Watch Questions

[hwedin]

Hi all!

I'm needing to ask two questions here. Both aren't related but I may as well kill two birds with one stone.

Q1.

I have an Omega Speedmaster (Apollo 15 40th anniversary) and I wear it in rotation with a few other watches. I sometimes wear it at work/university, this means that (powder-less) surgical gloves are worn over it but the gloves leave the watch coated in some sort of residue and it doesn't wipe off.

So how do I clean it?

I don't think I can use my usual method for my other watches, as those are as waterproof as a submarine and the Speedmaster is only rain-proof.

Q2.

My local jeweler -where I've bought all my watches- has just got a Rolex Sea-Dweller trade-in. It hasn't been sent for a refurb. yet but it looks really good with the seriously beaten up bracelet - it was owned by a professional diver. So they said that they'll send it off for a service only for me and take £550 off the price. It also has a full service history, bought in 2004 and pressure checked every year; serviced every 2 years and 2 refurbishments.

Is a good watch to buy?
Because I know a couple of people who have a Rolex (GMT(?) and Submariner) and they're always breaking down or having some issue.

And my other concern is that everybody has a Rolex or something that looks like one, so do I want to be like everybody else?

 

[cstone28]

My two cents.

The Speedmasters are usually rated to 50ft so I wouldn't think that a delicate wash in the sink would go beyond the capability of its waterproofing. As for how, I would suggest this http://www.veraet.com/ . I recently bought some and couldn't be happier.

Rolex always breaking down, never heard of it. Rolex's are usually known for their reliablility. Whether it is a good deal or not all depends on the price and whether you actually want it. There was a commercial a while back with the tag line "Its only a great deal if its on something you need", If you don't REALLY want it then don't buy it. A Sea-Dweller is a nice watch, less common then a Sub so not everyone has one. If you truely feel like the last line is true then I would suggest a Rolex isn't for you.

BTW - Rolex makes ~700,000 watches a year, there are ~7,000,000,000 people on the plant. Rolex would need to make watches for 10,000 years before everyone could have one.

 

[little Big feather]

I have NEVER heard of ROLEX breaking down!!
I think your problem with your Speedie is the plastic crystal,it attracts the powder..

 

[Kazeryu]

+1 on static electricity making powder stick if the crystal is some kind of plastic.

As for the Rolex, my 2 cents is that unless you are diving without a dive computer there's not much point in paying all that brand name markup just to have "the best"(tm)(R)(c). You can buy several very nice watches for the price of a single Rolex so unless you have a real fetish for the brand I don't see the point.

 

[cstone28]

Sorry should have mentioned this in the first post. If they are powderless gloves then it is likely the mold release agent that is getting on the watch. Either way Veraet should clean it.

 

[Austin]

I have owned 18 Rolex watches in the past 15 years. I have never had reliability issues with them. On the contrary, I have had to remember to send them back for servicing. I have a friend that owns a 15 year old DateJust that has never been serviced and it is accurate.

 

[hwedin]

Thanks for your replies.

I've just ordered some Veraet, it does seem like a good product! Not that I think that my using ordinary unscented hard soap would cause any issues but a specific product for the task does look like the best option. I also checked the instructions for my Speedmaster and it will be OK for a quick splash in the sink.

As for the Rolex, I think I'll hold off although it is a good deal. I saw too many Rolex today, 17 in total, so I'd rather not end up with a watch brand that everyone has. I knew that the Rolex density in the university was high but not that high. And I take it that my colleagues managed to buy the only flawed Rolex!

 

[cstone28]

This was posted in another thread but I thought it was a good read and applies here.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jackfor...nal-look-at-the-worlds-most-recognized-watch/

You need to figure out where you lie and then you'll decide if you are either comfortable with owning a Rolex or not.

 

[little Big feather]

Thanks Cstone. Good read. And....that folks is why only ROLEX wears a crown..

 

[hwedin]

That was a good read!
Don't know where I sit...

Though if there was three levels of Seamaster ownership (an even more ubiquitous watch) I'd be a level three! I love it! I love every scratch, dent, scrape and blemish. Know why? Because it's mine and it isn't like anyone elses! I'm the same with my Breitling too.

But if my Speedmaster gets a scratch, I'll cry
Perhaps in time I'll get a Rolex but now I fancy something classic but different from the norm, though not different for the sake of being different. Am I fickle or what

 

[little Big feather]

That's why I have one ROLEX and thirteen others.

 

[jumper]

Great read, thanks for the link.

This was posted in another thread but I thought it was a good read and applies here.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jackfor...nal-look-at-the-worlds-most-recognized-watch/

You need to figure out where you lie and then you'll decide if you are either comfortable with owning a Rolex or not.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

This was posted in another thread but I thought it was a good read and applies here.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jackfor...nal-look-at-the-worlds-most-recognized-watch/

You need to figure out where you lie and then you'll decide if you are either comfortable with owning a Rolex or not.

