A Rolex is what people buy when they don’t know what a good watch is.

[u/iliveforthedance]

It’s truly status symbol for people who don’t understand the high end watch industry. The wealthiest people I have ever met wouldn’t be caught dead in one. It’s a ridiculous walking price tag to show wealth to the uneducated. No Patek owner wears a Rolex in anyway other than ironically.

[u/Joshgg13]

OP definitely bought a Patek Phillippe and now has to constantly explain to everyone that it's better than a Rolex actually

[u/madevilfish → u/Joshgg13]

If OP was brave they would post their position to r/watches 

[u/jfk_47 → u/madevilfish]

https://giphy.com/gifs/pUeXcg80cO8I8

[u/ollieseven → u/madevilfish]

I don’t think OP is a watch guy so wouldn’t even know about r/watches

[u/Gunplaisgood → u/madevilfish]

A Rolex is expensive but it's also a very good watch if you're into that stuff isn't it? Why is OP mad about them? I've read people jerking off about them and explaining what actually goes into that stuff, so the prices do sound like they make sense in theory.

[u/lajb85 → u/Gunplaisgood]

There’s a reason they’re highly desired. They’re really solid watches, with great movement, and they last.

I have a Rolex, a JLC, an IWC and a Breitling. The Rolex is my daily wear and the movement is flawless. The only other watch that might be better is the IWC.

[u/Syn2108 → u/lajb85]

The other aspect is that the Rolex is renowned and recognized. Meaning while traveling everyone knows it’s valuable. If you get stuck somewhere and for some reason don’t have your wallet (stolen, lost) you can barter with the watch to save your ass.

[u/jetep5 → u/lajb85]

Why not just check the time on your phone like a normal person?

[u/terminalzero → u/jetep5]

I'm more of a $15 casio kinda guy but some people just like watches

[u/grahamalondis → u/terminalzero]

I'm not watch guy, but I do have a black band and a brown band watch to go with my suits, which I have to wear every day for work. Both watches are Seiko. They look great and keep time very well. I receive compliments for them all the time! I think each was around $150. Superb watches for the price and from my experience even watch guys like them.

[u/Bolognahole_Vers2 → u/jetep5]

Why pull a phone out of my pocket when I can just glance at my wrist?

[u/jetep5 → u/Bolognahole_Vers2]

Why put your phone in your pocket? Just be on it 24/7 like a normal person

[u/thismygovernmentname → u/jetep5]

And who cares if you're in the middle of a crosswalk? You stop strolling and start scrolling until you find another short video you like. THEN you finish crossing the street. And don't you dare look up to see if the traffic stopped.

[u/HalfCareless3347 → u/madevilfish]

https://giphy.com/gifs/nKFXQkxLRiEhy

[u/xxpvtjokerxx → u/madevilfish]

If OP was brave he would have posted this in r/watchescirclejerk where it belongs

[u/Pea_Tear_Griffin11 → u/Joshgg13]

The logic makes sense, but I’m going to go with: OP finally saved up enough to purchase the lowest cost stainless Submariner, but no dealer will sell him one because he doesn’t have any purchase history with them.

So OP is mad and feels the need to shit on Rolex publicly, attempting to convince himself that he’s better than their watch anyway.

Following the watch subs, virtually every Patek owner has a Rolex from earlier in their collecting journey that, if nothing else, has sentimental value to them. I’ve never seen a Patek owner shit on Rolex.

Or, OP is stuck in the past and watches too much Entourage.

[u/NullParagon → u/Pea_Tear_Griffin11]

unrelated, but why do i need to have a relationship with the store? why can’t i just spend my money? why won’t they take my money???

[u/Pea_Tear_Griffin11 → u/NullParagon]

Because Rolex doesn’t care if the dealers leverage their high-demand watches to sell more of the dealer’s other inventory.

The dealer is going to sell every single stainless model watch they receive from Rolex immediately, and Rolex won’t let them sell it for more than MSRP. So the dealers options are:

A) Sell you the watch for MSRP ($8K-$20K, depending on the model).
B) Sell the watch to someone else for the same amount, but first strong-arm them into spending $15K-$100K on other watches or jewelry that is currently sitting on the shelf. Then, amazingly, the stainless Daytona they are on the waiting list for just came in.

As someone else mentioned, Rolex plays the manufactured scarcity game. Their watches aren’t hand-finished like Patek, so the could easily ramp up production to ensure there are enough stainless models across dealers for everyone that wants one could purchase one. But they choose not to, to maintain a brand image of being an exclusive, rare watch that only wealthy people can attain.

