Is Rolex a "trashy watch?"

[DSJ]

Hope my title got your attention.

I’m trying to figure out how to reconcile myself with this stereotype: “Rolex is for nouveaux rich.” “Rolex is a status symbol.” “Rolex is overrated and overpriced.” “Wearing a Rolex is a good way to show people that you have more money than you know what to do with it.” “Rolex is for people who want to flaunt their status.”

I’m sure most of us have heard this before. There was a similar thread earlier this month:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=33004

Poignant quotes include:

"Especially the nouveaux-riche Russians are turning their backs to Rolex watches, typically the Day-Date in YG, since Rolex watches are considered "bad taste" and a signal for being nouveax-riche. So therefore the Russians go for other high-end brands like Patek and VC. Money is NO issue for the richest of the Russians. The MSRP for the GMT II "Ice" is pocket money for some of them. But they choose other brands than Rolex to show they have "style".” – Bo’s AD

“As I said before...most premiership footballer's wear Rolex. They earn in excess of £100000 a week.
A true story...my Father's cousin was in Harrods looking at Rolex when a well known Manchester United footballer came in and picked up a diamond encrusted Daytona on a leather strap. He then asked his girlfriend and the sales assistant did they "think it was too blingy for the training ground?" That is a £60000 watch!!!!
I don't know what the situation is in the Rest of Europe, US or Asia but most multi millionaires here still wear Rolex...sports stars, tv stars, movie stars and popstars...they all have them on.
Only watch fanatics are interested in complex movements. Most people with money want a watch that they consider the best and Rolex's acute marketing history has made that so.” – James

It’s a good thread, but I am starting my own because of personal experiences since owning my Rolex. My wife and I are financially self-made. I did have some help in college from my family, but mostly it was on my own. I live in Minnesota now, but grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Bay Area’s wealth are a curious mix of old and new money. I grew up around old money. My dad’s family lived in Palo Alto for many years, and came from prominent East Coast and British families. Grandpa had a Patek Philippe (now missing), or wore gold pocket watches.

When I was wearing Omega, Hamilton, Mido, etc., few people paid notice because they are more obscure “entry luxury” brands. Those who did notice, appreciated them for their subtlety as quality timepieces. Now I’m a Rolex guy.

I wanted and now own Rolex for the following reasons:
1. Classic watch – EVOLUTIONARY changes rather than REVOLUTIONARY
2. History – Company has a strong and proud history
3. Good quality/durability balance.
4. Good match to my style/personality
5. Comparatively strong resale value
6. Prestige (although very minimal to me, but I have to admit it a little)

However, in addition to positive feedback, I’m getting negative as well, including the first quotes at the top of this post. In Minnesota, there is less money, so it’s more obvious when I wear my Rolex, especially Bluesy. The cars I drive stand out here in Minnesota, but in California, they are hardly noticed. In the Bay Area, the old money people look at Rolex as something the “dot com-ers” wear when they cash out their stock after IPO, or professional athletes who don’t know better, or lottery winners, where as the old money set wears “better brand” watches, like PP, VC, etc. Many view TAG Heuer in similar fashion.

Here’s another interesting link which berates Rolex:
http://www.users.cloud9.net/~bradmcc/lux.html

Many of us have long aspired to own a Rolex and worked hard to achieve ownership. I see Rolex as one of a few brands that are either at the top of the “lower luxury” tier (Omega, TAG Heuer, Hamilton, Longines, Zenith, etc.), or the bottom of the “upper luxury” tier, which, in both cases, is an enviable position.

Here’s another question, should Rolex reposition itself to compete more squarely with the “Geneva Seal” set,
http://www.timezone.com/library/itsa...74732705524456
or remain in its current marketplace, which I personally think it created, and others (like Omega) strive to compete in?

This is a rambling post, but if you deal with this, how do you reconcile it? I mention my top-5 as my reasons, and because of the intangible enjoyment I receive from wearing a Rolex. Would I like to own other more “old school” brands? Yes, I hope to someday own a PP, JLC and other interesting watches. But Rolex is THE brand for me above all others, in that I MAY own a PP, and would be privileged to, but not to the exclusion of Rolex.

Thanks for letting me vent, and any discourse would be appreciated. I know I’m preaching to the choir. http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=33089

[JJ Irani]

One word, David - NO!!!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Personally, I love Rolex watches and don't consider them as trash, at all. Had I had that feeling about them, I would not have bought them. But as I state in the other thread, in some places of the world the status of owning a Rolex has changed.

[f16570]

David, No

[Prince]

I'll chime in with the comment other fine members have provided: NO!!!

[mfer]

blasphemy!!!!

