The Rolex Quality Myth - How Good Are They?

[@ProdicalMan]

Man I hope you come back to YT

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

None of this sounds dumb to me. For the kind of money Rolex charges you should expect better. Thumbs up!

[@RobDaCajun]

I second that. For the amount of money that you have to invest; then you shouldn’t have those issues.

[@robertsullivan4773]

None of what you said is dumb or is it acceptable. But now and for the past few years Rolex is pushing out over 800,000 watches. I fear this will be occurring more often. I myself just got the new 41mm sub LN. I love it but it's two weeks out of its coffin. That's the way it was shown to be at the Ad.😊. That's how new it was. It never saw the display case. But it does have one annoying issue the bracelet squeaks. Not bad but as you would say it shouldn't. I'm not going to do anything now and see if it wears in and goes away.

[@donaldneo4317]

@@robertsullivan4773 When I bought my GMTc in 2018 brand new from AD it also squeaks, it goes away after some wear. I would say the quality of modern Rolex bracelet is very well made, the tolerance is really tight, almost no free play. When I compare to a new Speedy Pro I got recently the bracelet rattles slightly due to free play between all the links.

[@donkremer6019]

It's not Rolex overcharging their watches people, it's the grey dealers / flippers. Can't expect Rolex to up their QC because other people inflate their prices. That's beyond ridiculous.

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

@@donkremer6019 I'm saying that the retail price rolex asks for is a compete ripoff regardless of the grey market. If you adjust the price for inflation, the current price of a rolex (compared to the price in the sixties) should be well under $2000 dollars)

[@dialanddram]

With all the hype and mania surrounding Rolex, and the prices certain hot models are commanding these days, they definitely should be paying more attention to QC than they are.

[@Wooooosaaaaaa]

I lost my godly love for rolex after seeing the paint splatter on the hand of the GMT 2 meteorite dial, in the watchfinder video.

[@TheNomadsLens]

Note to self don't buy Rolex from J 😜 I've had problems with a brand called Vostok

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

Haha, oh pizza boy...always good to hear from you!

[@SuperPeleke]

Anthony, we miss you on KZbin. Been following your stuff for many many years. Hope all is well and that you're in a good place just busy. Come back with a video some time soon!

[@johnnybracciole5490]

Yeah I was just wondering the same thing

[@SherwoodTaz]

Who's here in 2022 wondering where is JAnthony, like me?

[@randallk2556]

He died

[@SherwoodTaz]

@@randallk2556 His ghost must be posting on Insta for him then.

[@josecarlos11]

I bought a Seamsater this year from Omega with a bezel not align, so I send it back to have it fixed since it was brand new, and they send me the watch with the bezel fixed but a sapphire crystal completely scratched inside and out (someone else's crystal) , I could not believe it. I was so irritated I called the store and the service centre to bitch them out, I thought they pass some QC. They asked me to send it back for "inspection" and they would review their pictures. I was like I have pictures too, let me send mine as well. They never apologized and all they emailed me to say they would be giving me a brand new crystal. I waited 2 more weeks and the watch finally arrived, but the bezel is now still not 100% aligned, but its like 98%, so I decided to just keep it and enjoy the watch, but I tell you this has left me with a bitter taste in my mouth from Omega aka swatch group. I don't think this is OCD, these are luxury products and we should expect almost perfection, after all these watches are thousands of dollars, we don't just do this to tell the time, we buy them for their beauty and the idea that we are buying a quality product!

[@haping1]

Of course not exaptable, but didn't you see the misalignement of the bezel when you were in the store? Or did you just buy it online?

[@josecarlos11]

@@haping1 my wife bought it for me and she does not know anything about watches. Also it was my first watch purchase, lesson learned to always inspect!

[@haping1]

@@josecarlos11 Oh, that was double unfortunate when it was a gift... I learned my lesson through a quartz watch that didn't hit any minute marker. Luckaly I got a refund...

[@AK-rq1cz]

New sub here, I loved the Seiko vs Omega video 😂. You're not nit picking, issues like that on a watch that costs as much as a car are inexcusable. Can't wait to hear the Yacht Master review.

