Apple Watch vs Rolex

[anez]

Its idiotic thinking like this that makes me question the kind of person that purchases and defends the AW.

...But there are people posting here who own multiple fine mechanicals that have not seen wear since the Apple Watch. I know because I'm one of them. I don't like my watches any less than I did before, but the simple fact is I'm hesitant to wear two watches at once. Since I "lose out on" more by leaving the Apple Watch off my wrist than a Rolex, for me the choice is fairly simple.

Not everyone will perceive value in the Watch, and that's fine. It's not for everyone. However, it's hardly idiotic to conclude that some people will set aside their mechanical watches in favor of the Apple Watch because it's already happening. We can't yet know if this shift will be wide-spread or even permanent ifor those who have switched over to a smartwatch, but it is undeniably a reality for some people right now.

People will define anything they find value in. The AW has been immensely useful to me on a daily basis, so yes: I will defend it. I don't want this to be the only version ever made. I am hoping that smartwatches will still be available (and be better) in five, ten, twenty years time.

I don't see why someone wanting to continue the use of something they find useful requires questioning, but that's just me.

 

[Arran]

Not unless it's worn as jewelry...

True. But "Real Men" don't wear jewelry! Haha!

Watches (even quite fancy ones) have always been exempt from this rule because they were regarded as tools for business. They had a primary purpose that wasn't decorative. Very manly and purposeful.

But if you're already wearing a simple and HIGHLY functional, Apple watch, there really is no need to simultaneously wear another less functional, but glitzy, watch.

So the old mechanical becomes mere decoration at that point. A vanity item. Not that there's anything necessarily wrong with that.

 

[r0k]

The 5th generation Apple watch will be a tatoo that pairs with your cerebral cortex iPhone 11 implant using theta waves. Then you can wear your Rolex on top of it and move the Rolex to the side to see your email alerts.

Just sayin'

 

[usarioclave]

<shrug> My dad worn a rolex since 1970, and you couldn't pry his sport 42 off of his wrist if you tried.

 

[UFG]

I'll chime in with my experience here. I'm pretty young, in my 20s. I've been a mechanical watch guy for most of my life. I know movements, brands, and the watch industry in general. For a while I was designing and 3d printing watch cases and fitting them with mechanical movements (Unitas 6497/6498 and ETA 2824 clones) and sapphire crystals that I sourced from China. I've gone to a number of exclusive watch events hosted by Breguet and Blancpain, and I used to often step into watch stores just to chat with other knowledgeable people.

After I got my Apple Watch (stainless steel, classic buckle--the wire lugs a nod to the classic 1936 radiomir prototype), I just don't really wear my mechanicals anymore, and I seem to have lost a lot of interest in watchmaking as well. And to be perfectly honest, I don't really feel like I miss any of it.

My favorite feature of the watch? That it's a great watch. I also love having multiple time zones, the weather, and stocks on my watch face. If it had nothing else, I'd be happy. However, notifications are a boon, as are multiple watch faces. Overall, I've been very happy with the watch, and I've already downsized my mechanical collection significantly.

In terms of passing things down to my future kids... I'd rather pass down knowledge, great memories, guidance, love, humility, and a lot of passive income streams so that they may live the life I never could. But maybe I can give them one of my handmade mechanical watches as well.

 

[richpjr]

I own a Rolex and an Omega watch and they are superb time pieces that will last forever. I have really been struggling with whether or not to pick up an Apple watch. I would never wear both a mechanical and AW at the same time as that seems pretty ridiculous to me (no offense intended to any of you double wristers). The AW obviously does many more things than a mechanical watch does so it's not an apples to apples comparison. But if I went the AW way I'd likely not ever wear a mechanical watch again. The AW is a "disposable" device that will need to be replaced every year or two as newer, faster, thinner, more feature filled models come out. It is inevitable. Sure, it would continue to function as it current does and I could always replace the battery and keep using it, how realistic is that? How many people still use the first generation iPhone? Contrast that to my Omega that I have had for about 25 years and my Rolex for 10 and they will literally work the rest of my life. But they just do one thing...

 

[zetaplus93]

I own a Rolex and an Omega watch and they are superb time pieces that will last forever. I have really been struggling with whether or not to pick up an Apple watch. I would never wear both a mechanical and AW at the same time as that seems pretty ridiculous to me (no offense intended to any of you double wristers). The AW obviously does many more things than a mechanical watch does so it's not an apples to apples comparison. But if I went the AW way I'd likely not ever wear a mechanical watch again. The AW is a "disposable" device that will need to be replaced every year or two as newer, faster, thinner, more feature filled models come out. It is inevitable. Sure, it would continue to function as it current does and I could always replace the battery and keep using it, how realistic is that? How many people still use the first generation iPhone? Contrast that to my Omega that I have had for about 25 years and my Rolex for 10 and they will literally work the rest of my life. But they just do one thing...

