Built Like A Rolex

Rick Bowles · #51 11-25-2015, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

The value of a Rolex is far more in its prestige than its workmanship. Many watches are just as good, if not better, than a Rolex in workmanship, dependability, and timekeeping, but sell for far less. I have a Swiss Army watch which I bought NIB at a garage sale for $10 about 20 years ago. I am on the 4th band for it, but the watch itself has run perfectly all that time with no service required, other than battery changes. And it's still worth $10.

I must agree. I've owned several Rolex watches and the old saying proved out for me. "If you want an investment buy a Rolex. If you want to know the time buy a Seiko." My Sunday go-to-meeting watch is a Breitling.

jimmyj · #52 11-25-2015, 06:48 PM

WELL !
I will match the craftsmanship of my 1970 RG-38 revolver and Timex watch against your Smith and Wesson 1956 Kit Gun and 1972 Rolex watch.

(and before you ask, NO, I will not trade with you)

CH4 · #53 11-25-2015, 08:08 PM

I am retired, wearing a watch implies I care what time it is.

S42N8 · #54 11-26-2015, 10:00 AM

I'm in the "wear occasionally" group. A couple of prewar Rolexes, a prewar Movado and a couple wartime watches. The Rolexes will need service in the next couple years, as will the Movado. Daily wear is a Victorinox chrono, which was much cheaper and as accurate. But the prewar Oyster is a small work of art.

Muley Gil · #55 11-26-2015, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goblin

Okay, I guess I'm the only one with Elgin pocket watches and a Longines wristwatch from the 50s, but I love timepieces, including grandfather clocks.

In 1939, my granddaddy was working for Fox Chevrolet in Baltimore. He sold over 100 used cars that year and was a member of the 100 car Club. Members received engraved, with their names and "100 Car Club", gold Hamilton pocket watches that year.

My grandmother said that a lot of folks had been hoping for a cash bonus, since the Depression was still going on, and sold their watches cheap.

Pop Pop kept his and now it is mine. Real glad he did.

Texas629 · #56 11-26-2015, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamarw

Well, I have a 67 Rolls Silver Shadow, a Rolex and a few other better mechanical watches. Then I also collect antique clocks.

The problem is finding anyone who can work on any of this stuff. As a clock collector, I had to learn on my own how to work on and restore clocks. I have kind of done the same with firearms to a much lesser extent.

If you have the ability to work on watches, you have my utmost respect. It is just too small and complicated for my skills.

It is unbelievable the quality and technical know how of old railroad quality pocket watches hand made prior to even the advent of automobiles.

It is all a dying breed. I attend regional and national events of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC). I am 68 years of age and generally among the youngest people at these events. They are getting almost to the point of not even being collectible. Prices are actually going down and many are loosing their long term investments of these old collectibles.

Look at the number of young folks who even wear watches anymore. They all rely on their cell phones for the time of day.

I have a Omega Flightmaster circa 1969. Lovely watch. Getting it overhauled has become a challenge. Parts are almost unobtanium much less someone that knows how to work on it. Last overhaul cost me $500 and took 3 months. The Bulova Accutron Astronaut is bit better.

My daily watch is an Omega Seamaster I bought in American Samoa in 1971 for $65.00.

Cell phones maybe more accurate but aren't nearly as much fun. Throw away technology like most of the trash we buy these days.

shocker · #57 11-26-2015, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S42N8

I'm in the "wear occasionally" group. A couple of prewar Rolexes, a prewar Movado and a couple wartime watches. The Rolexes will need service in the next couple years, as will the Movado. Daily wear is a Victorinox chrono, which was much cheaper and as accurate. But the prewar Oyster is a small work of art.

I toyed with idea of getting an older Rolex but then I read about radiolite paint. The ZnS phosphor dies within a few years so the glow ceases but the radium is hot "forever". Umm, no, I got enough radiation earlier in life.

chief38 · #58 11-26-2015, 02:51 PM

I've worn my Rolex every singled day for decades now and enjoy it all the time. It's the only watch I own (well except for Dad's old Tanker Longines I inherited but never wear because it just doesn't fit). My Rolex never gives me any problems and is the ONLY watch I have ever owned that is really water proof. I use to Scuba Dive quite often and every single Seiko, Timex, Invicta, & Swiss Army I have ever had eventually leaked and failed.

With this Rolex I've Scuba Dived, Jet Skied, water skied, shot with, hunted with, camped with, showered with, worked around the house with and it never stops. Love it!

As some have said already, if you want to know the time - you can just look at your iphone or buy a Timex (not knocking good old Timex's). Wearing it gives me a sense of accomplishment and I did not buy it to impress others I bought it for ME. Same reason I buy Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, and higher end guns. Every cent I spent on these items was earned by me - no one gave me anything so I know and appreciate just how expensive these luxury items are.

sodacan · #59 11-27-2015, 09:07 PM

An old Mafia Don pulls his grandson aside at a family gathering, takes him into his den and shows him a fine old nickel plated S&W revolver. He says to him (hear a thick Italian accent): "When I die I want you have this gun that belonged to my father. I want you to cherish it, appreciate it and let it remind you of all of your ancestors who helped to make a good life for you." The grandson looks up at his grandfather and says: "Grandfather, I really appreciate your incredibly generous gesture, but guns are not my thing. I would really love to own your Rolex watch. I could wear it and enjoy it and pass it down to my son as a remembrance of you. The grandfather was taken aback and a little bit hurt that his offer was rejected. He says to his grandson (cue the accent): Listen to me. One day you will get married. Maybe sometime after you have been married for a while, you may come home and find your wife in bed with another man. When you see them in bed making love, whadda you gonna do, point to the watch say..... " Time's up!"

DocB · #60 11-28-2015, 01:58 PM

A lot of men appreciate having something to wear besides a wedding ring. We don't get to wear much real jewelry like the women; and, most of us are not going to wear a chain. . .not me anyway. So, with a really nice Rolex or Omega, we get to wear something of quality and likely made of gold too. It's really not about telling time at all. Plus, when the SHTF you can pry out all that gold in your watch and maybe trade it for a gun.

g-dad · #61 11-28-2015, 02:53 PM

I received my gold two tone Datejust the old fashion way...I won it. In 1985 there was a competition in our organization that pitted the retail facility I was at against 14 others. At the end of the 9 month contest I brought it home. It was truly no cost. No 1099 came with it! I took it off last year when I retired. It 's something I doubt I would have ever purchased for myself but I feel blessed to have had it all these years.

I actually won a 2nd Rolex years later that I gave to my wife. Unfortunately it was stolen a few years ago.