Moving on from Rolex

[1William]

Rolex is the brand for me and I always circle back around for both ownership and wear.

[Snowballs]

Rolex fan boy. 5 digit (excluding my 1675)

[N_Architect]

Originally Posted by Kenny G

I think if one is in the position to collect Rolex, then the logical next move is to PP/AP/VC.
...

^^This

After x4 Rolexes, I moved to PP (x2), AP (x1), Lange (x1)
Once you make the move, there is no turning back really

However...

If for any reason you ever need something more practical, easier to repair, and more rugged to wear daily, the only way is returning back to Rolex.

All the rest (the Panerais, the Omegas, or whatever else), some of them are are not bad but nothing retains value and offers durability as a Rolex does.

Something to keep in mind.

[Agamemnon]

Panerai

[doyall]

Not necessarily moving on but unwilling to go gray and the wait at my AD seems interminable so I have branched out to a comparable Swiss brand and non-Swiss micro-brands to scratch my itch. Good value to be found elsewhere. If AD comes through with something I do not already have a reasonable substitute for, I will probably get it. I may even be so bold as to ask the AD to extend the factory warranty with an in-house one on anything with a 32xx movement. If they will not do it, I could easily pass.

[Cr_Zeek]

Originally Posted by N_Architect

^^This


All the rest (the Panerais, the Omegas, or whatever else), some of them are are not bad but nothing retains value and offers durability as a Rolex does.

Something to keep in mind.

Everything retains more value than money. FWIW

[SudiYunus]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

It's not about brands for me, it's about watches I like. My last significant watch purchase was an Omega and my next one is likely to be the same, because Omega make a model I particularly like and would like to have in my collection as soon as I think I've earned it. The advantage over Rolex is that I can walk into my AD, point, and get a discount, as I did with my last Omega, and the one before that.

“It's not about brands for me, it's about watches I like.“
+1

[Cauhauna]

Originally Posted by Tylerlsu2008

I only have an Exp II and hoping to get a GMT in due course, but after that I would be happy. I agree on the redundancy point. I enjoy the Omegas, Panerai, and IWC in my collection very much.

For me, Omega is the brand that i'm the most naturally drawn to as a peer to Rolex.

i have good news for you.
your explorer 2 is a GMT; it even says so in the manual

cheers

[Cauhauna]

Originally Posted by N_Architect

^^This

After x4 Rolexes, I moved to PP (x2), AP (x1), Lange (x1)
Once you make the move, there is no turning back really

I'm in the same boat; i have a Daytona, Sub, Exp 2, and Sky-Dweller.
Not only is that enough, it's too much. I wear my Daytona every day, and the rest sit. I'm actively exploring AP and PP.

I will likely trim down the Rolex collection; my two must keep are Daytona and Sub date.

[doublevanose82]

I love Rolex, but in the last few years I have added pieces from Omega(Speedy, Seamaster) and recently added a Rose gold Cartier Tank on an alligator leather strap to my collection.

Every one has something special to offer and can pair differently with my attire. I understand what you mean by "redundant" when it comes to the sport models as they tend to look very similar.

[Yobber76]

Originally Posted by Joearch

I enjoy a blended collection of Rolex and Panerai. Many don’t understand Panerai, which is fine with me. I have been wearing them for 20 years or so and like the older references that stay close to the DNA of their origins. Nice counterpoint to Rolex every now and then.

I was one of those that didn't understand Panerai. But in the past 2 years I decided to diversify my collection. I was tired of the hunt. I still have 3 Rolexes, but my recent purchases have been a Tudor, a Breitling, and most recently a Panerai Luminor. I don't know if it's the honeymoon period or not, I haven't taken this Pam off for more than a day since I bought it. I was considering an Omega next, we will see.

[Pinchy]

Same position. I have the every Rolex I ever dreamed I wanted. And at this stage it's time to cultivate and interest in Patek, AP. I wish I could say VC is there but they really need at least one design I'm even remotely interested.

[Bmats]

Patek, Lange, JLC are where I went next. The problem is when you go “up” a level (which was Lange and Patek) sometimes you just want to wear that watch instead.

