Question by : Why do some people believe Rolex is the costliest watch brand?
Some of us know a Chinese guy Ken Fong who says many things that make us scratch our heads. He said one of his friends said Rolex is the costliest watch brand, and many people seem to agree with that. I saw some questions on here that indicate such a belief. One of my friends has a 2008 watch almanac, and I will now give prices from it of ten sports wristwatches with steel cases and bracelets and self-wind movements for showing hours, minutes, seconds and date in a countdown from cheapest to costliest.
9. $ 5050 Rolex “Oyster Perpetual Datejust” ($ 5450 in 2010, I hear)
8a. $ 5600 IWC “Ingenieur” is 1.11 times costlier than the comparable Rolex
8b. $ 5600 Ulysse Nardin “San Marco” is also 1.11 times costlier
7. $ 6900 Glashutte Original “Sport Evolution M” is 1.37 times costlier
6. $ 8100 Panerai “Luminor Marina Automatic” is 1.60 times costlier
5. $ 8300 Franck Muller “Conquistador” is 1.64 times costlier
4. $ 10,400 Vacheron Constantin “Overseas” is 2.02 times costlier ($ 11,600 in 2010)
3. $ 11,200 Audemars Piguet “Royal Oak” is 2.22 times costlier
2. $ 13,500 Breguet “Marine” is 2.67 times costlier
1. $ 20,600 Patek Philippe “Nautilus” is 4.08 times costlier than the similar Rolex ($ 23,000 in 2010)
I can make lists of other types of watches and they also prove my point. A list of basic dress watches has even more difference in price that this one of basic sports watches. Rolex’s most complicated watch is a “Cosmograph Daytona” chronograph, but the other companies listed here make much more complicated watches than chronographs. The ultimate single complication is the chiming watch, and costliest is Vacheron Constantin’s “30010″ minute repeater for $ 631,000 in a platinum skeleton version. Franck Muller’s “Aeternitas Mega 4″ combines all of the major complications for $ 2,700,000. Rolex’s costliest watch is one with many diamonds for $ 120,000, but Vacheron Constantin’s “Kallista” was valued at $ 9,000,000 in 2000 and is totally covered with many big diamonds perfectly matched for color. The most valuable watch of all cost someone $ 11,002,500 in 1999. It is the Patek Philippe “Graves Supercomplication” that was finished in 1932 for banker Henry Graves, Junior who wanted to own the most complicated pocketwatch in the world.
Joe, many costly watch brands use platinum and gold of three colors, and I list steel watches here. Rolex has some jewelry watches, but Vacheron Constantin puts it to shame with its “Kalla” line. One of my friends says a watch repair man he knows does not like Rolex movements. Rolex watches are good, but Patek Philippe watches are much better, as their prices show.
Frank, you seem to be onto something at first, but you end badly. Why question my motives? That is rude and none of anyone’s business. I will say I am curious, and I have friends who know much about watches. One had a 2008 watch almanac with her, so I looked in it. We know a man who has written books about watches, so we plan to discuss such matters with him whenever we can. I own some nice watches. An Italian girl I met recently owns some costly watches. She said her cheapest one is a Rolex, and her costliest one is a Vacheron Constantin. She wears Gucci clothing and drives a Lamborghini car.
Aiya, Miyuki, I can see from your fine answer that you know much about watches. I already knew you know much about martial arts from your website about them. Do you also have a website about watches? If you do, tell me how to access it! I know I could learn much if you do. I am astonished to see such specific details about the founding of Rolex and the amounts many top brands spend upon advertising. Frank had a good idea in saying Rolex advertises much, but he became rude at the end, so your answer is much better with such specifics and politeness, as I have learned to expect from Japanese people.
Jeffrey, you have some fascinating information too. I can hardly believe anyone finances a watch for five years. Such people must spend all of their money on gadgets and eat at missions. I suppose may of them become bankrupt. I can imagine a filthy street man trying to pawn his Rolex to buy a hamburger. Is it true what you said about Rolex making more watches in a year than Patek Philippe has made in its 170 year history?
Best answer:
Answer by Joe
The brand was built up quite simply, They use very costly metals like gold and platinum, combined it with part hand made manufacturing process (DUHH!) and then put a bunch of really expensive gemstones in there in most watches, and then finally to make a profit, they made some cheaper made watches and charged for the but up brand name!!!
To protect the innocent:
Im not in a the watch business but, Im definatly on the marketing and manufacturing side of the subject!
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