I honestly think you'll get just as far with any other well known brand.
We Europeans often prefer German optics because it's supposedly the best there is. Not that I've done any tests that would verify that. And I really doubt the people who oh so bold claim their this-and-that Zeiss is x number of times clearer and brighter than - well, basically every other scope known to man.
What is for sure, though, is that high quality optics cost. The fact that I'm in the process of forking out nearly 20000NOK (just over 3000USD by todays exchange rate) for a PM II doesn't exactly put me in a position to say anything about the people who buy expensive optics

In my defence, Norwegian prices are madly out of control. I think you Americans have to pay some 2-2200USD for the same scope - and the Germans have to pay around 1450EUR when shopping at the right place.
The cool-ness factor combined with the fact that S&B is extremely high quality - again combined with my..er..stupidity - will make, well, my wallet empty and some one else's a bit fuller. :Roll:
Edit: of course, the stupidity is even more extreme considering the fact that I already have a decent scope :roll:
edit again: I've gotten an "offer" on my old scope. So I have to ask...what is
your unbiassed opinion, how many percent of todays market price can I take for it? It's hardly used at all as it was locked up in my gun cabinet waiting for the rifle. So basically, the only external marks on it would be from the rings...