Rolex vs Patek and AP

[Token74]

I read an article posted on here a couple of days ago about a Hodinkee visit to Rolex, and it made me question some things I thought to be true.

I have always believed that Patek and AP are superior to Rolex due to the ‘human’ element and the quality of the finishing, but I choose to wear Rolex because of the Tool Watch element, in the same way as I choose to drive a Range Rover instead of a Bentley; I don’t really go off-road and I don’t dive, but I do like things that offer genuine quality that I don’t have to be precious with, and Range Rover and Rolex tick this box.

Having read the article that was posted, I now question the statement that Patek and AP offer superior quality and in the same way, I must question whether Rolex really offer superior ‘durability’ – but I have never owned an AP or PP so would welcome the thoughts of those of you that have.

The Range Rover is considered by many to be the best car in the world because of the way it combines ability with luxury - is the same true of Rolex?

[Speed]

I think that exclusivity is also a factor. Rolex makes ~ 1 million watches a year. AP ~ 30 K. Not sure about Patek.

[SCsailor]

Better get an extended warranty for your Range Rover.


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[ems12]

Originally Posted by SCsailor

Better get an extended warranty for your Range Rover.


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LOL Modern Range Rovers are not the same as the "old" Range Rovers/Land Rovers.

2010 on wards Land Rovers and Range Rovers are just as reliable as any other SUV. I own a 2012 LR4 and it's been the most reliable SUV I have ever owned. More so than my 04 Disco II.

Look at Motor Trends long term road test of a 2012 Range Rover and you will see.

Unfortunately Land Rovers have a bad reputation from those that don't own them.

[yjfang]

Wife owned a LandRover Discovery many years ago before we met and it broke down on her often. We had 2006 Range Rover and had a bunch of electrical issues. The HSE would malfunction constantly and trips do the dealership could not resolve it. Dumped the RR as fast as we could and would never buy another one.

If you want a real sturdy durable SUV, Mercedes G-wagen.

Originally Posted by SCsailor

Better get an extended warranty for your Range Rover.


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[stil]

Originally Posted by SCsailor

Better get an extended warranty for your Range Rover.


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This.

[zama]

2 posts in you have your answer, Rolex make a great product like a Mercedes, big engineering budget and high quality mass produced product. Is a Patek or AP or ALS better, probably not, is their finishing higher, absolutely, are they as robust probably not, but will they go the distance sure...... look under magnification and you will see where the difference lies, certainly exclusivity is a big factor.

Personally I like them all for their differences, not their similarities, I am fortunate to have a watch from each family.

[HL65]

I will speak to Patek and Lange yes they are vastly different but you are paying for that of course and the reason for major price difference. Lange makes 4000 watches a year and they are hand made with same watchmaker from start to finish and no two are exactly the same. The reason for that is each watchmaker leaves their hidden signature in an engraving on movement. So different yes but also different segment and buyer. Does this take away from Rolex in any way? No of course not.

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by HL65

I will speak to Patek and Lange yes they are vastly different but you are paying for that of course and the reason for major price difference. Lange makes 4000 watches a year and they are hand made with same watchmaker from start to finish and no two are exactly the same. The reason for that is each watchmaker leaves their hidden signature in an engraving on movement. So different yes but also different segment and buyer. Does this take away from Rolex in any way? No of course not.

Didn't know that about how each watchmaker engraves the movement differently. Fascinating!

[eightbore]

Rolex - Benz
Patek/AP - Bentley

Frankly, that might be far too complimentary to Patek/AP. Why? Well, I was watching Bloomberg the other day and the CEO of Rolls Royce noted (rather casually, which surprised me) that 90% of their cars were bespoke. He was showing off a stretched version that had the entire interior upholstered in white silk painted with an Asian cherry blossom theme. I can't imagine that even .9% of the Patek market is bespoke much less 90. Maybe Rolex is an S Class and Patek is a Maybach?

[Le Chef]

Originally Posted by eightbore

Rolex - Benz
Patek/AP - Bentley

Bentley has too many Audi bits and pieces underneath to compare to PP or AP. Better comparison is Aston Martin with more bespoke manufacture and fewer borrowed parts from mass producers like Audi, BMW, or Mercedes Benz.

