PSA: If you want Rolex, don't settle for anything else

[amh]

Learned a bitter lesson recently. I fell into buying 'Brand O' at the local AD:
- Figured I should branch out and find out what 'O' is all about. After all, they have a loyal following
- The watch looked good on paper! METAS certified, great power reserve, good warranty
- Maybe trying something different would help me cure my fixation on Rolex.

Alas the move backfired. Wearing the 'O' was like trying to accept a donated organ - it just didn't feel right (size, shape, weight, appearance and of course the bracelet.) Massive buyer's remorse! Ten days later I traded it for a Rolex.

Anyway now I can put it all behind me.

Why Rolex stands out:
- The bracelets! There is nothing like a modern Rolex bracelet. We can argue about Glidelock vs Easylink or brushed vs polished but they are all excellent. They set the standard for comfort, appearance and reliability.
- Water resistance. We don't even need to think about this - all the watches can handle anything a normal individual is going to encounter. Swimming, diving, washing dishes, summer sweat, sauna, hot tub - nothing is an issue!
- Design. Some will say Rolex is boring, every year we hear the same old refrain: "20xx was the worst year ever for introductions!" Yet the consistency is part of the attraction! The watches of today are similar to those of 50 years ago and they retain all the best features that made them successful. All the right elements and nothing extra. Each model is purpose-driven and it shows.
- Accuracy. The modern Rolex -2/+2 spec is fantastic. With nightstand regulation this can be brought close to zero error. It's no Spring Drive but it's still damn good.
- Value. My FIL's Sub from 1966 was $150. Today it's probably worth $10k. It is this value retention that has fueled the current "Tulip Craze." Be careful out there...


Know yourself and understand what it will take to scratch that itch. Even today you're better off spending a few more bucks on the Rolex than trying a substitute.


/Rant


Brainwashed from an early age

[Vipes]

Nothing wrong with sticking to Rolex and knowing what you prefer. I recently bought an Omega Speedmaster and I think it’s a great watch. I see what you mean, I still think Rolex is a better overall package.

[DJ2020]

Glad your happy with your choice.

[SSMOKE]

For me it was not about either or, rather what do I buy to hold me over until an SD43 finally becomes available? In the last year I purchased 1. White ceramic dial SMP 300. 2. Blue Tudor Pelagos. 3. SD43.

I like all of them but without a doubt, my Rolex is the least accurate (-1.7 s/d) and has the worst bezel action. (Rotates clockwise a second marker, but only sometimes.) Strange but true. Also strange or not strange, it gets the most wrist time. Lastly, my SMP 300 is CRAZY accurate. Less than +1 s/d.

[258Pearl]

I have the blue Omega Seamaster 300M and the 2021 Submariner No Date.

TBH, I find myself wearing the Seamaster way more than the Rolex. I believe the glide lock on the Omega is easier to adjust than the Rolex. I never have to worry about banging or scratching it or being judged.

I would not wear a Rolex to a job interview or to negotiate buying a new car, but I would have no problem taking the Omega as it's not as widely recognized.

[Jagamov]

I will agree completely with the statement "If you want Rolex, don't settle for anything else"... nothing out there can scratch the Rolex itch.

However, I do find enjoyment in other brands as well and I don't regret buying them.

My O brand Planet Ocean is a great watch, and of course my Tudor BB58 Blue and GMT are great too.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Agreed. The O just doesn’t cut it for me either as a rolex alternative. Solid on its own but not as an alternative for a rolex itch.

[stewester]

Agree with you completely. Nothing other brand carries as much meaning (to me at least) as Rolex.

[alphadweller]

I can't have a collection made of Rolex watches only. As much as I love the Crown, I need variety. Some O, some B, some VC, some Rolex, Rolex, Rolex .

[geoffreyis]

A crown for every achievement.

[csaltphoto]

I think this is especially true if you are a one watch person, have always wanted a Rolex, etc. Yeah it takes more work to get your hands on one and it can be discouraging, especially to first time buyers. It was for me. If I were to get a second watch it would probably be something other than a Rolex though (just to be different, have a function that Rolexes don't and so on)

[JParm]

I would agree with not settling 100% of the time.

