What was the first thing Rolex did which signalled things were changing…

[Chewbacca]

… and not necessarily in a good way to you?


For me it was the withholding of an old bezel I wanted back from an older EXP2 which RSC insisted on keeping. After I restored a Submariner a year earlier and they gave the old bezel back to me with the watch.

It bothered me considering it was vintage to the watch and the claim of this cutting down on ‘reproductions’ (by my AD) was BS imop as there were millions of repros already in circulation.

[EEpro]

First they came for the Daytonas.

Then it was anything as long as it was made of steel.

Next it was the gold watches.

By the time they came for the two tones it was too late. Only DavidSW could help us.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

It bothered me considering it was vintage to the watch and the claim of this cutting down on ‘reproductions’ (by my AD) was BS imop as there were millions of repros already in circulation.

Your AD took it.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Your AD took it.

What?

Joey ‘Sticky Fingers’ Mangananzo & Sons Jewellers of Newark Ltd. would never do that!!!

[brandrea]

I’d say it was when they stopped discounting at the AD level. Here that was around 2017.

[enjoythemusic]

They posted a press release about a new model. Things changed. Then a year later was another press release. They just can't stop changing... and I'm cool with that.

But some like things just the way they are.

I love you Chewbacca just the way you are.

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

What?

Joey ‘Sticky Fingers’ Mangananzo & Sons Jewellers of Newark Ltd. would never do that!!!

Never.. They have an impeccable reputation.

[Polar Bear]

If you believe that Rolex were the ones who bought Paul Newmans Daytona, I'd put my money on that was when the tide was turning

I feel like that sale really kicked off the "Watches are Investments" wave we've been riding since

[RolexSimon]

It's been a gradual evolution - no rapid change in position.

[binArt]

For me it was the introduction of the cerachrom bezel.... the death of the tool watch.

[amh]

Originally Posted by binArt

For me it was the introduction of the cerachrom bezel.... the death of the tool watch.

You can still get an Exp2 if you want the "tool watch" look

The entire OP line is arguably a tool watch:
- Still 100% Rolex with no compromise
- Zero bling

That's why it's crazy hyped.

[Stephanos]

My experience with RSC in London has been excellent. What bothers me is the fact that you can't get a hold of their watches (for an AD). Oh well, what can you do.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

[beshannon]

Shrinking AD presence, having AD's either remodel or go boutique

[binArt]

Originally Posted by amh

You can still get an Exp2 if you want the "tool watch" look

The entire OP line is arguably a tool watch:
- Still 100% Rolex with no compromise
- Zero bling

That's why it's crazy hyped.

I think the cerachrom bezel was Rolex' signal that they were transitioning to high end fashion jewelry. "Tool watch" customers were no longer a priority, even on watches that were originally marketed as tool watches for the adventurer or professional. Instead, jewelry customers would be the focus across the range. The fashion color dials and bezels grew out of that focus.

[RyanJ]

Way back at the very beginning of the "shortage" as it used to be called when Rolex sent ADs new display cases/inserts to show a smaller number of inventory. That told me right there exactly what was going to continue to happen.

One of the best ways to make a popular brand explode...Make it seem even more exclusive and hard to get...

[RyanJ]

Way back at the very beginning of the "shortage" as it used to be called when Rolex sent ADs new display cases/inserts to show a smaller number of inventory. That told me right there exactly what was going to continue to happen.

One of the best ways to make a popular brand explode...Make it seem even more exclusive and hard to get...

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

… and not necessarily in a good way to you?


For me it was the withholding of an old bezel I wanted back from an older EXP2 which RSC insisted on keeping. After I restored a Submariner a year earlier and they gave the old bezel back to me with the watch.

It bothered me considering it was vintage to the watch and the claim of this cutting down on ‘reproductions’ (by my AD) was BS imop as there were millions of repros already in circulation.

Yes, that´s bad! For me it was when they did away with drilled lug holes, started using ceramic bezels and introduced the awful (as far as I´m concerned) maxi case with large index plots (2005?). I´m just glad I have an old 14060...!

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Meyrin

Yes, that´s bad! For me it was when they did away with drilled lug holes, started using ceramic bezels and introduced the awful (as far as I´m concerned) maxi case with large index plots (2005?). I´m just glad I have an old 14060...!

Yeah, the ceramic GMT is essentially where it all starting going downhill, to me.

Having had several of both, I'm cool with no lug holes on my 114270, because I have no intention of using a strap, and, if I do, I won't be changing frequently, so they're of no function to me. They look cool, though.

Despite all of that, I realize it's relative. Some would say it started with the switch from acrylic to sapphire, or from printed to applied dials.

[GRabens]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Shrinking AD presence, having AD's either remodel or go boutique

nt

[boricuajr]

double post*

[boricuajr]

Exhibition Only

[101031-28]

The introduction of the Ceramic GMT, IMO

[dannyp]

1. PCL on the GMT
2. Lack of color scheme consistency across Professional line
3. Watches sizes on trend not function
4. Anything other than a stainless Daytona selling over MSRP on used market

[dannyp]

1. PCL on the GMT
2. Lack of color scheme consistency across Professional line
3. Watches sizes on trend not function
4. Anything other than a stainless Daytona selling over MSRP on used market

[amh]

My first sign of things going south was keeping the stickers!

Before my watch from DavidSW (at 15% discount) came with full coffin, stickers and bezel protector. Now it's still sold as "BNIB" but obviously not new. WTH!

[DonRickles]

Palm dial.

Damn hippies!

[amh]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

Palm dial.

Damn hippies!

Rolex has a LOT of weird dials over the years. It will go away and be forgotten. (Or... it will become some collectors item. Doubt it)

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Shrinking AD presence, having AD's either remodel or go boutique

Yes. That was the handwriting on the wall.

[samuel019]

Originally Posted by dannyp

1. PCL on the GMT
2. Lack of color scheme consistency across Professional line
3. Watches sizes on trend not function
4. Anything other than a stainless Daytona selling over MSRP on used market

Originally Posted by amh

My first sign of things going south was keeping the stickers!

Before my watch from DavidSW (at 15% discount) came with full coffin, stickers and bezel protector. Now it's still sold as "BNIB" but obviously not new. WTH!

Yep and yep for me as well.

The sticker thing is sooooooo silly. I mean come on now. Yes it’s just stickers but that’s not the point. It’s the underlying message