Rolex = Household name; Luxury = exclusivity. The two do not align for me. Nothing wrong with a Rolex, but if I were wearing that Parmigiani Fleurier (stealth wealth) and somebody recognized the piece, it would be a good conversation starter. With a Rolex it's likely that it would lead to a conversation I may not want to have. Great video and a great watch thanks Bill. By the way is that Kalpa XL? It has great wrist presence.
Hey Carsten! The full name of my watch is 'Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Grande.' The movement is a PF331 that is a base caliber at Parmigiani. The particular tonneau shape of the case with the big horn lugs is proprietary to Parmigiani Fleurier. In some respects, it's my 'Rolex in that it's all stainless steel and big and tough.'However, my Kalpa has a sapphire exhibition window so I can see the movement and the 22k gold rotor. Sort of like a Rolex with whipped cream on top with a cherry. ; >) Cheers, Bill
I honestly don’t understand why you don’t have more subscribers, you present intelligent knowledgeable discussions. Tell us more about your surfing days! I love your videos about good deals on high horology. Thanks to you I’m saving my money for a JLC master control. I’m slowly getting there, I hope by July. Thank you for what you do and how you do it.
Hey Fakename, thanks man. I'm happy with the number and quality of subscribers. Most watch collectors have a fairly focused range of watches in their collections, including Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling and other watches that don't get a lot of coverage in my videos. Only certain people are interested in watch collection beyond a certain range, and those are the people with whom I enjoy having these interchanges with. Kindest regards, Bill
I don't really think the Rolex hate has anything to do with the watches. It's more AD hate. Go into a AD and get laughed at for trying to buy their watch, be told you need to buy a bunch of garbage they can't sell and they may consider you. Watches going out the backdoor. I like some Rolex watches but I do hope the Rolex market crashes.
Hi Win. The prices have risen to the point where Rolexes are barely affordable to their customer base. More and more of the watch market is moving online and we may see more of that as the brick & mortar shops get put out of business by online retailers and super-retailers. Rolex, like just about every watch brand is in for a rough ride for a while. Whenever I've been in our local Rolex shop, they always try and sell me one. They can see by the watches I wear that Rolexes aren't exactly the level of horology I'm seeking... now there's a switch for you. Take care, Bill
Interesting discussion! I have to say that most of the time the watches you discuss are either not my cup of tea or way WAY out of my price range but- I never fail to learn something new about watches and watch collection when I come here. Like life in general it's all about keeping an open mind and having enough confidence in your collecting preferences that you can respect and learn from the preferences of others.
Good points Anthony. As a collector, I want to get the best possible watch that I can afford; not what's popular, but what has good horological value. What's most fun for me is to locate watches with excellent horological characteristics at a low prices because others are not interested in them. So many diamonds in the coal mine! If a person doesn't have a lot of money (which often as not is me!), that's ok. You cannot put a price on the appreciation of quality. Kindest regards, Bill
Rolex is one of the strongest brands of any type of product worldwide according to analysts who value brands. So of course there will be lots of hate like hate for Windows software etc. Also Rolex makes a lot of watches and sells a lot of watches annually. So they are not as exclusive and on UA-cam and the Internet often you have people looking to pay the Rolex price but get a lesser produced or more artistic or more complicated watch in the grey market. Like comparing a new Toyota FJ Cruiser versus a used Mercedes with mileage. People always looking to differentiate and maximizing price point value. Just human behavior. For a daily watch Rolex is very durable, you can really swim with them and knock them against doors and drop them. Not for everyone but nothing in life is... I added a deep sea blue after I kept dropping more delicate watches and while it is a bit large it is indestructible and good fun for its tool watch purpose.
For the same price you could have bought something better than Rolex..that is just as reliable and is a reasonable daily wearer. Rolexes at RRP and the second hand market are terrible value for money, but they still are good watches.
I will make an admission... I don't buy watches for resale so maybe I have a different perspective. Watches I buy will go to family in the will, I couldn't care less about resale value. I am one if those idiots who buys pricey cars new as well because even though I lose half the value within 24 hours of driving them off the lot, I like the process of ordering them and picking my options etc. From financial point of view not smart at all but I buy some things (definitely not all) for love over money :) I love the robust engineering that goes into a good Rolex even though it is clearly not the best watch in the world for complication or bespoke design craftmanship etc. Everyone is different :)
I'm with you Stuck!! Buy a watch to keep; not to flip. Later if you have to trade it in, you'll have enjoyed it far more than a watch bought only to be re-sold at a minimum loss! Cheers, Bill
Hi AA, here's what I would suggest: the Tudor Black Bay GMT in Pepsi bezel: www.gphg.org/horlogerie/en/watches/black-bay-gmt For the price, looks and function, it's hard to beat - not to mention the COSC Calibre MT5652 movement, it's a sweet timepiece. Cheers, Bill
Choosing to own or buying an expensive watch like Rolex is simple a matter of individual preference, simply that and nothing else, not much different from choosing to buy a car of a certain make or clothes from a specific designer. The difference between a watch lover and the average watch owner is that a watch lover is not influenced or persuaded by the monetary aspect of it but rather by the craftsmanship quality and beauty of the watch!
Yes, John, it is a matter of preference and given the price of watches; not unlike buying a car. And, like buying a car, watch owners, especially of a single brand like Rolex, may have little knowledge of horology outside of a narrow but hugely popular focus and lobby for the brand they're married to. I advocate for getting the broadest and deepest possible understanding of watches and base decisions on a wide spectrum rather than a narrow, restrictive view. Then the choice of the watch collector is based on very firm ground and not hyperbole. The choice may be a Rolex or it may be something else. However, it's an informed choice, and those I believe are the best kind. With kindest regards, bill
There are also those Rolex aficionados who really love specific Rolexes (particularly the divers and tool watches) who have no love for the Oyster Perpetual, the Cellini, etc. Some Rolex owners aren't really watch lovers. But it seems as though there are a fair number of Rolex Sub and Deap Sea owners who, in general, aren't Rolex lovers.
Hi Bill, I wear a Citizen around the property (farm) a Tudor Pelagos for other outdoor pursuits ie coffee and maybe swimming, 4WDing. It's my off property watch, however my wife recently became ill and I feel wearing a "Professional/ Sports" Rolex to visit Medical Specialists opens doors because everybody recognises the watch. It's an unspoken thing, maybe a flex as you would say but it's a recognition that occurs unconsciously . The watch is instantly recognisable, where others aren't. Maybe they just see $$$$$ but who cares as long as my wife gets the best.
Don't own a modern Rolex, but I do believe they are great watches. My opinion is that they are overpriced for what you get. If I am going to spend 7k+ for a watch, it probably wouldn't be Rolex. I am a fan of their GMT models. I think its odd to brag about watches, it sort of would be like bragging about your shoes. I love all of my watches from cheapest to priciest, and just happy I get to enjoy them. Good topic, good show....
Hey JR! I wouldn't mind having an Explorer II Polar GMT, but my Zenith Elite GMT does just fine and is super accurate. You're right, enjoy what you have and get on with your life! Cheers, Bill
I kind of agree that they aren't much bang for buck, but hard to call them over-priced when they are so easy to get your money back on. The market clearly disagree's with us.
I followed a kind of trajectory in buying watches: after experiencing my first Rolex, my Omega just seemed to lose a little of its gloss - in some difficult-to-describe way. But after experiencing my Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms special edition my Rolex suddenly seemed "ordinary" (for want of a better word.) Rolex are produced to extremely high quality control standards - but ultimately they retain the soul and essence of a mass produced item, IMO. If you look at a Blancpain caliber at x15 magnification you can literally see the brushing and meticulously hand-polished edges of each component! Aesthetics aside, the timekeeping of the Blancpain caliber is also noticeably better than Rolex. My Rolex is certainly within the stated range +/- 2 seconds per day - which is pretty damn good by any average standards. But when it comes to Blancpain we are talking about something which is adjusted in 6 positions and seems to work almost by witchcraft! There is zero perceptible drift - week after week! Probably there is some compensating gain-versus-loss going on due to the typical positioning of the watch through 24 hours. But still... (Of course I still own the Rolex, because they are a kind of investment. But it rarely comes out of the safe these days.)
Interesting story Jay, and it may be the story of all watch collectors whose collections change over time and they come to appreciate a wider spectrum of brands and features. That Blancpain FF is a honey of a watch! Cheers, Bill
Bill, bottom line is there ‘s nothing wrong about any particular brand...buy what you like! If that ‘s Rolex (or any other brand) then so be it. Enjoy your watch...and enjoy life!
I think you're right about those stages. Initially I always thought they were the end all be all of watches. Then as I learned more, I didn't hold them up as high, but in the end, it is what it is...it's not the best or worse, it's just an all-around solid built time piece by a innovated, recognizable brand that will be around for a long time. They retain their value better than most, timeless designed (for the most part), and should be relatively not too difficult/or cost prohibited for your grandchild to get it serviced.
The fact they retain their value is not a good point, because you have to make the initial investment. They hold so much of your money for what you get (not good value for money). Why not get a heavily discounted JLC or Zenith for the same price (if not cheaper)??? They are just as robust with much better finished watches.
algorithm007ify Great point. The price fissure for Rolexes aren't as deep as some great brands like you've mentioned like the JLC and Zenith. Both are deserving of more credit than they receive. As far as my earlier statement, I should have put a little more context to it. They may not be a great value for the money, but are easy to sell without losing too much of your initial investment. Grant it, if your a savvy patient buyer like Bill Sanders you can get much better with your initial investment, but I was speaking in general terms (i.e. general retail price). I think that's why I enjoy this channel so much. It has really open my eyes up to the possibility of what I could get for my money. Anyways, it was just my opinion. I'm wondering though. Do you have any suggestions for an everyday (business casual) JLC or Zenith? I really like JLC's Memovox; however, I prefer my watches with a bracelet.
@@algorithm007ify bcs a rolex 14060 or 16700 or 16570 and many others doubled in value over the last few years while the jlc still costs the same A jlc will cost more to service, will be easier scratched and a hard sell. I love high horology but i get rolex and why people prefer them.
Rolex supply grey market (on-line retails) with watches if they sell them above MSRP before Rolex supply Authorised Dealers.. also Rolex retail prices have increased by 300% in 10 years...
Hi Steven. I've seen Rolexes for $3,995 that retail for $5,050. So that means that they must be getting them from somewhere other than Rolex? Maybe from dealers who went out of business? Thanks, Bill
some models more popular.. I really think they are over priced, like a few other brands and perhaps the demand reflects that. I've nearly bought a few times and each time I've just thought too expensive.
badass looking, durable, cheap to service, can do manual work in and not care too much about scratching, wore my sub to my old shelf stacking job when i was poor all the time, cant ask for more in a functional affordable everyday watch
Hey Saddampuh!!! That is so good to hear about your Submariner! Here's a watch that literally went everywhere with you like a loyal friend through thick and thin. You can't ask for more than that! Kindest regards, Bill
Rolex are made of high quality materials, and are made in house. But they are also mass produced, which is a no no for those who like a hand finished/assembled movement with a chronometer accuracy still. This is not to dismiss Rolex, they are good watches.
Enjoy what you can afford without worries. Simple. If Rolex is your cup of tea, then fine. If not, then move on and don't alienate/antagonize Rolex owners. Simple.
I won’t say I hate Rolex. I just don’t think the watch has the value that it costs for me. Like the Submariner can’t stand against the JLC Polaris for me. Just as a example. 🤷♂️ Or SEAQ Glashütte Or ..... GP Laureato If they would put some nice finishing on the movements and would put a exhibition case back. I would consider to buy one. I quite like the date just with Roman numerals. But it is not like I need to have it. There are many cool daily rockers there outside.
Yeah, Johan. A number of collectors believe they really need to have a Rolex; others don't. It's a well-made tool watch, and there's nothing wrong with that. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
WatchArtSci It is definitely a good watch no doubt. Just I feel that other brands give u more value for the money. Like Rolex makes roughly 800.000 watches a year and the production is made with many machines. Same as Omega with 500.000 a year. A Glashütte SEAQ has a 36-13 ticking Inside which has seen more finishing by hand and has some extras like a swan neck regulator and so on. Also that company makes 10.000 watches a year I’m ready to spend 9 K on the Glashütte. For the submariner I would pay ..... 5-6K. But that is just my opinion about this. Whoever wants to buy it should buy it for that price. If someone wants to sell his GMT master Pepsi for 5.000€ pls pm me. 😂 I would buy it for that price. But not more. Btw merry Christmas 🎄
@@johanhirte9661 I believe Rolex produces 1.4 million watches annually. They are far richer than any other watch company, and they plan to remain that way. I like them fine for what they are, and if I think they'd enhance my collection I'd get one. Keeping an eye out for their Cellini Prince ... which they dumped! Merry Christmas to you too, Bill 🎅
WatchArtSci Yes exactly. Like them for what they are. That is the sentence fits quite to the situation I think. The prince is of course a very unique one. A very unique substitute for the reverso. 😄 in my eyes. For me the GMT master Pepsi was the one I would have liked to have so far. I saw it once on a brown leather strap and felt like 👍. So that one I would look for, but neither 9K or 15K would be acceptable for me haha ( so I guess I won’t get it) I think about this Rolex hate or not... The biggest tree 🌲 gets hit by the axe 🪓 first. I guess it is just the topic because of the big number of owners and the wide presence of that brand. It is the most recognized brand of all. Even I think it shouldn’t be such a controversial brand. It is quite classic and not loud in its design. I feel like Richard Mille would be a more controversial topic on which opinions should meet each other on a more wide range. 😆 But I guess because Rolex is a symbol for many people. The things associated with it might be the bigger topic than the watch it self. But one question I would have. Do you think the price u pay for the Rolex Modells is justified ? Or u also think the price is too high for what u get in terms of finishing and movement? ( List price) Like totally aside from the fact that the price is something everyone has to decide on his own. Like do u think the sport Modells are worth that price ? Of other brands give more value ? Maybe u see it from a point I don’t see.
It's like one of those dysfunctional marriages where the wife thinks she deserves to be mistreated...the horror! Hang in there Don, and keep your Blancpain option open...and Breguet, and lots and lots of others. Cheers, Bill
My 'beef' with the whole horological world is all the stuck-up attitudes with preconceived notions who feel the need to compartmentalize. This isn't a pissing contest, there's room for all the watch brands and then some. Clearly those of us into watches-- mechanical ones in particular-- have an affection for various aspects of them, so why tout such vitriol all the time? Rolex makes a great watch period. That the movements aren't adorned with fancy carvings or that they don't feature any obscene complications doesn't make them any worse than a Lange, Patek, Dufour, Smith, etc.; they're simply not so focused on superficial things like that and chose to instead focus efforts on constantly bettering reliability/rigidity and things that really matter- hence the reputation for being such great tool watches. There is of course still that level of mania needed to actually buy one as there's, objectively speaking, no practical reason to do so today, but we are, again fans of horology and owning one can mean so many things to us. I'm 28 and will be getting my first real watch-- a new Rolex 50th Anniversary Sea-Dweller-- later this month after saving for what seems like an eternity, not to boast as some ridiculous status symbol, but because I've got a great sense of nostalgia for the brand and, more broadly, watches in general ever since I was a kid surrounded by all my grandfathers watches (no Rolexes- mainly old Soviet pieces). I'm really excited for it, but also know that I'll be almost ashamed to wear it out where I live and in my circles as they definitely do elicit some strange reactions from people and can convey certain (wrong) messages. For me it has absolutely nothing to do with being a show of wealth- it is merely a fulfillment of a childhood dream and deep appreciation of horology. I'm aware of all the alternatives one could get into at that price range, but chose Rolex over everything else. I just wish watch people weren't so childish and hateful- they're just watches for fucks sake! I think any owner of a Rolex, Patek, Mille, Fornier, FPJ, etc. can objectively admit that a GS is the better watch, but what if anything is this obsession of ours if not rooted deeply in romanticism?
