"Why would you spend so much on something that isn't so precise?"

[nyc2la]

When friends or in-laws ask why I would spend so much on a watch that doesn't keep time as accurately as a quartz watch, iPhone, etc, it makes me sigh and

Anyone else get this type of question? If so, what's your favorite way to respond?

[tkerrmd]

never got that cause no one really even knows what kind of watch it is never mind how accurate it is?

I buy watches to please myself and don't need to explain to others....so

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

When friends or in-laws ask why I would spend so much on a watch that doesn't keep time as accurately as a quartz watch, iPhone, etc, it makes me sigh and

Anyone else get this type of question? If so, what's your favorite way to respond?

...for the same reason the person asking does not drive a non a/c, 1969 VW beetle; which will get you from point A to point B very inexpensively. How can he/she justify his BMW/MB/etc if the '69 beetle can do it safely and for a fraction of the cost?

[datejust24]

I have definitely got this question but I just don't even try and explain it...and you shouldn't have to...why buy a Ferrari when you could buy a Mustang? .....quality...thats why...

[jamesbondOO7]

What is your point?

[actionkwj]

Since when was "because I like it" not a good answer?


The Rolex Cowboy

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

never got that cause no one really even knows what kind of watch it is never mind how accurate it is?

I buy watches to please myself and don't need to explain to others....so

Agree 100% that these are bought for me and no one else.

In my case, my close friends and in-laws know of my "affliction", and since most know what a Rolex is (and that it's a "luxury" item), they deduce that it's overpriced for it's function. Hence the sigh and

Fortunately TRF offers a judgement-free environment

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

...for the same reason the person asking does not drive a non a/c, 1969 VW beetle; which will get you from point A to point B very inexpensively. How can he/she justify his BMW/MB/etc if the '69 beetle can do it safely and for a fraction of the cost?

Well played.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by actionkwj

Since when was "because I like it" not a good answer?


The Rolex Cowboy

It sounds good to me.

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

...for the same reason the person asking does not drive a non a/c, 1969 VW beetle; which will get you from point A to point B very inexpensively. How can he/she justify his BMW/MB/etc if the '69 beetle can do it safely and for a fraction of the cost?

I stop at non/ac. That's a no no.

[Evad3]

I get this question a lot from my friends, my reply is usually "I didn't buy it to tell the time"

It usually fries their brains

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

What is your point?

Thanks for your response. Mostly that TRF is a forum where questions are asked and information & experiences are shared with other watch enthusiasts, without judgement. Is this really such an outlandish question?

[REFZ]

I've never had that question because my friends and family don't mind what ever reason I have to buy Rolex watches.

[LuminousMaximus]

The only reason they are asking is because they don't understand that it is what I want. That's it! We don't buy for accuracy.

We buy for the Design, elegance, complexity, and craftsmanship of an amazing piece of engineering that can only be accomplished by a specialized group, of highly trained and skilled Men and Women who have been Creating timepieces since the industrial age.

These are not merely, "timepieces," they are works of art, only to be worn by a select group of people who are in the know, and unfortunately my friend you are NOT in the know...

Oh yea, Tell him that it's also because we have $$ to Burn...Burn Baby Burn!...

[Evad3]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Thanks for your response. Mostly that TRF is a forum where questions are asked and information & experiences are shared with other watch enthusiasts, without judgement. Is this really such an outlandish question?

That may be his response to when people ask? I'm not 100% though

[jamesbondOO7]

Thanks.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

When friends or in-laws ask why I would spend so much on a watch that doesn't keep time as accurately as a quartz watch, iPhone, etc, it makes me sigh and

Anyone else get this type of question? If so, what's your favorite way to respond?

It reminds me of the famous quote about trying to explain jazz music... Some famous jazz musician is credited with saying that if you have to explain jazz to someone you're wasting your time because they'll never feel it the way someone who loves the music does. Essentially one either gets it or they do not.

I bought my wife a Datejust for our tenth anniv. a few years ago. She loves the watch and appreciates the gift but each month when I re-set our watches to correct for time gained I have to "explain" to her the wonder of how a mechanical watch works and why even though not as accurate as a less expensive quartz watch the mystique involved in making one is part of the joy.

She gets it to an extent but when I start explaining about calibration, resting positions, time on/off your wrist etc... and while politely listening I know that she doesn't really care...

