Next to be discontinued ???

[Danny83]

Ym2 yellow gold

[samson66]

Air King

They just don't sell

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

I for one see the SD43 being discontinued and not replaced. Four Sea-Dwellers currently on offering (126600, 126603, 126660 and 126660 JC), it seems too many.

Looking back at the recent history of the Sea-Dweller, the 16600 was killed in 2008 with nothing to replace it until 2014. Then came the short-lived 116600, discontinued in 2017 and instantly replaced with the 126600. It looks to me like the Sea-Dweller has been kind of fickle lately.

The SD43 will be 4 years old already in March 2021 and it's probably not the first choice when it comes to Rolex divers, despite its inherent qualities. With the new Sub 126610 benefiting from a slightly larger case than its predecessor and most importantly redesigned lugs, the SD43 makes less sense and we have the Deepsea to cover the large diver segment, let's not forget. I see even more overlap than before between Sub and SD43, combined with the fact the Sea-Dweller was never meant to be a high volume seller in the first place. I could be wrong but I think its days are numbered, despite the fact the SD43 remains my absolute favourite black diver to this day (even if I'm a bit bored of black divers lately).

On the secondary market, now that the explosion from the first days following the 2020 launch has softened, the Sub41 and SD43 are both trading around $16k, give or take a few hundred. That tells me people are prepared to pay SD43 money for a Sub41. My crystal ball says bye bye SD43.

Interesting points, many I agree with. I have my SD43 MKI so discontinuing would only make mine more desirable.

The idea of trimming the diver line makes some sense, but I wonder if the DSSD wouldn’t be the one to go instead. It is a technical marvel, but just so large that few people can pull it off. The JC version dial is terrific, but that doesn’t change the massive proportions, particularly the thickness, of it. I think the buyer pool for the SD43 is far larger than for the DSSD, and if you’re going to make one and cut one, then make the one that has a better chance to sell more.

[Eagles4133]

Explorer 1 will most likely get the movement upgrade of the others, but for that they would have to work in what makes the current one a little different, such as the paraflex shock absorbers which makes it different that the 3131 which the Airking and Milgauss use. You could say that they maybe would change the size of the explorer but they are not a car company where everything needs to be the same. They are Rolex and can pretty much do what they want. It is nothing for them to have a one-off 39MM case size watch. For some companies it would make sense for all those items to align, but Rolex basically prints money and they are a non-profit.

[T01]

Originally Posted by time_and_cars

Milgauss for sure

I'd say this is a solid guess.

[prnceofpersia23]

Who knows with Rolex. You got watches like the Air-King, Milgauss, etc that people keep predicting will be goners, while watches like the OP39 and SD4K got short production runs.



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[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Juan Luis

No brainer. The Explorer I. Needs new movement so at least will get new number. I hope it stays same size.

Needs?? I don't think it needs a new movement at all, just a bit of a strong word you know. Considering the problems 32xx series movements have shown, the Explorer would do better if left alone, after all while out "exploring" what you need most in a watch is that it runs reliably.

I'm sure it will get updated soon though as it makes production/manufacture across the brand easier. Given the choice however, I'd stick with a 3130 Explorer for now, until a few more years when they figure out the 32xx issues.

[Cheapside Genie]

I could see the Root Beer GMTs with Rose gold jubilee bracelet options, as they used to be (although yellow gold).

[garyk]

Originally Posted by gary3535

Your thoughts / best guess on what models may be discontinued next ?

43mm bi metal seadweller its just odd and fits in nowhere
miguass GV black dial been around for ever

your thoughts ?

I don't think so. TT watches are increasingly more popular...

[varcuuvi]

Milgauss or Yacht-Master II

[WalterE]

Airking is certainly... Duh? Not a Big Pilot type of watch and historically the GMT has that segment covered.

I have difficulties seeing Rolex, the king of the tool watches, totally vacating the engineer niche. It has historical roots. However, the current Milgauss makes NO SENSE and it is far from compelling / competitive against Omega's movements. All IMHO and with respect to said watch and owners.

[GradyPhilpott]

A 41mm Explorer would be a travesty, which doesn't mean that Rolex won't do it.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by WalterE

Airking is certainly... Duh? Not a Big Pilot type of watch and historically the GMT has that segment covered.

I have difficulties seeing Rolex, the king of the tool watches, totally vacating the engineer niche. It has historical roots. However, the current Milgauss makes NO SENSE and it is far from compelling / competitive against Omega's movements. All IMHO and with respect to said watch and owners.

The Air King needs more subdued colors, more lume, and maybe a reduction in size to 38mm.

Forty millimeters is not a bad size, so the colors and lume would be enough to give the watch more appeal.

[WalterE]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

The Air King needs more subdued colors, more lume, and maybe a reduction in size to 38mm.

Forty millimeters is not a bad size, so the colors and lume would be enough to give the watch more appeal.

Interesting suggestions... I still don't see it though.

In theory (you can tell I have gobbled up all Rolex marketing ) Rolex watches are designed as tools. Reducing the size to 38mm does not seem to go well with the tradition of large pilot watches so that they can be highly legible and worn over the pilot leather jackets...

That's why I say I don't see it fit anywhere. Airline pilots are covered with their GMTs. Other pilots? Well, unless it transforms into an IWC Big Pilot type of watch (which would never happen), not sure how that works. Specially if you already have a larger 41 mm go-anywhere dare-all highly legible explorer.

My 2 cents...

[pam66]

platona

[WEST HAM ROLEX]

Have had my JC FOR 5 years now...
But now wearing my SD43 more...

I don’t think they will discontinue the JC as they have just changed the braclet and sizing etc...
Plus it seems to be selling very well

[drfrankenstein]

Could see the BLNR discontinued in favor of Coke (RONR??) at around the 10 year mark?

[blada4life]

Both explorers. Milgauss and air king. I have a feeling this iteration of the air king will be gone for good. I can see a datejust version of it at some point. Milgauss may still be around for another year but exp for sure getting replaced in April. Two more years and we should be seeing a new Daytona too.


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