Hot Takes On Rolex You'll Probably Disagree With 

I couldn’t disagree more! Before I bought myself this Rolex, people would say: Him? Oh, he’s nothing. Forget about him. Now it’s different. I overheard someone talking about me yesterday, and she said: “Let’s beat him up and take his watch.”

9:17 "To bite my tongue and enjoy their happiness with them." Sure, I would never buy a Moonswatch, but my manager is super happy wearing his to work every single day, and I think that's cool. Our collections being so different is what makes talking about out hobby so much more interesting.

My hot take? Rolex is a marketing company that also makes watches. PP / AP / JLC etc are watch makers that also do some marketing.

Good stuff. IMO, the reason why resale value (investment) matters to peace of mind is because we too often buy watches we can't really afford. I don't mean you can't pay for it (eventually) but it's so damn expensive that you can't afford to lose and replace it.

The watch community's insistence on viewing everything through the lens of "how does this compare to a Rolex?) reminds me of a few sports blogs/vlogs who would love to talk more about baseball, hockey, soccer, cycling, etc... but they also know that their bills are paid from the people who will read/watch anything and everything about the NFL.

I didn't know Porsche made tractors! Amazing! Coincidentally so did Lamborghini and David Brown of Aston Martin fame was a tractor manufacturer too.

Totally agree, Rolex is a mid tier brand. The marketing and fan boys are worth more than the watch

After years, my AD call for the Rolex of my dreams came. It means little, as I don’t want to wear it, it’s expensive although not AP money, and I honestly have other watches I like more. So question is, do I keep it - or just sell it on. It’s been a terrible experience, with the wait for something that turns out is just another watch.

Like your assessment. My friend and I bought SS Rolex and Heuer chrono and dive watches in the past. Seems like Sinn, Damasko, and Ward are doing good things currently. Moser & Cie is my go to for time art.

Great video. My own hot take: rolex is a bit like an iphone. Everyone knows what it is, they're expensive but dig down into them and you realise more often than not- they're trash, or at least not as good as others which are cheaper.

Hilarious!! I actually agreed with most of your hot takes. Here’s one of my own: AP’s Royal Oak is every bit as hideous as any Richard Mille! I am always thoroughly entertained by your videos. Well done 🥃

Brand reputation and history actually means everything to me as a consumer. Just like how you’re advised to not purchase new models of a car, I wouldn’t purchase new brands of a watch. Rolex has been around for 100+ years, their watches have mechanical movements that have survived WW2 battlefields, and if you can get a stainless steel model at MSRP, the value for the money is absolutely there. If new companies become more well established in the years to come, I’ll definitely consider them, but not before then!

Your last point was the best for me! Always celebrate other people’s successes and achievements even if you don’t agree with it! Make life better!

Andrew, I could agree with almost everything you say, except when you talk about RM. I don't think it can be compared to the AP Royal Oak, or any other watch for that matter. For me it is, and always will be, a joke, a sample of bad taste, an aberration without any aesthetic value, and they could be giving them away in a machine or at a fair, and I would never want one. I don't care how many complications they put inside that 'thing', if it looks like some colorful gift watch that children wear when they are 1 or 2 years old, it amazes me that adults may want to display them (proudly). This only happens because we are in an era of inversion of values, in which the beautiful is devalued, and the horrible is glorified. It's comparable to when someone gives millions for a painting with some paint running, but for which there is always someone who invents a complex and esoteric artistic meaning, saying for instance that the artist was experiencing a personal drama of some kind when he created that "work of art". In short, RM designs are simply hideous, and there is no turning back, no matter how many people need to put them on a pedestal.

One thing I like to say when provoked is that Rolex is the BMW of the watch world, then I let people interpret that take however they please. ;-) - Cheers! //Rick

I agreed with all of these, so there! My hot take is 'Quartz is better in every measureable way', but without the 'but' ;) .

Bravo - I feel too many influencers YTers push hype brands to push stock they want to move.

