Why I wear a Rolex (from a non-watch-guy)

[KBM]

Congratulations on your upcoming purchase. Any Rolex will serve you for a lifetime and then more. Enjoy the hunt, it's half the fun!

Oh, and welcome to TRF. If you stick long enough, you just might find one watch isn't enough after all...

[F1polesitter]

Great choice OP.

[phillycheez]

Originally Posted by cht

Did I say something incorrect that I need to research?

The kool-aid of blind hate.

How many brands in this price range can say they are fully integrated and in-house in Switzerland? Are they also privately owned?

Hand made? I'm not exactly sure what that means these days? But I do know you get more a lot more hand finishing in the $15k and up range. Rolex has never been known as the hand finishing types so it's odd to knock them on that. That's a blame on buyer inexperience.

You actually think Rolex has bad QC? Producing 1M watches a year? Honestly I don't know if you follow many watch forums or sub brand forums but Rolex nowhere near has as many complaints to brands making less than 50k watches a year.

I find it hard that anyone can knock Rolex as a watch manufacturer if they actually like watches and everything about them.

If you look at Rolex as just a watch manufacturer they tick almost every single box a watch enthusiast wants in the sub $10k range.

-truly Swiss made
-fully integrated in house production
-holds value
-cosc certified
-superlative chronometer +/-2
-5 year warranty
-history
-quality, durable, reliable

Hate away but it really makes no sense

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by phillycheez

The kool-aid of blind hate.

How many brands in this price range can say they are fully integrated and in-house in Switzerland? Are they also privately owned?

Hand made? I'm not exactly sure what that means these days? But I do know you get more a lot more hand finishing in the $15k and up range. Rolex has never been known as the hand finishing types so it's odd to knock them on that. That's a blame on buyer inexperience.

You actually think Rolex has bad QC? Producing 1M watches a year? Honestly I don't know if you follow many watch forums or sub brand forums but Rolex nowhere near has as many complaints to brands making less than 50k watches a year.

I find it hard that anyone can knock Rolex as a watch manufacturer if they actually like watches and everything about them.

If you look at Rolex as just a watch manufacturer they tick almost every single box a watch enthusiast wants in the sub $10k range.

-truly Swiss made
-fully integrated in house production
-holds value
-cosc certified
-superlative chronometer +/-2
-5 year warranty
-history
-quality, durable, reliable

Hate away but it really makes no sense

I largely agree.

I do have a little bit of a love hate relationship with the quality aspect of their watches on the basis that I think there could be more attention to detail of the finished product and some inconsistencies, after all Seiko seem to do better at a lower price point
Perhaps my expectations are a little too high of the brand and my experience with Rolex has been a little hit and miss in terms of QC.

Don't get me wrong. With production numbers seemingly approaching the 1 Million mark I would expect a better success rate overall from Rolex.
After all it's easier to achieve a high degree of precision in a movement design when high production numbers are involved, and I wonder why it's not transferring over to the finished watch.

Other than that I think that Rolex make an excellent and robust product and in some ways I think they have achieved a state approaching some form of globalised perfection, based on the quality and commitment to their level of service, which IMO goes a long way to the ownership experience.

[phillycheez]

Originally Posted by Dirt

I largely agree.

I do have a little bit of a love hate relationship with the quality aspect of their watches on the basis that I think there could be more attention to detail of the finished product and some inconsistencies, after all Seiko seem to do better at a lower price point
Perhaps my expectations are a little too high of the brand and my experience with Rolex has been a little hit and miss in terms of QC.

Don't get me wrong. With production numbers seemingly approaching the 1 Million mark I would expect a better success rate overall from Rolex.
After all it's easier to achieve a high degree of precision in a movement design when high production numbers are involved, and I wonder why it's not transferring over to the finished watch.

Other than that I think that Rolex make an excellent and robust product and in some ways I think they have achieved a state approaching some form of globalised perfection, based on the quality and commitment to their level of service, which IMO goes a long way to the ownership experience.

I know it's tough to think of Rolex as a company that makes tool watches but if you do and stop comparing to brands that focus on finishing it would make more sense. They essentially make a tool watch to the highest quality possible. Unfortunately that comes at a luxurious price that prices them out of the "normal" tool watch price segment.

My Sd4k isn't even comparable to the finishing on my IWC 3239. The brushing and polishing is so much more technical all over the watch. It also cost half the price.

