Rolex Ranks #1 on overall ranking list!

[Rolex Junky]

According to the German watch magazine UHREN, Rolex tops the scales by taking the 1st place on the list (98.4); followed by Patek Philippe 2nd (96.2); A. Lange & Söhne 3rd (96) and Panerai 4th (94). Its a top40 list of European brands. The different watch maker companies were evaluated on sports models; elegant models and complications; afther which the scores were added to give a grand total. The list of criteria by which companies were judged was extensive and comprised of the following aspects:
design; prestige feel; quality; afthersales service & friendliness; technique; price/ quality; resalevalue; marketing; lifestyle and innovation.

I must however point out that Rolex only beat Patek and A.L&S because those brands hardly have sports lines.

Worth mentioning; the company with the worse score when it came to afthersales service & friendliness was AP (14th on the list) with a score of 4 out of a possible 10!

As for the more afordable brands Sinn beats the rest of the competition by taking the 28th place on the list.

So there you have it. JJ its official!

The following is a breakdown of pecentage alocated per class thus making the comparison of the so called "apples & pears" palatable:
Sports Elegance Complications
Rolex 50% 40% 10%
PP 20% 50% 30%
A.L&S 0% 60% 40%
OP 70% 20% 10%

[Speed]

Rolex ranks #1 on a ranking list?

That's pretty rank ;-) ROFL

[burger'n'fries]

No big surprise. You could travel to any metropolis in the world and sell you Rolex if you need some emergency cash. At least, that's the word on the street.

[nauticajoe]

Thanks for the info. Lorenzo.

[Beyond Man]

"Its a top40 list of Swiss made watches."

"A. Lange & Söhne 3rd"

Correct me if I am wrong, but I was always under the impression that A. Lange Sohne were made in Germany.

[boa2]

Originally Posted by Beyond Man

"Its a top40 list of Swiss made watches."

"A. Lange & Söhne 3rd"

Correct me if I am wrong, but I was always under the impression that A. Lange Sohne were made in Germany.

Indeed, they are. And they make no sport watches. What they do make, however, is VERY nice.

I'm quite surprised about AP, as their service center here in the US is phenomenal. I'm intimately familiar with their service in other countries as well, and it too is stellar.

Kudos to Rolex!

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

According to the German watch magazine UHREN, Rolex tops the scales by taking the 1st place on the list (98.4); followed by Patek Philippe 2nd (96.2); A. Lange & Söhne 3rd (96) and Panerai 4th (94). Its a top40 list of Swiss made watches. The different watch maker companies were evaluated on sports models; elegant models and complications; afther which the scores were added to give a grand total. The list of criteria by which companies were judged was extensive and comprised of the following aspects:
design; prestige feel; quality; afthersales service & friendliness; technique; price/ quality; marketing; lifestyle and innovation.

I must however point out that Rolex only beat Patek and A.L&S because those brands hardly have sports lines.

Worth mentioning; the company with the worse score when it came to afthersales service & friendliness was AP (14th on the list) with a score of 4 out of a possible 10!

As for the more afordable brands Sinn beats the rest of the competition by taking the 28th place on the list.

So there you have it. JJ its official!

I bolded the contradictory parts there.

Anyway, any ranking with Rolex at #1 is flawed and isn't worth listening to after that. Don't even try to tell me that a Rolex and an A. Lange, or PP in the same price-range are comparable at all. Actually forget that, take ANY Rolex you want and compare it to ANY Lange.

This doesn't only apply for those two manufactures, there's a LOOOOOOONG list of manufactures that surpass Rolex by miles.

Sports watches don't come into the premium market often because... Well... To be honest they're much easier to manufacture and are usually completely machine made. (See Rolex, Omega etc) Now constructed a perpetual calendar or minute repeater by hand takes much more skill, time, and effort which justifies the higher price and any brand that manufactures these ranks very highly. Rolex makes nice sports watches, they don't do complications. Making a certain brand #1 because of only sports watches is just being oblivious to all the other designs and styles that exist.

[Rolex Junky]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

I bolded the contradictory parts there.

Anyway, any ranking with Rolex at #1 is flawed and isn't worth listening to after that. Don't even try to tell me that a Rolex and an A. Lange, or PP in the same price-range are comparable at all. Actually forget that, take ANY Rolex you want and compare it to ANY Lange.

