The Watch Appreciation Thread - Part two (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre,

[double00]

Agreed that the general population largely views SS Rolexes in the same way they view a Mercedes G wagon or a Range Rover. Yes, all three have a long history of utilitarian usage and their modern equivalents could absolutely still be used as such, the reality is that many (but not all) buy them as bling to show off. A SS Rolex is just a different kind of bling from a gold Day-Date with gemstones just like a G wagon is a different kind of bling from a Rolls Royce. Not to say you couldn't instead come off as some outdoorsy technical diver with a Sub or a rugged Paul Newman with a Daytona with the right look, but I've been around law/finance/sales long enough to see how most people wear them. Not that there's anything wrong with that, either, and there are a number of current models I like.

or hell a jeep wrangler! ha.

i really enjoy these analogies, maybe rolex is the 'lampo' of watches? solid as anything and smoother than most

 

[LA Guy]

This statement, with no data behind it, is pure opinion. You have yours, I have mine. Neither qualifies as data.

I'm not very good at this logical fallacy stuff, but I think what you're doing is creating a straw man. I did not say that Rolex isn't a luxury brand. I am disagreeing with two points: one, that steel GMTs and steel Submariners are "bling"; and two, that "the majority of the population would consider such watches as bling".

On the first, that's just taste or opinion, and simply reflects that we have different working definitions of bling. The second one is also your opinion, but could qualify as a fact if you could produce data to support your assertion. Otherwise, it remains mere opinion. Stating it repeatedly or with increasing assertiveness does not alter that.

Rolex advertisements are very aspirational - not unlike those for high prestige car companies - and the company associates itself exclusively with sports and pursuits that are perceived as sophisticated - motorsports (F-1, not Nascar), golf, tennis, yachting. You can watch many of them here: https://www.youtube.com/user/WorldOfRolex/featured

Vintage Rolex print ads are even more overtly aspirational (see examples below). I mean, there are layers of semiotic meaning here - Rolex is associated directly with excellence as well as achievement, but the core message is unmistakeable. If you are a person who has achieved something, you will wear a Rolex.

Some of the ads are nominally about the performance of the timepiece itself, like an ad about summitting the Matterhorn (lol - it's not that hard of a climb - not area is ever graded above "moderate" - but whatever), but I don't think that you need a COSC timepiece to time your presentation to the UN Assembly.

Not that other luxury watch companies have not tried the same type of marketing, but Rolex has been the most successful (check out their score on Forbes reputation scale if you want some evidence). Patek Phillipe went the patrician route, but as a personal symbol of achievement, it's Rolex.

 

[Scuppers]

If you were invited to the playboy mansion tomorrow, you’d wear a Rolex...

 

[Andy57]

Fair enough. Shall we move on?

Lets.

 

[earthdragon]

I really love the engineering behind the Skydweller and think it is Rolex's most interesting watch. As I wrote above, I think they made a design choice I don't really love - they designed it to look a lot like a classic Rolex sport watch which resulted in a cluttered, weird dial. I wish they would have instead designed its appearance more around its unique functions, which I think would have resulted in something a little cleaner looking. But maybe I will get used to it in time. I also don't have a great idea for HOW to do it better, just that somehow, it should be possible. Still, it is very cool. How do you find owning and using it?

To be honest, i have not worn it since picking it up about 2 months ago. My daily wearer is a Seadweller. I received a call from my AD way sooner than i had anticipated. I was after the Blue Dial and they indicated at least a 12 month wait.

 

[an draoi]

With respect, unless you have actual data, this argument is entirely speculative. Show me actual data, not opinion.

Well, I'm sorry, a stainless steel tool watch ain't bling. So I call bullshit on that and on your assertion regarding the "vast majority" of people. I'm aware of one person who thinks that.

You don't make your highly speculative point any more valid by insulting me.

So @Andy57, you demand data, but you'll happily refute someone else's assertion on the thin grounds that only one person within your circle of acquaintances is of the same opinion? And having thus "called bulllshit" on my statement, you act wounded at the relatively mild suggestion that your view of the world could be broader than it currently is?

Lol ok boomer.

I think you're just bristling at the suggestion that anyone would have the impertinence to describe of your fine and cherished possessions as "bling" or "blingy". Like I said, the modern GMT is not the most glaring example. As long as you don't rock it with your Balenciaga trainers and Yeezy sweatpants, I think you'll be ok.

Now we can move on.

