CHANGE MY MIND: The Modern Rolex brand is garbage

gbesq · Aug 8, 2019

Archer
Omega (and many other watch brands) give to charities, sponsor events, etc. so Rolex is not alone in that regard.

If you take the time to look at Swatch Group's annual reports, you will see their charitable efforts outlined.

I was thinking the same thing. Given that the Swatch Group is a public company, the extent of their charitable giving would be easy to ascertain from their annual report. I’m not sure that the same can be said for Rolex as it is privately held.

Archer · Aug 8, 2019

gbesq
I was thinking the same thing. Given that the Swatch Group is a public company, the extent of their charitable giving would be easy to ascertain from their annual report. I’m not sure that the same can be said for Rolex as it is privately held.

Yep not hard to find that pretty much every brand under the Swatch group of brands has some charitable organization they are involved with. Everything from the one most here would be familiar with (Orbis - flying hospital for eye surgeries), to supporting research on the ecology of the sea bed, to schools for disadvantaged children, and the list goes on. But the Rolex fans will always feel better buying their watch from a charitable trust...

efauser · Aug 8, 2019

Archer
But the Rolex fans will always feel better buying their watch from a charitable trust...

I bet they would feel even better if they could actually take possession of their purchase.

Rochete · Aug 8, 2019

If someone dies before his ordered a decade ago Rolex arrives, do his inheritors get it?

gbesq · Aug 8, 2019

Rochete
If someone dies before his ordered a decade ago Rolex arrives, do his inheritors get it?

Yes, but they have to set up a charitable trust first in order to receive it. 😝

efauser · Aug 8, 2019

gbesq
Yes, but they have to set up a charitable trust first in order to receive it. 😝

Or else pay market value.

Uniqez · Aug 8, 2019

Archer
It's not good or bad for me. What Rolex does with their modern watches is mostly irrelevant to me.

I didn't indicate that you said or didn't say anything specific. I only related my own feelings as a data point.

One question though - when people say they don't like Rolex, how do you actually know they can't afford them? Are they telling you this directly?

I had few people I know, were saying that they don't like any of the Rolex watches, then buying them later. I questioned them and reply was almost identical. They didn't want to admit to the fact they could not afford it at that time. I like explorer models. I own two Explorer (modern) and Explorer 2 from 90's. Cool watches.
Edited: added picture.

JwRosenthal · Aug 8, 2019

Back in 2002 I inherited a decent chunk of money. I believe that anyone who inherits money or wins a lottery should allocate a small percentage to “blow” on frivolous luxuries (around 5-10%) to get it out of their system, then invest the rest.
I earmarked some of that money for specific things that I had always wanted- yes, one of those things was a Rolex.
I could have afforded to walk into a Rolex dealer and buy anything I wanted (Subs were around $3.5k and Daytona’s around $10k at the time) and I did, but nothing appealed to me. I bought my ‘82 GMT becuase I preferred the styling (matte dial, no gold indices) to anything they offered at the time. It wasn’t about the money or status, it was about my attraction to the watch.
In hindsight I should have “invested” a chunk in those new subs and Daytona’s I didn’t care for which were abundant at the dealers back then...that would have proven to be one hell of an investment.

kkt · Aug 8, 2019

gbesq
When Rolex starts putting out something like this, at a reasonable price, and without a year long waitlist, then maybe I’ll be interested ...

The waitlist, of course, is to keep the new and used value high, which may not be what YOU want but it is what people who have already BOUGHT Rolexes want.

gbesq · Aug 8, 2019

kkt
The waitlist, of course, is to keep the new and used value high, which may not be what YOU want but it is what people who have already BOUGHT Rolexes want.

More to the point, it’s what ROLEX wants.

Archer · Aug 8, 2019

Uniqez
I had few people I know, were saying that they don't like any of the Rolex watches, then buying them later. I questioned them and reply was almost identical. They didn't want to admit to the fact they could not afford it at that time. I like explorer models. I own two Explorer (modern) and Explorer 2 from 90's. Cool watches.

Of the modern Rolex, the Explorer II is the only one that even remotely appeals to me. For now, I'll stick with this one...

As for the people you spoke to, not sure I would extrapolate that too much...

