Rolex Watches: Are They Worth It? Men’s Watch Review – Datejust, Submariner, GMT Master

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Rolex is definitely the first brand to be mentioned when it comes to luxury watches. If you ask Joe Average on the street for a luxury watch, chances are he’ll say Rolex. In the men’s style universe, Rolex are ubiquitous and I’m probably one of the very few men’s style YouTubers out there who doesn’t own one, yet, maybe! We’ll figure it out after this video today.

So why is it a good thing? Well, I’m in the same boat as you are, not sure I should buy a Rolex and I’m really not trying to sell you one, I’m really just trying to find out if it’s worth it or not. I mean some people argue that you have to be emotionally prepared to buy a Rolex, others compare it to the equivalent of an engagement ring and in this day and age, it has almost become something like a milestone or a marker of success to own a Rolex.

Rolex Logo
Rolex Logo

How Rolex Came To Be

  • In 1905, the two brothers-in-law Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis decided to import Swiss watch movements to England for other jewelers to put into their watches
  • By 1908, they registered the name Rolex and opened an office in Switzerland. Six years later, Rolex received the prestigious class A precision certificate by the Kew Observatory.
  • In 1919, the company relocated in its entirety to Switzerland. In 1926, Rolex invented and patented the Oyster which was the first truly waterproof watch case. 
  • In the 1940’s, Rolex watches became the timepieces of choice for fighter pilots because they were a lot more accurate and precise than what the military issued to them. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that a Rolex watch was used to time The Great Escape. During World War II, the Nazis confiscated the highly coveted Rolex watches from the prisoners of war but Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, issued new watches for free to prisoners of war if they asked for them. In an unusual financial move, Wilsdorf decided to put all of his shares into a private charitable trust because that way, he could guarantee that the profits of his growing company, and he knew he was on to something, would go to deserving causes. Interestingly, today, Rolex is still a private charitable trust and some people argue that it’s mainly for tax evasion. I can’t really judge what the main motivator is but it definitely saves a lot of taxes. 
Hans Wilsdorf - The man behind Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf – The man behind Rolex
  • In 1945, Rolex launched the Datejust and the innovation was that it automatically changed the date on the watch. Today, that’s not a big deal but back then, it was a big innovation. 
  • In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary wore an Oyster Perpetual when he summited Mount Everest. To commemorate this unusual achievement, Rolex issued the Explorer watch. A year later, the Rolex GMT Master was introduced for Pan Am pilots so they could keep track of two time zones. 
  • In 1962, Sean Connery wore the Rolex Submariner in the Bond movie, Doctor No. Interestingly, Connery would continue to wear the same watch on the next four Bond movies exchanging the strap on them each time. Likewise, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton wore Rolex watches as Bond, Steve McQueen was also a big fan of the brand and he wore a Submariner in his private life as well as in his movies
  • In 1980s, a flashy all gold Rolex became the hallmark of success. 
Rolex Daytona with "exotic dials" - the famous "Paul Newman" dials
Rolex Daytona with “exotic dials” – the famous “Paul Newman” dials
  • In 2018, Forbes ranked Rolex is being the 71st most valuable brand in the world. Why is that? Well, in the modern era, I’d say that a lot of  the success tied to Rolex watches can be attributed to their superior marketing. On the other hand, their watches have changed very little. It has become a mainstream status symbol with a super high brand recognition that probably exceeds that of any other watch brand. Yes, watch enthusiasts may argue that point and mention different companies like Patek Phillipe or Audemars Piguet, that being said, Joe Average on the street will likely only know Rolex and no other luxury watch brand. Also, if you take a look at the most expensive watches ever sold at auction, three out of the top ten were Rolex, including the Rolex Daytona from Paul Newman which sold for over 17 million dollars. Today, Rolex produces about 800,000 watches per year with an entry-level price point of $6,000 and an average price point of about $8,000. 

A Closer Look At The Watches:

The first thing that really stood out to me is that Rolex stays very true to their brand and they tweak their models ever so slightly throughout the decades. The Datejust, the Submariner, the GMT Master, yes, there are slight changes but throughout the years, you can always recognize it as a Rolex and very little changes so stylistically, it’s a very interesting approach. Of course, why would you change the winning team? On top of that, because there’s such few changes, each model has quite a bit of history and substance which helps to maintain the value throughout the years. 

