ROLEX BASHING: WHY SO MUCH HATE? This is an article that is very close to my heart. I make myself a daily apostle of the Rolex manufacture, defending it body and soul. Not that my mind is too narrow to see it, but that its detractors are too often lost in vague and unfounded arguments. Certainly, some views are understood and are quite right, but too many sterile and ignorant critics deserve to be put in their place, with modesty and love.
What about the Rolex Bashing.
Background : A dinner with friends at Philippe. (Nicolas drinks himself when he meets a new person, Bernard) Nicolas : Nice, Nicolas. Bernard : Enchanted, hard day? What do you work in ? Nicolas : Rude but nice day. I work in a media, Les Rhabilleurs, who speaks with love of watchmaking, beautiful pieces, and style in general. Collectible watches and bracelets are also sold. Bernard , surprised and curious : What kind of watch interest you? Nicolas : From everything from Rolex and Omega vintage, through mythical diving watches and some recent and original pieces, as MeisterSinger with a single hand! Bernard , offended : I hate Rolex is really a brand new rich, the watch worn by Sarkozy on his yacht. Nicolas , the eyes filling with blood : Bernard D'accord. Let me tell you a story. Today, speaking of the brand to the crown has become synonymous with endless debates. Sometimes, no debate, but a few words exchanged with pleasure between lovers of beautiful pieces. But in the majority of cases, the word Rolex is hardly spoken until the waves of words explode. "What brand of new rich", "What brand have you seen me", "Sarkozy's watch", and so on. And it's Rolex toast. In some cases, I try to argue, transparently, and using my modest experience to defend the manufacture. In other cases, I prefer to be silent because the person in front of me refuses to hear anything, and even comes to judge the Rolex watch bearers.
Why so much hate? The ignorance of watchmaking, first of all In this majority of cases, the people who are in front of us know absolutely nothing about it. Not even an ounce of watchmaking know-how. Those same people who think there is a stack in a Submariner. Hence the first thing I reply in general: "Do you know a little about the Rolex manufacture, and the watches that bear that name? ". You suspect the answer.
It is obviously not bad to know nothing about watchmaking. But nothing prevents one from taking an interest, even succinctly, in what one does not know. Above all, do not put forward degrading remarks if one does not even know what a mechanical watch. Let's be open to the unknown! Be the torchbearer of simple minded people, because it's trendy is not a good way to distinguish yourself. It is a way to pass for a hollow person. That I like to explain to people what a mechanical watch is, the history of Rolex, like other major manufacturers, to pass on my passion to them! Just like I like to learn when these same people talk to me about notions that escape me. What to do, what to say then? Two types of speech are then to be adopted, in my mind. You obviously have to differentiate Rolex today, and Rolex yesterday. Even if the watches of today have different and sometimes questionable positions, the quality remains no less grandiose. We can not blame people for not loving Rolex watches for their shapes, their design. All tastes are in nature. But for the rest, it's more delicate.
We must begin by talking about the beginnings of the manufacture, its great dreams of waterproofing, watch that wants to be both elegant and chic. We must also mention the different families who have gone through the decades without taking a wrinkle, using these watches in more or less extreme situations. We also have to emphasize their manufacture, their movements and their reliability. 100% In-house. Of course, we do not forget that this unnamed success was also based on the marketing genius of Hans Wilsdorf. This in no way diminishes the legitimacy of the mark, on the contrary. It's part of the game. Rolex yesterday and today We can not deny the fact that Rolex has "surfed" on the wave of the watch easy to buy for anyone who wanted to have a great pleasure. This is why everyone is talking about the "new rich" gift. But precisely, this "new rich" buys what confidence reigns in mistress, because it is not necessarily known, and that Rolex seems a sure value.
For example, today I often read that the Gmt-Master II "Pepsi" is inaccessible at Rolex. That is one of the opinions I share. To pay 35.000 â‚Ź because this watch "sport" does not exist in steel (it would be a nice surprise of Basel ...), is simply unthinkable. What is hard to believe too is that 1000 â‚Ź separate a Submariner Date from a submariner without date. One could also mention the creation of a supply shortage and waiting lists of several months to wear its Daytona. This can only encourage to turn to small vintage nuggets.