Excellent post! I've often thought Rolex too ubiquitous for my taste...but as you've pointed out in other posts...so is Omega

That said, I've never said Rolex was a bad brand or bad watch...the LV in particular has caught my eye on more than one occasion.

This was an excellent link to an excellent article about the so called "king" of watch brands. As a member of the military and USG for over 15 years I'll tell you...I see alot of #1s in the Government. Or at least people I ASSUME to be #1s....

That is possibly the only reason I've never launched on the LV. I see too many everyday anyway...I can live vicariously through others LOL!

 

[cstone28]

Excellent post! I've often thought Rolex too ubiquitous for my taste...but as you've pointed out in other posts...so is Omega

That said, I've never said Rolex was a bad brand or bad watch...the LV in particular has caught my eye on more than one occasion.

This was an excellent link to an excellent article about the so called "king" of watch brands. As a member of the military and USG for over 15 years I'll tell you...I see alot of #1s in the Government. Or at least people I ASSUME to be #1s....

That is possibly the only reason I've never launched on the LV. I see too many everyday anyway...I can live vicariously through others LOL!

Thank you all, I wish I could remember who posted the article originally and praise them since I didn't find it.

Scuba I didn't intend to say anything bad about Omega, I'm just always curious why there are so many of them up for sale. There are a million reasons that could be and lack of quality is never one that had crossed my mind. Honestly my assumption usually is that people are selling a pricepoint watch to reach the next pricepoint watch, regardless of brand. This is also just my experience but I work with about 800 people in my office and I think I only know of one person other than me with a Rolex, and one with an Omega. In watch circles I guess you could call both ubiquitous but in general I wouldn't call either that. I did a quick scan in a meeting this morning, senior and C level people, only 50% were wearing a watch and nothing in the room was something to write home about.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Thank you all, I wish I could remember who posted the article originally and praise them since I didn't find it.

Scuba I didn't intend to say anything bad about Omega, I'm just always curious why there are so many of them up for sale. There are a million reasons that could be and lack of quality is never one that had crossed my mind. Honestly my assumption usually is that people are selling a pricepoint watch to reach the next pricepoint watch, regardless of brand. This is also just my experience but I work with about 800 people in my office and I think I only know of one person other than me with a Rolex, and one with an Omega. In watch circles I guess you could call both ubiquitous but in general I wouldn't call either that. I did a quick scan in a meeting this morning, senior and C level people, only 50% were wearing a watch and nothing in the room was something to write home about.

Yeah...thats the thing about us watch aficionados...always scanning LOL. I do the same thing everyday. The other day I was in a meeting and rather than focused on the meeting, was trying to determine if a guy I've worked with for some time was wearing a Longines...LOL

The point that struck home to me in your response was "selling a pricepoint watch reach the next pricepoint watch"...I think thats key. We all do it regardless of what medium we're dealing with...watches, soaps, razors etc.

I think Omegas are more visible to your OP simply because they're a lower pricepoint than Rolex....thats my only point. All that said...in the end, I think a Lemania 321 cal. Speedy is a must for any true collector. (I say this b/c I've been wanting one with a displayback for some time LOL)

 

[hwedin]

Yeah...thats the thing about us watch aficionados...always scanning LOL. I do the same thing everyday. The other day I was in a meeting and rather than focused on the meeting, was trying to determine if a guy I've worked with for some time was wearing a Longines...LOL

I think Omegas are more visible to your OP simply because they're a lower pricepoint than Rolex....thats my only point. All that said...in the end, I think a Lemania 321 cal. Speedy is a must for any true collector. (I say this b/c I've been wanting one with a displayback for some time LOL)

I'm so glad that it's not only me that's constantly scanning other people's wrists!

Also I see more Rolex than any other high end watch, that was my one of my concerns with buying a Rolex. Never seen a Speedmaster on someone else's wrist.
I couldn't have clear backed watch, I'd spend all day watching it work!

 

[Ru4scuba?]

...I couldn't have clear backed watch, I'd spend all day watching it work!

Yeah...that was something I REALLY wanted at one point. Now that I have one, I realize its not that big of a deal and over time...less of a selling point.

 

[little Big feather]

I'm so glad that it's not only me that's constantly scanning other people's wrists!

Also I see more Rolex than any other high end watch, that was my one of my concerns with buying a Rolex. Never seen a Speedmaster on someone else's wrist.
I couldn't have clear backed watch, I'd spend all day watching it work!

Maybe you see more...Because they are so good? Think winter. You see more coats in the cold snowy winter than you see bikinis on the street right?
It just makes sense to wear the best and most appropriate item. With ROLEX you meet those needs..You can do allot worse than Rolex...But few better..IMHO