Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
Congrats on the purchase!
He didn't actually buy anything Ca. He was being facetious with the title of this thread.
I just bought a Breitling Tourbillon.
- Thread starter Centurion
- Start date
He didn't actually buy anything Ca. He was being facetious with the title of this thread.
Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
...I will never buy a watch with bracelet! I just don't like it. I want to feel leather around my arm
Funny, I'm the exact oppisite. I only like steel bands. I would, however, like to have one leather band in my collection... eventually.
Somehow I don't feel like that Motorola RAZR belongs in that photo. I guess that shot is a couple years old or something.
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
Just as usual you always have good points and arguments Osna. A submariner is an expensive watch but most upper middle class people could actually buy one if they really really want one. But like you mentioned at the end of your post Rolex and RR are synonymous with celebrity which brands like Philippe Dufour aren't. Perfect partnership is sometimes about hooking up with company which has the right image. Otherwise HP would have done their new Pavilion ads with popular artist like Pharell and Jay-z.
Like Roberto have mentioned before the Phantom does have the same appeal today as the old RRs had when they were in production. There are tons of new millionaries who have picked up a Phantom. That is the reason why I don't think RR is more exclusive than Rolex.
Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
I just checked the price for the Breitling Mulliner Tourbillon. Can be yours for just $150,000.
Kinda rough - pricing the product tie-in as high as the product itself.
Kinda rough - pricing the product tie-in as high as the product itself.
Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
Lu - Hundreds of thousands of Rolexes are sold every year whereas RR sells only a few hundred cars in the same period of time. Rolex and Rolls Royce are aligned in the sense of hip-hop junk culture, but are definitely not aligned in the sense of their consumer base.
Let me put it another way, a Rolex partnership would be to the detriment of Rolls Royce. Rolex is a "luxury pop brand" synonymous with middle-class connsumerism, and projects an image RR is keen to avoid. In short, it's beneath them. There are plenty of A-list watch brands like Breguet, Patek Philippe and A. Lange & Sohne that are very well known and could build a positive relationship with Rolls Royce.
Come think, the perfect fitting for Rolex would be a partnership with Jaguar. Both brands are virtually laser-beamed towards the same audience.
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
I guess you are right
Rolex = upper middle class
RR = The creame of the society.
Jaguar was a really show off brand during the 90s and Rolex is also a brand for those who have the desire of earning themselves som kudos in the society. Then again I doubt that Rolex would want to have anything to do with a brand which is on the edge of collapsing.
Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
Probably not. But on the other hand, there's a real place for Jaguar in the automotive world. In fact, there's lots of Southern California buyers who equate Jag with true luxury and demand one.
While Rolex is a much healthier brand, they do tap into roughly the same psyche and income bracket and would probably seem relatively comfortable side by side.
The magic of Rolex is remarkable. Through smart marketing and a well-controlled distribution chain they've etched themselves into the heads of the general public as the last word in exclusive luxury watches. Because of their reputation and designs which are pratically frozen in time, resales are very high. It's like having hard currency on your wrist.
It's pretty easy to gague just how damn common Rolexs are - just go to Ebay. Type in "Rolex" and you're bound to come up with about 4,000 results on any given day. That's practically the same as the Seiko listings and roughly double what you'll find of other mass-produced brands like Omega or TAG Heuer!
Don't get me wrong. Rolex really do make a good watch. It's just that their watches are wrapped-up in so much marketing hocus pocus and connsumerist tradition that it's pretty hard to judge the watches on their own merits. Personally, I find most Rolexes to be pretty staid and gawdy - not to mention that they're often compelled to put a paragraph of type on the dial. The Daytona's dial hinges on the ridiculous.
Still, I have to admit a soft spot for vintage Rolexs. Mostly late 60s and earlier. I'd get a vintage Submariner if I had the money, but those things will run you an arm and a leg - even in shabby condition.
Michael
Torque Titan
this is the one that my father has:
To say that Rolex is not up to par with RR is just wrong in my opinion. As Osna has said, Rolex is solidified in time as the best watch maker. Omega and others can come close, but they will always be second, even if it is a matter of degree. They are truly the best watch maker because they got their first.
To say that Rolex is not up to par with RR is just wrong in my opinion. As Osna has said, Rolex is solidified in time as the best watch maker. Omega and others can come close, but they will always be second, even if it is a matter of degree. They are truly the best watch maker because they got their first.
Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
Woah, Michael! That's the opposite of what I said.
The gist of my past dozen or so posts was that Rolex is perceived by the public at large as the "world's best watchmaker" because they don't know any better.
The Rolex brand has many feathers in its cap (perhaps most compelling is the Submariner story and the development of mass-produced automatic movements), but by no means does Rolex sit atop the totem pole of fine luxury watches.
Since Rolls Royce is the ultra-luxury car brand of record, so should they be mated with brands of equal stature. Rolex just isn't in that league.
Michael
Torque Titan
Osna I realized it was the opposite. I am at work and have not had the time to correct it. So, I will just respond from this quote on.
