It would be interesting to see a comparison between the MKII Nassau and a modern Submariner.

After the latest meddling with the Explorer I, there's not a watch in the modern Rolex range you can wear without being associated with shallow glitz, aspirational and the dreaded "lifestyle" marketing contagion. Omega have done a better job with keeping true to the tradition with the Speedmaster (with the exception of the redux version with the add calibration that is unreliable).

They do seem over priced, especially when you look at some of the other high end watch makers operating in similar price ranges to Rolex.

Nevertheless, the Oyster case and the basic Submariner are mid-20th century design classics, but as Horace once said, he doesn't wear his anymore because its embarrassing.

I've been following the MKII watch brand for awhile now, they get good write-ups in the watch forums and I wished I had purchased the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms cloned Stingray, as this looked magnificent. I had the Eddie Platts Prescista version which was good, but I don't think in the same league as the MKII.

In any event, there's no chance of me purchasing a Rolex Submariner, even if I wanted one, as my money is focused on other projects and investments at the moment. Not to mention the missus would go nuts. Still, the MKII is definitely tempting and has all the aesthetic benefits of a Submariner, without any of the negative connotations of brand association and cost.

That much is true, and Rolex themselves buy-up surplus vintage stock to ensure a limited market and that the phenomena of second hand Rolex's eventually become more expensive that what you paid for it, continues. The fact is, on the basis of units shifted, Rolex watches are pretty much abundant and their perceived exclusivity is based on quality and price, not how many there are out there in the universe.

And one thing for sure, a service on a MKII watch isn't going to cost you GBP 800+.

That again may be so, but how much exceptional and sycophantic customer focus do you need when dropping off a watch for a service?

Seriously, what is it about Rolex? I am sure it's a good watch but why is there so much love for them? They simply are not very pretty to look at. Is that it - the brute factor? And I don't mean any offense to anyone by saying this.

I fell like such an outsider when the topic of Rolex pops up so help me see what you see.



Btw here is the watch that moves my heart (this is the womens' version but the mens is exactly the same only slightly bigger).

http://www.chopard.com/imperiale/index.php/en/#!/univers/forever


In white gold it is simply stunning. Unfortunately out of my price range and the wife would kill me

Last edited by Sammy Ambrose (2012-10-12 08:52:16)

I must say, I was looking through the Rolex blogspot that Steve McQueen Fan had posted, and the Oyster that Dr King wore looked tremendous and suited his grace under pressure in the photos. Defiant, graceful yet strong.

Shame I continued to roll down and then up-popped Bono, you cannot seriously follow the late great Dr King with Bono.