Rolex? why?

Rolex snobs make me laugh. And I don't mean WIS who prefer Rolex... I'm taking about dolts who wear a Rolex to impress, know nothing about watches but the type who will poo-poo a JLC or a GO (which are typically more expensive than a Rolex sports model) and say their Rolex is better.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Rolex snobs make me laugh. And I don't mean WIS who prefer Rolex... I'm taking about dolts who wear a Rolex to impress, know nothing about watches but the type who will poo-poo a JLC or a GO (which are typically more expensive than a Rolex sports model) and say their Rolex is better.

[RobDad]

Always makes me laugh when people get 'snobby' about expensive watches.

You can waste thousands of pounds on cars which go way faster than the speed limit and suck up fuel (which in the UK is not cheap!), change your mobile phone/computer/TV every time a new one comes out (which must be every month the way things are going!!!), spend thousands of pounds on a new kitchen made of MDF, or eat out at Italian restaurants every night and pay £15 for a plate of Spaghetti you could make at home for 50p

You spend £2000-£3000 on a watch which will always make you smile when you glance at it (like 100 times a day probably), holds its value and is a beautiful everyday, useful object, and people get all sucky about it

Thanks god we're all different!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by RobDad

Always makes me laugh when people get 'snobby' about expensive watches.

You can waste thousands of pounds on cars which go way faster than the speed limit and suck up fuel (which in the UK is not cheap!), change your mobile phone/computer/TV every time a new one comes out (which must be every month the way things are going!!!), spend thousands of pounds on a new kitchen made of MDF, or eat out at Italian restaurants every night and pay £15 for a plate of Spaghetti you could make at home for 50p

You spend £2000-£3000 on a watch which will always make you smile when you glance at it (like 100 times a day probably), holds its value and is a beautiful everyday, useful object, and people get all sucky about it

Thanks god we're all different!

You said it, Rob!!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Hobbes

Hi everyone!

I'm new and I've been lurking and reading old threads for the past few days. I know this is an old post but I cant help but comment on this since I've been asking some of the same questions myself.

In fact, I'd like to add that there's a Japanese watch brand that makes watches that are dead on model mirror stylings of some of the more popular Oyster Professional models. So why get a Rolex when you can get a much more reasonably priced and strikingly similar looking Japanese Brand version that won't really qualify as a "fake". Just a Rolex wannabee, maybe, but not a fake.

So here's my dilemma and I hope some of the members can help me out:

Should I get the S/S Submariner Date or the S/S GMTll in black bezel?

First let me welcome you to TRF, Hobbes. Glad you stopped lurking and joined the fun group here.

Now I trust you were being fascetious with your Japanese "Rolex wannabee" comment. You get a Rolex because you want the original and real thing. Because of what Rolex represents - a quality timepiece that will stand up to anything, has a wonderful reputation for accuracy and toughness, and a long history behind it.

You DON'T get a Rolex to show off and impress others. That is the absolute wrong reason to get one. If you want to impress people, get a PP or a Blancpain and any others that cost much more than Rolex.

As for whether to get a Sub or a GMT-II, that's purely a matter of personal preference. JJ will tell you the Sub is the ultimate Rolex; I will tell you the black bezel GMT-II is the only one to get. Atomic will weigh in with the black dial EXP-II. You need to try them on; whichever one smiles at you more is the one to buy.

Good luck on the hunt.

[Rackness]

then i will come in and tell you they are all wrong and the sea-dweller is the bees knees




the SD is the ultimate rollie but you really must go to an AD and "experience" them for your self. pictures and opinions do not do these wonderful timepieces justice.

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Rolex snobs make me laugh. And I don't mean WIS who prefer Rolex... I'm taking about dolts who wear a Rolex to impress, know nothing about watches but the type who will poo-poo a JLC or a GO (which are typically more expensive than a Rolex sports model) and say their Rolex is better.

I know a guy who has an old GMT master 1 on a jubilee bracelet. He only wears the watch so people see that he's wearing a Rolex. We were in a casino one day on a call. The guy we were talking to had a Patek and I complimented him on it.
The idiot I was with said "thats pretty nice, but you should get yourself one of these" and showed the guy his Rolex. The guy with the Patek and I both looked at each other and then the idiot and just shook our heads. I was actually embarrassed by him being such an arsehole.
When we got back in the car I tried to explain to the idiot that the Patek was a spectacular timepiece and probably cost as much as several Rolex's, but he just didn't get it.
People like that really shouldn't have a Rolex.

[Hobbes]

Originally Posted by AJC

I don't know about the Japanese manufacturer of very close copies but to me it is the whole experience of having the real thing.

The buying,the wearing,the resale and the big one,knowing.

Aaron

I think I know what you mean Aaron.

I'm just about ready to get my first Rolex and.. yeah... I'm just trying to imagine:

Suppose I were having an animated conversation with another person discussing the merits and rationale of our watch purchase... and one of us is wearing a Rolex and the other a Japanese watch...

I'd rather be the 'irrational' one wearing the Rolex.

[Hobbes]

Originally Posted by mailman

I think the best answer to your question is to try each one on one after the other and see which one smiles the most at you

Why didn't I think of that before? Thanks.

