Winding Rolex, really?

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Boaters

If you have to wind it your not wearing it. I wind my watches once in a while just because I like to ... LOL

Same!

I wind mine and reset the time like once a month after it’s spa treatment

Just for fun lol

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Easy E

I think more people will notice you if you put that money towards an expensive car.

Or a MK watch

[G@tor B@it]

All:

Thanks for the replies... was nice to see a dialogue going, even if 50% were sarcastic. I have to say... I wasn't surprised. From however long I've been on here, about half of the members seem to be a little egotistical. I thought I'd circumvent that by being honest and saying I'm only buying it to impress people. I think if everyone was honest, about 50% on here are doing it for the same reason. With that said:

1. I appreciate the information. It seems you've confirmed these are "mechanical" watches which need to be wound. If I don't wear it for 2-3 days, winding and setting will be necessary.
2. I realize it may take 30 seconds, which may seem negligible. But to me I'll find it to be a hassle. Hopefully some of you will relate. Picking your clothes up off the floor takes even less time, but look how many people don't do that!! I just think for $12,000 I won't want to have to set my watch every time I wear it. And since it usually takes me a week into each month before I get around to changing the date on my other watches... I may be equally lazy when it comes to setting the time. Although I can live without the date... the time is obviously more important, so maybe I would set that immediately. I don't know. But because I'm conservative, I don't want to buy a $12k watch just to find out!
3. I'd love to wear it daily, but I go to the gym 3xs a week. I don't bother with a locker... I just keep my gym bag there at the check in. There is a camera there, and I never have more than $100 cash in my wallet. That said, I can't see having my bag there with my $12k watch inside. So based on my routine, I can't wear it daily without changing my routine.
4. I did like the recommendation of the Oyster Quartz. Maybe that would be a good fit for me. I'd much rather replace a battery once a year (or less seldom) than wind and set it every time I put it on.
5. BIG Gator fan, so no worries about being a FSwho fan trolling!


Some of the comments were obviously sarcastic.. like strap $12 to my wrist! It made me laugh. Someone suggested I buy a luxury car. I drive a Mercedes. Honestly, I probably make way less than alot of people on this forum, under $100k a year. But I've done VERY well with my money. My house is paid for, my car is paid for, I have $0 debt. I also have no kids. You'll find that the key to having money isn't making a lot... its being able to actually keep what you make. $75,000 a year is a lot of money when you don't owe $65,000 to lenders! So with everything paid for... money aside for my next car, my stock portfolio where it should be... I honestly just want to buy a toy... and yes, something that people will look at and say "wow." I work hard to save... I occasionally teach young college students about money. I tell them one of the keys is saying "no" far more than you say "yes." So I believe I've saved hard for a year now, and its time to reward myself for all the times over the past year I've said no. I settled on a watch over a boat (or other ideas) because I can wear a watch a lot more! It also won't depreciate near as badly. And my Tag (which my Father bought me for my graduation 20 years ago) is still a watch I regularly wear and love. So I thought a Rolex just made the most sense. But if I can't wear it daily (due to my routines)... and/or have to set it each time I wear it... I think it's just not a good fit for me.

[GCarSF]

Originally Posted by smym18

Just came back to this thread to say I'm surprised there are actual replies.

Agreed. This post is cringeworthy.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Is anyone here wondering if this OP was a serious post or are we being trolled?

First thing I do is read the profile if I don’t recognize the poster. But I’ll still try my best to answer questions anyway because the forum is full of snide replies these days

[pickettt]

Grand Seiko quartz. You don't have to wind it and it would impress me if I saw you on the street. All bases covered.

[G@tor B@it]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Layman type people who are impressed by Rolex on the dial would be equally impressed by an $1,800 Tag Heurer. Might be a better first mechanical watch for someone who isn't into watches.

Edit: and i just noticed Tag is in your info. Looks like you're all set!

I got my Tag around 1999. Granted its been 20 years now, but I currently can't remember anyone noticing this watch ever. I think the Rolex brand is much more widely recognized.

[G@tor B@it]

Originally Posted by tkc324

You don’t want to buy a Rolex... you should strap 12k cash to your wrist and impress people that way...

If I wasn't the only one to do it, I'd consider it. I don't mind being flashy.

But on a serious note... I may get a little more gold jewelry and put the rest in the market.

[G@tor B@it]

Originally Posted by Sleepless

I'm wondering if OP is a 'Noles fan who is trolling us.

