Unorthodox Rolex tool design opinion

[Chewbacca]

Crown guards are ugly and functionally useless today with better crowns and WR levels.

Because even when the case gets a hit to ‘protect’ the crown, people (not as wealthy) will freak out anyway and want to know how much a new case is or who can weld and hammer out dents and cuts and quite frankly, they’re not very aesthetically nice with watches getting larger and bulkier.

If you hit an unprotected crown today, simply replace the crown! It’s cheaper and crowns get replaced every 10yr service or less anyway.

That’s also why the BB hits so nicely. Seeing a nice crown contrast with a nice case is a welcome classic design cue.

What say you fellow Rolex (wealthy) collectors (investors)?

[Chewbacca]

*crickets*

Perhaps we should stick to investment, discounts, trades and grey bashing threads

[inadeje]

I think I deciphered the thread? Are you suggesting something about the Tudor Black Bay having a aesthetically pleasing crown?

[MrGoat]

I actually think the crown guards give my watch a little character. As worn down from polishing as they are, I still appreciate them. I’m a mere peasant compared to the likes of men as yourself though.


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[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I think I deciphered the thread? Are you suggesting something about the Tudor Black Bay having a aesthetically pleasing crown?

You said you deciphered it.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I actually think the crown guards give my watch a little character. As worn down from polishing as they are, I still appreciate them. I’m a mere peasant compared to the likes of men as yourself though.


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*shrug*

We are all equal (cough) Rolex collectors (investors).

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

*shrug*

We are all equal (cough) Rolex collectors (investors).

I’m not a Rolex investor. Mine gets beat to hell as does most everything else I own. Those poor sticker bastards lose their cookies when I post pics of my scratches and dings.


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[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I’m not a Rolex investor. Mine gets beat to hell as does most everything else I own. Those poor sticker bastards lose their cookies when I post pics of my scratches and dings.


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We are all Rolex collectors (investors) and that’s the way it is!

[OYptL]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Crown guards are ugly and functionally useless today with better crowns and WR levels.

Because even when the case gets a hit to ‘protect’ the crown, people (not as wealthy) will freak out anyway and want to know how much a new case is or who can weld and hammer out dents and cuts and quite frankly, they’re not very aesthetically nice with watches getting larger and bulkier.

If you hit an unprotected crown today, simply replace the crown! It’s cheaper and crowns get replaced every 10yr service or less anyway.

That’s also why the BB hits so nicely. Seeing a nice crown contrast with a nice case is a welcome classic design cue.

What say you fellow Rolex (wealthy) collectors (investors)?

But BB’s aren’t stamped 904L.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

*crickets*

Perhaps we should stick to investment, discounts, trades and grey bashing threads

The guard of the crown protects your investment ..

[Jack F]

Chewy….what have you ingested? Many people are quite hard on their watches. If the crown guards don’t suit you, then wear a different watch. Thst is why there are so many options for us all. Get well….

[rkny]

One of the things that makes Rolex appealing to me is the way they honor tradition.

Crown guards on a Submariner have become traditional. Like wearing a jacket at 21 Club. It may serve no purpose, but it’s just what you do.

Efficacy and necessity aside, crown guards have come to represent and embody the overbuilt robustness associated with the brand, in the eyes of the consumer. I’m sure Rolex sees that as a function of crown guards, in and of itself, which is no less important than their original purpose, and likely even more valuable to them now.

In 30 years of collecting watches, I’ve never had a clasp fly open, sending my watch flying. But a Sub still has a flip lock, even though modern clasps are better engineered than ever.

And all this time, they could have simply made the date bigger instead of adding a cyclops, but the cyclops has become tradition. No other major brand needs or uses a cyclops. It’s just a defining tradition for Rolex, like crown guards.

[George58]

they protect the crown with no doubt

[kieselguhr]

I agree that crown guards on Rolex are a moot point especially with modern construction and screw down crowns.

I do think Rolex executes the aesthetic very well and it is certainly not hideous.

I do think that crown guards by other watch companies can look ugly

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

The guard of the crown protects your investment ..

What did Chew with 30 kids knows about protection?

[MILGAUSS88]

I just saw a modern Rolex get dropped 4" inside a display case. The crown got stuck to the tube and when the crown was unscrewed to wind, the whole tube came out with it.

If sent back to Rolex, that is a $700 repair.

Is that enough of a reason to have crown guards?

[subtona]

I like the crown guards and appreciate dress watches without them.

Example:One of the distinguishing features I appreciate of the nautilus over the AP jumbo is the crown guards for a bit of added protection.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

I just saw a modern Rolex get dropped 4" inside a display case. The crown got stuck to the tube and when the crown was unscrewed to wind, the whole tube came out with it.

If sent back to Rolex, that is a $700 repair.

Is that enough of a reason to have crown guards?

You don’t think there could be other reasons like lack of maintenance, poor SA handling, or maybe something else for this Invicta level of QC where a 4 inch drop breaks a watch?

[enjoythemusic]

You've obviously never seen my Muse / wife 'stress test' a timepiece via 'normal' wear. Tell ya what, lend her a timepiece with a big unprotected crown for a week. Yup, just a single week.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

You don’t think there could be other reasons like lack of maintenance, poor SA handling, or maybe something else for this Invicta level of QC where a 4 inch drop breaks a watch?

No.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

You've obviously never seen my Muse / wife 'stress test' a timepiece via 'normal' wear. Tell ya what, lend her a timepiece with a big unprotected crown for a week. Yup, just a single week.

Lol, she’s just “modifying it”.


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[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

No.

Jeebus.

[JSolution]

I don’t understand the wealth comments, don’t see how this has this has any relation your quite strangely worded post.

However my simple opinion is I look them and I think the make the watch look better - actually don’t like the black bay for this reason. As someone above said I think the opposite looks great on dress watches.

[garyk]

Interesting thread! Panerai has a certain overkill on the crown guard thingy. I love it!




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[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I don’t understand the wealth comments, don’t see how this has this has any relation your quite strangely worded post.

I believe that is a long running comedic theme in Chewie's posts.
for example https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=829799

Along with spelling Rolex watches, "Rolexesss" or "Rolexeses'

[ryangambrill]

At first I did not like watches without the crown guards. Mostly as I had been daily wearing subs and YM.

But after really digging into Tudor, I LOVE the no crown guard. Big crown.

As a side note, the aluminum bezel inserts are really appealing vs ceramic. Love the vintage tool watch aesthetic.


Current:
- 16622 & 18078
- Tudor GMT - 79830
Past:
- Sub Serti Silver 16613
- Sub SS w/Date

[indianmachine]

Phil Stahl at RPR made a cool heritage submariner some years back without crown guards. check it out! https://rolexpassionreport.com/13265...wn-submariner/

Personally, I prefer the crown guard look, but much more how it looked on slightly older models like the 5513 than the stubby ones they have on them today with no lug bevel meeting the crown guard edge.

[mquarter]

Rolex is as much (maybe more) about the appearance/"vibes" of tool watch-like functionality rather than actual strict functionality, ie crown guards make tool owners feel like they've got a tool watch.

If I was given a choice I'd go no crown guards, more minimalist.