why general public think that Rolex watch is the best watch ever made.

[Etschell]

because it is. how hard is this to believe?

[GradyPhilpott]

That they are the best is debatable depending on the criteria one uses, but when one looks at the quality, robustness, good looks, history, fit, finish, resale, and mystique, it's damned hard to find a better value anywhere for any price.

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[MinMay]

Its' all marketing.... There are many others who are better than Rolex, but it costs more money.

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by DARK_KNIGHT

Good point.




P.S. (What are they buying)?



#Ballin

Enhancement of their persona, either actual or perceived.

[vman]

This is marketing 1-1. Rolex told Rolex owners a story that Rolex owners knew and wanted to hear. Great brand. Good watches.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by MinMay

Its' all marketing.... There are many others who are better than Rolex, but it costs more money.

I own both and would say that Grand Seiko is a better watch at a lower price.

[cosmoliu]

Originally Posted by Robbyman

The amount of time I speak to Patek owners that say they keep stopping and need fixing. More expensive yes, but better if they are more delicate and need more work? It is an interesting question but there is an argument that the quality and robustness plus longevity and accuracy of Rolex with minimal service does make them better. Perhaps better value for money as well.

As a college student in the early 70s I mentioned to my uncle that I aspired to someday own a Rolex. He said that if I wanted a serious watch, I should aim higher, for a PP. As he was an adult of impeccable taste, I took that advice to heart and have thought of that conversation many times. About 15 years later I bought a mid size DJ and wore it every day for the next 30 years. Three years ago I decided to jump into the large watch craze in a big way with an Air King, 114200, followed soon after by the (same reference) 34mm OP. Redundant, I know, but I just had to have that beautiful blue dial. So, I've owned three Rolexes since that conversation with my uncle.

Last month I decided to celebrate a life's milestone by finally purchasing that PP, a pre-owned 5066. (I like my watches to fly under the radar) The story goes that it had come from an estate sale and had just undergone the spa treatment at Rockefeller Center this past April. It arrived with the auto winding mechanism non functional. Back to the dealer it went, who ran it a couple of blocks up the street to Patek. Kudos to Patek for turning the watch around in less than a half hour and the watch was back to me two days later. After getting the watch back, I spoke at some length with the young customer service rep who said that the watchmaker had found TWO tiny screws bouncing around in the movement. She characterized the QC person at the service center as extremely obsessive/compulsive and that it would be highly unlikely that she would have allowed the watch to leave with a pair of loose screws. Not saying that it would have been impossible, but she fingered FedEx as the favored suspect. We'll never know.

So why this pseudo hijack? I've had 33 years of experience with Rolex, with the only failure being when that first DJ announced its need for a service by stopping during a round of golf. That watch now is earmarked to be passed on to my granddaughter on the occasion of her college graduation. Alternating between the 114200s every month or so over the past three years, both have been bullet proof. The 5066 is a beautiful watch and I have great pride of ownership, but my image of PP will likely be forever tainted by that unfortunate introduction to the brand. The watch has run great since getting it back, but I think I will always look down at it half wondering if it will indeed show me the correct time.

[Fujiman]

Originally Posted by Panych

... What else does it need to be the best? :)

Um, availability?

[BNA/LION]

A: Because It Is!

[AK797]

It's the only luxury brand most people have heard of and most rate it higher than Omega and Breitling the only other two they might know. Similarly if you asked most guys who makes the best high heels we would probably say Louboutin as that's the only one we really know of.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Robbyman

The amount of time I speak to Patek owners that say they keep stopping and need fixing. More expensive yes, but better if they are more delicate and need more work? It is an interesting question but there is an argument that the quality and robustness plus longevity and accuracy of Rolex with minimal service does make them better. Perhaps better value for money as well.

Nautilus v SS Rolex?

Obviously we can't go by accuracy or robustness as leading criteria as there are brands that do these far better.

[GoingPlaces]

So buy a Rolex, wear it for ten maybe twenty years, maybe longer. Maybe service it, maybe not. Sell it for the same or close to what you bought it for. Maybe sell it for much more. Does this make it the best ever? Not sure about that but it makes a compelling case. There are many watches out there that are better for different reasons, but Rolex as a brand and as a product is damn near indestructible.

