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Rolex has it figured it out by segmenting their products with their marketing. You have the SKUs that are 18k solid gold fitted with precious stones and on the

by lunaru 9y ago

Rolex has it figured it out by segmenting their products with their marketing. You have the SKUs that are 18k solid gold fitted with precious stones and on the other extreme you have the stainless steel professional line. In many ways, the volume of sales in the former helps fund the research and manufacturing prowess in the latter, and overall it's a win-win for everyone. Kind of like how iPhone and blingy Apple Watch sales used to fund great work in Apple's professional line of laptops. (Low blow, I know, but I couldn't help it)

LeoPanthera 9y ago
What is the point of a "professional" mechanical watch? What can it do that quartz can't?
- Cookingboy 9y ago
  They never need battery, for example. And due to the high beat movement, the second hand moves in a much smoother way than the jump seconds on quartz movements, which a lot of people prefers.
- eo3x0 9y ago
  Nowadays, there is very little functional purpose. But historically, they were used widely and the robustness of the watch mattered a lot. There's a very good reason the Omega Speedmaster was sent to space. Today's mechanical watches are a celebration of that tradition. You have to have an appreciation for that as well as the historical significance in timekeeping as part of civilization's endeavors into transoceanic navigation, extreme mountaineering and ultimately into space as a prerequisite for truly appreciating mechanical watches. The best manufactures today, like Rolex, uphold that tradition in their professional line. You can read about the history of the GMT, the Explorer and the Subminariner (in particular the Milsub) to get a glimpse of the historical significance. In some way, a mechanical watch is a miniature museum and houses some very significant advancements. Modern watchmakers continue to push mechanical and material boundaries. This is to be appreciated if only as an art, even if outdated.

by lunaru 9y ago

LeoPanthera 9y ago

What is the point of a "professional" mechanical watch? What can it do that quartz can't?

Cookingboy 9y ago
They never need battery, for example. And due to the high beat movement, the second hand moves in a much smoother way than the jump seconds on quartz movements, which a lot of people prefers.
eo3x0 9y ago
Nowadays, there is very little functional purpose. But historically, they were used widely and the robustness of the watch mattered a lot. There's a very good reason the Omega Speedmaster was sent to space. Today's mechanical watches are a celebration of that tradition. You have to have an appreciation for that as well as the historical significance in timekeeping as part of civilization's endeavors into transoceanic navigation, extreme mountaineering and ultimately into space as a prerequisite for truly appreciating mechanical watches. The best manufactures today, like Rolex, uphold that tradition in their professional line. You can read about the history of the GMT, the Explorer and the Subminariner (in particular the Milsub) to get a glimpse of the historical significance. In some way, a mechanical watch is a miniature museum and houses some very significant advancements. Modern watchmakers continue to push mechanical and material boundaries. This is to be appreciated if only as an art, even if outdated.