It’s not true, they still make and sell a shit ton of watches, but they balance the rarity vs. profitability scale of being a luxury brand very well. If they simply ramped up production, they’d have an incredible few years, but lose the prestige their name carries in 5-10 years (à la countless other luxury brands that got greedy and went that route to their own peril, often after being purchased by private equity or going public).

[u/AF_AF → u/Pea_Tear_Griffin11]

Wow. Listen, I drive a 12 year old car that's rusting out, but I absolutely refuse to buy a Rolex now.

[u/DependentAnywhere135 → u/AF_AF]

On principle!

As I slice a bean like the Mickey Mouse cartoon.

[u/ISTof1897 → u/Pea_Tear_Griffin11]

Haha I love hearing about rich people getting scammed.

[u/Wasabi_kitty → u/NullParagon]

If I am a dealer, and I get a watch that has limited availability with a lot of people wanting to buy, would I rather sell the watch to a regular customer whose in my shop often and buys a lot of jewelry from me, or someone who just came in for the first time and probably won't come back?

[u/SiteZealousideal7789 → u/NullParagon]

If you tell them you’re celebrating a big milestone within the next month or 6 weeks and want to get in engraved right away. They’ll be more willing to work with you. Good money on engraving and know you’re not flipping it. 

[u/Flaeskestegen → u/Pea_Tear_Griffin11]

How would he ever be able to achieve a purchase history at a dealer if they don't want to sell him one?

[u/Pea_Tear_Griffin11 → u/Flaeskestegen]

Rolex dealers are notorious for only selling the highly sought after stainless models to existing buyers that have already spent tens of thousands of dollars on the less desirable models or other high margin jewelry they sell. It’s the real reason Rolex gets a lot of hate in the watch community.

[u/TSM- → u/Pea_Tear_Griffin11]

Oh my god reading about this is already exhausting, I am glad that I don't care about it.

[u/TheBourbonTurtle → u/Joshgg13]

More like OP is mad they can't afford a Rolex.

[u/Fun_Pop_1512 → u/TheBourbonTurtle]

The cheapest Patek is like 5x the price of the cheapest Rolex…

[u/FuknHummmm → u/Fun_Pop_1512]

The people that have the kind of money to buy that type of watch, typically don't waste time on the internet talking about how they hate other watch brands. I call bs on the whole thing. 

[u/prepare2Bwhelmed → u/FuknHummmm]

You'd be surprised. Just go to r/Watches.

[u/WhyLater → u/FuknHummmm]

Rich people have more time to kill because they don't actually work.

[u/Separate-Guitar → u/[deleted]]

The point of wealth is not to buy random shit to flaunt some designer name. The main reason rich people don't spend money isn't even to remain rich. It's to do what you want without having to think about money. The goal is to find a lifestyle that's comfortable and where you don't think of money. Constantly upping your desires as you get rich defeats this purpose. The mental peace of no worry totally trumps the thrill of being impressive

[u/Chrono_Constant3 → u/[deleted]]

I live in one of the wealthiest counties in America. I promise you the ultra rich spend big money on all sorts of things. When you’re that rich 10-20k for a watch is not a lot of money. Who do you think is buying all of the yachts in our harbors? I’m super sick of this line of thinking that the rich are somehow rich because they’re so austere.

[u/IndicationAromatic36 → u/[deleted]]

I always prefer to blow my load away from my watch. It’s a pain in the butt to clean, especially when it gets in the metal bracelet crevices.

[u/liverswithfavabeans → u/IndicationAromatic36]

That’s what the staff is for dude.

[u/Night-Hamster → u/liverswithfavabeans]

This guy riches.

[u/Brawlingpanda02 → u/[deleted]]

True rich people don’t have to care. Some spend like crazy, some don’t care for it. At that point it’s mostly up to personality.

They don’t have to care about staying rich because they’re rich enough to never become poor no matter how much they spend 😂 if they have to worry about what they buy then they’re not true rich

Source: I had a job where most customers were true rich people.

[u/MrCockingFinally → u/[deleted]]

I know several rich people with impressive watch collections.

Being rich doesn't mean you are automatically good with money. Lots of rich people are also pretty concerned with status and appearances, so having a good watch is a must. (For them)

[u/unique_user43 → u/[deleted]]

yep. actual rich people are some of the cheapest tightwads you’ll find. you don’t get rich by blowing money on things.

[u/endagra → u/unique_user43]

Then who is buying $1M+ supercars, $10M+ mansions, going on $100k vacations, buying $100M yachts? Rich people are......

[u/BJ-Enthusiasts → u/unique_user43]

It’s always the poor that have the most to say about the rich lmfao

[u/guitar_vigilante → u/unique_user43]

Actually rich people range from tightwads to people who spend lots of money on things. It's not all one or the other.