[yjfang]

Same deal with FP Journe. In fact, I think the same watchmaker would be assigned to service the watch that he assembles when it comes back in a few years.

Originally Posted by jjnd08

Didn't know that about how each watchmaker engraves the movement differently. Fascinating!

[Cru Jones]

"best" is such a subjective term when it comes to luxury goods, with no "right" answer.

[RUK]

I agree about the Rolex tool watch part but I've seen too many faulty Range rovers to agree with the rest of your post.

As for PP and AP : different ball game different market


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[Jack T]

I agree that 'best' is subjective, particularly with regard to high end luxury goods; however, I doubt 'many' people do now or ever have considered Range Rover the best car in the world.

[Token74]

Originally Posted by Jack T

I agree that 'best' is subjective, particularly with regard to high end luxury goods; however, I doubt 'many' people do now or ever have considered Range Rover the best car in the world.

You'd be surprised, everyone in the Cotswolds believes it is the best car in the world (just ask Jeremy Clarkson)! I would however accept that we ain't the brightest in the world and we are rather nostalgic!!

This thread has made me want a Lange, very very badly!

[AK797]

I like all 3, some days you want a Mercedes, some days a Rolls and some days a Ferrari. PM Rolexes are like Porsches.

[Muzz]

IMO a they are all great watches and no collection is complete without a Rolex, AP, PP and an ALS:) they are all unique enough to coexist.

[GB-man]

Where is my sports watch lange? Where?

[HL65]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Where is my sports watch lange? Where?

Actually many Lange's are consided sports watches even though on strap. Only dress watch lines they make are Saxonia, Richard Lange and original Lange 1. As stated above by Steve yes they go quite well in collection with Rolex and Patek as watches can coexist.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by HL65

Actually many Lange's are consided sports watches even though on strap. Only dress watch lines they make are Saxonia, Richard Lange and original Lange 1. As stated above by Steve yes they go quite well in collection with Rolex and Patek as watches can coexist.

I generally agree many of lange wear well casual but I want one on bracelet or rubber preferably in SS with wr good enough for w swim.

Outside thier supposed wheelhouse sure, but they are a company who leads in terms of innovation. Can only salivate as to what they could offer us

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by HL65

Actually many Lange's are consided sports watches even though on strap. Only dress watch lines they make are Saxonia, Richard Lange and original Lange 1. As stated above by Steve yes they go quite well in collection with Rolex and Patek as watches can coexist.

and nobody does it better than you Ken!! Your collection is out of this world awesome!!!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Muzz

and nobody does it better than you Ken!! Your collection is out of this world awesome!!!

Thanks buddy!

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Token74

I read an article posted on here a couple of days ago about a Hodinkee visit to Rolex, and it made me question some things I thought to be true.

I have always believed that Patek and AP are superior to Rolex due to the ‘human’ element and the quality of the finishing, but I choose to wear Rolex because of the Tool Watch element, in the same way as I choose to drive a Range Rover instead of a Bentley; I don’t really go off-road and I don’t dive, but I do like things that offer genuine quality that I don’t have to be precious with, and Range Rover and Rolex tick this box.

Having read the article that was posted, I now question the statement that Patek and AP offer superior quality and in the same way, I must question whether Rolex really offer superior ‘durability’ – but I have never owned an AP or PP so would welcome the thoughts of those of you that have.

The Range Rover is considered by many to be the best car in the world because of the way it combines ability with luxury - is the same true of Rolex?

Hey I love Range Rovers too. I think the 4.4 & 5.0 NA, 4.2 and 5.0 SC FF Range Rover Jaguar trucks are awesome. I love them on road and I love them offroad. The articulation is insane there are some pictures on http://www.offroadrover.com that are beautiful. Theres a trip on there about Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona, AZ, highly recommended in a range. Drive on the highway at 90 MPH, legally, then take an exit offroad 17 miles and end up in Sedona, Arizona.

I can tell you as an entrepreneur, Hans Wilsdorf is very impressive. He anticipated market trends, marketed well, also executed excellently. His products oozed quality and value. I really respect quality, and quality engineering/quality assurance. Rolex provides both. I believe the statement that it does take a year for a Rolex to leave the factory but most of that time is spent testing each individual watch. Their Comex pressure testers are just one piece of impressive array of watch torture devices that the watch on your wrist have passed.