In order to determine if Rolex watches are worth it or not, I wanted to personally test them so I got my hands on four of them that I had with me for over two weeks. Honestly, I really didn’t want to commit to any of those watches so I bought them vintage from Theo & Harris which is a trusted source online because I knew I could return all the watches in case I didn’t like any of them. Also, I like Christian, the owner, who has a YouTube channel and he’s very passionate about watches, I am passionate about high quality things myself so I like to buy from people who share a passion for something. 

Have a reputable watch expert examine your Rolex
Have a reputable watch expert examine your Rolex

That being said, buying vintage Rolex watches is risky because Rolex are one of the most faked watches in the world. Because of that, the fakes can be really really good and only professionals can see if it’s a fake or not. Because of that, I wanted to get it from a source that has a reputation to lose, not just from some random eBay store.

Rolex Datejust
Rolex Datejust

Rolex Datejust

So what Rolex watches did I get? Well, first of all, a Datejust in stainless steel, 36-millimeter case with a light silver dial. Today, a new model retails for $8,200. This is a type of watch you see the Effortless Gent wearing, the Modest Man wearing, He Spoke Style wearing, I think Antonio from Real men Real style has one too. It’s a super popular model and has a classic Rolex look. Vintage, you can find them anywhere from $3,500 – 4,500 depending on the condition and the amount of use. 

Rolex GMT Master
Rolex GMT Master

Rolex GMT Master

The second Rolex is a GMT Master with a two-tone blue and red dial and a black contrasting face. It came with an aftermarket brown leather strap. If you’re looking to buy the modern equivalent, the Rolex GMT Master 2 with a stainless steel band, it would retail for $9,250. 

Rolex Date
Rolex Date

Rolex Date

The third Rolex I got was a little more unusual, it’s the model Date and it’s originally a woman’s watch because it only has a 34-millimeter case width. However, personally, I like smaller watches and that despise big huge watches so I just wanted to give it a try and see what it looked like on my wrist. Unless you have a small wrist or like smaller watches, it’s probably not the right watch for you but it retails for $6,300. 

Rolex Submariner Date
Rolex Submariner Date

Rolex Submariner Date

The fourth Rolex I got was a Submariner Date with a 40 millimeter case which is a little thicker and bolder, there’s a black bezel and dial and retails for $8,550. 

Even though these four Rolex watches are all vintage, they look extremely similar to the current version you can buy new from the Rolex website or any authorized Rolex dealer. Unless you’re a Rolex expert who knows the differences by year or you really care about a specific look, you’ll be happy no matter if you buy a new Rolex or an old one.

Rolex Construction

When you buy a Rolex watch, you get a Rolex watch. Basically that means, it is designed, developed, and produced all in-house, nothing is out sourced. The casting of the gold, the machining, the crafting, the assembly, the finishing, all of it is done in-house. It includes the movement, the case, the dial, as well as the bracelet. Now, if you think about it, with 800,000 watches produced every year, it is hardly an artisanal product, it is a mass-produced product. 

Probably, at least partially because of that, it’s not considered to be one of the big three watchmakers which are Patek Phillipe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin. While the big three focuses on handwork and complications, Rolex produces a reliable robust watch. A Rolex has high quality standards and they improve incrementally. From a watchmaker’s point of view, they’re fairly simple compared to the of the Swiss watchmaking industry but nevertheless, they’re a very popular watch. 

The Rolex Daytona paired with a suit
The Rolex Daytona paired with a suit

So the Rolex I got have the Oyster Perpetual Movements, it is a self-winding mechanical movement that is also certified as a chronometer. According to Rolex, these movements are designed to ensure precision, reliability, shock resistance, efficient self-winding, and ease of maintenance. Now, these are very bold claims to make but in the marketplace, Rolex enjoys the reputation of building tough reliable watches that don’t need much maintenance. So it’s more than just a marketing gimmick, it is actually true. 

All the watches feature the oyster steel which is a 904 L stainless steel. Rolex uses it for cases as well as the bands. The 904 L stainless steel is so popular because it’s very resistant and the finish stays in the same shape even though you use it in harsh conditions. Now if you think about it for a moment, stainless steel is an extremely inexpensive material. The 904 stainless steel cost anywhere between ten and $19 a pound depending on where you buy it in the world. That’s 454 grams for $10-$19. Now on the other hand, a pound or 454 grams of fine gold, right now, sell for $19,400, so depending on what price you get on the steel, that gold material is worth a thousand to two thousand dollars more than the stainless steel. Ironically, in the used marketplace, stainless steel Rolex watches seem to maintain their value much better than gold or gold and steel combination watches. 