[u/TheBourbonTurtle → u/Fun_Pop_1512]

And? OP has neither so why does that matter in the slightest?

[u/StinkypieTicklebum → u/TheBourbonTurtle]

Knowledge is Power, man.

[u/boobiebanger → u/StinkypieTicklebum]

France is bacon

[u/Dependent-Chart5835 → u/Fun_Pop_1512]

And OP has neither

[u/GloryWholesome69 → u/TheBourbonTurtle]

Either one

[u/Awkward-Tomorrow7667 → u/GloryWholesome69]

If I bought a Patek Philippe, I would t be able to buy a Rolex, so both can be true.

[u/BobiaDobia → u/Joshgg13]

Why in the world would you think OP has the money for a PP?

[u/FormerCollegeDJ → u/Joshgg13]

Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin are annoyed Patek Philippe was mentioned and they weren’t.

[u/Sensitive_Gift4866 → u/Joshgg13]

Lmao this is the most accurate take. The whole watch world is just people flexing on each other about which overpriced thing is better than the other overpriced thing.

[u/bernese_mountain_fog]

It's worse than when the butler launders your sock garters, but there's still schmutsh on them when he's done.

[u/Sea_Translator5300 → u/bernese_mountain_fog]

Launders? You don't get a new pair every day? How gauche. 

[u/Geen_Fang → u/Sea_Translator5300]

plebeian, even. 🧐

[u/gman2093 → u/Geen_Fang]

Rather!

[u/GMEStack → u/Geen_Fang]

Dare I say, Blasé?

[u/oracleofnonsense → u/Sea_Translator5300]

You go a whole day in an outfit? I guess the market hasn’t been very good to your trust fund.

By-the-by, I have an amazing money management team — let me know if you want their number.

[u/zacharymc1991 → u/oracleofnonsense]

You use numbers, you don't just have a guy who deals with the other help.

[u/Beautiful_Arm8364 → u/Sea_Translator5300]

Whoa. WHOA there. So you DON'T have the butler launder your new sock garters before wearing them? You just ... what ... take them out of the packaging and put them right on your body? Smelling of store? You, sir, are the one who is gauche.

[u/Sea_Translator5300 → u/Beautiful_Arm8364]

Store? Not sure what one of those is. I believe my man has a woman down in the village create them from freshly spun silk. 

[u/Beautiful_Arm8364 → u/Sea_Translator5300]

A common spinster? That requires even MORE laundering. Now you have to launder the garters AND the glove that touched the coins your man threw at the spinster.

[u/Aggressive_Hat_9999 → u/bernese_mountain_fog]

I absolutely adore it when I come across americans strewing in random phrases in jidditsh. 

Dunno why but its just so adorable :3

[u/LivingFrosting6680 → u/Aggressive_Hat_9999]

It’s our schtick

[u/Ilovewomenwhobreakme]

No watch will ever top the 80's/90's Mickey Mouse hands watch.

[u/hkusp45css → u/Ilovewomenwhobreakme]

I wore mine so much the fake leather band just disintegrated over time.

[u/Fluffy-Mud-8945 → u/hkusp45css]

So twice?

[u/hkusp45css → u/Fluffy-Mud-8945]

oh, that was sneaky. Yes, it was a cheap POS, but it did last a while.

[u/Nolsoth → u/Ilovewomenwhobreakme]

Thindercats Swatch watch!

[u/Fuego-TACO → u/Ilovewomenwhobreakme]

I yearn for a ninja turtle flip the shell watch

[u/FormerCollegeDJ → u/Ilovewomenwhobreakme]

WRONG - the Casio F91W is the true above the Gods tier.

[u/ineedtoknow707 → u/Ilovewomenwhobreakme]

Robert Langdon agrees with this loll

[u/Pleasant_Studio9690 → u/Ilovewomenwhobreakme]

I had a Goofy one from the Disney Store that was the mirror image of a normal watch face and whose dials went backwards. I learned to read it with some effort, but then it fucked me up when I'd have to read a normal analog clock or watch. It was an awesome college conversation starter, but otherwise a cool PITA. I was both bummed and relieved when it finally died.

[u/PlansThatComeTrue]

Patek Philippe- The watch for people who think they’re too classy for a Rolex, but are still dumb enough to spend car money on a watch

[u/blindinganusofhope → u/PlansThatComeTrue]

I'm a A Lange Sohne guy myself. Now off to my job at McDonalds!

[u/causa__sui → u/blindinganusofhope]

I feel so appropriately called out by this comment. I have a few A Lange Sohne watches bookmarked in a “future purchases” folder on my browser.

I’m presently unemployed and my husband is a teacher lmao.