Good marketing is the best way to kill a bad product. Wilsdorf I believe delivered a good product, well executed, and quality assured by practical commitment to those principles.

[Jari from Finland]

There are many who speak about superiority as to come watchbrands. I think that the brand itself is not the crucial factor. Often these mentioned watches are meant for different purposes. There is no sense to compare for example dress and diver watches with each other. If it is spoken about brands over the other it doesn't necessarily mean that the entry level watches of high level brands would be superior to as so called lower level brand's watches but only that the watch represent that brand. I think that there are only few people who must have had repaired those three brand's watches under their warranty time. I am sure those brands are all worth of their price.


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[patek.wis]

Originally Posted by Token74

I read an article posted on here a couple of days ago about a Hodinkee visit to Rolex, and it made me question some things I thought to be true.

I have always believed that Patek and AP are superior to Rolex due to the ‘human’ element and the quality of the finishing, but I choose to wear Rolex because of the Tool Watch element, in the same way as I choose to drive a Range Rover instead of a Bentley; I don’t really go off-road and I don’t dive, but I do like things that offer genuine quality that I don’t have to be precious with, and Range Rover and Rolex tick this box.

Having read the article that was posted, I now question the statement that Patek and AP offer superior quality and in the same way, I must question whether Rolex really offer superior ‘durability’ – but I have never owned an AP or PP so would welcome the thoughts of those of you that have.

The Range Rover is considered by many to be the best car in the world because of the way it combines ability with luxury - is the same true of Rolex?

I mean, quality is relative. Durability depends on factors (forged carbon is good with scratches but chips away, so depends on application).

I prefer Patek but I do think many of their watches are a bit fragile comparing to a Rolex, but that may be my perception. My nautilus' have waffle thin cases and movements, not sure how shock resistant they are, and dont plan to put to test.

However, think you're a bit off with Range Rover. I think they have the reputation of being the least reliable cars on the planet, tied with Jaguar (surprise, both owned by tata).

This pic says it all

In Africa we used to drive REAL jeeps and REAL range rovers long time ago before they were molested and turned into a luxury pot of terrible engineering and ridiculous pricing. Those seemed bullet proof. Anything modern? Wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole, i dont have the money to fix it =)

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by patek.wis

I mean, quality is relative. Durability depends on factors (forged carbon is good with scratches but chips away, so depends on application).

I prefer Patek but I do think many of their watches are a bit fragile comparing to a Rolex, but that may be my perception. My nautilus' have waffle thin cases and movements, not sure how shock resistant they are, and dont plan to put to test.

However, think you're a bit off with Range Rover. I think they have the reputation of being the least reliable cars on the planet, tied with Jaguar (surprise, both owned by tata).

This pic says it all

In Africa we used to drive REAL jeeps and REAL range rovers long time ago before they were molested and turned into a luxury pot of terrible engineering and ridiculous pricing. Those seemed bullet proof. Anything modern? Wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole, i dont have the money to fix it =)

Haha I certainly don't believe RR to be the best be vehicle made but I understand brand passion and LR/RR has certainly earned their following!

Modern reliability off road demands a toyota product ymmv

[breitlings]

I know this is a watch forum. I think the reliability on a Range Rover or a Jaguar would be comparable to like BMW for example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFEvzoKT6nk Check out that video of a guy beating up a BMW M6 for reliability issues. I believe that an M6 is still a badass car. I've destroyed more transmissions and differentials in more cars than I care to admit it.

[patek.wis]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...-and-jd-power/

JD Power always ranks them least. Maybe that means nothing, or maybe every reliability score out there that ranks them as horrid is right...

Dont take me wrong, love the last gen range rovers. would snatch one up if i wasnt afraid that they would drive me into the poor house... ;) (maybe thats a bit harsh)

[clock]

Many collector's believe Rolex for sport and Patek for dress. Rolex is more durable, Patek has one of the best movement finishing and both enjoy, arguably, highest brand recognition.

Both have the greatest resale value. Some Patek models have had serious increases in value (for example:Jumbo Nautilus and 5970 w/original Valjoux movement)