 

[an draoi]

Then the Hublot chap arrived, ordered 3 shots of Jaeger, pulled his dick out, and shouted "spring break!!!"

I like this. We should write back stories for all watch brands.

Then the ALS fellow leaned over, poured himself a glass of Hublot's Cristal and spent the rest of the evening in a corner admiring the fineness of the bubbles.

 

[Thrift Vader]

My uncommon Rolex, bought to commemorate the birth of my first son. I needed a dress watch for my collection and was drawn to the glacier blue dial, heft of platinum and the fact that they only produced these for 6ish years.
View attachment 1279412

Congratulations. and that is a nice looking one.

 

[mak1277]

speaking of aspirational Rolex ads

 

[Thrift Vader]

Rolex advertisements are very aspirational - not unlike those for high prestige car companies - and the company associates itself exclusively with sports and pursuits that are perceived as sophisticated - motorsports (F-1, not Nascar), golf, tennis, yachting. You can watch many of them here: https://www.youtube.com/user/WorldOfRolex/featured

Vintage Rolex print ads are even more overtly aspirational (see examples below). I mean, there are layers of semiotic meaning here - Rolex is associated directly with excellence as well as achievement, but the core message is unmistakeable. If you are a person who has achieved something, you will wear a Rolex.

Some of the ads are nominally about the performance of the timepiece itself, like an ad about summitting the Matterhorn (lol - it's not that hard of a climb - not area is ever graded above "moderate" - but whatever), but I don't think that you need a COSC timepiece to time your presentation to the UN Assembly.

Not that other luxury watch companies have not tried the same type of marketing, but Rolex has been the most successful (check out their score on Forbes reputation scale if you want some evidence). Patek Phillipe went the patrician route, but as a personal symbol of achievement, it's Rolex.

View attachment 1279782

View attachment 1279783

View attachment 1279784

View attachment 1279785

View attachment 1279794

Thank you, for illustrating what i was trying to describe. you all have seen it. in different circles. Rapper sells his first record? -Buys a Rolex. he's made it.
Real estate agent sells his first big sale? - Buys a Rolex.

Many, Many watches do what they do. Better.
But for a person to feel that they have succeeded? many will Buy a Rolex to show it.
I see that as an insecurity issue.
- and to argue with me about it, will probably paint you as insecure.

If you were invited to the playboy mansion tomorrow, you’d wear a Rolex...

Nope, i'd be wearing a Casio. probably a Gold Databank.
or that funky one i mentioned yesterday. that looks like Starlord would wear it.

 

[an draoi]

There is though. a watch i am currently smitten with. It looks like something forged in another galaxy that fell to earth, and colored like burnt Titanium. Dark. but full of color. and all the Tech.
To me? Damn, this thing is unique. far removed from anything else.

It's a Casio Oceanus that i can't find on images. looks like something Starlord would get.
And at $2,500? It's a LOT of Casio.

Naw, it's different, maybe @LA Guy has seen it. future AF. but classic. OMG. want.

I am intrigued to know what this watch is. Is it this one?

OCW-G2000SB-2AJR | Bluetooth搭載GPS電波ソーラー | OCEANUS | 時計 | CASIO

カシオの時計に関する情報です。腕時計、掛け時計、置時計など、さまざまなラインアップがご覧いただけます。

casio.jp

 

[Andy57]

So @Andy57, you demand data, but you'll happily refute someone else's assertion on the thin grounds that only one person within your circle of acquaintances is of the same opinion? And having thus "called bulllshit" on my statement, you act wounded at the relatively mild suggestion that your view of the world could be broader than it currently is?

Lol ok boomer.

I think you're just bristling at the suggestion that anyone would have the impertinence to describe of your fine and cherished possessions as "bling" or "blingy". Like I said, the modern GMT is not the most glaring example. As long as you don't rock it with your Balenciaga trainers and Yeezy sweatpants, I think you'll be ok.

Now we can move on.

In order to wound me, I'd have to first hold you in some regard. You're just a troll. There's a million of 'em out there.

 

[LA Guy]

If you were invited to the playboy mansion tomorrow, you’d wear a Rolex...

My wife probably wouldn't let me go, so I'd probably just be wearing lounge clothes. AKA beat up old performance shirts and retired gi pants.

 

[Texasmade]

In order to wound me, I'd have to first hold you in some regard. You're just a troll. There's a million of 'em out there.

We all are!

 

[Andy57]

We all are!

You make a very good point. I’ll just wander back under my bridge now!