[seantk]

Originally Posted by DSJ

but most multi millionaires here still wear Rolex...

Statistically most millionaires do not wear Rolexes or other high end watches. Source "The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas J Stanley, Ph.D. & William D. Danko, Ph.D

A Rolex will have a different meaning to each person who is wearing one. I do not think they are "trashy". I have been fascinated with the Rolex brand as long as I can remember and I knew some day I would own one, so I learned as much as I could by reading "The Rolex Report" and by joining this forum. I like the combined ruggedness and simplistic beauty of the Rolex.

I am not wealthy, but I live well, I live in a small house and I drive a pick up truck. I saved for my Sea Dweller and paid cash for it.

I decided to buy a Rolex in 2008 because I will turn 40 this year, I will have been at the same company for 20 years and my 1st child (son Joshua) will turn one!!! 3 milestones in my life!!

While most people may recognize the Rolex name, however someone other than a WIS will probably not recognize what is on your wrist

Sean

[Defiancekofb]

It's really this simple, who gives a damn what other people think? I wear a rolex because of quality and history that goes into making my timepiece. I know obviously you will encounter haters that will say "Oh is that a REAL Rolex?" But pay them no mind, you know that is just a defense mechanism excuse.

For example, if I run into someone that drives a ferrari, I will go up and compliment them, I will not say "Oh you should have bought an enzo." Because #1 it exposes your defense mechanism, #2 your being a dickhead.

[Dave Kopf]

Simple answer: Yes.

and I don't give a rat's @ss. Whenever some hater throws that crap at me I simply agree and laugh in their face.

In the end, who cares. I like my GMT II pepsi and my Sub and could care less what anyone else thinks or says about them.

[Whiskey]

Like the quote from the movie "The Boiler Room";

................anyone that says money is the root of all evil doesn't f$%king have any"!

Same goes to those who talk bad about a nice watch, car, house, etc etc.

You know what I hate? People/politicians/celebraties who bitch about poverty and global warming and then drive home in their V8 SUV to their 10-room, 4 baths, triple garage mansion.......................people like Al Gore.

Al Gore is trash!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

...You know what I hate? People/politicians/celebraties who bitch about poverty and global warming and then drive home in their V8 SUV to their 10-room, 4 baths, triple garage mansion.......................people like Al Gore.

Al Gore is trash!

I know you enjoyed getting that off your chest!!!

[Ragu]

in one word "hell no"

[Welshwatchman]

By "trashy" I take the definition to be "tastelessly showy".

There is an argument that the Leopard, Zebra and 1,000 diamond variants are a little "showy".

Most Rolex watches range from the soberly bland to the quietly exotic and they all share the same common heritage and excellent of engineering.

Who's opinion counts? It is certainly not the snooty twanger who would label our watches this way.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

..."snooty twanger"...

LMAO

[Ed Rooney]

Mine is trashy. You see a lot of pimps wearing Sea-Dwellers.

[DSJ]

Great responses. And no, I don't give a rip what people think of me! My wife is much more image conscious than I am, so she often says, "You're going out in that?"

I just wanted to hear if others have gotten this at all, and what their responses are.

[Art 1]

No, mine are never noticed infact.

[JBat]

Trashy? I don't think so. Most Rolex's aren't flashy enough to be trashy and I've yet to have mine noticed.

[roadcarver]

Its only trashy if you see it used or shown at a porn show

[JostheBoss]

Rolex is well and truly ICONIC!!! It alone has set the standard for so many features a person takes for granted in a wristwatch. Trashy, NO. Timeless...we'll see!

[ProudSubOwner]

Think class, not trash! Rolex is, I think, a classy quality watch. I just don't think of it as a gaudy status symbol. I am proud to wear it, don't get me wrong, but I don't wear it to show off, except for the fact that I like quality products.

[MAC4130]

Trash !!! Definetly NO!

I think I have laready said a little about this talk to the Watchmaker over at my AD.

MY AD aslo sells Jaeger LeCoultre, Corum, Chopard, Omega, Panerai, Breitling, Tag, Baume&Mercier.

So Talking to the Watchmaker, he tells me that THE BEST watch from a mechanical point of view is the ROLEX, because of how it's made, it is realiable, easy to service and super accurate!

When I was about to get my Rolex (TTGMTIIC) I could have opted to buy a SS JLC Master World Gographic, which is one of the most amazing movements from JLC, they where about $3k difference, but I have seen some of the tests conducted by Time Magazine to JLC or Patek or VC or AP and none of them where as accurate as the GMTIIC! , unless of course you went up to those 30 or 40k watches!
Would I buy a JLC, PP, VC? shure I would...will... but I wanted to buy the Rolex First!
Why should someone that thinks has class buy a PP, VC,JLC or AP?
because they are THE most expensive watches on earth!!!! So I do not necessarily think they are buying to show their great taste for watches, they are also showing off, some of them buying a watch worth 150k or even more! so so now hows showing off???? Who's got the bling, bling watch????

