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Disposable Rolex

The look of a Rolex, the value of a Swatch
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Everytime I'm on the subway and I'm reaching up to hold the handles, my sleeve often relaxes down my arm revealing my stainless-steel Rolex oyster perpetual with DateJust® to the other, criminal-looking passengers on the number 6 train going uptown. This worries me because who knows if any of those weird watch-stealing types are following me, waiting for the right moment to mug me and take my watch?

The solution would be for Rolex® to introduce the Rolex© CityWatch. It's made of an alloy or some other cheap combination of metals and designed with the same classic styling that is inherent in the Rolex name only it's cheaper. Like fifty bucks. Making a watch isn't that expensive. The raw materials to produce a watch amounts to less than fifty bucks. With the CityWatch, I can show off the look and feel of a Rolex® without worrying if the weirdo creep from Queens (or the Bronx) who's looking at me and my watch on the train will take it from me. I'm willing to help design the watch and to help test it out on the A, C or E trains, either one of which in my opinion, at nine or ten in the evening, is probably worse than the 6 train as far as containing a motley collection of psycho-pseudo-homeless-or-unemployed freaks who smell like urine.

d-eschew, Feb 08 2001

kjghfg's link http://www.geocities.com/mrwsm/Rolex.html
please use the link button. [yamahito, Sep 14 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

Rolex Lover http://www.replica-planet.com
I have a replica rolex too; I am realy hapy....... [rolex, Oct 04 2004]

[link]






       Yes, but....   

       The wierdo still thinks you have an expensive Rolex.   

       Irony: you get murdered over fifty bucks.
Wes, Feb 08 2001
  

       d-eschew, Wes is on point...and it happens.   

       Since counterfeit Rolex manufacturers have the "look" down, but not timepiece movement, the only way to tell the difference between a real Rolex and a fake one is to look at the sweeping motion of the second hand. The second hand on a real Rolex sweeps in a super-smooth continuous motion, whereas fake ones tick, tick, tick through the movements.   

       Now, some fakes are better than others, but crooks aren't gonna study the movements, they're sizing you up, looking for the crown at the 12, or the date at the same. A quick glance from 7 feet away is good enough to mark you as a target...especially with that ring around collar.   

       >>dumb fact: a co-worker of mine has a real Rolex with diamonds and a fake one of the exact same model. He wears the fake one when in certain parts of town...thinking "If they steal it, they'll only get a $60 watch!" Nice. What he fails to realize, however, is that crooks in "those" parts of town aren't jewel thieves, they shoot first and ask questions later.<<
iuvare, Feb 08 2001
  

       ...although there might be something to be said for removing people whose entire sense of self-worth is based on the brand of watch they wear from the genepool.
hippo, Feb 09 2001
  

       Apart from the other flaws that people have pointed out, if you could get a rolex worth only around £50 (and it would have to be identifiably this new cheap kind of rolex, with the intention being that potential thieves recognise it as such and leave it alone) then you miss the whole point of having a rolex (which is that it costs lots and lots of money and people can see that you're rich). Look in any genetics or economics reference under "conspicuous consumption" and you'll get the gist.
vincebowdren, Feb 09 2001
  

       I'm proud to wear my $14, waterproof, sport watch from Target. It tells the time, the date, has an alarm, and a stopwatch. 2 up on your date/time Rolex. Sorry, mine doesn't have diamonds. I bought an expensive watch once, and the clasp broke and I lost it.
DreamGoddess, Feb 09 2001
  

       hey go to designerfakes.com and buy one for $100.00, that is what i did.   

       I was in a bar (drunk) and fell hitting my real rolex square in the face it cost me $768.94 to get fixed from rolex. So now I wear the cheap one when i go play softball, gym, and or bar. I dont worry about it and it looks real enough that the adverage person doesnt know and if they do know I tell them why and they think " hmm not a bad idea".
pfcu, Apr 20 2001
  

       Counterfeit Rolex should be kick out, man I hate them, we buy a Rolex and own one for the movement, we don't wear a Rolex to let ppl konw that we own Rolex. Some ppl don't understand the importance of the real thing.
princey_anne, Apr 22 2002
  

       And some people (ppl) don't know real spelling from the cheap fake spelling. You "own one for the movement," uh huh, and you read Playboy for the "articles," right?
bristolz, Apr 22 2002
  