Rolex Cellini
Rolex Cellini

Now, Rolex produces a bunch of different watches including a dress watch range which is called Cellini but it is not really well known but what they’re known for is their sports watches or professional watches. In this day and age, distinction between dress watches and sport or professional watches is often overlooked. Dress watches were just made to keep time and to look very elegant so they were often round, flat, and gold. You’d wear them with suits or maybe your tuxedo or a combination. At the same time, because of the leather strap, you could also wear it with a slightly more casual outfit. Sports watches or professional watches, on the other hand, were designed to create specific tasks. As I mentioned, one was for pilots, the other one was for divers, and so forth. Because of that, they were built to be a lot more robust and reliable under extreme conditions. As a consequence, sports watches were bulkier, thicker, and just more rugged than their dress watch counterparts. Because Rolex’ most popular models are sports and professional watches, that’s what most people wear even with their suits, sometimes their tuxedos or just their general outfits. 

Daniel Craig as James Bond
Daniel Craig as James Bond

Personally, I much prefer the look of a dress watch with a formal outfit. Maybe the only man who can break that is James Bond but after all, he’s at work. Of course, in this day and age, dress codes are so relaxed and you can wear whatever you want, whenever you want, but if you’re interested in classic men’s style, I think the distinction between dress watches and sports and professional watches is still relevant. So if you look at my wardrobe, it’s really more formal than that of 99.999% of men out there. Because of that, a stainless steel Datejust, GMT Master or Submariner is probably not the best choice for me. Instead, a dress watch is probably better. 

Objective Measures Of A Rolex Watch

1. First of all, Rolex are relatively affordable watches. Yes, I said that and please hear me out. Of course, not everyone can drop 6 0r 10 thousand dollars on a watch; it’s very expensive and it’s a lot of money. However, relatively, to the luxury watch market, it’s not all that much. Because of that, it is a safe bet if you want to enter the luxury watch market. If you want to spend less than $6,000, you can go with vintage model Rolex’ from trusted sources. Often, you can spend about half the retail price on a vintage Rolex that looks extremely similar to the latest model. So unlike with cars, where a 1960s model looks very different than current model. With a Rolex watch, that is not the case. 

2. Rolex is a known entity in the market with a great track record of quality and consistency. Without a doubt, Rolex has a long standing history. They’re not going to go anywhere in the near future. That being said, if they were to disappear from the surface of the earth, chances are the watch prices would just skyrocket. Their models stay around, they just have slight modifications, and so you know that you’re not gonna have an outdated piece that no one wants to have in a few years down the line. 

Rolex Datejust, Date, Submariner, GMT Master
Rolex Datejust, Date, Submariner, GMT Master

3. The servicing cost of Rolex is relatively low compared to other watches. Yes, mechanical watches have to be serviced in order to function properly and precisely over time. Now for a regular watch like my 1930s Reverso, my local watchmaker recommends to service it about every three to four years. That costs me about $250. With a Rolex, you can wait probably five or ten years. My father-in-law has had his watch for over 15 years and he hasn’t serviced it yet and it’s still going strong. Now if you want your watch to be serviced, an authorized Rolex dealer with original parts probably costs you 500 dollars and more but still, if you break it down to service cost per year, it is lower than many other watches out there. 

4. A Rolex watch can be a worthwhile investment. If you choose the right Rolex model, you can maintain or increase the value of it even though you wear it. Generally, it’s a myth that luxury watches are good investments. Oftentimes, you can spend 15 grand and it’s just worth $3,000 a few years down the road, however, certain models of Rolex watches, Patek Phillipe or Jaeger-LeCoultre have proven to really hold their value or even increase it over time. So for some reason, if you ever needed money quickly, you could always sell your Rolex watch quickly.

A branded Rolex boutique
A branded Rolex boutique

Now on the other hand, if you look at great watches like the Yacht-Master, the Air-King, the Explorer, or the Milgauss watch from Rolex, they’re all great timepieces yet they don’t maintain their value as well as the other five I’ve mentioned before. Also,if you purely look at the value from a monetary point of view, stainless steel watches from Rolex are the way to go. Now, the two-tone watches in stainless steel and gold are much more subject to fashion and as such, they’re less desirable and fetch much lower prices even though the retail price is higher than the stainless steel version.