Hi White Buffalo... of course, you're right about the snobbery, and as you know, Rolex is as guilty as any other brand. (Sponsoring Polo matches ... nothing elitist about that...) To me the trick is to find out what delights you, and it's clear that the Rolex 50th Anniversary Sea-Dweller will fit you like a glove. If you're wise (... I know that I'm not ...), you will end it there and be happy. However, if you love mechanical watches, here's what will happen: Someone with a Patek Philippe or ( fill in blank __________) will come up to you and say, "What a nice Sea Dweller, ... isn't that the 50th Anniversary edition?" And you'll start talking about Rolex Sea Dwellers and your watch in particular. He'll never mention his gold Patek Philippe Calatrava ... however, his watch will keep winking at you as it's gold case catches the light. Then you feel drool forming at the side of you mouth for no reason at all... Then you start looking at Calatrava watches on Chrono24 ... and you're thinking ... 'That's isn't as expensive as I though' ... Next you begin looking at the trade-in value of your Sea-Dweller ... That's how it happens.... Kindest regards, Bill
I'm a Rolex hater & I own 3 of them 😅 An oysterdate, quickset datejust, & day-date double quick. But that was when I just started collecting. Now I own a Breguet & Vacheron Constantin. I use my Rolex's as everyday beaters besides the day-date [only because its gold]. Yet i get so many compliments on the Rolex's from random people all the while thinking to myself "thanks for complimenting the shittiest purchase I've ever made."
Hey Knob, don't think I haven't been working on it. I'm pretty sure it's my video camera. I'm getting a new iPhone X which is supposed to have a great new camera. If you think it bothers you, it drive me nuts!! Kindest regards, Bill
Bill, I enjoyed your video , I gave my Rolex GMT to my son for his 40th birthday, he likes the watch but says it is. Not accurate. I am now one of your subscribers .
A Rolex is a great gift for you kids; especially a GMT for trans-timezone travel. My kids are around the same age, but they're still way into digital to care much about their old man's hobby/obsession. Cheers, Bill
Hey! Thank you for another enjoyable video. I wish it was about the watches themselves though. E.g. I'd love to hear what you had to say about rolexes price value ratio or some other technical insight I havent heard yet. Im a fan of their watches but they are a bit above my budget. Plus I would feel like a walking target with one on.
Thanks Scott. Not sure which one I mentioned (I've published 63 books), but it may have been one I did in 1988 on HyperCard. With my first royalty check I ran out and bought an airplane with another guy.Take care and be safe, Bill😷
Coming back to this 3 years after the video, but recent events have definitely changed my opinion of the brand as a whole. First, I love a few of Rolex's line. Datejust 41 and the Milgauss were my favorite and I went ahead and got on a large rolex group to try to figure out exactly what I was going to buy. It was the members of that group that began to shift my opinion on wearing a rolex in general. They seemed often dismissive of other brands and unfortunately when we're talking about a brand, the culture behind the wearers does leak into my opinion of whether or not to buy their product. I was still planning on buying the datejust because I thought, "well I'll just be a nice rolex owner who also likes his seikos". I went to three separate authorized dealers, one refused to take my name for a datejust and advised me to buy a Milgauss first to develop a relationship, another answered my question with "it's on the website" before calling someone in front of me and the last said another variation of the first. I don't know if I'm being unreasonable here, but I've more or less decided to avoid the brand as a whole. Rolex makes great watches, but apparently not for me.
Toegunn ... starting to sound like a cult. One problem with some Rolex owners is that they don't really make comparisons. Those who do, often realize there are wider arenas where Rolex is regarded as a very good tool watch, and there are watches that have many interesting features that no Rolexes do. The watch itself is an innocent horological structure. It's the owners who often go nuts. Take care, Bill
Rolex force their stupid customers to pay for a name to wear on their wrists. Omega sell better quality watches at a more reasonable price for their customers. So tell me who cares most for their customers, and make sure their customers feel they have purchased a great deal when walking out of the store.
The thought process is this... Everybody knows Rolex is a good watch, therefore even those that know nothing also know that Rolex is a good watch... therefore many people who wear Rolex know nothing about watches. People who know nothing about watches aspire to own one as a status symbol but wouldn't know a decent watch if it punched them in the face. Therefore out of anti-snobbishness (or even out of snobbishness because they are commonplace) people negatively associate with Rolex owners. A Rolex is simply too obvious for some. The hate is generally a rejection based on the Rolex following not the watches themselves.... personally I have negative view on Breitling and Rolex fanboys, but Rolex is a watch that makes sense both as an investment and in terms of reliability. I am not a big fan of Rolex so it wasn't one of the first watches I bought but after I had one or two less obvious watches I added a Submariner and an old vintage gold one from 1924, I am happy with these but they aren't high horology IMO. My favourite watch is my Royal Oak and I think it always will be.
Daveyboyz, this is a tricky issue. A lot of Rolex owners explained to me that Rolex is a good tool watch. If by that, they mean an instrument of time-keeping, I'd certainly agree. If we all focus on the horology, perhaps the problem will take care of itself. Your Royal Oak is yummy watch! No wonder it's your favorite! Kindest regards, Bill
Agreed, what Rolex do they do rather well the issue regards their following which seems polarized into know nothings and proper nerds who know every model number... there's still no safer watch to have your money in than a steel sports Rolex so it seems impossible to be too critical of people who own them,
@@watchartsci its the 2686522 ever rose gold yachmaster 37. hated the rubber band. now I like it. lotsa black on the rotating wheel so its very anti-rolex bling which I think makes it the one cool rolex to have. I also have the YMII but its just too big and heavy for me to really wear it unless its to be seen. I covet the patek grandmaster chime but still raising the 32 mill for it. so the big question is why do I like my watch. Its clean. Its not over complicated. it isnt huge. and its sharp with the rose gold and black. and it is a in the know one so someone who really knows what it is will start a conversation. i think thats probably its best value. "Oh i see you got rid of that horrible rubber band" "yep, they had to murder 100 pygmy ostritches for this baby. band costs more than most porsches"
Gianna, getting and wearing what you like is the ultimate test of any watch. Sounds like you and the Yacht-Master 37 are a great fit! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci Thanks Bill. the 37 is def a special day or meeting only watch. My daily driver is a citizen eco solr radio band that automatically changes time as I travel around the world and never needs winding. much more practical. but not as sexy as the 37.
Nice video Bill. I've just bought my first Rolex, new from an AD. Green ceramic Sub. Thought that I might be disappointed with it after a while, find it too flashy and gaudy, attracting the wrong type of people, and also regret spending £6600 on it. 6 weeks in (yes, maybe the honeymoon period still) i absolutely love it. Have worn it every day (to the detriment of the rest of my collection), and it has initiated some really interesting conversations with watch enthusiasts. I think a small number of individuals give Rolex, and their owners, a bad reputation. Love the videos btw.
Thanks man! Larry, it sounds like you found the secret to buying and owning watches... you still like your watch! A green ceramic Rolex Submariner sounds wonderful, and I hope you have years of further enjoyment from it! Kindest regards, Bill
The problem with Rolex is its the most highly advertised well known up scale watch. Much as BMW is the same with cars. People who want to say look at me ,I'm a success buy them. If you hear of a baseball or football player buying a team mate a watch, its a Rolex. There is nothing wrong with the watches or the cars but to me it seems a higher percentage of people who own those brands are looking for attention.
Hi Eric, yes, watch collectors often confuse the best marketing with the best product. Without a doubt Rolex has the best marketing....nothing against Rolex; but it's important to know what intrinsic value their watches have that are not manufactured by the marketing department. Kindest regards, Bill
Nice vid but it all depends what you see in a watch. If See Thru caseback and decoration is important, Rolex is not for you. By the way, my Rolex watches are running much more consistent than the JLC I got.
Your right, Rolex's are great watches. The problem is they have become so popular and especially popular with a pretentious type of people. Back in the old days when Rolex watch were still a great watch people did not even know what a Rolex was. They are very well made very nicely designed on the traditional side and used to be priced better but because of their popularity are sold at about double the price they should be. Good for them.
We certainly seem to have a worsening brand trend in society. Shitty quality for hundreds or thousands bcs of a brand name. The rational with rolex is the value retention. I mean tudor makes many better looking watches that seem to be the much better value buy. BB58 or Pro costs basically a third of a normal black submariner. And that isnt even available
Hi Bill. Personally I'm not a Rolex fan. They are very good quality watches but if you have seen about seven or eight Rolex models, you've seen them all. The wow factor is not there for me. Take care Bill, thanks.
Rolex does make some pretty nice models and I do like their Oyster Perpetual 39. But, watches are watches and don't let them define who you are. At the end of the day, as long as you are happy with what you have, that is the most important thing.
Yep Giang Vu, if you like them, then that's what counts. It would be terrible to have a 'watch herd' talking a collector into a watch based on its publicity rather than its innovation. Cheers, Bill
Hey Mike, from Vermont? That state represents a unique form of individualism! You must have an interesting collection. Some of the most interesting people of all New England. Cheers, Bill
Only started collecting in February so the collection is developing. Seiko, Tissot, Hamilton, Orient, Casio are currently in watch box. Learning and saving in anticipation of next purchase. Enjoying the hunt. VT folks are definitely interesting. Except for my brother who's still there I really don't miss it. Love being in Tennessee.....no state income tax gives me more for watches.
Great video. as a Yankee fan, (I make this similar to liking Rolex) , I agree and understand the crap spoken. Rolex is a great watch. I own one (gifted 50th by my GF i love will post on fb thread, and polar exp ii orange hand). I do not like the pretentious stereotype for Rolex or any brand. Only thing I do not like about Rolex is the plain case backs. That is it, display or decorate the case back like my Ball or Breightling
Hey Richard! Being in Connecticut, I live on the fault line between the Red Sox and Yankee fans; so I've found discretion to be the wisest course of action. Maybe that's why I like so many different watches! I've always wondered why Rolexes do not have sapphire exhibition windows to see the movements. Some Rolex owners have had them made, and I've seem pictures. They have beautiful movements to show off. Cheers, Bill
My grandfather had a ROLEX since the 1950s, up to that point he was an Omega man, similarly my grandmother was wearing an Omegas both daily and for formal purposes, and then in the early 1970s acquired a ROLEX. My parents were waring ROLEX since 1960s and my sister, my brother and myself since the mid-1970s. I have been wearing it since I entered university in 1974 continuously. Uncles aunts cousins all the same. All these watches are chunky hard waring watertight and very robust. Consequently my perception of a ROLEX is an everyday sports educing watch. My father also had a golden Jaeger Le-Coultre that he was wearing since he got married in 1952, and once he got his ROLEX would wear his Jaeger Le-Coultre only as a habillé watch. This stuck in my mind is so when I got married I also got a golden Jager Le Court )not thicker than 4 mm) and have been using it as my habillé watch. In the 60’s not that many people knew of ROLEX, but quite a few in the ‘70s. My best friend Stelios (who I met in 1975) had a TUDOR and I was jealous of it because there was a feeling of reverse snobbery about it. Later on when I became conscious that ROLEX made watches with diamonds and other stones, I got perplexed and just couldn’t understand it. A thick watch is a utilitarian watch. An habillé watch is thin and light, so a ROLEX out of construction cannot be a habillé. The whole thing was silly and then, … and then the masses learned about ROLEX and anybody looking for a status symbol, starting waring a ROLEX. The more precious stones the better!! the more platinum the better!!! Diamond covered DEEPSEA Sea Dweller with gas escape valve ??? diamond covered bracelet??? and advertised as water resistant for 3,900.00 meters ??? No matter what the market wants (Russian oligarch thieves or ill-educated Saudi princes) a reputable company should not produce such objects. Of course a PIAGET for double the price and a quarter of the thickness makes all the sense in the world. Myself every day I wear my Oster Perpetual Date and don’t think of it. It has become part of my skin. I love my ROLEX. Some years ago I went to have it serviced but the watchmaker that use to be at ROLEX service in Athens had retired. The whole place was revamped and a beautiful and glamorous receptionist greeted me. Behind the desk was there and a salesman. When he looked at my 1974 watch he remarked that I should not wear it much, as it is old and spare parts would be difficult to find and maybe they would even have to send it to Genève!!!, so he suggested I perches a new ROLEX. To my understanding ROLEX marketing has lost its way. Now that my children entered university I bought a TUDOR Pelagos for my son and a TUDOR Style Champagne for my daughter and told them that a person in his 20s cannot be seen with a ROLEX. It is simply too pretentious now days. If they want one, once they become successful, they should make their own decision then. Some of their friends got ROLEXes but after a while stop waring them. My children thoroughly enjoy their TUDORs. Athos
I hope you read my message all the way for my explanation of " what's wrong with Rolex" and it is a lot wrong with it. Now days I am looking for someone in Europe to restore my great grandfather's 1920's TITUS Genève. Your videos naming ETA, Sellita, Vaucher have been very enlightening. Thank you. Regards Athos.
Yes, Athos, I did read it all. I especially liked what you had to say about the habillé watch, and how Jaeger-LeCoultre was able to fill that need. (My Patek Philippe Calatrava and L. Leroy Grande Osmior Mécanique Extra-Plate are two habillé watches that wear like second skins.) As for 20-year olds wearing Rolexes (or anyone else for that matter) is a matter of choice and taste. Tutors are not too far from Rolexes but now have their own movements. Since I do not own a Rolex, it would be rude for me to suggest that they should be avoided, and it is clear that a large number of watch enthusiasts love them, even if they don't like the marketing practices (or removing their stickers!). Kindest regards, Bill
Patek Phillippe a brand that I always had a soft spot for and do aspire to own. L. Leroy, I can't quite grasp ( I am too illiterate in Chronology) . The Grande Osmior Mécanique Extra-Plate looks exquisite, and if you have done a presentation on it I would love to study it, by other L. Leroy watches seem to me too ostentatious and could be only seen on the hands of royalty or industry leaders. By the way what exactly is "Tourbillon" ? Have you made a presentation on the subject? Regards Athos
Here's the video I did a while back on L. Leroy: ua-cam.com/video/YoTc1k6xb64/v-deo.html Love to hear what you think. Here's a video on how a tourbillon works that is better than any explanation I could have. ua-cam.com/video/7jr-3pgeRfc/v-deo.html Kindest regards, Bill
Rolex Milgauss was my first grail watch. I've had it for years now, and its still my favorite watch. I'm not as drawn to most of the rest of the Rolex collection. I don't care much for their "jubilee" bezel, which is on most of their offerings... it's totally subjective for me to say it, but it just looks too busy/flashy to me. Live and let live- not a rip on anybody.
Hi PV! The two Rolexes I like the best are the Milgauss (...and now the Air King since it's got the Milgauss movement and case...) and the Sky Dweller. I agree with you on the bezel ... plain and clear and I'm a happy camper. Kindest regards, Bill
I really like your videos- thanks so much! I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on finishes. My personal aesthetic sense places a lot of importance on case finishings, and I really prefer satin and brushed finishes to polished. I am pretty clearly in the minority here, but there a few great models out there which cater to my sense. I LOVE the brushed finish on the Tudor North Flag, and the satin finish on several Sinn models. The Glashutte Seventies has a mix of polished surfaces as well as some lightly brushed surfaces (and the Milgauss bracelet has a mix of polished and satin too), which they've done to good effect. In a much cheaper category, I've got a Seiko 5 Sport with a cool bead blasted case finish. Do you know if maybe there's an era where those sorts of finishes were more in vogue? I could become more of a vintage collector, if I knew where to look. Alternatively, have you ever heard of any services for doing postfactory modifications, where a polished finish could be converted? I heard Rolex won't service modified watches (brand discipline, etc), which is too bad... I would love, love, love to get a satin finish on my Milgauss. Ha! I realize how superficial this all sounds- trust me; I have an appreciation for the mechanics of the movements etc; I'm just very picky about this. Call it OCD...
Why not great finishing on both the case and movement that you can see? You've got a Milgauss, so see what you can find in a GO Seventies with a exhibition caseback? Cheers, Bill
That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm shopping around, just casually for now, looking at what's out there in the pre-owned market. I will for sure get the metal bracelet on that one, but I'm still trying to make up my mind about which dial I like best. I've seen the standard panorama date model in person, but I'd like to see the chronometer model to compare. I know it's thicker. I honestly don't use a chronometer almost ever in my life, but I like the way it looks on that dial.
I guess we all form our opinions to some extent by our circle of acquaintances and culture. When I first got into watches I wanted to start with Rolex. Unfortunately, the only Rolex people I have ever known were pompous . Also, at the time I was developing an interest in watches was when it was cool for rappers to sport blinged out Rolexes as a status symbol. Those things sort of soured me to the brand. I think they make nice watches and I marvel that they can mass produce so many accurate watches a year. But my tastes have changed and a Rolex really isn't my style. If I were to get one, I might select a basic Oyster Perpetual (36 or 39mm) with a unique color for the dial (grape or slate perhaps). No two tone fluted bezel or date window though, the fluted bezel and Cyclops magnifier draws attention to it being a Rolex. Unfortunately, that version Rolex costs the same as a Habring2 Felix. I would go with the Felix instead. I don't like following the crowd.