       Why have a watch at all? Mobile phones tell the time, and are almost as small now. Personally I find it helpful to take an extra second looking the time - it means i'm not so urgently tied to the clock. Nice and relaxing...
sadie, Apr 22 2002
  

       ppl's clear up after puberty generally
po, Apr 22 2002
  

       (laughs out loud)
angel, Apr 22 2002
  

       // Some ppl don't understand the importance of the real thing. //   

       What does Pennsylvania Power & Light have to do with this?
waugsqueke, Apr 22 2002
  

       d-eschew, Visit Washington DC. You'll find fake Rolexes as described. I don't wear a watch, that's what my Solid Gold Toilet is for.
thumbwax, Apr 22 2002
  

       "This just in!!!! Rolex announces the debut of their new watch style(City Rolex)! The production was started over a heated discussion started by "d-eschew" when the person said they should use cheap materials to make the watch. Also, Mercedes-Benz has adopted the idea, and will start production of a new form of S-600, but instead, will use cheap materials, like: vinyl instead of leather, and, steel instead of alloys. The estimated cost is only 5 thousand dollars!" So what do you think of Mercedes-Benz now? Wow, now don't you see why Rolex doesn't make a city watch? It would ruin their reputation. It would make them look cheap.   

       -Nolan r.
Nolanrob, Sep 02 2002
  

       Nolan does bring up a very valid point. I own a $30 Wal-Mart watch, and it works fine. I know what time it is, and that is all that is important to me. However, I did manage to melt some of the plastic off of it this summer by using 95% DEET insect repellent. That's pretty nasty stuff.
BinaryCookies, Sep 02 2002
  

       Thats right, Hippo
jimk, Sep 03 2002
  

       I just bought a new watch at the markets. It looks nice, is waterproof to 50m, has a backlight, a stopwatch function, a one year warranty and comes with a spare battery. It cost me AUD$20 (which is ~US$10). Fishboneee
madradish, Sep 03 2002
  

       How about an exact copy of a Rolex inside and out with interchangeable parts. I got me one for 200.00, not even my jeweler could tell the diff. <admin - link moved to link area>
A watch is more than just for telling time, it's for looks and class. I would never spend $15,000 on a Watch, but if it looks and works like it, why not, I'll just pack some heat for those interested in harming me.
kjghfg, Sep 13 2002
  

       In Bali I bought several rolexes for less than 20 bucks, the whole trip probably cost less than an actual rolex too.
Gulherme, Sep 15 2002
  

       hey kjghfg, you said that you got a rolex for 200.00 and your jeweler couldnt even tell the difference. I was wondering where you got that. Because i am very interested.
bjohn123, Nov 14 2002
  

       My father just came back from NY and he brought me a Rolex replica. I brought it to work to compare it to my bosses real rolex and I was unable to tell the difference. It was a perfect visual match. The second hand moved identically to the real one. My boss even wondered if he was paying me too much. I eventually confessed. After all, my yearly review was approaching. My father purchased the fake for $20. Unfortunalty, my more expensive Seiko doesn't give me much advantage over the fake rolex.... They both tell me the time......
nomadic, Nov 18 2002
  

       I don't wear a watch, I do however look out for people who wear Rolex watches, then ask them the time. When they flash their expensive Rolex I hold up my bare wrist and say "HHmm, mines a couple of minutes slow" , then I pretend to adjust the time, thank them and walk away. Its kinda fun.
Micky Dread, Nov 18 2002
  

       Good points, [dhmeieio], but why do Rolexes have to be so ugly?
bristolz, Nov 24 2002
  

       I've had my Timex for over 20 years, its pretty scratched up, but it still goes, and I don't need to put on a cheap watch to play sports, I don't have to worry about "looking after it", and when it eventually dies,I'll probably buy another one....
Micky Dread, Nov 24 2002
  

       Just remember that November 29th is Buy Nothing Day.
1kester, Nov 25 2002
  

       Lets hope my Timex doesn't stuff up on the 29th.
Micky Dread, Nov 25 2002
  

       Well, blow me down, my Timex has a made in China sticker on it as well...
Micky Dread, Nov 25 2002
  

       Technology not only arises with original products such as Rolex. Fake manufactureres are getting better and better. I got mine in Tokyo and its perfection is a work of art in itself. It has every single mark and detail as an original. We compared mine with a friends original and could not tell them appart after close magnifing lens use. They even weigh exactly the same and movement is automatic with a perfect sweep . I took it to Rolly dealer and asked him tell me if it was timing correctly. The next day he told me it was perfect with out any comment. When I told him he was not surprised and told me that for stainless steel models the dealers relay only on a serial parts number book or they takem the appart to check the guts. I payed 500$ and could'nt feel happier.
spanlab, Dec 01 2002
  

       I do not know why I am taking time to write this. I suppose as I am amazed to read the views of most of these people..fools..There are pretentious people everywhere. People will buy a painting not for it's brilliance or a drawing for it's beauty or respect for the master, but also to just show off to the Jones' next door..It is disgusting. Are you numnuts saying someone should purchase a fake Picasso, Pissarro, et al...   

