|
Quote:
I too collect factory watch catalogs, dealer catalogs, books on clocks and watches, clocks and watches, and my library is overflowing both my houses. I have been inside more than one Porsche engine (I like the new Porsches and their engineering), as well as a multitude of others, and yes I actually work on watches. Given my engineering back ground and profession I can appreciate what you so blithely pass over. Great pissing contest you've created. What would your motive be in turning this into a pissing contest? Infantile at best. Glad you are enjoying it. The facts still stand. Go to Rolex onsite (just don't drink their Kool-Aid) and see firsthand how they manufacture watches. Talk to current and former Rolex employees about their watchmaking. Search out the patent lists in the Swiss Patent office. It is amazing how Rolex has managed to convince people that they are high quality when they are no better than several, much lower priced, other brands, who offer so much more in the way of art. Yes, art. Because the best things are a combination of both. That's what makes them special and why one would want to spend several thousand dollars on an anachronistic piece of equipment that you can out perform for less that $50. Rolex is quite successful, but not by following the "art" side, but by following the money. You got that right at least. "Better" is quite a crude word to try and describe the attributes that can be found in the watch world. But it is quite clear "better" in Rolex's case is one of marketing not quality or art. Yes, it is a business. But that dosen't mean you have to run just like Walmart. |
Quote:
Actually, my wife does collect Chinese scrolls and my father and I used to collect mid 19th century Japanese swords. My father was, and still is, fascinated by eastern culture (I was raised as his practice dummy in Judo:(). It's safe to say that has rubbed off on me. My wife is a willing enabler. To RPKESQ and Javadog - the two of you clearly operate in a completely different financial and cultural hemispere (if not galaxy) than I. I appreciate the time you have taken to enlighten me. |
Boy, this 2-sided opinions is entertaining. I am glad to read the input provided by both.
RPKESQ, Do you own a Rolex? |
Quote:
|
RPK, not trying to be argumentative but curious what happened to Rolex after 1971? All of mine but the GMT2 are pre-71 but that was not by design, I just bought what I liked.
|
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1133915807.jpg
Cartier Roadster... everyday use, seems pretty bulletproof. |
Quote:
I went to a local jeweler and looked at Rolexs today. I'm very glad I did! The only Rplex I've ever tried on was my buddies Submariner. The Airking (and Oyster Perpetual) is too small for me. I tried on an Explorer just like the one in the pic above. It's only 2mm larger, but it's a huge difference on the wrist. I like it a lot. It retails for $4250 and they were willing to knock off 5%. Despite that amazing reduction I left watchless. The hunt is on. PS - I also tried on a white gold, white dial Daytona. Contrary to my previous distate for the Daytona, I loved that one! It's now my favorite watch, but sadly, well out of my price range. I won't even post a pic as an example as they just don't do the watches justice. |
Bob,
Rolex limits the amount that dealers will discount watches from the retail price. Nowdays, about 10% is all you'll get. In the good old days, 25% or more was possible. One thing you can do is buy from a dealer that isn't an authorized Rolex dealer, but acts as a middle man between you and the authorized dealer. If you buy from one of these guys, you won't get the papers that come with the watch but that doesn't matter to some people. One I have used many times in the past is called Tarrytown Jewelers. They are out of New York and they have a website that should be pretty easy to find. Another benefit from buying out of state is that you'll usually not pay sales tax. Happy hunting, JR |
How many Timexes equal one Rolex?
Yeah, I know...My wife used to say "It is not how much you pay for something, but how often you wind up paying it." But $4,000 for a timepiece? Wow. I do not wear a watch (mentioned previously that my cell has a marvelous ability to present accurate time), but when I did it was a present from my wife; a Citizen. I found it adequate. |
You should try on the Date Just with the Jubilee band. You will be amazed at how more comfortable it is to compared to the normal band. You won't even realize you are wearing it.
Speedy:) |
You should try on the Date Just with the Jubilee band. You will be amazed at how more comfortable it is to compared to the normal band. You won't even realize you are wearing it.
Speedy:)http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1198547563.jpg |
Quote:
So Rolex started to automate every production step in watch making they could, culminating in today’s Rolex. It is a solid, evolved design that has been tweaked to enable as much automation as possible in it's manufacture and still be a quality watch.. There is very little hand work involved. This does not mean it is a bad watch, not at all. But it is not a great watch in the sense design, creativity, hand work, art, complication, etc. It is along with a slick advertising campaign the reason Rolex grew into the largest (by far) and best known luxury watchmaker. And although I can appreciate the engineering and automation design require to produce a modern Rolex, they leave me cold because of what they no longer manifest. One must in the 21st century, realize that telling time is best served by other devices. You can do it cheaper, far more accurate, and far more reliable with cell and quartz technology. So why buy an archaic anachronistic expensive mechanical device? There are a few reasons; each person will have their own. For me a high grade mechanical watch is a singular marvel. In innovation watch makers seeking ever greater precision and reliability were far ahead of any other mechanical and engineering endeavors. In metallurgy research they were always at the cutting edge. All of the decorative arts (polishing, engraving, enameling, jewelry, painting, gold and silver working, sculpture, etc.) were all brought to their highest perfection first in watch making. Imagine having a compilation of most of the engineering principles, art techniques and expression and human history, all in such a small package on your wrist. Who would not enjoy this immeasurably if they only understood? It's is like having a little bit of DaVinci all to your own. This is why horology is one of my hobbies. I obtain, purchase, repair and trade watches strictly as a hobby. I do not wear a watch for status or to show my success. I actually often try to find more obscure models and small manufactures to spend my money on. Sort of like supporting the local economy; I try to do everything to allow the art and science of handmade and hand finished mechanical watches to survive. You do not have to look in dark corners like I do, there are plenty of watches one can purchase that have the look, feel and reliability of a current Rolex. But there are many more with better looks and feel (opinion), and much better construction and reliability (fact). The best thing is you have an enormous spectrum to choose from. One does not have to settle for mass marketed, mass produced flash with a great publicity department calculated to influence the bovine crowd. But each to his own; I’m only suggesting that one tries to learn before one decides, how that could cause someone to get their panties in a twist, is pretty amusing! |
As it turns out, my trip to the jeweler turned out to be a deal breaker. I told my wife I had settled on the Explorer (sort of ironic considering the article posted a few pages back on that very model) and she fessed up that she hates Rolex watches - with a passion. There's nothing she likes about them - at all. She even refers back to guys that used to hit on her. If they had a Rolex, and it sounds like a lot of them did, she blew them off referring to them as car salesmen (not that there's anything wrong with that!). Okay, so she's definitely got an issue there, but one I willing to live with considering she indulges me with all my other pastimes without blinking. She even resorted to bribery of sorts. She said I could buy any Zenith watch I want. So begins a new thread.