I love them both. But if the Sd4k had that kind of finishing it defeats the whole purpose of the watch...

Sorry to hear your experience with their QC didn't go well. They have exceeded my expectations, vintage and modern.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by phillycheez

I know it's tough to think of Rolex as a company that makes tool watches but if you do and stop comparing to brands that focus on finishing it would make more sense. They essentially make a tool watch to the highest quality possible. Unfortunately that comes at a luxurious price that prices them out of the "normal" tool watch price segment.

My Sd4k isn't even comparable to the finishing on my IWC 3239. The brushing and polishing is so much more technical all over the watch. It also cost half the price.

I love them both. But if the Sd4k had that kind of finishing it defeats the whole purpose of the watch...

Sorry to hear your experience with their QC didn't go well. They have exceeded my expectations, vintage and modern.

Excellent point.
Honestly I've never stopped and thought about Rolex as primarily a tool watch maker. In that context it makes perfect sense
Perhaps they are the Stahlwille equivalent of the watch world?

The price point they sell at is a sticking point in that case.
The watches all ran absolutely perfectly with outstanding timekeeping in each and every case.

I've had a number of other Swiss watch brands including IWC and they always stood out as having a high end finish that was seemingly worth the premium, with the dial work being way superior to Rolex.

[maxbaris]

You never buy only one Rolex! Fyi.

[strafer_kid]

It can be a bit of a "love - hate" thing from time to time with Rolex. Great product in terms of design and engineering, but there can be some aspects of their business that are somewhat frustrating and 'challenging', for example servicing or limiting the supply of some models etc. That said, I can't see myself ever really moving away from them

[coffeebreak]

Originally Posted by the_natural

I am, the outgoing 214270 "T Rex", in part due to its understated nature.



I tried on and considered many. Thought I wanted a Sub, but wanted to buy something new, and just couldn't do the new square design (which obviously takes out quite a few models). I like having a date but really didn't want a cyclops (though ironically the Swatch had one and I was fine with it). I also like that the Explorer seems to be less common than a lot of other models.

Great choice. I think it's a great go-anywhere, do-anything, rugged and refined at the same time, and always classy watch

[tomchicago]

You are deriving psychological support (call it "prestige") by associating with a brand which some people you admire have associated with. It's a very, very common advertising tactic that's the core of any "high end" marketing strategy. "Look-- this famous/rich/cool/popular/accomplished person uses this product. If you use this product too, you too might be famous/rich/cool/popular/accomplished like them!"

[brucethemanlee]

congrats the EXP I is great looking watch!

[PatrickJ]

Originally Posted by the_natural

I am, the outgoing 214270 "T Rex", in part due to its understated nature.

I tried on and considered many. Thought I wanted a Sub, but wanted to buy something new, and just couldn't do the new square design (which obviously takes out quite a few models). I like having a date but really didn't want a cyclops (though ironically the Swatch had one and I was fine with it). I also like that the Explorer seems to be less common than a lot of other models.

Why is it called "TREX"?

[cht]

Originally Posted by phillycheez

The kool-aid of blind hate.

blah blah blah....

Hate away but it really makes no sense

I've re-read my post and I see no hate in it....utterly confused.

Odd that you find it necessary to defend this brand, but to whom I ask... yourself?

I don't hate the brand, heck, I probably have more Rolex watches than you.

Not sure where you're seeing the "hate."

Everything I said was true, and I didn't say much. Nothing was derogatory.
I gave sound advice for the OP to do his research so he knows ultimately what he is buying. He was only citing advertising by prominent people who wore the watch, which is not always the best reason to by a watch.

Maybe it's time to relax a little and enjoy your watch?

[schmeff]

Originally Posted by PatrickJ

Why is it called "TREX"?

It has shorter hands compared to the latest reference, so T-Rex = dinosaur with short arms.

[sea-dweller]

Explorer 1 is great!

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by maxbaris

You never buy only one Rolex! Fyi.

I'm already starting to feel this. I'm pretty sure I'm a one-watch man, but maybe that's due in large part to fiscal constraints (of the real as well as the I-just-prefer-to-save-than-spend kind). But point taken -- in fact, right now I have a tab open to a polar 16570, thinking "Well you know...."

As requested, I'll post pics once I have it.

[49ers101hitters]

Originally Posted by PatrickJ

Why is it called "TREX"?

The sound of old T-Rex