Rolex- the stupidest, lamest company

Kevin Peacocke said:

Pity, they are good watches, never give any issues. Take a trip over to South Africa, there are many stores in Johannesburg and Cape Town and I saw Charles Greig in Hyde Park has a good selection. Phone them. Then whilst you are here you may as well hunt a buffalo, like a Rolex safari!

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Kevin, thanks for the tip. I'll be there in late May on my way to/fro Zimbabwe. I'll check them out.

Ontario Hunter said:

I have never understood the attraction. Just a watch. I don't think they're particularly attractive and certainly not any more attractive than Seiko or Citizen ... and I wouldn't own one of those either. If buying certain brands of luxury shit is what it takes to project importance and power, I'm happy to appear to be one of the unwashed masses. I can find ways of being "exceptional" without caving in to idiot consumer marketing strategies. Many gifts to my late wife were pieces of wrecked, painted, broken antique furniture that we picked up for next to nothing and restored for her with my own hands. That meant a lot to her. I once bought her a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring for her birthday (shop was going out of business). I'm not sure she ever wore it. But she did wear her plain Jane wedding band every day and everywhere. That's it.

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Here we go again....same as someone possibly you put on what watch do you hunt with....for myself and plenty of my friends it has nothing to do with projecting importance and power.....its about liking and appreciating nice things...same as rifles..cars ..art etc....people collect different things because they like them......not saying some people don't buy them for that purpose...but then they will buy the most expensive or must have item....but don't go putting everyone in that category....kinda pisses me off when people come out with shit like that...

Sourdough said:

During Vietnam all SF soldiers were given a Rolex with the idea that they would have something to bargain with if they ever needed help.

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I have my Rolex Submariner because of the Special Forces heritage, just like my Randall Model 1. I bought it after the invasion of Iraq, and I’ve worn it to jump, dive, shoot, I never take it off except to sleep.

They’re an excellent investment, mine is worth about $20-30K and I have $4750 in it, plus I’ve enjoyed the hell out of it. Can’t really complain.

All SF soldiers were not issued a Rolex in Vietnam, most of them were bought on R&R in Thailand. The Navy did issue some to SEALs in later years, they’re very rare and sought after. The JFK Special Warfare center had a number of prominent SF members Rolexes in the museum at one point, they were very cool.

The AD scheme sucks, hardcore Rolex fans & collectors hate it too. No different the sports cars and other luxury items, I wouldn’t care one bit if Rolex canned all the ADs and went to brand stores but this is probably how it’s going to remain for the near future.

To add a little necessary perspective to this thread......yes, the current Rolex market is crazy, frustrating and challenging no doubt, however, the biggest factor to keep in mind is that Rolex hold their value and in most cases, increase in value because they are not so readily available. It's the same thing with special cars or fine firearms or your personal investments.....owning these things has to start somewhere and requires some effort. The secondary market is where this is proven out. Of course, there are many great watches out there that are easily the timekeeping equivalent of a Rolex, that's not the point. Luxury brands like Tudor, Omega, Grand Seiko etc and many more are just as good (or technically superior) at keeping time, not mention the numerous fine brands using generic movements or quartz movements, but a Rolex Sub, GMT, Explorer etc is a fine piece of kit, make no mistake, and your money is safe there. If Rolex flooded the market with their watches, they'd be no more valuable than a secondhand Omega, Tudor, Grand Seiko, Breitling etc, all of which I own and love,.....I'm not picking on those brands. Those watches are fantastic and readily available new at the mall or secondhand at 30%-40% off retail. Rolex is a foundation, not a publicly traded corporation like the mega watch groups and as such, they have a unique business plan.

Certainly this current market has (sadly) generated a degree of arrogance at many Rolex dealers that's very off-putting, but that's not universally true, again just like car dealers, gun dealers etc. My local Orlando Rolex AD is wonderful, so is the one in Los Angeles and another in Minneapolis. They keep a real wish list with your account (up to 3 models) and have a display box with any actual watches that are available for sale. I've gotten my watches at retail from them after regular, sincere visits, which more or less serves to confirm that I'm not just a flipper looking for a Sub to drop on Chrono24 the next day. I've also purchased Rolex at their various international airport AD locations, and that's simply a random chance deal. The guy that bounds to the AD's counter complaining about the waiting line/security guard at the door and demands to be presented a Sub after asking "how often do you need to change the battery in one of these things" is SOL. So, all that is to say, step back and take breath, enjoy the process, visit your local AD at an off-peak time and let them make you a coffee while you chat about watches, but don't insult people that have put in the effort to find the right Rolex watch (car, gun, etc). It's a luxury purchase like a fine rifle or special car and it doesn't work the same as buying a new Browning at Cabela's or a Garmin on Amazon. (I like Browning, Cabela's, Garmin etc)

The Jared Years: They had some beautiful inventory. I understand, liking what you like, but unobtainable for me.
A lot of companies have ridiculously unnecessary Corporate loops to jump through.
Looked at diamonds through the years, this was surreal. There is enough diamonds to put on every man woman & child in the world, with 8 billion Carat's left over.

spike.t said:

Here we go again....same as someone possibly you put on what watch do you hunt with....for myself and plenty of my friends it has nothing to do with projecting importance and power.....its about liking and appreciating nice things...same as rifles..cars ..art etc....people collect different things because they like them......not saying some people don't buy them for that purpose...but then they will buy the most expensive or must have item....but don't go putting everyone in that category....kinda pisses me off when people come out with shit like that...

