Rolex Mentality

[JonH]

Hi all, Just interested in your thoughts. For those of you who remember me, I have had a passion to own a Rolex since the age of 17. Up until actually owning my first second hand AirKing model in my late twentys. I have owned a miriad of watches from Seiko, Eterna, Omega, Grovana, Steinhart, Brietling, Oris, Sekonda, Avia, Rolex etc. Most of these other watches have been Rolex sports models lookalikes in an attempt to convince myself that I don't need or really want a Rolex. However whenever I had to get rid of a Rolex for whatever reason, its been a bit like a bereavement. No other brand or product has the same grasp on me as a Rolex. On times gone by, it has almost consumed me. I always have to relent and admit as a WIS, Rolex is the one that quietens the Watch demon in me.
I'm fully aware of the standing of manufacturers like PP, AP, FM, etc but they simply do not float my boat. How about you guys. Does the boffins at Rolex HQ perform some sort of wizardry that casts a spell over us.

[eddie]

Very well made timepieces John...that's all.... even better PR department , overprice IMHO, they don't care Take it or leave it, is their corporate motto ;D ...I like them a lot but, I love Omega much better;)


Got one more but, no pics ;D sorry....I'm sure you got the idea anyway ;D

[MikeS]

yes i too have been cast under theie speLL!

[misfitx]

I'm a Rolex nut and proud of it!

[pauleypaul]

Hi JonH,
My life is a passionate whirl which includes in no particular order, Rolex watches, Fender Stratocasters, and cycling.
I can't explain it really, it's not the object per se, because i can see past the physical object, it's about the emotion that the object gives me access to, wether it be the mechanical heartbeat of a Rolex, The Blues played (badly-lol) on my Strat' or the thrill of a 40mph descent on my road bike.
If it was just about telling the time, in a rational pragmatic frame of mind we would all buy Quartz watches for a few £'s or $.
But we don't!
:-)

[idriveanm5]

Yeah, clever marketing and the feeling of belonging to an exclusive club certainly helps support retaining their watches.

For me, it's simple: Nothing sparkles like a Rolex. I look at my wrist right now and realize how much more attractive (IMHO) my current Rolex piece is to any of my Omega pieces. That said, some of my Omega watches carry special sentimental value, but I've got a hard time looking past the downright handsome appearance of my Rolex watches sitting next to my Omegas.

[pauleypaul]

There was a really good TV documentary i watched a couple of years ago about design icons, brand awareness, that kind of thing.
It showed how collective conciousness and perception work to override lack of knowledge, a marketing managers dream in other words!
It showed how people knew what certain objects, items and concepts were, even in silhouette or obscured form.
The most recognizable outlines were the classic glass Coca-Cola bottle, and the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar.
When they started talking about brand-names and perception of them, people were prepared to associate positive traits to them without personal experience of them!
The brands included Rolls Royce, Moet & Chandon, and of course, Rolex.
Gotta love those marketing guys & gals!
:-)

[jasman]

Just to echo what most of you are saying here....

There are certain brands that because of clever and consistent marketing, people automatically assume a certain reverence to the brand, putting it in some sort of a pedestal.

People automatically assume that when you are wearing a Rolex, you are a high net worth individual and that your watch is very expensive, when in fact, there are a lot of other watches out there that are much more expensive than yours. Same is true when you drive a Rolls or a Mercedes.

Of course, these brands did not get there by accident. It was a very lengthy and calculated marketing strategy accompanied by a very well made product of the highest quality.

Once these companies achieve this level of stature, they can command higher than normal prices for their product as we as customers are also buying this prestige that goes along with the product. What comes next is the strong desire to pursue ownership of these products.

[idriveanm5]

Well said!

[Scott D]

I for one think they do cast a spell on us. I bet the 904 SS has an extra secret component that brainwashes us.... Put on the Rolex & little voices will start going off in the head telling you 'buy more Rolex's, buy more Rolex's'....

;D ;D ;D ;D

[pauleypaul]

It's not evn that subtle anymore scott, not since the inner bezel now says rolexrolexrolexrolexrolex........
lol!
:-)

[MikeS]

Yes the Rolex spell! I went to a watch showing that had Zenith,Ulysse Nardin,Corum and other big hitters and alot of guys said Rolex is for the common man who thinks he knows something about watches! Wow was i shocked to hear this! In fact one of the guys said whats the big deal about the Daytona it has the same movement as his Omega Chrinograph! Well ignorance was bliss and none of them had a SS Daytona!!!

[idriveanm5]

You tell 'em Mike!

[MikeS]

LOL! Some people are better off with a foot in their mouth!

[idriveanm5]

Mike,
That's like a guy I ran into online one day telling me that M5's are overrated because all M cars can carry golf bags. Seriously. I was a bit perplexed. Then I informed him that BMW puts a schematic in the trunk of how to store golf bags because many of its consumers are golfers who still desire an invigorating drive, and want to properly stow their materials. I proceeded to ask him what HE drove, and he got very quiet.......

Some people are just clueless, and can't help but hate regardless of their position.