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any watch afficianados or collectors around?

gwuMACaddict said:
a reputable jeweler is not going to charge him more than retail. if he wants to pay over retail for that watch, i think he's a huge sucker. or that we just don't see eye to eye with respect to taste in watches :eek:

yes, it is some amazing marketing by rolex.
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Hmm, I've been into watches virtually my whole life, first as a hobby, and now professionally. Rolex Daytonas have virtually always sold for more than their MSRP. But the current Daytonas take the cake at 50% above.

So I guess that means that there aren't too many reputable Rolex dealers out there? Not there there aren't some who don't mind *giving away* three grand and sell it for MSRP, but they are the exception not the rule.

PS If you have found a Rolex dealer who is willing to forgo the extra cash, post a link, because there are many Rolex aficionados who would appreciate the tip :)
 
in my years of collecting and (limited) dealing, the people i have worked with have *never* sold a rolex for more than it's MSRP. this includes dealers across the US. perhaps its because of the relationships i've formed with them over the years.

paying more than retail for that watch is ridiculous. any dealer that sells it first hand and claims to be an authorized rolex dealer ought to lose their privlage to carry the brand, in my opinion.

and the price has come down anyway recently, as people ar wising up. i know of three different ones for sale in DC- quoted prices of $7000 flat out. its stupid to pay that much for that watch.
 
gwuMACaddict said:
in my years of collecting and (limited) dealing, the people i have worked with have *never* sold a rolex for more than it's MSRP. this includes dealers across the US. perhaps its because of the relationships i've formed with them over the years.
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That's true. Most dealers, Rolex or otherwise, tend to work closely and honestly with those that have supported them over the years.
 
gwuMACaddict said:
i like the IWC the best, based on your collection. seems like you gravitate towards big watches? that trend started a few years ago, i'm not a big fan... i just dont like how the big watches look on me.

stainless daytona, eh? how long have you been waiting? how long do you anticipate waiting? for the money- approx $6000 US, right? i'd get something like a jaeger reverso, or a blanpain. :D
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:)

It's fair to say that the watches in my current 'collection' are on the largish side (especially the Panerai), but I'm a fan of all shape and sized watches.

The design of the IWC is my favourite (I like the classic look) and is the watch I wear for dressy occasions. The Panerai is my daily watch due to its solid construction (I reckon it could survive a direct hit in a nuclear blast :D) and the Rolex was given to me by my father and is only brought out now and again.

The Rolex is my most prized possession due to it being given to me by my dad and I currently have a real mental block in sending it away to Rolex to be serviced just in-case it gets lost/damaged. Sadly it's badly in need of a good clean/service so I guess it's best to send it sooner rather than later...

I ordered the Daytona just over a year ago and am expecting to be waiting for another 3-4 years yet. The wait is killing me, but in my opinion there's something deeply uncool about paying over RRP, therefore I'll wait :)() :)
I've heard of some Rolex retailers selling SS Daytona's to 'friends' for RRP and those 'friends' being the people who charge the premium (no doubt with the retailer receiving some sort of thank you... ;)). Any officially recognised Rolex distributer who attmepted to sell a new Rolex for more than the RRP would be instantly struck off from what I've been told. This has not stopped new SS Daytona's from being made available for approx £6k in the UK and approx £9k in Hong Kong.

There are a few other watches which I wouldn't mind getting my hands on (specifically an original blue face Heuer Monaco) but I'm currently content with those I have.

Though, I do constantly have an eye on this site and this site ;) :D
 
nice link... interesting site. i think i had been directed to them before when i was looking for a specific piece, but ended up dealing with someone locally
 
I was flipping through a watch magazine today and remembered this thread. Back from the abyss again :D

I was thinking of getting an Explorer I, which goes for ¥350,000 here in Japan ($3,369) but then I saw the Omega Seamaster with blue face that goes for ¥150,000 ($1,444.) What, besides the Rolex name, makes it so much more expensive? I know why Apple is priced higher, but I'm having a hard time figuring out the deal with Rolex.

Even-though I only have one, I'm a big Omega fan and like their designs.