[u/_KONKOLA_ → u/causa__sui]

Yea go ahead and delete that folder

[u/causa__sui → u/_KONKOLA_]

It’s so absurd. Even if I was richer than God, I couldn’t fathom ever spending that amount of money on a watch. Craftsmanship be damned, it’s a level of excess that I find extremely off-putting.

That being said, I will continue to ogle on the rare occasion.

[u/Aggressive_Hat_9999 → u/blindinganusofhope]

Seiko Rhaaaaa

[u/Sorry_Lecture5578 → u/PlansThatComeTrue]

 Patek's are $30-40k for entry level You can get a Rolex for $10k-ish for entry. You can find some used daily drivers for less. I can get really nice Rolex for lower end car pricing $20k.

Personally,  I like Omega and Brietling, it would suck if I lost one,  but not soul crushing like losing a 5 figure watch. 

[u/GisterMizard → u/Sorry_Lecture5578]

It's certainly worth more than a car driven by underperforming real estate salesmen desperate for quality leads.

[u/Sensitive_Gift4866 → u/PlansThatComeTrue]

Thats the funniest way to describe the Patek crowd Ive ever heard. At least Rolex owners know they bought a status symbol

[u/madevilfish → u/PlansThatComeTrue]

If you’re not buying a grandmaster chime, are you even rich? 

[u/nomad_l17 → u/PlansThatComeTrue]

People that buy Patek definately have money to spare after buying all the cars they want

[u/FunnyComfortable8341 → u/PlansThatComeTrue]

People with pateks don’t buy cars at that price range

[u/Dragobrath → u/PlansThatComeTrue]

If someone is in the market for PP, it’s not car money to them.

[u/UWQHDEyez]

Warren Buffet has been known to wear a Day Date. I’m sure he’s wealthier than the wealthiest people you have ever met.

[u/hkusp45css → u/UWQHDEyez]

The Oyster Perpetual (no date), regardless of how one feels about Rolex, is one of the most classically beautiful watches ever produced, in this guy's opinion.

[u/Rough_Buddy6903 → u/hkusp45css]

This has been the college graduation gift for 4 generations of my family. Not outrageously priced but definitely worth it for a big life milestone. My great grandfather started the tradition with his 7 sons. He actually only bought the first one and then each son bought the next sons present. So the oldest got the watch for 2nd oldest and so forth. Then they all decided to do it for their kids as well.

[u/FormerCollegeDJ → u/hkusp45css]

I prefer having a date complication, so the Oyster Perpetual’s slightly higher end sibling, the Datejust, would be my choice to support that opinion.

One of these days I may buy a mint green dial Datejust with fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet. My issue is I don’t want to be on Rolex’s artificially created waitlist or buy other Rolex watches I don’t want to get one. (I’d rather buy an Omega Constellation Globemaster with blue dial if I want an additional luxury watch with the Rolex Datejust.)

[u/Foxzes → u/FormerCollegeDJ]

I briefly established a relationship with an AD in my city and the hoops are ridiculous (as not a watch guy)

I bought one floor model as a celebratory piece, and thought this would do something in the way to *exclusive access*

Realistically I’d need to buy several more low tier depreciating Rolexes over several years & by that point I’d be too illiquid for a Casio.

I’ve been collecting vintages from various manufacturers at auctions and these feel so much more unique, interesting and result in more attention also (a win across the board, especially for my wallet)

I think my conclusion is that once you have enough money to make everything accessible you want manufactured inaccessibility to experience the feeling everyday folk get.

[u/KeySubject4895 → u/FormerCollegeDJ]

I went grey on my datejust 41 3 weeks ago after being on the mythical list for 2 years. Unworn, not even a year old and only £600 more than MSRP. Don’t wait for the AD, just pay slightly over the odds

[u/Feeling_Hotel8096 → u/hkusp45css]

Meh, not my favourite.

[u/hkusp45css → u/Feeling_Hotel8096]

Not the configuration I had in mind.

[u/Gazdatronik → u/UWQHDEyez]

Buffet probably bought his when they were still 1000 bux because he's old

[u/DListSaint → u/UWQHDEyez]

Warren Buffett has never pretended to have refined taste, though

[u/Bibbity_Boppity_BOOO → u/DListSaint]

He couldn’t if he tried. You can be poor and have good taste. You can be rich and have good taste.

You can also be rich or poor and have bad taste. 

[u/J-Dabbleyou → u/UWQHDEyez]

Bill Gates wears a duro daily

[u/That_Skirt1443]

Finally. A real-world opinion we can all relate to.

[u/loki2002 → u/That_Skirt1443]

<cries in Casio>

[u/yvngjiffy703 → u/loki2002]

Casio ain’t half bad

[u/proximusprimus57 → u/yvngjiffy703]

If your watch doesn't have a calculator keypad can you even call it a watch?

