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Just help me with this question please

tikkathree
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I don't "get" Rolex, as a brand, as individual designs, nothing at all. I never have. Just complete disinterest.

I've just been asked by someone thumbing through a glossy sunday paper magazine supplement "So what makes Rolex watches so special?" and I can't answer the question. I've resorted to google and been directed to a number of blogs which make brand positive statements like "they hold their value" and "they are completely unique to other watch brands" but don't address the basic question (I guess because the writer is already in love with Rolex).

So really, and in a way that won't test the patience of a non-watch person who happily wears an IWC, what is it about Rolex?

Or is it all fluff and market perception?
 
time flies
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tikkathree tikkathree
I don't "get" Rolex, as a brand, as individual designs, nothing at all. I never have. Just complete disinterest.

I've just been asked by someone thumbing through a glossy sunday paper magazine supplement "So what makes Rolex watches so special?" and I can't answer the question. I've resorted to google and been directed to a number of blogs which make brand positive statements like "they hold their value" and "they are completely unique to other watch brands" but don't address the basic question (I guess because the writer is already in love with Rolex).

So really, and in a way that won't test the patience of a non-watch person who happily wears an IWC, what is it about Rolex?

Or is it all fluff and market perception?
Yes.

Have fun
kfw
 
Gasman
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A lot of the hype is down to marketing also with other things. If you play golf two of the top names are callaway and ping because of good marketing. This runs through lots of things in life. As is repeated throughout this forum and others, wear what you like not what others say.
 
ag986
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They do make good products and despite their outstanding marketing program, you've managed to outwit them. Congratulations! 馃榾
 
gatorcpa
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tikkathree tikkathree
what is it about Rolex?
The watches were very, very well made.

I own one, a 1950鈥檚 Oyster Perpetual. I believe that every watch collection should have one. Every time I wind it up, I realize that the quality is a little better than the other brands of that era. So I understand the desire, all other things being equal.

What I don鈥檛 get is the extreme demand for certain models, to the point where a small difference in the placement of a dot or line means thousands of dollars in value. And don鈥檛 get me started on the celebrity worshipping.

However, Rolex isn鈥檛 the only watch company doing that.
gatorcpa
 
Larry S
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The squirrel gave me my moniker over answering a question like this .... all you need to do is put one on, wear it every day and you will understand. I have an idiot friend who's had a sub for 30 years and has never serviced it. Still keeps perfect time despite my pleading with him to get it serviced. They are just perfectly evolved tool watches with classic design, a high level of finishing and a proven record of durability. Oh and I own a modern GMT and two vintage.
 
Starman71
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Imagine what would happen if a car company made just a few models of cars of exceptional quality back in the 50s. Now imagine that in the last 70 years they stuck with only those models and did nothing but improve and refine every tiny aspect. No matter your love for Omega and other brands, if you put a Submariner or GMT on your wrist, you just about can鈥檛 take it off.

Now the price tag you are willing to pay to get it on your wrist, that鈥檚 where the marketing comes in.
 
akshayluc420
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'Holding their value' is a major consideration for collectors and as an investment. However I feel that Rolex isn't necessarily 'special', they just make some REALLY good quality watches. Having said that, I honestly believe that their steel cased watches are pretty overpriced, and that's where marketing and brand value come in.

For me, special would be a DeButhane and Moser & Cie, a direct correlation to engineering, limited availability and unique design. It doesn't have to be haute horology either, Zenith and their El Primero is what I believe a fine example of a special movement that's comparatively affordable. Just my 2 cents...
 
abrod520
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Past quality (when it was important as you relied on it daily) + masterful marketing (when seeing them on the wrists of Sir Edmund Hillary and Jacques Cousteau meant something, rather than them being paid "brand ambassadors") = current reputation
 
Seacow
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I think it all come down to quality of the watch, history of the brand, and high investment return.

馃槑
 
stefman
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Amazingly well manufactured watches with amazing marketing at a price that is not stratospheric (think Patek). I think it鈥檚 hard to find any other brand that matches that.
 
Sherbie
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Quote:

Imagine what would happen if a car company made just a few models of cars of exceptional quality back in the 50s. Now imagine that in the last 70 years they stuck with only those models and did nothing but improve and refine every tiny aspect.

Unquote

Isn鈥檛 that what Porsche has done with the 911 ?

Its worked for them, so why not Rolex too?
Edited:
 
CaptainWinsor
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I agree it鈥檚 all marketing. They are no better no worse IMO. I don鈥檛 want one but I also don鈥檛 begrudge anyone who does.
 
Uniqez
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Well, maybe because they were able to come up with timeless design, robust movements etc...Or maybe because they were part of the history...Che Guevara had one, Pablo Escobar had one, JFK had one, Churchill had one, Elvis had one, Steve McQueen had one, Paul Newman had one, frankly, even James Bond had one at some point. This list will be endless. Or maybe because it is most recognizable watch brand name worldwide.
If you get stuck in the middle of nowhere with no money, but with Rolex on your wrist, you could definitely get money for it.
Can't believe Google didn't know the answer)
 
U
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Don't be hatin' on the excellent marketing of Rolex! If advertising didn't work, there wouldn't be commercials and billboards. Nearly everyone wants to be Rolex in the watch business. Their brand name is known as a symbol of success. One very esteemed watch collector I know once said he witnessed 249 DateJusts and 1 Zenith (on his wrist) at a franchise owner's meeting for his company that 250 attended. 馃槣

One thing often overlooked about Rolex is that they're one of the best values among in-house Swiss watch companies. Along with JLC, where else do you get so many great choices for as little money without going to ETA, Sellita, or Asian calibers? Rolexes are built like tractors, designed to tolerate negligent to nearly abusive owners and keep on running - yet they have a pleasant utilitarian look and decent finish to them as well.
 
tikkathree
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Larry S Larry S
The squirrel gave me my moniker over answering a question like this .... all you need to do is put one on, wear it every day and you will understand. I have an idiot friend who's had a sub for 30 years and has never serviced it. Still keeps perfect time despite my pleading with him to get it serviced. They are just perfectly evolved tool watches with classic design, a high level of finishing and a proven record of durability. Oh and I own a modern GMT and two vintage.


"wear it every day"? I'll need to think this through....
 
tikkathree
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Sherbie Sherbie
Quote:

Imagine what would happen if a car company made just a few models of cars of exceptional quality back in the 50s. Now imagine that in the last 70 years they stuck with only those models and did nothing but improve and refine every tiny aspect.

Unquote

Isn鈥檛 that what Porsche has done with the 911 ?

Its worked for them, so why not Rolex too?

"Is 鈥檛 that what Porsche has done with the 911 ?"
Ah, now I understand.
 
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