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Like the automotive world the aftermarket Rolex watch customization industry can be big business

Author: Markcros Jackson
by Markcros Jackson
Posted: Feb 05, 2015

Rolex is the most popular luxury watch maker in the world, and also one of the top names in luxury across all categories. There are entire businesses dedicated to fixing, copying, re-selling, auctioning, and buying Rolex watches that exist outside of the official Rolex sales or service channels. Rolex long ago had to reconcile with the fact that it cannot control all elements of how people buy and wear their timepieces. Nevertheless, Rolex officially admonishes the practice of customizing its watches. A position that might seem cold, but Rolex has pretty good reasons for this replica rolex watches uk, even if it prevents some interesting opportunities. Nevertheless, Rolex can't always control what happens after people buy its products, and like the automotive world, the aftermarket watch customization industry can be big business.

Of course aftermarket customers could just remove the Rolex name off the dials of the customized Rolex timepieces, but that would be really eroding at the whole concept, wouldn't it? In regard to George Bamford, "Rolex" is really very much part of the point. While Bamford Watch Department certainly does customize non-Rolex watches, somewhere between 80-90% of their work is on Rolex timepieces.

Feeling unique through wearable style is the hallmark of the fashion industry, even if most people end up being extremely conformist. What is important is that they feel unique, and that is so much more important when it comes to luxury. When you take a group of people with a high amount of disposable income, you immediately begin to notice that they all want to make unique choices while still making "good choices. " This latter concept helps explain what is perhaps one of the most ironic aspects of the custom Rolex watch industry. I asked George, "if you really want to wear a unique watch, then why not purchase something from one of the great many smaller watch brands that offer all types of interesting things you aren't at all likely to see on other people's wrists? " George seemed to ponder this question for a moment, as though even agreeing with me was against his life philosophy. Not wearing a replica breitling watches uk seems to be as much out of the question for Mr. Bamford as wearing a factory Rolex. So what is he thinking?

Bamford seems to have an inescapable marriage with the high-end brands he seeks to enhance with his own personal touch. I think there is a challenge and even some danger in playing with the final products others have sought to connect with elite lifestyles and prices. George is attracted to not only the names of Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Tudor, Patek Philippe, and other brands he plays with, but also the idea of what they produce. Fashion, after all, is mostly about redefining existing themes and rearranging existing looks. To produce something unique isn't always as fun as playing with existing parts.

The many different types of dial styles, colors, and treatments used on Bamford's many creations are interesting, but what I find more compelling are the treatments they do on cases and bracelets. While it is exceedingly difficult to produce a visually striking and attractive dial, the bracelet and case coating is arguably even more of a challenge. Added complexity comes in when you need to consider lasting durability as well as a pleasant tactile experience. In other words, unlike a watch dial that is never touched or worn, the external parts of a watch must feel good on your fingers and put up with abuse. The simplicity of the pricing scheme is oddly welcome, and even then, Bamford doesn't likely have massive margins given the high cost of buying new original products and then customizing them carefully.

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Author: Markcros Jackson

Markcros Jackson

Member since: Feb 03, 2015
Published articles: 2

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