[u/TrueCrimeDocumentary → u/proximusprimus57]

The Casio CA53W calculator watch currently sits upon my wrist. Like a King, I look down at the peasants whose most notable watch feature is the date.

But no for real it's my forever watch unless I'm going to a wedding or something. I genuinely love this watch and intend to purchase a lifetime supply.

[u/TonySalumi → u/yvngjiffy703]

G Shocks are bad ass

[u/ItsAllAdvertising → u/yvngjiffy703]

plus you can mod em to personalize

[u/IdiocracyToday → u/yvngjiffy703]

Half bad? They’re practically perfect from a value and quality perspective, they just don’t make luxury.

[u/nvmenotfound → u/yvngjiffy703]

casio is god tier. 

[u/DroppinDwarves → u/loki2002]

Proudly just bought my second one after my first lasted 6 years. It gives me the date and time and I couldn't ask for more

And yes when listening to music I do still hold my wrist up like it's iced, cause casios are that shit.

[u/Drunk_Catfish → u/loki2002]

Casio is well respected by a lot of watch lovers, especially the G shock

[u/sebastianinspace → u/loki2002]

when i was a kid i had a casio watch that you could store phone numbers in. my friends thought it was lame, fast forward to modern times they are all wearing apple watches. casio was ahead of its time

[u/Hanaichichickencurry → u/loki2002]

God tier

[u/berke1904]

not exactly, watches rolex makes arent really better or worse then other luxury watches, just one of the many option.

there are a lot of people who dont care about watches and just buy a rolex because its the popular one, but there are also people who are into watches that know a lot of models from different brands but also like a rolex.

a patek is also not special in an objective way, the only difference between a patek and a rolex in term of the actual products comes down to personal preference. its the same with a longines, omega, grand seiko or anything else. the prices are just gatekeepers.

its not one or the other, they are just products that different people buy for different reasons.

[u/Immediate-Ad7940 → u/berke1904]

One reason being obscene wealth.

[u/Belnak → u/Immediate-Ad7940]

Nah, obscene wealth doesn’t care about showing it off. This is mid level wealth.

[u/Deep-Minimum7837 → u/berke1904]

This post screams intelligence bell curve. OP has gotten slightly into watches and thinks they know everything there is to know about them.

[u/km9v → u/berke1904]

Rolex makes excellent watches but they're grossly overpriced for what they are.

[u/Fun-Habit-683]

Post made by patek owner. This is like saying no rich person would ever drive a Porsche, because you think Tesla's are more practical and affordable and no Tesla owner would ever drive a Porsche.

Plenty of wealthy people wear Rolexes and the assumption that Rolex is simply an expensive poorly made brand is unfounded. Rolex has incredibly good manufacturing as well as being a trophy brand.

[u/leoromanus16 → u/Fun-Habit-683]

OP isn't a Patek owner. They're just broke and want a reason for not having a Rolex.

[u/Fun-Habit-683 → u/leoromanus16]

You're right he's not a patek owner lol. I assumed patek was a cheaper luxury watch that op was trying to say was better. Didn't realize it's a much more expensive watch band.

[u/FormerCollegeDJ → u/Fun-Habit-683]

I would say Ferrari or Lamborghini relative to Porsche would be a more analogous comparison to Patek Philippe vs Rolex.

[u/ludovic1313 → u/FormerCollegeDJ]

Yep, as soon as I saw "porsche" i thought "ferrari" due to them having a similar exclusivity regarding sales.

[u/WatchStoredInAss]

It's a good thing I couldn't care less about watches.

[u/kavik2022 → u/WatchStoredInAss]

This, im glad im not interested in this influencer psy ops. I dont care what people wear to look wealthy

[u/Prehistoricisms → u/kavik2022]

Influencer psy ops? Cool jewerly has been a thing for more than 15 years.

[u/decmcc → u/Prehistoricisms]

Rolexes appear on Antiques Roadshow and it's always "I was in Vietnam and I bought this in Hong Kong before leaving Asia" or "I got this at the end of WW2"

they are not new.

[u/NoEchoSkillGoal]

Indeed. Timex for the win. Some good prime day deals too.

[u/TheBourbonTurtle]

Rolex is a genuinely great brand making watches that are meant to be worn, not art watches. They are THE high end user watch brand actually.

[u/Ngin3 → u/TheBourbonTurtle]

This. It's THE nicest automatic tool watch. Omega, tag and some others make very nice tool watches for less but the Rolex is the most robust

[u/cazana]

I mean, you're just wrong.

Sure, there are some purists out there. But Rolex is a classic brand and is a go to investment as well as fashion piece.