I remember when I would watch I Watchfinder video to learn about interesting details about watches, some I had heard of and some I hadn't. The one thing I was guaranteed was beautiful micro-shots that made me want every watch Andrew discussed. Now, I feel like I'm getting the Target version of a Nico episode (him being Walmart). What happened to Andrew and what happened to Watchfinder? That's my "hot take".

I think you mean Lamborghini produced (and still does) tracktors.

I like be yours takes and agree with all of them. I imagine your hot take on Hublot caused Nico-tine Leonard to spew more of his venom up after he heard your take.

RM doesn’t appeal to my personal tastes but I do genuinely appreciate the technology they have implemented. The design aesthetic is something else entirely. I do think they have contributed to pushing existing watchmaking forward. As for Rolex, I own several and have always said that they are overpriced. Great watches but I think they could easily be 20%+ less. To be fair, you could say that many watches are overpriced/overhyped but that doesn’t mean that they are not great quality. Royal oak is a great example of that but it is still one of my favorite pieces.

1:42 *"It changed the way people thought about watches. They weren't **_timekeepers_** anymore; they were **_status_** symbols."* *Watches as status symbols is certainly not a concept **_Royal Oak_** created in the 1970's. Watches (even for just pragmatic purposes) require highly-specialized expertise and materials to create. There's a reason they're considered jewelry. They've been a relative status symbol since inception **_(long_** before Oak or Mille flexed the wrists of Titans, rappers and wannabes).*

I don’t have any issues with Chinese companies coming up with new innovations; I simply don’t like the management overreach from their government.

I for one wouldn’t miss all the Rolex videos being put out (across every channels that is). There’s really nothing interesting left to say about them that hasn’t already been said. But I know it’s good click bait so I know it’ll continue…

This is so hard to believe Andrew 9 minutes 52 seconds and no mention of the "Merch" you are slipping my friend!!!

One should appreciate each watch for what it is. Even if one can’t afford or doesn’t like a watch. The variety means the industry is moving forward and there is s watch for every taste snd pocket. Exposure and openness to various watches makes you learn and appreciate more, and refines your taste. I have an analog-digital Casio, a Swiss, and a Japanese automatics. Hope to add a Moonwatch, a grail of mine, and a manual wind I don’t have yet. And a MAD1 green. A modern and avant-garde watch.

AP is heeding the same way as Hublot. You are wrong about one thing… pushers and all sort of things are falling of Hublot. Terrible quality. Spot on with Rolex. Mid level brand. Same as GS and Omega. They have models topping Omega, and Omega has models topping Rolex. Breguet, A. Lange for me is the generic top of the pop, beyond AP and Patek.

I was in an AD on the weekend and even though they are a JLC agent they essentially said that JLC is dead in the water as an innovator. AP? Breguet? PP? And out complicating the rivals is not innovation. I have Rolexes, however I think their attempt at cool with the multi coloured OP is a little pathetic and straying from Andrew's very good observation that Rolex is simply doing what they have always done. It's the baying mob that gets their collective knickers in a knot over self created bubbles and predjudiced opinions. Once you get over the shock of the new there are some great new brands out there that are the real innovators, however don't write off heritage otherwise we won't get releases like the Omega Ed White.

Completely agree about heritage!

“It’s not a competition... It’s a team game, to live life to the fullest!” AMEN BROTHER!!! Fantastic words of wisdom. Thank you! Great video!

Holy trinity for watches for me has always been PP, AP, and VC. There's others like A. Lange & Söhne that are high end and fantastic, but those three are notorious for being the holy trinity of high end. I don't own any of them unfortunately, but I love the Nautilus and Overseas. The Royal Oak is also a great watch, but AP and the hype train they drive leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I'd never own one. I do own two Rolex and love that they only seem to appreciate in value, I also drive a Toyato and think it's the best metaphor for Rolex. Solid, reliable and a workhorse I don't have to worry about.

The Seiko saved me 2 years worth of $300 parking tickets. I set my timer for 30 minutes in a loading zone. That way I know how long I've got in that zone for a delivery. A normal delivery takes about 5-10 minutes. But if you're making a delivery for a public servant, the delivery can take up to 45 minutes. So you need to cut them off within the 30 minute time frame or risk a $300 fine.