       Most of you have no understanding or comprehension of beauty or respect for the finest craftsmanship..   

       I have worked in many art galleries, met the wealthiest of the wealthy...and I have found the more money they have, the more pretentious they are. Actually I am amazed as to how such stupid people can have such money...   

       I have a REAL Rolex (YES A TRULY KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON CAN SPOT A FAKE A MILE AWAY. TRULY) YES, you can swap out partys like an old car, but this is the trade. it occurs in all things mechanical which are collectable. People who buy old cars, antiques, etc...   

       I am not wealthy, but I have always been a watch nerd and amateur collector. There is much beauty and craftsmanship involved, it is fine jewelry..the catch all is not entirely on the outside, but within...the movement (inside movement mechanism) itself easily identifies a fake..
davinci8, Jan 09 2003
  

       But getting back to d-eschew's original idea, you can get watches for relatively low prices that look like rolexes as suggested, so this idea is baked. Either way, the quality of a watch does not generally have a direct link to it's price. I had an AU$400 watch that lasted a year, I now use a cheap knock-off which was purchased on a beach in bali for AU$1 (US$0.56) which has kept perfect time for the past 5 years and is only running low on battery now.
For the people who actually buy a rolex for the whole "quality movement" story, maybe this idea could be altered such that rolex make a watch with their quality engineering in a less flashy look. With this CityWatch, you could have a watch with the movement of a rolex without looking like a pretentious loser who wears a rolex because of it's name. Because really, how do diamonds on the face make the time-keeping any better?
reap, Jan 09 2003
  

       Also, I must comment that d-eschew's opinion of his fellow travelers is rather unacceptable. Looking through his other ideas reveals that his opinion of anyone else seems to be severely limited.
Sure, there may be some people on there who would roll you for your watch, but please realise that most people would see it and either think "that's a nice watch", or just ignore it. This is proven enough in the fact that you haven't already been mugged for your watch (or else i'm sure you would have said so).
Please have a little faith in the other people who need to share a train with you.
reap, Jan 09 2003
  

       Just get a cheap knock off when you’re in next in Hong Kong or Singapore. They cost about $15.00 max and are of surprisingly good quality (well some are) my mother has one that is about 17 years old and is still in perfect working condition.
talen, Jan 10 2003
  

       Is there any truth to the fact that you hit the side of a real rolex on the palm of your hand a couple of times and then it vibrates... the guys who sell these Rolexes on corner streets in Manhattan tried to show me how the Rolex was an original by doing that... It happened to me twice when I almost bought it then changed my mind!
vikasc, Jan 14 2003
  

       I've been thinking doesn't the word disposable in the title kind of clash with the words "50 bucks" if I've spent fifty bucks on something I'm not going to throw it away.
talen, Jan 14 2003
  

       Buffoon, Yep! thats my word for today, thanks Auto.
Micky Dread, Nov 21 2003
  

       Actually, I picked up a "Patek Philippe" in Canal Street (New York) a year or so back. The "Original" would have cost be US$14,000. Sorry. I don't care how much money I've got, I'm not going to spend US$14,000 on a watch. The US$50 copy worked a treat when I was picking up young barbie clones at the Llama Bar in Subiaco. It's night. They can't see the second hand. The fascile little things just think you've got money.
chesterthebear, Nov 22 2003
  

       so you are phooling them, right?
po, Nov 22 2003
  

       Movement my arse! This whole thing was just an opportunity for "someone" to mention that they own a Rolex. If you really care about your watch, don't wear it on the train you idiot. I used to carry my $1000 bill collection around with me in a clear plexiglass suitcase. But I probably should invent something to cover up the flashing neon lights that surround it, because people who use public transportation are not trustworthy...   

       Put the damn watch in your pocket. How much thought did that take?   

       BAKED!
fullybaked, Jan 02 2004
  

       If the raw materials of watch making cost less than fifty dollars why are Rolexes so expensive? Why would anyone pay that much for a watch? Its like Monte Blanc tie clips. What's the point?! Its a stupid tie clip; why pay 60 or more dollars for one? I had a friend once who nearly soiled himself because one of his professors was wearing a Monte Blanc, and when said friend complimented the prof, he said, "It's nothing." Geez, the guy probably found the frickin' thing lying on the street! OK enough about tie clips, we are discussing Rolexes here.
Apologetic_Cynic, Jan 25 2004
  

       pardon my ignorance. but how much does a rolex cost these days?
prad, Jan 26 2004
  
      
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