What does your Rolex mean to you?

[GradyPhilpott]

My Rolex watches are fundamentally watches, just as all the watches I own regardless of brand, but the Rolex watches are mighty fine watches and represent milestones in life.

It's not wrong to consider some Rolex watches as jewelry, but they are not just jewelry. They perform a useful function, like any watch.

I'm too old for flexing. Nobody cares what the old dude is wearing, unless it's a thief doing the looking.

[77T]

In my case it means “middle”.

An Omega Auto, my first in 1966.

A Rolex DJ, added in 2018.

A Patek Calatrava, added in 2021.


The middle, capisce?


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[Innocenti]

Originally Posted by minute_man

The very best watch I can afford.

It could be argued that there are better watches for less money. But I guess it depends how you measure ‘best’

[Clon3]

All of the above, but flexing is definitely in the formula for everyone. Just a matter of how much (1% or 100%). :)

[EndlessEight]

None of the above.

My BLRO is a tribute to my grandfather

[CanPam]

When I'm wearing one of my Rolexes I feel like I'm immortal lol...

[Scunner]

Fundamentally all pieces are just a watch but additionally a reminder of both sacrifices and achievements.

[Jay2101]

Fundamentally watches to tell time, but I've found myself in situations where I look down 3 times and realize I didn't actually catch the time. Just admiring the watch.

[arnesto]

I wore my DJ for 10 years daily i was a retirement gift from my wife and son in 2007. I got an Apple Watch 10 years ago. It is such an amazing device, my watch face has date, time, current weather as well as forecast, air quality, heart rate and exercise tracker. If my iphone rings silently by vibrating my wrist, i can talk to my wrist like Dick Tracy. But ,y Rolex when I wear it does only keep fairly good time, And f I squint hard at my wrist near my nose I can tell the date. But i feel lucky that they Rolex makes me smile unlike the apple watch.

[csaltphoto]

To me it means I got to a point in my life where I could afford something I always wanted but couldn't justify the price previously for what, no matter how we might try to convince ourselves otherwise, is an overpriced anachronistic leftover from half a century ago. But a really cool one. I'm not a collector. Just always wanted a sub. It turned out to be a great purchase (and glad I did it when I did. Don't think I would pay what they are going for now) Not ashamed to say I appreciate it every day.

[siempreko]

To me, Rolex is a rock solid tool watch, that is incredibly pleasing to my eye (and my heart!)


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[DCheeta]

I only wear it to impress the ladies and intimidate other men. Option #3.

[RogerOP]

It should have been a multi choice as I’m sure 99% of the purchasers of luxury items don’t just buy it because it is ultimately just xyz.

You don’t just buy a Christian Dior bag because it’s a bag and you don’t just buy Rolex because it’s just a watch. It’s the brand label and the association and attention of owning that brand.

Why do you think people say “Oyster Perpetuals are boring”? Or why people say “Submariners are quintessentially Rolex” (when they’re not at all)..it’s because people buy Rolex and want people to know they’re well off in life enough to buy a Rolex so they must have the more recognisable models. Why do you think all the “hot” pieces are Daytona, Submariner and GMT?

Why do people talk up precious metal Rolex’s? They tell the same time as stainless steel ones! Again: attention.

The term “tool watch” is nonsense too. Let’s be realistic. The large majority of Submariner owners are diving even 10 meters, no Daytona owners are timing anything with their watches.

A quartz or digital watch with solar power and radio time correcting is more accurate than anything that is mechanical. But people here won’t buy them because for the time keeping purposes.

For me: it’s a luxury watch. I always wore watches: Apple Watch (a true “tool” watch”, Casio, Tissot, etc but bought one because I wanted to own something a bit more expensive than the rest. Nothing more. Nothing less.

[Moondoggy]

Nearly all have sentimental meanings, milestones, events etc. I often don't even set the time on them.

[RogerOP]

Originally Posted by Oyster Sauce

If I’m being honest, no luxury watch is a “tool” for me. I’m not a diver, spelunker, mountaineer, explorer, mercenary, special ops, 007, etc…just a normal person. For me a Rolex is a luxury that acts as a nice adornment. Although I may not like thinking of it as “jewelry” that’s closer to what it is (nor does it take away from a Rolex’s robustness or capability).

