Built Like A Rolex

[DocB]

I am constantly fascinated by the quality and precision that went into the manufacture of Smith & Wesson handguns back in the day. I collect watches too and was looking at the 1972 Rolex I wear every day while fiddling with my 1956 Kit Gun. Through the early 1980's Rolex went by the principal of "one man one watch" meaning that one craftsman made each watch from start to finish. When I observed the quality that went into this little 22 right down to the internal parts, it was apparent that the gun was manufactured to almost the same standards. For those of you not old enough to remember quality, this is a fine example from the past. This is also why many of us collect and invest in the older Smiths. About the only difference between the gun and the watch is that only one of them will shoot a bullet.

 

[usm1rifle]

Very good, both are truly classics from an era of pride in workmanship.

 

[Malysh]

Mine's a '78 Datejust. I couldn't afford to buy a new one today.

 

[CH4]

I am constantly fascinated by the quality and precision that went into the manufacture of Smith & Wesson handguns back in the day. I collect watches too and was looking at the 1972 Rolex I wear every day while fiddling with my 1956 Kit Gun. Through the early 1980's Rolex went by the principal of "one man one watch" meaning that one craftsman made each watch from start to finish. When I observed the quality that went into this little 22 right down to the internal parts, it was apparent that the gun was manufactured to almost the same standards. For those of you not old enough to remember quality, this is a fine example from the past. This is also why many of us collect and invest in the older Smiths. About the only difference between the gun and the watch is that only one of them will shoot a bullet.

Amen, brother!!

To carry your analogy one Step further, many of the currently produced revolvers and plastic guns remind me of a mass-produced, computerized assembly line Timex. Fully functional, but lacking any personality or character. To my mind they are products that do not exude "pride of ownership."

 

[29aholic]

Mine's a '78 Datejust. I couldn't afford to buy a new one today today.

Mine is a 2002 Submariner. I shudder at the prices they get for them now.

You want truly Rolex like quality find you a Pre-War Smith.

 

[gmborkovic]

You know when I compared my LNIB 1969 Mod 52-2 to my 1969 Submariner, I thought I was crazy. But Im not. Or, there are other crazy gun guys like me. Well, at least Im in good company.

 

[H Richard]

Your Rolex looks about identical to one I had.

 

[Engine49guy]

IMO the older Rolex's are valuable as collectors pieces like the older S&W's ,
Similarly the new S&W's and Rolex's are just as good at thier intended jobs but wont ever be collectable.

My older brother collects watches like I collect S&W's so when I was in the market for a either A Rolex SS Sub or an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean a few years back (6 years ago both were priced under $4000) I went to him for advice, His opinion was the Omega was the better movement so was a better timepiece and said the Rolex cost more because your buying the name.
Then he pointed to my Seiko Solar Professional dive and said Seiko sells that KQ movement for $200, it is waterproof to 200 Meters,has no upkeep and keeps equally accurate time if not better than the Rolex, no springs or jewels to wear and needs no winding,

With Rolex your getting $200 worth of watch that people will pay $9000 for but the worst part is that you have to spend $200 every few years to keep it clean and running right if you actually wear it.

Reality is Rolex is more of an expensive piece of jewelry that says "I have an expensive watch" ...
I would probably buy an older one if clean and priced right just like with S&W's but kinda lost my desire for one after that.

 

[gmborkovic]

My dear boy, you dont have a Rolex cleaned, you send it to NYC for adjustment. WINK! When you Ford, you Ford with the world, when you Rolls, you Rolls alone. All in jest, no mails to Lee.

 

[29aholic]

My dear boy, you dont have a Rolex cleaned, you send it to NYC for adjustment. WINK! When you Ford, you Ford with the world, when you Rolls, you Rolls alone. All in jest, no mails to Lee.

I am going to have to remember that

 

[gmborkovic]

I believe it was Lady Vanderbilt? I think. She was a lovely Lady.

 

[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.

 

[gmborkovic]

Most Rolex watches are mechanical movements . 17 or 21 jewel works.
If you want a battery watch from China, buy it. But the Rolex guys are in a different club. Wear your Army and replace batteries. My Dad gave me mine, He paid $210 for it in 1969.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[Muss Muggins]

That is exactly the comparison the instructor made at the factory when I first attended revolver armorer's school . . .

 

[rcsiv]

The $10 watch may tell time great, and my 1991 GMT II might have cost a princely $990 when I bought it, but I have had pride of ownership, the joy of wearing an accurate, master time piece for 25 years, and it is now worth 6 times what I paid for it. The $10 watch is still worth $10. Bob

 

[DWalt]

If there are any watch experts here, I have a question. While working in Colombia nearly 45 years ago, I bought a stainless-case 21 jewel Seiko self-winding watch cheaply, don't remember how much I paid. I wore it up to about 1985, then it started stopping irregularly, probably it just needed cleaning, but I bought another Seiko instead of cleaning the old one. I still have that self-wind Seiko reposing in my dresser drawer, and I have often wondered if it's worth the cost of cleaning it. I have no idea if anyone even works on mechanical watches these days, and if so, I'd guess it would probably be expensive. I certainly don't need it, but if I did neeed another watch, I'd probably buy something else.

 

[Barrie]

I wear a Eagle Pocket watch which keeps extremely Good time. It retailed for around $550.00 when new but the Jewler gave me a good buy on it as it was his last one. I cannot wear a wristwatch ever again due to serious scars on both wrists from surgery years ago. 6" scars. Bands rub and drives me nuts. Gave my Railroad Accutron to my Son and my Good Seiko to my Son-in-law as a wedding present. It was a world timer model.

 

[lamarw]

DWalt, If you can post a picture of your old Seiko, I can probably tell you more about value and/or desire amongst collectors. I have two old ones of your approximate vintage. One from my Nam venture and another acquired later. I had to have the latter serviced and it was twenty times more than what I paid for either.

I suspect you paid around thirty to fifty bucks, and in OK condition is worth a couple of hundred. To have it serviced will cost you far more than the current value. You can also look on eBay for possible comparisons.

Some of us are just stupid, and I paid more than the value for servicing just because it appeals to me.