Is Rolex more durable than other watch brands?

[V10K]

Are Rolex watches more durable than other brands?

I like the designs of JLC, Patek, AP but I am not sure if they are as durable/long lasting as Rolex. I like something that is industrial strength. I don't want a fashion piece that is going to break on my wrist if I am not careful. For some reason I don't have that fear with my Rolex, Rado Ceramic or Cartier Tank but I do have it for other brands. I am just wondering if its something inside my head or is there a real difference?

I have seen that JLC charges alot for repairs as I imagine the other exclusive watch manufacturers do. I would be irritated if I was repairing my watch every 5 years, once in 10 is ok for me.

Thanks for any sincere advice!

[GradyPhilpott]

I think that among mechanical watches Rolex is right up there with the most durable, but Patek and JLC probably aren't among them.

[Juantxo]

Yes, sincerely, yes.

[Juantxo]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I think that among mechanical watches Rolex is right up there with the most durable, but Patek and JLC probably aren't among them.

Agree 100%.

[eddie m]

Yep and seiko too.

[Noxa]

Nope not inherently, different models from different brands will generally be as robust, generally Rolex make sportier, more toolish watches so as a collection Rolex are very robust and certainly designed for life but no more that any well made high end watch imo. Yeah they use a hardened proprietary steel but look at the likes of Sinn and Damasko, now that's when you'll see true durability at least on the case side of the equation. But as for your examples a JLC reverso is clearly not built to be robust as it has no need to be (yes I know polo) but let's face it it gets a ball or stick and it over but a JLC Deepsea tribute for example certainly looks tough and robust to me.

[ferrissteve11]

From a robustness point of view I'd say Rolex over Patek or JLC. As for exclusivity and haute horology...well that's another discussion all together.
I like that I can put on my watch and wear it all day and not have to really worry about what I do. I feel this way about Rolex. I'd be more aware of what I was doing if wearing an ALS or Patek.

[HogwldFLTR]

I know Rolex has done a lot on their movements to make them shock resistant. Does anyone know of other manufacturers who have put so much effort into developing shock resistant mechanisms?

[Syed117]

My dad has two Omegas from 1967 and 1971.

The 67 runs about 15 seconds a day and the 71 about 10.

Neither have ever been serviced.

Unless there is some serious impact or other damage, I think most watches from good brands (especially Rolex) will stand the test of time.

[Leodagan]

Rolex is not known as a manufactury of "haute horlogerie' . The number of component parts is much higher in so-called complicated watches (date,phases of moon, retrograde hand, etc.). And that's why Rolex is less fragile IMHO

[locutus49]

My Rolexes have all been very durable and robust.

[avilhena]

I've owned Rolex for more than 10 years and having owned watches from inumerous brands I can say that, for sure, Rolex is one of the most durable in the sense of robustness

[FTX I]

I'd say Omega & Rolex are equally durable.

[tyler1980]

RM is definitely more durable than Rolex, but generally yes Rolex is pretty good as they are a tool watch.

10 year service is stretching it IMO and is NOT an official recommendation from Rolex. Also Rolex's service costs are higher than AP for example as a percent of the overall RRP of the watch getting repaired. Service time takes longer than AP as well. So there are lots of factors to consider.

I do consider my Rolex to be more durable than my AP's or my Patek but that does not make it better or worse, its just different.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Leodagan

Rolex is not known as a manufactury of "haute horlogerie' . The number of component parts is much higher in so-called complicated watches (date,phases of moon, retrograde hand, etc.). And that's why Rolex is less fragile IMHO

The movement s are thicker. Do not use lever regulation and every watch is individually tested on specially built machines. Those are other reasons.

[NLYogi]

Rolex makes one of the sturdiest luxury watches. Designed and tested for years of daily use. Regarding durability one of the best I guess.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by NLYogi

Rolex makes one of the sturdiest luxury watches. Designed and tested for years of daily use. Regarding durability one of the best I guess.

I would agree but i would say Rolex makes tool watches that have since become "luxury" watches over time and due to perception with little change to the design.One day they were tool watches and the next they were luxury, but its basically the same watch. Tool is in their DNA, where as AP or Patek never really were in the tool watch game to begin with and were luxury from the start. Apples and Oranges.