My hot take: Andrew was finally paid by Rolex, AP, RM and Hublot to take back everything bad that’s been said before. Congrats!

I disagree with your remark about treating watches as an investment; watches shouldn't be an investment. That said, I agree with what you said after that: financial considerations should be part of a a watch purchase there's a vast difference between "don't purchase watches that will lose all their value" and "don't buy watches as an investment". Investments are places where you put your money on the assumption it will go up in value for the good of your long term financial health. Betting on a watch to go up is unsound: the market is in a massive bubble. You also shouldn't buy anything you think will lose half of it's value tomorrow; wait until tomorrow and buy it used. You also shouldn't empty out your entire retirement account and purchase a bunch of Rolex watches.

No disagreements here, especially with the last point. Great vid as always! 👍

Which chinese watch are you showcasing with the chain and regrograde minute hand? it looks stellar!

Some people just dont need to find anything to disagree with to get all fired up over nothing. This might turn out be a great example of how to wind up youtubers just by being in the room.

One of your most entertaining videos. There's not much I disagree with; but Rolex mid-tier?

Damn… truth hurts sometimes. Good job!

I agree on all these things which means they are just facts and not hot takes.

Honestly, the minute a I see a Roller on anyone, unless it's got something special about it, I just assume the tool is the wearer of the watch.

Fantastic call on China. I've already made that jump. It's great stuff. I'm not going back to Swiss watches anytime soon. The quality is there, the price is there, and the designs are there, and it's getting better all the time.

Porsche used to make tractors? Erm.... wasn't that Lamborghini?

Is the RM movement really worth the big bucks? The case and rubber strap must be there the value is. Thanks Andrew

Hot take: all “expensive” watches will be brought down to earth over the next twenty years and people holding onto AP/VC/PP etc will be out a lot of money they “invested”

Hi Andrew, Excellent video. Agree on all your points. China … they are manufacturing experts and have 2000 years of craftsmanship. Swiss watches cost what they do because of their incredibly high cost of doing business there. And yes, a massive amount of parts are coming from China anyway. As for Rolex, I agree again. A mid-tier brand with except marketing driven by the grey market dealers who get their watches from ADs. It’s a big game. Paris Hilton effect I call it …. Famous for being famous. Best wishes from Singapore 🇸🇬

Love it! Some new merch there- the jumper? Cracking little show, this. Thanks!

"Exception of skydweller, and maybe yachtmaster 2" - andrew, YM2 is more complicated than the skydweller, you got it reversed, mate.

I have a solar Seiko that keeps time to better than a second per month, the hands all hit the marks, and the bezel is perfectly aligned. Why would I want a Rolex?!

My hot take is that the Submariner is the stupidest name for a dive watch. To the point I don’t want one. If I’m spending weeks or even months at a time underwater in narrow corridors either narrower steel doorways, I don’t want a watch that costs me 2 weeks wages every time I scratch it, and can’t tell me if it’s night or day.

Your best video yet, Andrew. Being a contrarian is cool. Going with the flow isn't. Well done!

The problem with Rolex isn’t that the AD won’t sell you one. It’s that they treat people terribly when they are basic. Don’t act like your The French Laundry when your The Cheesecake Factory.

I agree with you on the notion of Chinese watches and movements. There is a reason why ARAGON used them for many models. Many of you reading may pass this comment off as nonsense. But understand that a small boutique watch company doesn't thrive for 32 years making crap watches. And they are only getting better.

