Love or Hate Rolex?
I'll never own a Rolex unless a long-lost "uncle" dies, leaving me a fortune. Nonetheless, I have read about and thought about them often; how can I not be a collector? Today, I wondered, "Are they as controversial and polarizing as they appear?"
I realized I might be the rare one in the middle. There's one I'd love to have, a Polar Explorer 2, the 16570. There are only a couple of others I like, but I doubt that, even if I had the money to own a few, I would probably not buy them because I know that for the same money, I could afford at least two better-quality pieces. So, I have mixed feelings about them.
What about you? How polarized are we, as a group of collectors, who are presumably more knowledgeable about watches than the general public? I'm curious. Hence, a poll.
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Dave
I'm a retired 76 yr old engineer living in Seattle. I like to hike, write, play chess and watch movies. I have a collection of 7 watches and love to talk about, look at, and think about watches. Yes,...
Seattle
Member since
Last active: 3 min ago
6.75” / 17.15 cm
I don’t hate Rolex. But I don’t own one and likely never will because I do hate the Rolex Acquisition Game. No way I can tolerate the BS.
I don't hate any watch. It makes little sense to me to feel that way about an inanimate object. Rolex makes a quality watch and that is indisputable. That people dislike what ADs do is a whole different thing. I enjoy my Rolex.
My relationship with Rolex is the same as my relationship with Bentley. I'll never own one even if I had the money.
Don't put Rolex brand on a pedestal, they're good watches but if you cannot realistically afford a new or even pre-owned watch you like, I wouldn't dwell too much on them. There are plenty of watches within your budget range that are arguably just as good, better value for money and will earn respect from fellow watch enthusiasts... the only watch opinions that really matter other than your own preference of course. 👍🏽
I don't hate any watch. It makes little sense to me to feel that way about an inanimate object. Rolex makes a quality watch and that is indisputable. That people dislike what ADs do is a whole different thing. I enjoy my Rolex.
Yeah pretty much
Amazing marketing company.
Haven’t owned one yet due to ridiculous acquisition game as previously mentioned. I want to enjoy watches now!!
A good looking watch, is a good looking watch.
AD games aren't for everyone, self included. But some of the watches they make, boring or not, are iconic and look good.
By actual, strict, definition, a grail of mine is an issued (preferably EOD/UDT) Milsub. Runner up would be a Tornek-Rayville UDT or Tudor Prince LHD issued.
Rolex is the Taylor Swift of watches: If either faces criticism, the world burns
My relationship with Rolex is the same as my relationship with Bentley. I'll never own one even if I had the money.
This
I’m a watch lover. I own several Rolexes and San Martin homages and etc etc.
The thing I love most about Rolex is their resistance to change. They are very late to adopt a fad if ever.
I don’t hate Rolex. But I don’t own one and likely never will because I do hate the Rolex Acquisition Game. No way I can tolerate the BS.
This
Rolex makes excellent watches. Is it something I crave and ready to give my first born for? Absolutely not. But, if I can afford it at some time, I will get one if I like it at that time.
They're the best mass produced watches, but also over priced and lose people with the AD game. I won't own one for those two reasons. I also don't like Mercedes hands. I would be open to a Sky Dweller if the price was right and was readily available.
Would I love to own some models? Yeah! I would love to own a Skydweller, a ceramic Daytona, a GMT Master II and a Datejust. But I hate that they skyrocketed to almost unobtainable price points.
They’re good watches. Some of the feedback you hear on the forums relates to the AD games, not the actual watches. The watches are 👌🏼
So, I took the "it's complicated" route.
I think, in the end, it's all just personal preference :-)
Thanks for the replies. I'm surprised at the responses so far, far less haters than I expected based on my experience on two forums and an FB watch group.
I don’t hate Rolex. In fact, I really like some of their designs. However, I don’t like that everyone knows the brand and can at least tell that the watch is worth a few thousand. Where I live (Germany) the brand is also associated with people just buying one to show they can. Overall that’s not how I want to be perceived, so I would prefer watches in that price bracket which are more “under the radar” (JLC for example)
Like some of them, don't like most (really dislike round indices - irrational I know) .
Don't like the brand image/associations.
Yes I'd have one, but there's other brands I prefer
Most folks do not believe me when I say the watches are great but not special, I am looking for something more than what most Rolex watches offer the enthusiast.
Here's the curse Rolex has brought upon themselves; their customers buy their watches for the wrong reason(s).
They've become a 'need' watch. The 'I need to look cool. I need to be blingin', flashy. I need to look overly successful.' watch line.
Me? I don't 'need' any of the above. Plus, I'd NEVER play their 'waiting for the call' game.
And in pure horological terms, they're adequate. Certainly nothing that justifies their cult-like fan worship.
Like some of them, don't like most (really dislike round indices - irrational I know) .
Don't like the brand image/associations.
Yes I'd have one, but there's other brands I prefer
No matter the brand, I'm not a 'dot' fan either. It takes away too much of the overall appearance of a piece.
Amazing marketing company.
Haven’t owned one yet due to ridiculous acquisition game as previously mentioned. I want to enjoy watches now!!
The MUT moon phase is on my shortlist for my first JLC purchase 👏🏽
Here's the curse Rolex has brought upon themselves; their customers buy their watches for the wrong reason(s).
They've become a 'need' watch. The 'I need to look cool. I need to be blingin', flashy. I need to look overly successful.' watch line.
Me? I don't 'need' any of the above. Plus, I'd NEVER play their 'waiting for the call' game.
And in pure horological terms, they're adequate. Certainly nothing that justifies their cult-like fan worship.
Sadly, considering the massive profits Rolex has been repeating from the current marketing strategy, they'll hardly consider it a 'curse' until interest and sales drop off massively
Sadly, considering the massive profits Rolex has been repeating from the current marketing strategy, they'll hardly consider it a 'curse' until interest and sales drop off massively
To be clear, Rolex can float in their dough. And they are. But you now hear of many disgruntled (existing or potential) customers like never before. Plus, to many, they've tarnished their own reputation.
But then again, obviously, many still don't mind playing their games and overpaying for their product. Maybe it's simply explained as a reverse psychology marketing method. Treat them badly and they flock to you?
To be clear, Rolex can float in their dough. And they are. But you now hear of many disgruntled (existing or potential) customers like never before. Plus, to many, they've tarnished their own reputation.
But then again, obviously, many still don't mind playing their games and overpaying for their product. Maybe it's simply explained as a reverse psychology marketing method. Treat them badly and they flock to you?
That's basic human psychology game, especially when it comes to men & women relationships, make something harder to get, the more desirable it becomes.
And modern marketing = 100% human psychology manipulation, it actually has very detestable origins
That's basic human psychology game, especially when it comes to men & women relationships, make something harder to get, the more desirable it becomes.
And modern marketing = 100% human psychology manipulation, it actually has very detestable origins
Well, I for one, will never participate in such lunacy. Love watches. Don't love games & manipulation. 💪!
Well, I for one, will never participate in such lunacy. Love watches. Don't love games & manipulation. 💪!
Sadly it's hard to 'unstupid' the vast majority of the cash spending population on whom a lot of marketing tricks work.
Same reasons why a lot of people fall for religious brainwashing and political biased rhetoric, they all use tricks from the same playbook
Marsha Marsha Marsha. Rolex Rolex Rolex. Duane.......... Black Diamond, WA. 98010