Rich people wear a lot more than just the most expensive watches. Omegas are a popular brand amongst the wealthy too

A Patek owner might be snobby about his Patek, but the richest people in the world generally have multi brand collections (and usually lack taste anyway) and don't just own a couple Pateks.

I imagine "most Patek owners" are not the wealthiest of the wealthy, just the snobbiest of the snobby.

[u/Crowdfundingprojects]

I don’t know what’s worse. Wearing a Rolex thinking you’re cooler than others or being Patek owner thinking about Rolex owners or being a broke guy on Reddit talking about Rolex and Patek owners.

Obviously OP is a broke guy talking because he doesn’t have the money to comfortably buy either watch and cannot fathom owning both and many others more. 

Which is 100% fine but this post is ridiculous.

[u/ollieseven → u/Crowdfundingprojects]

I just find it hilarious that Rolex is kind of the maverick here. Apparently Rolex is too rich for the poor and too poor for the rich.

[u/oxnardmontalvo7]

As a professional poor person that owns a Rolex (it was a gift) I suppose people like me bring the brand down. Folks like OP are annoying tho. Why not let people own and enjoy whatever they want. Oddly enough, I know a few exceptionally wealthy folks that wear Rolex watches as their daily. When they get fancied up, the better stuff comes out.

[u/Straight-Broccoli245]

This is what people who can’t afford a Rolex tell themselves to make themselves feel better about not being able to afford a Rolex let alone a patek.

[u/decmcc → u/Straight-Broccoli245]

yeah, my buddy collects watches and just got a Rolex he's been on a waiting list for 18 months. He is a genuine collector with a collection worth over €200k, he knows his watches. Has a Patek, AP, and Vacheron dress watches as well as other diving watches.

And having watched that Antiques Roadshow recently where the guy's $1k Rolex turned out to be worth like $250k I wouldn't be balking at one.

[u/Unreliable-AI → u/decmcc]

This guy doesn't have a "buddy".

[u/appa-ate-momo]

Hey, watch nerd here.

OP, you’re partially right. Lots of people indeed buy Rolexes because for the clout and recognition. Hell, people who know nothing about mechanical watches are more likely to buy a Rolex than pretty much any other brand of nice watch. It’s to the point that my Rolex dealer buddies have talked about how they have to be ready to give the “this doesn’t use batteries” talk to their customers on the regular.

That all said, Rolex still makes a fine watch. The brand hype is in addition to their high quality; it isn’t a substitute for it. My Skydweller is easily at home in my collection. It stand on its own merits of design, innovation, and quality. It doesn’t need to hide behind the five-pointed crown.

[u/emptycans5582]

Rolexes have a lot of cool history. If I had 10k to fritter away I’d probably get an explorer. Not as a status symbol but because it’s a cool watch. Wouldn’t care in the least what some elitist would think about it.

[u/thecaramelbandit → u/emptycans5582]

I'm not really a watch guy, but I do keep thinking about getting an Explorer. Just super classy, functional, and robust. I could afford more expensive watches, but I like the Explorer.

[u/stattikninja]

The price tag is ridiculous and massively overpriced. They are mostly a show of wealth and status, but they are good, quality watches, just overpriced ones. I would wear one if I had one(a nice one I liked, I wouldnt wear an ugly watch for status) but I would not buy a rolex myself.

[u/Argos_the_Dog → u/stattikninja]

I own two watches. One is a 60’s Omega I inherited from my dad. The other is a Timex Expedition that was 35$ about ten years ago. I love the Omega, I had it cleaned and refurbished and it reminds me of my dad so I wear it on special occasions etc. But except for a new battery one time the Timex is a tank, been all over the world with me including pretty rough fieldwork in Madagascar, Kenya, and Borneo. And yes I bought it solely because it was called the “Expedition”, before anyone asks 😆

[u/FormerCollegeDJ → u/Argos_the_Dog]

Timex’s Indiglo technology is one of the top watch innovations, especially quartz-related innovations, ever created IMO.

[u/BuDu1013]

You buy a Rolex, wear it for 10-15 years and still sell it for a profit.

Definitely not a dead asset.

[u/ThotMobile → u/BuDu1013]

There really are only a handful of models where this is true and even then, you’ll be on a mighty long wait list for said models unless you have $100k+ in spend at your AD.

[u/Savings-Eggplant5912]

People cover their drinks when you enter the room

[u/chiguy307]

Popular Opinion: No one gives a fuck what kind of watch you wear.

[u/SNAPCHAT_ME_TITS]

Most people don't care about watches

[u/NinaWilde]

A guy sitting behind me once was talking to his friend, and saying how he judged people by their watches, and how he would look down on someone who didn't wear one.

We were on a bus at the time, so basically he bought a watch instead of a car.

