controversial Rolex demographics

[Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bigbear

But we justify our exuberant purchases in the name of gold, or history, or legacy, or complication or what ever we can do to justify.......

Sounds about right.
People pay for the brand name. A well designed product with superb provenance. Same reason why so many buy/wear fakes instead of homages without the name. It would be amiss to say some part of all of us isn't drawn to Rolex because of its name of gold.

[Boothroyd]

And am I to assume that all Omega-buyers are really George Clooney want-to-be's? Because he represents the brand, after all.

Originally Posted by azguy

You need to sit down and do some watch research, the Rolex history is amazing from the Sub, the Sea Dweller to the GMT.....

[jedinite]

It's your money, buy what you want not what they want.

[wishywatchy]

I'd be interested to know what watches your friends have? At 21 im guessing there wont be many quality watches.

When I bought my first Rolex I showed my best mate, his response, whilst lifting up his sleeve was 'why have you bought one of them, you should have bought a proper watch' at which point he shoved his TAG Heuer 1000 in my face and said 'This is a SWISS made watch'

[dcash0615]

As most are saying here on this thread, buy what you want and like. Who cares what your friends say. It is your cash and you are going to be wearing the watch, not you friends. Let us know what you decide.

[ecsub44]

Rolex sells hundreds of thousands of watches a year. I would assume that the majority of those purchases are by people that simply want to "own a Rolex". They know nothing about the movements, styles, history, etc. They probably couldn't care less.

The other camp is those that truly appreciate the brand history, quality, etc.

I'd say it's a 90/10 split.

[Hairdude1]

Get the sub

[cptmike03]

I would say find a 14060M new while you can and buy it. Lots of history behind that, it's a classic, and much more affordable then the new "C" models. And don't worry about what others think. The same people who told me that my watches are too expensive are the same people who spend the same amount of money on other things that will not last like a Rolex (ex. 60 inch LED TV). Take a look around and you will notice that many of your friends are spending like money on other things.

[bigbear]

I have seen that there is a perception with some members on this board that they have a greater right to own a Rolex because they know the history or the mechanics of the watch and those that just buy a Rolex as a brand name, are less worthy of it.

I believe that's a false assumption and a guy who buys a Rolex to showoff to others is just as worthy of it as the guy who knows every single nut and bolt in his Rolex or one who can write a book on Rolex or one who can assemble a Rolex's movement with his eyes closed.

Afterall, a Rolex is NOT earned. It is bought. No one is any more worthy than anyone else. Your $10,000 are as good as my $10,000.

[nauticajoe]

Who cares what are people think. Do what makes you happy.

Good luck!

[Le Chef]

10 years from now you will have moved on in life. You will have moved to another city or country, gotten a good job (hopefully), own property, etc. Chances are you will have a completely different set of friends. If you bought the Sub it's likely you would still be wearing it and enjoying it. There's something very enduring and endeering about an icon like the Sub that few other watches can give you.

[thechoson]

Interesting, OP.

I was just reading an article about how Omega is greatly eclipsing Rolex among the young in China.

That got me wondering how the young here perceive each brand, although I'm guessing the overall market for luxury watches is not as large here as it is in China.

To simplify a larger issue, I have an issue with the whole "conformity = bad" concept. ALL of us to a certain degree care what people think. And we need to, it's just a basic evolutionary drive to be accepted by others.

So I do understand your dilemma about caring what your friends think and the desire to fit in.

But ultimately it's your decision. Maybe you can get the watch you want- a Rolex - but not wear it as much around the people that might be judgmental about that kind of thing? If that will bother you, absolutely nothing wrong with getting a nice Omega either.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by TauKappaEpsilon

Many people that I've spoken to all have this idea that people buy Rolex's as a status symbol and they dont necessarily care about the watch/know exactly what it is they are buying. What do you all think about that? Do you think that argument holds any weight, or do you think that the majority of people buying Rolexs genuinely like them?

Rolex makes almost 1,000,000 watches per year. How many people on earth do you really think bother to know anything about mechanical watches? The vast majority of people who buy Rolex are not buying a great mechanical watch (which it is), they're buying a Rolex. You see that echoed in posts on every watch forum I've ever read.

Here's a funny story: I purchased my first Rolex while an undergraduate in college. I bought it because it was a classically styled watch with an in house movement. I paid a very reasonable $3500 for it. Upon seeing my watch, and how much I enjoyed it, my very good (and very wealthy) friend decided he wanted one too. Before picking up his own Rolex he asked his dad if he had any he didn't want. His dad gave him a solid gold Daytona. My buddy had no idea about the value of his new watch. He knew it was a Rolex and that it was gold so he liked it.