This doesn't only apply for those two manufactures, there's a LOOOOOOONG list of manufactures that surpass Rolex by miles.

Sports watches don't come into the premium market often because... Well... To be honest they're much easier to manufacture and are usually completely machine made. (See Rolex, Omega etc) Now constructed a perpetual calendar or minute repeater by hand takes much more skill, time, and effort which justifies the higher price and any brand that manufactures these ranks very highly. Rolex makes nice sports watches, they don't do complications. Making a certain brand #1 because of only sports watches is just being oblivious to all the other designs and styles that exist.

Your are right on all points. I added some info in my OP to better reflect how they went about comparing the different brands. As you can tell from the above list A.L&S have the highest pecentage score when it comes to both elegance and complications/manufactures. They are magnificent watchmakers; and I'm sure that had they had a sports line they would have beaten Rolex hands down. As things are however over all, Rolex is king.

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

Your are right on all points. I added some info in my OP to better reflect how they went about comparing the different brands.

It's certainly interesting, I won't lie. Do you have a link to the article, or is it in print?

[hhh007]

<<< Anyway, any ranking with Rolex at #1 is flawed and isn't worth listening to after that. Don't even try to tell me that a Rolex and an A. Lange, or PP in the same price-range are comparable at all. Actually forget that, take ANY Rolex you want and compare it to ANY Lange.

This doesn't only apply for those two manufactures, there's a LOOOOOOONG list of manufactures that surpass Rolex by miles. >>>



That is of course just an opinion. While there are many other very fine brands, the very impressive resale value of Rolex in the secondary speaks for itself IMO.

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by hhh007

<<< Anyway, any ranking with Rolex at #1 is flawed and isn't worth listening to after that. Don't even try to tell me that a Rolex and an A. Lange, or PP in the same price-range are comparable at all. Actually forget that, take ANY Rolex you want and compare it to ANY Lange.

This doesn't only apply for those two manufactures, there's a LOOOOOOONG list of manufactures that surpass Rolex by miles. >>>



That is of course just an opinion. While there are many other very fine brands, the very impressive resale value of Rolex in the secondary speaks for itself IMO.

Resale value =/= quality. Resale value is a byproduct of superb marketing. What I said there was fact, the opinion I'm going to state here is: I believe that the Rolex marketing team were the best of the 20th century by a long stretch. Those men (and women) were geniuses!

[TempoKing]

Prestige feel and quality..?... Rolex is second to none.

Now about after sales service & friendliness ?...My cat... can provide infinitely better scores

...and what about complications..?
Especially when you compare Rolex against Patek and Lange..???
.I want to cry..:

[hhh007]

<<< Resale value =/= quality. Resale value is a byproduct of superb marketing >>>



Superb marketing surely plays a part, but only a fractional part IMO. The quality of design and function, durability, and many other factors also have to be present for any brand to remain so highly sought after worldwide and stand the test of time for decades.

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by TempoKing

Prestige feel and quality..?... Rolex is second to none.

Now about after sales service & friendliness ?...My cat can provide infinitely better scores

...and what about complications..?
Especially when you compare Rolex against Patek and Lange...I want to cry..

I've stated before on another forum that watches are almost impossible to compare like this. Brands are a bit easier, but due to the broad spectrum of watches they have to be compared in separate categories. When you mash them all together however, I feel that the most horologically advanced manufactures rank highest.

[chrono24seven]

Been TOPS in my book for quite a while

[Lol-x]

I'm surprised to see Panerai get top rank 70% for sportiness.
Well I guess their dials are very legible.
Panerai also have a tourbillon movement model but that didn't seem to help them much on the complication rank of 10%

I guess the percentage scores are subjective.

[Rolex Junky]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

It's certainly interesting, I won't lie. Do you have a link to the article, or is it in print?

Sorry its only in print. Actually its a catalogue containing all new releases and most popular models by brand during Bassel 2010. Its a 552 page watch bible; and has been my daily reader for the past few days. It states everything about every european watchmodel available.

