Rolex Datejust OR Omega AT? Help me choose!

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#16
Vagabag I hope my comments help as I have both watches. When I got the Rolex Datejust 26mm, I thought that would be my everyday watch but after 3 years, it's still not as the Omega Constellation is until I bought the Omega Aqua Terra. Rolex is now worn when I feel like it or on occasions as it's too in your face. Aqua Terra, bear in mind that mine is all steel, is more of a daily watch, I don't have to be conscious of my surrounding when I wear it.

Since you are looking for an upgrade from your Tag, I think you should go for Rolex. I love it's roman numeral! White dial with gold roman numeral is a real classic on the fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet. If you are thinking of the Omega because of the diamond markers, forget it. You can always upgrade Rolex's dial to diamond markers later.

Omega is more understated whereas Rolex Datejust is all over.....it really boils down to personal preference.

It's not easy, good luck.

Where's swanky? She has the same dilemma...maybe she can chip in her thoughts.
 
#17
Thanks a lot for everyone's input!

nvie - so you feel the rolex is "in your face"? that doesn't sound too good. i dont' want to draw attention to my watch, kwim? i know both rolex and omegas are high end watches so some attention is inevitable but i am a very casual person, jeans and t-shirts type who spends most of the time with the kids. do you think the aqua terra two tone is more scratch prone than your all stainless?

nvie said:
Vagabag I hope my comments help as I have both watches. When I got the Rolex Datejust 26mm, I thought that would be my everyday watch but after 3 years, it's still not as the Omega Constellation is until I bought the Omega Aqua Terra. Rolex is now worn when I feel like it or on occasions as it's too in your face. Aqua Terra, bear in mind that mine is all steel, is more of a daily watch, I don't have to be conscious of my surrounding when I wear it.

Since you are looking for an upgrade from your Tag, I think you should go for Rolex. I love it's roman numeral! White dial with gold roman numeral is a real classic on the fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet. If you are thinking of the Omega because of the diamond markers, forget it. You can always upgrade Rolex's dial to diamond markers later.

Omega is more understated whereas Rolex Datejust is all over.....it really boils down to personal preference.

It's not easy, good luck.

Where's swanky? She has the same dilemma...maybe she can chip in her thoughts.
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#20
It sounds like you're not fully resolved on the look you're after--simple? blingy? Then the issue is not so much about the brand, since you can achieve either look in Rolex or Omega. A diamond-marker Omega is more flashy than a simply styled Rolex, for example.

If you search the various threads, you can see nice simple Rolexes and also fancier ones.
 
#22
I have an Omega and it has been very durable. I've owned it for about 8 years now and I've done everything in it. Swim, beach, etc. The only thing I've done is change the battery once.
A good friend of mine has a rolex and it has been a real pain. He has spent about 3,000 in the past 2 years getting it fixed. It has definitely been a money pit for him.
That being said, go with what your heart wants. If not, later on you'll wish you had.
 
#23
gucci fan said:
A good friend of mine has a rolex and it has been a real pain. He has spent about 3,000 in the past 2 years getting it fixed. It has definitely been a money pit for him.
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For the benefit of OP: ^This is very unusual and not at all what someone should expect with a Rolex. Especially since a new one comes with a 2-yr warranty, and then any subsequent Rolex service itself gives a new 2-year warranty (this info is for Rolex USA).
 
#24
jellyv said:
For the benefit of OP: ^This is very unusual and not at all what someone should expect with a Rolex. Especially since a new one comes with a 2-yr warranty, and then any subsequent Rolex service itself gives a new 2-year warranty (this info is for Rolex USA).
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I agree....maybe need a bit more investigation into this case.
 
#26
vagabag said:
So automatic is not super accurate on time, people?
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Automatic will not be as accurate as quartz. With an automatic, you are paying for the technology inside the watch. If you're worried about it keep consistent time, quartz is great. Most women wear quartz for this reason. Not many women care much about the technology.

I'm not one to always vote Rolex, but with that said, I like the Rolex better on you. I think the size and color works better on your wrist. But if you are wanting a more understated watch, I prefer the Omega. Much sportier. And the diamonds bring a balance to the face.

You'll be fine going with either brand. Great quality and history.
 
#27
couturequeen said:
Not many women care much about the technology.
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I'm a woman and I appreciate a watches movement technology:p and the care that goes into making creating a watch.

I prefer mechanical/automatic watches, hands down, over any battery operated quartz.
The money spent on a quartz is spent on all the beautiful things you see on the outside. (And yes there are some gorgeous quartz watches out there, make no mistake.) But at the end of the day it's dependent upon a battery.