Hi Mark, I try not to judge a watch by the individual or group, but I do know that creeps can made a model or brand unattractive . Habring2 makes so few watches each year, that every one would be considered a 'limited edition' by virtually every other watch company. The Felix is great choice for a special watch made by a master craftsman. Cheers, Bill
Yes, after watching your video I had to rethink things. I was a lot younger when I formed those feelings. You made a lot of good points in your discussion. Hence the look into Rolex again. Maybe one day I'll venture there, but for now my gaze is in a different direction.
PEOPLE MAKE THAT BRAND FOR WHAT IT IS, price tag is derived from demand, it just simple rule in any economy, AND WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS GOING ON, people Enthusiastic without second thought that's the problem
Hey Dan, how's it going? (... remember all CAPS is screaming ... no screaming.) You make a good point. Those who blindly follow popularity rather than horology can pay way too much for a watch, and those who study horological merit can get a much better watch for a lot less. You can see that your point was also made here: ua-cam.com/video/n-gMhhK_jOI/v-deo.html Kindest regards, Bill
Personally, my favorite Rolex models are the more unusual models like the amazing Genta-designed King Midas models from the ‘70s (the one worn by Elvis!). Edit: At the end of the day, it’s never a good idea to limit yourself by refusing to consider certain brands. It’s interesting that you brought up Hublot because they have a rather negative reputation around the industry. I too have seen a few of them that I liked, as I’ve found watches that I’ve enjoyed from literally every single brand that exists. They’re watches - throw your biases and aspersions out the window and embrace things you wouldn’t normally as you might find that you discover something new that you love!
Yes, Justice, as a Air-King (with the Bloodhound dial), Prince and YMII fan, I'm not too concerned what's popular in the Rolex fandom ... however, when it comes down to one watch or another, somehow Rolex has not risen to the top choice yet. Take care, Bill
Hi Bill. Another great one and provocative too! Within their respective segments, Rolex and Patek Philippe make a relatively high volume of watches and succeed because they are very shrewd marketeers. Patek’s application strategy and the success of limited edition Rolex models (coupled with the spectacular price fetched for the Paul Newman Daytona) has added to this mystique and an illusion of exclusivity (compared to peers in their segments). To me, the feverish demand created for these brands mean that they largely stop representing value for money, which when translated into English simply means they’re overpriced. Brands like JLC, Zenith and Oris, perhaps even Tudor (irony of ironies!) translate into a much fairer value proposition bearing in mind their comparative horological excellence. Your views?
Hi MrRea! Any brand that relies on status alone (Cartier for years and years...) holds little interest as far as I'm concerned. However, when a company really starts paying attention to its mechanical horology, (again as Cartier did with Caliber de Cartier...) then it becomes interesting. Rolex and Patek Philippe make decent watches, and that fact is often lost in the hyperbole both generate. Companies like FP Journe, Bovet , H. Moser & Cie, Voutilainen, and Romain Gautier (among others...) make truly exciting watches. Cheers, Bill
WatchArtSci Once again, you’ve hit the nail on the head. I love Patek’s and Rolex’s but when it comes to digging into one’s wallet to shell out good money for something you know you could buy an equivalent for 40% - 50% less (Patek vs JLC, Rolex vs Tudor) I’d demur, 🤔probably to my regret!
Another great video Bill. Must admit to being fairly ambivalent regarding Rolex. I guess there just not my style. For the same money I can buy something I really like. I think jealousy plays its part with the Rolex haters rather than anything else. Back in the 80'S working on London I had a Jaguar XJ6. It wasn't even new at about 8 years old. Every other driver on the road seemed to hate me. They wouldn't give way at junctions, would aim for me on narrow streets and look the other way. I even heard comments for people in car parks from people making derogatory comments. I think it's the same thing with Rolex as I had with the car. The joke was that I bought it dirt cheap as it was a 4.2 and horrendously expensive to run and probably cost less than the Ford Fiesta driven by the people who looked at me with disdain for supposedly being a rich twat.
Hi Robert, I think I had a similar experience with a 84 Rolls Royce Silver Spur. It costs about the same as a new Toyoda when I got it, and was in beautiful shape. I did get an unexpectedly good reaction, though. I used to park it in front of the Mariott in Boston and told the curb attendant to keep an eye on it as we went out and about. Then when we returned, I'd tip the attendant, and tool off...avoiding the exorbitant parking charges! Rolex watches are fine for people who like them; nothing against them, but I like other watches more. I hope someday to get a Cellini Rolex Prince, but for the others, I just don't know how they'd fit in the collection. Cheers, Bill
Bill I met a Doctor that had the omega 007 watch on , and I told him what a great watch it is , and he was really surprised I knew what kind of watch it was , and it made him really happy when I told him how much I liked it , and I do like Omega, then I met my male nurse , and he was wearing a Seiko G shock , and I told him I liked it , said he loves it had it for years and it was able to take a real beating , it made him happy to , the next day I wore my G Shock , he gave me a high five when he saw it , I’m no watch expert , but can pick out a few watches , and like to compliment people on there watch , my buddy has a Rolex Submariner , when we get together for cards he lets me wear it , maybe some day I’ll get a grail watch ? God Bless Bill , Bill I see some watches that are worth a million dollars or more , my question for you is , would you ever pay that much for a watch if you became really rich? I don’t know if I could pay that much for a watch , even if I hit a huge lottery? Maybe a hundred thousand tops , I’d definitely get a couple watches from the Trinity, lol God Bless again Bill 🙏🏻
In Australia we refer to it as the tall poppy syndrome. That's all it is from what I have seen since jumping onto Facebook pages for the past year. I really enjoyed your video.
Hi Matt! Well, to some, the Rolex owners may be the tall poppies, and to the Rolex owners the Patek Philippe folks are tall poppies, ad infinitim ... so why bother? That's why I like my Habring2; great watch that only few know about! That makes me a 'short daisy!' Kindest regards, Bill
Certainly one of the most controversial subjects in horology. I tend to agree Rolex means different things depending on which stage of watch collecting one is in. No doubt Rolex make great watches but state of art in finishing is not there given their production line doesn't afford that. The thing that really disappoint me on the brand is it's lack of care about its collectors. From my view they care a lot about selling new pieces but have small consideration about supporting vintage ones. Different from Patek who services its pieces even if they are hundred years old ;) Nevertheless, I still enjoy Rolex.
Excellent point Amintas. Not having a Rolex, I have no such problem. However, my experience with my 1968 Patek Philippe has shown me that Patek is great about their vintage support. Kindest regards, Bill
Couldn't agree more. I've heard that Patek even push to reduce their overhaul costs to stimulate collectors to send their pieces for regular checks. Definitively a smart strategy given it will only give them and collectors long-term benefits. Journe also does something similar. Best, Amintas
The ROLEX Daytona costs about four times more than the ZENITH El Primero. As the quality and appearance of the two watches are so similar, why is the ROLEX much more expensive? That is my only beef with ROLEX. ( Am I wrong; can the price difference be justified? )
Burkhold, as you know, there's no necessary correlation between quality and price in the watch business. We often pay for marketing and get little of real horological value. That's why I like Habring2: almost no marketing and all quality at a great price. This is also why it pays to be knowledgeable rather than easily impressed by marketing or some celebrity wearing a watch. Kindest regards, Bill
Me too Bill, I brought my first RR at 24, a Silver Shadow II, I brought it because I love the brand and history. I wouldn't buy a new RR, my next will be a 1957 Silver Cloud👍
A 1957 Silver Cloud! Wow Sunrayminoruk; those can be pricey either to buy or to get in running order. I want one of the new Wraiths ... I'll have to wait a few years but I see they're now below $100k in some cases. Around $50k and I can get serious! Cheers, Bill
There is Rolex watch, and there is Rolex culture. I don’t have any problem with the former despite the fact it is not my type of watch; but yes, I despise the Rolex culture, especially from ADs.
Fair advice sir I would expect nothing less from you, rolex is not top of my list ,do I like them yes of course I do ,brilliant craftsmanship but not top of my personal list.👍ps I've just read the list of you're publications wow, I don't think I've ever known someone educated to such a high level and no elitism just a normal guy great respect for you sir.
Hey Paul, thanks man. I recently learned that Rolex does not put exhibition windows on the back of their watches so that you can look at the movement. Some individuals have had bespoke ones made by third parties, but for some reason, Rolex does not have them. I wonder why? Cheers, Bill (...the normal guy...)
WatchArtSci well you seem normal,👾most academics like to talk not listen,but you sir do both well.i never thought of rolex and their no display back till you mentioned that I wonder what the rationale is and who would be best placed to answer that, rolex or maybe one of there competitor's .?👍
Rolex is for watches what Louis Vuitton for handbags. Both brands are very distinctive and expensive, making them the desire of those who want to look better off than they are, and causing those with money enough to buy any brand they like, an instant dislike for Rolex and LV, in their eagerness not to be considered one of those aspirants. Some years ago, Burberry´s brand was damaged when chinese imitations made their designs look ¨too available to anyone¨. They solved the problem by raising the prices to make them prohibitive for those who could only afford an entrance piece, and by refreshing the design of the famous pattern and moderating its use. Luxury products whose designs are discreet, rarely appeal to those who want to show off, but rather to those who appreciate what they really are. Still, all this is a bit unfair on those who truly love Rolex and Louis Vuitton. They should be entitled to enjoy them without suffering criticism or stereotypes...
Hi Toozlepops! I agree. When Rolex owners get snooty about their choice of timepieces or Patek owners smirk at Rolex owners, they're both acting like jerks. Just give me a good watch, and I'll worry about the brand later! Cheers, Bill
Sorry James, that's me! I've been running all over the place and have neglected my email. If it's about that beautiful IWC you recently got, it's on deck for WOW! Cheers, Bill
Rolex is a victim of its own success. Anyone who hates Rolex don’t know watches, they are class. Saying that, would I buy one, no. I love the Datejust, but I’d rather have a Polaris; for me, that’s the issue. Most Rolex owners aren’t watch guys.
WatchArtSci you know why I wanted a Rolex? It's simple. Steve McQueen and Sean Connery wore them. Wearing the no date Sub is the only way I'll ever have anything in common with Bond or Bullitt. It reminds me of a cooler age.
Charles, everyone has a good reason for getting any watch they want, and there's that time. Living in San Francisco in the mid-1960s I remember rushing to a meeting with some friends when all of a sudden there was nothing but blue sky as we rumbled a little too Bullitt-style over a hill. But a 55-VW is no muscle car and I'm no Steve McQueen ; more of a Bulova Accutron guy back then! Cheers, Bill
Hey Bill, I don't hate Rolex. I recognize that they make reliable watches; I just can't afford one. And the more research I do, the more watches I find that have similar features to certain Rolex models that cost significantly less. But I haven't found an equivalent to a sky dweller yet, though. That one is unique, gorgeous, and pretty expensive!
Hi Gilberto, I like the Sky Dweller too ... the new one has a great design for a Rolex. For that kind of money, though, there are so many other watches I'd rather have that the Sky Dweller would have to wait. Kindest regards, Bill
Douglas, you'd be surprised how inexpensive pre-owned Rolls are. Stay away from Silver Shadows, but the Silver Spirit line from about 1987 on were pretty good. I had an '82 Silver Spur (which is the long wheelbase version of the Silver Spirit), and other than having to constantly replenish the hydraulic fluid, the car was a dream, and a lot of fun. I found a Silver Spirit you might like for $14,000 ( www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c19839&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=c19841&zip=06002&distance=50000&searchChanged=true&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true#listing=229664377 ) Cheers, Bill
Yeah, Charles, how can a watch company be rude and stupid? It's the owners. There're probably the same percent of jerks in every watch brand community; there just so many more Rolex owners that they get the blame. Cheers, Bill
Hey Robert, thanks man. My "airplane book" was back in '86 or '87 or maybe '88. I don't remember the title, but it was about a new program at the time called "HyperCard." Here's a list of the books I've published and their names and publishers: uhaweb.hartford.edu/WSANDERS/ Click on "Publications" and everything you need is there. Kindest regards, Bill
I don't dislike Rolex at all, I just find that for the price of their watches there are so many other more interesting watches, but that's just my personal taste. However, I have been told the only reason I don't like them is because I can't afford one, which was baffling since I was talking about wanting to buy an £8k Reverso in the same conversation prior to that comment.
Hi Will, I completely understand what you're saying. I was all set to get a Rolex GMT when I got a really good deal on an FP Journe, which I jumped on. After that purchase, I didn't have enough to get the Rolex GMT too; so I got a Zenith Elite GMT and have been perfectly happy with it. My favorite Rolexes are the Cellini and a newer SkyMaster, and I still like the GMT Master and the Explorer II GMT, but if it came down between a Cellini and Reverso for the same price ... I'd get the JLC; not because I have anything against Rolexes, but because I like most JLCs better. Some day a Rolex will come along at just the right time at the right price and I end up with one. Got my eyes on an H. Moser & Cie with a double hairspring, a Laurent Ferrier, a Patek Philippe Gondolo and who knows what else. That what else might be a Rolex. Some Rolex owners are a bit obsessive about the brand, but I know others who have Rolexes as part of a larger collection of different watches and don't make a big deal about it. Cheers, Bill
Hi Mr. Gong...the eye of the beholder. Cartier Santos are attractive, but you have to be careful about the movement inside. Some are very cheap ones relative to the price you pay for a Santos. Kindest regards, Bill
Sometimes a stereotype gets confirmed, that is all it is really. Nice to see that you collect off the beaten path and have your own taste, enjoy in good health.
I do think there is legitimate gripe against Rolex; which is their mass manipulation of the watch market, or as they call it ‘good marketing’. What is the chance of walking into your local AD and picking up a new steel Daytona, or any steel sports watch for that matter. Obviously pretty small. Rolex controls all the levers and are master manipulators of price, design/model, and supply. They operate more like a Swiss cartel than a legitimate business. This totally distorts the secondary market, where you often have to pay above retail for popular models. I love most Rolex steel sports watches, they are utter class if a little boring, but I find it difficult to support a company that operates in this way.
I take different view. I have no problem with the way they operate their business. I would love to have a business where I could create the demand, and then keep supply low. The market will do the rest for me. Something like this happens every weekday from 9:30am until 4:00pm, its called the stock market. If Rolex flooded the market with watches, the effect would be the same as a company who decided to issue more shares and dilute the value of the shares to the existing share holders. In both cases the share holders or Rolex owners/buyers (the market) would punish the company severely.
Hi Dallas, the thing I like about Rolex is that all their profits go to fund good things. My business in books was such that I had to plan printing enough books, but not too many or too few. With software, on the other hand, I never had to worry about inventory. I appreciate Rolex and every other watch company that has to walk the tightrope between supply and demand. It's not easy. Kindest regards, Bill
Rolex are good watches among many other good Swiss watches but the problem is with Rolex ADs worldwide they started a gray market supported by money laundering guys and people working in the gray market.Even if you are rich and earned your money in a legal ways you will not be happy in buying Rolex from the gray market paying for used or unworn 3 to 6 times the price at the Rolex AD as it’s not only good Swiss watch in the market
Yikes! F Malik, they sound like crypto coins... Rolex is just popular and people keep wanting them. There are other watches; so what can Rolex do? Take care, Bill
One of the knocks against Rolex is that moreso than other luxury brands they are mostly made by machine. Some people buy luxury watches knowing that they are less accurate than $10 quartz watches but do so as a way of supporting the artistry and craftsmanship of luxury watchmakers. By buying a Rolex you are not really doing this. You are supporting a robotic engineer and programmer which you can do by buying a $10 quartz watch. Also, it seems that a lot of Rolex owners really don't appreciate Rolex as a whole, but limit themselves to steel divers. Lots of Rolex owners would never think to buy a Cellini or an Oyster Perpetual. It's either a sub or nothing. This seems rather narrowminded. Of course other brands have the same issue with AP aficionados only caring about Royal Oaks, Jaeger fans only caring about Reversos, etc. but it seems more endemic in the Rolex world.
Hi SpringInFialta. To me, we're in a very strange hobby...supporting a long-dead technology; namely a spring-driven mechanical watches...that we set using the highly accurate time in our Androids and iPhones. For me, it's all about the craftsmanship, and that's why I like the now-defunct Cellini Prince by Rolex. It's got a beautiful movement you can see through the caseback. I like watches where you can see the craftsman's handiwork. Cheers, Bill
Some cute buxom women came up to me the other day -- I was sitting at a sidewalk café enjoying my cappuccino and the sights -- and asks me "Is that a real Rolex?" I said "Lady, it is as real as your effrontery." i might have responded differently had I not seen my wife crossing the street towards me. Ah, the problems my Rolex Day-Date causes me!