I would GENERALLY agree with you on Rolex over Omega as well - 99% of the time.

I wasn't interested in any Omegas (tried the Speedy in 3 different iterations, sold each one fairly quickly after buying) and I do think that they're bracelets are not the nicest to look at. However, the Seamaster 300 in ceramic / Sedna gold truly knocked me out and on the Omega rubber strap, it is very hard to beat.

I'm very content with my current Rolex collection and branching out to Omega for a new daily driver is something I'm really happy about as well. In terms of technology and what they're able to do with ceramics (just look at the way they're able to shine it in different ways like Steel), Omega is second to none.

[Adam84]

while people often see Omega and Rolex as competitors, I think we also need to remember MSRP. You are not going to get 100% the same from Omega when it’s MSRP is thousands lower than Rolex.

Omega are fantastic watches, but do people really expect a £4000 SMP300 to deliver the same as a £7000 submariner?

I love Omega, have owned several but I still think Rolex are half a step ahead (I do think that gap is closing though)

[Marcjvr]

I say keep an open mind. Many great brands out there that all have something to offer.

[ROLEX*]

You get what u pay for

[Dan Pierce]

I don't buy alternatives. I go straight for what I want and have not been disappointed.
dP

[amh]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

I say keep an open mind. Many great brands out there that all have something to offer.

I think I'd wear a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.

But I've never even seen one! Most stores tend to carry Rolex, Omega, TAG, IWC, Grand Seiko etc. Only the largest metro areas have some of the niche brands (eg. I'd need to travel to Dallas.) Zenith also looks nice but same story there, it's difficult to buy something completely sight unseen.

[daveswordfish]

Two thoughts.

- don’t buy a brand, buy the watch. Buying an Omega is pointless if it’s not a reference that you love, which clearly you didn’t. Similarly, not every Rolex is a winner…really.

- Rolex’s strength is while they may not be the absolute best in any one element of watch design/manufacture, they are pretty close across all elements. To me that’s their strength and it’s something incredibly hard to do. If you look at other brands and expect them to do everything as well or better than the crown, you’re going to be disappointed. Find pieces from other marques that you love and have one or two amazing attributes and enjoy. Going through a brand v brand checklist is just going to preclude you from enjoying some truly amazing watches.


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[Meyrin]

Originally posted by amh: "PSA: If you want Rolex, don't settle for anything else."

Yes! As a happy Sub owner (and daily wearer!) for more than 26 years I can only agree 100% with the five points you make as to why Rolex stands out! But I'm brainwashed too!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

I don't buy alternatives. I go straight for what I want and have not been disappointed.
dP

[Adam84]

Originally Posted by daveswordfish

Two thoughts.

- don’t buy a brand, buy the watch. Buying an Omega is pointless if it’s not a reference that you love, which clearly you didn’t. Similarly, not every Rolex is a winner…really.

- Rolex’s strength is while they may not be the absolute best in any one element of watch design/manufacture, they are pretty close across all elements. To me that’s their strength and it’s something incredibly hard to do. If you look at other brands and expect them to do everything as well or better than the crown, you’re going to be disappointed. Find pieces from other marques that you love and have one or two amazing attributes and enjoy. Going through a brand v brand checklist is just going to preclude you from enjoying some truly amazing watches.


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Completely agree with this.

Rolex scored solid 9s across the board, not perfect but damn solid, brands like Grand Seiko have lots of 10s for movement, dials, finishing but there’s always one thing that lets them down like the bracelets

[Rori]

Originally Posted by amh

Learned a bitter lesson recently. I fell into buying 'Brand O' at the local AD:

- Figured I should branch out and find out what 'O' is all about. After all, they have a loyal following

- The watch looked good on paper! METAS certified, great power reserve, good warranty

- Maybe trying something different would help me cure my fixation on Rolex.



Alas the move backfired. Wearing the 'O' was like trying to accept a donated organ - it just didn't feel right (size, shape, weight, appearance and of course the bracelet.) Massive buyer's remorse! Ten days later I traded it for a Rolex.



Anyway now I can put it all behind me.



