.. depending a bit on how narrow/ wide
you want to define the term "Purist"..
Again, not my primary brand , as a Purist also,
but I like Rolex ( Vintage a bit more) & I buy them.
Plus I do like them .. A lot !!
- This since 1977, when a simple Rolex Date, trustworthy still,,
has entered my life, my first real "very good watch". A watch
that deserves the title " Lifewatch"; she has been with me all over the
world; in freezing cold & humid heat, from leisure fun to
fancy opera, from boats to skiing, from travel abroad to
enjoying the sunset at sea or a lake ..
- In all those years, has never let me down !
Never failed, always there.. Unobtrusive but strong
also as a sign of solidity.
Rolex is less my " love brand", but to me
an epitome of stability & robustness;
this with an undoubtable iconic charm.
I'm probably no Rolex "collector", but own a number of them :
some Vintages for their subtle difference in dial, patina, beauty and
"aura", and also for their history & DNA of watchmaking..
But also several moderns, because of appeal, originality ( eg
the 116400 GV, Milgauss "green") doing more than good duty for me.
- And if I travel, I take at least 1 GMT with me..
So to finish my dwellings here, also as Jocke said here:
" I am a PuristS.. And I have bought them.
And I will do so.. despite my main Brand is JLC,
but again, there the equation is different,
a lot more sophistication, Tradition, elegance, and
calm beauty, often below-the-radar
but so often with a captivating spell & beauty to me..
So, you see - also for this topic,
the "Truth" will stay in the eye of the beholfen !
And " Chacun a son gout", as the French wisely say ..
Thx for your stimulating post,
and the food for thoughts therein !
Thus, just some of my humble 2 cents above here,
Enjoyed to read you..
Best, hs