[@MrJintensive]

Cant wait for the Yacht master review.

[@guillermoalto4803]

I have a 2019 Yachtie40 and I love it. Wear it 3 times a week and scratched the bracelet and clasp up. Don’t care.

[@donkremer6019]

Well it's been four months...

[@donkremer6019]

"Really soon". Well it's been four months...

[@gpatkinson]

Hey bud, hadn't seen any videos recently... taking a break? Hope things are good with you!

[@oak6845]

J, I learn back in 1980 when I was 19-years old, when I purchased a Rolex Datejust brand new for $1250 dollars and love it. Until less than 90-days it would not stay running, it would stop and I keep on my wrist 24-7. Rolex serviced it and it ran for a week and again stopped, Rolex serviced it again and this time it worked for a month and then stopped again. I was so sick of it I put it back in the Rolex box and put it in a draw and just forgot about it. Years latter I found it and put it for sale in the local paper and a car dealership owner purchased it and I will never ever buy another Rolex for any reason, "once burned, once learn".

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Hey J did I miss something regarding the white dot on the dial? Was that purchased new at the AD and you didn’t catch it until later?

[@robadams2274]

As a watch collector, I am now of the opinion that we are pretty much all being grifted.

[@davecorry7723]

If it's true that you're dead - as commenters are hinting - then this makes me a little sad. I liked your videos back in the day. Your channel was ahead of its time. R.I.P.

[@AJMacDonaldJr]

I believe you also had a mechanical issue with the Seiko SARB035 you owned.

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

Yeah...don’t remind me...I still miss that watch!

[@TheChadWork2001]

From experience: NEVER buy a watch online. Go to the store, reserve it, observe it, put it under the magnifier, prove it, ensure the hands hit all the indicies, ensure its accuracy, never buy a watch without inspecting it first over several days.

[@blueshirtbuddah1665]

Welcome back! You are absolutely correct there is no excuse for such QC issues from Rolex. Thankfully I haven’t experienced any.

[@y2kjericho86]

Anthony where are you good sir? I missed your videos and your presence! Please come back soon!!!!

[@mikefromchicago3322]

Does the warranty cover quality control issues? I have lint within the interior side of the crystal that’s been bugging me.

[@mclaughlinja1995]

Absolutely NOT "nitpicky" to be annoyed at those problems even in an entry-level watch, let alone a Rolex. I can live with a misaligned Seiko bezel (though it's still annoying because it shows a lack of attention to detail in QC). But it's crazy to have that happen in a $12k watch. And the bezel pip being so noticeably off-center is even worse, IMO, because you see it every time but there's not much you can do about it -- short of replacing the bezel entirely.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

You can inspect a watch before you buy it. It's not like a misaligned bezel pip is hard to spot. Same goes for the white speck on the Sub dial. If it's a bit of dust or lint, you can even have it removed by a local watchmaker.

[@edteach3r]

While I have always admired Rolex, I have never wanted to own one as the prices are just exorbitant. I am hoping to add the Black Bay GMT next year, however. Thanks for the channel, and wishing you the very best for 2021.

[@nachovalenti]

Great choice. I bought my BB GMT a few months ago and I'm really happy with it in every single way.

[@edteach3r]

@@nachovalenti Awesome! I am envious 😀.

[@qwerty135797]

Lol. Amigo, were you reading my mind during the first 20 seconds of the video and answering my questions!?!? Anyhoot, glad to see you again. Wish there was a forum to exchange dialogue with you dude. Want to buy my wife a premium watch for Christmas (this would be her first) and would have greatly appreciated your input.

[@idonjohnson6999]

Did he die? Or just vanished?

[@justinh1258]

Rolex has TONS of fit and finish issues. I haven’t owned one that hasn’t had a crooked rehaut or misaligned bezel. Also have had misaligned dial text.

[@jda7499]

hey why did u sell your SD43 ? just curious

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

It wasn't a SD43. It was a 2008 Deepsea. The SD43 didn't come out until 2017.

[@carminefriendly3703]

Just got my submariner, what do you think of the new sub with date?