How is Rolex not on top? I mean, some argue that Rolex is essentially like MB. The name is the keeps them alive in times of hardship whether it be company issues or quality issues. All in all, I think the Rolex has been presistent in keeping their image and quality alive. What happened with the Submariner?
bmer
Tire Trailblazer
Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
The first question requires a long answer, so I'll try to get back to that when I get off of work. In short - Rolex is a wildly successful, mass-produced, middle-class brand that many wrongly regard as the last word in watchmaking. Examples of brands that "sit above" Rolex include: Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantine, Lange & Sohne, Ulysse Nardin and Breguet - to name a few.
Second - about the Submariner. Rolex pretty much paved the road to the modern diving watch in the 50s. The Submariner has some very interesting stories attached to it, including the invention of the helium release valve and use by the Royal Navy.
If there's one Rolex I could have, it would be a vintage Sub. They run a pretty penny though.
Michael
Torque Titan
Nevertheless, Osna if they paved so many roads with the Submariner, as I have understood from you posts, what is so wrong with them after all.
I retract my statement that they are the best. I don't know what I was thinking. Paneri is a favorite of mine that is incredible to say the least in my opinion.
I retract my statement that they are the best. I don't know what I was thinking. Paneri is a favorite of mine that is incredible to say the least in my opinion.
Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
Looks like we're in agreement then. Rolex really is an impressive company and has been instrumental in the development of the modern wrist-watch. My problem is that the exclusivity, craftsmanship and overall status of their watches is often misunderstood by the general public.
Panerai is a different story. I like the legacy of the brand, but really don't care for how its been managed since they were bought by the Vendome Group.
I would love to have a vintage Panerai diver. (Trivia - Panerai used Rolex movements)
Michael
Torque Titan
The Panerai that is used in After the Sunset with Pierce Brosnan is beautiful. I would love to have that watch, however, I don't think I can afford it, at least for a while. I have my eyes set on the Bond seamaster. I have had it set on that watch for the longest time.
Osnabrueck
G-Class Explorer
Small wrists need not apply. Those Panerai's are massive (although certain models can be had in reduced size).
If you hover on Ebay long enough you could probably score the Seamaster you want for a totally reasonable price. I just saw a Planet Ocean Seamaster sell for a deep discount the other day.
Michael
Torque Titan
Could you share that price? The problem with Ebay is the legitmacy of brands.
NevadaJack
In Memoriam
Mercedes, Rolex and NevadaJack
Well I have read this full thread...that Brietling is about the most beautiful watch I have ever seen. Michael said he didn't like to show what he has but I felt compelled to comment and show my watch.
Ever since my wife and I were married I wanted a Rolex but there was no way until 1990. My wife sold fine jewelry and we were in Hilton Head, SC. I was selling boats and got a commision of over $2500. The Shop where she worked was not a Rolex dealer but in talking with the owner over a beer one day, he mentioned he had a friend who handled Rolex's and he would see what he could do. About 3 months later he told my wife to tell Jack he had a watch for me. Betty Jo said take the commission and add to it and said "I want you to have it...you have earned it."
Well he asked what I wanted and I told him the DATEJUST in stainless and gold with the Jubilee bracelet. In about a week he called and said it was in. I was in heaven...when I asked what the tab was he said $2850! Even in 1990 that was a deal! I later added the diamond champaign dial. Today I think the retail on that watch is over $6K. It has never been overhauled, just some change of oil and cleaning every so often. It is one of my keepsakes and the most sentimental item I have.
So where this watch and it's owners fit in the market I have no idea. I do know that it is a treasure to me and is probably the most copied watch style ever. I don't wear it or show it to make a statement...I wear it because it keeps good time, looks nice and reminds me of someone special.
Well I have read this full thread...that Brietling is about the most beautiful watch I have ever seen. Michael said he didn't like to show what he has but I felt compelled to comment and show my watch.
Ever since my wife and I were married I wanted a Rolex but there was no way until 1990. My wife sold fine jewelry and we were in Hilton Head, SC. I was selling boats and got a commision of over $2500. The Shop where she worked was not a Rolex dealer but in talking with the owner over a beer one day, he mentioned he had a friend who handled Rolex's and he would see what he could do. About 3 months later he told my wife to tell Jack he had a watch for me. Betty Jo said take the commission and add to it and said "I want you to have it...you have earned it."
Well he asked what I wanted and I told him the DATEJUST in stainless and gold with the Jubilee bracelet. In about a week he called and said it was in. I was in heaven...when I asked what the tab was he said $2850! Even in 1990 that was a deal! I later added the diamond champaign dial. Today I think the retail on that watch is over $6K. It has never been overhauled, just some change of oil and cleaning every so often. It is one of my keepsakes and the most sentimental item I have.
So where this watch and it's owners fit in the market I have no idea. I do know that it is a treasure to me and is probably the most copied watch style ever. I don't wear it or show it to make a statement...I wear it because it keeps good time, looks nice and reminds me of someone special.