If the finances work, and you're intrigued enough, you could wear the AW on busier days (i.e. working, traveling) and your traditional watches on relaxing days. You get to enjoy both.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

If the finances work, and you're intrigued enough, you could wear the AW on busier days (i.e. working, traveling) and your traditional watches on relaxing days. You get to enjoy both.

That's in theory, but some members seem unable to do this as they'd rather not miss out on notifications even on relaxing days. For them, once you go Apple Watch, you don't go back.

 

[richpjr]

That's in theory, but some members seem unable to do this as they'd rather not miss out on notifications even on relaxing days. For them, once you go Apple Watch, you don't go back.

I'd probably do that if I get one - the point of getting one for me would be to use it all the time.

 

[r0k]

That's in theory, but some members seem unable to do this as they'd rather not miss out on notifications even on relaxing days. For them, once you go Apple Watch, you don't go back.

That's me. I kept my Citizen ECO drive watches around but I now see it's time to sell them. I wear my AW on the weekend as well as during the week. If I don't want to be bothered with alerts, I invoke DND on my phone and it quiets the watch as well. One killer app for me is the weather. I absolutely love the way it works. Little clouds around the clock face (I know that for some of you it's little suns but I live in Michigan). If you tap the watch face it changes to temperatures. Tap again and it changes to rain chances. Brilliant. It allows me to plan outdoor activities by simply glancing at my wrist, not fumbling with a computer or even my phone or waiting for one of those radio announcers to get done talking about the public shaming of the day* long enough to give the weather. *(today I think it's something to do with Lions)

There is already a precedent for a "smarter than merely mechanical" watch. There are a handful of Citizen models that set the clock by over the air radio. I would imagine that companies like Citizen, Seiko and Casio will start offering features beyond merely setting the time OTA and features like weather might start showing up on "not quite smart" watches.

 

[zetaplus93]

That's in theory, but some members seem unable to do this as they'd rather not miss out on notifications even on relaxing days. For them, once you go Apple Watch, you don't go back.

Yup I know. But richpjr mentioned that they're struggling with the decision, so thought I'd bring up another viewpoint that may push them over the edge.

 

[birnando]

I have already stated my views on this topic above but do feel the need to add one more argument for my mechanical watches. Battery. I spend quite a few weekends out in nature.. Be it camping, skiing or mountaineering. Right now, the AW is as useful as used toilet-paper out there when going on a walkabout

 

[Night Spring]

If the finances work, and you're intrigued enough, you could wear the AW on busier days (i.e. working, traveling) and your traditional watches on relaxing days. You get to enjoy both.

That's in theory, but some members seem unable to do this as they'd rather not miss out on notifications even on relaxing days. For them, once you go Apple Watch, you don't go back.

Notifications is useful, but I think what really makes people wear the Apple watch all the time rather than switch it out with other watches is if you use the activity tracking. You don't wear the Apple watch for a day, or even just for half a day, and you miss out on filling your activity circles. And then you don't get your perfect week and perfect month badges. So if you want those badges, you've got to wear the Apple watch, and your Rolex sits in the drawer.

 

[jasie02]

All of my normal watches, included Rolex, are all sitting in my drawer safety and comfortable, and I don't expect they will see any sunlight soon.

Here is problem for me, once I realize there are hundred if not thousand things I could do with AW, and do they with ease, mostly with one or couple click, I no longer have any desired to use any other normal watch. For me, it is just too easy to choose between able to do 100s/1000s things vs 1/2/3 things.
Notification, email, message, phone call, weather, temperature, my house temperature, garage opening through alarm.com, knowing when sunrise/sunset/dusk which very useful to plan outdoor activity, tide, activity tracking, calculator, mute/unmute my webex meeting, control AppleTV/DirectTV, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc…...most important, without have to unlock my iPhone to use all these function, and no more search for other remote device.

As much as I like all other mechanical watch I have. They will likely forever to be collective item, just like a any other collective car, only get to use once a blue moon.

So is it more valuable a watch hold value after time, or a watch use everything days, 365 out of 365 days a year, 12+ hrs daily?

 

[UFG]

I'd also like to add that if we look at net present value calculations over 30 years of buying one Rolex submariner (stainless steel, $7000) versus buying one Apple watch ($700) every 2 years with a discount rate of 8%, we can see that the Apple watch is still almost half the price of the Rolex submariner. Rolex recommends service every 5 years for their watches at a cost of $600.

The NPV of 15 Apple watches over the course of 30 years is $4489, while the NPV of the Rolex + service every 5 years over 30 years is $7960. Thus, we can see that even buying a new Apple watch every 2 years is cheaper than one rolex today.

Math:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CVa66op1J4LyaahjLU03V7yiwjD0m1AGmR2B-7ETB4Y/edit?usp=sharing

(Breakeven discount rate is ~1.2%)

 

[hallidc]

I'd also like to add that if we look at net present value calculations over 30 years of buying one Rolex submariner (stainless steel, $7000) versus buying one Apple watch ($700) every 2 years with a discount rate of 8%, we can see that the Apple watch is still almost half the price of the Rolex submariner. Rolex recommends service every 5 years for their watches at a cost of $600.

