What do non-WIS's think a Rolex costs?

[htc8p]

non watch people have no idea until they become interested and go to and AD.

if you ask them on the spot they will say 500 dollars

[Singslinger]

I have a non-WIS friend who loves to wear fakes and simply cannot understand why I've spent thousands on the real thing.

In response, I say to him that he's had two heart attacks over the past 5 years but still insists on smoking (he's had stents inserted). If he had stopped smoking after the first attack, he'd have saved roughly US$15,000 by now from money spent on cigarettes. This would have bought him two very decent Rolexes and he wouldn't have to waste his money on fakes.

Incredibly, he still doesn't get it.

To each his own. People will spend money on whatever gives them enjoyment, even if it appears irrational to others.

[Patrick Lim]

I have several friends who thought that a Rolex would cost at least S$10,000

When I told them that some Rolexes, especially vintage 1601, Airking and equivalent, can be as low as S$1,500 (Sing dollars), you could imagine the surprise expression on their faces.

To them, Rolex is a sign of prestige and unattainability for normal working folks.

Strange to think about it when prices are freely available on the Internet

[gettocard]

Non WIS they think a common Sub retails at least from 10K Euro up...

[mjrennie]

WIS? What is this? I am being daft?

[mcjp6]

Originally Posted by cyglee

Oh, Ron (the OP),
Congrats on your marriage. Best wishes for the future.

Gordon, Ron was married over two years ago......this is a very old thread. Hopefully he is still happily married.....

[renfield33]

when i bought my wife her ss (lady) datejust her mom freaked out. she asked how much it cost. my wife didn't know, but she told her mom $500 and she totally believed her!

[Rolesor]

I get two common points of view:

1. What's that Rolex cost - a couple grand?
2. Rolex is like the most expensive brand out there

Both wrong - but unless it's a friend or someone genuinely interested and not just looking to poke at my choice in money spending - then I don't correct them.

[Rolesor]

Originally Posted by renfield33

when i bought my wife her ss (lady) datejust her mom freaked out. she asked how much it cost. my wife didn't know, but she told her mom $500 and she totally believed her!

I had a client notice my watch (non WIS) and say "wow that's a really nice Rolex, can I ask how much those run?"

To which another client in the room piped up with

"Those are like 2-3 grand" which he said as a statement in which he thought / KNEW was correct ( )

The room seemed to think that was a LOT to spend on a watch so I obviously did not bother correcting

[esm]

I generally try to avoid those questions. I'm sure most if us wear our Rolex watches for the pure enjoyment. I find it rude when people ask how much this or that costs...(!)
I can not recall if anyone has asked me the cost question, but ulu do remember I hot asked a couple of times if my Rolex was real...
I'm sure it was an innocent question most times, but I just dint feel comfortable about it.
I don't go and ask - how much did you pay for that 911 or that pair of Jimmy Choo you are wearing

Congrats on the wedding btw (yes, I realise this is about 2 years old )

[psv]

We all have different priorities. I don't mind spending $8K on a watch, but I'd never buy a $2K golf-set och spend $20,000 on a stupid jet-ski that you get to used twice per year. Or they guy spending $10,000 on 22" wheels with spinners...

[Le Chef]

What I spend my money on is my business. I never respond when someone asks me about the watch I'm wearing - it's none of their business, and I have no idea why they might be asking me. The same applies to cars. I'm not interested in what they think and I don't want to discuss it.

The only time I will respond is if the other person has a nice watch or car, but I never open the discussion assuming they're a WIS or car enthusiast.

[WyoWatch]

I've never gotten it regarding a Rolex but do have an amusing Omega story: A female coworker one day noticed my Planet Ocean. She said "Wow, that's a good looking watch, what is it?" to which I replied, "It's an Omega". She says "I've never heard of those before. It looks like something my husband would like, do you mind me asking what it cost?" {as I cringe}.... I reply "Well, they're not cheap, I think this model retails close to 4 right now." She replies "Wow, I would never spend $400 dollars on a watch! It is good looking though." To which I simply replied "Thanks.".

[R1@160@alltimes]

A co-worker with dual mba thought that Subs cost $800

[Numismatist]

Originally Posted by mjrennie

WIS? What is this? I am being daft?

WIS = Watch Idiot Savant

Basically, all of us on this board!

[Speed]

If only they knew...

[renfield33]

10 years ago a sub was about $3000, right? i remember looking at datejusts in 2001, and thought they were around $2500?

[pz93c]

I don't know what the sheeple think.

If I asked, it would imply I care what they think.

[rosspanics]

I remember I thought they were like $5k (SS) to $10k (YG/WG) 5 years ago when I didn't know. That's probably about on par with what I'd guess people would guess today.