[@davidrdavis77]

I'm glad to see you back on KZbin

[@quetz666]

So the conclusion is as follows: Rolex and Seiko are made everything in-house so this is pretty obvious that they sometimes can’t align a bezel in a proper way I guess 😂😂😂

[@DJGeorgeDisco]

that and for many other reasons, I am sticking with my G-shock. It tells times better than an automatic and the chronograph works.

[@LouisAmantiOfficial]

When are we getting our yacht master 16622 video???

[@DingDong-tj9ce]

I hope you're okay? Would be good if you could check in and just let the viewers know how you're doing?? Miss your content, you make great videos!!

[@eddy_8232]

Nice to see you back on KZbin J Anthony

[@robertschmidt9584]

Welcome back and thanks for the great video.

[@erth4896]

White dot on a Rolex dial?? You should have advertised that as a unique feature that’s ultra rear and highly collectible.. and justify that for your higher premium asking price.

[@erth4896]

Just kidding of course

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

Honestly thought that is a thing haha... just google Rolex error dials...

[@donkremer6019]

@@erth4896 you shouldn't be.

[@robbo1233]

If you know so much about watches why buy a piece with a misaligned lume dot ??? Why buy a piece with a a foreign body on the dial. All this along with your knowledge of watches and OCD to boot makes your experience something I've never heard of

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

This exactly.

[@1D0N]

Curious for your take on the YM Rolesium. I see it often mentioned as hidden gem/most underrated Rolex in the lineup. As it’s positioned as an upscale sub, does make you wonder why it’s (relativity) unpopular.

[@rodrigocarvalho1389]

You are absolutely right. This is not about OCD, this should be one of the many diferences between a cheap Chinese watch and a high quality swiss one. If you are paying 10k for a watch it should be at least naked eye perfect. Nice video keep up the good work

[@watchnut5305]

I hope you are well? Long time no see.

[@mariosiaven2965]

Good to see you again J. last time I saw one of your videos was before de Covid crisis hey whats yor take on ball watches

[@MrClaudeCrook]

You listened to me! Welcome back J! :-)

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

😊

[@BB-gl7zt]

Welcome back and thank you for putting this video out. You're absolutely correct, it's inexcusable to have those issues on a watch that costs 5 figures.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

It's inexcusable not to inspect a 5 figure watch before buying it. It's not like it's the only SDDS on the market. You can pass on this one, and buy one that does have the pip and the rehaut properly aligned. The white speck you could easily have removed by a local watchmaker. Remove the case back, remove the mechanism, and blow the speck off the dial. It's not rocketsurgery.

[@BB-gl7zt]

@@bloodymarvelous4790 not my watch, man. Tell J.

[@Nexus.Achiles]

Hey what's up man. I hope you're keeping well. Looking forward to seeing fresh content in your channel. Take care.

[@Robert.Dickson]

I bought a brand new Explorer, factory fresh with the new style warranty card back in September from a local AD. It was running 8-10 seconds slow right out of the box. The AD fixed it, but not what I expected when they advertise +/- 2 seconds a day. That said, I still love the watch.

[@paulandrews7622]

The Bezel misalignment on the Sea Dweller is unforgivable. That would bug me on a £100.00 watch, let alone a £12000 watch ! I have seen quite a few videos recently discussing Rolex and their absentee QC dept. Not good at all.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

Let that be a lesson that you need to inspect the watch before committing to a purchase. Don't be complaining about misalignments or specks on the dial if they were there when you purchased the watch. You accepted it as is.

[@juliantakeshiquayle6193]

woah those are some really annoying issues man, can't unsee the bezel photo. It's actually a nightmare. Hope you're enjoying your new Yacht master and keep safe! thanks for the vid, hope to see one about the yacht soon!

[@watchreviews4k]

Interesting content. Regards.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

What brand would you recommend ?

[@Eric_Nielsen]

Dude - nice to see you! 2020 sucks for sure but I'm getting the Moderna vaccine in two weeks, hang in there till you get yours too.

