. Say I know of a watch, equal in price as your average Rolex but with even better build quality, sturdiness, autonomic run time and precision. The brand, however, is totally unknown in the world and in fact, it is made in main land China. Would you buy it? Would you spend you hard earned cash on a watch, better (a relative understanding) than a Rolex but with a name that in translation means ‘Young Bamboo’?

You got me on that one. No, but I do want to know what the brand is.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by veilstylez

do you think if rolex wasnt as known as "rolex" that a lot of us would not have bought it?

Honestly Im not sure if I would buy that watch your talking about only because im sure theres a reason why its not known if its a better timepiece. Hummm..

So a very good piece of 'whatever' only is credible if it is known by the public? An interesting thought! I can make the best espresso machine in the world but if no one knows of it, it is not worth buying? You've hit the nail right on the head! Good marketing is one of the key issues here.

[Ragu]

Arturo,
"I like Shell Cordovan shoes which is a subspecialty of shoes made from a horses ass."

WOW,
these are some expensive shoes bro.
Nothing like quality that's for sure.

[Obsession]

Originally Posted by veilstylez

hahaha I know I cant stop doing it too

same I do it too =) your ideas are exactly same as mine, I ll buy a rolex later and I will wear it just sometimes, nights, alone, I dont like to be seen and noticed with shinning TT blue sub, even when I wear my Folex everybody looks differently =)) Im sure that most of them think that it s real.

[mikey]

Well, I have another passion. In the Radio Control car role my setup for electric would be on the level of Rolex in the watch world. I have an M8, Novak Brushless, and sysnthesized frequency system. I am even thinking about LiPo batteries. Now to most of you I am speaking radio control language and to some of you you know what I have. I have spent a small fortune of the exqivalence of a Rolex Oysterdate Manual Wind on my second Passion. When I go to races holding my radio with the Novak synthesized module knida tells people what your running for the day. Most people would ask why not spend the money on NItro but I choose electric and love ite. My point is be proud to enjoy the best things in life no matter what it costs.

[ADISMO]

you are what you are. if you're materialistic snob then the rolex will help further that. if youre humble but sucessful and want to reward yourself, then the rolex is a reminder of your hard work

wherever you go, there you are. your rolex is just an accesory.

[Teofilo]

Originally Posted by ADISMO

you are what you are. if you're materialistic snob then the rolex will help further that. if youre humble but sucessful and want to reward yourself, then the rolex is a reminder of your hard work

wherever you go, there you are. your rolex is just an accesory.

You are what you are........They are about the wisest words I've seen on the forum in my 9 months here.

[ADISMO]

... i was waiting for any hint of sarcasm. :D Thanks. I'm just bein rreal. :D

[Teofilo]

Originally Posted by ADISMO

... i was waiting for any hint of sarcasm. :D Thanks. I'm just bein rreal. :D

No sarcasm intended...I actually meant it.
People spend too much time trying to be something different.
You are what you are....and if more people realised that then the world would be a happier place.

[Tombstone]

I don't see Rolex as a status $$$ symbol. There are so many higher dollar watches on the market.* Anyone who has a common job if he/she wants a Rolex will have the means to obtain a Rolex. There are too many Rolex watches that are for sale new, used, and offered for trade.

Rolex is flooding the market with their products. I feel that Rolex in the 1980's had more claim to being status symbol then because Rolex production was smaller, and the world economy was not as strong as it is today.

Comparing Rolex to brands in the auto industry, Rolex is comparable to a BMW it is a nice solid import car but definitely not top shelf in the auto industry, that spot would be reserved for the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, and Bentley. Today anyone can afford a BMW, (buy it lease it) some common Fords and Dodge vehicles cost as much as BMW. I feel BMW was more a status symbol in the 1980’s like Rolex was as well.

*A status watch would be a Jean Dunand (starting out at $300,000 USD), Patek,
Harry Winston, and Lang.

[Rubenonfire]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Say I know of a watch, equal in price as your average Rolex but with even better build quality, sturdiness, autonomic run time and precision. The brand, however, is totally unknown in the world and in fact, it is made in main land China. Would you buy it? Would you spend you hard earned cash on a watch, better (a relative understanding) than a Rolex but with a name that in translation means ‘Young Bamboo’?

A great question, Frans, and I can definitely tell what you're driving at...but like Ron's response, you can't just shove it into that one category.

I won't buy a watch (no matter how much or how little it costs) without liking the aesthetics. Since my time on the forum, I've been introduced to several watch brands and styles, most of which have not appealed to me and are also "big dogs" in the watch world such as Patek, IWC, Panerai and Franck Mueller to name a few. Some of these are, in fact, equivalent or FAR superior in quality of construction and precision to Rolex but because I don't like the way they look, I wouldn't touch them at a higher OR lower price point. We buy what we like.

What you're suggesting is why do we buy LUXURY goods, and that's a HELL of question. Why buy a Lexus IS when a Toyota Corolla will do? Why wear Seven For All Mankind denim when a pair of $50 Levis gets the job done just as adequately? You could draw the same comparison with food, drink, vacations, homes and the list goes on. The answer, for ME, is that I like nice things and those nice things might be different than what another man likes. I'm not ashamed of the fact that I like them, nor should I be, and although I would never presume to boast about my material posessions, I'm also not about to apologize for them, either (not that anyone has made that ascertion).

What's interesting to me is how so many of us are super passionate about our watches (let's pick that since after all, this is a Rolex forum ) and most of us bust our butts to get the money to have one, we obsess, we research, we discuss, we form opinions, we save, we sacrifice....and then when we actually get one, we start asking ourselves if we're OK with having one! HELL YES I'm OK with having it, and I'm proud that I do and I L--V-E my Rolex. Whether or not the person standing next to me cares or doesn't is of absolutely no concern to me whatsoever. I would never for one second look down on them for not having one, so who are they to question what I've spent my money and time on?

Love your watches, guys and gals...and love what you have. Your jobs (not tongue in cheek), your families, your friends, your hobbies. You have them, after all, as a blessing to YOU.