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Davidt
·The worst thing about Rolex isnt the products, the marketing, the business practices or how their ADs operate, it’s the hysteria surrounding the brand. Both from those who worship the crown and those who can’t stand them.
On one hand, the ridiculously narrow minded view of many WIS and non-WIS who think Rolex is the only watch worth having and everything else is crap. I like watching YouTube, particularly for watch restoration videos and general watch discussion and it’s so frustrating when you have to scroll and scroll to see anything but Rolex, Rolex Rolex. To so many collectors, dealers, bitcoin bros, and general public, Rolex is god tier, far above anything else, even Patek. Most of the talk isn’t even about the watches, it’s the value, and how other perceive you. Makes me a bit sick. The actual watch is almost forgotten about.
On the other hand, there’s the (almost) equally biased view that Rolex is somehow the devil as it’s successful and you can’t simply go and buy what you want when you want it and the whole supply/demand issue is somehow manufactured by Rolex. I’m still waiting for a coherent answer as to what a a fair a viable alternative is to demand outstripping supply. To those who say “make more watches”, I previously worked for 12 years in asset planning for capital schemes for a large water company and it is not a quick fix to simply spend a few million and increase production by 20, 50, 100%. It takes years and costs a huge amount, especially if you want to maintain quality. You also need to consider other aspects such as distribution and maintenance etc so you better be sure you’re doing it in response to a genuine shift in demand and not a temporary spike.
Like most people I can only speak to my own experience but when I went into a Rolex AD earlier this year one of the reps asked about my watch (vintage speedmaster) and was genuinely interested and we had a chat about it. Then another rep came over and showed me her birth year 80’s date just, again pleasant conversation and you could tell both were interested in watches, Rolex, Omega, modern, vintage all good.
I’ve been to an Omega boutique wearing a Rolex and felt like I was about to be spat on. Almost like they had a chip on their shoulder that I dare walk into an Omega store wearing a Rolex. One jerk in a store doesn’t have any bearing on how I view Omega and whether I’d buy one from there in the future. I just wouldn’t buy one from that guy in that boutique.
For me I just find it hard to believe that so many people have had amazing experiences in Omega, JLC boutiques etc and so many have had terrible experiences with people at Rolex. I think it’s more likely frustration at not being able to get the watch you want. If that’s the case, play the game or don’t, it’s up to you. I’ve never had to play any games or buy anything I didn’t want at the peak Rolex in 2020/21 I got an Ex1 and No date Sub with about 6 months wait for each.
I feel like I’m kinda done with Rolex now, back to vintage Omega, Speedmasters and Heuer but I do find much of the criticism irrational and unjust.
On one hand, the ridiculously narrow minded view of many WIS and non-WIS who think Rolex is the only watch worth having and everything else is crap. I like watching YouTube, particularly for watch restoration videos and general watch discussion and it’s so frustrating when you have to scroll and scroll to see anything but Rolex, Rolex Rolex. To so many collectors, dealers, bitcoin bros, and general public, Rolex is god tier, far above anything else, even Patek. Most of the talk isn’t even about the watches, it’s the value, and how other perceive you. Makes me a bit sick. The actual watch is almost forgotten about.
On the other hand, there’s the (almost) equally biased view that Rolex is somehow the devil as it’s successful and you can’t simply go and buy what you want when you want it and the whole supply/demand issue is somehow manufactured by Rolex. I’m still waiting for a coherent answer as to what a a fair a viable alternative is to demand outstripping supply. To those who say “make more watches”, I previously worked for 12 years in asset planning for capital schemes for a large water company and it is not a quick fix to simply spend a few million and increase production by 20, 50, 100%. It takes years and costs a huge amount, especially if you want to maintain quality. You also need to consider other aspects such as distribution and maintenance etc so you better be sure you’re doing it in response to a genuine shift in demand and not a temporary spike.
Like most people I can only speak to my own experience but when I went into a Rolex AD earlier this year one of the reps asked about my watch (vintage speedmaster) and was genuinely interested and we had a chat about it. Then another rep came over and showed me her birth year 80’s date just, again pleasant conversation and you could tell both were interested in watches, Rolex, Omega, modern, vintage all good.
I’ve been to an Omega boutique wearing a Rolex and felt like I was about to be spat on. Almost like they had a chip on their shoulder that I dare walk into an Omega store wearing a Rolex. One jerk in a store doesn’t have any bearing on how I view Omega and whether I’d buy one from there in the future. I just wouldn’t buy one from that guy in that boutique.
For me I just find it hard to believe that so many people have had amazing experiences in Omega, JLC boutiques etc and so many have had terrible experiences with people at Rolex. I think it’s more likely frustration at not being able to get the watch you want. If that’s the case, play the game or don’t, it’s up to you. I’ve never had to play any games or buy anything I didn’t want at the peak Rolex in 2020/21 I got an Ex1 and No date Sub with about 6 months wait for each.
I feel like I’m kinda done with Rolex now, back to vintage Omega, Speedmasters and Heuer but I do find much of the criticism irrational and unjust.
