Rolex - I have an esoteric question....

I have an esoteric question....

I love watches. I love many makes. I also love many different styles. I think my favourite style remains chronographs. But i do have a passion for divers too. I would say my taste is reasonably broad. It means I look at a lot of different watches, so I feel at least a little qualified to make the following point. That point is that Rolex appears to have transcended fashion cycles. A rolex of 50 years ago has the same unmistakable DNA of a Rolex made today. It is often said that Patek has this same unmistakable DNA that persists through time and makes the brand immediately recognisable. I am curious what other collectors think aout this issue. To my mind, Rolex stands head and shoulders above any other brand in terms of this "DNA" point. No other watch stands out like a Rolex. Not even Patek....or do others disagree?

I would also ask the question why? My theory is that unlike every other make, Rolex has not gone down the path of creating super-complicated watches. Rather, it has attempted to perfect what it has always done well. In effect, it over-engineers its watches around a very simple principle of reliability. I don't think any other brand focuses on this issue like Rolex. Had JLC evolved solely around its reverso concept and stuck specifically to that, then it too would have followed a similar path to Rolex. But really, I am not sure any make of watch has been so specific in its DNA profile as Rolex. Or am i just totally infatuated with the brand!

I am curious to hear other views on this.

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Tough question

By: amanico : May 14th, 2010-05:44

There are many questions, Joe. 1/ " A rolex of 50 years ago has the same unmistakable DNA of a Rolex made today.": I wouldn't say that...Yes, there is an air de famille between the original and the latest, but the modern have varied / changed and gone a b...

LOL here....

By: Baron - Mr Red : May 14th, 2010-06:33

what was the question!!! I think I was saying not so much that the vintage Rolex looks the same as the modern, but rather that the DNA is unmistakable. Whereas JLC's unique point is its "Watchmaker's watchmaker", this distinction is less prevalent today t...

Hmmm, just why does it remain one of the most popular watches regardless of fashion?

By: Velociphile - No longer in the building : May 14th, 2010-09:01

... I'm not sure it's got anything to do with its 'timeless' designs. At the risk of sounding trollesque: Just why do 1 million people a year buy a Rolex? (remember that only one tinyth per cent of them are WISs.) Why is it the thoughtless default choice ...

i am not sure...

By: Baron - Mr Red : May 14th, 2010-09:50

There is certainly truth to the idea that many "reward" themselves by buying a Rolex as a sign of achievement. "I've made it". However, a vast number of collectors have no interest in that at all, and the vintage market remains one of the most active. Pat...

A number of things

By: Velociphile - No longer in the building : May 14th, 2010-10:36

Joe, I'm not hearing anything other than "recognisibility" - consistent look, and "over engineering". I think we have to remember the context that WIS buyers are still a tiny and arguably irrelevant fraction of buyers. I think a lot of purchases have to d...

I would....

By: MiniCooper : May 17th, 2010-14:00

partly disagree with you my friend.... When I look to the predecessors of today's Rolexes, I see the evolution and clear DNA..... True, some details have changed, evolved... but the soul & the function remains the same.... Now. I agree about he DNA of JLC...

To play the Devil's Advocate

By: amanico : May 17th, 2010-14:04

Anf God knows that I love this game... Let's take an example: The new GMT. Compared to the 6542, which was a real toolwatch, as well as the 1675, the new 116710 with its ceramic bezel has lost its Toolwatch DNa to go on the Luxury Ground ( aprtially polis...

Ok....

By: MiniCooper : May 17th, 2010-14:10

But today's traveller is a bit more sophisticated... or rather.... has more options and it is easier to travel...... So, the traveller needs a more dressed up watch...... Looks identical though..... cheers

By Brand DNA

By: Velociphile - No longer in the building : May 14th, 2010-08:33

you seem to be more referring to the 'look'. In my industry a brand is a promise kept and more about philosophy than look although many keep a heritage feel to their key features - e.g. grille, lights. Examples: Aston: Power Beauty Soul; Jaguar: Grace, pa...

Velociphile....

By: Baron - Mr Red : May 14th, 2010-08:37

By DNA i mean a number of things. It is absolutely NOT just looks. I refer a number of times to Rolex being an "over-engineered" watch. This is not meant to be critical in any way. I find it a compliment. Rolex have never gone down the path of super-compl...

On the one hand and on the other...

By: chaser579 : May 14th, 2010-16:20

On the one hand we could say that Rolex is unimaginative and has remained in a certain 'design constant' to be recognizable as well as reliable. On the other hand, there have been improvements over the years (and price increases, mamma mia!), but a Rolex ...

"... the way you have to gently turn the crown to get it to hack properly"

By: ausrandoman : May 25th, 2010-02:08

Well, how about that! After I read your comment, I went and tried it with my Sea Dweller. Whaddya know! After all that time grumbling "It doesn't have to be this hard to pull the crown out"

Rolex is no more a watch than LV is a bag.

By: TdotBean : May 14th, 2010-18:51

I remember an interview I saw on Franck Muller about brand value and mass production. I think to answer these question of yours we have to look at the bigger picture, not just as a WIS(btw what is full description of this acroymn) If memory serve me right...

I don't know if your question is all so esoteric, but I

By: whit : May 15th, 2010-08:51

do think it is a very obvious observation about Rolex which I do agree. What makes it work, I believe, is exactly what you pointed out in your first paragraph....Rolex's success in the past 50 years has been as a result of the pieces which very closely re...

Whit...

By: Baron - Mr Red : May 15th, 2010-09:25

I think you have reflected what i was getting at more eloquently than I managed. Let me be clear, I am in no way saying that "Rolex is the best make of watch in the world". I apologise if that has come across. In fact, I do not think there is a "best". Ea...

I certainly did not get the impression that you were

By: whit : May 15th, 2010-12:12

saying that one brand was better than another, just pointing out the obvious. Is that a key factor why many collectors seek out vintage models? I can't answer that question, however it seems that "watch collecting" at the level it is today is a relatively...