[Malibuboy]

The back cover of National Geographic is the iconic ad placement of all time.

There are many ways to value the brand but I think “worthiness” is the true measure. Cost, price, profit and value are the metrics.

I can wear any watch in the world, and I do...it’s a Rolex!

[hai.tranhr]

Because of Rolex core value and also outstanding marketing strategy.

[Robbyman]

Originally Posted by AK797

Obviously we can't go by accuracy or robustness as leading criteria as there are brands that do these far better.

For a mechanical watch my Pepsi is 1 second a day out. Show me a Patek etc that will beat that so you are wrong on that part.

[Robbyman]

Originally Posted by cosmoliu

As a college student in the early 70s I mentioned to my uncle that I aspired to someday own a Rolex. He said that if I wanted a serious watch, I should aim higher, for a PP. As he was an adult of impeccable taste, I took that advice to heart and have thought of that conversation many times. About 15 years later I bought a mid size DJ and wore it every day for the next 30 years. Three years ago I decided to jump into the large watch craze in a big way with an Air King, 114200, followed soon after by the (same reference) 34mm OP. Redundant, I know, but I just had to have that beautiful blue dial. So, I've owned three Rolexes since that conversation with my uncle.

Last month I decided to celebrate a life's milestone by finally purchasing that PP, a pre-owned 5066. (I like my watches to fly under the radar) The story goes that it had come from an estate sale and had just undergone the spa treatment at Rockefeller Center this past April. It arrived with the auto winding mechanism non functional. Back to the dealer it went, who ran it a couple of blocks up the street to Patek. Kudos to Patek for turning the watch around in less than a half hour and the watch was back to me two days later. After getting the watch back, I spoke at some length with the young customer service rep who said that the watchmaker had found TWO tiny screws bouncing around in the movement. She characterized the QC person at the service center as extremely obsessive/compulsive and that it would be highly unlikely that she would have allowed the watch to leave with a pair of loose screws. Not saying that it would have been impossible, but she fingered FedEx as the favored suspect. We'll never know.

So why this pseudo hijack? I've had 33 years of experience with Rolex, with the only failure being when that first DJ announced its need for a service by stopping during a round of golf. That watch now is earmarked to be passed on to my granddaughter on the occasion of her college graduation. Alternating between the 114200s every month or so over the past three years, both have been bullet proof. The 5066 is a beautiful watch and I have great pride of ownership, but my image of PP will likely be forever tainted by that unfortunate introduction to the brand. The watch has run great since getting it back, but I think I will always look down at it half wondering if it will indeed show me the correct time.

Nice story and thanks for the reply.

[cvera]

Originally Posted by JayB

Your definition of an average hard working person is a lot different to mine. IMHO the average person wouldn't expect to be able own a Porsche, has probably never even considered it and wouldn't have any idea how much they cost.

Just like Rolex, most average people have no idea about a Rolex. If you ask an average person about Rolex they would probably only be able to tell you it's expensive.

Agreed with this logic

[tom2517]

Why does general public think diamond is needed for engagement?

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Robbyman

For a mechanical watch my Pepsi is 1 second a day out. Show me a Patek etc that will beat that so you are wrong on that part.

My Patek's keep time on a par with my Rolexes. And Patek’s technical requirements were stricter than COSC’s with accuracy of within -3 and +2, while Rolex have only recently self-regulated to -2/+2.

And my Pateks and AP start up much quicker than my Rolexes, just a quick flick of the wrist and I'm off, no need for winding so very convenient too.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Robbyman

For a mechanical watch my Pepsi is 1 second a day out. Show me a Patek etc that will beat that so you are wrong on that part.

my 5164 is within 30 seconds after almost a year. So convert that into +/- per day. It doesnt hack so even on daylight savings time changes it remains running. And the crown has been unscrewed twice in one year. It less than +1 by a lot though.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by tom2517

Why does general public think diamond is needed for engagement?

