| Author | Message | ||
     Blgg New member Username: Blgg Post Number: 142 Registered: 04-2007 Rating: N/A |
I'm hoping readers might enlighten me. I've recently entertained the prospect of adding a vintage Rolex to my collection. I hadn't really studied them before. They're clearly fashionable - with strong demand - and a corresponding price premium to boot. However, with few exceptions, the Rolex design aesthetic appears consistently, perhaps intentionally, uninspired over many decades. Also, I'd expected to find superior attention to detail and a high level of craftsmanship expressed in movement design and fabrication. To my surprise, while certainly accurate and dependable, I found movement aesthetics and finish quality (even with chronometer grade pieces) well below other brands of a similar, and even lower, price point. In conclusion - what, please, am I missing? Thanks. | ||
| Gregb New member Username: Gregb Post Number: 75 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
I agree 100% with your assessment. I'm not a big fan of Rolex, though I appreciate their ruggedness and durability. You have to respect that they've created a Sport Watch that is probably second to none in terms of being bulletproof and reliable. Despite the fact that movement finish quality may be lacking when compared to many other top brands, Rolex seems to put more of their money into functional testing and chronometer certification than movement aesthetics. I can also appreciate that they've managed their dealer network better than most brands to ensure a consistent quality support experience and they've marketed and distributed their product in a way that ensures older watches maintain their value well. You can almost sell your used Rolex for what you paid after wearing it a few years. All that being said, I think the general attraction to Rolex is the name recognition for unsophisticated buyers (it certainly can't be the dated styling that attracts them). Though when 9 out of 10 "Rolexes" you see on people are actually fakes/replicas, I don't understand why the "prestige factor" hasn't diminished. JMHO. Greg | ||
| Blgg New member Username: Blgg Post Number: 143 Registered: 04-2007 Rating: N/A |
Good morning Greg, My curiosity did get the best of me - and I took this Rolex in auction. I find the dial very pleasing - which likely means that it will be hard for me to sell when the time comes. <g> \ 34mm 14K & Stainless 15 Jewel caliber 710 Ref. 6083 - SN 7833XX Best, Ben    | ||
| Gatorcpa New member Username: Gatorcpa Post Number: 56 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
Blgg - I know what you mean. I took a trip outside my comfort zone a few months ago and took a flier on a vintage Rolex as well: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/gatorcpa/Watch%20Photos/Rolex%20Oyster%20P erpetual/DSCN2112.jpg An eBay special, and the price was right. I think all it needs is a trip to the watchmaker for a cleaning and regulation. It should be good to go for a long time. Good luck with your bubbleback, gatorcpa |