This is me since I've decided to get a Rolex:

Monday: Ah! Yes... S/S Submariner Date... discreet, timeless appeal, charismatic. Yup! Submariner Date.

Tuesday: That red hand sure adds some character. And the markings on the black bezel... ooooh! S/S GMT ll. Yup.

Wednesday: Let me see that Submariner Date again.... how can you go wrong with this watch? It's the watch I've always wanted... Submariner!!! That's it. It Submariner!!!

Thursday: Hey! Notice how nicely the light reflects on the numbers on the GMTll? Hmmmm... GMT? Submariner? Submariner? GMT? GMT? Submariner?

Friday: Ouch! My head hurts

[Hobbes]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

First let me welcome you to TRF, Hobbes. Glad you stopped lurking and joined the fun group here.

Now I trust you were being fascetious with your Japanese "Rolex wannabee" comment. You get a Rolex because you want the original and real thing. Because of what Rolex represents - a quality timepiece that will stand up to anything, has a wonderful reputation for accuracy and toughness, and a long history behind it.

You DON'T get a Rolex to show off and impress others. That is the absolute wrong reason to get one. If you want to impress people, get a PP or a Blancpain and any others that cost much more than Rolex.

As for whether to get a Sub or a GMT-II, that's purely a matter of personal preference. JJ will tell you the Sub is the ultimate Rolex; I will tell you the black bezel GMT-II is the only one to get. Atomic will weigh in with the black dial EXP-II. You need to try them on; whichever one smiles at you more is the one to buy.

Good luck on the hunt.

Thank you for the welcome.

Come to think of it... I never really bothered to ask myself: why a Rolex?

I found this article while browsing thru some catalogs. Maybe it partly explains why a Rolex:


“There is no other watch brand that has been able to earn itself such a reputation for building reliable watches for use both on the land and in the water as early and as consistently as Rolex. The reputation of the Genevan manufacture is not only based on the most mentioned woman in the history of watches, English-woman Mercedes Gleitze, swimming the English Channel at its most narrow point (a distance of about 30 kilometers) in 1927 with a Rolex strapped to her wrist. Even in this modern age, the brand’s reputation continues to be confirmed anew by various personalities in sports and science who rely upon the robustness and reliability of a Rolex while they accomplish their outstanding achievements.
For decades the brand’s popularity and charisma have remained unchanged, and part of the reason for this most certainly has to do with the conservative model policies of the house of Rolex, something that causes the brand’s competitors to shake their heads admiringly. The watches design doesn’t fit into the usual categories or terms like “modern” or “conservative”, and the unsurpassable sturdiness of the watches has never been sacrificed at any fashion altar. The enormous consistency of the models, which the company takes pains to conserve, makes Rolex watches immune to trends, and almost makes them icons unto themselves. They have, over the years, developed the power to set or set off trends themselves.”

- from WRISTWATCH ANNUAL 2006, The Catalog of Producers, Models and Specifications by Peter Braun, Abbeville Press Publishers

[JJ Irani]

Hey, Hobbes...I'm starting to like you already!

[Hobbes]

Originally Posted by Rackness

then i will come in and tell you they are all wrong and the sea-dweller is the bees knees




the SD is the ultimate rollie but you really must go to an AD and "experience" them for your self. pictures and opinions do not do these wonderful timepieces justice.

Well, that just narrowed down my choice from two to three. Thanks.

If SDs could talk, I'd think they'd tell me: "How well can you handle pressure? If you wanna do some serious diving, call me. "

Serious piece that SD

[JJ Irani]

See if these SD pics help, Hobbes!!

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by Hobbes

Why didn't I think of that before? Thanks.

This is me since I've decided to get a Rolex:

Monday: Ah! Yes... S/S Submariner Date... discreet, timeless appeal, charismatic. Yup! Submariner Date.

Tuesday: That red hand sure adds some character. And the markings on the black bezel... ooooh! S/S GMT ll. Yup.

Wednesday: Let me see that Submariner Date again.... how can you go wrong with this watch? It's the watch I've always wanted... Submariner!!! That's it. It Submariner!!!

Thursday: Hey! Notice how nicely the light reflects on the numbers on the GMTll? Hmmmm... GMT? Submariner? Submariner? GMT? GMT? Submariner?

Friday: Ouch! My head hurts

Hobbes, my friend, I've been exactly where you are about a month ago It's like everybody says here, get the one that smiles at you. if you put them both on at the AD one of them is going to tell you to take it home. Now, three days after the purchase, you won't wish you had bought the other watch, you'll want to buy the other so that you can now have both Welcome to our addiction

[Hobbes]

Hey, JJ!

Awesome pics!

You know what? That post of Verolex struck a chord, I mean, I guess you could say that I also went thru some of that ... period of uncertainty.

But lurking for the past few days and reading up on the TRF members enthusiasm for the watch brought me back from the brink.

The Submariner pics you posted is what did it for me.

End of the day, I'm glad I won't end up getting a Tourbillon and saying to myself: "Great watch!... still wish I got the Rolex instead, though:

[Hobbes]

Originally Posted by C.J.

