Reasons I’m not Interested in Rolex

All perfectly decent reasons

I don’t like cyclops and not that keen on Mercedes hands, so that kind of limits the choice. However, I can’t go with you on reason 5, there will be many Rolex owners/lovers who are watch people, a shame they can’t get hold of them any more because of the people you describe!

To me, this looks like a list of reasons to be talk down to Rolex owners. The Rolex explorer is another that fits your criteria. Does the Hamilton chronograph in your bio meet that size criteria?

I don't like them either. Too expensive, shiny and ugly. And the marketing philosophy is like "Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen." If I want to be treated badly I'll pay for a dominatrix. If Rolex ownership is a club, I don't want to be a member.

Hi; to me the explorer is basically still an OP.

I do own a Hamilton chronograph; and it will come up in my wrist check.

I like Rolex's, and respect your reasons for disliking them.

This place would be well boring if we all liked the same things!

✌

Absolutely; there are way too many watches for all of us to enjoy all the same things.

Here’s my take

Reasons 1-3 Rolex isn’t the only brand with the cyclops. Seiko and Panerai and many other brands use it. The size of the watch you prefer isn’t isolated to the Rolex catalog. Breitling and Panerai and many other catalogs give you the same issues.

Reason 4, In my experience no one really pays any attention to what a on your wrist. If your in an area where your worried about your watch your probably worried about your wallet, your car and safety.

Reason 5, I feel that lumping all Rolex wearers into one group is a little disheartening. There are lots of collectors that wear Rolex.

I believe the best thing about watches collecting is that there is something for everyone.

For disclosure I own a Rolex and if I get the opportunity to buy another one I will. However im far from a fan boy. I just happen to like boring watches.

I do wish Rolex made more no date watches or reduced the size of the cyclops

Let me flip it around, what watch in that price range are you actually considering? What are your pros of those watches and how would you compare them?

I think it is easy to dismiss watches we may never really get, but much harder when we are actually weighing a real world purchase. Regarding the sizing, Rolex sizes are notoriously overstated; IE the Rolex OP 41 is actually 39mm.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ofcourse you are totally free to express them. Since this is a watch discussion forum, i’m going to go ahead and offer my own opinion which goes totally against yours! All in the spirit of a fun discussion. Here it goes:

For me, if i had to pick out a brand that I consider “best”, particularly even best pound for pound watch in the industry, it’s Rolex hands down.

1) Quality. I have watches all the way from FP Journes to Casio Gshocks. Yes, if you’re talking about movement finishing, Rolex does not win. But if we talk about the quality and finish of the case, the bracelet, the clasp, the oysterflex, the materials, there is literally no other brand in my view that can compete with them, especially when you consider the retail price of a rolex.

2) Reliability: Despite rolex literally mass producing their watches, their movements are of top top quality. They also don’t just make 3 handers but actually have a totally in-house bht also “integrated” chronograph movement, a totally brand new annual calendar mechanism which requires no pushers, and a proper GMT movement as well. When it comes to their complicated movements, unlike many brands in this price point which may offer a modular solution, Rolex’s movements are totally integrated from the ground up, which obviously costs more to produce but imo is a much more elegant and reliable way to make movements. Furthermore Rolex movements really can take a beating and not many brands promise an accuracy of such tight tolerances as Rolex.

3) Design: Rolex is one of very few brands where they have a variety of models with distinct characteristics and metals across the entire line up. Typically a brand may have 1-2 “winners” in their brand but Rolex literally are scattered with “winners”. At least to my eyes, I love the design of the submariner, GMT, Daytona, Skydweller, Yachtmaster etc. Just makes you want to collect them as I find them to be very classic attractive designs.

4) Finally value. To me, the fact that a typical say Sport rolex trading at 2x their MSRP is more a sign of the value people put on their watches rather than just hype. Every time i read comments on forums there are talks of “fools” buying rolex from grey and they are ignorant to do so. But whilst I only buy new from AD, i do not think everyone who buys a rolex from a grey dealers are fools. The market dictates the prices and to me this is more evidence that Rolex is really pinching way above its weight class.

I used to share some of your views on Rolex.

I was certainly not a fan and I often joined in the negativity which is common on watchcrunch!

However to answer some of your points..

The cyclops serves a really useful purpose if like me you need reading glasses. It is also historically interesting and first featured on the datejust in or around 1953. Since then copied by a myriad of other brands. It's appearance is devisive but it carries out a useful function.

Size wise Rolex covers most of the bases in line with other manufacturers, no worse or better than the competition.

Rolex cost as much as they do because of supply and demand as you say. They are the world's most recognisable brand for a reason. If you can get one at retail arguably they represent value within their peer group. Certainly they do in terms of resale and sometimes as an investment.

I agree with your Reason 4. Certainly in London if you wear one in public you need to be aware of your surroundings. It's not for the faint hearted.

Your last reason that Rolex are not worn by watch people is completely wrong. Many collectors save long and hard to get one and once they own one it's a keeper for life.

It's true often the less subtle and more blingy models are bought and flipped by non watch individuals but that is the world we live in.

I paid retail for a datejust 41 from an excellent AD in London. I'm very happy with it and it will be with me for life. It may be the only Rolex I ever own.

