Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ray Tai wrote: "Hoyen, I have on my wrist the Rolex my father bought in 1962 that he gave me in 1991. I consider this Rolex to be a better value for the money than any $30 quartz watch. How do Leica lenses fit into your analogy?" They don't fit, I guess. Back in 1962 when Rolex was actually charging reasonable prices for their watches (even taking inflation into account), I might be able to justify a purchase. Today, Rolexes are grossly overpriced for what you get. From substandard case finishing, to the worst bracelets in the industry, there is absolutely NOTHING about a modern Rolex to justify its price. I'll take a potshot at what makes Rolex falls on its face in the eyes of watch fanatics like me... the "Oyster Bracelet". The design is so shoddy that anybody with an average size wrist cannot even center the clasp at the bottom of the wrist, even after running out of adjustable links on the near side. You've got to own one to understand what I mean. The clasp itself? Forget it. Stamped sheet metal... unacceptable in a $3000+ watch. You want to see what the "Oyster Bracelet" should have been like? Check out the X-71 bracelet of the Blancpain Aqua-Lung. Now THAT'S engineering. Pure solidity, plus you have to remove at least three screws to adjust one link. Rolex? One screw comes loose, and your President gets a date with the concrete floor. And don't even get me started about the movements... - ----------------------------------------------- FREE! The World's Best Email Address @email.com Reserve your name now at http://www.email.com