Do you think the majority of Rolex owners ostentatious?

[cht]

Just curious as to what you guys here think...

Since we are on the forum, I'd assume we'd have less people of that sort but I'm curious as to if you guys think most people buy Rolex because of the name on the dial.

But, though it's the minority on these forums, I still see threads where to me it's painfully obvious.

When I see threads like the guy who bought a brand new GMT but hand no idea what a GMT hand does or how many people on here have no idea how to use a small screw driver to remove or bracelet screw, I can't help but think people who appreciate the brand beyond the name are in the minority.

[mannyv11]

I love watches many different brands. Currently I own a Rolex subC and until 2 days ago I had no idea how to change the size of my bracelet on my own, I was always a bit scared I would screw something up. I have no idea how that makes me ostentatious which according to the original post that's what people are who don't know how to change a bracelet or use the functions on the watch.

I also don't find it a big deal to not understand all of the functions on the watch, he saw the watched liked how it looked and it sung to him. I don't think you need to be able to build a Rolex to enjoy one and that goes all the way up through AP and PP in my humble opinion

[MonBK]

What is a screwdriver?

[cht]

^^^Lol, Mate your killing me!!!

[NYMike]

Most people own stainless steel Datejusts. I don't think the poll reflects possibility of having a status symbol that's not ostentatious.

[z32turbo]

Originally Posted by MonBK

What is a screwdriver?

I'm pretty sure it's a beverage.

[supertrooper]

Originally Posted by cht

I can't help but think people who appreciate the brand beyond the name are in the minority.

How true.

But it's thanks to those status seekers that Rolex is still profitable, IMO.

[capote]

People who know little/nothing about watches will probably buy it as a status symbol, people who know alot about watches will buy it for the history, quality etc. Since the first group is bigger than the second one I would choose "status" in this poll.

[captkevin]

The first time I saw a TT Blue sub, I said "I have to have that watch" not knowing what kind it was or anything I just loved the watch. Soon found out it was a Rolex and it took me 10 years to get it. Over those years I grew an appreciation for the brand and now a proud owner of 3 Subs

[dpkong]

I too voted that most owners are seeking a status symbol. After all, isn't a Rolex the "crown for your achievements" ?

However, I believe even though TRF has such a large member base, it's such a really low percentage of the total Rolex owners and most here buy Rolex for the quality and reliability over the status.

[Beelzy]

Obnoxious perhaps but not ostentatious.

[QueueCumber]

"Most" seeking a status symbol? I think so. Otherwise, why not buy a less well-known brand that is more understated?

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by z32turbo

I'm pretty sure it's a beverage.

I will take one of those thanks

[shoota70]

I can tell you that most of the watch guys I know are very humble dudes. They fish, hunt, collect guns, chew, and work dogs. They wear Rolex because it is the best - not because they want people to see them wearing one.

You simply can not beat a Sub, GMT, or Explorer - IT CAN NOT BE DONE. You may experiment with this watch and that watch, but when it is all said and done the only thing you are realizing is that Rolex is a perfect watch for ALL situations.

[QueueCumber]

BTW, I would like to qualify that the thread title and the poll can diverge considerably with one another, because being ostentatious and seeking status are not mutually inclusive IMO. A person can be one of these two combinations (as well as a few others):

1) Non-ostentatious but seeking status --> Submariner

2) Ostentatious and seeking status --> Submariner completely covered in diamonds

Of course, people can be non-ostentatious and not seeking status, or ostentatious and not seeking status (just tasteless!). I think that "most owners," as per the poll question, are seeking status. This is especially apparent with the boom of luxury product sales in rising third world economies...

Likewise, ostentation is a culturally relevant term, i.e. what would be considered excessive showiness is different between cultures and subcultures, and it is determined by the culture's judgment of a person's outward expression. Status seeking is an invisible motivation within the individual that may or may not be marked by ostentation. Ostentation, besides possibly being status seeking, can also possibly be a lack of cultural judgment, a sign of cultural indifference, or a sign of cultural rebellion on the wearer's part. This gets even more complicated when considering people from other cultures who are living in a foreign culture.

[Bangel]

With the might of the Rolex marketing machine as it is and with Rolex selling so many watches, I suspect it is probably true that "most" buy Rolex for the name.

I do think though that "status symbol seeking" and "humble time piece fanatics" are 2 opposing ends of the spectrum with a lot of Rolex owners various shades of both. I like to think of myself as a humble time piece fanatic, but I can't deny that the Rolex name played a role in attracting my attention initially.

[gr33n]

The status is part of the brand, i think. Voted for that one. I can appreciate the superb design of crown waterproofness, the lisibility of the dial, all the engineery in fact, and have a part of myself which likes the brand appeal...

[QueueCumber]

I can't help but feel that polls like these are always inaccurate because some people tend to rationalize their own status seeking as non-status seeking instead of considering the entire Rolex buying population.

[Mastergreenhand]

I think a good majority of members on this board are true fans of the brand and come here to learn more about Rolex and appreciate the other models as well. In the process, we become even bigger fans of the brand and all that it stands for. I'm still learning all the model numbers but this is the place I go to get a better understanding of Rolex, rather than an AD (who sometimes don't know themselves what they are selling -- ever have this happen?)

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by Mastergreenhand

I'm still learning all the model numbers but this is the place I go to get a better understanding of Rolex, rather than an AD (who sometimes don't know themselves what they are selling -- ever have this happen?)

I've had that happen with a lot of watch brands, sadly enough. It is awesome when I run into a salesperson who is passionately informed about the brand he/she is selling though, like this one dude who works for Breguet on Madison Avenue and who was exhibiting at the Park Avenue Armory (a WIS for sure, as he knew all about other brands as well), or one of the ladies exhibiting APs at the Park Avenue Armory the other day.

[floater156]

How about a little bith of both?

[superdog]

Odd question I think, and and odd way to word it too.

I personally love my GMT, but doubt I'll ever really use the 24 hour hand to appreciate it.

I buy watches because I like the look, style, comfort, quality and yes, to some degree the brand. I am not obnoxious or ostentatious. If anything, I'm a bit trashy.

I don't wear watches because of the movement or the history. I appreciate that where they come from and the insides, but I wear what I like.

I can't even vote this in this because I don't really agree with how it's worded in either scenario.

[aspen]

Osten..what?

[dalip]

I don't need a Rolex to make me ostentatious.
I don't need to be ostentatious to have a Rolex.

[Welshwatchman]

I'm too busy being pretentious to be ostentatious.

[MoBe]

None of the above and I don`t have to explain myself to anyone.

If you happen to notice me wearing my Rolex you can think whatever you like.

[dalip]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I'm too busy being pretentious to be ostentatious.

The better I am at it, the more I get paid ...being pretentious that is

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by dalip

The better I am at it, the more I get paid ...being pretentious that is

I'd go so far as to call us both Dandys.


Capture.JPG

[dalip]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I'd go so far as to call us both Dandys.


Attachment 314533

My son finds it a far more affectionate term than plain old "Daddy"

[dalip]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I'd go so far as to call us both Dandys.


Attachment 314533

The checked pants make me feel like I'm on the right Paul.....?

Carl...I see you on here...you must be chewing your tongue of right now