If Rolex was a car company, it would be...

[icnbne]

Originally Posted by Sleepless

I'm shocked at the absence of what to me is the obvious answer:

Cadillac.


The brand's reputation for being an aspirational product is such that the vernacular for the best of any given thing is "the Cadillac of _____". However, while the quality is undeniably high and the cost is prohibitive for most people, the products are mass produced and quite affordable compared to the high end low production luxury automakers (Bentley, etc.).

no-one outside of the US knows much about cadillac

[daOnlyBG]

I'm still laughing at all the people who compare Rolex to MB.

Originally Posted by Sleepless

I'm shocked at the absence of what to me is the obvious answer:

Cadillac.


The brand's reputation for being an aspirational product is such that the vernacular for the best of any given thing is "the Cadillac of _____". However, while the quality is undeniably high and the cost is prohibitive for most people, the products are mass produced and quite affordable compared to the high end low production luxury automakers (Bentley, etc.).

We're calling Cadillac quality "high"?

Originally Posted by kumar75203

My main problem with the Ferrari comparison is that Rolexes are way too common compared to a Ferrari. I see several submariners every day.

I mean, there's that, but there's also that Ferrari's not nearly as durable with respect to its competitors/contemporaries, whereas Rolex is just as reliable as any other brand, if not more.

[No SUBctitute]

Submariner = 911 --- improved over the years but looks similar

Any Tudor with in-house movement = 718 S --- cheaper but runs about as well

[cdmorenot]

It’s a BMW.

Pay a visit to BMW museum in Munich and MB in Stuttgart to truly understand my comparison.


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[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by genkifd

about right to me. if you can compare cars to watches that is

Although I would compare Rolex to BMW

You’re so on the money.

I am such an Omega fan boy nowadays and it is because of the parallels between them and MB in terms of absolute true heritage and historic significance.


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[Nanasaka90]

Originally Posted by CashGap

Bankrupt

Lol!


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[Nanasaka90]

Originally Posted by GoingPlaces

Seriously? Now we are comparing a dressed up Toyota to a Rolex? Apologies but laughable. Show me one Lexus that aged well. The new releases are borderline hideous. Mercedes and Porsche have lineage, history, and a certain elegance that Lexus can only aspire to have. They have raced in some of the most storied venues against some of the most prolific cars ever produced. Mercedes alone has changed the automotive landscape from inception. These brands have been, and will still remain historically relevant in the automobile world forever.

I’m sure people made comments like this about Rolex when they first started, Omega and Patek were far more desirable...Rolex beat them in the long run because it made a product that people could trust. It’s just a matter of time for Lexus.


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[Ihatecheese]

Originally Posted by Rolexatlast

I take you are having a laugh..

Yep I don't think Corvette holds much credibility for us non Americans. ;)

With all this car comparison it's silly anyway as we all perceive the brands to different standards. Plus they make things of actual utility. (Telling the time isn't really a stretch these days, however I think there has already been a thread comparing to purses).

[Paulgt3]

This one is easy->Porsche. I’ve had 3 911 GT3s. ( 7 911’s all together). The games I’ve had to play to get one is almost exactly like what Rolex does. Flippers paying over, etc. Grey dealers. Almost exactly the same. My current in a 2018 GT3. Given how many times Porsche has won LeMans and given the prize is a Rolex Daytona, it’s like hand in glove

[Doood]

Rolex = Toyota

That was easy.

[jaychief]

Porsche.... deepsea and 911r


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[gejay99]

Porsche




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[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by GoingPlaces

Seriously? Now we are comparing a dressed up Toyota to a Rolex? Apologies but laughable. Show me one Lexus that aged well. The new releases are borderline hideous. Mercedes and Porsche have lineage, history, and a certain elegance that Lexus can only aspire to have. They have raced in some of the most storied venues against some of the most prolific cars ever produced. Mercedes alone has changed the automotive landscape from inception. These brands have been, and will still remain historically relevant in the automobile world forever.

I have a Ferrari Pista, Lambo Performante, AMG GT63, and a Lexus LS. I will tell you the MBZ is a piece of s@&t. Doesnt drive well, jerky transmission, and all kinds of electronic issues. As a matter of fact every MBZ I've owned never delivered.. Heritage, history,, and lineage means nothing if the product is not up to par. I've owned 7 Porsche cars including multiple GT cars. I think they are a much better comparison to Rolex. Great performance, reliable, and reasonable maintenance costs.

To use your logic, a Porsche is nothing but a souped up VW/Audi and a Lambo is nothing but a dressed up Audi. For that matter, so is a Bentley or Rolls. Dressed up Audi's and BMW's. I will also note, a Lexus ages far better than any European brand over time. Most European cars fall apart after many years. Maserati has history,, lineage, and a celebrated racing history. Are they sought after in the marketplace? Just saying....

[Euge]

What about a Jeep Wrangler...





They’re all terrain, tough, tools and the best is they will look always awesome no mater if they’re new or old......


