Where ROLEX fits in -- Hierarchy Chart

[RolexDivers]

Sorry if this is a repost but here is a classification of brands of most watches.

http://www.chronocentric.com/watches/brands.shtml

thank you

[GradyPhilpott]

That chart has been around a long time.

I'm in general agreement with it, but I usually recoil from the idea that Rolex should be lumped into a category with anybody else.

It's just my humble assessment that Rolex occupies a class unto itself.

[RolexDivers]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

That chart has been around a long time.

I'm in general agreement with it, but I usually recoil from the idea that Rolex should be lumped into a category with anybody else.

It's just my humble assessment that Rolex occupies a class unto itself.

Correct! Rolex has no equals. The first watch name I heard asakid was ROLEX. All these ultra high end luxury watches, come selling time, will give you a hard time. Rolex is the only brand that attracts buyers like bees.

Everyone knows the name ROLEX and there is a good reason for it. I always believe in the saying that in the watch world, there is only one king and the king wears the crown!

[FeelingTheBlues]

I tend not to put watches in any order on a hierarchy chart, in my humble opinion it will always remain a matter of taste. Sure, the finish of the case and the dial, the limited production of those timepieces and their toughness can be compared but in the end you will know which one is higher in this hierarchy only when you will judge it with your personal preferences, which will be different from an owner to another one.

Quite an interesting chart though, the factors that are being considered are quite good. They just forgot to mention which one was the best chick magnet!

[RolexDivers]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

.... They just forgot to mention which one was the best chick magnet!

They should have a special column for it, title "Probability this is a chickmagnet"

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by http://www.chronocentric.com

MYTH: A Rolex watch takes a year to make--While Rolex has claimed this in their advertising, they have never explained any tangible basis for this claim. This is meaningless advertising fluff to give the romantic illusion that there is a craftsman laboring over your watch for a year to bring it to perfection. This is intended to obscure the fact that they are really mass-produced.

Actually some do take a year to make or so,
my SANR is waiting period of 9months to 11 months once you've ordered one

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

Correct! Rolex has no equals. The first watch name I heard asakid was ROLEX. All these ultra high end luxury watches, come selling time, will give you a hard time. Rolex is the only brand that attracts buyers like bees.

Everyone knows the name ROLEX and there is a good reason for it. I always believe in the saying that in the watch world, there is only one king and the king wears the crown!

have to also understand Rolex is one of the Most affordable watch that is easily recognized as a brand name.
Which is why it attracts so many people, does not cost an arm and leg for a Previously enjoyed Rolex or even a brand new basic common model.
Rolex knows this and it is why they focus so much on Stainless steel watches. Better marketing and increased sales

I've never personally considered Rolex a ultra high end, More like a Mid end in the entire watch world, and a Low end in the luxury watch world, But that's just my opinion. I'm sure others disagree.
To me it's more like a Lexus/Bmw/Acura/Infiniti/Mercedes in the car world

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

They should have a special column for it, title "Probability this is a chickmagnet"

This they need to definitely add !

[RolexDivers]

Originally Posted by Kyu

Actually some do take a year to make or so,
my SANR is waiting period of 9months to 11 months once you've ordered one

I'm sure others disagree.

I definitely disagree. If it took ayear to make your watch, the cost would not be $5,000 or $10,000.

There are some watches, really high end one, where one watchmaker is dedicated to your watch for 9months to a year and he signs his name in the case.

But Rolex is not one of them. Rolex = Mass Production = Major Bucks!

IF Rolex does claim it, then I believe they are misleading people, just like the myth says.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by Kyu

my SANR is waiting period of 9months to 11 months once you've ordered one

That's not a year!

You are right though, the price of a Rolex compared to a Patek or a Vacheron is quite different, in the world of haute horlogerie you do get a very tough and reliable watch when you buy a Rolex and you won't need to sell one of your kidneys for it! It is one of their fortes despite the price increases!

I still wouldn't say it is better or not, it's just different!

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

I definitely disagree. If it took ayear to make your watch, the cost would not be $5,000 or $10,000.

There are some watches, really high end one, where one watchmaker is dedicated to your watch for 9months to a year and he signs his name in the case.

But Rolex is not one of them. Rolex = Mass Production = Major Bucks!