I think there are 3 main categories of Rolex owners: 1. Want to impress others 2. Very concerned with resale 3. Just love the watch for the watch itself. There is some overlap of course. There are 4 main categories to Rolex "haters" 1. Think its overpriced 2. Can't afford it 3. Negative association based on A-holes who own a Rolex. 4. Too predictable choice. I can say at some point or another, I've been in numerous categories of both Rolex owners and haters, LOL.
Hey Jay, we're all watch lovers, and Rolex owners have become a big target in large part because they are big. Some, have one Rolex as part of a larger collection and others have multiple Rolexes and love them all. Where Rolex owners get in the most trouble is when they insist everyone who collects watches must have a Rolex. The way I look at it is that they just love their watches, and I can understand that. None of us really have time to waste on hate. Cheers, Bill
What I don’t like about Rolex is that they are overpriced in my eyes. They don’t have the value they ask the money for. Compare a 8K movement from JLC with a submariner movement. Also this hype makes them kind of undesirable for me. Like many people want a Pepsi or a Hulk. They are ready to pay 17K for one of them. That’s crazy !! Go get a blancpain FF!!
"ROLEX" LIKE YOU, DON'T CARE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ... SUPER TOPIC Kinda Like confession, lets everyone get their opinion Out Of Their System ... Grew up in N.Y.C. where EVERYONE & their Mother had a Rolex (all fake, OF COURSE) so very early thru overdose the brand lost its interest FOR ME ... However, the Wife is a Business Woman & she likes them so I recently got her an Air King 36mm which she uses for work ... I on the other hand & to keep the score Even got myself the Standard Horology Longines 75th Anniversary "Lindberg" Hour Angle 38mm Pop Open Engraved Caseback Mint Box Papers, because I Like Aviation A LOT (preferring it over the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch) for its historical Tribute to Lindberg's 1927 Atlantic Ocean crossing ... Went to Amazon for a Bill Sanders book & found 4 titles, which one is yours ? ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW AS USUAL. Major Jim, USMC
Hey James, my name isn't exactly uncommon. Check here, uhaweb.hartford.edu/WSANDERS/, and you'll find a full list of the books I've published, mostly under the name 'William B. Sanders.' (Click Publications) Recently, Oxford University Press published a book by Bill Sanders on gangs, but that wasn't me. It was my son. You wife and I have similar tastes in Rolexes except rather than Air Kings, I like the Sky Dweller. (Close). Further up the executive ladder, treat your wife to a Patek Philippe or Bovet. Kindest regards, Bill
"I got lucky on a book I wrote", you casually say ... Just checked website to find that ONE book you wrote so as to get it ... HOLY COW read your list of Publications & Bio & Titles & Committees & Grants & it's like reading a Megalith Colossal Volume, Wore Me Out ... Easily explains why you're the smartest Horologist on UA-cam ... To be Honest, I smelled a rat when you mentioned the Rolls ... I'm an English Lit major & my Professor once said the sign of a Great man is one who spends all day talking to doctors in academia, then goes to the local pub & is so beloved everyone wants to buy him a brew & engage him in conversation ... Clearly, your genius is hiding your genius ... So I figure with Brits you're a Duke or Lord like Winston, or a Cardinal or Pope like Francis, or in my Corps easily a General like Mad Dog, but in Greece you'd ONLY be a Demi-god, though I'm sure the Wife would never believe it. Humbly, Major Jim, USMC
There was this bar.... except rather than students toasting professors, it was an odd combination of professors and a motorcycle gang. At some point, the MC gang decided they wanted to have dart teams made up of one professor and one biker per team. I got paired with their leader. One evening a giant farm worker who was drunk as a lord comes in and starts telling us about Kurt Vonnegut's works. He was one of those intrusive, overbearing types that we professors humored, but in short order the MC gang jumped him. When I stepped in to try to stop the beating, one of their number (who had more than his fair share of Neanderthal DNA) was about to put my lights out. Fortunately, my dart teammate (their leader) stopped him with a look. We ended up taking the drunk farm worker home, but on the way, we demanded we stop by a liquor store for a re-fill...which we did. By the time we got him home, we were ready to take him back to the bar and ask the bikers to give him a tune-up. So much for bars and professors. By the way, I would have been an English Lit major, but caught the research bug and went down another path. Cheers, Bill
its because rolex is a tool watch ie a working mans watch rolex schooled all the haute horology in marketing its jealousy from people wearing haute horology that nobody is interested in rolex is a household name nobody has heard of patek vc jlc etc perhaps they should do some marketing thanks for the video ps i love all watches at anyprice point i am looking for a jlc but i only have 7000gbp to spend any tips please guys???
Hello Keith, the trick is to separate the claims of marketing from the horology. That's what makes researching a watch fun! That 7k quid can go a long way. If you think a Rolex will make you happy, by all means get one. However, with £7,000 you can choose from several Jaeger-LeCoultre models. Check out the British JLC site for whats in your budget. Then watch tomorrow's video (March 9, 2019) for purchasing options. Cheers, Bill
I would say the problem with Rolex is the price we have to pay for them. The Submariner for example. Great $3,000 watch! Too bad it costs $7,500-$8,000. How are we supposed to judge great watches? We could take every brand and check for accuracy after they have been professionally adjusted. We could do an endurance and survivability test. Then we may end up with a Seiko Diver as the world's best watch, or maybe it would be Casio G-Shock if we included quartz to the mix. In reality there is not much wrong with Rolex. Too expensive? Look at Tudor. Tudor too expensive? Look at Hamilton. And on and on. I feel like a watch snob when I buy a $150 vintage watch when nobody else thought it was worthy. I also own an Exp. II. Nice watch, but the best?
Hey Roamy, keep in mind that I don't own a Rolex. I just like good quality watches, regardless of the brand. There are lots of great watches even though they public may not be aware of them. Watch research pays off in more ways than one! Kindest regards, Bill
It sure does. I really like my Rolex Exp. II but almost traded it for a Breguet Transatlantique XXI and would have but the deal fell through. A pity. It's tough getting through the Rolex line-up to a "next" level in the sports watch category. Thanks WatchArtSci
To be honest Rolex is NOT a high horology watch that can stands on the same level of A.Lang&Sohne, Journe, Jaeger, BlancPain, PP, Moinet, Claret etc. Why rich people run after Rolex to quench their thirst. I mean today people are spending crazy amount of money on a luxury Rolex full of diamond to impress but what the watch does mechanically is absolutely Nothing. This is just pretentuous. I'm not jealous, that's facts. Rolex is not a quality watch, they never was and will never be. To be honest it's very tight for ROLEX to play in the top league among brands I mentioned above. These Brands are innovating mechanically not Luxuriously. While a Rolex are a mass produced. Most rich people don't really understand High Horology mechanical watches, they will stick to Rolex rather than a Breguet. These person won't even understand Resonance, Minute Repeater, Ratrappante etc
Rolex has strong, not high, horology and is a great tool watch. My opinion of them went way up when they decided to keep the Parachrom hairspring rather than succumbing to the silicon ones, Alan. I do not own a Rolex, but that doesn't mean that I don't recognize their quality. Take care, Bill
Hey Bill , my Brother May have met the biggest idiot in the world the other day , his job brings him into a lot of people’s homes , and this one guy he did some work for had a huge collection of Rolex and other watches in his living room in a huge display case ? Not only that the watches actually spun around the inside of the case ! Now my Brother knows Rolex like just about everyone does but I’m guessing the other watches were very special probably even more so than the Rolex collection he had , I’m just wondering who does that ? Even if he has them insured or a pretty good alarm system, why take the chance he’s got to be an idiot , I mean the pizza delivery guy shows up and he sees 35 Rolex and other expensive watches rotating in probably some kind of high priced crystal case ? It just seems to me he’s inviting trouble, I wish I was with him to see what this guy had , there’s a pod I watch sometimes called the producer , this guys name is mike and he’s an actual producer,and he has this kid following him around with a camera and he shows this guys life style, mind you I’ve never heard of anything he’s produced but this man is loaded with cash , I wish you would watch it Bill , he has a watch collection that’s out of this world , I’d like to know what you think about his collection? Now he goes to the bank and takes one collection at a time , and there’s about 30 watches per carrier and I think he’s got about 4 of them , now he claims he has to keep them in the bank or his insurance won’t cover them ? He has one watch that is a huge crystal and inside it has a huge diamond on one side and the earth 🌏 on the other and the whole thing rotates , I can’t remember who made it ? But just that one piece is over a million dollars, and he has a lot of Richard Mille watches, he doesn’t tell you the prices but I’m guessing the Mille watches are pushing close to a million, I think it’s called the producer, guys name is Mike , and believe it or not guy seems like a really nice guy , just makes you wonder how nice life could be with that kind of money ! Lol and he says compared to some of his friends he’s poor ? Again great blog Bill , sorry about the book
Ok Pat, I'll see if I can find it. They guy with the Rolexes spinning around simply has them in 'winders.' I have a couple of my automatics in winders if I plan on using them. I'll see if I can find the other one you mentioned. Cheers, Bill
Unfortunately most of us if told to draw a Rolex can do so by memory. It's a part of world culture. Climb Everest. Visit the great Wall of China. Buy a Rolex. Bucket list!
My wife is from jura so seen a lot of the watch hot beds. Yeah everyone can say Rolex. You can go to any jeweller from New York to Jakarta and get a fair price for your Rolex. Other brands values are far more spread.
Jura! How cool! There's another place in Switzerland I want to visit where Agenhor invited me. But right now I'm hoping to visit Geneva for the pre-SIHH show. Yes, you are right about Rolex; they're everywhere. Cheers, Bill
No worries Bill. We veterans have to stick together. I used to collect early rolexes the ones that are too small to wear (30 mm etc) as i had an interest in military timepieces. Rolex has a very cool history. In some instances their watches weren't cased in Switzerland. To avoid certain tariffs they would case their watch in the country they were being sold in. But i lost interest due to the radium content of these pieces. I know it's harmless if the dial stays behind the crystal but I just didn't want them in my house anymore due to the 1600 year half life etc.
I just don't think theres anything special about the Rolexes to warrant the high price. Theres so many better looking more special watches to be had for the price but the Rolex is "just a Rolex" Somehow I just always perceived the Rolex as the dedicated watch for those who just wan't a expensive watch, but don't really care about horology.
Some folks into watch collection attach themselves to Rolexes and that's that. Others have a Rolex as part of a larger collection of a variety of watches. Some find better deals for the same or better quality than Rolexes and never get a Rolex. If the right Rolex comes along for me, I think I'll know it. Ironically, thieves and pickpockets recognize a Rolex immediately and make them a dicey choice for a travel watch, and that's what I need the most. I'll probably have to get a cheap quartz for certain kinds of travel even though a Rolex would be the perfect watch for it! Cheers, Bill
Hey Mad Man, great to hear from you, as always. Yes, I agree with you and that's exactly what I said in the video. (Most of the Rolex owners I've met are actually pretty cool.) Cheers, Bill
I guess 2020corp it would be an oxymoron to say, 'Mass Produced Exclusivity'- that's the trick and Rolex has pulled it off. They produce 1.4 million Rolexes a year and still maintain high quality. Cheers, Bill
Hi Victor, well, I guess some Rolex owners are pompous, but I'm pompous too, and I don't even own a Rolex! Rolex makes very good watches, and so too do other watch companies, but you're right; probably faked more than any other brand, which is a pity. How'd you like to have a real Rolex and have some clown tell you it's fake when it's not? Well, that's the cross Rolex owners must bear I suppose. What kind of watches do you like? Cheers, Bill
Rolex = Household name; Luxury = exclusivity. The two do not align for me. Nothing wrong with a Rolex, but if I were wearing that Parmigiani Fleurier (stealth wealth) and somebody recognized the piece, it would be a good conversation starter. With a Rolex it's likely that it would lead to a conversation I may not want to have. Great video and a great watch thanks Bill. By the way is that Kalpa XL? It has great wrist presence.
Hey Carsten! The full name of my watch is 'Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Grande.' The movement is a PF331 that is a base caliber at Parmigiani. The particular tonneau shape of the case with the big horn lugs is proprietary to Parmigiani Fleurier. In some respects, it's my 'Rolex in that it's all stainless steel and big and tough.'However, my Kalpa has a sapphire exhibition window so I can see the movement and the 22k gold rotor. Sort of like a Rolex with whipped cream on top with a cherry. ; >) Cheers, Bill
I honestly don’t understand why you don’t have more subscribers, you present intelligent knowledgeable discussions. Tell us more about your surfing days! I love your videos about good deals on high horology. Thanks to you I’m saving my money for a JLC master control. I’m slowly getting there, I hope by July. Thank you for what you do and how you do it.
Hey Fakename, thanks man. I'm happy with the number and quality of subscribers. Most watch collectors have a fairly focused range of watches in their collections, including Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling and other watches that don't get a lot of coverage in my videos. Only certain people are interested in watch collection beyond a certain range, and those are the people with whom I enjoy having these interchanges with. Kindest regards, Bill
I don't really think the Rolex hate has anything to do with the watches. It's more AD hate. Go into a AD and get laughed at for trying to buy their watch, be told you need to buy a bunch of garbage they can't sell and they may consider you. Watches going out the backdoor. I like some Rolex watches but I do hope the Rolex market crashes.
Hi Win. The prices have risen to the point where Rolexes are barely affordable to their customer base. More and more of the watch market is moving online and we may see more of that as the brick & mortar shops get put out of business by online retailers and super-retailers. Rolex, like just about every watch brand is in for a rough ride for a while. Whenever I've been in our local Rolex shop, they always try and sell me one. They can see by the watches I wear that Rolexes aren't exactly the level of horology I'm seeking... now there's a switch for you. Take care, Bill
Interesting discussion! I have to say that most of the time the watches you discuss are either not my cup of tea or way WAY out of my price range but- I never fail to learn something new about watches and watch collection when I come here. Like life in general it's all about keeping an open mind and having enough confidence in your collecting preferences that you can respect and learn from the preferences of others.
Good points Anthony. As a collector, I want to get the best possible watch that I can afford; not what's popular, but what has good horological value. What's most fun for me is to locate watches with excellent horological characteristics at a low prices because others are not interested in them. So many diamonds in the coal mine! If a person doesn't have a lot of money (which often as not is me!), that's ok. You cannot put a price on the appreciation of quality. Kindest regards, Bill
Rolex is one of the strongest brands of any type of product worldwide according to analysts who value brands. So of course there will be lots of hate like hate for Windows software etc.
Also Rolex makes a lot of watches and sells a lot of watches annually. So they are not as exclusive and on UA-cam and the Internet often you have people looking to pay the Rolex price but get a lesser produced or more artistic or more complicated watch in the grey market. Like comparing a new Toyota FJ Cruiser versus a used Mercedes with mileage. People always looking to differentiate and maximizing price point value. Just human behavior. For a daily watch Rolex is very durable, you can really swim with them and knock them against doors and drop them. Not for everyone but nothing in life is... I added a deep sea blue after I kept dropping more delicate watches and while it is a bit large it is indestructible and good fun for its tool watch purpose.
Hey Stuck in Kiev, I had never thought of Rolex as a tough watch that you could drop or drown, but you make a good point. Cheers, Bill
Well said my friend :)
For the same price you could have bought something better than Rolex..that is just as reliable and is a reasonable daily wearer. Rolexes at RRP and the second hand market are terrible value for money, but they still are good watches.
I will make an admission... I don't buy watches for resale so maybe I have a different perspective. Watches I buy will go to family in the will, I couldn't care less about resale value. I am one if those idiots who buys pricey cars new as well because even though I lose half the value within 24 hours of driving them off the lot, I like the process of ordering them and picking my options etc. From financial point of view not smart at all but I buy some things (definitely not all) for love over money :) I love the robust engineering that goes into a good Rolex even though it is clearly not the best watch in the world for complication or bespoke design craftmanship etc. Everyone is different :)
I'm with you Stuck!! Buy a watch to keep; not to flip. Later if you have to trade it in, you'll have enjoyed it far more than a watch bought only to be re-sold at a minimum loss! Cheers, Bill
Hi Bill . What's your opinion over the Tudor Black Bay 58 instead of the standard and ubiquitous Sub?