Last year in summer I went to Switzerland, and in the Prada shop in Zurich I found a limited edition Prada watch by IWC. In the store it cost about Sfr4,500 ($3,774) and we decided against it. Over here in Japan, I've seen it go for around ¥670,000 ($6,450) :eek: Maybe I should've bought it afterall ... :rolleyes:
 
The Rolex Explorer is the sure way to go, a true great watch and there is due a Rolex price increase in the next few days, sport model Rolex's are in high demand and will go even higher, I just attended the Miami Beach Antique show (lots of modern and vintage watches) and asking prices were high on all Rolex, I also sold a few Rolex watches and the market is hotter than I have ever seen, but 5300cs please go and get that explorer, I just puchased an early (1958) Rolex GMT Ref. 6542 this model has no crown guards the crown just sticks out on the case with no protective sides, I was very happy to find this model!
 
why do you like the rolex? do you actually like the design? or are you attracted to the status symbol that society attaches to it? why are you buying it- is it for sport/dress/casual?

i have always felt that rolex is one of the most overrated brands around. their movements are bland, undecorated, uninspired. you can beat the crap out of them though
 
gwuMACaddict said:
why do you like the rolex? do you actually like the design? or are you attracted to the status symbol that society attaches to it? why are you buying it- is it for sport/dress/casual?

i have always felt that rolex is one of the most overrated brands around. their movements are bland, undecorated, uninspired. you can beat the crap out of them though
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For most of the reasons you posted, stupidly enough (on my part) :rolleyes:

I like the Seamaster though, because of the design. This one looks just like the Explorer. I thought though, that for twice the price with the Rolex, I'd get twice the quality, but if that's not the case then forget about it.
 
there is nothing wrong with liking a watch for those reasons, its all personal taste. for instance, i actually like the look of the rolex better than the omega that you linked to.

if i were you, i would look at a few different models from IWC, Breitling, Bell & Ross, Fortis, Panerai, etc

those companies all make large, sporty watches that i think you would like
 
5300cs said:
Er, so you'd recommend the Rolex over the Omega then. Is Rolex of better quality?
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I personally don't think that the Rolex movements are any better than the Omega ones, other than the fact that they are exclusive to Rolex. Whereas the Omega ones, the co-axial excluded, are not - eg Omega Caliber 1120 = ETA Caliber 2892/A2 plus 2 extra jewels and slightly more fancy decoration. Both companies movements are very accurate and reliable.

On the other hand though, the Rolex watch cases are superior to Omega's, and virtually every other stainless steel watch available out there. The reason is that every watch manufacturer in Switzerland makes their cases out of 316L stainless steel, whereas Rolex make theirs from 904L stainless steel. The raw material alone costs about 5 times more than the regular 316L.

The main advantage of the 904L over the 316L is that it is considerably more corrosion resistant. A moot point for those people like me who prefer titanium anyway :)

As for why the Rolex costs so much more? IMHO, while the case and movement probably contribute to a small increase in manufacturing costs compared to Omega, the major reasons are Rolex's marketing costs and profit margins are a lot higher than Omega's too. Rolex's marketing strategy obviously pays good dividends as their watches hold their value much better than most others, excepting certain models from Patek Philippe and other collectible pieces. Please note that this is just my own personal opinion. Your mileage may vary.
 
*sigh* Thanks for the advice, but it ends up making my decision harder.
I like the Rolex because of the design, and because of the name. It'd be nice for me to have a Rolex, and if it uses better materials then it is probably worth the extra money.
On the other hand I like Omega because I already have one, and I like their understated, quiet elegance. I also have a thing about brand loyalty.
I also like Mondaine, but they seem to be far from luxury watches. I also have a Tag Heuer and more than a few Swatches.
My mother being from Switzerland, I'm partial to Swiss watches :D
 