However, it's possible he is serious. My friends and family who are not into watches certainly ask me questions like this. So assuming this is a serious question from a neophyte, here is a serious answer:

Yes, all current production Rolex watches are mechanical, meaning they are powered by a mainspring that must be wound either by hand or by the automatic winding mechanism in the movement. As others have said, if the watch has stopped completely one winds the crown and sets the time (and if necessary date). This really only takes a matter of seconds. I tend to rotate watches often and so wind at least one watch almost every day and I do enjoy it. I tend to own watches without a date, but modern Rolex watches have quick set dates and so setting the date will only add a few seconds (perhaps except in the case of the Skydweller - I'm not personally familiar with the setting of its annual calendar, but if you're looking for a first Rolex and one that will be easily recognizable as a Rolex, you're not looking for a Skydweller).

In contrast to 60 years ago, we all certainly have ways of keeping the time without springs and gears. Why then are all current Rolex models and in fact almost all luxury watches still mechanical? Part of the appeal is having a robust expertly engineered and crafted piece of machinery on your wrist. With a little care and a service every decade or so, your Rolex will work just as well for your great grandson long after you are gone as it does for you today.

Notice several times I said "current" Rolex. In the past Rolex did in fact make some quartz (ie battery powered) watches, which they called Oysterquartz. I'm no expert but off the top of my head I believe they were retired in 2001. They are becoming collectible (and therefore more expensive), but finding a pre-owned Oysterquartz may be just the thing for you - a recognizable Rolex (I believe most were Datejusts) and a battery.

PS GO GATORS!

Thank you, this information was very valuable, and always, Go Gators.

[Harry-57]

Rolex make the watch you want. The Sky Dweller. Wear it daily, or every other day, or put it in a winder when you're not wearing it. Once set and running, it needs to be adjusted once per year.

[Rushhour]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

A couple of drawbacks to wearing a Rolex to impress:

1) Most people won’t notice.
2) A decent proportion of those that do will assume you’re a tosser.

This


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rushhour]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

3) If a thief notices your watch, expect to have it taken off your wrist either willingly or by force. Be careful what you wish for, when it comes to garnering "attention".

And this


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rushhour]

And finally - I just got my Milgauss in early November. Has not been off my wrist more than a day or so since. No issue with winding on my side.

Plus if I do want to give it a break - I have an automatic winder.

Steve


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HansSolo]

Mechanical watches are pretty steampunk. I only wear my DJ 41 with my goggles and top hat combo.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by G@tor B@it

All:

Thanks for the replies... was nice to see a dialogue going, even if 50% were sarcastic. I have to say... I wasn't surprised. From however long I've been on here, about half of the members seem to be a little egotistical. I thought I'd circumvent that by being honest and saying I'm only buying it to impress people. I think if everyone was honest, about 50% on here are doing it for the same reason. With that said:

1. I appreciate the information. It seems you've confirmed these are "mechanical" watches which need to be wound. If I don't wear it for 2-3 days, winding and setting will be necessary.
2. I realize it may take 30 seconds, which may seem negligible. But to me I'll find it to be a hassle. Hopefully some of you will relate. Picking your clothes up off the floor takes even less time, but look how many people don't do that!! I just think for $12,000 I won't want to have to set my watch every time I wear it. And since it usually takes me a week into each month before I get around to changing the date on my other watches... I may be equally lazy when it comes to setting the time. Although I can live without the date... the time is obviously more important, so maybe I would set that immediately. I don't know. But because I'm conservative, I don't want to buy a $12k watch just to find out!
3. I'd love to wear it daily, but I go to the gym 3xs a week. I don't bother with a locker... I just keep my gym bag there at the check in. There is a camera there, and I never have more than $100 cash in my wallet. That said, I can't see having my bag there with my $12k watch inside. So based on my routine, I can't wear it daily without changing my routine.
4. I did like the recommendation of the Oyster Quartz. Maybe that would be a good fit for me. I'd much rather replace a battery once a year (or less seldom) than wind and set it every time I put it on.
5. BIG Gator fan, so no worries about being a FSwho fan trolling!