The NPV of 15 Apple watches over the course of 30 years is $4489, while the NPV of the Rolex + service every 5 years over 30 years is $7960. Thus, we can see that even buying a new Apple watch every 2 years is cheaper than one rolex today.

Math:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CVa66op1J4LyaahjLU03V7yiwjD0m1AGmR2B-7ETB4Y/edit?usp=sharing

(Breakeven discount rate is ~1.2%)

Interesting read, thought I would chime in on saying Rolex has now upped the recommended service period to 10 years

 

[BarracksSi]

Interesting read, thought I would chime in on saying Rolex has now upped the recommended service period to 10 years

And, if you broaden the term "Rolex" to mean "mechanical watch", you could get a sub-$200 Seiko automatic, never service it, and replace it with another when it finally breaks down in twenty years. This could work out to $500 for forty years of battery-free wristwatch ownership.

Just saying ….

 

[AleXXXa]

Wow I did not know that at all. That's good to know thanks for the insight I've always just seen Rolex as the ultimate timepiece that would just never lose much value lol but ya learn something new everyday haha

Yeah. They raise their prices every few years. The only Rolex i like is the Submariner and i still remember it was around $2k when i was a kid (early 90s). Now it's around $8k i believe for the base model (steel case, steel bracelet, no date)
The original Submariner was <$200 in the late '50s. That's ~$1.5k in todays money (i've adjusted the original price with 2015 inflation).

So yeah, that's why they never lose value.
In other words, the cake is a lie.

 

[UFG]

Might as well get a $20 Casio and replace that every 7 years when the battery dies.

 

[baker5721]

I'd also like to add that if we look at net present value calculations over 30 years of buying one Rolex submariner (stainless steel, $7000) versus buying one Apple watch ($700) every 2 years with a discount rate of 8%, we can see that the Apple watch is still almost half the price of the Rolex submariner. Rolex recommends service every 5 years for their watches at a cost of $600.

The NPV of 15 Apple watches over the course of 30 years is $4489, while the NPV of the Rolex + service every 5 years over 30 years is $7960. Thus, we can see that even buying a new Apple watch every 2 years is cheaper than one rolex today.

Math:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CVa66op1J4LyaahjLU03V7yiwjD0m1AGmR2B-7ETB4Y/edit?usp=sharing

(Breakeven discount rate is ~1.2%)

Your math doesn't make any sense to me regardless, but you seem to have disregarded salvage value and the fact that a Rolex is going to appreciate over 30 years.

 

[baker5721]

They're different things. My Rolex is one of my most prized possession at this point- I'll have it for the rest of my life. Analyzing the differences in the form/function of the two and trying to attribute some kind of intrinsic value seems pointless.

 

[r0k]

Might as well get a $20 Casio and replace that every 7 years when the battery dies.

Or get the tatoo from one of my previous posts. You never have to replace it and it's right twice a day!

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I'd also like to add that if we look at net present value calculations over 30 years of buying one Rolex submariner (stainless steel, $7000) versus buying one Apple watch ($700) every 2 years with a discount rate of 8%, we can see that the Apple watch is still almost half the price of the Rolex submariner. Rolex recommends service every 5 years for their watches at a cost of $600.

The NPV of 15 Apple watches over the course of 30 years is $4489, while the NPV of the Rolex + service every 5 years over 30 years is $7960. Thus, we can see that even buying a new Apple watch every 2 years is cheaper than one rolex today.

Math:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CVa66op1J4LyaahjLU03V7yiwjD0m1AGmR2B-7ETB4Y/edit?usp=sharing

(Breakeven discount rate is ~1.2%)

Now do the same math for Apple Watch Edition. Then the Edition, rather than the Rolex, becomes the ultimate "I have money!" status symbol.

 

[OllyW]

Rolex recommends service every 5 years for their watches at a cost of $600.

It's now been extended to 10 years (and the warranty increased to five years) so you need to recalculate.

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/rolex-5-year-warranty-all-new-watches-10-year-service-intervals/

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

No offence to the OP here but I fail to see how a Rolex or any other dive watch can be compared sensibly to the Apple watch. One is a mechanical wristwatch engineered to tell the time and in some cases the date, time your dive etc. The other is a wrist mounted gadget that is effectively a remote control for your iPhone. They are not even remotely close in who they are designed to target.

If you buy a Rolex it will always be a Rolex. You can pass it on after you die and it will always be worth quite a lot of money. You don't lose a lot on your investment. The current Apple watch is a cool gadget but ultimately in many years to come it will either be completely redundant and sat in the back of a drawer gathering dust, or recycled into something else. Rolex have a rich history in timekeeping and decades of brand prestige. It's perfectly possible to own both (if you can) but in this scenario it's not one or the other. One is a luxury watch and an investment and the other is an electronic wearable that will have a shelf life like anything else in its category.

If I add up how much I've spent on iPhones, I could have bought an Omega Seamaster. Guess which one will still be relevant in 20 years time?