Nailed it! Again! Especially regarding Rolex… NAILED IT! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I mostly agree with everything except investment. I don't think when people say don't treat it as an investment they mean don't consider the resale value (although I rarely do). I have seen people buy watches and then put them in a safe and never wear them like Star Wars toys staying in the plastic. Its sad and the point of watches is to enjoy wearing them. You shouldn't buy a car and keep it in the garage in hopes that it will go up in value (it won't). If you only have $10k and you want to invest it, put it in an EFT. If you can't afford $10k for something silly (watch, suits, fancy racing sim controllers) then don't buy a $10k watch. 2nd point I would make is a I pretty much agree with all the Rolex takes. I don't have any problem with Rolex as a company per se' (although the no-profit thing is straight up bullshit). I don't like how the ADs work people over, but I haven't liked Rolex from my time in college. They are boring. I think Frederique Constant's manufacture world-timers, Longine's Zulu GMTs, almost everything out of Germany, and Nearly every version of the Speed-master is more interesting than basically any Rolex (except maybe the 1908 or Cellini). I don't like Royal Oaks. I also don't like Nautiluses. I don't like Richard Mille but I don't care if others do. I like dress watches so I don't like Submariners or Black Bays either. AP can certainly run their entire business of the Royal Oak but I won't be buying one. I would say I think they should loose their status as a Trinity member and it should go to A. Lange & Söhne if they do (maybe anyway), but that's just my opinion.

Porsche didn't make tractors.... Lamborghini did..! Anyhooo...😂😂😂😂 Hilarious content. Great video

Nice takes, but maybe one more about accuracy? Atomic synced radio watches are the pinnacle of horology for 99.99% of people that can't afford a citizen calibre 0100.

A team game - totally! Well said.

Congratulations on 100k subscribers Andrew.🎉

I agree with you ....!!!

If you have to think about how much your watch it’s worth down the line, you couldn’t afford it in the first place

Again...? 🧐

The reason you skirted about RU-vidrs making videos about Rolex is that the algorithm demands it if you want any chance of success. As for the perennial investment question, you can only lose your shirt if you sell your watch and crystallise the loss. The answer is to not sell your watches.

Time isn't free on at iPhone. It costs about $1500 a year minimum.

What‘s the watch shown where Andrew talks about China? It looks amazing.

I would disagree that RM had anytrhing to do with the resurgence of watches; I would argue it is primarily down to a lot more people wanting Rolex. After all, in 2010 only the stainless Daytona was hard to get, and only because they didn’t make many-I got 20% off a Sub and that was not hard. Then Rolex seem to get. an order of magnitude more popular (probably due to the other factor, social media) and suddenly people were talking watches again, and you couldn’t get any Rolex other than the OP/DD at a AD.

Yes Andrew, we like it juicy 🙏🏼

I agree with everything you’ve said in this episode

Why do you use the ‘Rolex’ name for click bait Andrew? You’re watch channel is good and so are you - don’t stoop to that level of click bait. 🙏🏾

I like how Richard Mille is the Invicta of expensive watches. Hey, someone was gonna do it, it might as well be them.

The Royal Oak is horrible.

Okay, point taken about your audience wanting Rolex videos even though I don't. Fair enough. However, you were mistaken early on when you described Rolexes as a good investment, and then later on when you talked about watches in general as investments. Sure, someone may see a rise in value if they buy a Rolex now. Or next year. And possibly forever. But when people buy things as investments, rather than because of the intrinsic value of those things -- that is what is known as a bubble. Remember all those people buying real estate in 2006, or crypto in 2021, and being so unbearably smug because they thought they were the smartest people in the world? They were participating in bubbles. didn't turn out well, did it? They're called bubbles because they can pop at any time. As I said above, maybe the Rolex bubble will never, ever burst. But the fact that people are buying them as investments, rather than as watches, creates the possibility of a crash in prices. And no, I don't think I'm the smartest person in the world. In fact I know I'm pretty silly. But what I'm saying in this comment is Econ 101.

hear that rolex owners, your basic black submariner is mid

Ive owned my grand seiko for 1.5 weeks now and its only running 2 seconds fast. Its incredible.

*go on then KING, go on then and THRIVE, we would follow you into the fires of Hell into the pit of Battle for a thousand glorious years*

Extremely entertaining and frankly true! I love it 😂❤

Agree on every point.

