How does someone even become an "Independent Expert" on watch authenticity? Specifically Rolex

[OVERKILL]

I have always wondered,what’s the rationale for having an uber-expensive watch? Is it all about the “bling” factor? And I thought the $50 Fossil my gf bought me was expensive!!

Yup, I don't get it. I have a pretty expensive precision rifle, would have another if Teflon Trudy hadn't banned the .50BMG... which for me, if I'm going to dump money into something, it might as well be something fun.

I get that people want to collect stuff, I guess my perspective is that if I'm collecting them, I'd like them to be useful for something

 

[UncleDave]

I have always wondered,what’s the rationale for having an uber-expensive watch? Is it all about the “bling” factor? And I thought the $50 Fossil my gf bought me was expensive!!

I myself detest " bling" and do not consider a Stainless Rolex "bling".

How many items do you own that are durable enough to last 20 years while being in service every day and appreciate in value at the same time?

 

[aquariuscsm]

I myself detest " bling" and do not consider a Stainless Rolex "bling".

How many items do you own that are durable enough to last 20 years while being in service every day and appreciate in value at the same time?

I don’t own one, but people I know with the cheapest Timex watches last forever, although not a “flashy” or “showy” brand.

 

[PandaBear]

I have always wondered,what’s the rationale for having an uber-expensive watch? Is it all about the “bling” factor? And I thought the $50 Fossil my gf bought me was expensive!!

The same rationale for poking a hole in each ear and stud a piece of carbon in it, or bend a chain of soft metal and hang it around your neck, or string together shell fish and wear them all over your body.

We are human and we, inherit from our genetics, appreciate things that are rare, shiny, smooth, elegant, and refine. We correlate this with quality of life and ability to provide for our future, and a way to rank the mating pecking order.

 

[UncleDave]

I don’t own one, but people I know with the cheapest Timex watches last forever, although not a “flashy” or “showy” brand.

Although they may function forever (as long as the battery doenst burst and leak and the watch remains water proof) they do not look good after 5, 10 years of daily use much less 20.

In terms of appreciation, they dont. They depreciate like used hand grenades almost immediately.

My submariner is very difficult to distinguish from new after 20 years. The quality of the steel, the bezel, and the crystal are absolutely incredible.

 

[ofelas]

The easiest way to spot a fake watch isn't to look at the watch, it's to look at the person wearing it.

As someone who typically wears faded jeans, worn western boots, stained Filson tin cloth jackets, and prefers to drive 30 year old pickup trucks with original paint, I have very little doubt that the random mugger assumes the SeaDweller or Daytona on my wrist are replicas

But then again, I like how my beaten on watches keep working, and besides, I'm too cheap to buy batteries.

I don't see Rolex as a "luxury watch", but rather, a rugged sports watch.

 

[MrHorspwer]

Yup, I don't get it. I have a pretty expensive precision rifle, would have another if Teflon Trudy hadn't banned the .50BMG... which for me, if I'm going to dump money into something, it might as well be something fun.

I get that people want to collect stuff, I guess my perspective is that if I'm collecting them, I'd like them to be useful for something

Parallel watches with shotguns. Spend $3,000 on a Citori and you get great quality, nice furniture, and an ergonomic shooter that will bag all the birds and break all the clays.

If that's the case, why do shotguns costing more exist? What does the extra $25,000 buy with a uber-high-end Kolar? Exotic wood, intricate engravings, and more labor, none of which increase it's function as a firearm.

Just like watches: They look pretty and are more exclusive. You can look at them and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into them, but they're no more useful.

 

[UncleDave]

Parallel watches with shotguns. Spend $3,000 on a Citori and you get great quality, nice furniture, and an ergonomic shooter that will bag all the birds and break all the clays.

If that's the case, why do shotguns costing more exist? What does the extra $25,000 buy with a uber-high-end Kolar? Exotic wood, intricate engravings, and more labor, none of which increase it's function as a firearm.

Just like watches: They look pretty and are more exclusive. You can look at them and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into them, but they're no more usef

Or guns in general...my watches, are stored in my gun safe.