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

Thanks Eric! Always enjoy seeing your awesome photography on IG. I’m up for the vaccine as well. 👍

[@mcmickey3344]

It's a piece of dust inside of the dial of an explorer, I had the exact same thing. I am exchanging the watch. Totally understand you

[@MiniMotoAlliance]

Bought a new 2020 41mm sub last November. Sent it in last month after realizing my ceramic bezel had 2 spots near the 7min marker where the blue ceramic looked like chrome. They've replaced the bezel but I'm still without the watch now 4 weeks past the initial service request

[@ROBERTSMITH-io7tb]

I'm not the biggest rolex fan, I'm not at all keen on the gmt or submariner, although I love the Daytona I'm not prepared to pay extortionate price's for a very average movement in an average watch build when people are flipping watches for more than double RRP, I actually really love the the previous model 39mm oyster perpetual with the rhodium dial and I've had my finger hovering over the buy now button for the past month but should I give in to the rolex thing?

[@Tonysoprano497]

I’ve owned 5 modern steel and I’ve never had any problems although people can no doubt encounter problems . I’ve sold four of mine because I find them really predictable and aesthetically uninspiring..

[@markq1]

Couldn't you have had the lume pip issue sorted when you sent it back to Rolex for the winding issue?

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

Maybe...

[@plantemichel]

Yes with Seiko QC issues GRRR Nice video 😃

[@cunawarit]

A dot on the dial from the factory makes the watch more unique :) I bought a new BMW that actually had a small line across the dash and I thought it was cool, no another one had that exact line! It was in effect unique! You had a unique watch and you didn't appreciate it.

[@robbo1233]

I'm very gentile with my watches I wind them alot. ????. Bought my first sub 5513 in 1984 then my date just in 1993 then my bi metal date just in 2018 and now 2020 bi metal rose yacht master and a panarai in-between. All absolutely beautiful and perfect and I like to think I have a little bit of knowledge about the quality control of high end watches and im struggling to believe you have had so many issues !!!

[@mikeyfromelprado9772]

He said he “rotates” them a lot, not “wind.” He’s referring to the point that he doesn’t wear the same watch all the time, but switches (rotates) wearing the different watches he owns.

[@730-buysell4]

8:18 - no they will not replace the dial if you don't want that happen.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

But that will also not solve the corrosion issue.

[@EconMcCausland]

Quality is kind of a subjective measure. I would say Rolex is very high quality, but in the Apple kind of way. The focus is on interface and creature comforts, rather than raw technical specification. So like my Omega is a more accurate watch for the price, but stuff like the bezel turn and metal feel can't compare with Rolex. Again, this strikes me as very Apple-like...

[@davidomarmartinezcontreras3897]

Miss the channel!! Come back !

[@Nexus.Achiles]

Wow, I'm surprised the YM pt dial is your favourite watch, it's also mine. I bought my 116622 in 2015 and still very much love it. The understated classy Sub with a curved and rounded case side, tapered lugs and great dial. It was my first Rolex. I since added a 126600 and 126613lb, but I always come back to the 116622. Looking forward to watching your review on that piece.

[@sinesaii]

Come back. We miss you.

[@charlesdaviddenler2064]

My Deepsea (the one you reviewed from Bernard) has honestly been incredible. The manufacturing is spot on and (at least in my eyes) perfect. I really love the watch. The SD triangle is lined up properly. I was really surprised to see that offset on your watch. Considering all of the hand crafting that goes into this brand it is not surprising that we find some anomalies.

[@rossroteliuk5838]

Welcome knowledge .. much appreciated.

[@tomlabarb2640]

my sub is almost 6 years old, wear it everyday, it's been around the world, hiking, ocean swimming, basically everything....it's been perfect. I just wish it was a 40mm YM :)

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

What happened to J Anthony??

