A reader question:
Dear Editor,
What is the thought on Rolex watches? I have never been interested in one, but my wife has proposed purchasing one for a big milestone. I think many models are gaudy and the culture around the brand has become a little over the top. However, the Explorer I is a beautiful watch and seems the be the most simple, iconic and affordable choice.
Personally I'm not a fan. My wife and I were having lunch at a nice hotel recently when a young couple came in and sat at the adjoining table. They were showing signs of " new money" with gucci handbag and leather rucksac etc. He was wearing a Rolex (everything looked brand new) But they didn't carry off the look of wealth. My wife looked at me and and grinned. I said new Rolex and she asked me how I knew. I said "gaudy" and she smiled
ReplyDeleteYou’re snobs, it limits you.
DeleteThank you. That's a nice compliment. I respect you're opinion even though you don't respect mine ( which I rather think limits you)
DeleteI'm with you. Not much of a fan of ostentatious displays of wealth.
DeleteThey are great watches, the issue is getting them...I have been on the AD list for an Explorer 2 for over 15 months...and I have purchase history. Pretty crazy. Gray market may be the way to go. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as someone who owned a Rolex Submariner his entire adult life, I think the prices have gotten out of hand the last decade. Still a great watch, but there are attractive alternatives.
ReplyDeleteFor example, if you want the same watch that was on James Bond's wrist in "Casino Royale", then I recommend the gorgeous blue-dialed Omega Seamaster: https://www.jomashop.com/omega-watch-210-30-42-20-03-001.html (That's the one Vesper asked him about on the train.)
Of course, if you want to impress somebody, then go for the solid gold Rolex President which will set you back a cool $60,000 (plus you'll probably need to hire a body guard to follow you around.) Interestingly, once upon a time, people thought I owned one of these. Actually, it was only a very good fake copy that I bought from an insistent street vendor in Port Said, Egypt. My "Gold Rolex President" set me back a total of 35 Cyprus Pounds (about 40 bucks). You couldn't really tell the difference unless you looked very closely, or felt the cheap metal.
Nowadays, I happily wear a Timex Easy Reader ($40) with the great Indiglow feature for dark time checks.
I purchased a submariner 27 years ago. It has been a great watch, a great investment and a pleasure to own. No reason to try and impress anyone. I just like things that work and work well. It is a great investment as it has done nothing but increase in value since originally purchased.
ReplyDeleteBought mine 54 years ago...
DeleteHow about a watch by Patek Phillipe? They are supposed to be the finest watches in the world and they seem less garish. The price tags are unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy that a few years ago the wristwatch business was all but over. Then it surged as people considered them the same as an accessory. The secondhand watch websites are crazy popular. It will take some research to find what you want. Do you like the Cartier Tank? I think they are very classic and excuse the pun - timeless.
ReplyDeleteRolex makes a very good watch.
ReplyDeleteRolex makes a vast array, ranging from very simple and unassuming to "hey, look at me!" big and gaudy. I have one of the simple ones, a stainless Oyster with a leather strap, that was given to me by my parents as a graduation gift from high school in 1967. Because of the sentimental value, I keep it running, but servicing it costs many times what the watch cost when new. It keeps time well but not as well as the Chopard my wife gave me and the Girard-Perregaux I inherited from my great grandfather. All three of those watches are simple, and I find that a good thing. Likewise for my Timex Expedition.
ReplyDeletei'd rather have the money compounding in my brokerage account. i'd rather be wealthy, than look wealthy. to each their own. makes the world go round.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you
DeleteI have an early aughts Datejust, boring but fine. I have others by Longines, Tudor, and some micro brands that are much more interesting. Wife has a Cartier. Can’t go wrong with an Explorer I in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteExplorer is a great underrated watch. Bought a Rolex 1601 Bimetallic Date Just in October 1975 . Runs like a sewing machine. Have a bit of experience with women's watches, gave my grandmother an Omega in 1966 that I picked up in Switzerland , Girlfriend # 1 Rolex Small Dial Gold Stainless, Girlfriend # 2 Cartier Tank Crocodile Strap . Girlfriend # 1 ended up being my bride acquired Large Cartier Tank with metal band, & Large Dial Chanel. My son's bride gave her heirlooms that I wore 1930's Gruen Veri Thin & 1950's Omega Seamaster 31 mm dial with crocodile straps. Arm wear appeal.
ReplyDeletePeople do not realize what it is. Makes a good story.
PS. In the early 80's in Houston, anybody with 2 nickels to rub together bought a Rolex. I semiretired mine. That's when the Swatch made it's debut. I still wear the same model today as a backup
I remember Houston in the early eighties well. There was a type who wore a gigantic gold Rolex with bracelet a bit loose, a suit with the pants cuffed too long, long enough for the fabric to pool over their Luccheses, and a starched white shirt. He usually carried a Halliburton brief case. I worked at Texas Commerce. It was a pretty safe bet that his net worth was at least eight digits, often more, and that we banked him.
DeleteI’ve worn a Submariner for years. In the military, I wanted a wristwatch that would provide me with the time and date when I wanted it not when it wanted to (such as a battery running down in the field). Therefore, an automatic watch or manual wind was the best option. I bought the Rolex sports model and it never let me down. Preppy? Trad? I could have cared less when my clothes were cammo and needed to put “steel in the target” at the right place and correct time. Not trying to be brash on the Rolex issue. It met a need. It still works. No need to even spend $40 on a Timex when mine is still showing me the time and date when I want it to.
ReplyDeleteRolex watches are great, they are expensive for sure and a lot of that is brand premium, but their quality is top notch, they will last for generations with minimum care. I think they are great pieces for milestones, graduation (probably not for high school or even college, but let's say med school), getting married, retirement you name it. Even better if they are passed down to you on those special occasions, my grandfather gave me his when I turned 30 and it is and will always be my favorite watch.
ReplyDelete