Why I like Rolex

[Lt CHEG]

I’ve been away from the forum and from watch collecting in general for several years now. I was building a house, having my first child, completing a Masters degree, and starting a doctorate (which I will still be working on for a while). Now that I am back I see so much talk about people’s frustration with Rolex and how they think that Rolex may be in trouble because of the shortage of stainless steel references. I’ve also seen some questions about what it would take for people to switch to a different brand. I figured that I would sort of answer that last question in a new post that states my opinion on why I like Rolex and why I think the brand and the company remain in fine shape and will for the foreseeable future.

First I like Rolex for their timeless designs. They keep their watches looking consistent. This means that if I have a 10, 20 or even 30 year old sub, they all look similar and I don’t feel like my watch is dated. It’s the same reason why a year and a half ago, when I finally decided that I had the wherewithal to afford a 6 figure car for the first time I bought a Mercedes G550. The G class, along with a number of others has been a dream car of mine since childhood, but I went with it instead of a Corvette Z06 or ZR1, or the BMW X5M that I fell in love with, or for that matter several others because of the GWagen’s timeless design. In 5 or 10 years my GWagen will not look dated, unlike a 10 or 12 year old Corvette, BMW, etc. For the same reason I will likely buy a Porsche 911 in a couple more years when my GWagen is paid off. Porsche cars look remarkably similar and never really look dated, so I won’t be disappointed that such an expensive purchase for me will want to be quickly replaced. I think the same holds true for Rolex watches, as well as some of the other big hitters in horology.

Second, I like that Rolex watches hold their value well. Let’s face it, no matter what you use your Rolex for, it really is a luxury item that could easily be replaced with something that would cost $200 or less. For a lot of people, a luxury item feels like less of a frivolous purchase if it retains its value somewhat. I’m not talking about buying watches for investment purposes, but it’s nice to know that your watch will still be worth something down the road should you ever need to liquidate some assets. The same can simply not be said for companies like Omega, Tag, Breitling, etc. While a lot of very wealthy people can afford to do whatever they want with money with no concern for future needs, I believe that there are a lot of people that can afford to have tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, but they wouldn’t have spent that much acquiring said jewelry if they knew that they were essentially tossing that money away with nothing of value to show for it long term.

Third, I really like Rolex’s conservative style. They aren’t terribly showy or blingy and while they may be noticed they aren’t like a giant billboard meant to attract attention. I think this is also why Rolex watches, especially their sport watches, work equally well on a wetsuit when diving, on a sweaty dressed down person going for a hike, on a person dressed casually hanging out with their friends or o the wrist of an attorney in a court room. They look handsome without looking like you’re just trying to seek attention.

Fourth, I like that while they are a large business, they aren’t some mega conglomerate with all kinds of different businesses. With respect to watches I tend to prefer to purchase from a company that doesn’t feel like they are only concerned about the next quarter profits and their returns to the shareholders. I think that’s why companies like Rolex and Patek areas widely liked, because of their independence. Even companies like VC, Breuget, etc. that are part of a larger conglomerate are showcased in a fashion that they don’t feel like part of a conglomerate. Those brands aren’t everywhere, in an effort to grab every penny that they can for the shareholders, whatever the cost. There is an air of exclusivity with those brands, and even though they certainly are in place to earn a profit, they just don’t feel as overtly corporate as other brands.

Fifth, their movements are made in house. While ETA or other movements may even be superior in some ways, there is definitely a feeling of specialness that comes when the watch company doesn’t bring in the heart of the watch from another company. Especially with the case of Rolex, the fact that they control every aspect of their manufacturing process allows them to ensure the highest quality in their manufacturing. Even though other companies hand make, or at least hand finish a lot of their parts, as opposed to Rolex’ mass manufacturing methods, the degree of control that Rolex places on all aspects of their manufacturing feels much more special than other companies, and makes Rolex feel like they are in the same league as other companies who hand make their watches.

Lastly, they just seem to be a tremendously high quality product. To me, I never feel like a beta tester, even when trying out a watch with a new movement, bracelet design, etc. While they do have issues that need to be addressed from time to time, it seems exceedingly rare. It really does seem that anything that they send to market has been thoroughly tested and ensured to be of the highest quality.