IF Rolex does claim it, then I believe they are misleading people, just like the myth says.

well I didnt say all rolex, just some
I know they are mass produced which is why their value isn't as high as other hand made watch brands.

But some are a long period wait, Like I mentioned some of them such as my 116759SANR

I dont think rolex was telling me the wait time to mis lead me

But I get your argument also, You are absolutely correct on the more basic models
Even the basic masterpieces are actually mass produced (made by machines), just not as much as other basic rolex models

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

That's not a year!

You are right though, the price of a Rolex compared to a Patek or a Vacheron is quite different, in the world of haute horlogerie you do get a very tough and reliable watch when you buy a Rolex and you won't need to sell one of your kidneys for it! It is one of their fortes despite the price increases!

I still wouldn't say it is better or not, it's just different!

Absolutely ! Rolex just doesn't take their crown in the high end luxury watch world because they focus more on Stainless Steel.
i dont think they care much about the rep of "most expensive brand" they care more about how to make money.
and incase some rolex fanboys like my self wanted a high end (as in price) wanted one, they offer some beauties gem ed to blinged out

One thing that amazes me about Rolex vs my Other brands that I own IE: AP/PP/VC/Hublot/soon to own RM
a Rolex feels like a Rolex, can't explain it. once you wear it, You know exactly how its supposed to feel.

My other brands, Maybe i'm just not used to them even after years of owning a collection
Doesn't feel perfect onto my wrist, and Doesn't look so perfect on me.

Maybe just me ?
Rolex is Rolex, Perfect an it's own class and on all in it's own world.
I dont think anyone can understand till they owned a rolex

lol i know my typical short posts are becoming long, it's the redbull laced with monster

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

I definitely disagree. If it took ayear to make your watch, the cost would not be $5,000 or $10,000.

There are some watches, really high end one, where one watchmaker is dedicated to your watch for 9months to a year and he signs his name in the case.

But Rolex is not one of them. Rolex = Mass Production = Major Bucks!

IF Rolex does claim it, then I believe they are misleading people, just like the myth says.

I think you may not recall what his watch looks like, please admire...



I think it is very possible that this beauty takes a few months to make.

[RolexDivers]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

I think you may not recall what his watch looks like, please admire...

I think it is very possible that this beauty takes a few months to make.

Just like the GS (Grand Seiko), the watch you have shown is the
GB (Grand Bastardization ....of the sub)

Sorry my friend, the only way I can admire it is at gunpoint! ha ha ha...

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

Just like the GS (Grand Seiko), the watch you have shown is the
GB (Grand Bastardization ....of the sub)

Sorry my friend, the only way I can admire it is at gunpoint! ha ha ha...

well actually Grand Bastardization of a GMT II :P
but everyone has their own likes and dislikes
Only got it to shine well on vegas/special occasions !

too much bling even for me to sport is as a daily wear, I dont get how rappers and sport athletes do it

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

Just like the GS (Grand Seiko), the watch you have shown is the
GB (Grand Bastardization ....of the sub)

Sorry my friend, the only way I can admire it is at gunpoint! ha ha ha...

Originally Posted by Kyu

well actually Grand Bastardization of a GMT II :P
but everyone has their own likes and dislikes
Only got it to shine well on vegas/special occasions !

too much bling even for me to sport is as a daily wear, I dont get how rappers and sport athletes do it

Meh, I quite like it myself (although the yellow gold ones are more attractive to me). It is very shiny and I wouldn't make one my only watch but it would definitely have a spot in my collection!

[Puffy]

rolex is def in its own class...

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by Puffy

rolex is def in its own class...

I agree P. Diddy, however, I would not label Rolex Haute Horlogerie. All in all there are only two horology brands in the world that retain their value Patek and Rolex... Anything else and you're taking a bath

[floater156]

Rolex is at the top of my list, and that's all that matters to me! I'm stage 1 Rolex lover, as according to the recent Forbes article (The Rolex Problem) that was posted

[The GMT Master]

I think that list is pretty much right in terms of where the brands are placed, although I would change the headings under which they're categorised. I would define the top group as haute horlogerie, and Rolex's group as high-end luxury. Rolex are about top of pile in terms of price point and perceived prestige of that group, but I think it is beginning to slip behind some of its competitors in terms of the product it is producing

[capote]

Originally Posted by FremStar

All in all there are only two horology brands in the world that retain their value Patek and Rolex... Anything else and you're taking a bath

I agree with that statement Sam, but resell value doesn't mirror the quality or workmanship and should not be used as a parameter in this case IMO. One thing stands out in the chart in particular though:

"$1,000-$4,000 for Steel models." Try finding a new Rolex in that price bracket

[capote]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

The first watch name I heard as a kid was ROLEX.

