Trying on a old Rolex “rant” sorry haha
I was in the shopping centre the other day and they is a few watch shops and a couple that sell pre owned Rolex’s. I normally have a look at them there nominally a few subs and Daytona’s and I’ve seen the prices coming down on them. But still to high for me to justify then I seen a two tone datejust on a jubilee from the early 2000’s for about £7k.
I tried it on but to be honest it felt rubbish for the asking price. I get it’s a 20 year old watch. But the bracelet felt and looked on par with a seiko5 that’s not knocking the seiko’s but they are affordable watches not a luxury watch. The dial wasn’t anything special as well when you looked at it closely to be honest.
It made me think who? is paying these prices £7k for a 20 year old mass produced watch. Are they that desperate to own a Rolex they are willing to pay above and beyond and how good of a job Rolex have done at marketing to get people this way!
I understand with new models people paying more it’s supply and demand. However they are new 1/3 years old with all the new features I still think they are overpriced but all watches are now. I also find it a bit weird that the company that seems to sell the most watches in the market when looking at graphs according to “YouTube” is also the same company that you can’t just walk in and buy a watch from at the same time. But that’s a different story for another time
Would like to get people’s thoughts on this am I just a poor guy that can’t afford £7k on a old obsolete watch? And people with lots of money don’t care because £7k is nothing to them?
I will say they are a cool classic iconic watch but it’s still old and dated compared to a modern one
A adventurer will a thing for watches hoping to share my adventures and the watches I wear wile on them
Every has different behaviours and feelings.
Some buy for status, some for reaching goals, memories and so on.
You’ve tried it and didn’t fulfilled your passion. Move on and look forward for the next special one ☝️
The old Rolex bracelets were definitely pretty crappy compared to current ones, but there is more to a watch than the bracelet. There is obviously a huge marketing/status component with Rolex, but they are also well built watches with solid movements, and even a 20-30 year old Rolex should be keeping good time and not really be any more obsolete than any other mechanical watch.
It’s “horses for courses” isn’t it. To you, and to many, the vintage Rolex isn’t worth it. But to lots of other people it’s a grail watch and worth every penny.
As for price, I guess something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. If people weren’t willing to pay £7k the price would soon drop.
It’s “horses for courses” isn’t it. To you, and to many, the vintage Rolex isn’t worth it. But to lots of other people it’s a grail watch and worth every penny.
As for price, I guess something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. If people weren’t willing to pay £7k the price would soon drop.
True
Can't argue your point really. You have to admire Rolex as they obviously have for years known exactly what they're doing. I've admired a few over the years as seen on other people's wrists, but never been tempted to fall for it as it soon became apparent that there were many equally good or even better alternatives for less money. I tend to feel similarly about Omega these days, even though I have a smidge more respect for their history.
Can't argue your point really. You have to admire Rolex as they obviously have for years known exactly what they're doing. I've admired a few over the years as seen on other people's wrists, but never been tempted to fall for it as it soon became apparent that there were many equally good or even better alternatives for less money. I tend to feel similarly about Omega these days, even though I have a smidge more respect for their history.
Yeah it all just comes down to price for me I can’t justify paying more something second hand then you pay new if they where less second hand like most of the other brands but that would upset the investors and dealers so that’s never going to happen ha
Ive just accepted Rolex isn't for me, nor I for them.
Im even almost to the point that if one was ever gifted to me, I'd probably sell it to get the watches I actually want.
Ive just accepted Rolex isn't for me, nor I for them.
Im even almost to the point that if one was ever gifted to me, I'd probably sell it to get the watches I actually want.
I do like them to be honest they have a lot of iconic watches
I do like them to be honest they have a lot of iconic watches
I like them, but I think it's because I've been conditioned to like them. All their marketing is aspirational. You're supposed to want one. I find them all a little blah..., except the Milgauss.
After some soul searching though, the largest reason I've ever wanted one was to say to the world, "I'm successful!"
I don't need that validation.
Hawaiian shirt, aviator sunglasses, two tone rollie while sipping fruity cocktails on the aft deck. California dreaming...
I like them, but I think it's because I've been conditioned to like them. All their marketing is aspirational. You're supposed to want one. I find them all a little blah..., except the Milgauss.
After some soul searching though, the largest reason I've ever wanted one was to say to the world, "I'm successful!"
I don't need that validation.
To be honest I’ve never looked at them in that way I know a lot of people do my idea of success is having a family and that is my goal I want to be a dad and a family man one day i would happily give up all my watches for that
Hawaiian shirt, aviator sunglasses, two tone rollie while sipping fruity cocktails on the aft deck. California dreaming...
Yeah all the way
You have to go really old to get seriously cool - Rolex Oyster perpetual date in the 1950's (35mm) is so cool. Also check out other classics like the Universal Geneve Polerouter.
There are three drivers to vintage value - brand, condition and rarity. If you understand these, you'll know why some old watches are expensive.
