Sorry , but to me , Rolex will always be associated with drug dealers and corrupt third world officials . I find you can tell a lot about a country by the number of Rolex wearing petty officials and junior police officers for whom a Rolex (any Rolex) would equate to several years of legitimate income . Not Rolex's fault , but as a result of my experiences , I just can't shake  the idea that Rolex = corruption.

Have to disagree here. Your watch says something about you and with a Rolex it says "I have an expensive watch and I want to everyone to know it". When you buy other luxury watches (PP, AP, VC, Lange etc) and especially if they are an understated dress watch, the whole point is that no one else really knows about it unless they have actually spent the time to learn about it.

I just read your article I think you are spot on Well done Of course there are thing they can do better But that was not the scope of the article

I know I am in the minority here...but I would never consider a Rolex again.  I had a late 1980's Explorer II that spent more time in the shop being repair than it did on my wrist.  Try as they did, they could not get the watch to work more than 6 months at a time before the movement would stop all together.  I spent probably 3 times what the watch was worth getting it repaired, and finally in about 1995...I gave up and put the watch back in its case, where it stayed until it was stolen from our townhouse after Hurrican Katrina in 2005.  Was I upset when I found out our townhouse had been ransacked and my Rolex was gone...not really. I was more upset that my Tag, Movado and several other watches were gone also.  I have replaced most of my watches with larger, more sporty watches, and intend to replace my Tag one of these days.  But will I replace the Rolex....not unless they come out with a design that doesn't look like every other Rolex out there.  What is it that that they use to say a few years back...."Been there, Done that, got the T-shirt!"  Well...been there, had one, got the repair bills!!!   

Rolex watches are well-designed classics, long-lasting and reliably accurate. They come in many different models with many different size and style options within each. It's true that many of their models have been around for years, but that may speak more to their timeless design and consistent popularity than anything else. I would, however, like to see Rolex add some new models to their line-up, to broaden their market further.

Great to have discovered this site. Fascinating and authoritative articles. As for Rolex.....all the arguments against are in a sense, arguments for. The snob appeal of a luxury watch is a logical cul de sac because any very expensive watch is going to contain an aspect of snobbism. If one bought a Royal Oak, would that not be snobbish (or Arnold worship?). I cant afford a fifty grand Franck Muller (though I love them) but I can afford a six grand Rolex. And because Rolex is so iconic there is an enjoyment in choosing 'which' Rolex one is going to buy (I like the new 41mm Datejust, but thats just me)....and with most other very high end watches one doesn't have that. Of course one 'does' have other things when one buys a Ulysse Nardin or a Benzinger or something, but since they are beyond my price range, what I 'can' enjoy is a beautiful Rolex. And finally, they are cool looking, they simply are. From the old Explorer to the new Datejust, they simply are terrific designs.

Great to have discovered this site. Fascinating and authoritative articles. As for Rolex.....all the arguments against are in a sense, arguments for. The snob appeal of a luxury watch is a logical cul de sac because any very expensive watch is going to contain an aspect of snobbism. If one bought a Royal Oak, would that not be snobbish (or Arnold worship?). I cant afford a fifty grand Franck Muller (though I love them) but I can afford a six grand Rolex. And because Rolex is so iconic there is an enjoyment in choosing 'which' Rolex one is going to buy (I like the new 41mm Datejust, but thats just me)....and with most other very high end watches one doesn't have that. Of course one 'does' have other things when one buys a Ulysse Nardin or a Benzinger or something, but since they are beyond my price range, what I 'can' enjoy is a beautiful Rolex. And finally, they are cool looking, they simply are. From the old Explorer to the new Datejust, they simply are terrific designs.

There is a typo in the on-line article. It reads "Rolex watches are the only luxury watches out there by far, but they are the most well-known." I think it should have read "are [not] the only luxury watches there by far..." If you email the editor they can probably correct the on-line version of the article.

There is a typo in the on-line article. It reads "Rolex watches are the only luxury watches out there by far, but they are the most well-known." I think it should have read "are [not] the only luxury watches there by far..." If you email the editor they can probably correct the on-line version of the article.

Rolex an iconic brand. Besides the handsome looks the watch retain their value which is something most of the other sport watches can't claim.

Rolex watches don.t move me in anyway.Style and looks have not changed in so long. I would never trade my OMEGA SEAMASTER or SWI Limited edition of 500 pcs made for the best Rolex watch in their line / won't happen. For example Seiko Velatura , Anata etc. nor mentioning the MOONWALK they just came out with it It's more precise then any other mechanical watches in the world .

Rolex watches don.t move me in anyway.Style and looks have not changed in so long. I would never trade my OMEGA SEAMASTER or SWI Limited edition of 500 pcs made for the best Rolex watch in their line / won't happen. For example Seiko Velatura , Anata etc. nor mentioning the MOONWALK they just came out with it It's more precise then any other mechanical watches in the world .

No doubt I'd be happy to get one. My law school roommate received a Submariner for graduation, and I was definitely a bit jealous.

No doubt I'd be happy to get one. My law school roommate received a Submariner for graduation, and I was definitely a bit jealous.

Your article was a good overview. My feeling is that, while I like the Submariner and Daytona well enough (not that either currently fit in my budget), Rolex has a collection that is limited in many respects, despite being a huge and successful company. It strikes me as quite arrogant- 'we are so good that new designs aren't needed.' Rolex did not build their tradition by sitting still, but that seems to be the M.O. now.

By contrast, brands like JLC, GO, IWC, etc., offer fine watches often with more compelling aesthetics and/or mechanics. What Rolex has the sheer elegance of a VC Patrimony, or JLC Reverso? If you want a pilot-style watch, don't look at Rolex- but the GO Senator Navigator is pretty fantastic, and likewise with the IWC Big Pilot.

The best argument 'against' Rolex is, what have you done for me lately?

Your article was a good overview. My feeling is that, while I like the Submariner and Daytona well enough (not that either currently fit in my budget), Rolex has a collection that is limited in many respects, despite being a huge and successful company. It strikes me as quite arrogant- 'we are so good that new designs aren't needed.' Rolex did not build their tradition by sitting still, but that seems to be the M.O. now. By contrast, brands like JLC, GO, IWC, etc., offer fine watches often with more compelling aesthetics and/or mechanics. What Rolex has the sheer elegance of a VC Patrimony, or JLC Reverso? If you want a pilot-style watch, don't look at Rolex- but the GO Senator Navigator is pretty fantastic, and likewise with the IWC Big Pilot. The best argument 'against' Rolex is, what have you done for me lately?