I don't consider Rolex to be a luxury watch. Are they expensive, Yes, absolutely but that does not necessarily make them luxury. They are an expensive tool. I love Rolex so its not to be taken as a put down of the brand at all.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I'd say Omega & Rolex are equally durable.

Agree.

[HorologyK]

My Patek 5167 stopped working for no reason after 18 months. Enough said.

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I know Rolex has done a lot on their movements to make them shock resistant. Does anyone know of other manufacturers who have put so much effort into developing shock resistant mechanisms?

I waited for a long time for some0ne on the forum to actually pose this question so this is my cue call!

Yes Mr Lee.I'm not referring to G Shocks but such a watch does exist.Not only it is capable of a 30 Gs force tolerance but just imagine you're witnessing a test dummy strapped with one that undergoes continuous violent shakings and vibrations all day that you break into cold sweats, makes you nauseous and wanna puke !
Here are the clues:Testing Beyond Endurance ; Martin Baker Ejection seats

[sager]

Rolex has surely proven to be one of the most durable.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

I waited for a long time for some0ne on the forum to actually pose this question so this is my cue call!

Yes Mr Lee.I'm not referring to G Shocks but such a watch does exist.Not only it is capable of a 30 Gs force tolerance but just imagine you're witnessing a test dummy strapped with one that undergoes continuous violent shakings and vibrations all day that makes you nauseous and wanna puke !
Here are the clues:Testing Beyond Endurance ; Martin Baker Ejection seats

I'm waiting for the RM follow up with the watch designed to resist a G-Force of 10,000

[mahefa]

Some may say Gshock is more durable, but it is not. The screen of Gshock lasts max 20
Years. Some Quartz watches might be more durable, but it depends how durability is considered. Battery change makes watch less durable than need of service with mechanical watch?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by mahefa

Some may say Gshock is more durable, but it is not. The screen of Gshock lasts max 20
Years. Some Quartz watches might be more durable, but it depends how durability is considered. Battery change makes watch less durable than need of service with mechanical watch?

there you go... most durable i can find

http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/wa...le-watch-2017/

[V10K]

I started my watch journey with a Rado V10K, which at the time I liked but got old of it pretty quick. It was the world's strongest watch able to handle 10,000 Vickers of force. I did manage to chip the diamond encrusted sapphire glass eventually. I think the concept was good but could have been improved upon with larger models.

Then I got into other Rado models, from there to Cartier Tank Solo, then to JLC Squadra and finally to Rolex OQ (I'm not a fan of the regular Rolex bracelets). For me watches are about engineering and not just art. Rolex may not be a luxury brand for some, but it is luxury to me and I think it's because it came from the tool watch background and they produced a durable long lasting product. I like that they make the best bracelets and hold up over time. I tried other companies, Breitling, Corum, JLC, etc and they felt more fashion conscious.

[BriamL]

Sincerely Yes.

[faz]

The independent Rolex and other high end repair shop that I use in our area, I had a chat with the owner a while ago and asked him about this. He does repairs and maintenance to all high end makes and models (as well as low end ones of course), and has hands on experience with them.

From what I learned from him, Rolex and Omega are the most reliable. I asked about Patek, and his response was that Rolex is like a do it all pair of jeans, and Patek is like an elegant Tuxedo that one has to wear carefully.

[Quailhunter]

I think your question will trigger a lot of anecdotal responses but no scientific studies.

My wife and I own Rolex and Patek plus other brands. The Rolex have been ultra reliable. The Pateks have been back to "home" many times for very expensive "treatments". The other brands have also been ultra reliable, but they are battery watches.

Our experiences may be unique. They certainly do not constitute a scientific study.

I am a retired engineer/manager. My theory is that the more complex a mechanism is, the less reliable it will be. I tend to avoid watches with a lot of complications.

[RGAmos]

I have a gold Submariner (1680/8) that I bought new in early 1974 and have worn almost daily since. This watch has been on five continents and with a diver to the bottom of the Celtic Sea. Other than the the bezel becoming difficult to rotate a few years ago I never had a problem with it. I sent it to Rolex Dallas for service about a year only because my granddaughter expressed an interest in eventually having it and I wanted to get it serviced for her. The watch kept better time before it was serviced.

[vipereaper30]

Rolex wins in the durability department for any of the watches I have ever owned so no worries in that department if you chose Rolex over any other brands. But I've seen some people really trash their watches, Rolex included. So at the end of the day it all depends on how you wear and in what capacity.