Vintage watches are among the most collected, most appreciated for things I've already mentioned in some articles, including the GMT-Master and Daytona . So yes, we can blame Rolex for some things. But that does not change and will never change the prestige of this mythical manufactory that makes Rolex what it is today. It is still the sport watch par excellence, the one that lasts a life and gives you the same pleasure every morning. Let's learn again to love the Rolex for what it is, far from the ideas received, for its timelessness, its reliability, its form and its function. I would not say that it is legitimate to ask whether our look is not influenced by himself this crown ... Possible .
Again, the heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing.
7 COMMENTS
1. 27/01/2017 AT 3:52 P.M. - REPLY
Well, I'm not affiliated with Rolex, it took me nearly 20 years of collecting to buy one, and now that I've gone around the clock question (at least in these price ranges), I allows me to take a view that I think relatively enlightened: - yes Rolex are mainly bought by people who know nothing because Rolex is a safe haven, but some know why they buy - not prices Rolex is not overrated compared to its competitors (look, compare), and EVERYTHING the quality of the product is almost incomparable, and many things that one does not see are offered for this price (5 years of guarantee, / - 2 sec per day ...) - the resale value of Rolex is incomparable, it's not a value image refuge. The product may or may not please, but its intrinsic value simply has no equal.
Whether we like it or not, whether we appreciate the models or the brand or not, there is watchmaking, and there is Rolex. It is a fact.
2.
27/01/2017 AT 2:03 P.M. - REPLY
Hello, here is a sentence that I do not understand For example, today I often read that Gmt-Master II is inaccessible at Rolex. That is one of the opinions I share. To pay 35.000 â‚Ź because this watch "sport" does not exist in steel (it would be a nice surprise of Basel ...), is simply unthinkable. there are GMT Master II steel Version 8200 â‚Ź https://www.rolex.com/fr/watches/gmt-master-ii/m116710blnr-0002.html
o
27.01.2017 AT 14:30 - REPLY
Hello Hank! Indeed, I had not specified "Pepsi" ... All my apologies;) Excellent day Nicolas
3.
27/01/2017 AT 2:02 P.M. - REPLY
ROLEX watches (which are of quality, but of an overpriced price) are mainly (unfortunately) worn by people who do not know anything about watchmaking. Mostly people qualified as "BOBO" (abbreviation of bourgeois and Bohemian). This association (brand / owner) provokes in the collective of thought (detractors) an amalgam or negative identification (to be in the term identity in the fashion in recent times). Generally (no pejorative), owners of type "BOBO" do not differentiate between "battery" and "mechanical", are very proud to tell you about the number of rubies contained in their watch (without knowing they are Synthetics), etc. The problem is the same for certain car brands. Last remark, if the price of ROLEX watches were well calculated, the profits would probably not allow such an advertising budget (F1, Golf, etc. ..). However, when you buy luxury items (by definition unnecessary), my remarks have the same purpose ...
4.
27.01.2017 AT 12:59 - REPLY
No GMT Master II steel to the current catalog !? If not perfect ... it is the same kind of arguments balanced by uneducated brutes for the Porsche 911 especially ... as if there were only refined people who wear Swatch or other Chinese quartz ... no comment;)) Jihèm
o
27/01/2017 AT 2:29 P.M. - REPLY
Hello Jihem, Indeed ! I had not specified "Pepsi";) Excellent day Nicolas
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27/01/2017 AT 4:24 P.M. - REPLY
Ok Nicolas but there is also the "Batman" that I find quite successful me who are not a fan of contemporary roro (if you want a bicolor on the bezel) ... and if not a beautiful vintage ... a 1675 ... not so expensive even if they have increased somewhat lately ... like almost all Rolex vintage;) Congratulations for your article in all cases; The 5512 that I wear today (bought in 2009) fills me with happiness .... As well as other tocantes of "prestigious" brands ... CQFD. Beautiful day Jihem