Something clicked--and voila! I like Rollies now. What made you a Rolex owner?

[Wisher]

Hi, I'm new here and to Rolexes, have posted a couple times already, and thought about how my attitude changed over the years when it comes to Rolexes. I first heard about Rolexes and their prices when I was in college. (When I was growing up as a kid nobody around me could afford one so I had never even heard the name, let alone seen one.) When I went to college some students had them. When poor me heard how much they cost I practically had a heart attack. A "watch" costs more than a year's tuition??? I just thought they were a bunch of baloney. Who would pay that much for a stupid watch?

After college, I met a friend who was a watch master repairing PPs, Piagets, top of the line--you name it--but I had never even heard of them. He told me the prices of those jimmies, and wow, now when I think of it Rolexes seem like a bargain, giving a lot of bang for the money.

After I finally earned my own money and saved some, I decided it's about time in my life for me to own really nice things that give me pleasure. And for me, watches are some of these things that I am talking about. When it comes to watches, I confess off the bat that I own a couple of Bulgari watches too. I don't care about the mechanics, as long as they run. I think Bulari makes beautiful designs. I get compliments all the time. Even though it's a fashion house, Bulgari is actually quite recognized and popular too, at least here in Japan. But to true watch fans, Bulgari's (and a lot of other brands) don't make it. So....I took that giant step.

I feel that the real initiation into true "watchom" only becomes possible after one gets a Rolex and learns about the watches, the brand, the marketing, the panache, etc. I find this all very fascinating. Based on this, I broke down and started giving them, i.e., Rolexes, notice. I wondered why I hadn't paid attention sooner. Just in physical terms alone they are dependable, sturdy, always in fashion, and retain much of their original price value. Few other watches, and very few possessions we own in fact, can make that last claim. I consider cars, Armani suits, Ferragamo shoes, plasma TVs, and such to be basically deposable items. You pay big money and end up paying the junk man to haul them away. But this should not happen to a Rolex, if you treat it right. I find that truly amazing.

I don't expect to get much from my Bulgari, Longines or Tissot watches, but I bought them with that frame of mind. I didn't buy them for resale value, I bought them for looks. Yet, with a Rolex I get to have my cake and eat it too if I do things right. Meaning that I have it to treasure as long I want. And since they hold their value so well, if/when I decide to sell I can always recoup some of the money spent and consider any loss as a "lease fee".

In my opinion, Rolex is the most recognized brand in the world in terms of status, that is. I know it is in Japan. Yes, there are far more expensive PPs and VCs and Breguets out there too with a lot of status, but you have to be in the right crowd to get the "Awwwhs". Also, there are more visibly recognized watch brands out there. I should now; I live in Seiko-land among Citizens and Casios. Everybody knows them. But the average person doesn't pay attention to what you have on your wrist, whether it be a PP, a Pannie, a Seiko, or a $10 watch sold at Wal Mart. And maybe most people in general wouldn't recognize a Rolex by site either, but they certainly would recognize the name as soon as they hear it, associating it with maybe status, wealth, or envy--or even as a waste of money. But they do have some kind of reaction, it comes with the territory when you have a Rolex.

In TV’s and movies a Rolex isn't referred to as a "watch" but as a "Rolex". "His Rolex got stolen." Imagine! He gave me a "Rolex." "He hit the jackpot and bought a Rolex." These types of lines are all familiar and broadcast 'round the world. I don't know every TV show or movie, but I've personally never heard, "He got his girlfriend a Patek Phillip." "Can I have a Bulova for Christmas?" To me, these lines don't hold the pizzaz or punch as when the word "Rolex" is spoken.

For what ever it is worth, Rolex comes with a certain appeal, a certain feeling of comfort. Putting it on tells me that I have achieved owning a precious "indescribable something" that only Rolex owners can sense and appreciate. The same feeling can come from lots of things like a Porsche, for instance. But I wouldn't know for sure since I don't own one--and couldn't wear it either.

Finally, I'll say it. Owning a Rolex affords you the chance to show off even, if that's what you want to do. I don't believe you can show off in quite the same way, and so easily, with any other watch. It's possible to show off in a PP if you are in the right crowd. Likely, though, most people if they say anything about a PP but don't know the brand might say, "It's nice."

I find the world of Rolex fascinating and so that's my long-winded background about me and Rolex. Curious to know what got you all started.