The tension now in mechanical watches between craftsmanship/longevity/utility and status/collect-ability is weird, and distorts the market a little.

Rolex used to be a utility watch, not a luxury watch. That's clearly changed a LOT, even to the point that I occasionally hear people say silly things about babying them (e.g., not going in the water in one, which is crazy).

Omega was less inflated when I bought my Brosnan-era "Bond" Seamaster (2531.80) back in the late 90s (and fairly so; 90s-era Seamasters have ETA movements, but Rolex is in-house, and this matters to Watch People). It was less than two grand at the time, for a crazy-robust watch I can do anything in and wear anywhere. Now the Bond thing has inflated the value of Seamasters INSANELY so they, too, are out of reach for most people.

I completely agree, and as something I want to pass on to my kids and grandkids, I wanted something made with the utmost attention to detail and quality. Honestly, the story about this watch will probably come from being around for 50-100 years after I'm gone, it's got a mechanical gong alarm that sounds like the "class is over" bell from the 80s. The second I heard that I was sold. So I spent my first signing bonus on it... not super inspiring, this isn't the watch from pulp fiction