# Are Rolex watches a big scam? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 28, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rolex-watches-a-big-scam/281981 "2004-12-28T19:40:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![zippyh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/839c29/32.png) [@zippyh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zippyh)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rolex-watches-a-big-scam/281981/81 "2005-01-05T02:24:32Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Rolex is everything about marketing, and very little else. first, the watch itself is a very old design-the Presidential model is essentially the same design as the one they made in 1930. Second, the movements are machine made-they are not polished and gilded like a patek philippe, or Omega. Many high-end watches have glass backs, so you can see the highly decorated movement inside…this is not done with Rolex, because their movements look…cheap! That said, Rolexes are basic, reliable watches…but not worth anything NEAR their purchase price. > My favorite watch:…keep graet time, and a classic look! If by “Presidential model”, you mean the DayDate, that model dates to the 50’s. “President” is the name of the bracelet style which is usually found on the DayDate although you can also get the Oyster bracelet. Modern Rolex oyster case models look nothing at all like the early oyster cases of the 20’s and 30’s. Sure, today’s DayDates look a whole lot like the ones from the 50’s, but it’s kind of like the changes between different years of VW Beetles. Plenty of subtle changes that the devoted notice. Plus the movements of today’s models are quite different from the old ones. Also, the majority of today’s Omegas use fairly utilitarian movements. Mostly ETA or Valjoux movements from their sibling companies. Recently they’ve been working on upgrading the movements they use but even their newish coaxials are still based on and ETA movement. I definitely agree that a large part of Rolex is the marketing. But that doesn’t mean their product is crap. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-rolex-watches-a-big-scam/281981.md?page=4)