What makes a Rolex watch so expensive?

Question

Is it the materials used? the engineering? are they not mass produced now? surely they are overpriced???? perhaps if they werent so expensive there would be less fakes around!!!!

Answer 1

Its a combination, but I think mostly its the pedigree and status.

Like Bently cars. Mercedes S-Class is arguably more comfortable, better engine, better built and sell many more. Yet a Bently costs twice as much. This is because people buy them to make a statement and because the are 'reassuringly expensive'.

At a much lower level, you can buy a plain black good t-shirt for £10. You can buy an fcuk one, probably made in the same factory, using the same material, but as it has their logo on it, it costs triple the amount.

Its the way of the world - people define themsleves by their possessions and pay extra to make a bigger statement.

Answer 2

I bought my Rolex 3 years ago and asked the same question to the jeweller at the time. His response was that it is mainly the name, but also it is the quality of the craftsmanship.

Each watch case is carved from a solid piece of metal and the components are hand made. The face is made of toughened crystal so will never crack or scratch, and it is also waterproof to 3 atmospheres (about 30ft) Each watch is also perpetual which means that it is self winding, so doesn't rely on a battery or a quartz crystal to keep accurate time.

There is an initial downfall as it doesn't keep brilliant time when you compare it to a battery watch with a quartz crystal which is used to accuratley "pulse" seconds. You need to keep a note of how much time the watch looses or gains when you wear it over a 1 month period. You can then have the watch sent away and adjusted to wind itself and keep time with your body movements.

From this point on it keeps perfect time and is a fantastic piece of jewellery that will always be worth what you paid for it if you ever come to sell it.... or hand it down to your kids as part of their inheritance

Answer 3

It could be to do with the fact that they are certified Swiss Chronographs. To get this certification I think that each watch must be made to a certain standard and also has to be tested. THerefore it is the precision engineering and manufacture and also the quality of the watch.

Answer 4

They are good quality movements inside the watch.Also, with the gold watches, the back of the watch is gold as opposed to the stainless steel back of cheaper watches.If the watch is well looked after and services every few years or so it will last you a lifetime.

Answer 5

First you pay the brand then you pay the craftsmanship, engineering and materials. But mostly you pay the brand name.
For example when you buy a Versace or Gucci suit, surely the materials don't cost 10000$, I mean it's not gold thread they use...you just pay the brand.

Answer 6

Rolex make the watches so blame them. Its in the name and the components that are used and some are solid gold and diamond encrusted and are very expensive.

Answer 7

the wholesale price is a third of the retail price so only an idiot would buy one for $10000 when the actual real cost price was $3,330. The luxury watch market is one of the biggest rip-offs on the High street.

Answer 8

Your paying for the brand and the perception that the more expensive the watch is the better quality and overallness it has

Answer 9

the fakes make the watch so expensive.

Answer 10

The "more money than sense" fashion victims who continue to buy all this tat