Red Rolex: why do people do it?

[mansion]

Saw this Rolex for sale on eBay. I wondered: why do people do this to a beautiful watch?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-WATCH-MENS...em270084017820

[nko51]

I wonder if it is not a fake maybe!

[quinson418]

Man, it is ugly, yet I am sure there are still people willing to purchase it.

[tonelar]

most likely boredom... that's pretty to me... PRETTY F_UGLY.

You never know it could be someone's Pride and Joy... makes me shudder to think of it.

[djemmtee]

theres a watch for every hand! just not mine...ewww!

[JJ Irani]

If it had a black dial, it would look cool, for an iced out Rolex, that is.

[tonelar]

Originally Posted by mansion

Saw this Rolex for sale on eBay. I wondered: why do people do this to a beautiful watch?

He's most likely an anti-blue person. GET A ROPE...

Originally Posted by Atomic

If it had a black dial, it would look cool, for an iced out Rolex, that is.

Why stop there, Peeta? I bet it'd look alot like this...



minus the dopey looking stones... Now there's a nice red dive watch!

[unknown]

ugly or not
a green sub is also very ugly

If rolex would have made a red sub instead of the green sub, most people would love it
it's a strange world

[tonelar]

Originally Posted by unknown

ugly or not
a green sub is also very ugly

If rolex would have made a red sub instead of the green sub, most people would love it
it's a strange world

what? is this a Rolex original? they made a green sub with a white face and diamonds? Oh that's probably worse!

[astcell]

Maybe he is color blind and he can't see the other colors.

[mike]

At the very best it's a fake/frankenwatch. Rolex never made a red insert and serti dials were/are not used on SS models.

[OysterDavid]

Well, the bidding is over and nobody saw fit to plunk down the US$6000 for this Frankenwatch.

But, shouldn't most of us here keep in mind, we're the minority when it comes to the behavior of a Rolex WIS and our conviction that the only Rolex is a pure Rolex?

There is no way I would want to purchase a 'modified' Rolex, both from a financial and aesthetic standpoint, but it's been widely acknowledged here in a number of posts, that worldwide, what is probably the majority of Rolex buyers just go to the store, perhaps negotiate a deal, and walk out with a Rolex, without regard to anything more than they've bought a Rolex. No cares about aftermarket, no cares about bracelet type, no worries about dial selection, no regard for time accuracy...just they've acquired a Rolex.

I view the 'Red' Rolex as something akin to those who've tricked out and blinged up their pieces with encrusted diamonds. On my scale of visual values such watches are ugly as sin, but to the person wanting to make some kind of over the top statement, the extra ice glued onto what was a pure DJ or Day/Date is the vehicle that screams "I've got money and I'm not afraid to show it!!".

So I just say, 'let it go'...I like hanging out where fellow Rolex owners share many of my values, and the person who is inclined to buy the Red Monster probably isn't likely to present themselves here anyway. Try as I might, I just don't feel threatened by the Frankenwatch crowd.

[tonelar]

You know... no truer words have been spoken, David.

However, I must admit that as repulsive as I found that watch, if it wasn't for the light colored face and gem stones...

I could see throwing it onto a black Zulu strap and wearing it.

[A. Jacobs]

That watch is a perversion of a classic

[henry2703]

maybe this version is the new SS GMT II that is due to be release in April...

somehow this guy got it before everyone else...

Originally Posted by tonelar

I actually like that.

[President]

Originally Posted by Atomic

I actually like that.

It needs a black bracelet.

[mikey]

It would be nice if Rolex came out with an all ceramic Sub or a PVD plated Sub. OysterDavid, i think you summed up many posts in your reply.However, the very beauty of owning a Rolex is modification. I want to stand out from 5 other guys with the same Submariner-Date. I like the Red Sub pictured.

[OysterDavid]

Originally Posted by mikey

It would be nice if Rolex came out with an all ceramic Sub or a PVD plated Sub. OysterDavid, i think you summed up many posts in your reply.However, the very beauty of owning a Rolex is modification. I want to stand out from 5 other guys with the same Submariner-Date. I like the Red Sub pictured.

Mikey, the very act of deciding to be the guardian (how's that for politically correct?) of a Sub-Date in SS is in my opinion, a statement you want to be a 'member' of the Sub-Date club where only a smallish number of world citizens can be members. If you crave more exclusivity, then you kinda' sorta' have to go with the Blue or Black TT sub-date or even a Serti Sub Date. But, I think my point is, options are available within the confines of Rolex authenticity and conformity.