Hi AA, here's what I would suggest: the Tudor Black Bay GMT in Pepsi bezel: www.gphg.org/horlogerie/en/watches/black-bay-gmt For the price, looks and function, it's hard to beat - not to mention the COSC Calibre MT5652 movement, it's a sweet timepiece. Cheers, Bill
You are very wise my dear sir, I really appreciate your video. Good message...
Hey Al-B Sure! Thanks man! Kindest regards, Bill
Choosing to own or buying an expensive watch like Rolex is simple a matter of individual preference, simply that and nothing else, not much different from choosing to buy a car of a certain make or clothes from a specific designer.
The difference between a watch lover and the average watch owner is that a watch lover is not influenced or persuaded by the monetary aspect of it but rather by the craftsmanship quality and beauty of the watch!
Yes, John, it is a matter of preference and given the price of watches; not unlike buying a car. And, like buying a car, watch owners, especially of a single brand like Rolex, may have little knowledge of horology outside of a narrow but hugely popular focus and lobby for the brand they're married to. I advocate for getting the broadest and deepest possible understanding of watches and base decisions on a wide spectrum rather than a narrow, restrictive view. Then the choice of the watch collector is based on very firm ground and not hyperbole. The choice may be a Rolex or it may be something else. However, it's an informed choice, and those I believe are the best kind. With kindest regards, bill
There are also those Rolex aficionados who really love specific Rolexes (particularly the divers and tool watches) who have no love for the Oyster Perpetual, the Cellini, etc. Some Rolex owners aren't really watch lovers. But it seems as though there are a fair number of Rolex Sub and Deap Sea owners who, in general, aren't Rolex lovers.
HI SpringInFlaita! Thanks for that insight. I can see that ... they just like the brand for the watch; not for the collection. Cheers, Bill
I agree. Just buy the things you like and why bother with how other people think about your purchases.
Hi Bill, I wear a Citizen around the property (farm) a Tudor Pelagos for other outdoor pursuits ie coffee and maybe swimming, 4WDing. It's my off property watch, however my wife recently became ill and I feel wearing a "Professional/ Sports" Rolex to visit Medical Specialists opens doors because everybody recognises the watch. It's an unspoken thing, maybe a flex as you would say but it's a recognition that occurs unconsciously . The watch is instantly recognisable, where others aren't. Maybe they just see $$$$$ but who cares as long as my wife gets the best.
Best to have watches that just impress you, Lynda that you feel comfortable with. Take care, Bill
Don't own a modern Rolex, but I do believe they are great watches. My opinion is that they are overpriced for what you get. If I am going to spend 7k+ for a watch, it probably wouldn't be Rolex. I am a fan of their GMT models. I think its odd to brag about watches, it sort of would be like bragging about your shoes. I love all of my watches from cheapest to priciest, and just happy I get to enjoy them. Good topic, good show....
Hey JR! I wouldn't mind having an Explorer II Polar GMT, but my Zenith Elite GMT does just fine and is super accurate. You're right, enjoy what you have and get on with your life! Cheers, Bill
I kind of agree that they aren't much bang for buck, but hard to call them over-priced when they are so easy to get your money back on. The market clearly disagree's with us.
i'd take a zenith anyday over a sub.
Ignasi I’d take your mom over your dad any day !
Learned a long time ago you cannot judge a book by its' cover. The person that does has the issue.
Steve, indeed! Nor a watch by its owner.... Cheers, Bill
Agreed! Never judge a book till you've read it. 👍
I followed a kind of trajectory in buying watches: after experiencing my first Rolex, my Omega just seemed to lose a little of its gloss - in some difficult-to-describe way. But after experiencing my Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms special edition my Rolex suddenly seemed "ordinary" (for want of a better word.) Rolex are produced to extremely high quality control standards - but ultimately they retain the soul and essence of a mass produced item, IMO. If you look at a Blancpain caliber at x15 magnification you can literally see the brushing and meticulously hand-polished edges of each component! Aesthetics aside, the timekeeping of the Blancpain caliber is also noticeably better than Rolex. My Rolex is certainly within the stated range +/- 2 seconds per day - which is pretty damn good by any average standards. But when it comes to Blancpain we are talking about something which is adjusted in 6 positions and seems to work almost by witchcraft! There is zero perceptible drift - week after week! Probably there is some compensating gain-versus-loss going on due to the typical positioning of the watch through 24 hours. But still...
(Of course I still own the Rolex, because they are a kind of investment. But it rarely comes out of the safe these days.)
Interesting story Jay, and it may be the story of all watch collectors whose collections change over time and they come to appreciate a wider spectrum of brands and features. That Blancpain FF is a honey of a watch! Cheers, Bill
Bill, bottom line is there ‘s nothing wrong about any particular brand...buy what you like! If that ‘s Rolex (or any other brand) then so be it. Enjoy your watch...and enjoy life!
Well said Taylor! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
That's the most sense anyone has made on this topic in the history of time. Big thumbs up.
Thanks Han. What kinds of watches do you collect? Thanks, Bill
I think you're right about those stages. Initially I always thought they were the end all be all of watches. Then as I learned more, I didn't hold them up as high, but in the end, it is what it is...it's not the best or worse, it's just an all-around solid built time piece by a innovated, recognizable brand that will be around for a long time. They retain their value better than most, timeless designed (for the most part), and should be relatively not too difficult/or cost prohibited for your grandchild to get it serviced.
The fact they retain their value is not a good point, because you have to make the initial investment. They hold so much of your money for what you get (not good value for money). Why not get a heavily discounted JLC or Zenith for the same price (if not cheaper)??? They are just as robust with much better finished watches.
algorithm007ify
Great point. The price fissure for Rolexes aren't as deep as some great brands like you've mentioned like the JLC and Zenith. Both are deserving of more credit than they receive. As far as my earlier statement, I should have put a little more context to it. They may not be a great value for the money, but are easy to sell without losing too much of your initial investment. Grant it, if your a savvy patient buyer like Bill Sanders you can get much better with your initial investment, but I was speaking in general terms (i.e. general retail price). I think that's why I enjoy this channel so much. It has really open my eyes up to the possibility of what I could get for my money. Anyways, it was just my opinion. I'm wondering though. Do you have any suggestions for an everyday (business casual) JLC or Zenith? I really like JLC's Memovox; however, I prefer my watches with a bracelet.
@@algorithm007ify bcs a rolex 14060 or 16700 or 16570 and many others doubled in value over the last few years while the jlc still costs the same
A jlc will cost more to service, will be easier scratched and a hard sell.
I love high horology but i get rolex and why people prefer them.
Rolex supply grey market (on-line retails) with watches if they sell them above MSRP before Rolex supply Authorised Dealers.. also Rolex retail prices have increased by 300% in 10 years...
Hi Steven. I've seen Rolexes for $3,995 that retail for $5,050. So that means that they must be getting them from somewhere other than Rolex? Maybe from dealers who went out of business? Thanks, Bill
some models more popular.. I really think they are over priced, like a few other brands and perhaps the demand reflects that. I've nearly bought a few times and each time I've just thought too expensive.
That makes perfect sense. Kindest regards, Bill
True
which model is 3 times what it was 10 years ago?
Ink all over your hands. Why is it that a lot of watch people are also into fountain pens? What’s the connection?
Maybe it's the instrument they appreciate; not the function. Cheers, Bill
badass looking, durable, cheap to service, can do manual work in and not care too much about scratching, wore my sub to my old shelf stacking job when i was poor all the time, cant ask for more in a functional affordable everyday watch
Hey Saddampuh!!! That is so good to hear about your Submariner! Here's a watch that literally went everywhere with you like a loyal friend through thick and thin. You can't ask for more than that! Kindest regards, Bill
My el cheapo Seiko can do all that and more.
A true samurai of a watch taking good care of its owner. Arigato Seiko!
saddampbuh was the Sub gifted to you ?
Rolex are made of high quality materials, and are made in house. But they are also mass produced, which is a no no for those who like a hand finished/assembled movement with a chronometer accuracy still. This is not to dismiss Rolex, they are good watches.
sandydenny4ever As the French might say, ‘pas mal ‘ .... cheers Bill
pas mal, mais pas un vedette. Nous sommes en accord.
Pour la premiere fois, je ne deteste pas le grand usine de Rolex.
C'est une bonne chose. L'usine Rolex vous a toujours aimé. Cheers, Bill
Mais en conclusion,je prefere l'usines de FP et C.Ward. Pas la meme niveaux certainement, les deux etoilles.
Enjoy what you can afford without worries. Simple. If Rolex is your cup of tea, then fine. If not, then move on and don't alienate/antagonize Rolex owners. Simple.
Hey Lloyd, Yep! Cheers, Bill
Ohhhhhhh. Alienating Rolex owners is so much fun though. I like Omega watches.
I won’t say I hate Rolex. I just don’t think the watch has the value that it costs for me.
Like the Submariner can’t stand against the JLC Polaris for me.
Just as a example. 🤷♂️
Or SEAQ Glashütte
Or ..... GP Laureato
If they would put some nice finishing on the movements and would put a exhibition case back.
I would consider to buy one.
I quite like the date just with Roman numerals.
But it is not like I need to have it. There are many cool daily rockers there outside.
Yeah, Johan. A number of collectors believe they really need to have a Rolex; others don't. It's a well-made tool watch, and there's nothing wrong with that. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
WatchArtSci
It is definitely a good watch no doubt. Just I feel that other brands give u more value for the money.
Like Rolex makes roughly 800.000 watches a year and the production is made with many machines. Same as Omega with 500.000 a year.
A Glashütte SEAQ has a 36-13 ticking Inside which has seen more finishing by hand and has some extras like a swan neck regulator and so on. Also that company makes 10.000 watches a year
I’m ready to spend 9 K on the Glashütte.
For the submariner I would pay ..... 5-6K.
But that is just my opinion about this.
Whoever wants to buy it should buy it for that price.
If someone wants to sell his GMT master Pepsi for 5.000€ pls pm me. 😂
I would buy it for that price. But not more.
Btw merry Christmas 🎄
@@johanhirte9661 I believe Rolex produces 1.4 million watches annually. They are far richer than any other watch company, and they plan to remain that way. I like them fine for what they are, and if I think they'd enhance my collection I'd get one. Keeping an eye out for their Cellini Prince ... which they dumped! Merry Christmas to you too, Bill 🎅
WatchArtSci
Yes exactly. Like them for what they are. That is the sentence fits quite to the situation I think.
The prince is of course a very unique one. A very unique substitute for the reverso. 😄 in my eyes.
For me the GMT master Pepsi was the one I would have liked to have so far. I saw it once on a brown leather strap and felt like 👍.
So that one I would look for, but neither 9K or 15K would be acceptable for me haha ( so I guess I won’t get it)
I think about this Rolex hate or not...
The biggest tree 🌲 gets hit by the axe 🪓 first. I guess it is just the topic because of the big number of owners and the wide presence of that brand. It is the most recognized brand of all.
Even I think it shouldn’t be such a controversial brand. It is quite classic and not loud in its design. I feel like Richard Mille would be a more controversial topic on which opinions should meet each other on a more wide range. 😆
But I guess because Rolex is a symbol for many people. The things associated with it might be the bigger topic than the watch it self.
But one question I would have.
Do you think the price u pay for the Rolex Modells is justified ? Or u also think the price is too high for what u get in terms of finishing and movement? ( List price)
Like totally aside from the fact that the price is something everyone has to decide on his own.
Like do u think the sport Modells are worth that price ? Of other brands give more value ?
Maybe u see it from a point I don’t see.
My problem is they don't take care of their customers and make them available. They control supply like the Gestapo
It's like one of those dysfunctional marriages where the wife thinks she deserves to be mistreated...the horror! Hang in there Don, and keep your Blancpain option open...and Breguet, and lots and lots of others. Cheers, Bill
My 'beef' with the whole horological world is all the stuck-up attitudes with preconceived notions who feel the need to compartmentalize. This isn't a pissing contest, there's room for all the watch brands and then some. Clearly those of us into watches-- mechanical ones in particular-- have an affection for various aspects of them, so why tout such vitriol all the time? Rolex makes a great watch period. That the movements aren't adorned with fancy carvings or that they don't feature any obscene complications doesn't make them any worse than a Lange, Patek, Dufour, Smith, etc.; they're simply not so focused on superficial things like that and chose to instead focus efforts on constantly bettering reliability/rigidity and things that really matter- hence the reputation for being such great tool watches. There is of course still that level of mania needed to actually buy one as there's, objectively speaking, no practical reason to do so today, but we are, again fans of horology and owning one can mean so many things to us. I'm 28 and will be getting my first real watch-- a new Rolex 50th Anniversary Sea-Dweller-- later this month after saving for what seems like an eternity, not to boast as some ridiculous status symbol, but because I've got a great sense of nostalgia for the brand and, more broadly, watches in general ever since I was a kid surrounded by all my grandfathers watches (no Rolexes- mainly old Soviet pieces). I'm really excited for it, but also know that I'll be almost ashamed to wear it out where I live and in my circles as they definitely do elicit some strange reactions from people and can convey certain (wrong) messages. For me it has absolutely nothing to do with being a show of wealth- it is merely a fulfillment of a childhood dream and deep appreciation of horology. I'm aware of all the alternatives one could get into at that price range, but chose Rolex over everything else. I just wish watch people weren't so childish and hateful- they're just watches for fucks sake! I think any owner of a Rolex, Patek, Mille, Fornier, FPJ, etc. can objectively admit that a GS is the better watch, but what if anything is this obsession of ours if not rooted deeply in romanticism?
Hi White Buffalo... of course, you're right about the snobbery, and as you know, Rolex is as guilty as any other brand. (Sponsoring Polo matches ... nothing elitist about that...) To me the trick is to find out what delights you, and it's clear that the Rolex 50th Anniversary Sea-Dweller will fit you like a glove. If you're wise (... I know that I'm not ...), you will end it there and be happy. However, if you love mechanical watches, here's what will happen: Someone with a Patek Philippe or ( fill in blank __________) will come up to you and say, "What a nice Sea Dweller, ... isn't that the 50th Anniversary edition?" And you'll start talking about Rolex Sea Dwellers and your watch in particular. He'll never mention his gold Patek Philippe Calatrava ... however, his watch will keep winking at you as it's gold case catches the light. Then you feel drool forming at the side of you mouth for no reason at all... Then you start looking at Calatrava watches on Chrono24 ... and you're thinking ... 'That's isn't as expensive as I though' ... Next you begin looking at the trade-in value of your Sea-Dweller ... That's how it happens.... Kindest regards, Bill
WatchArtSci ha, I’m well past that stage already, though instead of a Calatrava I’ll be going for a Lange 1815 Chrono- my dream watch. Cheers.
We're all doomed...happily so!
White Buffalo what a rant...
I'm a Rolex hater & I own 3 of them 😅 An oysterdate, quickset datejust, & day-date double quick. But that was when I just started collecting. Now I own a Breguet & Vacheron Constantin. I use my Rolex's as everyday beaters besides the day-date [only because its gold]. Yet i get so many compliments on the Rolex's from random people all the while thinking to myself "thanks for complimenting the shittiest purchase I've ever made."
Please fix the exposure setting the video look likes a disco light. Its a easy fix, simple setting.
Hey Knob, don't think I haven't been working on it. I'm pretty sure it's my video camera. I'm getting a new iPhone X which is supposed to have a great new camera. If you think it bothers you, it drive me nuts!! Kindest regards, Bill
Bill, I enjoyed your video , I gave my Rolex GMT to my son for his 40th birthday, he likes the watch but says it is. Not accurate. I am now one of your subscribers .
A Rolex is a great gift for you kids; especially a GMT for trans-timezone travel. My kids are around the same age, but they're still way into digital to care much about their old man's hobby/obsession. Cheers, Bill
Enjoyed the story a lot.
Thanks man! Kindest regards, Bill
In the world of plastic quartz watches my Invictas are often mistaken for a Rolex by the hoi polloi!
Oh no, NRS! They have shamed your Invictas!? I hate it when that happens. Cheers, Bill
Hey! Thank you for another enjoyable video. I wish it was about the watches themselves though. E.g. I'd love to hear what you had to say about rolexes price value ratio or some other technical insight I havent heard yet. Im a fan of their watches but they are a bit above my budget. Plus I would feel like a walking target with one on.