No matter what Rolex you get, it always pays to keep all the paperwork, all the boxes, and the original receipts because it will increase the resale value of your watch. For example, you could have bought a new Rolex Submariner model 14060 M in 2010 for $3,800, you could have worn this watch every day and if you decided today that you wanted to sell this watch, they usually go between $6500 and $7000. So you would still probably almost double your money even though you’ve worn something for almost a decade. Now, think about pretty much any other thing from clothing, accessories, or cars, there’s hardly anything that maintains the value like the right model of a stainless steel Rolex watch. 

Vintage ad for Rolex and NASCAR
Vintage ad for Rolex and NASCAR

IS A ROLEX WATCH WORTH IT OR NOT? 

So from an objective point of view, I would say a Rolex watch is absolutely worth it if you get the stainless steel in the right model. That being said, the objective matters are only one part of something being worth it. When it comes to a Rolex, there are psychological things that play, emotional things, and subjective things. If you’re looking at buying a Rolex from a pure investment point of view in a sense that you buy it new, you lock it away in a safe, you don’t touch it, you don’t wear it, then I think there are other more traditional better investment vehicles for you out there. On the other hand, if you enjoy wearing your Rolex and you enjoy looking at it, then it’s definitely a worthwhile investment.

As I mentioned before, consider the rest of your wardrobe, for me personally, I think a Rolex Cellini would be better because I would enjoy it more and would be able to wear it more often with my outfits which are more formal. Finally, let’s talk about Rolex as a status symbol. I believe there are very few things under $10,000 that carry the same weight and status as a Rolex does. It absolutely has a reputation as a status symbol in the business world and outside but it also goes both ways. For example, if you’re an intern at a law firm or anywhere else and you show up in your dad’s gold Rolex Daytona, that may actually work against you. In that case, it’s not worth investing in one if you piss people off. On the other hand, if you’re closing million-dollar deals left and right, a Rolex is a good indicator of success and will probably help you make more business than a Fitbit would. I’ve talked to quite a few people and they definitely said when their counterpart saw the Rolex on their wrists, they were taken more seriously.

Paul Newman with Rolex Daytona
Paul Newman with Rolex Daytona

Now that being said, always keep in mind that chasing status symbols can be a slippery slope. A Rolex may work initially in your favor, however, if it turns out that you have a Rolex watch but you drive a 1988 Ford Taurus, people will eventually see through that and then they’ll be disappointed in you because they feel tricked and nobody likes to feel tricked and if they feel tricked, they think of you as a fake or maybe insecure or a fraud and then the Rolex is actually hurting you not helping you. On that note, OJ Simpson supposedly wore a fake Rolex during his murder trial.

So in conclusion, is the Rolex watch worth it? I would say yes, if you enjoy wearing it. If you get a GMT Master, a Datejust, a Daytona, a Submariner, or a Sea-Dweller in stainless steel, if you like the kind of look of it and it goes with your wardrobe. So if you’re now considering buying a Rolex on your own, stay tuned for another video we will walk you through buying your very first Rolex.

Do you own a Rolex watch? We’d love to hear what you think of them! Drop a comment below!

Reader Comments

  1. Another good article.

    I agree with most of what you said, however, I feel that Omega makes equivalent (or better) watches at 1/3 to 1/2 the cost. Also, Omega has a longer history, won more chronometer competitions and provides a better value. Omega may not hold its value as well as Rolex, but put the money saved into Apple/Amazon stock and you will far ahead in ten years. Omega’s coaxial chronometer movement is a technological work of art.

    ” I believe there are very few things under $10,000 that carry the same weight and status as a Rolex does.”

    For watches, yes. For another aspirational luxury lifestyle image product I would say Montblanc fountain pens are the best product under $1,000.

    Keep up the good work!

  2. You should mention that new Rolexes are selling for a sizable markup over retail right now. They might be making 800 thousand watches a year, but the brand deliberately creates scarcity in certain models — if you want a GMT II right now you can either wait a long time to buy it from an authorized dealer, or expect to pay double retail on the gray market.

