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mountainjogger · 23 May 2022, 10:19 PM

What would Hans Wilsdorf think? About:

Rolex’s position in today’s market?
The current Rolex lineup?
The current AD situation and secondary market?
The rejuvenation of Tudor?
Rolex ambassadors?
Rolex philanthropy?
This forum?

From my reading, Hans was a marketing genius. So, foremost, I think
he would be happy the brand is still thriving.

And because the Oyster Perpetual is still the bedrock, and owing to the Rolex philosophy of incremental change, I think Hans would no doubt recognize the lineage in current production.

Beyond that? Thoughts?

Mr. K · 23 May 2022, 10:28 PM

First he would need to watch all the Avengers movies and learn all the Muppet names.

HHIslander · 23 May 2022, 10:30 PM

Smurf? WTF is a Smurf?

mountainjogger · 23 May 2022, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. K

First he would need to watch all the Avengers movies and learn all the Muppet names.

mountainjogger · 23 May 2022, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHIslander

Smurf? WTF is a Smurf?

Indeed.

DBCooper07 · 23 May 2022, 10:54 PM

I think the grey market would make him sick.
The AD situation would have never gotten this bad. I think he would have kept it exclusive but found a way to get watches in the people hands who really appreciated them.

Loevhagen · 23 May 2022, 11:15 PM

Hans W. who?

beshannon · 23 May 2022, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. K

First he would need to watch all the Avengers movies and learn all the Muppet names.

Exactly

mountainjogger · 23 May 2022, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

Hans W. who?

CorgiWatcher · 23 May 2022, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. K

First he would need to watch all the Avengers movies and learn all the Muppet names.

mountainjogger · 23 May 2022, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHIslander

Smurf? WTF is a Smurf?

fsprow · 23 May 2022, 11:38 PM

My guess is that he would have expected Rolex to have advanced new concepts and movements far faster than they have.

Tim Plains · 23 May 2022, 11:59 PM

I imagine he would be like Mr. Burns and force people to get into the Spruce Moose.

One of his brands dominates the market, the other does very well, my guess is he wouldn't change a thing.

amh · 24 May 2022, 12:30 AM

I asked, here's what he said (comments inline)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

What would Hans Wilsdorf think? About:

Rolex’s position in today’s market? I'm so glad they're Number One!
The current Rolex lineup? It's fantastic! The use of ceramic bezels is revolutionary, I wholeheartedly approve! That Daytona certainly deserves the hype, everyone should add it to their collection. (But ditch that YMII, it has a face only a mother can love! And have the SkyD lose a few pounds, for heaven's sake.)
The current AD situation and secondary market? You grasshoppers have a lot to learn. It's just the law of supply and demand...
The rejuvenation of Tudor? Yes, I really intended it to be the Poor Man's Rolex.
Rolex ambassadors? They're all so beautiful!
Rolex philanthropy? Mere marketing
This forum? I've been lurking since Day1!

From my reading, Hans was a marketing genius. So, foremost, I think
he would be happy the brand is still thriving.

And because the Oyster Perpetual is still the bedrock, and owing to the Rolex philosophy of incremental change, I think Hans would no doubt recognize the lineage in current production.

Beyond that? Thoughts?

mountainjogger · 24 May 2022, 12:32 AM

douglasf13 · 24 May 2022, 12:45 AM

I think he would have loved how exclusive they’ve become (not a feeling I share,) because he was always primarily about marketing…but I also think he’d be shocked we’re still wearing mechanicals at this point.

Marcjvr · 24 May 2022, 01:29 AM

He would think

“Wow these Apple watches are amazing”

Marcjvr · 24 May 2022, 01:29 AM

.

Giallo · 24 May 2022, 01:47 AM

1-7 delighted.

DonLee · 24 May 2022, 01:53 AM

Lets be Honest, Rolex is by far the most successful watch brand, despite having short and weak horology roots. Their watches are still VERY practical, tough, reliable, and accurate. Tudor is still a very respectable brand. I think he'd be quite proud.

GradyPhilpott · 24 May 2022, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonLee

I think he'd be quite proud.