However, the money spent on a mechanical/automatic watch is spent on all the beautiful things you see on the inside! :love:

I own both types. And truth be told, I view them a little differently. I see my quartz watches as, well, watches. But I view my mechanical/automatic watches, both low and high end, as time-pieces.

As a side, all pieces I've inherited happen to be mechanical/automatic. I don't know if that means anything at all, but do people ever past down to the next generation quartz watches?

Oops forgot to answer the thread question...I would be leaning towards the Rolex simply because it's timeless. Omega has just recently begun to inflate their prices in a direct attempt to compete with Rolex on price alone. The prices are close to triple what they use to be and I don't feel the changes in Omega's movement justify that much of an increase.
 
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#28
Thank you, everyone, for such wonderful, helpful comments! So, here's the deal... to those who ask whether I know the style I want, I pretty much do (but thanks for the link b/c the pics there helped a lot). I do not want blingy so even if I could afford a diamond bezel, I would definitely steer clear of one. Diamond markers, I feel are a nice touch to the Omega and I don't think they make the watch look that blingy. I know the Rolex oyster bracelet is more understated but I am only interested in the jubilee bracelet for a Rolex (it's my issue - the whole feeling that if I spend the money on a Rolex, it should have the classic link bracelet). I do want a two tone watch (it's what compelled me to think of getting a new watch to begin with).

So, given all this, I feel like the most understated Rolex I can get with the TT jubilee bracelet is the datejust with grey or white dial. I don't care much about the fluted bezel but I don't think I have a choice there (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). Anyways, I was leaning towards the Rolex until hearing more about automatics not keeping the most accurate time. That's really important for me and now, I'm not feeling so great b/c of this bit of news. So, how off is an automatic watch? Is it inevitable? I'd be wearing my watch daily. THe SA at Rolex did not mention anything about inaccurate time-keeping. If the Rolex is off on a daily basis, then I think I am going with the Omega which I think is beautiful but the bracelet scratching is a concern and I will need to try it on again. What's the downside to quartz for those of you who prefer automatic? That you have to change the battery every few years?

Love TPF b/c I learn so much and can make a very educated decision. Thank you again!!!
 
#29
^ My DF's automatic watch is off by about 5 minutes and it so happens my mom's Rolex is off by 5 as well. Both wear their watches everyday. My watch is quartz and it keeps time quite accurately. Mechanical/automatic watches need to be serviced every so often while quartz/battery operated watches need their batteries replaced every 4 or so years. If your #1 concern is accurate time keeping, I would go for the Omega.

If you don't care for the movement of the watch and what lies underneath the case, then a quartz watch would be the best investment. There's no use paying extra for an automatic watch otherwise!
 
#30
vagabag said:
Thank you, everyone, for such wonderful, helpful comments! So, here's the deal... to those who ask whether I know the style I want, I pretty much do (but thanks for the link b/c the pics there helped a lot). I do not want blingy so even if I could afford a diamond bezel, I would definitely steer clear of one. Diamond markers, I feel are a nice touch to the Omega and I don't think they make the watch look that blingy. I know the Rolex oyster bracelet is more understated but I am only interested in the jubilee bracelet for a Rolex (it's my issue - the whole feeling that if I spend the money on a Rolex, it should have the classic link bracelet). I do want a two tone watch (it's what compelled me to think of getting a new watch to begin with).

So, given all this, I feel like the most understated Rolex I can get with the TT jubilee bracelet is the datejust with grey or white dial. I don't care much about the fluted bezel but I don't think I have a choice there (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). Anyways, I was leaning towards the Rolex until hearing more about automatics not keeping the most accurate time. That's really important for me and now, I'm not feeling so great b/c of this bit of news. So, how off is an automatic watch? Is it inevitable? I'd be wearing my watch daily. THe SA at Rolex did not mention anything about inaccurate time-keeping. If the Rolex is off on a daily basis, then I think I am going with the Omega which I think is beautiful but the bracelet scratching is a concern and I will need to try it on again. What's the downside to quartz for those of you who prefer automatic? That you have to change the battery every few years?

Love TPF b/c I learn so much and can make a very educated decision. Thank you again!!!
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Both the Rolex and the Omega you were looking at are automatic movements, this is easily discernible from the posted photos.

Both are COSC movements which means they are accurate to within -4/+6 seconds/day. That is pretty darn accurate, and should not even be a deciding factor when looking at high-end watches. These are precision time pieces.

Quartz movements are more accurate +-10/year but are cheaper because there is very little labour involved in making one.
 
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