  3. Just a warning from personal experience here in London:
    First I bought a Breitling Aerospace (in titanium) because I liked it. First time the battery went it cost me £190 to replace it and it took over 6 weeks. Battery needs to be replaced every 2 years. Ten years later I took it in for another battery and was told it really needed the full service at a cost of almost £2000! I didn’t want it polished, I didn’t want the hands and crystal changed, etc. and so I told them to just change the battery. They did but actually put it in writing that because I was not accepting the full service they were not even guaranteeing the battery.
    When I asked what sort of guarantee I would get with the full service the answer was 1 year!
    Now to Rolex: Knowing I’d be without my Breitling for 6 weeks I bought a Rolex Air King automatic. It was gaining about 1 minute per month and by the time I took it in it was about a week out warranty! The sales person (in the watch section of Selfridges) : told me (laughingly) that if I wanted a watch to keep good time I picked the wrong one! The watch was then sent to Rolex for an estimate : in due course I was informed that the watch was no longer under warranty and that Rolex only offers one service which is a complete overhaul so as to give you back a new watch. Cost : over £1400! I didn’t want my old watch bring refurbished at that sort of cost so declined. I still enjoy my Breitling but for how long? I bought both watches brand new from authorized dealers but I don’t think they’re value for money never mind a good investment!

    1. Sorry to hear of your disappointing experience and I’m afraid you took it more in stride than I would have? While I don’t suspect the response from an AD would’ve been any more accommodating on Rodeo Drive, I’ve heard many similar stories to yours coming out of London. Makes me wonder if their arrogance isn’t the result of so many successful investment bankers and hedge fund managers there, all flush with easy money, trying to spend it as quickly as their latest big trade?

      Personally I’ve managed to steer clear of the gray market for those very fears and found our local jeweler here in Oregon to be very helpful if there’s ever a problem. Then again, the luxury market here pales to other, larger metro areas. I’ve been very happy w/ my Tissot Bridgeport Chrono and compared it side by side w/ a Datejust which just, didn’t impress me? Surprised Sven didn’t mention the first thing most people say ( if they even notice your Rolex? ) is asking if it’s real?

    2. Good information, Luke. Thanks for sharing.

      On another matter, Little Joe Weatherly would be about the last man on Earth I would expect to wear a Rolex

    3. I know the article is about the Rolex which I think is a very fine timepiece and accurately described by Sven. It is a well built sports/dress watch. My comment however is in response to the gentleman with the Breitling Aerospace. I have had one since they were introduced. It has never been serviced and I had two battery replacements at less than $50 each every few years. Of course no one would guarantee that it would be waterproof to the advertised depth or at all post battery replacement, but that was never a concern since I don’t wear a watch such as that in water.
      Like the Rolex, the Breitling represents a good all purpose sporting watch that can also be worn with a sports coat, as with the case of the Rolexes.
      I don’t recommend ever buying a watch for impressions and the extra large ones sometimes border on the garish. I recommend owning a watch that you love to wear, whatever that may be, and let the other people “guess.”

  4. I rewarded myself with a Rolex Date-Just (stainless and gold) for my 30th birthday (way back in 1981). I wore it daily til I gave it to my son upon his graduation from the US Naval Academy in 2011. He just got married last month (in formal Naval officer uniform) and that watch sure looked good on his wrist! It was worth every one of the $2300 I paid for it! Love your on-line column. Wouldn’t miss an issue!

    1. Congrats on your son’s graduation and wedding! Nothing sharper than a naval officer’s dress uniform. His inheritance speaks volumes, not just about concern for quality and traditions, but family pride and character as well.

      Wives often balk at what they view as vanity purchases and can think of a dozen other ways to “put the money to better use”. Often they don’t see importance of keeping a heritage alive. Your son will continue to treasure it long after we’re gone.

      1. “Wives often balk at what they view as vanity purchases.” Well that sure is a new one! Wives INVENTED vanity purchases! Have you ever heard of JEWELRY? Diamonds, pearls, rubies, emeralds – necklaces, rings, earrings, mink coats, designer dresses ($2,000 – $20,000) $1,000 hats, $1,000 shoes, $2,000 handbags, $30,000 luggage sets, $15 million dollar mansions…..give me a break! And send me one of those wives who doesn’t approve of those things – I need to see one of those!

        1. Count,

          Too funny, agreed! ( Should have prefaced by saying; “balk at what they view as vanity purchases; for MALES..!” ) They on the other hand… $30k for a luggage set!? Must admit, that’s a new one on me?

