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30 March 2023, 04:56 AM | #31 |
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Rolex is moving upmarket and further away from the so-called tool watches of the past but without sacrificing functionality and specs. And they've been playing it rather safe imho.
Whether one would opt to actually wear a given contemporary reference for its intended use or not, is a matter of personal choice but the capability is there. As more and more people are becoming able and willing to part with the required cash, Rolex will expand its offerings to cater for this base. And adjust its prices accordingly. Everyone is free to choose where they draw the line between what they deem worth acquiring and what not. Rolex may have traditionally been a slow ship to steer only because they've been acutely aware of the trends; not the fads. Tudor is slowly (or not so slowly) becoming what Rolex used to be and that's a fact. We are sure to see more and more from them, even closer to the design archetypes of their bigger sibling. If anyone is entitled to the Rolex design DNA, that has to be Tudor. I consider it another line not necessarily a separate brand
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30 March 2023, 04:58 AM | #32 |
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The direction they are taking is more parts and steps in the process of production handled by machines, to compensate for the time needed to train watchmakers.
Wether or not Rolex becomes a technology company remains to be seen. But I can't help but think the move to standardise sizing and case shape across the Daytona line, moving to bezel housing with ceramic insert with printed numbers vs laser etched and filled numbers, is just another way to cut down on production costs, reduce the reliance on manual intervention and produce more for less using machinery. That if true, will be a sad route forward. But maybe a happy one as more people get what they want! |
30 March 2023, 05:06 AM | #33 | |
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30 March 2023, 05:12 AM | #34 | |
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The “Bubbles” OP gets the entry interest whilst the jigsaw day date gets the big boys involved. Love it or hate Rolex knows what it’s doing and needs to do. It’s not the biggest luxury watch manufacturer in the world by fluke |
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30 March 2023, 05:17 AM | #35 |
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30 March 2023, 05:23 AM | #36 | |
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What do you think about the direction Rolex is taking?
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They were always upmarket. I remember back in the 80s and 90s. None of my friends or I could afford a so called Rolex “tool watch.” Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk to |
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30 March 2023, 05:24 AM | #37 |
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Antipathy towards social media? What does he think TRF is? Sure it's just about the most outrageously outdated format around with the same 30 or 40 angry posters everyday and is unsurprisingly filled with older white dudes but still...
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30 March 2023, 05:28 AM | #38 |
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Agreed; should have used *further* upmarket. As they're positioning themselves in the haute horlogerie realm. Without bringing much to the table, in terms of complications, or finishing, to be honest...Just the name.
And the current (even retail) pricing is equally out of reach for (still) most, in similar stages in life.
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30 March 2023, 05:44 AM | #39 | |
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Let me know when Tudor is making solid gold watches worn by Presidents and World Leaders. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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30 March 2023, 06:01 AM | #40 |
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30 March 2023, 06:06 AM | #41 | |
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30 March 2023, 06:13 AM | #42 |
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Of course. That's not the point. Actually, Obama wore a Cellini. Either way, Tudor is not Rolex. Doesn't have the prestige...
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30 March 2023, 06:30 AM | #43 |
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30 March 2023, 06:33 AM | #44 |
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This was a stellar year for Rolex announcements, IMHO.
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30 March 2023, 06:42 AM | #45 |
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There are any number of bread and butter models still being made. This year's more eye catching updates are a small subsection of what is more broadly available, from sensible to bonkers with price points to match.
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30 March 2023, 06:48 AM | #46 |
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"A man and his Tudor"...... :)
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30 March 2023, 06:50 AM | #47 |
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I think Tudor is a brand meant to be the entry level step for Rolex. I would assume world leaders typically would not buy a Tudor unless they are avid watch collectors already. I think it’s pretty much Rolex or bust if they want a singular luxury watch to wear.
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30 March 2023, 06:51 AM | #48 |
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I don't really know what the issue is, I for one love a fair few of the novelties.