Archer · Aug 8, 2019

JwRosenthal
Back in 2002 I inherited a decent chunk of money. I believe that anyone who inherits money or wins a lottery should allocate a small percentage to “blow” on frivolous luxuries (around 5-10%) to get it out of their system, then invest the rest.
I earmarked some of that money for specific things that I had always wanted- yes, one of those things was a Rolex.
I could have afforded to walk into a Rolex dealer and buy anything I wanted (Subs were around $3.5k and Daytona’s around $10k at the time) and I did, but nothing appealed to me. I bought my ‘82 GMT becuase I preferred the styling (matte dial, no gold indices) to anything they offered at the time. It wasn’t about the money or status, it was about my attraction to the watch.
In hindsight I should have “invested” a chunk in those new subs and Daytona’s I didn’t care for which were abundant at the dealers back then...that would have proven to be one hell of an investment.

The "bling" of modern Rolex is partly what turns me off. That's why I like the matte dials, not gold surrounds, etc. They have pretty much ruined the proportions of the watches with the beefy lugs too.

I do agree with setting aside some money you have come into for something for yourself. I did get some money a number of years ago after Mother passed away, and aside from putting some in the bank, putting a new roof on the house, I bought this JLC:

At that point I didn't have a Rolex (had already sold the one I had), and none were in the running for any of my money...

mancio · Aug 8, 2019

I believed we won't be even having this conversation if it was possible having one without months of waitlist or pay twice as much their MSRP price.

From a quality standpoint, i don't see garbage in their product line for material, finish and movement.

F83 · Aug 8, 2019

Archer
Omega (and many other watch brands) give to charities, sponsor events, etc. so Rolex is not alone in that regard.

If you take the time to look at Swatch Group's annual reports, you will see their charitable efforts outlined.

Even if Rolex plays some games the charitable giving of a for profit company isn’t going to match the giving of a charitable trust that has no profit mandate. Cmon. I know you know that.

Anyway I’m not hating on Swatch or Omega. I have several Omegas and I love them. Excellent watches. I’m simply responding to the OP.

Archer · Aug 8, 2019

F83
Even if Rolex plays some games the charitable giving of a for profit company isn’t going to match the giving of a charitable trust that has no profit mandate. Cmon. I know you know that.

Anyway I’m not hating on Swatch or Omega. I have several Omegas and I love them. Excellent watches. I’m simply responding to the OP.

No I don't know that, and neither do you. Charitable trusts in Switzerland are big black boxes, so no one outside of it knows what they donate, or what they spend on real estate, what they plow back into whatever for profit businesses they own, or what they hoard in cash...

Decrin · Aug 8, 2019

F83
What? Ok here we go...

- Their watches are exceptional. Fit and finish. Durability. Accuracy. Not the most complicated or luxurious but excellent all around.
- The brand is instantly recognizable globally. More than any other watch by a long margin. You can decide if you like that or not but its a fact
- Re-sale value is basically as good as it gets. A Rolex (especially steel sports) is basically like cash - you can always get your money back
- They are a charitable trust - much of their profits helps underprivileged kids attend school. Not true of any other watch brand.

Ever heard of the Rolex curve? People are into Rolex when they know almost nothing about watches, then decide they don't like them when they learn more about watches, then fall in love again when they learn more deeply about watches. You come full circle. That happened with me. Maybe it will happen with you.

I knew about the rolex curve, but I thought this thread hopefully would get me to see the positives of Rolex.

pIoNeErOfThEnILe · Aug 8, 2019

rowlecks.

not garbage but obv you know that. wut i dislike is their current chitty styling.

just look at the current daytona. wtf were they thinking when they said, yeah, that's it that's the design were going with. .they obv captured a 1990's zodiac to a tee. so much fail.

peeps don't care as long as it says rolex they will buy.

it's all about brands and perception

jaguar11 · Aug 8, 2019

I don't need to because I don't care what you think.

Decrin · Aug 8, 2019

jaguar11
I don't need to because I don't care what you think.

That is fair, I was just asking for opinions, not demanding them.

madjestikmoose · Aug 8, 2019

Fritz
what an absolutely childish tirade.

go buy yourself a nice Timex, you'll feel better.

And what's wrong with Timex?