kaichu dento
Flashaholic
No.
What is the Rolex of Flashlights?
- Thread starter Buff
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PoliceScannerMan
Flashaholic
Tri V is the closest answer here. Work of art, functional, relaible, not 100% waterproof. 😀
Is that because you had dreams of being an mi6 agent?
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
Both the Tri-V and 007 are excellent carry flashlights.
Also worth noting that the OP asked about a Rolex equivalent in flashlights, not Patek Philippe, which is why HDS and McGizmo also belong here.
☝️ This is my opinion on the question. It's a flawed premise from post number one.
Addendum - My choice was the Tri-V, but the more I learned about Rolex watches from reading this thread, the more I became of the opinion that Rolex watches only wish they were the watch of the Tri-V. 😁
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The answers will vary wildly because the comparison in many ways is apples to oranges. Some consider the status/image/brand of Rolex and answer in that context. Others answer in terms of cost; yet there are others who answer in terms of availability. So there is not one brand of flashlight that will be a perfect analogue of a Rolex.
There is slight outpacing. But nothing I'd call blatant with those brands. Also, never even heard of that last one.
Rolex made more sense back before the 1980s.
(The decade they transitioned from a Tool Watch brand to a Luxury brand.)
Servicing costs were actually reasonable. Weight wasn't an issue. Being reasonably priced for the times, owners often wore them as their only watch on a daily basis. Plus, almost no other brand could do what Rolex did, back in the Tool Watch era. Although, that very first successful climb up Mount Everest, there were two watches that easily survived and kept working. One was a Rolex Explorer, the other was a Smith's model.
Definitely not. Literally anyone can afford a Mag. They are made in such massive quantities as to be common as dirt. Everyone has heard of the company because at some point in their lives almost everyone has owned or used a Mag product.
Meanwhile Rolex makes an average of only 80,000 watches per year.
Realistically, SureFire comes the absolute closest.
True. But if you want a watch that is actually durable, Rolex is practically at the top of that list. A Patek is clearly far more highly regarded by a HUGE margin. But those things are more fragile than untempered glass!
Can’t see how Rolex servicing costs are reasonable. I have a Rolex offshoot from the 60’s(?) and the service quote I got maybe 10 years ago was crazy in the sense I could get a perfectly accurate Solar charged watch for less.
They did buff the watch face for free though.
I agree with Chauncey G., agreeing with Buff’s apples/oranges comment.
I think Fraz Labs is similar in that the QTC and the body lip lubrication needs attention like the Rolex needs service, but the Fraz Labs is so much tougher than any Rolex (see durability videos) and is not inflated in price due to fashionista price pressure.
They did buff the watch face for free though.
I agree with Chauncey G., agreeing with Buff’s apples/oranges comment.
I think Fraz Labs is similar in that the QTC and the body lip lubrication needs attention like the Rolex needs service, but the Fraz Labs is so much tougher than any Rolex (see durability videos) and is not inflated in price due to fashionista price pressure.
They were. Back in the day when Rolex was still a Tool Watch brand. And if you had your 1960s watch serviced back in the 1970s, you'd have gotten a reasonable quote. Today? 10 years ago?? Oh hell no! Even servicing a Tool Watch Rolex gets you modern-day prices. Also, a 1960s model means some parts are going to be extremely hard to come by. Sourcing said parts is going to cost a huge premium. Rolex has actually refused to service certain watches going back numerous upon numerous decades. They'll just flat out refuse. And, a few years back, Rolex took inspiration from the Swatch Group's example of refusing to provide ETA movements to any brand outside of the S.G. (Though with Rolex, it was refusing to provide watch parts to any watch-makers who weren't part of their Authorized Dealer network.)
Independent watch-makers who were the ones smart Rolex owners would turn to for reasonable servicing of their watches, now could no longer replace worn out parts. You now have to go to a watch-maker who is part of Rolex's network, and clearly pay far more for servicing.
Honestly, unless that 1960s Rolex of yours has a great deal of sentimental value. You're better off trying to get it fixed/running. Then sell it for a huge mark-up. Though you did mention it's a Rolex off-shoot. I'm guessing Tudor? Even then, it'll still fetch a good price if fixed up.
experimentjon
Newly Enlightened
In my view, three key things define Rolex
Given this criteria we can probably exclude a few mentioned earlier
My vote would go to the Surefire [Aviator] -- Surefire is by far the leading mainstream brand in high-end illumination. Like Rolex, people can argue about whether Surefire is the greatest (it's not), but the brand name is recognized almost universally and quality is high. Of all their models, I picked the Aviator as a strawman b/c it has some history to it as an aviation light (like the GMT Master) and it has some cool bells and whistles. I still remember seeing my first 6P in high school and thinking "damn, that's a cool mil spec light and I hope to afford one someday."
Runner up would be the McGizmo Haiku 123 Pak - everyone in the EDC community (even if not outside) knows what these are and it's a grail for many, with a very long history.
- Broadly seen as a high quality watch over a long period of time, even by people that don't know much about watches thanks to strong marketing and ubiquitous band presence
- Aspirational item, but not so expensive that someone who works hard and saves couldn't afford it (Richard Mille would be in this unobtanium category)
- Inherently functional but also signals success to others
Given this criteria we can probably exclude a few mentioned earlier
- SPY Tri V - this is the Richard Mille of lights...and unfortunately nobody outside of CPF cares about these...they actually probably think you're crazy for spending that much on a flashlight
- Okluma, Laulima, Prometheus, Barrel, Muyshondt, Overready BOSS - all are great, but too niche
- Maglite - not in 2023!
My vote would go to the Surefire [Aviator] -- Surefire is by far the leading mainstream brand in high-end illumination. Like Rolex, people can argue about whether Surefire is the greatest (it's not), but the brand name is recognized almost universally and quality is high. Of all their models, I picked the Aviator as a strawman b/c it has some history to it as an aviation light (like the GMT Master) and it has some cool bells and whistles. I still remember seeing my first 6P in high school and thinking "damn, that's a cool mil spec light and I hope to afford one someday."
Runner up would be the McGizmo Haiku 123 Pak - everyone in the EDC community (even if not outside) knows what these are and it's a grail for many, with a very long history.
I'm sorry, but you can definitely forget about # 2.
I'd say the cut-off was 5 years ago at the absolute most.
And only if we're talking about the Rolex Explorer model.
Definitely not other models. Especially not the Explorer II or the Submariner.
GadgetGeek
Newly Enlightened
experimentjon
Newly Enlightened
I suspect the supply / demand issue will right itself eventually. Secondary market prices have already come down and will continue down. Maybe not for the Daytona, but Subs are already more available at retail again with minor waits...which ironically makes them less desirable to some! I won't ever trivialize saving $10k (a lot of money!) but in the watch world, that's about the equivalent of a Surefire purchase. $250 for a light is a lot when a nice $25 light also lights up a room!
Spot-on Monocrom.
It works, but supposedly the old oil in it has thickened or something and further use might endanger it?
experimentjon has an interesting perspective.
It seems brand recognition must be a part of this comparison.
Almost no one knows more than one or two flashlight manufacturers.
Except for us fanatics. 😁
Almost no one knows more than one or two flashlight manufacturers.
Except for us fanatics. 😁