[@gilbertjuarezjr8183]

I think people forget they are paying mark ups price for most rolex they buy. Most the time rolex watch are under 10k and more around the 5k just a make them unlimited amounts and dealers buy them and upsell them like crazy and people are willing to pay those crazy prices so most of the time someone pays 50 grand for a watch that was going for 10 grand of course they're going to get mad at their 50 Grand is not the quality of a $50,000 watch but they're not realizing it's not a $50,000 watch it's a $10,000 watch

[@donkremer6019]

Finally someone who understands. People getting mad at Rolex for not having 50k QC, while Rolex msrp is nowhere near that.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

@@donkremer6019 Also, if you're buying online, get high resolution photos of the timepiece. Thoroughly inspect them, and ask questions about anything you think is odd or off. If you're buying in a store, inspect the timepiece. The store should have a loupe that you can use, or you can get one yourself. If you buy a watch unseen or uninspected, don't come complaining about things you could've known before you bought it.

[@watchtowerstudios8650]

Looking forward to that Yachtmaster video! Been waiting 3 weeks already lol It’s also my favorite watch

[@armandojuan64]

My brother , you are the voice of reason .

[@horologywatchmaking13]

This video should be on trending to educate those fanboys. Sadly the sellers wouldn't want that, the money they lose would be immense 😆

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

This comment makes zero sense. The sellers don't dictate what's trending on YT.

[@Milofchg]

@J.ANTHONY Welcome back, great to see you again. The only issues I have with Rolex is timing accuracy, due to magnetism. If you travel often or walk into a secure building (Gov, court buildings) with metal detectors on a daily basis (several times a day). A Rolex WILL get magnetized. For me that's my biggest issue with Rolex. I can't speak on new silicon hair spring reference models. I can attest to pre-2014 Rolex references minus a Milgauss. Also the 904L steel is soft. Dents/dings easy, but it takes to polishing beautiful. Other than that, no quality issues and I never heard of anyone I know personally have quality issues with their Rolex watches.

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

Yeah, good points. I’ve had that same issue having my watches around medical equipment.

[@tatlertom3090]

not nitpicky -- absurd stuff on expensive gear. my casio is freaking perfect. i sometimes find expensive stuff? things go south. i have no idea why....

[@paulandrews7622]

Tatler.... Agreed. I love Casios and G Shocks. I have many of them, and have never had any QC issues...EVER. They really seem to know how to put a watch together for not a lot of cash.

[@robbo1233]

At 16.16 minutes i had to turn off. I only continued watching upto 16.16 out of morbid curiosity. The off centre lume dot did it for me. Even if you sent your genuine sub to a non authorised repair shop for a new lume dot replacing it would still end up in its original centre hole. Either you bought a fake or the bezel is a counterfeit simple as that

[@themightysquid]

I couldn’t agree with you more. With the never ending increases of prices for Rolex, you should expect perfection. Anything less and you can get plenty of other brands that are easily available with excellent quality too. You should expect, and demand the best from Rolex. They can’t sit on their laurels and expect the prices they charge.

[@donkremer6019]

It's not Rolex upping their msrp. So can't expect them to up QC.

[@cbody70]

If the QC is so hit and miss, why the premium price?

[@bobstump463]

the hair is unfortunate - but the review was quite good

[@raygv1]

I think it depends on how much is “a lot” of money to you and if you ask me 18k for a watch is more than a lot of money and so I don’t think you’re wrong to expect the level of quality even from a used “aged” piece I would expect the investment to show in how well it wears over the years. If it were easy to build a watch of a certain quality everyone would do it but it’s very laborious to build a precise timepiece and it needs to express that in its quality.

[@othus123]

Which brands have Rolex Quality, but not the Rolex pricetag? Would really like to know some alternatives

[@sudiptaghosh5415]

Rolex do have Serious QC issues. Very casual watch making approach at this price point.

[@hiranosoranouta9223]

I am currently repairing a Rolex 2235, this is my first time working on a Rolex after 10 years of watch repair as a hobby. The automatic mechanism is simply a bad design, resulting in the weight needing to be replaced. There is just a pinion without a bearing, resulting tremendous amount of friction and damage. Poor design.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

Yeah, I'm sorry, but the white speck on the dial of the Submariner, and the misaligned pip on the Sea-Dweller were totally on you. If that sorta thing bothers you, you should inspect the watch before you buy it. You bought these watches with these faults already there. The two malfunctions were corrected within the warranty period free of charge. If you have trouble with the warranty that would be one thing, but here it did exactly what it was supposed to. Btw, I wouldn't be surprised if you tried to flyback the chronograph which the Rolex just cannot do. If you do do this (too often) you will break the watch. So basically, all watches were perfectly fine (considering the state you accepted when you purchased them), except maybe the corroding dial on the GMT, and you could've bought a more recent version with Super-Luminova, which probably wouldn't have that issue. Tritium corrodes the dial, hands, and discolors the pips. Luminova or Super-Luminova doesn't.

