Do you ever wonder why?

I’ve given up on Rolex. The watches might be good. But I’ll never know because I’ll never play the acquisition game. Homages are much better than bothering to chase a Rolex at an AD. I have a few Pagani Design homages, and they are okay. Recently I got a Steinhart, and that is light years ahead. I’ve never been able to have a Rolex to examine at an AD. But I truly believe that my Steinhart is every bit as good a watch, and it runs at +1 sec/day right out of the box.

No your not being stupid, these items which we have a huge affinity for are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them from new to preowned. Even in a Rolex dealer believe me is everyone stopped buying them they would soon drop in price.

Whatever the brand they essentially do the same job, some more accurately than others. Yes there the brand history from some to others but that doesn’t always mean it translates to perceived value. I.e. Rolex was founded in 1905 but Tissot was 1853 and F P Journe 1999.

I’m not saying Tissot are on a par with the other brands but they have far more history than both put together.

Everyone should buy what they like but as far as a purely time telling device a Rolex is not a better “watch” than a san Martin just because it cost 💯x more money

How san martin

Those are 2 great pieces 👊🏽

Homage watches have a place in this crazy watch collection world we live in LOL 🤣

I keep hearing great things from many owners about Steinhart.

I'm definitely getting a few more. Awesome watch.

Do you watch "I Like Watches" on YouTube? He just I posted a video comparing a Rolex GMT Master II and the San Martin homage to the same watch. Gotta say, Rolex should be embarrassed. The Rolex had a marker with a ding on it and the hours hand had a slight scratch, and the finish on the SM was at least as good, probably even better. And for $9k+ less.

I own 400 watches, across many price points, including several Rolexes and numerous other luxury brands, as well as Pagani and San Martin. I am not a snob and I believe most watches from credible brands these days are generally fairly well built.

That said, there is absolutely a quality and longevity to the higher end brands. I have Rolexes and Omegas from the 1960s through 1990s that are still looking and running great.

See us in 20 or 30 years when the Rolex is still running strong and the San Martin is?

I have never owned a luxury watch, but I handled a few. I agree that San Martin (and even some other Chinese brands) are definitely up there in terms of their quality. However, Rolex and other luxury brands are not about the quality. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still there, they are great watches, but they obviously don’t cost as much as they ask for them. And obviously the waiting lists and scarcity is bullshit to create that sort of demand. People running Rolex and other big brands are not stupid, they’re just doing business. And the niche they have been trying to occupy now is the luxury segment. They are making the brand luxury. There’s nothing luxurious about Rolex apart from the idea that has been created around it. People who have money could buy several Rolexes every week, so it’s not a big deal for them. That’s why such brands have to artificially create scarcity, support the demand, support the image of something desirable and not available for everyone. It’s true to any industry, take those ridiculously expensive and not particularly well-made Birken bags. It’s just how business works.

I think we have to be honest about that and just admit that it’s okay to buy something even if it’s not great value for money. Unless you want that value for money and are not interested in anything else.

Would I buy a Rolex if I had the money? Hell yeah, I really want a 36mm Explorer and a Datejust 😂 Would I buy them because they are worth it? No, I’d buy them cause I like the design and I like that they are Rolex. It’s that kind of thing when you kill all the birds with one stone: you buy quality, you confirm your status (not to the others, but to yourself), and you own a piece of well-established horological history.

However, if you don’t have the money or don’t need that, San Martin or microbrands would be the best options.

Your Rolex doesn’t have a NH35 movement so it’ll likely last longer and definitely resell better.

So you don't wear the Rolex?!?!

I don't disagree with your point but it is a very limited and face value perspective. There is a whole lot more going on than the sum of its parts. There is a difference there too but ultimately these are all just watches. Enjoy what you enjoy!

You're the little boy calling out the emperor with no clothes

It's not that Rolex is bad, per sei, its just there are so many heavy hitters in the micro space (especially with a mindset that the watch is a sum of its parts.

Can’t help you. My (admittedly frugal) collection ranges from $20 - $700 and I’ve yet to find a solid reason to spend more. 🤝

Brand cache matters and drives price in every item not just luxury watches - cars, clothing, cereal, even lunch meat. I mean I like Boars Head as much as the next guy, but is it really twice as good as a store brand? I don't own a San Martin but I've heard great things and I have many micro brands that I love as much as my Longines Master Collection.

I like San Martin. I don't own one yet. The only one I'm interested in really is the Aventurine dial

Just my 2 cents. I've never owned a Rolex, IWC, etc. But I can't believe that these types of watches aren't superior to the Paganis, Tissots, etc that I own just from an engineering and manufacturing perspective. My basis for this opinion is that I've worked on many makes of cars, electronic equipment, and other machines over my career and the differences between the prestige brands and the generic brands are obvious and profound. For example, I just purchased a couple of air tools from Harbor Freight. They look great, work well, and got the job done. But compared to the professional grade air tools I've owned for 40 years, the construction is full of compromises. I can't imagine they would last 10 years in the hands of a professional mechanic. The same can be said for my welder, drill press, and many car engines as well. I think one does pay a premium for the name, but that name recognition was most likely achieved on merit and reputation.

What’s your YouTube page?

My channel is infinitekronos. Thanks for asking and thanks in advance for checking it out.

Cool,thanks.I’ll check it out

Thanks for looking!

Just saw a couple of your reviews.I like your straight to the point reviews.

Thank you for your feedback. I really appreciate you checking out my channel.

Don’t do invicta,just saw your 1953 review.Learned a few things,keep ‘em coming.Thank you.

I'm equivocating on this. The Rolex, as others have observed, has decades-longevity - and will be looked-after, not only because of the investment in it. The SM could end up in a charity shop window after 3 years, broken, or, still-loved too. And I say that as someone who might yet buy an SM, and who has succumbed to a couple of 'cheapo' NH35s. A Rolex is not out of reach for me - the justification, currently, is; but I would value the Rolex more (actually, I think I'd like a JLC), and it's an heirloom - the SM isn't that, but so what, if you love it, in the moment. As I say, it's a bit of a debate. Espresso time ...

Some of those things on the list are correct, and others aren't. Please have a look at the "I Like Watches" YouTube channel. He compares a Rolex with a San martin under macro, and believe or not in certain areas the SM comes out on top

Yep. This video is creating quite a sensation apparently.

I’ll have a look at it later today but I doubt it’s fully honnest. Has the Rolex been tampered with? Any financial bias from the channel?

May be I’ll be proven wrong (wich would explain the humongous waitlists on SM watches… 😃)

I have never heard of a wait list for SM watches. I have owned loads in the past, and very one has been excellent. I no longer like homages, so the only one of their watches I have now is the SN0131, however they do have a selection of other original designs. I may have mentioned earlier, but they use the same brushing technique as Grand Seiko

I think you are absolutely correct.

Correct. Parts and service for the Rolex and Omega models won't be an issue in 20 years. And the watches, if well cared for will maintain decent value at minimum.

The SMs and other Ali brands will just be refuse by then.

Of note, have owned at least eight Rolex/Omega models. Currently own none. Have owned many Ali brands, currently own none.