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Old 17 January 2018, 09:59 AM   #1
worldfamoussam
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When did Rolex start this "SS & WG" thing?

If you go look at the 36 MM Datejust on the Rolex USA web site, you'll find four configuration options:

https://www.rolex.com/watches/dateju...l#configurator

Steel
Steel & White Gold
Steel & Yellow Gold
Steel & Everose Gold

The Steel is the domed bezel. The Steel & White Gold is the same "steel" Datejust, but it has the same white gold fluted bezel that's always been available - and it was just called STEEL. I find this terribly misleading, because the pattern of the steel & yellow gold and steel & everose gold having the bezel AND actual gold center links on the bracelet would lead one to think that the "steel and white gold" model had white gold center links, when in fact they are simply polished steel.

When did this semantic change occur, and does anybody else find it objectionable, even if it's technically correct?
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Old 17 January 2018, 10:41 AM   #2
77T
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Rolex cited the WG fluted bezel model as Stainless Steel with WG for a long time.

Old catalogs (before they were as web-active) also noted it that way.

Back in the 2012 catalog they stated Steel and White Gold if that helps any. Here’s a clip from that catalog - notice how they designate the bracelets differently for the SS/YG vs. SS/WG...






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Old 17 January 2018, 11:30 AM   #3
JacksonStone
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Originally Posted by worldfamoussam View Post
I find this terribly misleading...
It's not misleading, since Rolex also offers a stainless steel bezel, which makes the external construction all steel. There has to be a way to distinguish between the two. If anything, just saying "steel" for a steel watch with a white gold bezel would be misleading.
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Old 17 January 2018, 11:06 PM   #4
worldfamoussam
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Interesting takes. OK.
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Old 17 January 2018, 11:21 PM   #5
douglasf13
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They mention the WG fluted bezel on steel in this catalog from 1967:
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Old 18 January 2018, 12:57 AM   #6
worldfamoussam
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To be clear, my beef wasn't with calling the bezel "white gold", because it is ... it was referring to the watch as steel & gold.
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Old 18 January 2018, 01:28 AM   #7
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I understand what you're saying, OP. I think the same thing caused a lot of confusion with the recent release of the SS and TT Sky-Dwellers. People thought that since the TT had a gold bezel and center links, the "Rolesor" steel and white gold model must have white gold bezel and center links, too. I.e., it was the same as the TT model, only with white and not yellow gold center links.

It probably does make more sense to have the bezel as an option under the Steel model (on the website), as the watch is a steel model.
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Old 18 January 2018, 06:47 AM   #8
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"Rolesor"
I do think Rolex's practice of using made-up names for metal combinations, such as Rolesor or Rolesium, is misleading - or at least confusing. It's not like they invented a new alloy. When I was new to the brand, I really had to read up on what those terms meant, because I thought maybe they actually were blending in gold or platinum with the steel during the forging process to create unique alloys. Once I figured out what they were saying, all I could do was roll my eyes. I still love the brand, but some of their marketing is B.S.
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