That is the great thing about watches, so many models, brands and styles and stuff you realy need to choose from like a moonphase and split seconds chronograph, I have a Corum Peary meteorite and it has a beautiful moonphase dial but how often do I need to know the lunar cycle, I guess never would be the real answer but it does look cool. The chronograph is another great looking complication and yes I love them, but how often have I used one for anything of the slightest importance, never! The Omega Seamaster in the link is a great watch but it is a little plain for me, it looks too similar to the Rolex, the quality is great and the price is affordable it does use an ETA movement which is good and tough. I do have a similar Omega with a very nice blue dial which uses the Co Axle escapement but the watch looks almost like a Rolex DateJust, the escapement is meant to run without oil (old oil causes the movement to run poorly) but this escapement is not so resistant to shock. Get the watch that is you and fits your lifestyle, it is all in the eye of the beholder, 100s of amazing designs but just not enough cash. The Rolex will always win, the designes & styles are all dated but have become classics but the quality is as good as it gets, in 30 years time that explorer will still be working and looking good but the Omega will have been put in a draw and forgoten
 
PigDog said:
The Rolex will always win, the designes & styles are all dated but have become classics but the quality is as good as it gets, in 30 years time that explorer will still be working and looking good but the Omega will have been put in a draw and forgoten
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Are you saying the Omega will be in the drawer because its design will be outdated or because it will not be working as well and hasn’t aged as well as the Rolex?
 
PigDog said:
...100s of amazing designs but just not enough cash.
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Amen to that. Thank god I'm married, or I'd be wearing my Rolexs to McD's everynight :rolleyes:

PigDog said:
... in 30 years time that explorer will still be working and looking good but the Omega will have been put in a draw and forgoten
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I'm not sure I can agree with you here: I tend not to forget things I like. Especially things I've paid over $1,500 for
 
The Rolex Explorer is now a classic and has a great following, and it is also a statement of style, as stupid as it goes thats just a fact. The Omega Seamaster is a great well designed and great looking watch and it just does not carry the same statement and never will. But the classic Omega Speedmaster chrono (back dial) does make or carry a cool factor in the watch world. But it is more money than the Seamaster, but then I am biased because I love them all.
 
i am of the opinion that wearing a rolex also makes a statement that 'i'm far too stupid to spend my money on a similarly priced jaeger lecoultre or blancpain or breguet'

every watch makes a different statement to different people. i, for one, am never impressed with a rolex on a wrist.
 
gwuMACaddict said:
i am of the opinion that wearing a rolex also makes a statement that 'i'm far too stupid to spend my money on a similarly priced ... i, for one, am never impressed with a rolex on a wrist.
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I was too, at first. I dislike all the gold Rolexs. Also the Submariner series, while it has a cool name, it worn by every Tom, Dick & Harry. This is why I like the Explorer I; it has an understated elegance to it.

Today after work I went with my wife to a place that sells used brand goods. They had this Aqua Terra Seamaster on display. New, about $1200. I tried it on, and while it was nice, I also tried on a nearby Explorer I and found it to be lighter and more subtle.


I'm about 75% sure that I want the Explorer, now where am I gonna get the $3,000 to pay for it? Before that though, how am I going to convince the wife? :( :rolleyes:
 
The Rolex explorer is a cool statement, and it is a very tough and resistant watch, the Jaeger LeCoultre, Blancpain and Breguet and also great watches but are more expensive, the Blancpain & Breguet are 2 to 3 times the price of a similar Rolex, the Blancpain Flyback chrono is beautiful but has a fragile movement, I have had this watch and it just cannot stay in the same tough group as Rolex & Omega. Are you going to the beach or snow bording? The Seamaster or Explorer will take any amount of rough treatment and still be working but do not take the chance with the other 3 or you will be in need to fix them!
 
PigDog said:
Are you going to the beach or snow bording?
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No WORSE, I work in a junior high school. Some people call me crazy for wearing nice watches at school, but my Speedmaster and Kirium are still going strong. Most kids don't know what they are and tap them saying "WAS THIS EXPENSIVE??" until I tell them how much and they stop :D

You seem to be very knowledgeable about watches. I wish I knew as much. Time to hit the books
 
The Explorer and Omega Co axle, I love them both the Omega in your last link, it is a great watch but do not drop it!
 
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I repaired a 1970s Timex of a teacher last year it was his first watch, I fixed it, but it came back again because he had to seperate 2 girls and it lost its crystal.
 
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