Is there a downside to all gold Rolexes?

[oboshoe]

Originally Posted by chris russell

Do you mean other than the downside that gold is hugely, blisteringly environmentally-UNfriendly to mine, to process and to refine? We are told that 1 ounce of gold creates 20 tons of poisonous slag. Does that matter to you?

Nickel, chromium and iron ore don't will their self into existance. (components of stainless steel)

The miniing of Nickel and Chromium especially has a massive environment impact.

If one is really about the environment aspects of the mining of gold, I suggest wearing a plastic watch so as to be really green.

[Zhanger]

Originally Posted by oboshoe

If one is really about the environment aspects of the mining of gold, I suggest wearing a plastic watch so as to be really green.

Or no watch at all if you have a cellphone, computer or wall clock.

[kareemthedream33]

I love the all gold Rolexes and respect them as beautiful, but they aren't for me:
- very, very flashy
- doesn't wear well on younger gents (except athletes and musicians maybe). Maybe I would consider one in my 50+ years.
- IMO you can get a superior watch for the same money. This is obviously a subjective point but I would much rather wear a Patek Calatrava or a Lange & Sohne. As expensive as the president is, if you live in or go to an affluent area, you will see several. I'm not interested in seeing my 20K watch on several other people. I'd rather something more rare, more understated, and hand made.

[jameshe]

Depends how you look at it. If you want to be critical and look at the worst case scenario:

1 deprecation is awful
2 full yellow gold is perceived as gaudy and 'tacky' by some people - or 'old manly'
3 you are a target for jealousy/gold diggers (no pun intended!) or thieves
4 it isn't very durable compared to steel models
5 to some it is contradictory to have a gold watch if it is not a 'dress' model (as I believe all but the cellini's are not in the purest sense of the term under rolex - see: a Lange, patek calatrava's etc for examples of pure dress) - the rest of rolex are oyster cases (sports IMO, even though many of them appear dressier)
6 whilst steel is still expensive, should you not be going for a more sophisticated manufacturer with multiple complications for that kind of money if you are going to go 'gold'.

That seems like quite a rant! I am only considering alternative view points collectively and I in no way endorse or agree with any of the above (disclaimer!). Just amalgamating the worst case negatives about all gold.

[jameshe]

And, as someone mentioned above, how we farm gold as a resource - rolex may do it ethically, but I don't imagine many Africans/south Americans have been enslaved and killed in the production of stainless steel to make our jewellery.

I'm not well versed on this, I just thought that it was an interesting point to make above.

[Polemic]

Rolex makes excellent SS watches but buying a DD instead of PP Calatrava makes no sense to me.

I think Mockingbird explained well:

This is what my interest in watches is all about, the technological and engineering marvels that have been created thus far. Because of this interest and belief, I have often expressed the view that I will never buy a Rolex for more than $10,000, for the simple fact that I don't believe it to be worth the money. Rolex makes a spectacular stainless steel watch for less than $10,000, everything priced past there is the same movement in a more expensive case. This in my mind classifies it as jewelry. If I buy a $20-30,000 watch I expect a few things, handcrafting, and it not being a simple movement are two of them.

I agree with him. I already have a Milgauss. Now I am planning to buy a 16600 but jewellery is not for me. I hate diamonds and gold, especially yellow gold. That's just me.

[Aivas47a]

Originally Posted by Polemic

Rolex makes excellent SS watches but buying a DD instead of PP Calatrava makes no sense to me.

+1

Of course, everyone should buy the watch that makes them happy. And that white gold sub is a beauty! But for me personally, watches are about what's inside the case. For $20K+, I want a mechanical masterpiece with a strap or bracelet to hold it on my wrist, not a gold bracelet with a watch tacked on!

[WARVET]

I think gold is mere durable than Stainless. The 116718 is the most beautiful watch I have ever seen. I should be saved up for one in 3 years

[rangrov]

There is an everose gold daydate for sale on this forum, it looks like a bargain to me....

[rangrov]

to franklin7

[Dilemma]

At the end of the day an all gold rolex is the ultimate goal

Think again.

[jameshe]

Calm down guys. Knowingly or not, we all have our reasons as to why we bought/own a rolex, as with any luxury item. It was to fulfill an area of our lives (whether knowingly or unknowingly) where there was a self perceived inadequacy. This emotion is what drives consumer behaviour and purchasing decisions. And, given that the item in question is one of the symbols of consumerism and status associated branding, this comes as no surprise.

People will choose different models and metals for different felt needs.

And if you Want to put it bluntly out of a marketing psychology context, like a private plate or sports car mid life, many people simply think that we are compensating for some other shortcoming. Enter "penis extension". No offence intended!

Of course, whilst all buying behaviour is driven by emotion, not all of it is as a result of a feeling of inadequacy. It's just that with gold jewellery being gold jewellery, it is an easy target to hypothecate upon!

Best regards gents.

Ps. I am cashing out of Rolex and the luxury watch game as soon as my DJ has sold on the forum for partly this reason - as much as I 'was' addicted and still am passionate about watches, I can do without them (for) now. I guess it is simply the realisation of the above theory now i have progressed to a different life stage with evolving priorities and ambitions.

[InVision]

I buy watches way too much. I like the uniqueness of sold gold or platinum watch. I never bought one because I wanted to impress anyone. I have always loved gold since I was a kid collecting bit and pieces.

I can tell there are many SS lovers on TRF. That's ok, better discounts that way on precious metal watches...

Mike

[Dilemma]

I have always loved gold

Ummmm,,,,,,,,

[Zhanger]

Dilemma, you beat me to it while I had my reply box open! LoL that was the first thought that entered my mind when reading it too.

[Dilemma]

Originally Posted by Zhanger

Dilemma, you beat me to it while I had my reply box open! LoL that was the first thought that entered my mind when reading it too.