The thing with rolex is that the marketing is so good it's no longer a watch, it's a symbol. There was a post on here where someone wrote that owning a Rolex made you sophisticated and successful (it doesn't) and so many non watch people believe this that they are happy to pay for this status. I was at work today and a colleague walked in wearing a Rolex hulk/kermit and I didn't even comment on it, because I knew he was not a watch enthusiast, he just has the money for it.
What was the comment you deleted? I'm curious as to what you had to say.
Lol I tried on a 90’s bluesy and it felt almost identical to my Pro Diver.
You said it all OP: "I will say they are a cool classic iconic watch but it’s still old and dated compared to a modern one."
It is literally old and not modern but it's iconic for a reason.
I am a Rolex guy but prefer modern. You're a guy who doesn't care for Rolex and there is nothing wrong with that either.
Glad to focus on what I enjoy and not what I don't.
You said it all OP: "I will say they are a cool classic iconic watch but it’s still old and dated compared to a modern one."
It is literally old and not modern but it's iconic for a reason.
I am a Rolex guy but prefer modern. You're a guy who doesn't care for Rolex and there is nothing wrong with that either.
Glad to focus on what I enjoy and not what I don't.
I’m not against Rolex I do like I’m more against the ridiculous second hand pieces of them but I think most people are as well.
apart of the people that are selling them haha
If you were a watch person would you comment on one of these
They are all cool looking watches them
The thing with rolex is that the marketing is so good it's no longer a watch, it's a symbol. There was a post on here where someone wrote that owning a Rolex made you sophisticated and successful (it doesn't) and so many non watch people believe this that they are happy to pay for this status. I was at work today and a colleague walked in wearing a Rolex hulk/kermit and I didn't even comment on it, because I knew he was not a watch enthusiast, he just has the money for it.
You’re right in saying it is a symbol for many. But still I feel it’s a bit harsh to dismiss non-watch enthusiasts for buying what is still an incredible watch (the Kermit in your example).
At the end of the day, you don’t have to be steeped in knowledge to know a good product when you see it.
Hawaiian shirt, aviator sunglasses, two tone rollie while sipping fruity cocktails on the aft deck. California dreaming...
Haha, until you said California, I was thinking Magnum, PI. I don't remember if his GMT Master II was two tone or not. 🤔
for me vintage datejusts, although no more up to date with modern standards, are cool as f*ck....there is some unmatched nonchalance, casualness about them
They’re definitely rattlier than the 6 digit references, but aesthetically (to me) five digit Rolexes batter their modern counterparts, especially the 11 references with the wideboy cases. I would allow a house full of 116610 submariners burn to the ground to save one 16610
for me vintage datejusts, although no more up to date with modern standards, are cool as f*ck....there is some unmatched nonchalance, casualness about them
Yeah I agree with you on that they do have the cool factor 😎
You’re right in saying it is a symbol for many. But still I feel it’s a bit harsh to dismiss non-watch enthusiasts for buying what is still an incredible watch (the Kermit in your example).
At the end of the day, you don’t have to be steeped in knowledge to know a good product when you see it.
The watch alone wasn't the reason I didn't talk to them about watches, it was that along with all the other conversations we had already had about life in general. If it was the first time I had seen him I would probably have said something.
They’re definitely rattlier than the 6 digit references, but aesthetically (to me) five digit Rolexes batter their modern counterparts, especially the 11 references with the wideboy cases. I would allow a house full of 116610 submariners burn to the ground to save one 16610
Not clue what you are talking about 🙈I can’t even remember my car number plate number 🤣 I really like the look of the 1990s 2000s subs but what I would really like is a 1990 cases with a modern movement and there new bracelet and ceramic bezel and for it to be fully lumed as well haha
Actually I believe a new Rolex at retail prices from the AD are a tremendous value for you get. I think Rolex makes the best mass produced products in the world. (Before Rolex I believe that title went to Mercedes or BMW, but Rolex has taken that title)
The problem is the secondary market and the inflated prices from demand of their choice pieces. A GMT Pepsi or Batman at £9k is a tremendous value, but at £20k that’s an outrageous price.
You’re right in saying it is a symbol for many. But still I feel it’s a bit harsh to dismiss non-watch enthusiasts for buying what is still an incredible watch (the Kermit in your example).
At the end of the day, you don’t have to be steeped in knowledge to know a good product when you see it.
To be honest if he comes in wearing a different watch then I will probably bring it up. I can't see many people getting a hulk/kermit as their only Rolex.
for me vintage datejusts, although no more up to date with modern standards, are cool as f*ck....there is some unmatched nonchalance, casualness about them
Cyclops on watches bug me, so I'm not a fan of the datejust but I do like this OP
I agree. My 50s Rolex feels cheap and cheesy. Hate the bracelet. Really prefer new sapphire crystal with anti glare. Brackets with micro adjust. This Rolex has the spring loaded expanding bracelet designed to pinch hair all the time. Even my early 90s watches seem to be lacking. Too small too illegible. I think we are in a golden era of mechanical watches currently