Bill- love your channel. You mentioned that you got lucky with a book you wrote. What’s the title? Thanks
Thanks Scott. Not sure which one I mentioned (I've published 63 books), but it may have been one I did in 1988 on HyperCard. With my first royalty check I ran out and bought an airplane with another guy.Take care and be safe, Bill😷
is it an Aristide Bruant picture you ve got in the back Bill ?
It's a Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec forgery I did some years ago.... Cheers, Bill
Aristide Bruant was a famous singer , song writer and cabaret owner who commissioned HTL for this painting ...
Sorry Patrice, you're absolutely right. I'll gladly trade this masterpiece of a DuFour Simplicity! Cheers, Bill
Coming back to this 3 years after the video, but recent events have definitely changed my opinion of the brand as a whole.
First, I love a few of Rolex's line. Datejust 41 and the Milgauss were my favorite and I went ahead and got on a large rolex group to try to figure out exactly what I was going to buy. It was the members of that group that began to shift my opinion on wearing a rolex in general. They seemed often dismissive of other brands and unfortunately when we're talking about a brand, the culture behind the wearers does leak into my opinion of whether or not to buy their product.
I was still planning on buying the datejust because I thought, "well I'll just be a nice rolex owner who also likes his seikos". I went to three separate authorized dealers, one refused to take my name for a datejust and advised me to buy a Milgauss first to develop a relationship, another answered my question with "it's on the website" before calling someone in front of me and the last said another variation of the first. I don't know if I'm being unreasonable here, but I've more or less decided to avoid the brand as a whole. Rolex makes great watches, but apparently not for me.
Toegunn ... starting to sound like a cult. One problem with some Rolex owners is that they don't really make comparisons. Those who do, often realize there are wider arenas where Rolex is regarded as a very good tool watch, and there are watches that have many interesting features that no Rolexes do. The watch itself is an innocent horological structure. It's the owners who often go nuts. Take care, Bill
Rolex force their stupid customers to pay for a name to wear on their wrists. Omega sell better quality watches at a more reasonable price for their customers. So tell me who cares most for their customers, and make sure their customers feel they have purchased a great deal when walking out of the store.
Get a watch for yourself Petsar... not for anyone else. Take care, Bill
The thought process is this... Everybody knows Rolex is a good watch, therefore even those that know nothing also know that Rolex is a good watch... therefore many people who wear Rolex know nothing about watches. People who know nothing about watches aspire to own one as a status symbol but wouldn't know a decent watch if it punched them in the face. Therefore out of anti-snobbishness (or even out of snobbishness because they are commonplace) people negatively associate with Rolex owners. A Rolex is simply too obvious for some. The hate is generally a rejection based on the Rolex following not the watches themselves.... personally I have negative view on Breitling and Rolex fanboys, but Rolex is a watch that makes sense both as an investment and in terms of reliability. I am not a big fan of Rolex so it wasn't one of the first watches I bought but after I had one or two less obvious watches I added a Submariner and an old vintage gold one from 1924, I am happy with these but they aren't high horology IMO. My favourite watch is my Royal Oak and I think it always will be.
Daveyboyz, this is a tricky issue. A lot of Rolex owners explained to me that Rolex is a good tool watch. If by that, they mean an instrument of time-keeping, I'd certainly agree. If we all focus on the horology, perhaps the problem will take care of itself. Your Royal Oak is yummy watch! No wonder it's your favorite! Kindest regards, Bill
Agreed, what Rolex do they do rather well the issue regards their following which seems polarized into know nothings and proper nerds who know every model number... there's still no safer watch to have your money in than a steel sports Rolex so it seems impossible to be too critical of people who own them,
Thanks again ,great video and all the best for the New Year
From Charlie
Edinburgh
Scotland
Good day Charles! Happy New Year to you and yours! Hope 2019 brings new and interesting watches your way. Kindest regards, Bill
i have the black ceramic divers with alligator leather strap. its about the most understated one u can get.
Hi Gianna! What brand black ceramic divers? Rolex? Let me know. Take care and be safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci its the 2686522 ever rose gold yachmaster 37. hated the rubber band. now I like it. lotsa black on the rotating wheel so its very anti-rolex bling which I think makes it the one cool rolex to have. I also have the YMII but its just too big and heavy for me to really wear it unless its to be seen. I covet the patek grandmaster chime but still raising the 32 mill for it. so the big question is why do I like my watch. Its clean. Its not over complicated. it isnt huge. and its sharp with the rose gold and black. and it is a in the know one so someone who really knows what it is will start a conversation. i think thats probably its best value. "Oh i see you got rid of that horrible rubber band" "yep, they had to murder 100 pygmy ostritches for this baby. band costs more than most porsches"
Gianna, getting and wearing what you like is the ultimate test of any watch. Sounds like you and the Yacht-Master 37 are a great fit! Take care and be safe, Bill😷
@@watchartsci Thanks Bill. the 37 is def a special day or meeting only watch. My daily driver is a citizen eco solr radio band that automatically changes time as I travel around the world and never needs winding. much more practical. but not as sexy as the 37.
Nice video Bill. I've just bought my first Rolex, new from an AD. Green ceramic Sub. Thought that I might be disappointed with it after a while, find it too flashy and gaudy, attracting the wrong type of people, and also regret spending £6600 on it. 6 weeks in (yes, maybe the honeymoon period still) i absolutely love it. Have worn it every day (to the detriment of the rest of my collection), and it has initiated some really interesting conversations with watch enthusiasts. I think a small number of individuals give Rolex, and their owners, a bad reputation. Love the videos btw.
Thanks man! Larry, it sounds like you found the secret to buying and owning watches... you still like your watch! A green ceramic Rolex Submariner sounds wonderful, and I hope you have years of further enjoyment from it! Kindest regards, Bill
WatchArtSci Nice touch that you replied Bill, and so quickly. Never expected, always appreciated.
That's what a dialog is for! Cheers, Bill
The problem with Rolex is its the most highly advertised well known up scale watch. Much as BMW is the same with cars. People who want to say look at me ,I'm a success buy them. If you hear of a baseball or football player buying a team mate a watch, its a Rolex. There is nothing wrong with the watches or the cars but to me it seems a higher percentage of people who own those brands are looking for attention.
Hi Eric, yes, watch collectors often confuse the best marketing with the best product. Without a doubt Rolex has the best marketing....nothing against Rolex; but it's important to know what intrinsic value their watches have that are not manufactured by the marketing department. Kindest regards, Bill
Nice vid but it all depends what you see in a watch. If See Thru caseback and decoration is important, Rolex is not for you.
By the way, my Rolex watches are running much more consistent than the JLC I got.
Why hide a good movement.?..my guess in Rolex's case is waterproofing. Cheers Bill
Your right, Rolex's are great watches. The problem is they have become so popular and especially popular with a pretentious type of people. Back in the old days when Rolex watch were still a great watch people did not even know what a Rolex was. They are very well made very nicely designed on the traditional side and used to be priced better but because of their popularity are sold at about double the price they should be. Good for them.
Hi Bill, you sound like a guy who has his original Rolexes! Cheers, Bill
We certainly seem to have a worsening brand trend in society.
Shitty quality for hundreds or thousands bcs of a brand name.
The rational with rolex is the value retention. I mean tudor makes many better looking watches that seem to be the much better value buy. BB58 or Pro costs basically a third of a normal black submariner. And that isnt even available
Hi Bill. Personally I'm not a Rolex fan. They are very good quality watches but if you have seen about seven or eight Rolex models, you've seen them all. The wow factor is not there for me. Take care Bill, thanks.
There are certain Rolexes I really like, but there are other watches I just like better. Nothing wrong with Rolexes, though. Take care, Bill
@@watchartsci Thanks Bill.
Rolex does make some pretty nice models and I do like their Oyster Perpetual 39. But, watches are watches and don't let them define who you are. At the end of the day, as long as you are happy with what you have, that is the most important thing.
Yep Giang Vu, if you like them, then that's what counts. It would be terrible to have a 'watch herd' talking a collector into a watch based on its publicity rather than its innovation. Cheers, Bill
Good non-judgmental presentation....I heard you mention New England....I am originally from Vermont.
Hey Mike, from Vermont? That state represents a unique form of individualism! You must have an interesting collection. Some of the most interesting people of all New England. Cheers, Bill
Only started collecting in February so the collection is developing. Seiko, Tissot, Hamilton, Orient, Casio are currently in watch box. Learning and saving in anticipation of next purchase. Enjoying the hunt. VT folks are definitely interesting. Except for my brother who's still there I really don't miss it. Love being in Tennessee.....no state income tax gives me more for watches.
Great video. as a Yankee fan, (I make this similar to liking Rolex) , I agree and understand the crap spoken. Rolex is a great watch. I own one (gifted 50th by my GF i love will post on fb thread, and polar exp ii orange hand). I do not like the pretentious stereotype for Rolex or any brand. Only thing I do not like about Rolex is the plain case backs. That is it, display or decorate the case back like my Ball or Breightling
Hey Richard! Being in Connecticut, I live on the fault line between the Red Sox and Yankee fans; so I've found discretion to be the wisest course of action. Maybe that's why I like so many different watches! I've always wondered why Rolexes do not have sapphire exhibition windows to see the movements. Some Rolex owners have had them made, and I've seem pictures. They have beautiful movements to show off. Cheers, Bill
My grandfather had a ROLEX since the 1950s, up to that point he was an Omega man, similarly my grandmother was wearing an Omegas both daily and for formal purposes, and then in the early 1970s acquired a ROLEX. My parents were waring ROLEX since 1960s and my sister, my brother and myself since the mid-1970s. I have been wearing it since I entered university in 1974 continuously. Uncles aunts cousins all the same. All these watches are chunky hard waring watertight and very robust. Consequently my perception of a ROLEX is an everyday sports educing watch. My father also had a golden Jaeger Le-Coultre that he was wearing since he got married in 1952, and once he got his ROLEX would wear his Jaeger Le-Coultre only as a habillé watch. This stuck in my mind is so when I got married I also got a golden Jager Le Court )not thicker than 4 mm) and have been using it as my habillé watch. In the 60’s not that many people knew of ROLEX, but quite a few in the ‘70s. My best friend Stelios (who I met in 1975) had a TUDOR and I was jealous of it because there was a feeling of reverse snobbery about it.
Later on when I became conscious that ROLEX made watches with diamonds and other stones, I got perplexed and just couldn’t understand it. A thick watch is a utilitarian watch. An habillé watch is thin and light, so a ROLEX out of construction cannot be a habillé. The whole thing was silly and then, … and then the masses learned about ROLEX and anybody looking for a status symbol, starting waring a ROLEX. The more precious stones the better!! the more platinum the better!!! Diamond covered DEEPSEA Sea Dweller with gas escape valve ??? diamond covered bracelet??? and advertised as water resistant for 3,900.00 meters ??? No matter what the market wants (Russian oligarch thieves or ill-educated Saudi princes) a reputable company should not produce such objects. Of course a PIAGET for double the price and a quarter of the thickness makes all the sense in the world.
Myself every day I wear my Oster Perpetual Date and don’t think of it. It has become part of my skin. I love my ROLEX. Some years ago I went to have it serviced but the watchmaker that use to be at ROLEX service in Athens had retired. The whole place was revamped and a beautiful and glamorous receptionist greeted me. Behind the desk was there and a salesman. When he looked at my 1974 watch he remarked that I should not wear it much, as it is old and spare parts would be difficult to find and maybe they would even have to send it to Genève!!!, so he suggested I perches a new ROLEX.
To my understanding ROLEX marketing has lost its way.
Now that my children entered university I bought a TUDOR Pelagos for my son and a TUDOR Style Champagne for my daughter and told them that a person in his 20s cannot be seen with a ROLEX. It is simply too pretentious now days. If they want one, once they become successful, they should make their own decision then. Some of their friends got ROLEXes but after a while stop waring them. My children thoroughly enjoy their TUDORs.
Athos
Hi Athos, that is a wonderful unfolding of your relationship with Rolex over generations. Thank you for sharing. Kindest regards, Bill
I hope you read my message all the way for my explanation of " what's wrong with Rolex" and it is a lot wrong with it. Now days I am looking for someone in Europe to restore my great grandfather's 1920's TITUS Genève. Your videos naming ETA, Sellita, Vaucher have been very enlightening. Thank you. Regards Athos.
Yes, Athos, I did read it all. I especially liked what you had to say about the habillé watch, and how Jaeger-LeCoultre was able to fill that need. (My Patek Philippe Calatrava and L. Leroy Grande Osmior Mécanique Extra-Plate are two habillé watches that wear like second skins.) As for 20-year olds wearing Rolexes (or anyone else for that matter) is a matter of choice and taste. Tutors are not too far from Rolexes but now have their own movements. Since I do not own a Rolex, it would be rude for me to suggest that they should be avoided, and it is clear that a large number of watch enthusiasts love them, even if they don't like the marketing practices (or removing their stickers!). Kindest regards, Bill
Patek Phillippe a brand that I always had a soft spot for and do aspire to own. L. Leroy, I can't quite grasp ( I am too illiterate in Chronology) . The Grande Osmior Mécanique Extra-Plate looks exquisite, and if you have done a presentation on it I would love to study it, by other L. Leroy watches seem to me too ostentatious and could be only seen on the hands of royalty or industry leaders. By the way what exactly is "Tourbillon" ? Have you made a presentation on the subject? Regards Athos
Here's the video I did a while back on L. Leroy: ua-cam.com/video/YoTc1k6xb64/v-deo.html Love to hear what you think. Here's a video on how a tourbillon works that is better than any explanation I could have. ua-cam.com/video/7jr-3pgeRfc/v-deo.html Kindest regards, Bill
Rolex Milgauss was my first grail watch. I've had it for years now, and its still my favorite watch. I'm not as drawn to most of the rest of the Rolex collection. I don't care much for their "jubilee" bezel, which is on most of their offerings... it's totally subjective for me to say it, but it just looks too busy/flashy to me. Live and let live- not a rip on anybody.
Hi PV! The two Rolexes I like the best are the Milgauss (...and now the Air King since it's got the Milgauss movement and case...) and the Sky Dweller. I agree with you on the bezel ... plain and clear and I'm a happy camper. Kindest regards, Bill
I really like your videos- thanks so much! I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on finishes. My personal aesthetic sense places a lot of importance on case finishings, and I really prefer satin and brushed finishes to polished. I am pretty clearly in the minority here, but there a few great models out there which cater to my sense. I LOVE the brushed finish on the Tudor North Flag, and the satin finish on several Sinn models. The Glashutte Seventies has a mix of polished surfaces as well as some lightly brushed surfaces (and the Milgauss bracelet has a mix of polished and satin too), which they've done to good effect. In a much cheaper category, I've got a Seiko 5 Sport with a cool bead blasted case finish. Do you know if maybe there's an era where those sorts of finishes were more in vogue? I could become more of a vintage collector, if I knew where to look. Alternatively, have you ever heard of any services for doing postfactory modifications, where a polished finish could be converted? I heard Rolex won't service modified watches (brand discipline, etc), which is too bad... I would love, love, love to get a satin finish on my Milgauss.
Ha! I realize how superficial this all sounds- trust me; I have an appreciation for the mechanics of the movements etc; I'm just very picky about this. Call it OCD...
Why not great finishing on both the case and movement that you can see? You've got a Milgauss, so see what you can find in a GO Seventies with a exhibition caseback? Cheers, Bill
That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm shopping around, just casually for now, looking at what's out there in the pre-owned market. I will for sure get the metal bracelet on that one, but I'm still trying to make up my mind about which dial I like best. I've seen the standard panorama date model in person, but I'd like to see the chronometer model to compare. I know it's thicker. I honestly don't use a chronometer almost ever in my life, but I like the way it looks on that dial.
Rolex are great i played football in mine this morning and you carry do that with many automatic watches.all in house.great watches and very accurate.
Hey Glen, the only watch I'd ever play football in is a G-Shock. Would never do that to a Rolex! Or any other good watch! Take care, bill
I guess we all form our opinions to some extent by our circle of acquaintances and culture. When I first got into watches I wanted to start with Rolex. Unfortunately, the only Rolex people I have ever known were pompous . Also, at the time I was developing an interest in watches was when it was cool for rappers to sport blinged out Rolexes as a status symbol. Those things sort of soured me to the brand.
I think they make nice watches and I marvel that they can mass produce so many accurate watches a year. But my tastes have changed and a Rolex really isn't my style. If I were to get one, I might select a basic Oyster Perpetual (36 or 39mm) with a unique color for the dial (grape or slate perhaps). No two tone fluted bezel or date window though, the fluted bezel and Cyclops magnifier draws attention to it being a Rolex. Unfortunately, that version Rolex costs the same as a Habring2 Felix. I would go with the Felix instead. I don't like following the crowd.