I have a hunch InVision has a decent sense of humor,,,,,,,

[Shade]

Wow this has become a more heated discussion.

Adding to my previous comments, I think gold is a metal that certainly pleases many. Thinking about it, if - hypothetically, given the same price with steel, or slightly higher, wouldn't you spend the Little extra and go for whitegold?

But of course that statement is not true, and gold is much of a higher price than steel. Hence, gold Rolexes are not for everyone.

Now, many people buy gold Rolex for many reasons, whether its to please oneself, please others, impress, brag, showoff, etc. I think they all have valid points to it. Showing off isn't a harm either, we show off our watches here every now and then, taking pictures of them and stating how much we live them. But that's not neccessarily a bad thing, is it?

Moreover, special can mean many things for different people. A dinner with the loved one, can be special. Getting a birthday card from a long lost friend may be special. Having a bright sunny day may be special.. Getting a gold Rolex, may be special.

So special is a loosely used term. And it can mean a lot. So gold rolexes may have a downside for those who dislikes them or cannot afford them at the moment (no offense intended), and there may be no downsides at all for those who choose and can purchase one.

Ao each to his own here fellas..

[Zhanger]

Originally Posted by InVision

I buy watches way too much. I like the uniqueness of sold gold or platinum watch. I never bought one because I wanted to impress anyone. I have always loved gold since I was a kid collecting bit and pieces.

This one's for you, Mike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr0gNJ090JA

Originally Posted by InVision

I can tell there are many SS lovers on TRF. That's ok, better discounts that way on precious metal watches...

I like gold too; I think this whole thread is just meant to shed light on the dissenting perceptions about it though, as previously mentioned that it may be gaudy, for men of a certain age, doesn't fit well with casual wear, and doesn't look right on a sports watch, which I find all as valid points... but still doesn't shake my appreciation for a yellow gold watch.

[WARVET]

Gold is king of the metals, If I want something and am willing to pay for it.I don't let environmental wackos stop me.Next thing is someone will be telling me my watch is responsible for Global warming.

[AdrianT]

Me thinks that a gold Rollie would be the crown in everyone's collection, and if I won the lottery then boy am I going shopping.

[pradeep]

Does this one classify as a 'gold rolex' :

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...13#post2116913

But it looks so GOOD!

[InVision]

I think it classifies just fine. You know I like it because that's one unique watch!!

Mike

[WristkingRolex]

no,no,no,I love it so much!

[pradeep]

hehehe THANKS!

[Racer X]

Wow, really strong opinions on gold. Who knew? 18k 1680 for me, if anyone is trying to find a present for me.

[Lion]

I believe lost in the shuffle over the different materials(such as gold, stainless steel)and complications which are used in watches is what makes you happy. Sure the cost is a big factor when considering the purchase of any item whether it is a watch or a car,etc.....but what makes you happy and will give you the most pleasure in the long run. We all have choices to make from the available possibilities presented to us and there is no right or wrong answer here just the feelings of peace, serenity and happiness over the decisions we make. Now factor in the fact that we all like to judge others and you have a recipe for agreeing to disagree. As I've gotten older my priorities have changed a long the way and happiness is more important than what other people think of my decisions. So buy what you want and like as life is too short and we only get one life to live!!!

[rangrov]

Hey zhanger mockinbird cht and any other guys who slate my opinions, and yes they are only my opinions, my father was a man who loved fine things, he allways wanted a rolex but would never take money out of the family kitty to buy himself one, i was planning to buy him a stainless datejust a month before he died so it would coincide with my 50th cellerbration, obviously it didnt happen, and months before it was comeing up to my 50th he said make sure you do something special, sadly i lost him before i reached my birthday, so the little money he left me i put it towards an all gold rolex for myself and every time i look at it it reminds me of him, and yes i feel like a king wearing it, but thats just me. And if i had a bentley it would be the best because it would feel like the best to me, and no i dont feel like an idiot spending loads on an all gold rolex, because we pass this way once, we come into this world with nothing and we leave with nothing, so if i can have the best while i am here i am haveing it, so slate me for that........ too many people are scared what others may think of them so they keep there heads down and never voice themselves, then there are the wanna bees who are nice on top they try to look like they care but they are sly and jellous underneath, they are the ones who slate out spoken people like me, so for all the guys who whant a gold rolex, go and get one and wear it with pride be it white yellow or everose they are all gorgeous..... trust me you wont regret it...

[kareemthedream33]

The gold rolex I truly love is the YG datejust with brown croc strap. What a beauty, I hope one day I can afford that one, I think it's about 11k? Anyways someone made a very valid point earlier talkig about an Armani suit that cost 4k only to be worth a few hundred now. You are right, it's worth it if it makes you feel the way it should. I too have bought an overpriced suit but it's great quality and MAN do I look forward to putting it on because I feel important every time I do. I also have a Burberry peacoat of impeccable quality with a price that would make you cringe. But guess what, it looks amazing, it feels amazing, and if I take care of it it should last me 15 years at least. I feel great wearing it. It's the same thing for folks who wear the all gold rolex or whatever their dream watch is. If it makes you feel good and you can afford it, then it's worth it.

[Juggernaut]

Personally, I just hate the look of yellow gold. I'm not trying to offend, it's just me. My wedding band is platinum.
I love that there's such a nice selection of SS Rolex's...even if I were to ever get a Day-Date, it's nice that there's the white gold option or platinum for that matter ($$$$).

[franklin7]

I like TT ... a compromise and in my view, a nice balance between formal/informal. For me, TT or all-gold watches are a better fit as dress watches. I feel SS watches suit any occasion, so I also have one of those.

Each to their own, however. Life would be dull if we chose identical watches.