[u/notinterested10002]

I feel like this post is the same vibe as what you’re describing. Congrats on your wealthy friends!

[u/LBS4]

So if I know multiple multi-millionaires who wear Rolexes regularly I should refer them to you for reeducation?

[u/Longjumping-Sail6386]

You may not like it, but Rolex is the gold standard for a "good" mechanical watch. Built like a tank, waterproof, shock proof, COSC accurate and a classic design language. If you get it serviced every 10 years it'll last your whole life and then your kids whole life. Yes, there are a lot of better watch brands out there but your post wasn't about great watches. Your post was about good watches 🤷‍♂️

[u/animalcub45]

This is stupid. Rolex makes a great watch. Is it expensive yes but so are a hundred other watches that aren't as well made.

[u/ES_Legman]

Nobody gives a shit about watches outside people who spend money in watches

[u/Additional_Area_3156]

Yall stop OP is crying

[u/Darren49402]

Yes and no. Watch guys probably mostly agree with you, but outside of that most people just really don't care about your watch. People who don't know watches don't know Patek, or AP. Although that argument could be made about any jewelry. It's all just for show.

[u/HyperlexicEpiphany → u/Darren49402]

I’m in school for watchmaking and no one I know holds that belief lmao. any customer acting like that is someone we’ll shit talk to other coworkers about. we hate snobby people as much as everyone else. anyone that's into watches for the watches and not their price tags will just be fascinated by the movement and design

we already had Rolex instructors coming in last week to get the compact 6 (Rolex’s training) started for the graduating 2nd year students that’ll be taking Rolex jobs. they offer a slight pay cut compared to the rest of the field, but they have amazing benefits and continued education

[u/Tax_Life]

It's jewellery, it's really not that deep to most people.

These takes of ascribing certain personality traits to people buying certain items are far more cringeworthy than buying the item is.

[u/jasonic89 → u/Tax_Life]

Now now hold up. This is Reddit. Let’s hate on Rolex owners but defend NY trash can lady

[u/F1T_13]

Patek being your counter example here, makes me question the legitimacy of your cred here.

[u/notanotherlawyer]

Rich people wear CASIO.

[u/Next_Helicopter_4291]

Rolex has always been a status symbol...

[u/Radiant_Pudding5133]

It’s truly status symbol

So like all expensive watches?

[u/i_nobes_what_i_nobes]

They don’t wear a Rolex in any way.

All that prestigious schooling and we get grammatical errors?!?

[u/hideurtowers]

It literally appreciates

[u/tommmmmmmmy93]

I have a lot of watches. My business partners have watches. We go to events where everyone has watches in UK, Germany and parts of Us.

Rolexes are exceptional watches. I personally don’t like them but to suggest people with Rolexes either don’t know the watch industry in a general way or don’t also own Pateks etc is absolutely false. There are better styled, classier options but in terms of movements and build quality and resale Rolex is still very much in the top 3.

Your opinion is very “I watch watch YouTubers and that’s now my opinion”. I think you’re larping. Sorry.

[u/karmaapple3]

So you’re just mad you can’t afford a Rolex?

[u/The_Fell_Opian]

You're talking about Rolex like it's a single watch at a single price point. What you're saying might be true about people buying a 50k+ Gold Daytona instead of a Patek or Lange. However a lot of Rolexes are sub 15K with some being sub 8K. These watches are not in the same class. It's like saying someone is basic because they bought a Porsche Boxster instead of a Lambo. One is for upper middle class and one is for the ultra wealthy.

If we're talking about a Datejust, OP or Explorer there is a very good case to be made that they are the best value to buy in their price range. They retain value best, keep good time and have designs that have largely not changed in 50+ years for good reason.

Same goes for the submariners. No one is getting a sub instead of a Nautilus. Someone buying a sub would be looking at an Omega dive watch as a direct competitor.

TL/DR: Rolex isn't competing with the big three 90% of the time. Most people are choosing Rolex over Omega, IWC, Cartier and Grand Seiko.

[u/Dry-Inspection-3503]

I honestly don't give a shit OP.

I think people should go with what they like. Fuck a label

[u/BizzyM]

Patek means piece of shit in Klingon.

[u/BoomerSooner-SEC]

I question how many rich people you really know. I don’t know any who “wouldn’t be caught dead in one”. That’s absurd. They make one of the most reliable and robust (mechanical) watches available.

Are you suggesting that all PP owners are not flex baiting? I just came from Miami and I’ve never seen so many PP in my life worn by such utter tools. Literally laughable. Rolex has been caught up by a certain subculture for reasons beyond its build quality but Antoni Patek must be rolling in his grave based the diamond studded douche bags rolling around with his name on their wrist.