Hi Mark, I try not to judge a watch by the individual or group, but I do know that creeps can made a model or brand unattractive . Habring2 makes so few watches each year, that every one would be considered a 'limited edition' by virtually every other watch company. The Felix is great choice for a special watch made by a master craftsman. Cheers, Bill
Yes, after watching your video I had to rethink things. I was a lot younger when I formed those feelings. You made a lot of good points in your discussion. Hence the look into Rolex again. Maybe one day I'll venture there, but for now my gaze is in a different direction.
I have no hate of Rolex, owned one in the mid 90's, but you have to acknowledge that they are the most knocked off!
Yep, they're copied and faked a lot! Kindest regards Bill
PEOPLE MAKE THAT BRAND FOR WHAT IT IS, price tag is derived from demand, it just simple rule in any economy, AND WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS GOING ON, people Enthusiastic without second thought that's the problem
Hey Dan, how's it going? (... remember all CAPS is screaming ... no screaming.) You make a good point. Those who blindly follow popularity rather than horology can pay way too much for a watch, and those who study horological merit can get a much better watch for a lot less. You can see that your point was also made here: ua-cam.com/video/n-gMhhK_jOI/v-deo.html Kindest regards, Bill
WatchArtSci I didn't meant the CAP to strike you. I only strike opinions I appreciate your efforts for awareness to horology
I didn’t take it as a strike. It just seems like you’re shouting when there’s no need to do so.😇
Personally, my favorite Rolex models are the more unusual models like the amazing Genta-designed King Midas models from the ‘70s (the one worn by Elvis!).
Edit: At the end of the day, it’s never a good idea to limit yourself by refusing to consider certain brands. It’s interesting that you brought up Hublot because they have a rather negative reputation around the industry. I too have seen a few of them that I liked, as I’ve found watches that I’ve enjoyed from literally every single brand that exists. They’re watches - throw your biases and aspersions out the window and embrace things you wouldn’t normally as you might find that you discover something new that you love!
Yes, Justice, as a Air-King (with the Bloodhound dial), Prince and YMII fan, I'm not too concerned what's popular in the Rolex fandom ... however, when it comes down to one watch or another, somehow Rolex has not risen to the top choice yet. Take care, Bill
Hi Bill. Another great one and provocative too! Within their respective segments, Rolex and Patek Philippe make a relatively high volume of watches and succeed because they are very shrewd marketeers. Patek’s application strategy and the success of limited edition Rolex models (coupled with the spectacular price fetched for the Paul Newman Daytona) has added to this mystique and an illusion of exclusivity (compared to peers in their segments). To me, the feverish demand created for these brands mean that they largely stop representing value for money, which when translated into English simply means they’re overpriced. Brands like JLC, Zenith and Oris, perhaps even Tudor (irony of ironies!) translate into a much fairer value proposition bearing in mind their comparative horological excellence. Your views?
Hi MrRea! Any brand that relies on status alone (Cartier for years and years...) holds little interest as far as I'm concerned. However, when a company really starts paying attention to its mechanical horology, (again as Cartier did with Caliber de Cartier...) then it becomes interesting. Rolex and Patek Philippe make decent watches, and that fact is often lost in the hyperbole both generate. Companies like FP Journe, Bovet , H. Moser & Cie, Voutilainen, and Romain Gautier (among others...) make truly exciting watches. Cheers, Bill
WatchArtSci Once again, you’ve hit the nail on the head. I love Patek’s and Rolex’s but when it comes to digging into one’s wallet to shell out good money for something you know you could buy an equivalent for 40% - 50% less (Patek vs JLC, Rolex vs Tudor) I’d demur, 🤔probably to my regret!
Another great video Bill. Must admit to being fairly ambivalent regarding Rolex. I guess there just not my style. For the same money I can buy something I really like. I think jealousy plays its part with the Rolex haters rather than anything else. Back in the 80'S working on London I had a Jaguar XJ6. It wasn't even new at about 8 years old. Every other driver on the road seemed to hate me. They wouldn't give way at junctions, would aim for me on narrow streets and look the other way. I even heard comments for people in car parks from people making derogatory comments. I think it's the same thing with Rolex as I had with the car. The joke was that I bought it dirt cheap as it was a 4.2 and horrendously expensive to run and probably cost less than the Ford Fiesta driven by the people who looked at me with disdain for supposedly being a rich twat.
Hi Robert, I think I had a similar experience with a 84 Rolls Royce Silver Spur. It costs about the same as a new Toyoda when I got it, and was in beautiful shape. I did get an unexpectedly good reaction, though. I used to park it in front of the Mariott in Boston and told the curb attendant to keep an eye on it as we went out and about. Then when we returned, I'd tip the attendant, and tool off...avoiding the exorbitant parking charges! Rolex watches are fine for people who like them; nothing against them, but I like other watches more. I hope someday to get a Cellini Rolex Prince, but for the others, I just don't know how they'd fit in the collection. Cheers, Bill
Bill I met a Doctor that had the omega 007 watch on , and I told him what a great watch it is , and he was really surprised I knew what kind of watch it was , and it made him really happy when I told him how much I liked it , and I do like Omega, then I met my male nurse , and he was wearing a Seiko G shock , and I told him I liked it , said he loves it had it for years and it was able to take a real beating , it made him happy to , the next day I wore my G Shock , he gave me a high five when he saw it , I’m no watch expert , but can pick out a few watches , and like to compliment people on there watch , my buddy has a Rolex Submariner , when we get together for cards he lets me wear it , maybe some day I’ll get a grail watch ? God Bless Bill , Bill I see some watches that are worth a million dollars or more , my question for you is , would you ever pay that much for a watch if you became really rich? I don’t know if I could pay that much for a watch , even if I hit a huge lottery? Maybe a hundred thousand tops , I’d definitely get a couple watches from the Trinity, lol God Bless again Bill 🙏🏻
Pat, it's so easy to find something nice to say about someone's watch. The more you know about watches, the better you are at it! Cheers, Bill
What do you think about the Rolex Prince , Bill ?
Love the Rolex Prince, Pat. Beautiful shaped movement that you can see! Unusual for a Rolex. Cheers, Bill
tks a lot mr Bille,
My pleasure Mr. Saman! Cheers, Bill
In Australia we refer to it as the tall poppy syndrome. That's all it is from what I have seen since jumping onto Facebook pages for the past year. I really enjoyed your video.
Hi Matt! Well, to some, the Rolex owners may be the tall poppies, and to the Rolex owners the Patek Philippe folks are tall poppies, ad infinitim ... so why bother? That's why I like my Habring2; great watch that only few know about! That makes me a 'short daisy!' Kindest regards, Bill
WatchArtSci haha I'm even shorter with my beloved zodiac sea wolf! I just like watches.
Matt, that Zodiac Sea Wolf is a classic! Cheers, Bill
Certainly one of the most controversial subjects in horology.
I tend to agree Rolex means different things depending on which stage of watch collecting one is in.
No doubt Rolex make great watches but state of art in finishing is not there given their production line doesn't afford that.
The thing that really disappoint me on the brand is it's lack of care about its collectors.
From my view they care a lot about selling new pieces but have small consideration about supporting vintage ones.
Different from Patek who services its pieces even if they are hundred years old ;)
Nevertheless, I still enjoy Rolex.
Excellent point Amintas. Not having a Rolex, I have no such problem. However, my experience with my 1968 Patek Philippe has shown me that Patek is great about their vintage support. Kindest regards, Bill
Couldn't agree more. I've heard that Patek even push to reduce their overhaul costs to stimulate collectors to send their pieces for regular checks.
Definitively a smart strategy given it will only give them and collectors long-term benefits.
Journe also does something similar.
Best,
Amintas
The ROLEX Daytona costs about four times more than the ZENITH El Primero. As the quality and appearance of the two watches are so similar, why is the ROLEX much more expensive? That is my only beef with ROLEX. ( Am I wrong; can the price difference be justified? )
Burkhold, as you know, there's no necessary correlation between quality and price in the watch business. We often pay for marketing and get little of real horological value. That's why I like Habring2: almost no marketing and all quality at a great price. This is also why it pays to be knowledgeable rather than easily impressed by marketing or some celebrity wearing a watch. Kindest regards, Bill
Sad but true. Your aforementioned answer is one of the reasons my watch collection is all vintage ( except for the Orients and Vostoks )! Thanks.
Me too Bill, I brought my first RR at 24, a Silver Shadow II, I brought it because I love the brand and history. I wouldn't buy a new RR, my next will be a 1957 Silver Cloud👍
A 1957 Silver Cloud! Wow Sunrayminoruk; those can be pricey either to buy or to get in running order. I want one of the new Wraiths ... I'll have to wait a few years but I see they're now below $100k in some cases. Around $50k and I can get serious! Cheers, Bill
There is Rolex watch, and there is Rolex culture. I don’t have any problem with the former despite the fact it is not my type of watch; but yes, I despise the Rolex culture, especially from ADs.
Fair advice sir I would expect nothing less from you, rolex is not top of my list ,do I like them yes of course I do ,brilliant craftsmanship but not top of my personal list.👍ps I've just read the list of you're publications wow, I don't think I've ever known someone educated to such a high level and no elitism just a normal guy great respect for you sir.
Hey Paul, thanks man. I recently learned that Rolex does not put exhibition windows on the back of their watches so that you can look at the movement. Some individuals have had bespoke ones made by third parties, but for some reason, Rolex does not have them. I wonder why? Cheers, Bill (...the normal guy...)
WatchArtSci well you seem normal,👾most academics like to talk not listen,but you sir do both well.i never thought of rolex and their no display back till you mentioned that I wonder what the rationale is and who would be best placed to answer that, rolex or maybe one of there competitor's .?👍
Rolex is for watches what Louis Vuitton for handbags. Both brands are very distinctive and expensive, making them the desire of those who want to look better off than they are, and causing those with money enough to buy any brand they like, an instant dislike for Rolex and LV, in their eagerness not to be considered one of those aspirants. Some years ago, Burberry´s brand was damaged when chinese imitations made their designs look ¨too available to anyone¨. They solved the problem by raising the prices to make them prohibitive for those who could only afford an entrance piece, and by refreshing the design of the famous pattern and moderating its use. Luxury products whose designs are discreet, rarely appeal to those who want to show off, but rather to those who appreciate what they really are.
Still, all this is a bit unfair on those who truly love Rolex and Louis Vuitton. They should be entitled to enjoy them without suffering criticism or stereotypes...
Hi Toozlepops! I agree. When Rolex owners get snooty about their choice of timepieces or Patek owners smirk at Rolex owners, they're both acting like jerks. Just give me a good watch, and I'll worry about the brand later! Cheers, Bill
I love my Sub 5513 super great watch I also have a Tip Top
John, if you love the watch you've bought, whether it's a Rolex or a Roger Smith, you've got the right watch! Cheers, bill
Hi Bill, for some reasons, I cannot contact you through email. Did you get my email messages?
Sorry James, that's me! I've been running all over the place and have neglected my email. If it's about that beautiful IWC you recently got, it's on deck for WOW! Cheers, Bill
WatchArtSci I see. Ok. Glad to know.
Rolex is a victim of its own success. Anyone who hates Rolex don’t know watches, they are class. Saying that, would I buy one, no. I love the Datejust, but I’d rather have a Polaris; for me, that’s the issue. Most Rolex owners aren’t watch guys.
Craig Johnson I too like the Polaris...good choice!
I am too poor for Rolex. I would love to have a Grand Seiko. I like your videos very much.
Hi Vy, thanks man! Grand Seiko is a great watch. Hi-Beat is my favorite GS. Kindest regards, Bill
Great post and insight. Thanks for the perspective.
Hey Charles, thanks man! Kindest regards, Bill
WatchArtSci you know why I wanted a Rolex? It's simple. Steve McQueen and Sean Connery wore them. Wearing the no date Sub is the only way I'll ever have anything in common with Bond or Bullitt. It reminds me of a cooler age.
Charles, everyone has a good reason for getting any watch they want, and there's that time. Living in San Francisco in the mid-1960s I remember rushing to a meeting with some friends when all of a sudden there was nothing but blue sky as we rumbled a little too Bullitt-style over a hill. But a 55-VW is no muscle car and I'm no Steve McQueen ; more of a Bulova Accutron guy back then! Cheers, Bill
Hey Bill, I don't hate Rolex. I recognize that they make reliable watches; I just can't afford one. And the more research I do, the more watches I find that have similar features to certain Rolex models that cost significantly less.
But I haven't found an equivalent to a sky dweller yet, though. That one is unique, gorgeous, and pretty expensive!
Hi Gilberto, I like the Sky Dweller too ... the new one has a great design for a Rolex. For that kind of money, though, there are so many other watches I'd rather have that the Sky Dweller would have to wait. Kindest regards, Bill
Rolls Royce .....my absolute favourite car since childhood.
Douglas, you'd be surprised how inexpensive pre-owned Rolls are. Stay away from Silver Shadows, but the Silver Spirit line from about 1987 on were pretty good. I had an '82 Silver Spur (which is the long wheelbase version of the Silver Spirit), and other than having to constantly replenish the hydraulic fluid, the car was a dream, and a lot of fun. I found a Silver Spirit you might like for $14,000 ( www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c19839&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=c19841&zip=06002&distance=50000&searchChanged=true&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true#listing=229664377 ) Cheers, Bill
For some strange reason I can justify spending 200k on a watch before a car.
Great video ,all watches are good it’s the person that wears it ,that can be the problem
Thanks
Charlie
Yeah, Charles, how can a watch company be rude and stupid? It's the owners. There're probably the same percent of jerks in every watch brand community; there just so many more Rolex owners that they get the blame. Cheers, Bill
Thank you for video.Enjoyed it as always!
Hey Den, I've very happy that you enjoyed it. Great to hear from you! Kindest regards, Bill
Enjoyed the video and your take on Rolex! What is the title to the book you wrote? I would love to read it. Thx
Hey Robert, thanks man. My "airplane book" was back in '86 or '87 or maybe '88. I don't remember the title, but it was about a new program at the time called "HyperCard." Here's a list of the books I've published and their names and publishers: uhaweb.hartford.edu/WSANDERS/ Click on "Publications" and everything you need is there. Kindest regards, Bill
WatchArtSci thanx Bill I will check them out!
I don't dislike Rolex at all, I just find that for the price of their watches there are so many other more interesting watches, but that's just my personal taste. However, I have been told the only reason I don't like them is because I can't afford one, which was baffling since I was talking about wanting to buy an £8k Reverso in the same conversation prior to that comment.
Hi Will, I completely understand what you're saying. I was all set to get a Rolex GMT when I got a really good deal on an FP Journe, which I jumped on. After that purchase, I didn't have enough to get the Rolex GMT too; so I got a Zenith Elite GMT and have been perfectly happy with it. My favorite Rolexes are the Cellini and a newer SkyMaster, and I still like the GMT Master and the Explorer II GMT, but if it came down between a Cellini and Reverso for the same price ... I'd get the JLC; not because I have anything against Rolexes, but because I like most JLCs better. Some day a Rolex will come along at just the right time at the right price and I end up with one. Got my eyes on an H. Moser & Cie with a double hairspring, a Laurent Ferrier, a Patek Philippe Gondolo and who knows what else. That what else might be a Rolex. Some Rolex owners are a bit obsessive about the brand, but I know others who have Rolexes as part of a larger collection of different watches and don't make a big deal about it. Cheers, Bill
I don’t know, they just cannot called pretty, just like Audi, not ugly but definitely not pretty.
Now I love Cartier, their santos just beauty
Hi Mr. Gong...the eye of the beholder. Cartier Santos are attractive, but you have to be careful about the movement inside. Some are very cheap ones relative to the price you pay for a Santos. Kindest regards, Bill
Sage advise as always Bill, thanks.
Hey Bruce, thanks man. I know you include Rolex in your collection, and so hearing from you has special significance. Kindest regards, Bill
I do indeed Bill. As a matter of fact, I just recently added another one. I traded in my Tudor GMT for a new 42mm Rolex 216570 Explorer 2 Polar.
Sometimes a stereotype gets confirmed, that is all it is really.
Nice to see that you collect off the beaten path and have your own taste, enjoy in good health.