A 2.00 digital watch keeps better time than any mechanical, and there are plenty of very cool watches available for not a lot of money, the hobby truly has a place for every price point, Heirlioom quality watches that can be worn that hold and appreciate with reliable regularity are few.

 

[Astro14]

When's the last time anyone bought a wrist watch?
Well Ok I have a pocket watch but I am an electchicken
Everyone else has a pocket entertainment centre that tells time among other things

Got one (Seiko)

as a Christmas gift last year. Solar powered. Quartz movement. Wear it every day. I find that having precise, readable, time at an instant is important in both my job and personal life.

A quick flick of my wrist is far faster and more convenient than dragging out my phone, which is off at work anyway. I even use the dive bezel to set critical times: pushback, landing, arrival, holding ETA, whatever, while I’m at work. Analog is quicker, I can see the arc of remaining, or elapsed, time without doing arithmetic, even though I’m quite good at mental arithmetic, anything that gives me information more quickly is a plus at critical times and in managing critical times.

My daughter, the surgeon, has discovered that the Seiko I gave her years ago is very useful, much better than her phone, in her profession as well. The titanium case is both hypoallergenic and very light weight.

 

[FireChicken]

Yup, I don't get it. I have a pretty expensive precision rifle, would have another if Teflon Trudy hadn't banned the .50BMG... which for me, if I'm going to dump money into something, it might as well be something fun.

I get that people want to collect stuff, I guess my perspective is that if I'm collecting them, I'd like them to be useful for something

I collected things with the justification they had to serve a function. Now I own a pile of old generators, old gas lanterns torches and antique tools.
Its just stuff to look at while I sit and the shop and liquored up under Covid lock down...

Someday if you get the chance sit down with some guys that collect spark plugs...
They wire them up and put them on display boards, talk about them with each other as if they are their children, its just dam creepy to watch

 

[OVERKILL]

Parallel watches with shotguns. Spend $3,000 on a Citori and you get great quality, nice furniture, and an ergonomic shooter that will bag all the birds and break all the clays.

If that's the case, why do shotguns costing more exist? What does the extra $25,000 buy with a uber-high-end Kolar? Exotic wood, intricate engravings, and more labor, none of which increase it's function as a firearm.

Just like watches: They look pretty and are more exclusive. You can look at them and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into them, but they're no more useful.

I guess my hang-up is I can use the shotgun to shoot skeet, take birds...etc. I use the watch to what, tell time? I have the time all around me (phone, cluster, computer screen...etc) where as the gun serves a very specific function that other items around me can't do. Now yes, there are varying degrees of "fancy" for guns, just like with cars. The Ford GT and Corvette, even the Dodge Viper were just as fast as cars that cost several times as much, so that's where the whole fancy/pedigree thing comes in.

This is probably because I really just don't have an interest in expensive watches. Maybe if I did, I'd understand it better. Most of the things I dump money into have an "experience" component associated with them.

 

[FireChicken]

Most of the things I dump money into have an "experience" component associated with them.

I have an Iranian friend on the other side of the pond who would love to get his hands on some of your work related stuff and anything else.
For peaceful purposes he assures me....
He heard about us from this Idian witha cheap NRX knock off...

 

[UncleDave]

I guess my hang-up is I can use the shotgun to shoot skeet, take birds...etc. I use the watch to what, tell time? I have the time all around me (phone, cluster, computer screen...etc) where as the gun serves a very specific function that other items around me can't do. Now yes, there are varying degrees of "fancy" for guns, just like with cars. The Ford GT and Corvette, even the Dodge Viper were just as fast as cars that cost several times as much, so that's where the whole fancy/pedigree thing comes in.

This is probably because I really just don't have an interest in expensive watches. Maybe if I did, I'd understand it better. Most of the things I dump money into have an "experience" component associated with them.

Totally get the perspective.

You are very often surrounded by things that tell time,but they all turn to dust, expire, and need a constant supply of electricity to function.

A good mechanical does more than tell time, it represents your relationship with time.

My rolex has spent months in salt water, weeks on beaches, flown around the world, sat in jacuzzis, steam rooms, mountaintops, fields, gun ranges, golf courses, dinners, meetings, sand dunes, trails, and presents zero effort to carry, its helped me time countless meals.
Its always there for me.

