Falling out of love with Rolex

[rexG]

Love it when I hear “make more Rolex watches and lower the price!”. Sure......if I could walk into any AD and pick up what I want anytime I wanted......I’d get bored very fast....plus, who wants mass produced cheap watches?

That forum is over there>>>

[Rashid.bk]

This is the way Rolex has always been. Slow updates to existing references. It's what makes them unique. Do you want a watered down set of references. It's difficult to get the few we have now.
If the idea is to buy some new watch every year from a buffet of watches, then you are better off with Omega or Blancpain or Breitling, or go upscale with AP.
But if you want a solid lifetime watch then get a Rolex. It's only now in the social media world that we have this frenzy and desire for "more".

With the exception of the supply shortage whatever the reason is, I'm more in love with Rolex than ever before. My favorite watch company by far.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

This happens every year after Baselworld...

^^^ This is a fact. I remember the same temper tantrums and “I give up” threads. It happens every year and it may be because Rolex is not a cell phone company delivering cool new products to impress the self entitled generation that demands it every year. I came to the realization a decade ago that unlike most products, Rolex doesn’t care what I think or even if I buy their new watch. Rolex is more than a product and is a force unrivaled in the industry. They know what their doing well beyond any of their customers unsolicited advice. You either sit back and enjoy their vision or buy something else and piss off. As tough of a pill it is to swallow, Rolex doesn’t need your money. There are thousands more waiting for you to get out of line to buy a new Rolex.

Rolex and maybe my Porsche 911 (as a far second) are the only two products I own that are the top of their game enough they don’t really need my business. Ferrari has the same arrogant view of their customers.

[Scapegoat]

Originally Posted by Mystro

^^^ This is a fact. I remember the same temper tantrums and “I give up” threads. It happens every year and it may be because Rolex is not a cell phone company delivering cool new products to impress the self entitled generation that demands it every year.

Agreed. Rolex should slow down its new watches tbh.

[DavidUK]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

I like the Tudor Pepsi GMT at 66% off the Rolex Pepsi GMT.

I like the old Rolex GMT Pepsi, and if I ever want one there's one at 66% of the new ceramic which has been in my jewellers window for 8 months now.

The new one is getting the hype as it's new, but it's still oversize, font too large, costly bezel, no interchangeability.

I've had two Rolexes, with one in the safe, but now I'm down to just my DJ41 I feel complete.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

This happens every year after Baselworld...

[Mystro]

We forum veterans probably should have started a new thread as a “support group” to help those understand what they are feeling after each Basel and how to put those feelings in contex with the grand scheme of Rolex ownership.

“As far as Rolex is concerned, Rolex dominates its number 1 placement in the industry and every other company is a first place loser that will gladly sell you one of those watches if you don’t want to wait in line for ours.”.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Mystro

We forum veterans probably should have started a new thread as a “support group” to help those understand what they are feeling after each Basel and how to put those feelings in contex with the grand scheme of Rolex ownership.

.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by FTX I

.

OMG, note the Casio on the wrist.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Mystro

OMG, note the Casio on the wrist.

[Calatrava r]

This is another year where nothing seems new or of interest to me. Maybe I expect too much.

[rudestew]

Last year all my wants where met , with the fully remodelled SD43 and still in the honeymoon faze I’m very much in love . It still remains to be the only fully reworked watch in two/three years so next year should be amazing and keeps me interested .

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by AK797

Still love the brand but the headache of getting these SS watches is not helping altho it makes the forum a lot more lively. I won't have more than one SS Rolex now and the LVc is happily taking that space so I'm cool.

I’m with you Neil, 1 SS at the moment, looking at more PM Rolex if anything.

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

It's good to be content. If you've got two great watches you love, why go in any direction at all?

Absolutely

Originally Posted by Mystro

I went through a Rolex cooling off 10 years ago. It gave me some time to focus on other brands to add with my Rolex watches. Not being brand centric keeps it fresh and is more interesting.

Agree...I am at that stage now, not so much cooling off, but buying another brand recently has kept things interesting. A real eye opener, and I’m really enjoying the level that PP has brought.

[kultschar]

I ditched all my Rolex for a few PP.

Im still after a 116500, after I acquire that Rolex can go to hell LOL

[maxiboy60]

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

I think what you dislike about Rolex is precisely what I love. I also would argue that there is no design direction, and what I mean by that, is the Rolex design direction has always been the same since it was founded: small, incremental changes to make the original better. If for example you look at the new SS Pepsi, it is the same as the one made 50 years ago, but with a stronger case, better steel, better jubilee bracelet, better movement, scratch résistent ceramic bezel, etc... but the overall design is the same. With Rolex, it is always about “how can we make the last iteration:better”.

Completely agree with this, it's exactly what drew me to the 16610 in the first place.

Perhaps it's the recent changes that are putting me off as I find they are taking the designs away from 50 year old designs that we all know so well (Submariner - maxi case, Seadweller - cyclops, GMT - purple/blue insert).

I think I may just have to save away for a 1675...

[lucevan le stelle]

Think the problem is really excessive pre-Basel world enthusiast expectations and the over-heated hype about assumed and collector-pleasing new models. Look at the build up about a Coke SS GMT being released and the intense scrutiny of the Rolex jubilee teaser, it was like the CIA was studying photos to attempt to locate North Korean missile silos.