Some of the comments were obviously sarcastic.. like strap $12 to my wrist! It made me laugh. Someone suggested I buy a luxury car. I drive a Mercedes. Honestly, I probably make way less than alot of people on this forum, under $100k a year. But I've done VERY well with my money. My house is paid for, my car is paid for, I have $0 debt. I also have no kids. You'll find that the key to having money isn't making a lot... its being able to actually keep what you make. $75,000 a year is a lot of money when you don't owe $65,000 to lenders! So with everything paid for... money aside for my next car, my stock portfolio where it should be... I honestly just want to buy a toy... and yes, something that people will look at and say "wow." I work hard to save... I occasionally teach young college students about money. I tell them one of the keys is saying "no" far more than you say "yes." So I believe I've saved hard for a year now, and its time to reward myself for all the times over the past year I've said no. I settled on a watch over a boat (or other ideas) because I can wear a watch a lot more! It also won't depreciate near as badly. And my Tag (which my Father bought me for my graduation 20 years ago) is still a watch I regularly wear and love. So I thought a Rolex just made the most sense. But if I can't wear it daily (due to my routines)... and/or have to set it each time I wear it... I think it's just not a good fit for me.

It is definitely not the right toy for you. Because 99.9% of people will not look at your watch and say "wow". Almost if not the same percentage will not even notice your watch. Perhaps the best thing you can do with 12K to "wow" people is to donate the money to a worthy charity of your choice. My2c.

[Roger1079]

Originally Posted by G@tor B@it

All:



For anyone who hasn't read one of my posts yet, the confessions:



1. Knew nothing about Rolex besides the name until a couple months ago.

2. Buying one only to impress people (yep, and probably not the only one)!

a. At least for that silly reason, I can afford it.



My goal is to buy by April, when I turn 40, as it's to be a gift to myself. So I've spent the past couple months learning and researching. I actually made a trip to meet DavidSW this past Thursday, and plan to do business with him.



So in my research, I've seen mentions of winding. I don't own any watches you have to wind... and though winding went out the window decades ago. And of course if there ever was a watch you still had to wind, surely it wouldn't be a new model of the finest watch in the world?!?! But then I see ads with mentions of "power reserve." I started to realize you might actually have to wind a Rolex. Of course when I went to DavidSW and met Nina, she confirmed.... yep, after 2 days a 11613 is going to stop running.



So if I don't wear this thing everyday, its going to stop, have to be wound, and have to be set? I just don't understand why Rolex still makes watches this way. I have 2 Citizen Ecodrives... and they don't have to be touched! The only reason I can come up with... is that winding these watches are part of the "experience." You're suppossed to love winding it and setting it once, maybe twice a week. But then think about this.... if these are the finest time pieces money can buy (just work with me here...) and they keep fantastic time... why does that even matter if you're going to have to set the time manually once a week? They might as well keep horrible time, since you're constantly setting the time.



So I'm just wondering how the fellow members deal with this. Do most of you wear yours daily? Subjecting them to elements of "wear and tear" but never have to wind them? Or do you wear them weekly, monthly, or even more sparingly, and have to wind and set them each time you put them on?



I planned to wear mine weekly... and initially I'll be proud and excited to have it on... and I'll enjoy the "experience" of setting it. But I don't see myself setting or winding it once or twice a week. All my other watches have dates... and it usually takes me at least a week (sometimes two) into the new month before I get around to changing the date on them! I can see myself wearing this $12,000 watch and not even having the right time on it! Or I may rarely wear it because I know it'll have to be set. I see people refer to their watches as "safe queens" and that's not what I want for something I'll be spending this much on. If I drop this money, its to use it. So now I'm thinking, I may not even bother.



Looking forward to your feedback!

All mechanical watches have a limited power reserve, and I don’t believe setting the time is part of the experience. The Submariner has a 48 hour power reserve which means from a full wind if unworn it will stop after 2 full days of sitting. If you wear it every other day it will never stop unless something breaks. While wearing it the watch is constantly winding itself from the movement of your arm. Unless it is allowed to stop, the date should only need to be advanced manually after months with 30 days. My newest Sub loses 2 seconds per day which is better than the COSC spec of -4/+6 second variance per day. Hope this helps.

EDIT: Having been used to quartz watches I can easily see how having to wind and set a manual watch seems like you are losing convenience for a lot more money but if you really think about how accurate and durable high end mechanical watches are with all the moving parts and stresses of everyday wear, what Swiss watchmakers have accomplished is actually quite incredible.

LOL.....you actually reminded me it’s been about a week since I set my watch to a NTP time reference (time.gov). It was about 10 seconds slow since I did it a week ago. Literally took me a little more than a minute to stop it at 12, advance the minute hand by one and restart it, and finally wind the crown 40 times to give it a full “charge”. Once you get used to it, it really is a non issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

It is definitely not the right toy for you. Because 99.9% of people will not look at your watch and say "wow". Almost if not the same percentage will not even notice your watch. Perhaps the best thing you can do with 12K to "wow" people is to donate the money to a worthy charity of your choice. My2c.