Hey Mike, thanks man! Cheers, Bill
I do think there is legitimate gripe against Rolex; which is their mass manipulation of the watch market, or as they call it ‘good marketing’. What is the chance of walking into your local AD and picking up a new steel Daytona, or any steel sports watch for that matter. Obviously pretty small. Rolex controls all the levers and are master manipulators of price, design/model, and supply. They operate more like a Swiss cartel than a legitimate business. This totally distorts the secondary market, where you often have to pay above retail for popular models. I love most Rolex steel sports watches, they are utter class if a little boring, but I find it difficult to support a company that operates in this way.
Hey Graham, I never thought of it that way. Maybe that's why I like watches based on anything but their advertisement. Hang in there! Cheers, Bill
I take different view. I have no problem with the way they operate their business. I would love to have a business where I could create the demand, and then keep supply low. The market will do the rest for me. Something like this happens every weekday from 9:30am until 4:00pm, its called the stock market. If Rolex flooded the market with watches, the effect would be the same as a company who decided to issue more shares and dilute the value of the shares to the existing share holders. In both cases the share holders or Rolex owners/buyers (the market) would punish the company severely.
Hi Dallas, the thing I like about Rolex is that all their profits go to fund good things. My business in books was such that I had to plan printing enough books, but not too many or too few. With software, on the other hand, I never had to worry about inventory. I appreciate Rolex and every other watch company that has to walk the tightrope between supply and demand. It's not easy. Kindest regards, Bill
Rolex are good watches among many other good Swiss watches but the problem is with Rolex ADs worldwide they started a gray market supported by money laundering guys and people working in the gray market.Even if you are rich and earned your money in a legal ways you will not be happy in buying Rolex from the gray market paying for used or unworn 3 to 6 times the price at the Rolex AD as it’s not only good Swiss watch in the market
Yikes! F Malik, they sound like crypto coins... Rolex is just popular and people keep wanting them. There are other watches; so what can Rolex do? Take care, Bill
One of the knocks against Rolex is that moreso than other luxury brands they are mostly made by machine. Some people buy luxury watches knowing that they are less accurate than $10 quartz watches but do so as a way of supporting the artistry and craftsmanship of luxury watchmakers. By buying a Rolex you are not really doing this. You are supporting a robotic engineer and programmer which you can do by buying a $10 quartz watch.
Also, it seems that a lot of Rolex owners really don't appreciate Rolex as a whole, but limit themselves to steel divers. Lots of Rolex owners would never think to buy a Cellini or an Oyster Perpetual. It's either a sub or nothing. This seems rather narrowminded.
Of course other brands have the same issue with AP aficionados only caring about Royal Oaks, Jaeger fans only caring about Reversos, etc. but it seems more endemic in the Rolex world.
Hi SpringInFialta. To me, we're in a very strange hobby...supporting a long-dead technology; namely a spring-driven mechanical watches...that we set using the highly accurate time in our Androids and iPhones. For me, it's all about the craftsmanship, and that's why I like the now-defunct Cellini Prince by Rolex. It's got a beautiful movement you can see through the caseback. I like watches where you can see the craftsman's handiwork. Cheers, Bill
Some cute buxom women came up to me the other day -- I was sitting at a sidewalk café enjoying my cappuccino and the sights -- and asks me "Is that a real Rolex?" I said "Lady, it is as real as your effrontery." i might have responded differently had I not seen my wife crossing the street towards me. Ah, the problems my Rolex Day-Date causes me!
Lloyd, she was after the movement...that new hairspring and escapement. Good move. Cheers, Bill
I think there are 3 main categories of Rolex owners: 1. Want to impress others 2. Very concerned with resale 3. Just love the watch for the watch itself. There is some overlap of course. There are 4 main categories to Rolex "haters" 1. Think its overpriced 2. Can't afford it 3. Negative association based on A-holes who own a Rolex. 4. Too predictable choice. I can say at some point or another, I've been in numerous categories of both Rolex owners and haters, LOL.
Hey Jay, we're all watch lovers, and Rolex owners have become a big target in large part because they are big. Some, have one Rolex as part of a larger collection and others have multiple Rolexes and love them all. Where Rolex owners get in the most trouble is when they insist everyone who collects watches must have a Rolex. The way I look at it is that they just love their watches, and I can understand that. None of us really have time to waste on hate. Cheers, Bill
What I don’t like about Rolex is that they are overpriced in my eyes. They don’t have the value they ask the money for. Compare a 8K movement from JLC with a submariner movement.
Also this hype makes them kind of undesirable for me. Like many people want a Pepsi or a Hulk. They are ready to pay 17K for one of them.
That’s crazy !! Go get a blancpain FF!!
Peter, we're all of us watch collectors crazy... just in different ways. Kindest regards, Bill
WatchArtSci
Also true XD
Enjoyed the video. Like the content of this and your other work 👍
Hey Neil, thanks man! Kindest regards, Bill
Thank You! Werry interesting! ) Like Rolex. One day I’ wish to buy .
You can find lots of owners with tips on buying a Rolex. Kindest regards, Bill
"ROLEX" LIKE YOU, DON'T CARE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ... SUPER TOPIC Kinda Like confession, lets everyone get their opinion Out Of Their System ... Grew up in N.Y.C. where EVERYONE & their Mother had a Rolex (all fake, OF COURSE) so very early thru overdose the brand lost its interest FOR ME ... However, the Wife is a Business Woman & she likes them so I recently got her an Air King 36mm which she uses for work ... I on the other hand & to keep the score Even got myself the Standard Horology Longines 75th Anniversary "Lindberg" Hour Angle 38mm Pop Open Engraved Caseback Mint Box Papers, because I Like Aviation A LOT (preferring it over the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch) for its historical Tribute to Lindberg's 1927 Atlantic Ocean crossing ... Went to Amazon for a Bill Sanders book & found 4 titles, which one is yours ? ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW AS USUAL. Major Jim, USMC
Hey James, my name isn't exactly uncommon. Check here, uhaweb.hartford.edu/WSANDERS/, and you'll find a full list of the books I've published, mostly under the name 'William B. Sanders.' (Click Publications) Recently, Oxford University Press published a book by Bill Sanders on gangs, but that wasn't me. It was my son. You wife and I have similar tastes in Rolexes except rather than Air Kings, I like the Sky Dweller. (Close). Further up the executive ladder, treat your wife to a Patek Philippe or Bovet. Kindest regards, Bill
"I got lucky on a book I wrote", you casually say ... Just checked website to find that ONE book you wrote so as to get it ... HOLY COW read your list of Publications & Bio & Titles & Committees & Grants & it's like reading a Megalith Colossal Volume, Wore Me Out ... Easily explains why you're the smartest Horologist on UA-cam ... To be Honest, I smelled a rat when you mentioned the Rolls ... I'm an English Lit major & my Professor once said the sign of a Great man is one who spends all day talking to doctors in academia, then goes to the local pub & is so beloved everyone wants to buy him a brew & engage him in conversation ... Clearly, your genius is hiding your genius ... So I figure with Brits you're a Duke or Lord like Winston, or a Cardinal or Pope like Francis, or in my Corps easily a General like Mad Dog, but in Greece you'd ONLY be a Demi-god, though I'm sure the Wife would never believe it. Humbly, Major Jim, USMC
There was this bar.... except rather than students toasting professors, it was an odd combination of professors and a motorcycle gang. At some point, the MC gang decided they wanted to have dart teams made up of one professor and one biker per team. I got paired with their leader. One evening a giant farm worker who was drunk as a lord comes in and starts telling us about Kurt Vonnegut's works. He was one of those intrusive, overbearing types that we professors humored, but in short order the MC gang jumped him. When I stepped in to try to stop the beating, one of their number (who had more than his fair share of Neanderthal DNA) was about to put my lights out. Fortunately, my dart teammate (their leader) stopped him with a look. We ended up taking the drunk farm worker home, but on the way, we demanded we stop by a liquor store for a re-fill...which we did. By the time we got him home, we were ready to take him back to the bar and ask the bikers to give him a tune-up. So much for bars and professors. By the way, I would have been an English Lit major, but caught the research bug and went down another path. Cheers, Bill
I'm one of those guys ( like you ) may be one day , may be not . Who knows ... ?
Hey Armando!! I'm with you! Variety is the spice of life, and I'll get the watch I want! Kindest regards, Bill
its because rolex is a tool watch ie a working mans watch
rolex schooled all the haute horology in marketing
its jealousy from people wearing haute horology that nobody is interested in rolex is a household name
nobody has heard of patek vc jlc etc perhaps they should do some marketing
thanks for the video
ps i love all watches at anyprice point i am looking for a jlc but i only have 7000gbp to spend any tips please guys???
Hello Keith, the trick is to separate the claims of marketing from the horology. That's what makes researching a watch fun! That 7k quid can go a long way. If you think a Rolex will make you happy, by all means get one. However, with £7,000 you can choose from several Jaeger-LeCoultre models. Check out the British JLC site for whats in your budget. Then watch tomorrow's video (March 9, 2019) for purchasing options. Cheers, Bill
JLC Master Series
JLC !!👍👍
Well, Shane, no one can say you're verbose! Cheers, Bill
ask any Rolex AD what they think of Rolex
They'd say they're profitable, Bruce. Take care, Bill
I would say the problem with Rolex is the price we have to pay for them. The Submariner for example. Great $3,000 watch! Too bad it costs $7,500-$8,000. How are we supposed to judge great watches? We could take every brand and check for accuracy after they have been professionally adjusted. We could do an endurance and survivability test. Then we may end up with a Seiko Diver as the world's best watch, or maybe it would be Casio G-Shock if we included quartz to the mix. In reality there is not much wrong with Rolex. Too expensive? Look at Tudor. Tudor too expensive? Look at Hamilton. And on and on. I feel like a watch snob when I buy a $150 vintage watch when nobody else thought it was worthy. I also own an Exp. II. Nice watch, but the best?
Hey Roamy, keep in mind that I don't own a Rolex. I just like good quality watches, regardless of the brand. There are lots of great watches even though they public may not be aware of them. Watch research pays off in more ways than one! Kindest regards, Bill
It sure does. I really like my Rolex Exp. II but almost traded it for a Breguet Transatlantique XXI and would have but the deal fell through. A pity. It's tough getting through the Rolex line-up to a "next" level in the sports watch category. Thanks WatchArtSci
My pleasure Roamy, and don't worry about the next level. Let it come to you! Cheers, Bill
To be honest Rolex is NOT a high horology watch that can stands on the same level of A.Lang&Sohne, Journe, Jaeger, BlancPain, PP, Moinet, Claret etc. Why rich people run after Rolex to quench their thirst. I mean today people are spending crazy amount of money on a luxury Rolex full of diamond to impress but what the watch does mechanically is absolutely Nothing. This is just pretentuous. I'm not jealous, that's facts. Rolex is not a quality watch, they never was and will never be. To be honest it's very tight for ROLEX to play in the top league among brands I mentioned above. These Brands are innovating mechanically not Luxuriously. While a Rolex are a mass produced. Most rich people don't really understand High Horology mechanical watches, they will stick to Rolex rather than a Breguet. These person won't even understand Resonance, Minute Repeater, Ratrappante etc
Rolex has strong, not high, horology and is a great tool watch. My opinion of them went way up when they decided to keep the Parachrom hairspring rather than succumbing to the silicon ones, Alan. I do not own a Rolex, but that doesn't mean that I don't recognize their quality. Take care, Bill
Hey Bill , my Brother May have met the biggest idiot in the world the other day , his job brings him into a lot of people’s homes , and this one guy he did some work for had a huge collection of Rolex and other watches in his living room in a huge display case ? Not only that the watches actually spun around the inside of the case ! Now my Brother knows Rolex like just about everyone does but I’m guessing the other watches were very special probably even more so than the Rolex collection he had , I’m just wondering who does that ? Even if he has them insured or a pretty good alarm system, why take the chance he’s got to be an idiot , I mean the pizza delivery guy shows up and he sees 35 Rolex and other expensive watches rotating in probably some kind of high priced crystal case ? It just seems to me he’s inviting trouble, I wish I was with him to see what this guy had , there’s a pod I watch sometimes called the producer , this guys name is mike and he’s an actual producer,and he has this kid following him around with a camera and he shows this guys life style, mind you I’ve never heard of anything he’s produced but this man is loaded with cash , I wish you would watch it Bill , he has a watch collection that’s out of this world , I’d like to know what you think about his collection? Now he goes to the bank and takes one collection at a time , and there’s about 30 watches per carrier and I think he’s got about 4 of them , now he claims he has to keep them in the bank or his insurance won’t cover them ? He has one watch that is a huge crystal and inside it has a huge diamond on one side and the earth 🌏 on the other and the whole thing rotates , I can’t remember who made it ? But just that one piece is over a million dollars, and he has a lot of Richard Mille watches, he doesn’t tell you the prices but I’m guessing the Mille watches are pushing close to a million, I think it’s called the producer, guys name is Mike , and believe it or not guy seems like a really nice guy , just makes you wonder how nice life could be with that kind of money ! Lol and he says compared to some of his friends he’s poor ? Again great blog Bill , sorry about the book
Ok Pat, I'll see if I can find it. They guy with the Rolexes spinning around simply has them in 'winders.' I have a couple of my automatics in winders if I plan on using them. I'll see if I can find the other one you mentioned. Cheers, Bill
Bill I wonder if he was talking about one of those motorized turntables you see in jewelry stores.
The Rolex is great the issue is the ppl wearing them and the flex culture around it.
Hi Cesar, I think you're right. As a tool watch, Rolex is quite good, but some seem to get almost religious about the brand. Take care, Bill
Unfortunately most of us if told to draw a Rolex can do so by memory.
It's a part of world culture.
Climb Everest. Visit the great Wall of China. Buy a Rolex.
Bucket list!
Hi Ivan. World culture, huh? Bucket list? I just want to visit Geneva! (...and Fleurier ...and LeLoche ...and Dresden ...and Glahütte) Cheers, Bill
My wife is from jura so seen a lot of the watch hot beds.
Yeah everyone can say Rolex. You can go to any jeweller from New York to Jakarta and get a fair price for your Rolex.
Other brands values are far more spread.
Jura! How cool! There's another place in Switzerland I want to visit where Agenhor invited me. But right now I'm hoping to visit Geneva for the pre-SIHH show. Yes, you are right about Rolex; they're everywhere. Cheers, Bill
No worries Bill. We veterans have to stick together. I used to collect early rolexes the ones that are too small to wear (30 mm etc) as i had an interest in military timepieces.
Rolex has a very cool history. In some instances their watches weren't cased in Switzerland. To avoid certain tariffs they would case their watch in the country they were being sold in.
But i lost interest due to the radium content of these pieces. I know it's harmless if the dial stays behind the crystal but I just didn't want them in my house anymore due to the 1600 year half life etc.
I just don't think theres anything special about the Rolexes to warrant the high price. Theres so many better looking more special watches to be had for the price but the Rolex is "just a Rolex" Somehow I just always perceived the Rolex as the dedicated watch for those who just wan't a expensive watch, but don't really care about horology.
Some folks into watch collection attach themselves to Rolexes and that's that. Others have a Rolex as part of a larger collection of a variety of watches. Some find better deals for the same or better quality than Rolexes and never get a Rolex. If the right Rolex comes along for me, I think I'll know it. Ironically, thieves and pickpockets recognize a Rolex immediately and make them a dicey choice for a travel watch, and that's what I need the most. I'll probably have to get a cheap quartz for certain kinds of travel even though a Rolex would be the perfect watch for it! Cheers, Bill
There are good and bad Rolex owners - same with any other item :)
Hey Mad Man, great to hear from you, as always. Yes, I agree with you and that's exactly what I said in the video. (Most of the Rolex owners I've met are actually pretty cool.) Cheers, Bill
What about Archie? Good or bad?
Always bad ;)
Mass produced luxury 😀😂
I guess 2020corp it would be an oxymoron to say, 'Mass Produced Exclusivity'- that's the trick and Rolex has pulled it off. They produce 1.4 million Rolexes a year and still maintain high quality. Cheers, Bill
Most Rolex owners have A pompous attitude, plus it's the most faked watch Ever, a Rolex doesn't even turn my head
Hi Victor, well, I guess some Rolex owners are pompous, but I'm pompous too, and I don't even own a Rolex! Rolex makes very good watches, and so too do other watch companies, but you're right; probably faked more than any other brand, which is a pity. How'd you like to have a real Rolex and have some clown tell you it's fake when it's not? Well, that's the cross Rolex owners must bear I suppose. What kind of watches do you like? Cheers, Bill