[TheWatchmen]

Originally Posted by JimSnyder

To me a collection is not every one of the newest Rolex watches. Mix it up

Lol I don’t know how many ceramic Pepsi/ green Submariner/ White Daytona “collections” I’ve seen here but there are a bunch.

[jb335]

I wouldn’t

[MrMercedes]

I love Hublot very much. My next watch will be a Hublot (99% sure!). Great watches and very great quality!

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Joearch

I enjoy a blended collection of Rolex and Panerai. Many don’t understand Panerai, which is fine with me. I have been wearing them for 20 years or so and like the older references that stay close to the DNA of their origins. Nice counterpoint to Rolex every now and then.

X2
Rolex and Panerai just go so well together in a collection as they both have their own unique iconic design, robust built and attitude on the wrist.

[Aboutderntime]

Great points above. Personally, I lean towards Patek and AP as well but the price points are tough to swallow. I also find that Rolex, although not at all “cheap”, works great as daily watches. I’m not sure that I’ll find another watch that works as well as a daily than some of my sport pieces from Rolex.

Currently have an Overseas which I love and is quite versatile. Considering an AP (new or neovintage) diver.

[ERH]

I took a decision to expand outside of Rolex, at the time I had six. Omegas, Tags, Breitling, Tudor, Nomos, a Tissot Solar TTouch which got my attention. I like them all, and have only 'passed down' a watch or two to my son and son in law.

[VintageCollectorRX]

I started collecting AP and Patek but ended up coming back to the Rolex after I have to service some of these high end Swiss watches…

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by VintageCollectorRX

I started collecting AP and Patek but ended up coming back to the Rolex after I have to service some of these high end Swiss watches…

What’s a regular PP service cost?


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[fskywalker]

Other than Rolex mainly Omega watches, but also some other brands like Tudor, Zenith, Citizen, Seiko and Casio


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[cerendigit]

I’m with you. This is a hobby though. It’s not supposed to “make sense” some people are happy collecting every variation of a single model of a single brand (think of gshock square collectors).

As for me, I’ve moved on from collecting altogether.

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by N_Architect

^^This

After x4 Rolexes, I moved to PP (x2), AP (x1), Lange (x1)
Once you make the move, there is no turning back really

However...

If for any reason you ever need something more practical, easier to repair, and more rugged to wear daily, the only way is returning back to Rolex.

All the rest (the Panerais, the Omegas, or whatever else), some of them are are not bad but nothing retains value and offers durability as a Rolex does.

Something to keep in mind.

Not sure about the “durability” comment. My Panerai and Omega are definitely as durable as any Rolex. And my G-Shock is more durable than all of them.

[RogerOP]

I’m in agreement.

I find that the professional models using the same hands is the driving issue. I have a 126610 and I like the GMT and the Exp 2 but spending my own money to get either feels redundant, but will fill the “Rolex pull” feeling I keep getting.

I have an OP41 in silver/gold and that is my daily for now. I am struggling on anything else hitting me the same way as the drive to get those two watches. I looked outside of Rolex and only the Reverso gives me that gushy feeling. Other than that, I just loop back to the Rolex stable.

Not seen anything from AP/PP that hits me either, I’m not a huge fan of leather strap and classic watches and I genuinely think a lot of those watches are sold based on name rather than attraction. So I am thinking whether that’s it for my watch collection.

[LA_LEC]

I am a brand loyal guy and Rolex is that brand.

[Subb]

I love my collection, its actually mixed with Rolex, Omega and Tudor. i don't see any brand less as long as i love what i want i am getting it.

[cowie89]

due to availability I'm losing my love for Rolex, Tudor are exciting me more and more.

[boltz]

Your reasons are best for you.

[AEV]

I have moved from Rolex to AP, but will for sure keep a Sub and GMT in the collection.
Maybe a Daytona as well if I ever get allocated one.
I have had Omega and IWC but those did not stick for long.
As others have pointed out, in terms of robustness, time-keeping, water resistance and overall wear, it's hard to match a Rolex.