Information like:
reference number; movement inculding a indepth discription and calibre number; functions; price in euro; model variations and availability; wether its cosc certified; case hight and diameter; meterials; water resistance depth. It even lists in a small matrix per watch the resale value in % loss over time depending on the age and condition of the timepiece. It depicts pictures of every timepiece and its movement.

Its........fantastic.

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by hhh007

<<< Resale value =/= quality. Resale value is a byproduct of superb marketing >>>



Superb marketing surely plays a part, but only a fractional part IMO. The quality of design and function, durability, and many other factors also have to be present for any brand to remain so highly sought after worldwide and stand the test of time for decades.

Mmmmmm, if that was the case, then other brands who make HIGHER quality watches with MORE functions, would have the same resale stability no? I won't argue with durability as Rolexes are built like tanks. It all boils down to marketing, Patek Phillipe and Rolex keep their value best when resold. Anybody who's heard of Patek ranks them above Rolex, it doesn't matter what their knowledge of the horological world is. Patek has a flawless reputation, and their marketing is on par with Rolex's.

Now take A. Lange for example. The manufacture as it currently exists has been around for less than 30 years. It has little history, and no marketing behind it. The resale value on an A. Lange drops significantly.

That is also present for other brands such as Glashutte, IWC, and Jaeger all of which as brands rank higher than Rolex in terms of quality and movements, (I'm not talking about sports watches here, but if you want you can include them) but lack the marketing that Rolex possesses.

Also just an observation of mine: Resale value has no place being discussed in a comparison of watches, as it isn't relevant to the watch itself, it's relevant to the current market. (This is my own opinion)

As a point in value for money: today if you asked me to buy a new Rolex, I would buy off the used market as I can't justify paying the full retail price for many of their SS watches. (I can obtain a VERY nice Glashutte or JLC with a moonphase or other complications for LESS THAN a GMTIIC or a SubC)

Please excuse any redundancy or poor organization in this post, I'm a little bit bonked out on allergy meds.

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

Sorry its only in print. Actually its a catalogue containing all new releases and most popular models by brand during Bassel 2010. Its like a bible; and has been my daily reader for the past few days. It states everything about every watchmodel available.

Information like:
reference number; movement inculding a indepth discription and calibre number; functions; price in euro; model variations and availability; wether its cosc certified; case hight and diameter; meterials; water resistance depth. It even lists in small matrix per watch the resale value in % loss over time depending on the age and condition of the timepiece. It depicts pictures of every timepiece and its movement.

Its........fantastic.

I'm assuming it's only in German? Currently I only subscribe to WatchTime.

[Rolex Junky]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

Mmmmmm, if that was the case, then other brands who make HIGHER quality watches with MORE functions, would have the same resale stability no? I won't argue with durability as Rolexes are built like tanks. It all boils down to marketing, Patek Phillipe and Rolex keep their value best when resold. Anybody who's heard of Patek ranks them above Rolex, it doesn't matter what their knowledge of the horological world is. Patek has a flawless reputation, and their marketing is on par with Rolex's.

Now take A. Lange for example. The manufacture as it currently exists has been around for less than 30 years. It has little history, and no marketing behind it. The resale value on an A. Lange drops significantly.

That is also present for other brands such as Glashutte, IWC, and Jaeger all of which as brands rank higher than Rolex in terms of quality and movements, (I'm not talking about sports watches here, but if you want you can include them) but lack the marketing that Rolex possesses.

Also just an observation of mine: Resale value has no place being discussed in a comparison of watches, as it isn't relevant to the watch itself, it's relevant to the current market. (This is my own opinion)

As a point in value for money: today if you asked me to buy a new Rolex, I would buy off the used market as I can't justify paying the full retail price for many of their SS watches. (I can obtain a VERY nice Glashutte or JLC with a moonphase or other complications for LESS THAN a GMTIIC or a SubC)

Please excuse any redundancy or poor organization in this post, I'm a little bit bonked out on allergy meds.



I'm assuming it's only in German? Currently I only subscribe to WatchTime.

Unfortunately for you it is.

[dddrees]

I think this just reafirms what this forum already knows, however it is glad to have the written record confirmation.

Yes, Rolex is #1!!!!!

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

Unfortunately for you it is.

That's disappointing. Well German is #2 on my list of languages to learn right now.