Why Rolex stands out:

- The bracelets! There is nothing like a modern Rolex bracelet. We can argue about Glidelock vs Easylink or brushed vs polished but they are all excellent. They set the standard for comfort, appearance and reliability.

- Water resistance. We don't even need to think about this - all the watches can handle anything a normal individual is going to encounter. Swimming, diving, washing dishes, summer sweat, sauna, hot tub - nothing is an issue!

- Design. Some will say Rolex is boring, every year we hear the same old refrain: "20xx was the worst year ever for introductions!" Yet the consistency is part of the attraction! The watches of today are similar to those of 50 years ago and they retain all the best features that made them successful. All the right elements and nothing extra. Each model is purpose-driven and it shows.

- Accuracy. The modern Rolex -2/+2 spec is fantastic. With nightstand regulation this can be brought close to zero error. It's no Spring Drive but it's still damn good.

- Value. My FIL's Sub from 1966 was $150. Today it's probably worth $10k. It is this value retention that has fueled the current "Tulip Craze." Be careful out there...





Know yourself and understand what it will take to scratch that itch. Even today you're better off spending a few more bucks on the Rolex than trying a substitute.





/Rant





Brainwashed from an early age

Music to my ears.


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[ThatOtherGuy7]

Thanks for this thread! Over the last few months I’ve been more and more tempted to buy another brand mainly because I’m tired of waiting. However, I’ve looked and looked and haven’t found anything that gets my juices flowing like a Daytona Panda or GMT Bruce Wayne. The one watch is possibly the Omega Snoopy (love the contrast and I do like Omega - have a Seamaster). But if I were to spend money on just one or two watches, it’ll be a Rolex. There’s just something about it that I like a lot more.

[SS Oyster]

I’ve been down the IWC, Blancpain, GO, Omega roads …. Always coming back to Rolex.

Eventually, I’d like to add ALS, Patek and AP, but only as an augmentation (not competition) to a Rolex base collection.


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[11b1p]

This is one of the reasons I am glad that they have the exhibition models. I can’t imagine buying a watch I’ve never tried on.

[GRabens]

My dad always said, if you are going to do something, you might as well do it all the way. I too have learned over the years that compromising on what you really want usually just results in lost time and $$$$!

[TswaneNguni]

Rolex..but alternate with Panerai,Jaeger leCoultre and IWC.

Past two weeks ,mostly Panerai .
Next week ? Who knows ,will see what I feel like then.

[Mystro]

What truly frustrates me about Omega is if you want to trade it in, no one even wants to take it in on trade or if they do, it’s pennies on the dollar. This is on a mint full box set. It’s like you are trying to trade in a diseased pet??????
I knew this with my last Omega which was a desirable model in the Omega world. Omega as a company is shooting them self in the foot with every move they make each year or at least they are moving in a direction away from what I want.

[Bozack90]

for me it depends on a number of factors.

I had wanted some things in the past, rather badly, settled for something else, and then lost all interest in buying that thing which I originally wanted as what I ended up with was just as good but much of that was for function or necessity.

But watches typically aren't in that group and if I substitute for something I truly want I never end up feeling satisfied.

If I just wanted a nice watch there are tons of choices, but since I wanted something specific like a Rolex then nothing was good enough until I got one.

[amh]

Originally Posted by Mystro

What truly frustrates me about Omega is if you want to trade it in, no one even wants to take it in on trade or if they do, it’s pennies on the dollar. This is on a mint full box set. It’s like you are trying to trade in a diseased pet??????
I knew this with my last Omega which was a desirable model in the Omega world. Omega as a company is shooting them self in the foot with every move they make each year or at least they are moving in a direction away from what I want.

That's my experience as well, most of the 'trusted sellers' didn't even respond to my inquiry (and I contacted all of them.) I claimed here that 'O' loses 40% of value when you walk out the AD and I still stand by this. Just brows the for sale forums and you'll see. IMO they would be a much stronger brand if they reduced their model variants by 50%.

Omega is a lot of watch for the money:
- Terrific fit & finish
- Modern in-house movements are excellent
- Some nice design features

I won't get into the things that I don't like, they're just not for me.