This. Unless it's gold or overly flashy, only other watch people will even take a second look (and 99% of them will be men).

You're paying very high premium for just a brand name if you don't care about the history of the company or the movement that's inside.

[Roger1079]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Old school technology with classical design.

No battery changes.

No charging at night like an Apple Watch. No worries about the watch dying without a source of power while on long haul flights.

Every technology has a trade off, and sometimes old school is better in some regards, like a paper book vs mobile phone with kindle app.

As I tell everyone who ever reminds me how the Apple Watch always keeps perfect time, I prefer my phones “smart” and watches “dumb”. I bought the first Apple Watch when it came out and sold it two weeks later to i my Sub back on. I just couldn’t learn to love it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Andad]

I would have suggested a Seiko Astron.

I use mine to set the time on all my watches but you need to download the instructions to iBooks and carry it with you at all times.

Or stay with Rolex, find one of these, change the battery every 2-3 years and the date at the end of some months.

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I would have suggested a Seiko Astron.

I use mine to set the time on all my watches but you need to download the instructions to iBooks and carry it with you at all times.

Or stay with Rolex, find one of these, change the battery every 2-3 years and the date at the end of some months.

Good advice. There is one for sale on the boards now.

[Roger1079]

OP, it also sounds like you are equating the luxury price tag with convenience and the easiest way I can explain it is by using cars.....

Spending hundreds of thousands on a Rolls or Bentley does absolutely buy you comfort and convenience, however buying a Swiss watch is more comparable to buying an exotic car like a Lamborghini or Ferrari. They are expensive and uncomfortable as hell but you get unmatched performance out of them. A mechanical Swiss watch is much the same.

Price, reliability, performance.....choose any combination of two you want.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Calatrava r]

I suggest you stay with what you have since it has served you so well.

[Harry-57]

[QUOTE=directioneng;10225370]I would have suggested a Seiko Astron./QUOTE]

Yes. Good call.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by djyolky

According to my my certified master watchmaker of 21 years who is certified and trained through Rolex, Rolex watches are not meant to be manually wound as the parts are used to very small slow movements and will cause a much quicker degradation of the parts and the lubrication. He recommends not to wind it if the reserve is dead. Just set the watch and give it a few shakes before putting it on the wrist.

I know many people have posted in here contrary to this. Hell, even people say you can wind it as many turns as you want and it won't hurt anything. Just thought I'd relay this information to anyone interested.

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

You're the only person I've ever read to say that. Not that it's wrong, but in more than a decade of reading everything I can find about watches, no one has come close to suggesting such.

We have one member here who says he's never wound his watch and I did meet a woman once who when I asked her about winding her Rolex had no idea what I was talking about and sure enough, when I tried to unscrew the crown, it was frozen stiff. When I asked if she'd ever had it serviced she was equally perplexed.

By the way, she and everyone else at that party thought my 114270 was counterfeit.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[nighthawk77]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

A couple of drawbacks to wearing a Rolex to impress:

1) Most people won’t notice.
2) A decent proportion of those that do will assume you’re a tosser.

I think you need to change 1) to;

"No people will notice"

OP - you could always buy a watch winder, but most people know that buying any mechanical watch, not just Rolex, will need some form of winding & setting at some point if you do not wear it daily.

To a much lesser extent, but on the same basis, you could argue why buy a car which you have to refuel to run, when you can walk everywhere...

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by djyolky

And your credentials are?

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

That's a photo of the Rolex manual.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[djyolky]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You're the only person I've ever read to say that. Not that it's wrong, but in more than a decade of reading everything I can find about watches, no one has come close to suggesting such.

We have one member here who says he's never wound his watch and I did meet a woman once who when I asked her about winding her Rolex had no idea what I was talking about and sure enough, when I tried to unscrew the crown, it was frozen stiff. When I asked if she'd ever had it serviced she was equally perplexed.

By the way, she and everyone else at that party thought my 114270 was counterfeit.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Again, I'm just relating what this expert said. Sorry to hijack the thread OP. This gentleman came recommended from this forum as well!

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

Same!

I wind mine and reset the time like once a month after it’s spa treatment

Just for fun lol

[Tools]

Originally Posted by G@tor B@it

All:. . . So I thought a Rolex just made the most sense. But if I can't wear it daily (due to my routines)... and/or have to set it each time I wear it... I think it's just not a good fit for me.

Yep, that's exactly what I was thinking.

[Uhtred59]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

That's a photo of the Rolex manual.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I guess only we took the remark as humorous.