[tictocChuck]

I do not play the "guess the price of my watch" game since I wear it for personal enjoyment and not as a trophy to display. If someone happens to notice and maybe ask the price (a little gauche I think)....I just say it's something I worked & saved for and is worth every penny to me in enjoyment....no numbers. I initally jumped from the $500 Seiko to the Rolex league, and I must admit I did find them ridiculously expensive....but then I got the bug and bought one and appreciate the craftsmanship everyday. Everybody has a passion they spend money on, one of mine is watches and is a matter of choice. Cheers.

[memps]

i was at a bar the other week amongst pals & one of them asked how much my sub was, i said that i spent £3.500 & there were gasps & one of them said that it was not right, i said i dont have kids or many responsibilities & it was my choice, they were more surprised when i told them that the sub ws 2nd hand & was 6 months old ..........

[mickyvee]

I paid over £3,500 for my watch. A friend of mine was aghast when I mentioned this, down the pub. I casually reminded him that he had recently spent considerably more than that, taking his wife and three kids to Florida for three weeks. "That's different" he replied. It certainly is different. Give me my sub anyday!

[Goodwatch]

This question must have been asked as long as Rolex produces watches. I’m from a country where wearing a Rolex in an everyday work environment is considered ostentatious. You must realise that the success of Rolex is the result of decades of very clever marketing. To the ‘man in the street’ Rolex is the epitome of watch making. And yes, wearing one usually provokes either one of the following questions: “is it real?” and “what did it cost?”. Most people know that a Rolex watch is priced in the upper segment of the market, so dodging the question is a challenge. And sometimes a reason to justify the outlay. But owning and wearing a Rolex means you must be prepared to run that gauntlet many times more. Unless you move in circles where wearing a Rolex is common or even mundane because the others wear APs and Pateks

The following may provoke some outrage but I still want to say it. Although I’m fully aware of the fact that Rolex must be one, if not the, most successful luxury watch brands, their watches are not ‘haute horlogerie’. They are not ‘WIS material’. They are well made, dependable and highly recognisable but it remains mass production. Rolex have made some watches with complications like a moon-phase in the past but don’t do so anymore. Except the yacht timing mechanism perhaps. I often wonder why, because they must have an R&D department that can pull this off easily! But perhaps they know that they are almost unbeatable in their segment and feel that there’s no need to do so.

[George Ab]

I believe most people who think the cost is a grand or two are right, because that is what they should cost.

I was wearing my WG Daytona and a friend of mine who knows I am a collector and dealer asked me about the cost. When I told him MSRP of $33K, value of watch is $17.5K and what I paid for the watch..... well.... I swear the look on his face was of utter disbelief and shock...... you could say the look was well... priceless.

[oo7]

Your Rolex AD is a keeper... Congrats!

Only my highschool & college friends with absent social graces (after a half dozen pints ;-) have asked me and I usually say I've never spent a dime on any Rolex --- I've only parked some cash with them. I also explain we all generally get sick of our car, clothes, laptop, cellphone, job, workout routine, bellyfat, thinning hair, house and golfgame but I've never gotten sick of my Rolex. We then drink some more as I wipe the hot wing sauce off my watch with greater appreciation than it had before.

[phelix_da_kat]

I think if they ask, you should point them to the car analogy..

Some people will spend $100k for a car, others $500.
In the end it is just a "car".

But people can appreciate a car, without being able to afford it.
It is just a matter of life experience..

[rfknauss]

Originally Posted by phelix_da_kat

I think if they ask, you should point them to the car analogy..

Some people will spend $100k for a car, others $500.
In the end it is just a "car".

But people can appreciate a car, without being able to afford it.
It is just a matter of life experience..

I like that analogy ..... good one!

[GradyPhilpott]

Three years ago, I thought a Sub Date was about $3000. A friend informed me that it was more like $5000. Now, it's more like $7000.

If you don't follow Rolex, it's easy to be confused about price.

There's a waitress of a restaurant that I frequent who thinks my
114270Z and my 116200V are too plain to be real.

There are people who know that Rolex makes a great watch and they have enough money to just pay the price without much thought.

There are people who know that Rolex is an expensive watch that has a name that most folks equate with wealth and prestige.

Then, there are the crazies like us, who appreciate Rolex for not only the watches they make and their quality, but also the history, tradition and philosophy of the company and who will, if necessary, scrounge, scrimp, save, and suffer to buy just one.

[cyglee]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

...

There are people who know that Rolex makes a great watch and they have enough money to just pay the price without much thought.

There are people who know that Rolex is an expensive watch that has a name that most folks equate with wealth and prestige.

Then, there are the crazies like us, who appreciate Rolex for not only the watches they make and their quality, but also the history, tradition and philosophy of the company and who will, if necessary, scrounge, scrimp, save, and suffer to buy just one.

This pretty much says it all! Enjoy everyone.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by renfield33

10 years ago a sub was about $3000, right? i remember looking at datejusts in 2001, and thought they were around $2500?

MSRP on a 16610 in 2000 was $3575