3:06 porsche did not use to make tractors, that was Lamborghini. Porsche made cars, with some tanks in between…

RM reminds me more of a Transformer toy watch than an elite timepiece. AP I just don’t get the appeal. Sure, taste is subjective, and more power to you if your wealth is in inverse proportion to taste, but thanks, I’ll stick with my Rolex, Tudor, Hamilton, ChristopherWard, Seiko, Citizen, and G-Shocks.

Don't seem to mind these hot takes? Seem to agree with about all of it.

What was that Chinese watch though??? 🔥

This is a superb video and I was most interested in it but can I ask what is the appeal of brands such as Rolex. Lets face it they look hideous, blingy, old fashioned and are ridiculously expensive also the first comment asked by somebody that notices one on your wrist is not "wow nice watch!" but is "it real or fake?" - that and the fact the name sounds like a sticky tape dispenser - sorry but I just don't see it

Comparing Rolex to Toyota is quite something. I think they are more like a Mercedes Benz. Sure there are Ferraris, Bentleys and what ever out there. But still, a Mercedes is a Mercedes.

Medically diagnosed taste deficiency 😂

Is the Hublot bit a dig at a certain dutchman????????

Agree with all points!

There are actually some occasions I didn't click on your video when I saw it was about rolex. Also as promised by the title there was a good amount of takes I disagree with in the video. It didn't disappoint and earned my upvote!

Great video Andrew cheers

The lack of availability is a planned act by Rolex to create demand. And when there is demand you can encourage collecting. What’s going to save mechanical watches? Collectors. At least whilst those collectors are around. Then they won’t be and the next generation ain’t gonna give two shits about mechanical watch collecting. Then hopefully bye bye to Rolex. Serve yourself right, Rolex. 😅 We see you for who you really are. 😅

The whole AMW thing needs to stop. It is extremely cringe.

Time on your phone isn't free

I agree with everything except the last point. Getting into a pickle about watches we can't even afford is exactly what it's all about. I have no life other than triggering Omega fans.

Porsche making tractors? You may be thinking of a Lambo ;¬D Greetings Andrew - keep up the great work! & 'more irony than IKB' - I'm going to steel that! ;¬D}

The only disagreement I have here is calling them “hot takes”.

Hot take: JLC should replace AP as the holy trinity. 😮

Having more money is indeed more important than enjoying watchmaking

Love the Rolex/Toyota comp. I was into watches for YEARS before ever actually seeing a Daytona, Pepsi or Coke in person and I gotta say at that point it was a BIG letdown when I did. Like... they are NOT materially, mechanically, nor horologically impressive in ANY way. Made perfectly well, but decidedly underwhelming beside the hype. No meaningful differences between them and say Omega (I was wearing my Speedy when I first handled a Daytona...), Zenith, certainly not JLC and others in that peer group Rolex and their fans would have everyone believe they are better-than (and amongst PP, AP, VC etc.) Also funny that the examples you gave of their only pieces bordering on high horology, the YM2 and Sky Dweller, are among their most hated models by and large lol.

This was the best and most honest video that you have ever done. I mostly agree with everything, especially that it is not Rolex's fault. I have always commented that it is we, the customers who create hype and mania around certain brands and models, which resuls in simple demand and supply situations. However, I disagree about your comparison of Rolex with Toyota. My collection includes numerous time pieces from Rolex, Patek, Omega, Chopard, etc. I think Rolex is vastly superior in build quality compared to all brands. Patek is well built and beautifully finished but is more fragile than Rolex. Omega is decent for the prices I paid 20 years ago, but overpriced if bought at today's prices. I have also owned several Toyota's in the past and they are overated and boring. Their buid quality was exaggerated and compromised in my experience. The interior panels became sticky and I had mechanical and electrical issues on my garaged 2008 LS 460 at just 60K miles. The dealer refused to even acknowledge or fix it, so I sold it at a great loss. Then 6 months later, there was a factory recall to fix the entire interior, but that was too late for me. So I'll never buy or recommend a Toyota again. I won't buy from any company that has built its reputation on quality but then looks the other way when quality issues arise. Any company whose products focus on quality but then look away when quality concerns arise.

Well said!

Several times a week