          But they’re right, American Tourister is so gauche..! Lol

  5. I think you’re missing the point by focusing on whether a Rolex “goes with your wardrobe” or not.

    The point of wearing a Rolex (which, like it or not, is a flashy watch that carries certain stereotypes) is that you are making the statement that your watch goes with *you,* not your wardrobe. It has nothing to do with your wardrobe.

    I received my Submariner for my college graduation, after it being promised to me for 15 years as my reward for graduating from college. I’ve since worn it essentially every day for 25 years, whether I’m wearing shorts and flip-flops or a dinner jacket and everything in between, and regardless of where I am, at a dive bar, my wedding, when I walked across the stage as a new partner at my law firm, and at my mother’s funeral.

    I have ample assets to buy (within some modicum of reason) whatever watch I want. But I don’t, because the Submariner is part of me. I take it off in the shower, when I’m working out or when it’s too flashy for my environment. Otherwise it’s on my wrist.

    If you actually have a question in your mind of whether a Rolex matches your wardrobe, you don’t have the gravitas and the self-confidence to pull off wearing a Rolex at all.

  6. Great read, thank you! Could not agree more. I bought a used Submariner in 2003 and wear it every day. I need to take it to service (after 16 years) but it is still running fine. Glass and bezel are without a scratch.
    If I wanted to sell it, I would get double the €€ that I paid for it in 2003.
    Note that serious retailers that sell used Rolex guarantee that you can exchange your watch for another and get the the price you paid as refund, anytime.
    If you enjoy the watch, there is no better value out there!

  7. I purchased my Rolex Submariner in the Raffles Hotel, Singapore in July 1969. The Raffles Hotel is known worldwide as one of the finest hotels available to travelers. The great British author Rudyard Kipling wrote some of his famous publications while a guest at the hotel. My Rolex has no date window. I have worn this Rolex everyday since its initial purchase and have never experienced even the slightest malfunction or problem of any kind.

    Everyone has their favorite product in a variety of areas including watches. Mine is the Rolex and always will be. For fifty years, my Rolex has performed impeccably and always reflects the good taste and prestige of owning a Rolex. Anything that lasts fifty years without any malfunction deserves to occupy the top tier of its realm.

  8. Greetings,

    My dad gave me a new Submariner, similar to his own, as a high school graduation gift, and I wore it happily every day for the next forty years.

    When dad died in 2014, I bought a new President model in his memory, and have worn it since.

    Interestingly, the Submariner was the frequent object of others’ admiration while the President always goes unnoticed.

    So, I guess when it comes to watches, one must ask, “Is a Rolex worth it to you?”

    Many thanks for the interesting presentation.

    Sincerely,

    Andrew Gregg,
    Palm Springs, CA

  9. My gold Daytona (with the gold bracelet) have brought daily admiration and compliments from a staggering variety of people for over twenty years. If you are concerned with resale value (Which indicates that you have no sons or other young male relatives, I guess) get one of those stainless steel ones – certainly every bus driver should have one. But if you want people to know just who you are – the gold never gets old.

    1. Hi Stephen,

      Very succinctly put, I could not agree more. Please seems post on 24th August.

      Kindest Regards

  10. Well gents, my humble Citizen eco-drive which has a solar-powered battery has served my professional needs unfailingly since the commencement of my internship 15 years ago and has needed neither repair, battery replacement, nor time adjustment. Not bad for $150.

    1. Doc,

      I have one too and for everyday wear ( not mention my hallmark punctuality ) and Citizen can’t be beat! There are days where I feel just awful over my disloyalty and seemingly indiscriminate dalliances with other, less accurate and reliable luxury glitz.

      Read recently Citizen has created a limited edition, calculating barometric pressure, altitude and temp, accurate to within a 1/4 sec a YEAR. Even a brand new Rolly is going to come in at around +/- 5-10 sec a DAY. ( Stored on an auto-winder when not in use unless you like resetting each time you put it on? )

      Still, when you’re meeting that big client, you need to exude confidence and success! Wish more people would look at a Grand Seiko.

  11. Forgot to mention that the services and prices for my two watches were provided respectively by Breitling and Rolex and certainly the dealers /watch repairers I have encountered will do nothing to these watches except send them to the manufacturer. I used to wear these watches while swimming – it was one of the reasons I purchased these particular ones and had expected to continue to do so but not at such a cost.

  12. I just wonder, would a ”gentleman” buy a watch every other chav wears diamond-crusted? Why not add a dozen gold chains and gold teeth to finish the look?

