How Do Rolexes Stack Up Against the Competition

[DonBateman]

I would say the Blancpain probably wins in the category of Dive watch, but I still prefer the look of the Sub better. GMT beats Navitimer.

[drtii]

well, my DSSD can go down to 12,800 feet and still work, so literally any time I feel like taking a boat out to the Mariana trench and throwing my watch overboard - I can. Even though I couldn't possibly retrieve it, the knowledge of it being safe at those depths is comforting.

...but seriously. It's a great watch and I'd own many brands and not try to compare them. I'd buy them for what they are and what they mean to me, regardless of brand.

[Burlington]

What they do, they do well. No question about that of course.

But lots of other brands beat them when it comes to finishing, aesthetics, complications etc.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by MSchott

What proof do you have that the Rolex movement is more durable than the Blancpain 1315 movement?

Blancpain is an aftersales and reliability nightmare. Yes they are beautiful and have heritage, but there's not a lot of movements that can beat the Rolex 31 series in terms of simple durability.
If the blancpain had a 2824 with the new high end balance/hairspring and increased power reserve it would be so much better at being a sturdy tool watch, but alas.

[JayG]

Rolex wins almost always, have the BLNR, BLRO and WG Daytona on oysterflex.
Recently bought the Omega Diver 300 on rubber strap. Love this watch, great mvmt, the laser cut wave pattern is cool. Giving the Sub some very serious competition.

[Flyoverguy]

Very well. However I like Breitling, AP and Omega as well.

There is plenty of choice out there.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

In the different manifestations of its offerings? For example-

-Diving use- How does the Sub line stack up against those from Omega or the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms?

-Aviation- Rolex GMT vs the Breitling Navitimer

-Use in heavy magnetic scenarios- Rolex Milgauss vs Omega Aqua Terra

I love the history of mechanical watches in general, and it would be interesting to see how Rolexes fare across a multitude of different scenarios. I am not just talking about the aesthetics, but the actual functionality of the watches.

Original speedy pro and navitimer have no Rolex equal. They are also true icons in the way the sub is. Not better or worse.

[Alex_TA]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Blancpain is an aftersales and reliability nightmare. Yes they are beautiful and have heritage, but there's not a lot of movements that can beat the Rolex 31 series in terms of simple durability.
If the blancpain had a 2824 with the new high end balance/hairspring and increased power reserve it would be so much better at being a sturdy tool watch, but alas.

Have you owned Fifty Fathoms?

[bobernet]

I have the 40mm FF, and the Blancpain/F. Piguet 1151 has been around a long time. AP, VC, Breguet, etc have also used it. Super thin, 100 hour power reserve, great finishing... it has a lot going for it.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Alex_TA

Have you owned Fifty Fathoms?

I doubt it but Bas repairs watches for a living. He definitely knows what he's talking about.

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I doubt it but Bas repairs watches for a living. He definitely knows what he's talking about.

And he works on Rolex movements all day. Not sure anyone can beat Rolex on robust and reliable. I’d trust his opinions.

[liu_watch]

Rolex is the king.

Their GMT is way better than the competitors. One study shows that pilots wearing them have higher on-time rate during inter-continental flights.

[Alex_TA]

My take, in mid-tier only, without attention to retained value.

Everyday, office: Rolex - Omega -IWC - JLC etc

Divers: Rolex - Seiko/ Grand Seiko. No Omega here.

Chronographs: Omega. Daytona is more of a fashion watch.

Exploring: Well, it’s clear

GMT: Rolex


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[padi56]

Originally Posted by georgekart

It's really hard to judge. What's the best?

For example diving: if best is one with highest depth rating, then Deepsea Challenge takes it. However if we only take commercially available timepieces, Hublot has a watch that can go 4000m (100 more than DSSD) and was tested down to 5000m. Although it looks atrocious.

Aviation is difficult, because many watches tracking multiple time zones exist, but arguably GMT is most useful implementations, however Omega and TAG do have a GMT with chronograph functions so arguably those are more usable.

Magnetic scenarios - Here I would actually argue Omega takes the cake. Rolex has very magnetic resistant movement, cased in magnetic resistant case, whereas Omega takes a new approach. All their new movements are absolutely magnetic proof (at least to my understanding) and while Milgauss was tested to 10000 Gauss and did not suffer consequences at some strength of field it would. Omega wouldn't. Although I suppose if fields are strong enough to affect Milgauss, watch is the last thing you would worry about. You are likely to have your hand flying towards the magnetic field with your watch still working properly.

But no matter the brand and how its rated its very doubtful if most all will never be in a environment to test the watches ratings .Take the W/R of high rated dive watches great engineering but man or even superman will never use the depth rating in water.Same for magnetic fields its doubtful if any wearer today would encounter such strong magnet fields.Although great engineering today its basically mine is bigger than yours,and today many do buy the mine is bigger than yours watches.

[Kenny Powers]

Originally Posted by drtii

well, my DSSD can go down to 12,800 feet and still work, so literally any time I feel like taking a boat out to the Mariana trench and throwing my watch overboard - I can. Even though I couldn't possibly retrieve it, the knowledge of it being safe at those depths is comforting.

...but seriously. It's a great watch and I'd own many brands and not try to compare them. I'd buy them for what they are and what they mean to me, regardless of brand.

Isn’t the trench over 36,000 feet deep though?