I've lost count of the phones, and computers, pads that have come and gone while a chunk of SS beauty accompanies me through anything anywhere always giving valuable info, adding, but never intruding into my life.

When everything else in your life ultimately lets you down its one of the few true timeless companions that " just works" - looking after your well being and your money. Electric devices are temporary, just consumable things, a good mechanical becomes a part of you and walks with you through life.

 

[UncleDave]

Overkill, I was in a watch discussion with the guys on a boat forum about my other sports watch.

The other watch I wear a lot is the JLC gran sport duo I show in this vid, its a really cool piece as well.

Reversos are exceptionally cool having dual faces available complications.

 

[Vern_in_IL]

If I had some extra discretionary spending money, I would CERTAINLY have a Rolex Submariner in "the vault"

You need to invest in things that HOLD value or go up, the same for physical possession of Ammo, Gold and Silver. Tractors, hand tools, and solar.

A Rolex is not just a timepiece, it is a work of art, all parts made by Rolex of the highest quality. (A Rolex automatic needs cleaned every 10 years, all others need a clean and oil after two...)

A genuine Rolex (again Sub Mariner) holds it's value. Certainly will be able to sell for more if inflation becomes a issue.

 

[UncleDave]

A genuine Rolex (again Sub Mariner) holds it's value. Certainly will be able to sell for more if inflation becomes a issue.

There is a very interesting argument to be had for the submariner being an index of inflation.

My 114060 was 5K in 01 and can be had new for 12K, and used for around 10K now on Chrono 24.

Solar's a bit different in that after 20 years panels are highly degraded and worth a fraction of their price new- but the value of their production over time can be substantive if kept in continue service and efficiently set up.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I guess my hang-up is I can use the shotgun to shoot skeet, take birds...etc. I use the watch to what, tell time? I have the time all around me (phone, cluster, computer screen...etc) where as the gun serves a very specific function that other items around me can't do. Now yes, there are varying degrees of "fancy" for guns, just like with cars. The Ford GT and Corvette, even the Dodge Viper were just as fast as cars that cost several times as much, so that's where the whole fancy/pedigree thing comes in.

This is probably because I really just don't have an interest in expensive watches. Maybe if I did, I'd understand it better. Most of the things I dump money into have an "experience" component associated with them.

That's how I look at it too. An expensive watch to a man is like a nice diamond ring to a woman. It's "jewelry".

Reminded me of something. A best friend of mine had this $3000 watch. I had a Guess watch. He used to always say "Man that's a high school watch". BUT....mine worked and his didn't haha

 

[JT20]

I guess my hang-up is I can use the shotgun to shoot skeet, take birds...etc. I use the watch to what, tell time? I have the time all around me (phone, cluster, computer screen...etc) where as the gun serves a very specific function that other items around me can't do. Now yes, there are varying degrees of "fancy" for guns, just like with cars. The Ford GT and Corvette, even the Dodge Viper were just as fast as cars that cost several times as much, so that's where the whole fancy/pedigree thing comes in.

This is probably because I really just don't have an interest in expensive watches. Maybe if I did, I'd understand it better. Most of the things I dump money into have an "experience" component associated with them.

I think you pretty much nailed it on why I'd be "OK" with the "knock off".. its "just a watch" at the same time it's not/looks nice/has that quality air about moreso than an $80-$120 unit.

I do like it says ROLEX but.. I mean, down the road, if I look at it again.

 

[JT20]

I don’t own one, but people I know with the cheapest Timex watches last forever, although not a “flashy” or “showy” brand.

Those Timexes DO last forever
*if you don't run over them with your car or park it on it.

 

[gman2304]

When's the last time anyone bought a wrist watch?

USPS delivered my eBay bought used Wenger Swiss military quartz watch today, $60. Just for grins and giggles, I bought a new Timex Expedition Ranger solar watch off Amazon last week as I didn’t have a solar watch, $48 delivered. My favorite go to watch is my old Seiko5 skeleton back mechanical. I’ve always liked and appreciated watches but never could quite pull the trigger on a fine luxury watch.