In another thread in this forum, a few people made passing comments that seemed to indicate a widely held belief that Rolex watches don’t keep good time. Is this true ?
What about Tag Heuer and Omega ? I have arranged for a present of a fairly top of the line (€ 3,400) Omega for an up coming Big Birthday of mine. Have I wasted my “big pressie” ? Are these watches actually no good ?
Anyone ?
They’re all good watches. People aren’t saying they don’t keep good time; rather, they point out that an all-mechanical is inherently less accurate than a quartz movement. My GMT II gains a couple of seconds every day, but that’s good enough to merit a certification as a chronometer. Still it’s not very accurate compared to a timepiece that loses or gains one second per month.
Mechanical watches will never be as accurate as quartz watches. But they do have advantages. The “sweep” of the second hand is more pleasing than the “jerk” found on quartz watches. The “ticktickticktick” of the movement is more pleasing than the “Tick. Tick. Tick.” of the quartz. And my life is not planned down to the second. I don’t really care if my watch is a few seconds off, or a minute off. It just doesn’t matter.
What does matter is that I appreciate the craftsmanship of a mechanical movement. (Someone will be by shortly to explain that Rolex movements are not as good as other movements. Personally, I don’t care.) I also like the looks of my Rolexes. I like the old-fashoined GMT II and Submariner designs better than the Omega Seamaster or the TAG-Heuers I’ve seen. Just personal preference. (I really, really like the Omega Speedmaster, though. And I don’t like the “dress” Rolexes.)
In the end my Rolexes are attractive (to me), modestly-priced, “middle class” watches that I like. Who cares if they gain or lose a few seconds?
I would add to this that ROLEX is unique…it is one of the very few swiss watches that make their own movements. Almost all of the otheres use movements that are manufactured by either of the two giant consorteums that make 99% of the mechanical and quartz movements in Switzerland (Valjoux is one of them).
You should also know that there isn’t much difference between a cheap quartz movement and an expensive one…the movement that ROLEX use in their quartz watches (which are not sold in the USA) is essentially the same as the one used in a $19.95 TIMEX watch. High end watches are like high-end cars-you pay a premium for:
-the name
-the materials used (gold,platinum, etc.)
-the exclusivity (the fact that you are wearing a watch that Joe Blow CAN’t afford)
Are high-end watches “worth it”? I don’t know-however, there seem to be plenty of customers who think so. The question I have always had: it is getting almost impossible to find a repairman who can fix mechanical watches…and repairs are expensive–you can replace a quartz movement for a few dollars…so why are mechanical watches still made? :eek:
Well, I’m probably being naive, but I was firmly of the opinion that my 3 ‘n’ a half grand watch shouldn’t need repair - fucking ever !
I mean, what’s the point in all that “superior craftmanship” if the thing is just gonna break anyway ?
A Rolex can be taken to any Rolex dealer. They either have technicians available locally, or they can send the watch to Rolex for service. There are still many watchmakers who work on mechanical watches.
Everything mechanical will eventually break. And mechanical things need occasional maintenance. An Aston-Martin Vanquish will need it oil changed just as a Kia will.
Besides, three-and-a-half kilobucks isn’t really “high end”. Rolexes are not “status” watches by any means.
Achilles If you take nothing else from this thread, take this. It is a quote from the very first book I ever read on fixing cars, called How to Fix Your foreign Car (A guide for your wife, the beginner, and the mechanically inept) By Dick O’Kane
So yes, your Rolex needs cleaning. Yes, your car needs oil changes. Yes, When the check engine light comes on, you have to get the car looked at.
Rolex, Omega, and TAG-Heuer are desirable baubles of wealth because they say so. They sponsor golf tournaments, sailing races, and race car teams to imprint their logos on your brain; the part of your brain that says “I want one of those.” It works. Those who don’t actually shell out $4K for a watch will probably drool when somebody else flashes one. If you really are rich enough to throw around that kind of cash, people probably knew it before looking at your watch. If, on the other hand, the watch is the most valuable thing you own, some people are bound to see you as a fool. It’s your call.