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Agree 100% that these are bought for me and no one else.

In my case, my close friends and in-laws know of my "affliction", and since most know what a Rolex is (and that it's a "luxury" item), they deduce that it's overpriced for it's function. Hence the sigh and

Fortunately TRF offers a judgement-free environment

how did they deduce it was not accurate?

[J!m]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Agree 100% that these are bought for me and no one else.

In my case, my close friends and in-laws know of my "affliction", and since most know what a Rolex is (and that it's a "luxury" item), they deduce that it's overpriced for it's function. Hence the sigh and

Fortunately TRF offers a judgement-free environment

Actually, until the new Tudor, Rolex was the cheapest in-house movement watch available. One might go so far as to say a "bargain". Arguably the Co-Axial Omega is less expensive but that is a modified Eta movement, and although not available any other way, sort of sits in a gray area for me.

So, if they care enough to have the conversation, just bring up VC (or any other true high-end bespoke maker) in house stuff and see where the conversation goes...

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

how did they deduce it was not accurate?

Often times these are conversations and not one -off comments, so craftsmanship, history, mechanics (e.g. "it's not battery operated") and accuracy come up.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

It reminds me of the famous quote about trying to explain jazz music... Some famous jazz musician is credited with saying that if you have to explain jazz to someone you're wasting your time because they'll never feel it the way someone who loves the music does. Essentially one either gets it or they do not.

I bought my wife a Datejust for our tenth anniv. a few years ago. She loves the watch and appreciates the gift but each month when I re-set our watches to correct for time gained I have to "explain" to her the wonder of how a mechanical watch works and why even though not as accurate as a less expensive quartz watch the mystique involved in making one is part of the joy.

She gets it to an extent but when I start explaining about calibration, resting positions, time on/off your wrist etc... and while politely listening I know that she doesn't really care...

I like the Jazz analogy.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Evad3

That may be his response to when people ask? I'm not 100% though

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

Thanks.

If so, "Oops!"

[jamesbondOO7]

No worries.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

No worries.

Cheers, Mate.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Evad3

I get this question a lot from my friends, my reply is usually "I didn't buy it to tell the time"

It usually fries their brains

Excellent! I may use this next time, if you don't mind?!

[mjm800]

I've yet to have anyone ever ask me one single question about my watches...then again I'm fairly unapproachable.

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by mjm800

I've yet to have anyone ever ask me one single question about my watches...then again I'm fairly unapproachable.

That

[ChicagoPhil]

I like the car analogy the best.....Why buy a Corvette when a Camry is more efficient, more reliable, and cost much less?

Why does your wife own that white gold necklace when sterling silver would have looked exactly the same?

How come you bought a 2500 sq foot home when 1200 would have been sufficient for you and your 2 cats?

Why are you asking me such a nonsensical question?

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by J!m

Actually, until the new Tudor, Rolex was the cheapest in-house movement watch available. One might go so far as to say a "bargain". Arguably the Co-Axial Omega is less expensive but that is a modified Eta movement, and although not available any other way, sort of sits in a gray area for me.

So, if they care enough to have the conversation, just bring up VC (or any other true high-end bespoke maker) in house stuff and see where the conversation goes...

The first Omega co-axial, the 2500 reference, was a modified ETA, and it I agree that it sits in the grey area, but the 8500 series that's been around for 7-8 years was designed from the ground up for the co-axial solely for Omega. It isn't based on any prior ETA movement. I don't personally like the 8500 watch designs themselves, but the 8500 movement is remarkable.

In regards to the OP's question, I just say "because I like them." I've liked watches since I was a little kid, and I'm interested in how mechanical things work. I'd beg for watches so much when is a grade schooler that most of my chore charts rewarded me with a watch. Heck, my first word after momma and dada was "clock." My mom said that I would repeatedly stand in front of our family's grandfather clock and look up as high as I could before falling back on my rear.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by ChicagoPhil

I like the car analogy the best.....Why buy a Corvette when a Camry is more efficient, more reliable, and cost much less?

Why does your wife own that white gold necklace when sterling silver would have looked exactly the same?

How come you bought a 2500 sq foot home when 1200 would have been sufficient for you and your 2 cats?

Why are you asking me such a nonsensical question?

Nothing against cats, but that is very funny!