If you need to be a member of the Rolex Club and REALLY want some niche to call you own, then I think you're better suited to the Datejust line, which gives multiple options for Dials, Bracelets and Metal combinations. Heck, I've written here about my original 30+ year old Date model that over the years I've acquired 3 Dials and Two bracelets. Now, the last time I changed a dial was 10 years ago, but I did swap bracelets last year, and am likely to do some mixing and matching this year. But, if my math is correct, that's one watch with six different combinations...so if I spy someone with a Date/Blue Stick/Oyster and feel like I'm being copied, with a $45 fee to my watchmaker, I can have a Date/Black stick/Jubilee.

I think for those desiring individuality in the acquisition of fine Rolex watches, then a Date-Date or YM with various dial combinations can also satisfy the need. And, speaking only for myself, I try and accomplish the individuality by acquiring and wearing 3 different Tudor watches. That scratches my itch for quality (Rolex manufactured) and exclusivity and stealthiness by wearing a Tudor (huh, what the heck kind of watch is that??!). In my more rational moments, I truly believe it is only I who spends great deals of energy glancing down at my left wrist upteen times per day to admire my timekeeper and not people looking at me...but hey, isn't that why I've chosen to collect 6 or 7 watches...to show them off to myself and make my wearing decision on a daily basis depending on what mood I'm in? Maybe to the general public without WIS tendancies, I look like I've got a twitch in my neck, but to me, it's the pleasure of wearing a fine timepiece.

But a Frankenwatch Red Sub? A green one, sure. A serti, sure. A TT Blue attached to JJ? Absolutely! But until Rolex decides that red is an option of choice...I'll pass.

[A. Jacobs]

Originally Posted by mikey

It would be nice if Rolex came out with an all ceramic Sub or a PVD plated Sub. OysterDavid, i think you summed up many posts in your reply.However, the very beauty of owning a Rolex is modification. I want to stand out from 5 other guys with the same Submariner-Date. I like the Red Sub pictured.

Have you ever been in a group of five guys who were all wearing a Rolex, let alone the exact same one?
If you don't want to blend in with other Rolex enthusiasts, then buy another brand, but don't buy a modified piece of garbage.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by A. Jacobs

Have you ever been in a group of five guys who were all wearing a Rolex, let alone the exact same one?
If you don't want to blend in with other Rolex enthusiasts, then buy another brand, but don't buy a modified piece of garbage.

[A. Jacobs]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Glad to see you agree, JJ.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by A. Jacobs

Glad to see you agree, JJ.

How can I NOT agree with a guy who owns a 16610 and is about to buy a 16613?

[mike]

Originally Posted by mikey

It would be nice if Rolex came out with an all ceramic Sub or a PVD plated Sub. OysterDavid, i think you summed up many posts in your reply.However, the very beauty of owning a Rolex is modification. I want to stand out from 5 other guys with the same Submariner-Date. I like the Red Sub pictured.

Actually Mikey there have been references over the years that have received some customization. There was an outfit that did a PVD plating on the GMT at one point. I believe certain mil. 5513s were done by Rolex at one time.

The problem with most of these pieces is the unless the modification was "blessed " by Rolex they would not service the watch unless it was brought back to it's orginal specs.

This is the latest I'm aware of. Done by a UK dealer/collector, I do not know if Rolex ok'd this or not. My understanding this one of a run of 100 pieces.

[tonelar]

Wait a minute... JJ? You can't be agreeing to this... I thought you hated the Nato bands...

Has the world gone crazy?

[A. Jacobs]

Originally Posted by mike

Actually Mikey there have been references over the years that have received some customization. There was an outfit that did a PVD plating on the GMT at one point. I believe certain mil. 5513s were done by Rolex at one time.

The problem with most of these pieces is the unless the modification was "blessed " by Rolex they would not service the watch unless it was brought back to it's orginal specs.

This is the latest I'm aware of. Done by a UK dealer/collector, I do not know if Rolex ok'd this or not. My understanding this one of a run of 100 pieces.

PRO HUNTER?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by tonelar

Wait a minute... JJ? You can't be agreeing to this... I thought you hated the Nato bands...

Has the world gone crazy?

Hey Tony,

You need to read the posts again. I've agreed to Andrew's post....not to any NATO post!!

[mike]

Originally Posted by A. Jacobs

PRO HUNTER?

As I understand it a watch designed for the upscale hunter.

[A. Jacobs]

Originally Posted by mike

As I understand it a watch designed for the upscale hunter.

I guess I was confused because I thought the Sub was a divers' watch, not a watch for a wealthy big game hunter who poaches elephants while on an African safari.