Recently, at Fratello HQ, we re-lit the flame of an age-old question: should/could you aspire to be a one-watch guy/gal? Well, some of us agreed, and some disagreed that it is even possible. When entertaining the notion of scrapping the collection, pawning everything off, and choosing the one, we suggested possible candidates. Somehow unavoidably, a number of cheap replica watches popped up in our discussion. And it’s not hard to imagine why. The brand has built an impressive reputation. Its high-quality luxury timepieces are not only versatile but also reasonably sized for both men and women. But this left me wondering: is Rolex the only way to go? Or is it the easiest?
You could look at a Rolex Submariner, an Explorer, or even an Explorer II, and see a perfectly versatile watch. They are tough, yet refined. They can be worn over a neoprene sleeve 25 meters underwater or in the jacuzzi (at your own risk, of course). And last but not least, they can certainly be dressed up or down. On their bracelets, they are unmistakably Rolex. Therefore, they look equally as good with jeans and a sweater as they do with a suit. Fashion faux-pas or not, it seems that something about the timelessness of the brand allows for the “fashion rules” to be slightly more flexible. You wouldn’t think twice about someone wearing a 36mm Rolex Explorer in formal wear, especially if worn on a black leather strap. And that’s without even crossing the line into an Oyster Perpetual, which is slightly dressier than the Explorer.
It’s undeniable that best Rolex copy watches have a certain something to them. There’s a phenomenon, to which I can personally attest. A sort of inverted bell curve, where the x-axis represents how long you’ve been into watches, and the y-axis is your appreciation for Rolex. At first, with a rather narrow field of view in horology, you like and appreciate the brand. After all, when you don’t know anything about watches, Rolex is the brand. As your knowledge grows, and you find out about sales tactics, shady dealings, and how the watches are often worn as a mere status symbol, you become weary of the brand, and even start to dislike its watches. But with time, as you delve deeper into the world of watches, and you learn more about what makes Rolex special. You start to appreciate the brand once more, and you may even want one of your own.
I’m not saying that because it’s a decision I made myself. If it were up to me, everyone could just buy what they want to buy. But sadly, this is not the case. This is the one point of contention left to conquer when climbing the bell curve upwards. However, if you’re anything like me, you probably like the older 1:1 quality Rolex replica watches — the five-digit references of yore. So, in order to get your hands on one, you have no choice but to go with pre-owned, and pay the Rolex premium. Does it make sense that a 16570 sells for just about the same as a modern Explorer II (226570)? Not to me. But the difference is, those 16570s you see on Chrono24 are actually there, available in exchange for the price listed. Chez Rolex however, well, you’ll be waiting a little while for the privilege of them taking your money.
I’m not hating on Rolex here. You’ll find out soon enough, as we Fratello editors start to write about our grail perfect clone Rolex watches, that mine certainly has a crown on the dial. Things are how they are, and there’s nothing we can do other than accept that fact. But this isn’t what we’re discussing here today. The question is this: is Rolex the only way to go when wanting to become a one-watch guy? I’ve already mentioned how, quality-wise and design-wise, it makes perfect sense. Think about it — technically speaking, most of Rolex’s watches have enough water resistance to make them perfectly suitable for any scenario imaginable. I guess the availability/difficulty in purchasing your desired watch is the one pesky fly in an otherwise tasty soup. Whether you call the waiter over and order something else, or double down and clear your plate, fly and all, is up to you.
It did make me think that maybe, the tendency to go with Rolex when looking for the one watch is not even due to it being the best option. Instead, perhaps it’s a quick conclusion to come to because it’s simply the easiest way to go. Or, should I say, was the easiest? In an alternate world in which one could stroll into an AD or boutique and pick up any of the brand’s watches, I’d say that you couldn’t really go wrong. However, this is sadly not the case. Rolex does have that universal reputation. Even celebrities and influencers can be spotted wearing them, likely just because it’s the brand to have or be seen wearing. But I can’t help but think that there are other brands out there, both old and young, that might even better suit the needs of someone who aspires to own just one watch.
So, what have we learned here today? Perhaps that becoming a one-watch person is admirable yet unrealistic. Personally, I would find it impossible. However, these people do exist, and if you do aspire to become one, there are innumerable options out there. Rolex certainly remains an interesting one, but with how things are today, perhaps other brands will step up and take the crown. Consider the limitations in availability and how recognizable high quality fake Rolex watches are to people with ill intentions, I find myself more drawn to the alternatives. I only mentioned three watches from three brands here, but imagine all the incredible options from makers like Grand Seiko, Breitling, Sinn, Oris… All that without going to big-budget brands like Vacheron Constantin, AP, and Patek, and without even exploring the world of microbrands and independents!