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Rolex in particular is on their own level
Omega is technically on the same level as Rolex; my old Watchtimes suggest Omega’s chronometric performance is even better, but Rolexes watches are thinner and, in my opinion, they are going to provide a slightly better user experience for the average wearer over twenty-plus years. Much respect to Rolex, they are truly the best. My dad has a Blue Milgauss, love the watch. It’s a Rolex with some quirk, but it wears perfect and it’s reliable and it looks great on his wrist.
Me though, I like oddities and don’t mind certain flaws, as long as the dial looks right. These are mechanical complexities and they sometimes aren’t perfect. We all risk failing if we venture out of our comfort zone and so failure is more common with high complications or independent novelties. So if my watch is ambitious and creative, but flawed, I only ask that the service department be respectful and considerate - there’s an aloof attitude amongst some brands that is a turnoff.
Specialist houses can’t achieve the same results as Rolex and Omega, even when they have theory on their side, because the best machines produce the parts with tightest tolerances and the robots deliver optimal lubrication to each part. We know who wins the precision war, but there are many more reasons you might choose to emotionally invest in the hobby. It’s perfectly okay to prefer fussy oddities over dependable stalwarts, to have a collection of weird toys.
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On the superiority of Rolex and Omega
Dear all, I don't want to be (too) provocative. I know we are all interested in the quality of finishing and exclusivity of our movements. That's the game. Still, objectively speaking, I often feel that the technical superiority of Rolex and Omega (in ter...
I’m in my mid-life in terms of watch collecting, but I’ve seen a lot of collectors start with Rolex/omega and end with Rolex/omega, with PP/ALS/FPJ etc in between.
After one too many expensive service cost for haute horologie offerings, the durability and versatile looks of Rolex/Omega win at the end. A Rolex day-date, esp, can hold a candle to any haute horologie brand. Just my observation, of course
An interesting subject
Something to think why we collect and what watches be the best. Do we want the best? Or want we something special? I am a typical starting collector. Sniffing on a broad arange of brands. Discover, try, and buy. I can daydream about my fabulais Omega Seam...
There is a reason why many watchmakers have a Rolex
as their daily beater. Some of the best craftsmen in the business claim that Rolex is the world’s best mass produced mechanical wristwatch. Needless to say, I fully agree. Omega has come back with some very interesting movements, too - after a period with...
Duffour and Smith are two of the watchmakers I was thinking of.
(and there are more .....)
I kind of agree with this. Exotic has a price tag higher than the original price....
Luckily or unluckily for me, I could never afford exotic and always stayed in the playground of under $10,000 and usually half that, in my purchases by buying used. Not that I wouldn't mind a Journe etc but it's just too far up the scale in terms of loss,...
I would add Grand Seiko to your list . . .
. . . but otherwise pretty much in agreement. The only other proviso would be ranking them in alphabetical order. ...
Pateks movements a a joke in particular comparing to Omega, PP and Gs.
I fully agree your thoughts. However, in terms of case and overall design, Patek is much nicer. In terms of movements, there is not much competition to those mentioned.
I rarely mention this here for obvious reasons, but
My watchmaker has warned me against in-house Patek movements otherwise gushed about online. He has seen many of them in for repair and he feels that aren't well-designed due to this direct experience. He has a lot of respect for PPs with old Lemania movem...
Good post, and provocative only in the good sense of thought-provocative ;-) Rolex is where most of us started, and in my case, they are often my daily choice as well...
Impossible to whine about watches that are super-reliable, sturdy, very good looking, relatively affordable (hence worry-free), and can also be worn in the majority of situations -- all the way from sports activities to a nice/friendly event... And in 15 ...
Nice post, not getting much disagreement here.... [nt]
I started with Rolex, passed for some time and have now gravitated back again with some recent acquisitions...
I’m in absolute agreement with you!
I’m one of those you mentioned,started with Rolex, went trough the whole high horology, and I’m back to Rolex. I don’t want to wear anything that causes me the slightest worries. When I dropped my Datograph on the kitchen floor I almost got a hearth attac...
We can ask the ladies
Many ladies like a fuss free, easy to service piece that is comfortable. Omega and Rolex have dominated this niche with the Lady Datejust, Constellation etc. I reckon I can never convince my partner to wear another piece. She wears a datejust 24/7 and is ...
In my opinion, they are two different classes of watches that probably shouldn't be compared
For robust luxury daily wearers, I agree that Rolex and Omega are the obvious choices. The high horology segment is more about finishing and complication, neither of which Rolex and Omega are known for. That doesn't mean one is better than the other, it j...
well...
I completely agree that if you want a PC, you have to look elsewhere. You are right. But for a simple watch, I still think that in "objective" terms, Rolex and Omega are more "high horology" than most others. Actually the movements are just more refined. ...
I think the dynamic you're describing applies to collecting any functional objects, not just watches...
You have the super high-end, bespoke, custom products, and then then you have the next-level, top-of-the-line, well-regarded, well-known, mass-produced products. It applies to pens, fishing rods, shoes, clothes, etc. Regarding watches, I think many folks ...
The price is what you pay and the value is what you get
I think this applies to all watches from Rolex,Omega, Patek and any other high end manufacturer: for people outside this forum the understanding for a price tagg beyond 1.000 is hard to comprehend. If a brand is in our reach we always would choose the top...
I have no problem with them being common. I don't know these modern Omega movements very well, so I cannot say, but Rolex are well built, reliable, accurate... And sometimes anti magnetic.
AND... You don't have to service them each 5 years. They can last much longer. I like them for that. Now, to say that they are superior, I won't go till that... Best, Nicolas
Rolex in particular is on their own level
Omega is technically on the same level as Rolex; my old Watchtimes suggest Omega’s chronometric performance is even better, but Rolexes watches are thinner and, in my opinion, they are going to provide a slightly better user experience for the average wea...
If you want a competent machine, Rolex and Omega are hard to beat.
If you want something tangibly made by a human being, you'll look elsewhere. If we elevate industrial production prowess and manufacturing consistency to higher esteem than imperfect but clearly handcrafted results, then we reopen the fundamental question...
If you talk about movement and finishing,
I would say omega win the race over Rolex in recent years. Not a omega owner but bought 3 Rolexes over the last decade (two as gifts). If you compared to other watches that are selling 1.5x or more the prices of Rolex or omega, IMO, they are just ripping ...
Omega and Rolex enjoy huge sales
this gives them the funding and resources to do more R and D and produce better developed movements at lower cost We’ve seen the same thing happen with other products ranging from phones to cars. I wonder what experts think about AP and Vacheron movements...
Great post with so many great responses
At the end of it all it is what you want to achieve. If you are a collector, the considerations are numerous. A collector collects, and he collects basis numerous factors. The quality and robustness of the watch movement is but one factor. Personally, I l...
I think I’m among those who “returned to Rolex”
It was about 20 years since I purchased a new Rolex and in the last few years I’ve bought 4 modern Rolexes for me, 2 for my wife and one for each daughter. Their product line up from top to bottom is so attractive, useful and lasting. My other watches hav...
It's true that there was some good fate involved
First it was the 50th anniversary Daytona which I tried on at Beyer in Zurich a year or so after it was released and I knew I had to have it. (Basically a 50th birthday present to myself). This really got me looking at modern Rolex again. Then I managed t...