Let down and disappointment is pretty natural considering Rolex is a conservative company that marches to its own beat. 2018 was OK, some nice things. Spectacular? If that means contacting my AD to be put on waiting lists for multiple models, the answer is resoundingly no.

[thomaswentworth]

Originally Posted by maxiboy60

I bought my 16610 sub in '08 and added a 114270 Explorer in '16. I can hand on heart say that no watches in the current Rolex stable interest me and have been rather disappointed with the Baselword '18 offering. Maybe that is a good thing given that I would have to wait years to acquire one of the new models if I did have interest.

Given the design direction, the supply issues and the price increases (vintage and new) of 2018 Rolex I am seriously wondering if I will add another to my collection again (tough life I know!).

From what I've read since yesterday I suspect many may feel the same. If that is the case what direction will your collection go in - Tudor, Omega, AP?

The issues about the supply issues and price increases that you expressed (to me) mean that Rolex has you right where they want you... Their metaphorical hand is slowly reaching into your pocket to grab your wallet. You will be making another purchase before you know it.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Yacht-Master hitting the road, Neil? I like the blue dial. Beautiful watch.

I loved it but sold that one last year. Maybe I mean ceramic because I still think about a DJ41 rhodium.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by codecow

Omega isn’t an option really. They’re figuring out how to sell Speedmasters at Daytona prices and some of the 3500 (lol) limited pieces are semi hard to get.

I would never jump on that bandwagon...

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by AK797

I loved it but sold that one last year. Maybe I mean ceramic because I still think about a DJ41 rhodium.

That's a beautiful reference too. Waiting the incoming thread my friend.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Richris1

Agree...I am at that stage now, not so much cooling off, but buying another brand recently has kept things interesting. A real eye opener, and I’m really enjoying the level that PP has brought.

I think for us who are looking at PM and PP and AP, it's easier to let go of the SS circus, but for those in it, and that includes a lot of Omega, Breitling, IWC guys who are attracted over to all the hype and rising prices, it must be disheartening, and demoralising if they are newbies into Rolex.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by FTX I

That's a beautiful reference too. Waiting the incoming thread my friend.

How about you? Anything tempting you from your subs?

[superdog]

Originally Posted by FTX I

That's a beautiful reference too. Waiting the incoming thread my friend.

Me too.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by AK797

How about you? Anything tempting you from your subs?

Thanks for asking buddy. After the 5 digit Sub I'm living a different moment for many reasons. My last watch was a vintage Omega so I think this is the way I'm moving for now and I hope it lasts, but things can change quickly in our hobby.

[Buckeye4life]

I'm a relative newcomer to the world of Rolex, and this was the first Baselworld since I knew what that was. But in keeping with the "falling out of love" theme, I'm in the "hopeless romantic" category. The games, the hype, and the mystique are what keep me interested. Yesterday I passed up a TT GMT because ultimately who cares? If I change my mind, I'll go back and get it. It is a fantastic, substantial, beautiful watch. But there's no cat and mouse. To maintain this psychological advantage and exclusiveness, Rolex would have to either raise prices even further beyond ridiculousness or continue to limit supplies.

[101031-28]

Been at this 30 years.. 1988 fell in love with Rolex, living in Europe though, obtaining ss professionals was always very hard. I would periodically get discouraged, stray (multiple Tudor, several Omega, Breitling, Breguet, Vacheron, Cartier, A Silberstein, G Genta, one PP nautilus and one AP Royal Oak just to name a few) only to go back to that first love.. They are hard to get (that's why I go grey and pay a premium) but at this point, Rolex is the only brand that gets my attention (and keeps it!).. Been there, done that, not going back!

[Droolex]

It really is the supply issues that concern me.

[VicLeChic]

There's only one watch I'm interested in at the moment, the steel Pepsi. I'm happy to wait for as long as it takes, I've been told two years, fine, so be it, no rush. Plenty of time to think about it and I might even change my mind by then as there are two BaselWorld editions to go through till then. I thought about a DJ41 at some point but not anymore. An OP39 in olive green would have been nice but no, Rolex had the brilliant idea to come up with a black dial and a white dial, how innovative..

The watch I really lust after doesn't exist. It's the Daytona 116519LN (grey panda dial) albeit in steel and in a 42mm case, ideally two subdials only but three is alright. I won't settle for any other Daytona. If it doesn't happen, fine.

I've kind of reached a plateau and nothing else really excites me across other brands either (Omega, Breitling, JLC, , VC, PP, you name it). I have enough watches to enjoy for the rest of my life, too many in fact.

Maybe I'll feel differently tomorrow but for now I'll enjoy what I have.

[vinny84]

To the OP, I think the opposite. This is an awesome time to be a Rolex fan. The supply issue does suck but I think that’s just part of the allure. Not everyone is going to have these watches and that’s what makes them so special.

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by AK797

I think for us who are looking at PM and PP and AP, it's easier to let go of the SS circus, but for those in it, and that includes a lot of Omega, Breitling, IWC guys who are attracted over to all the hype and rising prices, it must be disheartening, and demoralising if they are newbies into Rolex.

Agreed