Rolex is like Timex. Rock my Batman daily, get comments once in awhile all positive. Same with my white Explorer and blue Datejust.

My IWC never got any comments except from cognoscenti.

Comparing a Rolex to a Patek is like comparing a BMW to a Ferrari. It's laughable to consider a Patek low key but I guess those who know, know.

 

Rolex is the king of marketing. That's why people think it's 'the best', even though there are many, many superior brands.
It's really quite amazing - Rolex spews out over a million pieces a year and somehow convinces people they are rare and special!

 

What Rolex is doing with their stainless steel models is how Ferrari used to do business before going public and what Porsche is doing with GT cars. With Rolex it seems like a pretty recent phenomenon, always solid watches but not with the current hype.

Was thinking of trading my Batman for the new Pepsi but not really a fan of the Jubilee bracelet. Like my GT3, I do enjoy the fact that my Batman has kept it's value over the 5 years I've owned it.

 

What really makes a watch brand superior? Functionally, they just tell time, give date, have a stopwatch, etc., and cheap watches can do that well. Many cheap watches are waterproof or water resistant too. Some are more durable than others, but that can't justify a watch costing many thousands of dollars when cheap watches can last many years too. Aren't we mainly talking about jewelry, and for some, the status value of jewelry? With cars, at least there are lots of performance metrics we can look, and cars create a variety of experiences for us, rather than just sitting there on our wrists.

BTW, this thread has to win the award for most derailed thread in recent RL history.

 

Funny this has turned to watches. I'm a big fan of A.Lange, Patek and FPJourne. However I don't own any of them. I just have an omega, breitling and Rolex. Even though I really enjoy watches, I can't justify to myself spending the money for one. All of the watches I have were gifts.

 

 

^5522 and 5524...nice! Which one do you like better?

 

 

 

What's your support for "superior" at an equivalent price point? Rolex movements are among the most accurate and overall quality is very solid. Worldwide demand for Rolex is up and only recently has production been increased (but you won't see it immediately in availability however because a Rolex is in production over a year). The idea that Rolex is holding back production to create artificial demand is false - I understand they're at full capacity.

The higher gross profit % included in the higher price of a Patek also creates exclusivity, if that's your thing. Beautiful watch, but for $55k?

 

^ Yep, rarity can add to exclusivity and status, but doesn't have much to do with superiority.