I suspect that a large large portion of Rolex customers share more in common with my buddy and his father, than they do with me.

[floater156]

I couldn't care less what my friends think, you're old enough to make your own decisions.

[threemonkeys]

I've been wearing a Rolex for 15 years. I've only had two or three comments on my watch during that time (none negative). My point is - most people won't know or care what you are wearing.

[thechoson]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

I've been wearing a Rolex for 15 years. I've only had two or three comments on my watch during that time (none negative). My point is - most people won't know or care what you are wearing.

I think most people associate Rolex = Datejust or another similarly well known design.

A Sub is a pretty iconic design as well, but I've only had 1 person make a comment on my watch in the 4 years I've worn it. My own father, who's also been wearing a Rolex for over 10 years, said, "that's a Rolex?!" when he saw my watch up close.

[Zed Homme]

Get what you like, it is your money. People buy omega for status as well.

[Smaug]

Originally Posted by travisb

Not what your friends tell you to buy.
If you've always wanted a Sub then it's the Sub you should get.
If not - you'll get something else and wish you would have gotten the Sub.

+1

The sub is typically liked by older guys. That's why your friends favor the Panerai.

Buy a clean, used Sub. You'll love it. If you don't you can resell it and get your money back for a PAM.

But I don't think you will. ;)

It still looks sharp, 60 years later. It is still probably the most imitated watch of all time.

[Genesis]

I've wanted a Sub since I first saw it...Buy the watch you want, not what your friends think you should have....

[Raspberry]

Get what you want not what people tell you to buy. Also be very thankful that you are fortunate enough to buy a Rolex at 21 years!

[77T]

Maybe post your question on an Omega Forum to see what they think?
After 100 of them say "Omega" you can weigh that against the TRFers who say "Rolex".

IMHO, to avoid any stigma maybe get a vintage 5513, put it on a Bond NATO or Zulu and go under the radar

[Lagunatic]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

I'm not sure how much of the watch you are expected to know about. I'm pretty sure maybe only a handfull of our members could take the case back off and perform repairs to it. Half of our members are to scared to even take some cape codd cloth to the watch and polish it. I promise you the morning after you wake up with your new Rolex nothin in your life will have changed. In the end it's just a hunk of metal. Now if we are talking about TRF that Is a whole new can of worms. I think at least 25 percent of the members would give up there watches before they gave up there TRF membership.

I promise you the morning after you wake up with your new Rolex nothin in your life will have changed. In the end it's just a hunk of metal.

[Grissom]

Buy what you want, and can afford, for YOU. It is irrelevant what others may think.

[LightOnAHill]

sounds like your friends are trying to impose their views of status by linking rolex with status, instead of knowing you really like the sub and encouraging you. Good friends, maybe just need some popcorn, an action movie with bond, and then you can show them the new watch you got. :)

[Z-Sub]

If you can afford it with the money you earned yourself, it does not matter who says what.

I love the SS version more as I think it fits all ages equally well.

[Oyster1982]

Dont worry, if you like the Rolex buy it. Its your money not your friends.

[TauKappaEpsilon]

Originally Posted by wishywatchy

I'd be interested to know what watches your friends have? At 21 im guessing there wont be many quality watches.

When I bought my first Rolex I showed my best mate, his response, whilst lifting up his sleeve was 'why have you bought one of them, you should have bought a proper watch' at which point he shoved his TAG Heuer 1000 in my face and said 'This is a SWISS made watch'

LOL unfortunately that is not the case. They both have Omegas. One has a limited edition America's Cup Professional Chronograph (Seamaster) and the other one has a brand new seamaster 300m.

[kb5zcr]

When they think I'm crazy for buying such an expensive watch, I remind them that I don't own a bass boat or sports car so I decided to spend the money on a nice watch, most of the time there is a "light of understanding" that comes on when they hear this.

[jackwebb]

Originally Posted by TauKappaEpsilon

LOL unfortunately that is not the case. They both have Omegas. One has a limited edition America's Cup Professional Chronograph (Seamaster) and the other one has a brand new seamaster 300m.

I have a Planet Ocean. And yeah it was the best watch in the world… until I put a Rolex on.

[Johnn]

Wish I had your sophisticated taste at 21...maybe you friends haven't caught you up yet :)