Because women like diamonds and men like women.

[JBZ]

One thing that no one has brought up directly is what happened with the brand during the 1980s. While Rolex made terrific watches long before that, the brand really took off as a symbol of luxury during that decade.

The Datejust in particular became the must have watch for Wall Street guys (probably that and the Cartier tank - Gordon Gekko's choice). This was also the time when the quartz crisis was taking its toll on a lot of mechanical watch brands. Rolex also re-imagined the Daytona toward the end of that decade, and it became a massive hit.

Just IMHO, the 1980's really solidified the brand, and their ubiquitous marketing has taken it from there.

Go up to anyone on the street and say "Rolex." They'll recognize it instantly just like they would Mercedes, McDonald's, or Coca-Cola. I don't think you can say the same about any other luxury watch brand except maybe Seiko, and the average person on the street wouldn't consider Seiko to be a luxury brand. Sure, some will know Omega, Breitling, Patek, etc. But not everyone.

[Robbyman]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

my 5164 is within 30 seconds after almost a year. So convert that into +/- per day. It doesnt hack so even on daylight savings time changes it remains running. And the crown has been unscrewed twice in one year. It less than +1 by a lot though.

I’m six weeks in so 42 days into a Pepsi and it’s 14 seconds out. If it want better I’ll get a Casio.

[DARK_KNIGHT]

Originally Posted by tom2517

Why does general public think diamond is needed for engagement?

Excellent marketing for a piece of carbon.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Robbyman

For a mechanical watch my Pepsi is 1 second a day out. Show me a Patek etc that will beat that so you are wrong on that part.

Originally Posted by Robbyman

I’m six weeks in so 42 days into a Pepsi and it’s 14 seconds out. If it want better I’ll get a Casio.

well thats fine. Just answering your original point that a Patek can beat that.

The Patek seal is better than COSC too -3/+2. The difference is that for some reason but in general it seems to be the case that Patek owners are not as bothered by deviation from spec. I only notice mine when I happen to check it every few months expecting it to be a minute or two off and its not.

Its my most accurate watch by far. But my Rolex's and other watches are not so far off that it actually bothers me though.

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Marketing, brilliant marketing from the start.

I feel now it's more tennis and golf tournaments, but back in the day the magazine ads showing real life scenarios of real hard working men and women pushing the limits. Awesome stuff

Some cool ads:

Wearing a gold president to tame oil fires. Nice.

[oldblock]

My humble views for what they are worth.....
- Rolex have invested enormously in their brand and in its reach
- In doing so they've created awareness and aspiration - for many owning a Rolex is a symbol of achievement and success (however shallow some may think that is)
- Whilst there are horological geniuses and higher quality watches out there none market like Rolex - infact I would go so far as to say many are only deemed obtainable by the super rich....entry level Richard Mille? entry level Patek even?
- Not many people eyeball wristwear but those that do spot Rolex
It is one of the best marketing stories ever!!

[Daveh3196]

According to Forbes 2018 most valuable brands, Rolex placed at #71. Higher than FedEx, Boeing, Chanel, and Kellogg’s. Not bad for a privately held company selling luxury watches. When consumers think high end watch, they think Rolex. It’s the only brand many prospective buyers are even aware of.


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[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Daveh3196

When consumers think high end watch, they think Rolex. It’s the only brand many prospective buyers are even aware of.

100% true. Merits aside there is no denying Rolex=the luxury watch in the mind of most average consumers

If it actually is or isnt is debatable. I think not, but some disagree and thats fine. What isnt really in question is how the brand is viewed among most consumers.

[Nav01L]

I have a Navitimer that is more accurate than any Rolex I’ve seen so far, let alone those that I own. I’m wearing an IWC right now that suits my wrist better than any watch Rolex currently makes and despite any scarcity there may be in the market, is objectively more rare. Both of these watches are finished to the same if not higher standards and both cost about the same.

I have several Rolexes and I like them, but are they the best? Not for me I’m afraid. As for the general perception, that is mostly - admittedly brilliant - marketing I would submit.