There are other lesser reasons too, but at least to me, I think that the above observations of Rolex will keep them successful for the long term. I also doubt that I’m alone in my observations. Thanks for hearing me out.

[dkg1616]

Great read and I agree! Thanks for the post and welcome back!

[srleadjb]

Agree wholeheartedly

[subprimero]

I concur!

[ferrissteve11]

They're simply a product made for the duration...which few things are anymore.

[BMWatch]

Agree.
But I think it’s a strategy of Rolex to increase the demand and hold the supply for a while so they can increase Tudor Sales.


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[ppalasthira]

Agreed. Great write up.

[GradyPhilpott]

There aren't a lot of doctoral students driving six-figure automobiles.

Congratulations on your recent successes.

A photo of your Rolex would be nice--yea verily, de rigeuer.

[Lt CHEG]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

There aren't a lot of doctoral students driving six-figure automobiles.

Congratulations on your recent successes.

A photo of your Rolex would be nice--yea verily, de rigeuer.

Thank you, but admittedly at 39 I’m no spring chicken lol. I’ve actually tried to post some pictures but my files are all too big, even after shrinking them.

[Vamp]

Great write up, and welcome back!

[dwjez14]

Good write up. True about the g wagon minimal changes to it in the past we have a 17g63 waiting on our new 19 g63 to come in. Now you can defiantly tell a difference on the interior finally

[Junior_]

Originally Posted by Lt CHEG

I’ve actually tried to post some pictures but my files are all too big, even after shrinking them.

Welcome back. Use Tapatalk, it will resize photos. It’s the easiest way to post pictures here.

And I’m a lawyer-love that I can wear my one “good watch” (SubC) to court, to dinner, on the weekends, and on the beach. It is appropriate no matter where I wear it. Today, tomorrow, and twenty years from now.

[Lt CHEG]

Originally Posted by dwjez14

Good write up. True about the g wagon minimal changes to it in the past we have a 17g63 waiting on our new 19 g63 to come in. Now you can defiantly tell a difference on the interior finally

I saw one of the new ones when I was getting mine serviced. They definitely are very nice. They managed to make some great updates while keeping true to the design. Even with the changes, the new ones look very similar. I think Mercedes realized that there was no way they could charge the prices they do and keep the demand that they have if the changed the looks much at all. Even with different taillights and some more rounded corners, the new ones are unmistakenly a GWagen. Enjoy yours when it comes in!

[chloebear]

Welcome back! Really good read. I agree with everything you said. I am definitely one who enjoys keeping it fun and positive on here. I'm so glad Rolex doesn't flood the market with their products like seemingly every other company on Earth does. It keeps our values high. Makes them feel special.

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by Lt CHEG

I saw one of the new ones when I was getting mine serviced. They definitely are very nice. They managed to make some great updates while keeping true to the design. Even with the changes, the new ones look very similar. I think Mercedes realized that there was no way they could charge the prices they do and keep the demand that they have if the changed the looks much at all. Even with different taillights and some more rounded corners, the new ones are unmistakenly a GWagen. Enjoy yours when it comes in!

You are correct. Not sure if you knew but they only carried over less than 10 parts from the previous version. We ordered a obsidian black with the red designo lesther and carbon fiber interior. Hope to get it next few months. You either love them or hate them. We love them haha

[Dr.Smellody]

Agree, agree, agree.

[omx5o]

Good post, couldn’t agree more.

[startrolexendrolex]

Great write up!!!

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[Oldfellow]

Nicely articulated, a very interesting read.
Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts together.
Hope you enjoy your return to the forum.

[SkyJuice]

Originally Posted by oldfellow

nicely articulated, a very interesting read.
Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts together.
Hope you enjoy your return to the forum.

+1

[BisonHead]

Great write up and totally agree. Timeless classics. Rolex, Mercedes and a few others.

I have a Land Rover Defender, similar style shape since its inception along with the G wagon

Design icons in my humble opinion. Along with my Sub and SD.