My G-Shock is a true tool and much better at telling time than any Rolex. Like ‘em both but they serve different roles in this hobby for me.

Thank you for being honest!

[~Ocho1~]

Just a really nice tool to tell the time.....

It's funny because a couple of weeks ago, on a Friday I was super casual at work wearing jeans & a v-neck t-shirt. My superintendent commented to me that he liked my gold chain. I said thanks, that my grandmother gave me the chain many, many years ago & it's the only jewelry I wear apart from my Tungsten Carbide wedding ring.

He asked "so you don't consider your watches jewelry?"

I thought about it for a second & said "Not really"

I guess they could be considered jewelry, but in my mind I don't consider them jewelry, just a tool.

[Ichiran]

It means I have a well made robust watch on my wrist.

[samson66]

I do it so I can flex with my boats n hoes

[rG2022]

Originally Posted by CanPam

When I'm wearing one of my Rolexes I feel like I'm immortal lol...

LOL good one

[iLovetheAirking]

I see it as a watch. However, it's also the best watch around.

[JohnnyW]

For me it means I can live the life of a recluse without feeling guilty.

No longer can I shower, or swim. No longer can I do any handiwork around the house, and no longer can I safely visit any town, city, or country for fear of immediately being robbed at knifepoint.

Anyway, back to day-time TV for me.....

[ltmgeller]

Originally Posted by HHIslander

Lol @ pose/flex

[S.Explorer]

A watch that goes on adventures with me, and is there during the highs and lows.

[Chester01]

None of the above. My rolex was gifted to me by my new deceased mother in the late 90's one Christmas. Its been on my wrist at my graduation, marriage, funerals of loved friends and family, honeymoon, more graduations, birth of sons, job interviews, and more vacations and interesting college adventures than I care to recall. Suffice to say, its more than a watch, its become imbued with meaning. Its not a watch that I would let go nor trade for anything.

Its also a tool. Im my line of work, I need to time various things, and use my Sub's bezel for this often several times a day. No, Im not a diver, but very much use it as a tool.

When one buys and flips or keeps in a safe, its an object. One one wears, it becomes symbolic of them in some ways.

[UpNorth_DownSouth]

For me it represents commitment and dedication. I looked for years and always gave myself a reason to not purchase one. I finally did and makes me smile every time I look down. I’m more of a low key guy so if no one comments when I wear it, I’m all good!

[7enderbender]

Interesting question with interesting poll questions. For me it’s classic designs that are more or less timeless. I can’t stand the “flex” or jewelry aspect of it. Which is why I sometimes chose not to wear my Sea Dweller depending on what I’m doing, which may be silly also, because who cares what others think, right?
Otherwise, I put the classic Rolex diver design into the same category of form/function/timelessness as a Porsche 911, Montblanc fountain pen, Barbour wax jacket, Swiss Army knife, Walther PPK, Gibson J45, Fender Strat, a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes, or an AllClad pan. You get the idea.
Part of it is also that you may be drawn to the classics that were something you wanted and admired in your teens or twenties but could afford. Which is exactly why I prefer 5 digit Rolex over the new stuff that I feel caters to other audiences. Same with cars. Or why somebody would shell out big bucks for a vintage guitar or other watch brands.

[inadeje]

I couldn’t vote because non of your answers coincide. A watch is one of the few items a man can wear without jumping into the abundant jewelry genre. My watches are reminders of why I gave up a huge portion of my life on this earth to work. One of the few highly visible items I can look at easily and get that fulfilling reminder.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by Clon3

All of the above, but flexing is definitely in the formula for everyone. Just a matter of how much (1% or 100%). :)

Nope.

0% flex here.

You obviously see your Rolex different and that's ok.

[Know1isgod]

[Rolexguy$]

Interesting thread.

It's just a watch to start with.
Then again it's a reminder of my effort and hard work because it's like a reward for the job done.
It's also a buddy that's with me wherever I am oh and it's a trusted buddy too because it's always on time