HogwldFLTR · 24 May 2022, 02:23 AM

I think he'd be very happy that he set up the foundation and how well it's done. I'm certain he'd be surprised at the level of the success the company has had. Every father wants and prays that their children be successful. I'm not so certain he'd be happy with the exclusive nature of the brand or it unavailability to most people.

Krash · 24 May 2022, 02:26 AM

I think he would be pleased.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

eonflux · 24 May 2022, 02:27 AM

He'd be ecstatic about Rolex's status, and try to hype it even more.

eonflux · 24 May 2022, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amh

I asked, here's what he said (comments inline)

Awesome to throw in Eddie!

Been playing Maiden for my 5 yr old
He loves To Tame a Land

Flint · 24 May 2022, 02:32 AM

Hans would be delighted with the success of Rolex but would not be happy with the current availability situation and ridiculous grey market prices

Beep Beep · 24 May 2022, 02:59 AM

Good idea this thread

He could have a regret is that the Daytona was not selected by NASA to accompany the man on the moon.

He would certainly be proud to see the popularity of the brand and the fact that so many celebrities and ambassadors have been wearing it for decades.

He would involve teams on the forum to influence the image of the brand.

I think Tudor is responding to its desire to create a more accessible brand than Rolex.

Regarding the grey market, he was very invested in communication and marketing. His question could have been: is this situation good, including in the long term for Rolex? What is rare is expensive but not sure that this is the origin of this secondary market.

Philanthropy would be a point that he himself considered. At least it is the reputation that is put forward.

Finally, I think that maintaining the tools watches aspect, the development of certain characteristics, and the appearance of new materials are also in line with his vision of the brand.

These are of course only personal opinions and in no case do I have certainties on these various points.

jets · 24 May 2022, 03:45 AM

He'd be happy his goal was realized.

padi56 · 24 May 2022, 03:53 AM

What would Hans Wilsdorf think,bet he is turning in his grave to think his watches have become little more than Mickey Mouse watches with their silly nicknames, and become little more than £$€ objects and nothing more.

amh · 24 May 2022, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

What would Hans Wilsdorf think,bet he is turning in his grave to think his watches have become little more than Mickey Mouse watches with their silly nicknames, and become little more than £$€ objects and nothing more.

There there, padi

Much like you, many of us are fervently wishing for the current craze to be over. I predict in 12 months many of the noobs will have quit the forum, most Flippers will have disappeared and we'll have the usual "watch topics" back on the forum. (eg. "can I take a bath with my Rolex?" and "Is it normal for the crown not to be straight up"?)

23 May 2022, 10:19 PM	#1
mountainjogger 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: H Location: North Carolina Watch: M99230B-0008 Posts: 5,672	What would Hans Wilsdorf think? What would Hans Wilsdorf think? About: Rolex’s position in today’s market? The current Rolex lineup? The current AD situation and secondary market? The rejuvenation of Tudor? Rolex ambassadors? Rolex philanthropy? This forum? From my reading, Hans was a marketing genius. So, foremost, I think he would be happy the brand is still thriving. And because the Oyster Perpetual is still the bedrock, and owing to the Rolex philosophy of incremental change, I think Hans would no doubt recognize the lineage in current production. Beyond that? Thoughts? __________________ The King of Cool.

24 May 2022, 12:32 AM	#15
mountainjogger 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: H Location: North Carolina Watch: M99230B-0008 Posts: 5,672	__________________ The King of Cool.

24 May 2022, 02:23 AM	#22
HogwldFLTR 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Lee Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48 Watch: What's on my wrist Posts: 33,256	I think he'd be very happy that he set up the foundation and how well it's done. I'm certain he'd be surprised at the level of the success the company has had. Every father wants and prays that their children be successful. I'm not so certain he'd be happy with the exclusive nature of the brand or it unavailability to most people. __________________ Troglodyte in residence! https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=808599