#1 is Italian.

[Rolex Junky]

To whomever might want to know:

The Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 is the world’s most complicated timepiece. Selling at a whopping 2,27 million dollars. The highest value ever for a watch sold out of auction!

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

To whomever might want to know:

The Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 is the world’s most complicated timepiece. Selling at a whopping 2,27 million dollars. The highest value ever for a watch sold out of auction!

Is that true now? Just recently Jaeger LeCoultre held the title. I guess it's a quickly shifting position.

I'd like to see a company beat the record by six or seven complications next time, not just one like they usually do. That would really be something.

EDIT: NEVERMIND! It looks like they beat Jaeger's record by 9 (NINE!) complications! Outstanding!

[HL65]

Rolex does make the best Sports watch IMHO--as for complicated elegant watches--not a chance--Patek Philippe is king. They are quite different watches with quite different market. Rolex caters to a much larger audience and Patek is quite limited in it's audience or target market. Rolex makes great durable everyday watches--Patek are out of reach for many buyers and again quite limited in it's target market. To compare Rolex to Patek though is like comparing a sports car to a luxury sedan--not apples to apples comparison.
As for Lange--the newly reopened and run Lange has limited history since it's rebirth in the 90's--they are certainly an up and coming company that makes an exquisite watch--but certainly not a Patek either. Overall--Rolex is the best marketed--farthest reaching--most well known watch company in the world. The best part about collecting watches is that there is a watch out there for everyone in every price range that will appeal to at the very least the person whose wrist it sits upon!!!

[Yazo]

Interesting... thanks for sharing.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

Rolex makes nice sports watches, they don't do complications.

I would like to point out that this particular competition was based on a certain set of criteria, which were judged by some entity.

If you are going to criticize the findings, you need to do so on the basis of the stated criteria, not based on your own criteria given after the fact.

If you choose to offer your own analysis based on your own criteria, that is fine, but the thread is not about your criteria, or it didn't start out that way.

Of course, Rolex does do complications, but not to the extent of the others you named who do grande complications. A complication is anything other than the time, such as calendar functions, stopwatch functions, and time zones.

[Shade]

I love rolex. But I just don't think its comparable to other brands. They have their strengths, but definitely don't compete in the complications sector..

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I would like to point out that this particular competition was based on a certain set of criteria, which were judged by some entity.

If you are going to criticize the findings, you need to do so on the basis of the stated criteria, not based on your own criteria given after the fact.

If you choose to offer your own analysis based on your own criteria, that is fine, but the thread is not about your criteria, or it didn't start out that way.

Of course, Rolex does do complications, but not to the extent of the others you named. A complication is anything other than the time, such as date, day, stopwatch functions and time zones.

That's true I should have rephrased that, and technically when counting the complications minutes, hours, and seconds count.

I mentioned earlier in this thread that it's impossible to correctly rank all watch manufactures. They need to be broken up into smaller categories.

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

To whomever might want to know:

The Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 is the world’s most complicated timepiece. Selling at a whopping 2,27 million dollars. The highest value ever for a watch sold out of auction!

"A good example (of a high end product with mass appeal) is Rolex. Now, a Rolex watch has enormous value relative to its price. It is really excellent value. It is the accessibility of its price that allows Rolex to sell 1 million watches a year. But have you ever looked at a Rolex movement? These are incredibly high end movements. They are high end in the manner they are made, in the way they are decorated in the way that they are designed, and they are in-house. I look at Rolex objectively I would say they are incredible because you have tremendous value."

A quote that has been attributed to Franck Muller by several people here over the years. I'm not sure of the source.

[Rolex Junky]

The research results comprise 4 pages; each page adresses a product group be it sports; elegance or complications; on which each brand is subsequently scored for each of the above mentioned criteria resulting in a huge latice matrix for 40 brands. On the 4th page the results are totaled resulting in a final score. As far as comparing apples and pears goes this is the best you can get. Being a magazine in which all brands advertise leads me to think the results are hard numbers based on truth. I find it hard to believe the results were fabricated. AP would not stand for this had it been the case. Further more I believe such research might even be endorsed by the manufacturers themselves for in a competing market it provides insights on aspects or departments which might be lacking and require attention.