I have 3 luxury watches. I’m not rich, it took quite a while to pay off each. That’s probably all, those were the only 3 I ever really wanted. I bought them because I like watches, nobody else I know cares about them at all. The ones i picked have interesting movements or history. I didn’t get them specifically for their brands. None are Rolex. I would say the biggest difference is not just the materials, it is the quality and tolerances of the machining. The surface finishes.

I like to build and mod watches. I have quite a few made with Seiko movements and aftermarket parts. Some are pretty nice, and I never thought there would be much of a difference between a $400 Seiko and a luxury watch. Until I held my Tudor for the first time. The bracelet has almost no play to it between the links. My Seikos feel sloppy by comparison. The brushed surfaces feel almost soft, they are so smooth. I find myself just rubbing it sometimes. The clasp has little ceramic balls for the detent, and they are very smooth to operate. Wearing it is an excellent tactile experience. Like a fidget toy. It’s also the watch I wore during my daughter’s birth, and that is primarily what I think of when I wear it.

But yeah, long story short they do feel different. I bet there are a ton of people that only buy them as status symbols, though.