Is Rolex overrated? | A MATTER OF TIME EP 03

Описание: Is Rolex overrated? This episode of A Matter of Time centres on the polarising topic of Rolex and whether the brand is overrated, its position in the luxury watch industry, and personal relationships with the iconic brand.

The hosts — Kristian Haagen from Denmark, Eleonor Picciotto from France, and Andrew McUtchen from Australia — share candid reflections on Rolex watches, touching on their technical excellence, mass appeal, emotional connection, and commodification.

Eleonor expresses a nuanced scepticism toward Rolex, shaped by her upbringing in a watch family that favoured independent brands over Rolex’s mass-market dominance. Andrew, who owns and has sold Rolex watches, highlights the brand’s dual nature as both a luxury product and a commodity. Kristian, a long-time Rolex enthusiast, offers insider insights from his visit to Rolex’s production facilities, emphasising the interplay between human craftsmanship and industrial precision.

The discussion explores Rolex’s technical superiority in manufacturing, its brand power, and its cultural symbolism. While Rolex is praised as the best mass-produced luxury watch — known for precision, reliability, and value retention — it is also critiqued for its ubiquity, lack of human emotional warmth, and the speculative market it fosters.

The hosts contrast Rolex with other brands like Tudor and independent watchmakers, which offer more personalised connections and accessibility. They also discuss vintage Rolexes, which carry more character and emotional attachment compared to modern models that feel “dehumanised.”

Throughout the episode, each host shares personal stories involving Rolex, including passing down watches to children as heirlooms and the emotional significance tied to these timepieces. The episode closes with reflections on favourite Rolex models, including gem-set variants and the Oyster Perpetual line, underscoring the diversity within the brand’s offerings. Ultimately, the conversation portrays Rolex as a complex symbol, both celebrated and critiqued for its place in watch culture, luxury, and personal meaning.

What do you think? Is Rolex overrated? Let us know in the comments.

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00:00 Intro
01:10 Wrist-check (Bulgari Octo Finissimo, Rolex Daytona 'Patrizzi' , Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655)
05:16 Eleonor's not a Rolex fan
08:29 Andrew explains why he sold his Rolex Datejust
10:00 Rolex: Overrated commodity or best in luxury watches?
15:05 Kristian shares his experience at the Rolex manufacture
16:40 Rolex (surprisingly) has a sense of humour
18:26 The Rolex way: "Everything is perfect"
20:24 The darker side of Rolex
22:29 The one Rolex Ele did try...
23:10 Why do people hate on Rolex, but love Tudor?
25:01 How independents offer better communication and accessibility than Rolex
25:56 Modern Rolex is "cold and dehumanised"
27:19 Kristian's hilarious Rolex he gifted his daughter
29:25 "The Sickness"
32:51 Favourite modern Rolex picks
37:24 Outro

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What is A Matter of Time all about? It is three watch experts getting together to talk about a subject they love: watches. Three minds. One passion. All the time in the world. A Matter of Time features Eleonor Picciotto (The Eye of Jewelery, The 1916 Company), Kristian Haagen (Author, Scandinavian Watch Extraordinare), and Andrew McUtchen (Founder, Time+Tide)

All full episodes of A Matter of Time will be posted right here on Time+Tide.

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