Hobbes, my friend, I've been exactly where you are about a month ago It's like everybody says here, get the one that smiles at you. if you put them both on at the AD one of them is going to tell you to take it home. Now, three days after the purchase, you won't wish you had bought the other watch, you'll want to buy the other so that you can now have both Welcome to our addiction

Thanks CJ!

GMT? Submariner? GMT? Submariner? SD?

Now if only they'd bring back the red "Submariner" inscription on today's Submariner with the new SEL...

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by Hobbes

Thanks CJ!

GMT? Submariner? GMT? Submariner? SD?

Now if only they'd bring back the red "Submariner" inscription on today's Submariner with the new SEL...

Man, if that would happen I'd buy one tomorrow. My wife would kill me, but I'd die happy

[dman]

Originally Posted by C.J.

Man, if that would happen I'd buy one tomorrow. My wife would kill me, but I'd die happy

Can I have your watches if she kills you CJ?

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by dman

Can I have your watches if she kills you CJ?

Sure, but she has promised to shove them in a very uncomfortable place just prior to killing me. Good luck

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by C.J.

Sure, but she has promised to shove them in a very uncomfortable place just prior to killing me. Good luck

No worries, pal, we'll get Paulie to unshove them!!

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

No worries, pal, we'll get Paulie to unshove them!!

Thats just nasty

[G&T Master]

I believe the Rolex Oyster Perpetual was announced by the International Horology Association as the "Watch of the Century."

For those who wear fake Rolex's; that means the previous century to this one. Somethings are not so obvious to those who cannot see...

[Alex Stylianou]

a fake is not rolex it's a piece of crap that says rolex on it

[greenfan]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Verolex, let me also welcome you to TRF. A couple of things.

First, CJ said it very well. "We do not wear these watches for the prestige of doing so, nor do we wear them in an attempt to display how much money we can afford to pay for a watch.'

The people on TRF are here because we have an appreciation for high end watches. We are not out to impress anyone; we are especially not out to impress those who do not have a real appreciation for fine handcrafted timepieces. And I think that's the difference. We are willing to pay for quality and genuineness. People who are out to make an impression on others will buy the cheap fake because they can't understand paying for the real thing. None of us here would knowingly be caught dead wearing a fake (and expensive replicas are still fakes).

+1
I totally agree with you RockRolex, CJ, JJ and all the others. The only reason we prefer ROLEX is because we like it and believe in high end watches. There may be some better brands than ROLEX and better watches, but this is something we love, our passion. And as you know, when it comes down to passion, there is no need for justification......

[roadcarver]

The folks that shell out $1000 on fake rolexes were swayed by the grading system that the rep makers have ie. Grade 1, Grade 2 etc.

For $1000, you can buy a nice Omega or Oris and it would be a genuine.

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Interesting post, MR. That guy is an idiot. To pay 1000 bucks for any fake is stupidity. You do get pretty good fakes for around $250 or so. The really very, very good fakes are so damn good, even most experts are fooled by them. In fact, they use good quality ETA movements to power the watch and many an innocent person has been duped having paid full price of a genuine Rolex. Even the boxes and papers look genuine enough.

JJ

[Welshwatchman]

Many many years ago, at the start of this thread a question was asked.

My question for you dear Rolex experts:why so many people can still be blinded by the fading shine of the Rolex brand? what is the secret??

Sounds like a sour grapes post to me.

Fake Breiltings are everywhere, including a TT Chrono Evo at £29.99.


Also if the chinese can replicate my watch in solid gold and laser cut ceramic then they deserve my business.

[TARDIS]

[COLOR="Blue"]Gee at last I got to the end of this thread Must be one of the longest for a newbie.

To me, the the Submariner and the SD are timeless. They are like the Porsche 911 series, always improved upon since they started years back, but never redesigned.

I would only buy one from an established AD or a pre-owned from a trusted friend. The risk of buying a fake is just too great these days.

It's been said,

A Rolex is a Rolex. All the rest are watches.


Message to the Lotto office:
WHY AREN'T YOU PULLING MY NUMBERS OUT
I ONLY NEED SIX

[nko51]

Originally Posted by verolex

In the old times only rich people had rolexes... now mostly the poor (they are the ones who bought the millions of fake rolexes)

If rich people only bought Rolex's in the old days, who bought the Patek's, A.S. Langes etc? Alien's maybe!

[WES]

Originally Posted by verolex

In the old times only rich people had rolexes... now mostly the poor (they are the ones who bought the millions of fake rolexes)

Define "the old times" I bought my first Rolex one day in 1975, and that night I proudly showed it to the guys at work. Oh, by the way, that was at the fire station where I was assigned, and as I recall there wasn't a lot of "rich people" there that night.

[PacNW]

I was at a bar in Pattaya 3 years ago charged with shots of Mekong the expats were buying me. We started playing some kind of dice game and I won a fakeo from a local seller of "genuine Rolex" who put it up as a bet. Gave it back to him later that night-no way I'd wear that POS. He was selling them at the beach for around 1000 Bhat and doing a good biz with the tourists.
If you're going to wear a Rolex, do the real deal IMHO