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I agree. Pissed me off too. Not quite sure why the comment was made. I tend to never hear those comments in person. Mostly on internet forums.

The ONLY barrier to purchasing a luxury item should be the price. Scarcity is one thing, but games is another. I’ll spend my money where customers are valued.

fourfive8 said:

You nailed it exactly. Couldn’t agree more! @Ontario Hunter. Very wise…
This is my watch when I need to wear one for travel or for iPhone back up. Cheapo but reliable analog Casio with aftermarket nylon fabric, one piece, Velcro band

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Since I retired I don't wear a watch unless I am out hunting. Then it is a Timex Expedition. When the battery dies I just get another one.

Ontario Hunter said:

I have never understood the attraction. Just a watch. I don't think they're particularly attractive and certainly not any more attractive than Seiko or Citizen ... and I wouldn't own one of those either. If buying certain brands of luxury shit is what it takes to project importance and power, I'm happy to appear to be one of the unwashed masses. I can find ways of being "exceptional" without caving in to idiot consumer marketing strategies. Many gifts to my late wife were pieces of wrecked, painted, broken antique furniture that we picked up for next to nothing and restored for her with my own hands. That meant a lot to her. I once bought her a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring for her birthday (shop was going out of business). I'm not sure she ever wore it. But she did wear her plain Jane wedding band every day and everywhere. That's it.

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Edited: had to change the gif for a picture

I’ve got a thing I do where I don’t care what grown strangers spend their money on.

JoninCO said:

I’ve got a thing I do where I don’t care what other grown men spend their money on.

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Exactly.

JoninCO said:

I’ve got a thing I do where I don’t care what grown strangers spend their money on.

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Me too... I think I was 12

I just can’t get into expensive watches or any similar conspicuous consumption items. They have no value to me.

It the case of a Rolex most of its value is derived from marketing and designed scarcity.

I collect firearms. I love fine craftsmanship in accurate firearms. I also know guys who would collect every variation of a certain model of a maker's shotgun. When the collect was complete, they would sell the entire collection and start over. For them the hunt for the next one was the sport! Still others collect guns for their beauty or as investments. Me? I like to shoot mine and hit center when I do! Heck, I break even on my gun collecting and shooting, at best.

I've competed against international and national champions. The greatest shooters were always quite humble. But then others wanted to collect the next trophy.

The maker of my target M1911's doesn't collect guns. A shooting champion himself, he collects fine wristwatches. I've never seen him wear a Rolex although he owns many more than one.

Another friend has has a collection of over 200 heads of African game. That fine gentleman took them all with a stock M70 Classic in .375 H&H. He never had any reason to buy another rifle.

I've seen friend's car collections that most rarely get taken outside. They however love each and every one.

Then there are others who collect only adventures and experiences. A lot of them could care less about most material things.

Humans are all different and often unique in their own way. I wouldn't want it to change that!

Ontario Hunter said:

I have never understood the attraction. Just a watch. I don't think they're particularly attractive and certainly not any more attractive than Seiko or Citizen ... and I wouldn't own one of those either. If buying certain brands of luxury shit is what it takes to project importance and power, I'm happy to appear to be one of the unwashed masses. I can find ways of being "exceptional" without caving in to idiot consumer marketing strategies. Many gifts to my late wife were pieces of wrecked, painted, broken antique furniture that we picked up for next to nothing and restored for her with my own hands. That meant a lot to her. I once bought her a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring for her birthday (shop was going out of business). I'm not sure she ever wore it. But she did wear her plain Jane wedding band every day and everywhere. That's it.

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I wear long sleeve shirts, so nobody even knows that my Rolex is there, but I do. I appreciate it for it’s quality and craftsmanship, that it is always accurate and never stops. It is stainless steel, not gold, because that suits my needs. Sort of like the basic Heym in the double world, excellent but unadorned.
But hey, if a Baikal does it for you, so be it.

AzDave, the street fakes are cheap and easily to spot.

But some of the fake Rolex’s have great Swiss movement. And are very hard to tell if they are fake. You can get a high quality fake one for $300-$600

Try and buy a new Ferrari. Same kind of B.S
Even if I was filthy rich, I wouldn't do business with any product seller that makes me jump through numerous hoops, or acts like they are doing me a tremendous favor by allowing me to buy it.

What about Hublot?

Looks like the President is readily available online, for only $199.00!

With guaranteed safe checkout!

Ferrari does have the same rules. To keep people from flipping them. Like many luxury brands. If they catch you selling them too soon after buying new. You are banned from further new purchases. When you go on the wait list to buy a new Ferrari you agree not to flip it.

Doug3006 said:

The ONLY barrier to purchasing a luxury item should be the price. Scarcity is one thing, but games is another. I’ll spend my money where customers are valued.

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Then don’t buy guns or ammo. They do it far worse than the watch manufacturers.