Time + tide
Episode 3 has arrived! This episode of Time of Time focuses on the topic of polarization of Rolex and whether the brand is overrated, its position in the luxury watch industry, and its personal relationship with iconic brands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96pwrz0hm68
The hosts – Christian Hagen in Denmark, Eleonor Picciot in France, and Andrew McCutchen in Australia – share the honest reflections of Rolex watches and touch on technical excellence, mass appeal, emotional connection and commercialization.
Eleonor expresses a subtle skepticism about Rolex, shaped by her upbringing in a watch family that favored an independent brand rather than Rolex’s mass market domination. Andrew, who owns and sells Rolex watches, emphasizes the dual nature of the brand as both a luxurious product and a product. A longtime Rolex enthusiast, Christian offers insider insights from his visit to Rolex production facilities, highlighting the interaction between human craftsmanship and industrial accuracy.
This discussion explores Rolex’s technical advantage in manufacturing, its brand power, and its cultural symbolism. Rolex has been praised as the best mass-produced luxury watch known for its accuracy, reliability and value retention, but it has also been criticized for its ubiquitousness, lack of human emotional warmth, and its speculative market that promotes both inside and outside the niche watch enthusiast community. The hosts contrast with Rolex and other brands such as Tudor and Independent Watchmakers, offering more personalized connectivity and accessibility. They also discuss vintage Rolex, which brings more personality and emotional attachment compared to modern models that feel “dehumanized.”
Throughout the episode, each host shares a personal story involving Rolex. This includes giving the kids clocks like heirlooms and the emotional importance associated with these clocks. This episode ends with a reflection on my favourite Rolex models, including variants from the GEM set and persistent lines of Oysters, highlighting the diversity within the brand’s offering. Ultimately, the conversation portrays Rolex as a complex symbol, and is praised and criticized for its place in the watch culture, luxury and personal sense.
What is the question of time?
What is the question of time? It’s about three watch experts coming together to talk about the subject they love: a watch. Three hearts. A passion. Always in the world. The question of time features Eleonor Picciotto (The Eye of Jewellery, 1916 Company), Kristian Haagen (author, Scandinavian Watch Ontricordinare), and Andrew Mcutchen (founder, Time+Tide).
All the complete episodes of the matter of time will be posted here on The Tide+Tide YouTube channel.
