I've gone to the dark side...

vbrad26

Yeah my father in law has the same one you have.
That is what made me start looking at them, and I agree with your perception of them.
I think that is why it appeals to me.
I really have no interest in a Sub...

watchthisway

i've personally never once cared what other people think about my watches and assume 99.9% of the people out there don't notice or care.

Mmike1357

BTW that would be my birth year Rolex as well. I do have to say after wearing my new Explorer II for a few days, it is a great watch, definitely one I’ll be keeping and passing down in fifty years time. There is something to the hype. The Explorer II is also very tool watch like, thus avoiding the pretentiousness of status only Rolex buyers.

CPRwatch

Does owning more than one Rolex make me a bigger Asshole than your average one Rolex only Asshole , I'd like to think so 😀

watchos

I've despised Rolex as a brand for a long time for a number of reasons. Among those reasons is the rep Rolex owners get for being assholes. Not trying to offend anyone here, it's just a we'll know fact. Most of their so called icon designs have never appealed to me: Daytona, Submariner or the clicops Datejust. Their fluted bezels and jubilee bracelets are just awful imo. Specially the classic gold version. Omega on the other hand had always appealed to me since I was a teenager, starting with the Seamaster, in part thanks to our favorite secret agent.

Last year about the time I got my Speedmaster my wife bought a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. I was genuinely impressed. Apart from their logo(dial and buckle) everything seems really well designed. Simple. Elegant. Functional. Slowly I warmed my self up to various Rolex models. Still tied to my old misconceptions about the brand, I kept up with their news and releases.

Finally, the Explorer 1 caught my eyes a few months ago. I read about its history, different models, evolution, etc. I was intrigued. Less than a week ago I was finally able to wear one. There were many things I did not expect. Like the decreasing width of the bracelet as it reaches the buckle. A lot more noticeable difference from the Speedmaster and Aquaterra I've been wearing. I almost bought the watch, but didn't at the last minute. Something felt strange while wearing it.

After more research and visiting other ADs to look at other watches I've been stalking I decided get it. Looked at a few JLC, IWC, Nomos and a Bremont. One key thing that attracted me to this one was it's simple yet elegant black dial. I was hoping Omega release an update Railmaster with a flat black dial and elegant markets but that didn't happen. They went with the denim version and more textured dials similar to the Aquaterras on the new Seamasters. Here's my short list of requirements for this watch:

- 20 mm lug width
- 39-41 mm case
- Brushed steel bracelet
- Flat black dial
- I wanted all Arabic numerals, but just the ones in there were good enough.
- No other color accents on the watch: hands, letters, logo, etc.

The Rolex Explorer 1 met those requirements. It's a no frills solid tool watch. Built to last.

Finally yesterday I bought the watch in between meetings. At the end of my first meeting the person I was meeting with complimented it and asked me about it since he wasn't sure about getting the 1 or 2, since he wanted the date and GMT.

I've been wearing it for about 24 hours and so far surprised with how it feels. Love the microadjusting clasp doesn't require a tool. The bracelet is brushed and low key - even though it's easily recognized as an Oyster bracelet.

With this purchase I've effectively moved to the "dark side", something I swore never to do. My only remaining issues is feeling comfortable wearing a Rolex without feeling like and asshole, something I've never felt while wearing an Omega watch. I have been a bit self conscious about it and sort of hide it when talking to people. I hope this subsides or might be my first sale after hitting 200 here 😉

(Pic is supposed to be dark, cause it's the dark side)

Will try to post better ones tomorrow.

JACK G

I think the word 'Brand' is a clue to some of the negative feelings Rolex and Ferrari elicit.

People seem to but into 'Brands' these days but it was not always like this.

The last two watches I bought were both vintage Rolex models. I had resisted buying them for many years as I didn't like the modern Rolex 'Brand' associations. In the end I realised my negative viewpoint was stopping me owning two rather nice watches and I capitulated.

I still don't like the whole current Rolex marketing strategy but hey each to their own.

Moving on to Ferrari's.................I did once own one and can 100% hand on heart say I didn't buy it to show off.

It was their racing pedigree and history that attracted me plus they have made some of the most beautiful cars ever produced.

The Daytona is still my all time favourite but I couldn't afford the £20,000 they were at the time (mid 1980s) so I bought this which I had lusted after for many years..................

Shabbaz

When I started with collecting omega's I thought I would never buy a rolex. What was the expression? You buy a rolex to impress your car salesman, you buy a IWC to impress your watchmaker.. anyway, things changed and my personal interest shifted (a bit) to other watch brands. Eventually two months ago I bought a two liner sub. It will be the only rolex I buy. In my eyes a iconic dive watch which would be a good addition to my (or any) collection. Now I'm looking for a zodiac sea wolf and maybe someday a blancpain. I'm not a flashy guy. I drive a volvo with bars for the dog and a baby sticker on the window. The sub is something for me. Nobody else. And nobody ever asked me about the sub. They dont see it. Maybe because I walk around on slippers.

lillatroll

I like Rolex watches and I don t really care what it is or is not supposed to say about me.Don t let others define you, wear what ever watch you want.
I would like to own a grape dial oyster perpetual and maybe a GMT when all the fuss dies down and they are easily accessible. (GMT, not the grape oyster, I think that one is an aquired taste that will be easy to get) I only have one Rolex and I like it for its simple design.