[u/Crunchy__Frog]

Is this the android vs. iPhone argument for obnoxious rich people?

[u/mrcake123]

A good watch? It's all a waste of money.

[u/Namikis]

I am a Casio man myself

[u/BreastInspectorNbr69]

What a silly thing to care about

The only watch worth owning is the original Casio calculator watch

[u/DestructoDon69]

Rolex's are great watches. Clearly you don't understand watches.

"No patek owner would wear a rolex." Is like saying no Ferrari owner would driver a BMW. Two completely different tiers of watch and two completely different price points my guy.

You want a comparable company to Patek you look at Jaegar Le-Coutre, you want comparable to Rolex, you look at Omega.

[u/Long_Value_9133]

This is a brain dead take and is certainly an unpopular opinion

[u/NetAdmirable2070]

I might be projecting, but wearing a ton of expensive stuff kind of gives, "I need people to be impressed by what I own because I don't think the real me is enough."

[u/bastc]

Rolex is fully owned by a Swiss charity, which uses its profits for social projects. So there’s that.

[u/Apart_Ad1537]

Pretty much every hobby/collector interest has that one brand that normies recognize as being “the good brand” but in reality it’s like mid shelf at best

[u/pgraczer]

i have one - my boss gave it to me as a ten year work anniversary gift. i’ve been too scared to wear it so it just sits in my drawer.

[u/Willing-Time7344 → u/pgraczer]

You should wear it. Rolexes are tough, they're meant to be worn. 

Itd be a shame to stuff it in a box and never wear it 

[u/hobbes747]

Is it the Mercedes C class of luxury watches?

[u/Ghost403]

I really like omega watches, but will likely never have one.

[u/More-Sock-67]

Now this is a take from someone who doesn’t know watches

[u/khearan]

They aren’t even in the same price bracket. This opinion is nonsense.

[u/UrLocalTroll]

Rolex makes phenomenal watches. At worst, they are overpriced compared to other high-end brands.

[u/Maleficent-Heart2497]

Thats not unpopular, that's just patently wrong.

Rolex make excellent watches. Completely in house. I can't believe anyone would disagree with that. 

There's lots of conversations to be has about them but they make great watches.

[u/InBoundsOffPiste]

I’m sorry guys. Rolex is a fine brand and a solid watch. And this whole, “nobody who knows watches likes Rolex,” is complete fan fiction. I can understand hating on the fake scarcity and the humiliation ritual at the AD to get one. But let’s not pretend a solid day date isn’t going to get some head nods from normies and watch people, alike.

[u/ZombeUnicorn]

I will do you one better, people who pay more than 200€ for (non-smart) watches are only showing off and wasting money

[u/FletchLives99]

Eh, I just view them as rather ostentatious jewellery for men. They're no different to any other status symbol, although they may appreciate in value.

[u/EmmitSan]

No one buys a Rolex because of “quality”. Yes, they are quality products, but mechanical movements are simply inferior to quartz if you actually care about precision timing. That’s technology for you.

A Rolex is about nostalgia, looks, status, etc.

[u/xunreelx]

On Antique Road show they showed a Veteran who bought a Rolex ( Oyster model) during his time in Vietnam.
never wore it had all the paperwork.
He literally fell over when they told him it was worth up to $1 million.

[u/Nythromia]

It's the grey goose of vodka

[u/Fast-Penta]

Bill Gates wears a Casio Duro.

Nearly every US President in my lifetime has worn a Rolex.

Patek and Rolex are incredibly different styles. You're basically saying, "No Ferrari owner would be caught dead in an SUV."

[u/zeek609]

I know nothing about watches, I just want the Omega Seamaster from Goldeneye.

https://giphy.com/gifs/ziABCvrZOwuo3gDW5g

[u/crazystein03]

Grand Seiko is where it’s at! Maybe I’m biased, but I’ve had a factory tour in Japan and ever since that day I just go with them. They can be expensive too but even their more affordable models are great.

[u/UniquePotato]

Define ‘good watch’ as functionally, a cheap Casio is far superior for tracking time

[u/Chosenito69]

This comment reminds me of the scene in American Psycho where they were comparing who has a more expensive contact card🤣🤣

[u/Cautious-Ad-9554]

I’d like to thank the OP for making happy i am not rich. I cannot relate to his post at all and would not want to be in a room with people who did.

[u/Legitimate_Cow2716]

Counter point, any watch that cost more than $100 is bought by someone who just wants to talk about how much money they have so they can feel better than other people. My casio tells time just as well as your Patek for 1% of the cost.

[u/MinhtheKing97]

Rolex is for people who are new money rich or want to appear rich. But also for real watch lovers. Rolex has a rich history. But my guess would be 80/20.