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[subdownunder]

Lexus
1. Owners want to be seen as knowledgable and able to afford a luxury watch but too many being sold and owned.
2. Mainly Worn by 'uncle' shopkeepers (at least in Asia) as they believe it shows wealth and status but they really shows lack of real horological knowledge and finesse.
3. They are never cutting edge horoligically, never exciting or innovative compared to other brands
4.They are unexciting in design but are beautifully built and engineered. They work.
5. They hold their resale value.

[Kigan]

Rolex - VW Group (Porsche).

Omega - MB,
JLC - Honda (engine),
IWC - BMW,
Longines - Alfa Romeo (elegance),
Patek Philippe - Ferrari,
Richard Mille - McLaren...

:)

[Andad]

impossible to buy one at list?

[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by mfserge

Prove me wrong with facts then. I’ll wait. Corvette checks all 5 boxes in the OPs post.

Criteria:
1. Brand is know by almost every person, but most people assume they will never be able to afford one.
2. The reliability is above average and maintenance is not wildly expensive.
3. The brand has been in production a very long time, has a big vintage following, and large enthusiast crowd.
4. Design is timeless and the brand is slow to follow industry trends.
5. Some vintage models appreciate, some depreciate. Some modern models are waitlisted, some are easily attainable.


If you limit this to US consumers and follow the above criteria, then you maybe right.

But in global terms, I would say probably not for the criteria

Also what is missing from the criteria is quality - apart from hardcore Corvette fans, not sure many would argue objectively that Corvette is one of the highest quality car brands

[amanbra]

Mercedes. It’s the quintessential luxury car that is mass produced. Anyone on the planet knows Mercedes like Rolex. Some people develop a hatred for the brand...

I get why people say Porsche from an design stand point. But from a brand placement standpoint Porsche is too high up and elite for Rolex.

Porsche esp a 911 can only be purchased by a very few people. There are rolexes and Mercs everywhere.


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[amanbra]

To all that said Lexus that’s grand seiko. Ultra refinement.

I could be convinced Land Rover in that they started off as a tool but turned into luxury. They also have a very distinct design.

The thing is land rovers are damn unreliable.


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[AlexFrank]

I would have to say a porsche for sure, everybody wants one but only the certain people can afford it. Overtime they also haven't changed in styling much!

[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by amanbra

Mercedes. It’s the quintessential luxury car that is mass produced. Anyone on the planet knows Mercedes like Rolex. Some people develop a hatred for the brand...

I get why people say Porsche from an design stand point. But from a brand placement standpoint Porsche is too high up and elite for Rolex.

Porsche esp a 911 can only be purchased by a very few people. There are rolexes and Mercs everywhere.


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Not sure about the modern Mercedes.

In the 20th century yes, but they are now a mass market brand. Market positioning of, say, Hamilton watches

Whereas £10k for a watch is very expensive for most people, so I don’t see Porsche as too elite

[Malibuboy]

Porsche.

Made for everyday use, and to the extreme.

[007_Omega]

It's not a clear comparison. People want to say Porsche, which is a pretty accurate comparison, except Rolex is way more mainstream and akin to a Mercedes.

The issue with the Mercedes comparison is that Rolex is infinitely more reliable and that is a huge distinction in my mind.

The comparison of the Submariner being the 911 of cars is pretty spot on. Super reliable daily driver, arguably boring choice, very conservative design philosophy, and as close to perfection as you can get.

The Date-Just though really has no comparisons to a Porsche and is the equivalent of hypothetically reliable C or E class.

[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by 007_Omega

It's not a clear comparison. People want to say Porsche, which is a pretty accurate comparison, except Rolex is way more mainstream and akin to a Mercedes.

The Date-Just though really has no comparisons to a Porsche and is the equivalent of hypothetically reliable C or E class.

I probably see more Porsches on a daily basis than Rolex

Maybe a Macan could be comparable to a DateJust

[Volt55]

Mercedes-Benz in my opinion for sure

[superpop]

I am not sure what all the comments are about with MB and quality. I have owned two MB S550's and they have both been excellent and reliable cars. Both have been like a vault inside and the ride quality and craftsmanship is excellent. I would argue MB as the most parallel except for the resale issue with MB but value retention is horrible for any car, including Porsche. Not sure why folks think a 911 is hard to buy. They are sprinkled all over craigslist at the same depreciation levels of any german car. Two things I always wanted as a kid were a Rolex and a big body benz. They are both worth every penny.

[kd845]

we need a poll. Mercedes for sure.

[AntoMeRolexPassion]

Audi, maybe Bmw o Mercedes Benz


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[Overwound]

It would be the best one because there isn't a car company out there that creates as many well made and reliable machines per year.

If I had to pick one it would be Porsche. Both entities have evolved their designs over time to include modern advancements without drastically altering overall look or intentions. Take the logos off and even people outside of these hobbies could do well at guessing each companies offerings.