Advice needed: Hublot or Rolex

[Timeless]

Congrats, nice hulk

[farhanbh100]

smashing looking hulk.. congrats..

soon youl feel the itch for hublot.. thats what happened to me 1 year plus ago..

bottomline once r torn between two specifics, dilemma not over till u get both...

haha..

[samuelazz]

Totally agree

[contender]

Hi Watch Snob,

Can you list your ratings for high-end watch brands from best to worst? I'm guessing Patek Philippe and A. Lange & Sohne would be best, but I’m curious about the rest of the list and where you would rank Rolex.

Thanks,
Robert

This is a loaded question and one that deserves a lengthy answer. I cannot — and will not — give you a shortsighted, quick response, because I know it will be taken out of context, which will just mean more plebeian, misinformed, angry, and borderline racist e-mails from you (I’m looking at you, Panerai guy).

The “best” is a relative term. Patek Philippe is the best mainstream watch company in terms of lasting value, history and tradition. A. Lange & Sohne is the best newer watch company in the same vein as Patek, that isn’t Patek. Armin Strom ain’t bad either.

Thomas Prescher and Greubel Forsey are the best makers of tourbillons in the world. Urwerk and MB&F are the best makers of mechanical art. FP Journe and Philippe Dufour are the best “Masters of the Universe” timepieces that won’t get you knifed because no one knows what they are, or that they cost more than a Tribeca loft.

There are plenty of brands that most people consider “high-end” that, while I respect, simply aren’t superlative in any way: IWC, Vacheron, Piaget, and Zenith all make nice watches, but they are meaningless.

Then there are watches that only the uneducated and simpleminded believe to be luxury watches. This distinction goes to Hublot and Panerai, of course. Anyone who buys these watches is a fool, and both companies will shut their doors before I turn 40 — you can count on that.

Then there is the mighty Rolex. Would I put Rolex up with Patek or A Lange & Sohne? Not for a second. But, do I consider it a very important step above IWC, Zenith and even Vacheron? Most certainly. The reason is this: People care about Rolex; nobody really cares about those other brands. There are dedicated forums to Rolex, get-togethers, books, you name it. When was the last time you saw a Vacheron event or a book about IWC that people actually bought? Sure, their movement may be in slightly better shape than your average Rolex (debatable, surely), but in 20 years, your Rolex will be worth something — and everything else will be scrap metal.

[grifterfmj]

I wouldnt buy watches based on the watchsnobs recommendation.

and anyway I would bet that Panerai will be here for a long time..

http://paneraiworld.blogspot.com/2007/07/the-history-of-panerai.html

[hiro]

Hi Watch Snob,

Can you list your ratings for high-end watch brands from best to worst? I'm guessing Patek Philippe and A. Lange & Sohne would be best, but I’m curious about the rest of the list and where you would rank Rolex.

Thanks,
Robert

This is a loaded question and one that deserves a lengthy answer. I cannot — and will not — give you a shortsighted, quick response, because I know it will be taken out of context, which will just mean more plebeian, misinformed, angry, and borderline racist e-mails from you (I’m looking at you, Panerai guy).

The “best” is a relative term. Patek Philippe is the best mainstream watch company in terms of lasting value, history and tradition. A. Lange & Sohne is the best newer watch company in the same vein as Patek, that isn’t Patek. Armin Strom ain’t bad either.

Thomas Prescher and Greubel Forsey are the best makers of tourbillons in the world. Urwerk and MB&F are the best makers of mechanical art. FP Journe and Philippe Dufour are the best “Masters of the Universe” timepieces that won’t get you knifed because no one knows what they are, or that they cost more than a Tribeca loft.

There are plenty of brands that most people consider “high-end” that, while I respect, simply aren’t superlative in any way: IWC, Vacheron, Piaget, and Zenith all make nice watches, but they are meaningless.

Then there are watches that only the uneducated and simpleminded believe to be luxury watches. This distinction goes to Hublot and Panerai, of course. Anyone who buys these watches is a fool, and both companies will shut their doors before I turn 40 — you can count on that.

Then there is the mighty Rolex. Would I put Rolex up with Patek or A Lange & Sohne? Not for a second. But, do I consider it a very important step above IWC, Zenith and even Vacheron? Most certainly. The reason is this: People care about Rolex; nobody really cares about those other brands. There are dedicated forums to Rolex, get-togethers, books, you name it. When was the last time you saw a Vacheron event or a book about IWC that people actually bought? Sure, their movement may be in slightly better shape than your average Rolex (debatable, surely), but in 20 years, your Rolex will be worth something — and everything else will be scrap metal.

Really nice answer by watchsnoob

[SKy Lim]

From your words i sense you lean towards more on Hublot...both are prestigious brands and iconic models,go for Limited Edition Hublot Big Bang,u can always get a Rolex Sub anytime.....maintenance wise hublot cost more,and if you're the type that prefer standout piece then the answer is obvious,in the end you're wearing it