[@dociebiemowie915]

I bought a Datejust years ago that had not one, but two dust particles under the glass. Rolex's QC dept is par for the course. After my AD doing everything but begging me to get a new watched serviced, I just decided to get a refund instead.

[@markfreedman2470]

What you are pointing out is amazing. For Quality Control be dropped, on these most expensive watches, is a joke, because that is what one are paying for in the first place. PERFECTION! Rolex appears to be getting the idea that the purchaser of their watches is responsible for their quality control. You paid a premium for this and now you are doing their QC job without being paid for it. Sounds more like a punishment to me. I think a Rolex customer should be OCD about it. That's the point. Some of the very good Swiss Homage Watches using ETA movements (Not Clones) appear to have better quality control than Rolex. I don't own a Rolex, I love them but cannot afford to have one. I think I'm going to buy a Davosa submariner homage then send pictures of it to Rolex to remind them that they are now seriously off of their game. Excellent video. Thanks

[@firatcankutuk6815]

Where are you man?

[@michaelkennedy4444]

Hey Jay , where have you been .? Miss your reviews .

[@richardgreen8919]

Loved the video.New to me.I will subscribe.It is not trivial.At these prices,the watches should be perfect. I will await your yachtmaster review with interest. What is your opinion on the Tudor Chrono Steel and Gold and the Omega Seamaster 300m ? Take care and stay safe.

[@TimepieceTherapy]

Great review :)

[@anamisidro8453]

Enjoy your yacht master in good health. 💙

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

Thank you Ana 😊💙

[@GeeMood]

WOW! I have slight ocd but even if I didn't, none of those issues are acceptable on a high-end Swiss made luxury watch. Like you said, maybe on a $150 Seiko but not a $12, 000 Rolex. Makes me wary as my grail watch is a Deepsea Sea-Dweller "James Cameron".

[@730-buysell4]

They are good but definitely not perfect, they never claimed that. Anyway even Grand Seiko has quality issue occasionally.

[@crusa5]

Did you not check these watches before you bought them ?

[@grymckr]

You got pretty unlucky but it's absolutely true that Rolex QC is way below what one should expect for a luxury product at that price point.

[@puff0086]

For me, only Seiko have this type of issues... now days i'm worried if the watch it's perfectly aligned and i'm afraid that could be a replica watch :))))))

[@haping1]

Maybe, look for micro brands? The quantities are much lower whereby the love and focus to deliver a good watch is better...

[@TrojanConspiracy]

Excluding extreme luxury watches that can be considered more of a jewelry than a watch. After a certain level of brand prestige you start to pay much more for a slight difference in quality. This is a good reason to stick with 2000-4000 dollar watches rather than 10 - 20k watches. Difference is definetly not worth it if you're not obsessed with the brand name.

[@RobbieMcLean]

You really want to freak out on quality, look at your Rolex under a 30x loupe, or any luxury watch for that matter. Yikes. I agree, the misalignment on the SD is inexcusable. Just saw a piece on Watchfinder where an Air King had a massive boo boo. On the dial, the were two 9's. One at nine o'clock and one at 3 o'clock. That one could be worth some coin down the road.

[@dieterich6533]

You are not unreasonable. I would be livid at those issues with Rolex. Send it back until it’s perfect, or buy something else. I’m sure we can all agree your luck has been terrible. Sad to hear. Looking forward to next video. D

[@JANTHONYCHANNEL]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@1eddwood]

Welcome back you have been sadly missed

[@simplemanideas4719]

Rolex is able to sell everything. That is the big strength of Rolex.

[@richreynoldsCIT]

I'm being triggered by the descriptions of these flaws! Thank god I'm not the only one who's irritated by these things...lol.