Me too, the first one I saw was a pepsi GMT.

[MoBe]

Patek and all the other top category brands are not directly comparable with Rolex,they are merely different and regardless of the percieved qualities of the various brands Rolex easily makes the top of my list.

[Dr. Robert]

A Rolex is a Rolex....the rest are just watches.

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

A Rolex is a Rolex....the rest are just watches.

Well said!

[rmfnla]

I think it is safe to say that Rolex watches are the most copied...

(And I mean styling, not fakes)

[Kanger]

I will be brutally honest with my answer here. Rolex is at the top.

I went through my AP Patek phase and owned them. Frankly, at the end of the day nothing else gave me the bang for my buck like a Rolex did in terms of value, history/heritage, prestige, durability, reliability, and precision. This is after a few years of collecting/wearing different brands as well as selling many watches. Rolex, in my eyes, is king.

[Widows Son]

Without looking at the chart, I'd say Rolex is in the top 10, probably #5. Anybody who says Rolex is the end all in watches, is either deluding themselves or hasn't been exposed to a VC, PP, or AP. I have 4 and love their ruggedness and reliability. But to say they're exclusive, or #1 is absurd.

[Solo118]

No, they might not be the #1 watch company but Rolex attracts to so many people all over the world unlike any brand. I would say its similar to Apple where the whole world waits to see what it will release. No other company can get that kind of attention.

As for my personal preference, I highly support Rolex. The way they build their watches are second to none. For instance a DayDate is one of their most luxurious models... it is waterproof, shockproof, dustproof etc. It is made to be worn everyday and take a beating. Some of those high end Pateks and AP's (though many times the price of a DD) is not as durable.

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by Solo118

No, they might not be the #1 watch company but Rolex attracts to so many people all over the world unlike any brand. I would say its similar to Apple where the whole world waits to see what it will release. No other company can get that kind of attention.

As for my personal preference, I highly support Rolex. The way they build their watches are second to none. For instance a DayDate is one of their most luxurious models... it is waterproof, shockproof, dustproof etc. It is made to be worn everyday and take a beating. Some of those high end Pateks and AP's (though many times the price of a DD) is not as durable.

AP's not being durable ?
That's like saying a Rolex can't be fancy as Lange's , PP , AP , JLC , GR, VC

and there are a lot of brands that has great amount of supporters of rolex like us
That is just as popular
When I wear AP's out in public, People randomly jump at me asking if it's an AP Royal Oak Shores and they Wooh at it
It even gets admired by the sales rep at local rolex boutique stores, except for brequet they swear they are the best in market and look at everything as lesser beings lol which is why i havnt bought one yet
I rarely ever get that sort of attention sporting my rolex's

Bottom Line, at the end they are have their Pro's and Con's
Not one brand is better than the other in terms of durability, value, luxury.

but Rolex is certainly up there regarding one of most favored and adored

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Kyu

AP's not being durable ?
and there are a lot of brands that has great amount of supporters of rolex like us
That is just as popular
When I wear AP's out in public, People randomly jump at me asking if it's an AP Royal Oak Shores and they Wooh at it
It even gets admired by the sales rep at local rolex boutique stores, except for brequet they swear they are the best in market and look at everything as lesser beings lol which is why i havnt bought one yet
I rarely ever get that sort of attention sporting my rolex's

The AP ROO is not what I have in mind when I think of AP's. I usually think of their dress watches.

I have a thing for the basic Royal Oak... what a piece!

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by Solo118

The AP ROO is not what I have in mind when I think of AP's. I usually think of their dress watches.

I have a thing for the basic Royal Oak... what a piece!

I think you're correct on that about ROO's
I've only owned it once but just didnt feel right for some odd reason.
The Only AP's now I consider worth getting are the royal oak shores.
Everything else seems pretty bleeeeeeeh from AP so I tend to forget they had other models lol
Sorry ! my morning redbull/monster mix is wearing off.

[Ramiks]

what about iwc, why it's not listed ??!!