3 I'm considering - http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4...8524788vx4.jpg http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/637/dsc00362uo9.jpg http://www.timezone.com/img/articles...s0050/l675.jpg |
Quote:
Go with the last one. |
Zenith used to be top tier, and then fell off. The new owners (3 years ago if memory is correct) have pushed them back in the proper direction. They are beautiful watches again.
The model in your first picture is simple with a power reserve, seconds and date indicator. The second picture has a sublime dial design with seconds and date indication. Nice. The third has chronograph functions, moon phase, date day and month indications. In terms of complications the third has the most (and Zenith initially made their name with chronographs). But for pure ease of use and elegance # 1 would be my choice. Note: if you have oily skin the leather band will only last about 2 to 4 months before getting pretty grotty. Metal bands would be your best choice then, with leather for dress up. |
Quote:
The 3rd is great. I wasn't initially looking for a cronograph, but it is appealing. I'll probably stick with plan A which is to keep it simple and elegant. |
Bob,
Not sure what to think of your wife's recent pronouncement (just a wee bit irrational- maybe you should suggest she never cut or color her hair....that has been known to greatly upset some men, you know) but if you go back to your original plan, which was to buy a watch, wear it for a year or so, then trade it for something else, I might make a few suggestions. It's going to be a little tougher to retain value with something like a Zenith. To get the most satisfaction (bang for the buck, if you will) out of owning such a watch, you may want to consider wearing it every day. The watches you selected above are a lot less robust than what you were looking at in the past. You might want to consider a watch that is the size you have found to be appealing, a little more rugged and perhaps less costly, in which case the depreciation will be less of an issue. For example, Omega makes something called a Seamaster Aqua Terra (see below.) It uses a new movement design which is somewhat interesting, offers a little more waterproofing, comes in a couple different case sizes and dial colors. It's fairly inexpensive and, like the Zenith, can be had for a lot less money than the retail price, with a little work. I'm sure car salesmen give it a pass, so your wife should have no objections. There are other watches I might suggest but I can recommend something more fun for you. There are some publications available in most decent bookstores that are annual compilations of many of the offerings of most of the major watch brands available in the US. You might consider buying a couple of these and doing a little reading to see what floats your boat. Then, maybe a trip to the stores to see them in person. Happy hunting, JR PS. An Omega photo: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1198589534.gif |
Quote:
Back to watches - The first spendy watch I wanted was the Omega Seamaster Pro. For whatever reason I forgot about it. I still hunt the occassional 50s vintage Omega DeVille for dress, but have yet to obtain one (although I have my sights set on another). My wife actually liked the one you posted a pic of - can't imagine why as it looks like an Explorer, more or less, to me. I'll take a look at those as well as the Zeniths, which by the sounds of it, don't impress you. No? I thought they were pretty good and actually made the movements for a lot of other watch companies including Rolex. As far as retail and discounts - it's very unlikely I will buy from a store anyway. I was just amused by the 5% offer. Whatever I get will be pre-owned and from a reputable reseller, maybe a Timezone ad, or someone I trust. PS-If a good deal comes along on an Explorer, I may just become a closet Rolex wearer. ;) |
Bob,
I have nothing against Zenith watches, per se. I was simply pointing out the notion that those you had shown as examples were a little less suitable for daily wear, at least in your line of work. You are correct in thinking that Rolex did use a version of the Zenith El Primero movement in their chronographs for a time, replacing the various Valjoux-based movements they had used for decades. Since 2000, they use a new Rolex movement. If I were to buy a Zenith, it would probably be one that had the El Primero movement. Something very simple, as close to what a chronograph looked like many years ago. I have to say many of their new styles look hideous to me. The other major movement they make, the Elite, has as one of its characteristics a placement of the seconds sub-dial at the 9:00 position. As I prefer symmetry in my watches, this doesn't ecite me. There are many watches with assymetric features on their dials- many more today than in years past. I tend to think of this as a fad that won't last, and It's unnatractive to my eye anyway. The Omegas I mentioned are inexpensive enough to buy new, from a dealer that discounts their watches. I think they are within your original budget and, at that price, I wouldn't buy a used one. Of course, you should do what makes you happy. If it suits your wife, then that's a bonus. JR |
An example of an El Primero-based watch, with a design I find somewhat ridiculous:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1198608777.jpg |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:23 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website