I have changed my view on Rolex over the last couple of years. It may be, over time, that you feel more positive about them?

We’ll, I have watches less than $100 up to $10K. I do have the money, that if I really wanted a $5, $10 or $20K watch; I could buy one.

Would I spend that much on a Rolex? No.

Maybe a Vacheron overseas; JLC Master Control or Reverso; or a Lange. In fact the Saxonia and Reverso are really interesting to me.

I’ll leave the Rolex to those who really want one.

Is the Hamilton 36-38 mm and less than 47mm L2L?

Thanks for your thoughts. Picking out a few, I don’t think Rolex finishing is that great. I do agree with you about their clasps though. They beat up most brands with their adjustable clasps (everyone knows the glide lock right?).

On the ‘winners’ it is subjective. The submariner, GMT master (and Explorer 2), Daytona; are not winners for me. They are too big. If they had a 36, 37, or 38mm of those; like they do for the Yachtmaster, then they would be winners in my view (except for the cyclops).

Mine is 38mm and 45 lug length.

Well the VC overseas and Master Controller both violate reason 1 and 2 above. At that size, 90% of Rolex fits your criteria. So if it’s a no date Rolex, your reasons for not liking them are because people steel them and you hate Rolex owners. Did I miss anything?

Actually the overseas comes in multiple sizes, especially considering vintage. There are 37, 35 and 34mm. Not all have magnifyers. The new 34.5 looks good. My main negative is the butterfly clasp.

The movement for me is very special with Rolex and it’s definitely not the VW Beetles of movements. I see Rolex movements as a work of art, not from a finishing perspective but from an industrial production, movement technology, architecture perspective.

Look at the Rolex Calibre 9002 for example, the caliber 9002 features Rolex’s patented anti-magnetic nickel-phosphorus Chronergy escapement which combines high energy efficiency and dependability. It has 4Hz frequency, automatic winding,  traversing balance bring, free-sprung balance wheel, blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers, and the oscillating weight is fitted with an optimized ball bearing. The power reserve is 72 hours and all the while, this movement is COSC certified and Superlative tested to -2/+2 after being case up.

This is btw the movement inside the Rolex Skydweller, an annual calendar watch + GMT sub dial with absolutely no pushpins and controlled via a command bezel which turns to ensure water resistance of the watch. What other brand can manufacture this at scale, whilst maintaining the quality of the watch, all for a mere $14000.00. This to me is INSANE value in the watch market. What can you get for $14-$15K that is this complicated BUT Reliable?

Thank you. I think the finishing is of course VERY Subjective but let’s not forget the price point which is highly relevant as the more expensive a watch, generally speaking you will get better finishing. At the $8K-$15K level (which many of Rolex’s sit) I think the case finishing is probably the best or if not one of the top 3.

And this is not a challenge on you, but what other brands have better case/bracelet finishing at this price point? Personally I think IWC makes a very good bracelet with a similar glide lock style mechanism as well as user interchangeable links. Same with Cartier. Omega sometimes gets close but I think they are almost there but not quite. But apart from those, I can’t think of any other brand in this price range that has a superior bracelet, case finishing than Rolex.

Hi; thank you for your comments. I think the steel Rolex use has something to do with how they look (obviously). I’m not inclined to like that sheen. For me, in that price range, I like Breitling, JLC and Zenith.

One aspect you mentioned I strongly agree with. But that will wait until next month when I stir up the fans of another brand.

I’ve seen many of the same posts describing reasons why someone may not like Casio, Seiko or any other brand for that matter. I wouldn’t say it’s talking down to Rolex owners, everyone is entitled to like the watches they like.

I agree though 36mm explorer is a great watch, and one I would certainly consider buying one day, It is understated class! Maybe in replacement of my BB36 but I think they could coexist in the collection!

Unfortunately you are incorrect when it comes to reason 4. Many places in the UK it is absolutely unsafe to wear a Rolex (I wouldn’t even wear my Tudor). And we are not talking shady suburbs, we are talking city centres of and outside nice restaurants. And these criminals are specifically targeting watches. Wouldn’t stop me from owning the watch though providing you are street savvy.

I do not mean to project but I think your main problem could be with the price they are commanding in the market (not to mention that you can’t even get one).

I actually appreciate folks perspectives on why a watch or watch brand isn’t for them. Panerai is too big, Tag is too flashy, etc, but that’s not what this post was about. Reason 1 and 2 were not brand specific complaints. How can you say you like Breitling, but Rolex is too big. The aesthetic complaints were convenient McGuffins to get to the fourth point that Rolex owners are jerks. He later got excited about upsetting people with his next post. This type of thing deserves to be challenged because it was a generalization about other people, not a statement about taste.

It seems you do mean to project. If I really wanted one I’d just order one. They’re available any time on eBay, chrono24, etc. All anyone has to do is pay the going price.

I don’t have that problem where I live but I do agree that being aware of your surroundings is paramount. 🤝

Not sure how what I said could be taken offensively when I was literally affirming your reason 3. Where you asked why Rolex cost so much for the value you believe they are providing. The fact of the matter is, they are a luxury product and not meant to be attainable for everyone. Also, Most of your other points are not exclusive to Rolex……

You do raise a good point 👍