Is a high end watch worth it?

D

Dr sharp

Joined
Oct 20, 2003
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Im so torn...I want a Rolex dive watch, but is it really worth it. I mean yeah its cool and all but a new dirt bike is calling me too... So any opinions would be help full...i wonder how much it costs rolex to make a 4000.00 watch?
 
Whether or not they are worth it depends on what you value.

I would recommend looking at Omega though before Rolex because for the most part, Omega is a much better value. Unless of course you have always lusted after a Submariner, in which case anything less than the Sub. may not suffice.

Personally, I think a Seamaster would be a great choice for a "high end" yet relatively reasonably priced watch. I am sure many here would agree.

Bucky
 
I think ultra-high-end watches are much like ultra-high-end knives. There is a point beyond which you're paying for the brand name and nothing else. I don't necessarily even say that's a bad thing, but you need to be realistic about what you get for your money.

A $4000 watch will not perform better, in any sense (accuracy, reliability, durability, or features), than most $500 watches or even than the better $200 watches. I'll put my Citizen Titanium Skyhawk up against anything on the market for pure performance, but a Rolex is more likely to impress the guys at the country club. (Fortunately, I hate golf. ;))

There's nothing wrong with paying a lot of money just because you want "that particular watch", whatever it may be. But if you're not sure it's worth that much it probably isn't, at least to you.

--Bob Q
 
In a word, yes. Many Rolexes have appreciated in value over 400% in the past 20 years. Tell me what that dirt bike will be worth in 20 years? I currently own 4, two were left to me, one was a gift and one I bought. The all have provided excellent service, but I am most fond of my Explorer II which was an 18th birthday present. The watch needed a pretty serious overhaul after 20 years including a new crystal, bezel (the lettering wore off), crown, mainspring and a few other odds and ends. Cost for the overhaul? $400. Replacement value $3,600. Initial cost in 1983- $750.
When I finally had it serviced, it was running about 1 minute/month slow. It's now keeping about 3-5 seconds a month.

That being said there are clearly some Rolexes that "are worth it" and some others that aren't. My favorites are the Explorer II and the GMT II, both are very similar, but the GMT II gets you a movable bezel with the 24 hour hand AND a sapphire crystal, which is kind of important since the acrylic crystal in the Explorer tends to scratch and crack (particularly if you wrap your wrist on the bill of a 400# blue marlin who REALLY does not like being held that way! :rolleyes: :eek: ). You can get the GMT in solid stainless, gold and stainless or all gold. Fairies, who do NOTHING that would deserve the durability of a Rolex wear all gold Rolexes :mad:

Then there are your Submariner owners, they have SMALL PENISES! They HAVE to have a watch that can handle 330 meter depth. There is absolutely no justification for a 300 meter watch (particularly in all gold) unless you are a hopeless wannabee. I've been diving since I was 16 and have yet to even consider a dive that the Explorer II couldn't handle. Fortunately, I'm not too passionate about this subject ;)
 
I agree with what Bucky said, but I'd like to take it one step further. Do yourself a favor and do a LOT of research before you buy that Rolex. To be fair, I am somewhat anti-Rolex, but there are just too many other good watches out there to be limiting yourself to such a common watch. For a few ideas, check out my post on my experience with IWC: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=295782

In general, though, if it is worth it to you, then by all means go for it! I wear a Breitling Chrono Avenger every day, and I still catch myself admiring the watch, even though I've had it for a year. I guess I like the fact that "real" watch people will see it and know what it is, while the uninitiated will recognize my dad's Rolex.

I am by no means an expert, many of the watch names thrown around on these forums are unfamilar to me, but I try to keep an open mind. At the moment, I'm looking to pick up either a Tag Heuer Aquagraph Chrono (check that out if you want a real diving watch) or IWC GST Chrono when I pay off the Breitling :D
 
i hear tudor makes great watches, but its kinda like going half way. To me it feels like half a rolex. Which brings up a great point , of why do i want a rolex, The omega makes some nice watches, i think ill look around at them.
 
I would go with what you really want.

I have purchased a number of watches that were "appeasements", and I still ended up buying the watch I truly wanted later...

Rolex makes a fine watch, albeit expensive compared to other watch manufacturers of similar quality (like Omega). It's typically a low risk proposition purchasing a Rolex, though, as you will be able to recover most, if not all of your investment should you decide to sell it, even years later. In fact some models that are bought in retail stores can be sold in the aftermarket for a premium (a good example of this is the Daytona).
 
I always wanted a Rolex Submariner. After doing a lot of research on the web, the Omega SMP seemed to be considered as good or better than the Sub with fewer complaints. After having both the Sub and SMP on my wrist, I bought the Omega. :D :cool: Someday I hope to pick up a Seamaster Aqua Terra as a companion for my SMP. :rolleyes:

Paul
 
What bquinlan said. In everything we buy there is the high end for the fashion
crowd , the middle for the functional crowd and the low end for the disposable
crowd. I like to stay in the middle as function and long term use/durablity mean the most to me. That and the fact that "high end" spends money I can use for other things.
 