The Yacht Master? Yes please, I'm putting my name down for that one. The colorful bubble OP? How cool is that? Isn't it fantastic that a brand like Rolex will do such a thing? They are serious enough to know not to take themselves too seriously and I love that. The Emoji watch? Even more so. And then there are the very Rolex glacial changes to the Daytona and the GMT. I doubt these would be controversial with any group. I know I'd wear that golden GMT, the two tone one as well actually. And the green Sky Dweller? Oh boy, if I didn't have and so much love my blue one, I'd be all over that one.
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30 March 2023, 06:53 AM | #49 |
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I couldn’t agree more. I’m very fortunate to have a seat in a corner of the room but to suggest there’s ‘something for everyone’ is deluded. There are plenty for the very wealthy regulars and next to none for first time buyers. Rolex has literally closed the door to them.
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30 March 2023, 06:53 AM | #50 | |
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What do you think about the direction Rolex is taking?
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Well, people keep saying that Tudor is what Rolex used to be. But if you go back in history, world leaders, and the richest of the rich were wearing Rolex watches. I’m talking about the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s… Winston Churchill, President Eisenhower, Fidel Castro didn’t wear a Tudor; they wore a Rolex. Sean Connery and Roger Moore famously wore Rolex watches. Steve McQueen wore a Rolex. I just don’t see Tudor in that category. Tudor is what it is. It’s the cheaper, more affordable brand. It always was that way. It is that way today, and that is how it will be 20 years from now. It’s not what Rolex used to be. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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30 March 2023, 07:01 AM | #51 |
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Rolex's direction? Well, let's put it this way. It is making me go back to vintage.
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30 March 2023, 07:02 AM | #52 |
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A lot of those guys are politically savvy enough not to let it show if they do. You have to be Biden's age to be able to pull off a Rolex on the campaign trail.
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30 March 2023, 07:31 AM | #53 |
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I don't think Rolex has changed much this year. For the most part the new releases are the same elegant and practical configurations. One bubble dial out of countless configurations and some people are up in arms. These would be so limited that no regular customers are going to get them anyway.
I would only start to worry if they started to release "limited editions" after some movie or cartoon characters. |
30 March 2023, 07:34 AM | #54 |
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I don't think Rolex are doing anything different to what they've always done - i.e. glacially slow development of their key lines (that STILL manages to irritate some!), and a few more "unusual" releases here and there to appeal to the young and/or "daring".
For all the highly polarised opinions on the new Daytona, the fact is it's incredibly similar to the outgoing model, even to the hardened WIS. The new Exp 40 will look identical to the Exp 39 to anyone but hardcore Explorer fans. The "new" SkyDweller is exactly the same aesthetically as the old SkyDweller. The new GMT is exactly the same as the existing GMT except for the case material and bezel insert. And at the other end we get the supposedly "wacky and fun" bubbles OP and the puzzle Non-Day-Non-Date. IMO these aren't a lot different to the Stella dials of the '70's and '80's. Or the hideous 116598 SACO. Or the King Midas. Or the 6694 Mickey Mouse. Rolex is one of the few watch companies that doesn't feel the need to reinvent itself every few years. And if you think that it is, you want to try being a Breitling fan! It seems like the entire collection is changed from the ground up every few years.
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30 March 2023, 09:26 AM | #55 | |
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The TT additions were just a lazy easy way to up the margins rather than any bold statement Ironically there doesn't seem much love for the TT explorers either.. The bubbles thing is a nonsense , chances are they will make very few and only high profile celebs will get them and the autism awareness is pure virtual signalling..again earmarked for the select few Rolex are as cynical as a business can be tbf tbh. IMHO |
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30 March 2023, 09:55 AM | #56 |
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Rolex is devolving into another Omega, except with the OP and the DD ... for those, it has devolved into another Swatch. Very sad.
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30 March 2023, 10:06 AM | #57 | |
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30 March 2023, 10:12 AM | #58 |
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To quote Andre Heiniger “Rolex is not in the watch business, we are in the luxury business.”
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30 March 2023, 10:40 AM | #59 |
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30 March 2023, 10:05 PM | #60 |
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