What has a $10,000 Rolex that a $100 Timex does not have?
When I hear questions like these I feel entitled to doubt about the authenticity of the request. It looks more like a statement in the form of a question, or, better, a snarky comment about the futility of high-end and luxury timepieces.
Basically, there is something right in the statement. Both watches CAN tell you the time.
Anyway, there are at least six different reasons why you should carefully evaluate before making your choice between timepieces coming from either brand — each one of which has its merits, though.
But there are a few points which must be considered as well.
- Most Rolex are COSC-Certified. What does it mean? It means that an independent control authority has checked the watch and found that it is extremely precise — that is, they measure time withing a +6/-4 seconds per day. So, when you check their dials, you see a certain word, which is “Chronometer”. As far as I have seen until now, I have yet to see a mechanical Timex perform within those specs.
- When you buy a Rolex, you are like storing value somewhere. If one day you would get bored with it, you could resell it and get back that money, plus some. Rolexes tend to maintain their value extremely well. I am afraid Timex do not — if you paid 100 bucks for one, you could resell it for 50 bucks or so. The cases of a Timex gaining value are few and far in between, while most of Rolex watches generally behave like this — that is, increasing their value — almost all of the time.
- Mechanical watches are more than time-keeping machines. Their tick and tock fascinates people, so they put some value in them. Like jewelry, watches become like a part of the watchophiles — a little bit something like their extension. They charge them with values. They tend to take care of them, and consider them like a little treasure. Good watches are something that passes through generations. You dad maybe someday leaves you his old watch, the one which used to fascinate you when your were a little boy. Watches become legacies. And a Timex is — let’s say — more difficult to become a real legacy.
- Watches are a way to distinguish yourself as a watch-lover in social occasions. Much more than once, you catch a glimpse of some old or rare watch at a social event, so you get to that person and say — hey nice watch. This provides a very good way to introduce yourself and find someone with a common interest. If you wear a Timex, well, you are not getting into this kind of club (except for a vintage Timex — yes, vintage watches, regardless of their brand, are often appreciated by watch people). But well, wearing a Rolex would get you more attention from watch connoisseurs — and this is a fact.
- To people who are not educated in watches, all watches seem almost alike. Except a few brands which have acquired common exposure. And the brand with most mindshare in people who are not in the know of watches is Rolex. The second is Omega. And it seems quite fitting that you have not cited brands that are much more costly than Rolex and Omega, and way more exclusive. A Patek Philippe could cost 10 times more than a Rolex, but very few persons would understand the difference between the two. Or imagine that Rolex is better because they know it as a brand. Let’s say that if you wear a Timex, you would not get this appreciation.
- Try to explain to your girlfriend that the USD 10 bag she would get from Walmart is the same as the USD 5.000 one she would get from Chanel, because both are bags and they are made just to contain objects. Then tell me what she answers. If you still can, of course.
So, my friend, those are six good reasons why someone would spend 50 times the cost of a Timex to tell him the same kind of time he would get when buying a Timex. I am pretty sure you would find plenty other in the other answers.
But I would like to close with a statement I have used in one of my other answers, talking about the same things I am doing here.
If you want to look at your wrist and know the time, get a Timex. If you want to look at your wrist and smile, get a Rolex or an Omega.