Longines VS Rolex
Two of the top 5 most recognized Swiss watch brands go head to head in a detailed comparison but which of these two brands is the best?
Longines VS Rolex: Which is Better?
We often hear "What's a better watch a Longines or Rolex?" ...and depending on the context of the question, it can be answered several ways. Let us address each and every one of them, shall we?
We are here to provide answers to all the key questions you're probably asking yourself when comparing Longines VS Rolex.
These two luxury brands are both very popular and are often considered when looking for a luxury watch from a well-known Swiss watchmaker. You may be considering a purchase and want to find out which is a better watch; Rolex or Longines.
FOR THE RECORD: Both of these two brands produce great watches. That being said, in the case of Rolex VS Longines, let's find out if it's Longines or Rolex that is the best brand for you.
For your convenience, we created two buttons that link to each brand should you wish to visually compare their products while reading this comparison. Clicking on either one of the buttons will open a new tab so you can see them side by side.
Which Brand is Better, Longines, or Rolex?
There are 16 watch brands that rank in the top 50 Swiss brands. This will give you an idea of just how important watchmaking is in Switzerland as well as how big these brands really are. In terms of recognition, this is how Longines VS Rolex compare.
Rolex Versus Longines Comparison
Rolex is the #3 most recognized Swiss brand worldwide* Only Nescafe and Nestle are before them which makes Rolex the #1 most recognizable Swiss watch brand with practically 100% international brand recognition.
Longines is in position #24 of the same top 50* Swiss brands making Longines the 5th most recognizable Swiss watch brand in the world. Are they a major brand? Yes! Major with a capital 'M'. People just recall the Rolex brand more.
So in terms of how many comments you'll get if you wore each watch, chances are, you will hear "Hey, Nice Rolex!" more often since a higher percentage of people (many of which are not "watch people" per se) will remember Rolex compared to Longines. However, anyone who knows anything at all about watches would know that Longines is also an excellent watch brand despite it being a lower-market brand when compared to Rolex.
*Source: Most Valuable Swiss Brands by Interbrand, an agency that measures brand value.
Rolex VS Longines Prices
Rolex Prices start at about $5,700 which is about 7 times more than the cheapest Longines watch. At the moment, the cheapest new Rolex watch would be the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm men's watch followed by the Rolex Datejust 31mm ladies watches which cost about $500 more than the Oyster Perpetual 39mm. These like all Rolexes, use automatic calibers that are purely mechanical movements.
Longines Prices start at a lot less than the price of a Rolex. With more affordable watches such as the 43mm Conquest or the men's 41mm and 39mm Longines HydroConquest Quartz for about $200 more than the 43mm Conquest. These Longines watches use cost-effective battery-powered quartz movements unlike Rolex which has no Quartz watches. The more expensive Longines watches use mechanical calibers.
You should, however, compare apples with apples. Rolex doesn't make quartz watches, period. They pride themselves on only manufacturing mechanical watches which are considered more prestigious by watch lovers and collectors the world over. Yes, there used to be quartz Rolexes in the past. The Rolex Oysterquartz was last featured in their catalog in 2001 but ever since that last run, they have scrapped the idea and instead focused on producing only high-end and high-precision mechanical calibers for their watches.
So considering the above, what determines the value of the cheapest Rolex caliber VS the cheapest Longines quartz movement?
Which leads to the next question.
Rolex or Longines: Which Holds Value Best?
Is Longines a good watch? Yes. An excellent watch. There is a direct correlation though between the value of a brand, the recognition of a brand and the resale value. While there are some watches that have high resale value for other reasons such as the rarity or iconic status of a watch; as a general rule, the better the brand the more you'll get back when trying to sell it. This is true with most products, not just watches.
In terms of the street value of Rolex watches, you really can't paint an answer with a broad brush. However, in terms of the percentage of what you originally paid for a Longines or Rolex versus what you can sell it for, you will certainly get more when reselling your Rolex watches compared to reselling your Longines watch. It's a given every time. What's better than a Rolex? In terms of resale value? Nobody.
Now, as to why you'd want to sell a beautiful Longines or Rolex watch? Beats me. However, let's look at common reasons why some people would (or wouldn't) buy a Longines or a Rolex watch.
Pros & Cons of buying Longines watches
PROS
- They have a reputation for being very accurate Quartz watches like the Longines Conquest V.H.P. 41mm which stands for Very High Precision, and delivers on its promise with only a deviation of +/- 5 seconds per year.
- They very affordable when compared to Rolexes
- There are many models from which to choose
- Their watches come in many different case shapes
- They have quite a few special edition watches and limited edition watches
- Longines has quartz models which offer more precision and require less maintenance than mechanical watches
CONS
- They are a very major watch brand but not as much of a well-known watch brand as Rolex
- They usually don't hold the same resale value as Rolex watches
- They don't produce as many super high-priced blingy models as Rolex (if that's what you're looking for)
- The warranty period is only 2 years compared to Rolex's 5-year warranty period
- While watch connoisseurs would recognize a Longines as an amazing watch and a highly respected brand that offers both mechanical and quartz watches, some watch connoisseurs, who usually marvel at the micromechanics have a tendency to sing the praises of brands that exclusively offer purely mechanical watches. This isn't necessarily a con in any way since there are also many people who prefer quartz watches but it should nonetheless be mentioned.
As you can see from the above pros and cons that through their unique product line, Longines has positioned their brand in the luxury watch market as a manufacturer that produces watches that are high quality, affordably priced, and reliable. They have many high-quality tool watches that include horological complications such as retrograde, chronographs, GMT /Dual Time Zone, etc.. They are very competitively priced.
Pros & Cons of buying Rolex watches
PROS
- They are the most recognized brand of luxury watches in the world
- They have, in general, a better resale value than most luxury watch brands
- They have many blingy models with diamond bezels, pavé dials (faces paved with diamonds), precious metals of all sorts ...if you're into that
- Many innovations are patented by Rolex such as their Parachrom blue, Osterflex bracelets, Oysterlock, Everose gold (rose gold) alloy, Cerachrom bezel inserts, Triplock locking crown, and more
- Rolex makes quite a few iconic watches such as the Rolex Submariner and the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, Rolex Explorer, Sea-Dweller and more
- Their mechanical watches are all Superlative Chronometers which are highly accurate and precise mechanical movements with a minimum precision of -2/+2 seconds per day
- Rolex offers a 5-year warranty compared to an only 2-year warranty that Longines offers with their watches
CONS
- They are less affordable than Longines
- Not as many different case shapes from which to choose
- Not as many special edition watches and limited edition watches
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