[topcat30093]

No way

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by MAC4130

Trash !!! Definetly NO!

I think I have laready said a little about this talk to the Watchmaker over at my AD.

MY AD aslo sells Jaeger LeCoultre, Corum, Chopard, Omega, Panerai, Breitling, Tag, Baume&Mercier.

So Talking to the Watchmaker, he tells me that THE BEST watch from a mechanical point of view is the ROLEX, because of how it's made, it is realiable, easy to service and super accurate!

When I was about to get my Rolex (TTGMTIIC) I could have opted to buy a SS JLC Master World Gographic, which is one of the most amazing movements from JLC, they where about $3k difference, but I have seen some of the tests conducted by Time Magazine to JLC or Patek or VC or AP and none of them where as accurate as the GMTIIC! , unless of course you went up to those 30 or 40k watches!
Would I buy a JLC, PP, VC? shure I would...will... but I wanted to buy the Rolex First!
Why should someone that thinks has class buy a PP, VC,JLC or AP?
because they are THE most expensive watches on earth!!!! So I do not necessarily think they are buying to show their great taste for watches, they are also showing off, some of them buying a watch worth 150k or even more! so so now hows showing off???? Who's got the bling, bling watch????

Well said Mac, thanks!

[SSD]

Is a Rolex trashy? NO. It is not. If anyone disagrees or does not like their taste in watches, they may kindly keep their insignifigant little opinions to themselves. I don't dawg people out for their watches...

Unless its a Rado- JJ!

[Tools]

The diamond encrusted Rolex DJ's of a few decades ago are definitely no longer in fashion with multi-millionaires as they once were...perhaps these are considered a bit tacky by todays standards..

But the Country Clubs, Board Rooms, and First Class Cruise Ship Verandas that I frequent throughout the year, as well as the charity functions, dinners and balls..the Rolex is still very much alive and well.

There are a few who wear a PP because it cost more....but in these crowds, nobody cares. Almost everybody in the room could buy one if they wanted, but they don't...it just isn't done.

The new rich with their "show me the money" attidude go for the bling watches and the expensive PP's because they're showing off....everybody in the room knows it..

The truly rich earned their money by buying top-quality, long lasting, and high quality products.....once. Like their Rolex..

[JG99]

I agree with what Larry has said.

I am soon to buy a Rolex GMT Master II and I personally really like Rolex for their classic designs, durability etc. However, it is true that there is a certain hangover (particularly in the UK I think) from the 80s when yuppies bought rolexes to show off. I do think rolex make some gaudy watches, like that diamond pepsi bezel GMT, and they possibly have more gaudy watches in the collection than many other watch makers. Let's not forget they are a business and are clearly supplying to the demands of the bling hip-hop/R&B market. From reading these forums, I don't think most here are like that. In my mind there is a huge difference to those diamond crusted ones and a stainless steel watch.

I have seem some rolex wearers flash their watches very obviously, but to be honest that kind of behaviour just shows insecurity in the person, and is not anything to do with the brand.

To contradict myself, brand image however is important - I just bought a porsche and when I'm out in it a lot less people let me pull out of junctions than when I'm in the Mini Cooper! But I'm still the same person! I bought a porsche because I enjoy driving it, not to show off. There are times when a quality brand can have a negative effect in some situations, and I think the same is sometimes true of Rolex around the wrong people. Obviously it's not worth going through life worrying about what people think.

[DSJ]

Good points Larry and JG99. Buy your GMT soon. My dad used to race Porsches, and they are nice cars, despite the similar image that they get. "What's the difference between a porcupine and a Porsche? Porcupines have pricks on the outside."

[Defiancekofb]

Larry makes some good points, the new money people usually opt for really big dial Jacob & Co. timepieces to represent to the world "They have made it." I'm sure most of the old money people can afford it, but it's so impractical and gaudy I don't know understand why one would.

[tandrup]

I don't consider my Rollies trashy. I can see the point in the comments about the newly rich in the bay area, Russia and China. My take on that is that I am not going to stop appreciating good wine, single malt whiskey, good cognac, nice watches or cars just because other people can afford it. I do it for my own sake and to make me happy. I'm not less happy when I'm drinking a really nice glass of red wine, just because there are millions of "rewly rich" dot-com'ers, chinese or russians that can afford and are drinking the same wine. Do they appreciate it as much as I do? I don't know - but my point is that I'm not appreciating it less.