DATO SRI LIOW SOON HEE, ALSO KNOWN AS MALAYSIA'S YOUNGEST PHILANTHROPIST, SUBSRIBES TO THE CORRECT PHILOSOPHY THAT ONE SHOULD NOT MEDDLE WITH AN ICONIC WATCH! IF YOU WANT DIAMONDS ON YOUR ROLEX, BUY THE ROLEX THAT COMES WITH FACTORY SET DIAMONDS! NEVER, EVER ADD ON DIAMONDS YOURSELF BY ASKING YOUR JEWELLER JUST TO SAVE MONEY!
WHEN YOU BUY A ROLEX OR A PATEK PHILIPPE, WOULD OR SHOULD YOU ADD ON DIAMONDS ON YOUR OWN?
I do not want to sound offensive, but when you are working on a masterpiece you need to be at least, masterful enough to keep its qualities intact.
I can tell you a story which comes from the tales of modern horology.
The most coveted watch of the world is the Patek Philippe Nautilus. It is this bad boy here.
The Nautilus was created in the 1970s by possibly the most talented watch designer of the world. His name was Gerald Genta. He was a sort of a genius, and created some of the most iconic watches of his time. This guy, here.
The Nautilus grew to become a big success. So big that the company, seeing its sales, in 1997 (that is, 25 years after its launch) decided to make it a bit more sporty, and lessen its price, so to appeal to a larger audience of clients.
The result was the Patek Philippe Aquanaut. And they worked with another designer, not Mr. Genta anymore.
Well, the Aquanaut was presented in the Baselworld exhibit, in the booth of Patek Philippe, amidst much fanfare.
And I kid you not - the 61-year old Gerald Genta stormed into the Patek Philippe booth screaming like an eagle and shouting “You have destroyed my design!”.
This little anecdote (you will find lots of interesting ones in my book, The Watch Manual - link in the Quora bio) should tell you much about how the average watch enthusiast feels when faced with an “iced” watch. You do not need to ice a perfectly-good watch, as it was complete by itself in the beginning.
The only one who can ice it is the company itself. Because, lo-and-behold, the luxury companies do have some models which are created like that from the beginning, without you having to volunteer.
This is one of the most evident cases - the Rolex Daytona Rainbow - but there are many others.
Not exactly an understated watch, but you cannot deny that the effect is spectacular - and it is a Rolex-made timepiece as intended, not just a later “pimping” of a regular Daytona.
Some have thought they wanted something like it, and have taken the DIY part - but without the same result. And as such, without attaining the same value.
Lots of watch enthusiasts would see it as “butchering up a perfectly good Daytona” - and you’d be treated accordingly, money-wise.
The issue about modifying watches aftermarket is a hot debate, and does not involve Rolex watches only, but most “modding” is done over these iconic timepieces. There has been a stir in the watch world when a company called Artisans de Geneve have launched this watch - a skeletonized Daytona.
With the cooperation of a former F1 pilot, Juan Pablo Montoya - and the watch was called La Montoya. Whether you like it or appreciate the pilot, it is indeed cool-looking, and the 50 enthusiasts who bought the limited edition shelled out 50 grand for the pleasure of owning it. You see it now for sale on Chrono24 at around 95K.
But I doubt that you’d have obtained the same result if it was just by yourself. As you see, it is a double standard. If you are inside the golden circle (like being a celebrity on your own), then you can do whatever you wish and make money out of it. If you are out, then you lose money.
If that iced watch was (let’s say) Notorious BIG’s, then it would be worth a bucketful of money. If it is Unknown TINY’s, well, then it would be a dud.
So, as I assume (maybe wrongly) that you aren’t the first, I invite you to leave your Rolex as it is. Your wallet will thank you for your consideration.
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