If you have $4k to spend, why not split it down the middle. Get a used Rolex or new Omega (or a dozen other brands) and get a $1500-2000 dirt bike?

By bike I assume you meant bicycle, not motorcycle.
 
My 2 pennies.

If you like the rolex then buy it. If you don't buy it, you'll always be looking back.

If its for status, then that means you can afford the maintenance costs.

Personally, I would never buy rolex. If given one, I would sell it and buy omega, breitling, tag heuer or anything else.

I've seen too many rolex watches in repair shops.
 
If you want a watch to impress unknowledgable people, by all means buy a Rolex. I had one twenty-five years ago. The jewerly store was right next to where I worked in a sporting goods store. I will let you in on a little secret. Go up to someone with a Rolex and ask them "How well does it keep time?" They will ALWAYS say "Just excellent". Then show them one on your wrist, and they will mumble something about "well most of the time". I had one, three friends had one and none of them kept accurate time. I am talking five minutes a month, not much time but a lot for you have paid.

Took me a year to save for it on lay-a-way. Most foolish money I ever spent. And then there is the chipped crystal replacement, and cleaning charges. Can you say "new Sebenza"? Believe me, you will be doing both of those little chores.

Unless you need something on you that says "Look at me, I need attention", spend your money on an accurate Timex. I sold mine twenty-four years ago, bought a Timex for 1/50 of the price and never looked back. Twenty four years, three Timex and many guns, knives and other sporting goods.

Think they are a good investment? Find someone with one, go into a store that sells them and see what they offer you for it. Maybe thirty percent of new price if in new condition. They buy brand new ones for 50% of selling price. Rolex owners, flame away. You know deep down in your heart that is the whole truth.

BUT, if you really want one, buy it. Don't try to justify it, just buy it and enjoy it while can.
 
I would go for the Tudor sub or the Omega SMP. Tudor makes a hell of a watch and in my opinion is FAR from half way. You basically get a Rolex but with a different name. The Omega is also an excellent watch that would without a doubt last you a heck of a long time.
Hey marcangel, it's nice to have a watch that can go the distance even if I never will! Hell, why do you think that the B&R Hydromax is so popular! :p :p :D
Matt
 
Dr, Sharp,

Here's my suggestion buy a seiko, citizen etal and then go talk the dealer down $300 on the dirtbike to make up for it! :D

I tend to agree with the post above that said that the 200-500 watches are probably the point of diminishing returns, but then again high end watches are not my thing. I have more money tied up in custom work on guns than many people could justify because they are more my thing.

You have to make the call for yourself if the cost is worth it to you. About the above post on the Rolex's increasing in value, I have to wonder what 750 invested in the market in '83 might be worth today.... I would not look at the watch purchase as an investment rather as something you get personal satisfaction.
 
bquinlan has it right.
I bought a submariner many moons ago, new for $210. Given it's present value, which is exceeded by it's sentimental value, I've never regretted it. If you are actually going to dive with what you buy, I'd buy something less expensive. There are many, many great looking watches out there. Still, I'd buy another Rolex if I were in the market--love the classics.
 
I own 7 rolexes including 2 daytonas. Although I believe the are great watches I prefere to wear my luminox everyday. In fact I just ordered a casio pathfinder which may end up being my favorite! I also own an omega smp and 6 breitlings. After a while you come to appreciate that they all do the same thing and usually the cheaper models do it better!
 
Meh, you can get a jap car and wack a turbo on it and it will go as fast as an Aston Martin, will it be an Aston though? No!

Get the Rolex, you will wear it every day for the rest of your life. The dirt bike will be a few times a week for a couple of years, then its resale value will be almost nothing.

The rolex on the other hand will be worth more than you paid for it.

I like Omega too but its still not a Rolex. I have an Explorer II and a Sea-Dweller. Both are suited to any activity.


I love these ny sayers, chipped crystal glass LOL must have been made in H.K

I have wacked mine into the edge of a phone boot glass door, not a mark on it.

Timex!!! Muwahahahaahahaha I bet you have made in Pakistan knives too. They still cut things you know, besides most people use their 'tactical' knife to clean their finger nails and open letters and hotdog wrappers LOL


If you Rolex is losing that much time, Rolex will calibrate it for you, free of charge.
 
get the rolex if ya want one, ya only live once.

as far as price, if ya can afford it dont worry about it, ya wont lose $$ on it, and what else can ya say that about these days?? if ya cant afford it, get something ya can.

mine keeps perfect time too, by the way. i mean come on now, a 4K watch and it wont even keep time?? they are certified chronographs and comparing rolex and timex is as comparing apples and rhubarbs, aint the same critter.

a rolex is every bit as accurate as any automatic watch made, sure a batt operated TAG will keep closer time, but a batt operated TAG (or an omega) aint a rolex. it keeps time good enough.

greg
 
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