Ginuwine
Wherearemymarbles
Rolex.
Overpriced, mass produced aspirational nonsense!
By god they got it right though as everyone seems to aspire to own one!
I'm sorry but this comment isn't informed by anything horological.
Overpriced?!! Look at what the Daytona retails for - around £10k from memory - and then what new ones retail for on the grey market. Rolex could triple the price at their retailers and still fill their order list. They limit supply to maintain exclusivity. They are anything but over priced considering the horological pedigree.
Speaking of which.. the Oyster case, the perpetual movement, the quality of the functions.. there's a reason why serious people in their fields choose them.
If you're just frustrated at their ubiquity as the "I'm rich!" thing of choice, then sure - fine - vent away. That's your opinion.
But some things are factual. Rolex make very, very good timepieces - right up there. Yes Vacherin, Audemars, Patek remain the trilogy. But that's UHNW stuff.
Rolex works because it's luxury, at a price point where theoretically (!) a reasonably successful person in their field could save for an Oyster or Datejust and then have it for years and it holds its value.
Over priced it isn't..
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Rolex! Now we are taking something close to my heart and in which I can share a little knowledge! If you are even an amateur horological enthusiast with or without a collection you need to acquire some introductory knowledge past the misunderstanding of Joe and Josephine public. I say that in an encouraging inclusive manner and not dismissive or snotty. The watch maker Rolex has a very different deeper understanding and appreciation between those that know about quality time pieces and those that think Rolex is the pinnacle. Rolex is far far from the top dog in terms of the hierarchy of horological development and watch making. What tends to confuse the public is the overall acceptance that Rolex is it and costs an arm and a leg. Actually in terms of fine time pieces Rolex is indeed a dominant mass market player with arguably the best ongoing advertising and endorsement campaigns but not the best or most luxurious by any means! I exclude bespoke rainbow precious stones pieces and other original (not after market set) “iced out” pieces.
I and husband wear, collect and treasure especially limited anniversary pieces stainless steel oyster sports and general tool watches non Cellini.
Rolex is I believe naturally a notch down from the agreed Swiss trilogy of Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin. Personally I rate A Lange & Sohne to be the epitome of watchmaking even above the silly astronomical money (laundering) stuff like Richard Mille and Jacob & Co which is just for ostentatious VIP events that you collect from your bank safety deposit box because home insurance is prohibitive. Jaeger-LeCoultre and Breguet is arguably more highly rated than (most) Rolex. The Swatch ETA Group with Omega etc provides some value alternatives to Rolex but will not retain monetary value over time.
Rolex is best for being famous to non watch community and arguably a recognition as a store of value and thereby does have uniformed accepted values globally. Whereas to the untrained eye you could buy a better horological value and more accurate with higher quality finishing Grand Seiko but it's discrete stealth wealth (for sub US$10k at least) sleeper value. Some might mistake it for a cheap £300 Seiko 5 watch from a high street store.
The unique Rolex factor is that despite an annual production generally understood to be approximately one million pieces Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres certified with full in house movement - Rolex control the market demand! Rolex are the king of market manipulation by creating a mass luxury market demand and limiting supply to a highly controlled authorised dealer network. This means a parallel grey market is big business which all helps to maintain values so high that they tend to (certain sought after models) go over book value as only sold to first time buyers or to trusted collector buyers who will not flip for profit. Rolex will hold value if well kept in fine condition preferably “full set unworn unserviced original so not repolished but periodically turned” in a motorised watch box.
If you want pure horological quality in time keeping in terms of the accuracy (automatic not quartz movements of course) then consider Grand Seiko as better value than Rolex as also sought after by those who know more than just Rolex!
Jenni Elle is a good basic gentle introduction to wrist watches:
m.youtube.com/channel/UC4TLvsSDZQb-TBrhDID3jPg
Wristwatch check: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ladies automatic stainless steel blue dial