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Watch buyer meme
(lemmy.ml)
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this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2026
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i learned recently that, among watch people, rolex is actually considered ~~peasant tier~~ entry level. i don't know what's the most "prestigious" holy grail watch brand, and really don't care if i ever do
That's just plain wrong. Rolex is considered "entry level luxury" by the real big spenders.
And basically every serious watch collector has at least one in their collections.
For most, it's the first or second (after Omega) $$$$ watch they buy.
It's also the biggest watch brand in the world, by revenue.
In my research I was unable to find any other brand that offers better quality for less money.
There are plenty that offer better quality for more money, or very close to the same quality for much less, though.
Rolex and Omega are the BMW and Porsche of the watch world. Huge brand recognition and status symbols, and also an entry level to luxury/performance. But honestly these days I feel the exclusivity and price levels are completely artificial.
I like tool watches and vintage Subs or Speedys were originally created and recognized as proper, tough tool watches for professionals, not status pieces. I'd rather buy a modern mechanical dive watches or chronograph for much less and with much more enjoyment than any modern 18k gold "luxury timepiece".
A stainless steel no-date Rolex Submariner is probably one of the best "beater" watches money can buy. They're pretty much bomb-proof, the auto movement is excellent, there's no date window crystal to worry about scratching, and they're waterproof to any reasonable depth.
If you want a very similar design dive watch with similar quality you could also get a Tudor (subsidiary of Rolex) and it would be cheaper than the Rolex. So that's probably the "entry level" Swiss watch.
Or you could buy 100 Casio G-Shock DW-5600RL. 2 should last you a couple lifetimes, so you'll have 98 to throw at family and friends
I will be the first one to own one(if none one already is), and I'm happy with that.
my mistake. edited
It’s like Louis Vuitton, when there’s a Rolex store in the mall in most cities of any size, it’s kind of mass market
and i'm sure the mass market consumers can't be bothered to research how to spot counterfeits, so there's fake rolexes walking around everywhere
The fact that when you walk into a Rolex store, the dealer tells you which watch you can buy doesn't help either.
So people buy from shady sites online, since Rolex won't even sell them the watch they want, before they've "established a relationship" (i.e. bought a watch they don't want first) with their dealer.
Wow! Just wow.
I hadn't heard of that, and it sounds completely insane. I've never been interested in automatics, so I guess I've never had to deal with the level of pure hype that can come with them. It amazes me that people put up with it.
I am one of the heathen and not a real collector, although I do enjoy looking at all the beautiful and fascinating automatics. I always wear a Citizen Skyhawk A-T Titanium Blue Angels, a Casio Pro Trek 3500T-7, or a Samsung smartwatch. They make me happy, as well as doing the job.
It even makes sense on some weird level.
Demand still far exceeds supply with Rolex watches.
Which means, if Rolex sold any watch to any new customer as soon as its available, scalpers would keep buying up the entire stock and resell them for a profit.
By only selling the more desirable models to customers who already bought a less desirable one, Rolex prevents that.
The alternative would be raising prices until demand matches supply.
My guess is, they already tried that too, and found out to their delight that Rolex watches are a Veblen good.
Because it's the most wanted brand, and people are like "I need to have a Rolex", when tons of better and beautiful watches exist. You will even see people who can't afford a Rolex, wanting to buy one. Let alone they don't know about sizes, and they a big Rolex which hangs like a chain in their hand.
riiight--"people will think i'm rich if i have a rolex"
rich people: "LOL"
When your timepiece is a 19 year old Slovenian model