24 May 2022, 03:45 AM	#28
jets "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mario Location: CANADA Posts: 2,483	He'd be happy his goal was realized. __________________ ♛ DJII 116234 · Submariner 126610LV · Yacht Master 42 226659 ✿ Pelagos 25600TN Ω X-33 Speedmaster Skywalker · 1861 Speedmaster Modsukoshi · SMP 2254.50 · SMP 2230.50 NAC · Seamaster 300 166.0324 · Genève 162.037 Seiko SLA033 Willard · SKX007

24 May 2022, 03:53 AM	#29
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,236	What would Hans Wilsdorf think,bet he is turning in his grave to think his watches have become little more than Mickey Mouse watches with their silly nicknames, and become little more than £$€ objects and nothing more. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

23 May 2022, 10:28 PM	#2
Mr. K "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Mark Location: Seattle-ish Posts: 6,031	First he would need to watch all the Avengers movies and learn all the Muppet names.

23 May 2022, 10:30 PM	#3
HHIslander "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2020 Real Name: Henry Location: USA Posts: 4,182	Smurf? WTF is a Smurf?

23 May 2022, 10:54 PM	#6
DBCooper07 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: USA Watch: 124060 Posts: 177	I think the grey market would make him sick. The AD situation would have never gotten this bad. I think he would have kept it exclusive but found a way to get watches in the people hands who really appreciated them.

23 May 2022, 11:15 PM	#7
Loevhagen "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: The aperture Posts: 4,906	Hans W. who?

23 May 2022, 11:38 PM	#12
fsprow "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Real Name: Frank Location: Dallas,NY,Colo. Watch: Patek 5168, 5170P Posts: 2,398	My guess is that he would have expected Rolex to have advanced new concepts and movements far faster than they have.

23 May 2022, 11:59 PM	#13
Tim Plains "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Real Name: It's not Tim Location: EST Watch: 126610LN Posts: 1,099	I imagine he would be like Mr. Burns and force people to get into the Spruce Moose. One of his brands dominates the market, the other does very well, my guess is he wouldn't change a thing.

24 May 2022, 12:45 AM	#16
douglasf13 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA Posts: 5,615	I think he would have loved how exclusive they’ve become (not a feeling I share,) because he was always primarily about marketing…but I also think he’d be shocked we’re still wearing mechanicals at this point.

24 May 2022, 01:29 AM	#17
Marcjvr "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Southeast Watch: 214270 Posts: 2,554	He would think “Wow these Apple watches are amazing”

24 May 2022, 01:47 AM	#19
Giallo Banned Join Date: May 2022 Location: here Posts: 31	1-7 delighted.

24 May 2022, 01:53 AM	#20
DonLee "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: HK Posts: 1,056	Lets be Honest, Rolex is by far the most successful watch brand, despite having short and weak horology roots. Their watches are still VERY practical, tough, reliable, and accurate. Tudor is still a very respectable brand. I think he'd be quite proud.

24 May 2022, 02:26 AM	#23
Krash 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Florida Watch: Sub, DJ41, GMT Posts: 7,027	I think he would be pleased. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

24 May 2022, 02:27 AM	#24
eonflux "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SNA Posts: 3,614	He'd be ecstatic about Rolex's status, and try to hype it even more.

24 May 2022, 02:32 AM	#26
Flint "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: UK Posts: 295	Hans would be delighted with the success of Rolex but would not be happy with the current availability situation and ridiculous grey market prices

24 May 2022, 02:59 AM	#27
Beep Beep "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: paris Posts: 54	Good idea this thread He could have a regret is that the Daytona was not selected by NASA to accompany the man on the moon. He would certainly be proud to see the popularity of the brand and the fact that so many celebrities and ambassadors have been wearing it for decades. He would involve teams on the forum to influence the image of the brand. I think Tudor is responding to its desire to create a more accessible brand than Rolex. Regarding the grey market, he was very invested in communication and marketing. His question could have been: is this situation good, including in the long term for Rolex? What is rare is expensive but not sure that this is the origin of this secondary market. Philanthropy would be a point that he himself considered. At least it is the reputation that is put forward. Finally, I think that maintaining the tools watches aspect, the development of certain characteristics, and the appearance of new materials are also in line with his vision of the brand. These are of course only personal opinions and in no case do I have certainties on these various points.

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