scripod.com
Rolex: Timeless Excellence - (Invest Like the Best, CLASSICS)

Overview

Shownote

Highlights

Transcript

Chapters

Pins

Rolex: Timeless Excellence - (Invest Like the Best, CLASSICS)

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

2025/09/26
Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

2025/09/26
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years, published once a month. These are N of 1 conversations with N of 1 people. This Business Breakdowns on Rolex is a long-time stand out. The founder and executive chairman of Hodinkee, Ben Clymer, was the perfect person to take us through the ins and outs of this legendary brand. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page ⁠here⁠. ----- This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WorkOS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. WorkOS is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. With a single API, developers can implement essential enterprise capabilities that typically require months of engineering work. By handling the complex infrastructure of enterprise features, WorkOS allows developers to focus on their core product while meeting the security and compliance requirements of Fortune 500 companies. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WorkOS. ----- Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit⁠ joincolossus.com/episodes⁠. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠). Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns (00:03:01) His favorite Rolex watch ever (00:04:24) What makes the Rolex Daytona such a special watch  (00:07:19) The job-to-be-done for high-end watches beyond just telling them the time (00:12:18) The strategy behind marketing luxury products: ⁠The Luxury Strategy⁠ (00:14:34) An overview of the Rolex business (00:19:38) The history of Rolex  (00:38:45) Their genius in marketing and distribution  (00:41:55) How they make decisions and what others can learn from them (00:47:14) The financials of Rolex and other luxury watch brands (00:49:02) Most important business lessons others can learn from Rolex (00:52:54) Other luxury brands worth studying  (00:57:26) Negative lessons gleaned from Rolex

Highlights

This episode dives into the enduring legacy of Rolex, exploring how the brand has mastered the intersection of craftsmanship, marketing, and long-term strategy. Hosted by Ben Clymer, founder of Hodinkee, the conversation unpacks what makes Rolex a dominant force in luxury watchmaking, going beyond aesthetics to examine its business philosophy and cultural impact.
01:30
The Daytona is my favorite Rolex as an object.
03:02
The Daytona lets the wearer imagine being Paul Newman driving a vintage sports car
04:29
Chronographs were originally engineering or motorsport-focused, not for general consumers.
11:39
A watch forms a symbiotic relationship with the wearer through daily use.
12:24
Rolex increased marketing during the 2008 financial crisis while competitors pulled back
16:49
Rolex uses advanced manufacturing techniques years before rivals announce them
33:06
Rolex makes its own steel and gold, employs Nobel-prize winning scientists, and builds custom machines for testing and stone sorting.
38:47
Roger Federer embodies the Rolex archetype—excellence paired with integrity and long-term loyalty.
44:08
The Apple Watch's launch decimated the $500–$5,000 luxury watch segment, benefiting top-tier brands like Rolex and Omega.
47:15
Rolex is more vertically integrated than most watch brands, though it bought hands and crystals until at least 2015.
49:04
Rolex doesn't answer to shareholders, enabling long-term planning
52:55
Rolex's difficult purchase process drives customers to Omega, Tag Heuer, and Panerai.
57:27
Getting a Rolex often depends on connections, not just money

Chapters

Welcome to Business Breakdowns
00:00
His favorite Rolex watch ever
03:01
What makes the Rolex Daytona such a special watch
04:24
The job-to-be-done for high-end watches beyond just telling them the time
07:19
The strategy behind marketing luxury products: The Luxury Strategy
12:18
An overview of the Rolex business
14:34
The history of Rolex
19:38
Their genius in marketing and distribution
38:45
How they make decisions and what others can learn from them
41:55
The financials of Rolex and other luxury watch brands
47:14
Most important business lessons others can learn from Rolex
49:02
Other luxury brands worth studying
52:54
Negative lessons gleaned from Rolex
57:26

Transcript

Speaker 2: Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years, published once a month. These are N of 1 conversations with N of 1 people. This Business. Breakdowns on Rolex, is a longtime standout. The founder of Hodi...