    If you have money to shell out, why not a Jaeger LeCoultre or Ulysse Nardin? Maybe a Girard-Perregaux? Or a Vulcain Cricket for the elder gentleman?

    For me, it’s two criteria looking for a watch. In-house movements and COSC chronometer certification. You will get a very decent timepiece if it is COSC certified, even if it is a starter brand. And an automatic – I do agree the 2-3 year battery change is a pain. And if you have a waterproof watch like a TAG Heuer it requires a certified shop to reseal it. I had a Timex perpetual calendar with a 7-year battery and that already irked me.

    And if you think a Rolex Daytona is too silly money, why not go for a Zenith El Primero, who actually invented the chronometer movement Rolex rebuilds for the Daytona.

    And if you want to rise a few eyebrows, a watch is always a good discussion piece. I have a modest Bucherer, and it seems to get just the right amount of attention as a toolwatch it deserves. Nobody will cut my arm off for it.

    Somebody mentioned MontBlanc pens, you know they make watches as well? They bought the old Minerva and made a few nice pieces with the original specs.

    But in any case, buy the watch you like, and for the reason you like it for, not because of what other people think. A Rolex is not a bad investment, but there is so much more out there.

    1. That and they’re pretty much tone deaf to the desires of their customers. Their motto should be; “Have it OUR way..!” Agreed, and for younger readers, Hamilton, Longines, Oris and a new fave of mine, Mathey-Tissot.

      Definitely going to check out that Vulcain! Thanks for the h/t.

      1. Just to add Mido and Titoni to your list. Of course if you go for sport, then Doxa (Jenny) or maybe Alpina. And I wouldn’t forget Tudor either.

  13. Certain of your facts re Rolex being made in house, is not strictly correct, models made around 2000 had a Zenith movement and this didn’t change for approx 2 or 3 years. However beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I have recently bought, secondhand, a Rolex Daytona with yellow gold case and strap. The face has been replaced with a white one which has 8 diamond hour markers. The watch was gift from me to me for 68 years loyal service! As with clothes etc it is all down to what suits the individual.

  14. I put off buying my Rolex Submariner for many years. I watched the price keep going up. I finally decided I was no longer going to wait. I purchased my Rolex from a reliable online dealer. I have seen several available at prices above and below what I paid. You are very right in recommending a Rolex buyer keep all the boxes and paperwork, as it does make a significant increase in value. I don’t wear my Rolex for work. But do enjoy wearing it for special occasions. I always get complimented on my Rolex and usually by those who wish they had one. Though I purchased mine for my personal gratification, it feels good and validates my inveatment to hear compliments from others. I think the right Rolex is for you is both a good investment and personal purchase. Do your research and know what you’re doing before you begin shopping for your Rolex. Serial and model numbers make a difference. Also, watch out for the fakes!!!

  15. This is a very well explained article. I actually love Audemars Piguet the most, I don’t own one yet though. I know people who do. But Rolex has never gone off my list. Like you said, it is the most widely known quality watch out there.
    Thanks for sharing this article.

  16. I have spent much of the last 30 years working in China, Almost every corrupt official and businessman sports a “Rolex” — some of them are even genuine. PersonallyI wear a 1990’s vintage Breitling Quartz which I bought in Germany, a model so unostentatious that it has apparently never been faked. There is no way I would ever buy a “Rolex,” since the vast majority of them are Chinese fakes (even from “legitimate”dealers).

  17. I have a Rolex but it is an 1928 Oyster with lovely Art Deco details…and it is quite small. I bought years ago. And I love it.

    In the 1980s in London, if you had “made it” you bought a Rolex probably a bi-metal Date-Adjust. However, they became a cliche of success but worse, I think they are ugly.

    Ugly, ugly ugly: all sharp edges and crenallations. They just do not float my boat.

    I have toyed with the idea of buying a nice watch:but Rolex would not be on my list. I bought my sons IWCs for their 21st birthdays: far more subtle.

    My every day watch is a mil-spec thing on a rubber deployment. It is fantastically accurate and very robust. It uses the same mech that are in expensive Omegas and it cost a fraction of a branded watch.

    And let’s think about that brand thing: how much does Rolex pay in sponsorship, advertising and marketing? Buy a new watch for £10k and you will be paying hundreds, if not thousands of pounds towards their brand development.

    Each to his own and the guys above love their Rolex watches but I don’t get it.

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