Times change, Rolex is changing...is that good ??

Tools · Times change, Rolex is changing...is that good ??

I know that nothing stays the same... progress is progress..

But with Rolex penchant for newer bright colors, (greens and oranges), the polished bracelets, glossy, busy dials.................discontinuing a decades old standard...

Am I trying to live in the past....If I don't accept these changes when they permeate the entire line, will I still be a customer ??

Boutique shops and bold colors.... Whq is the market they're trying to reach ?? Are they abandoning their core customer base that put them where they are ??

What do you think...????

uncle aj

I'm sure they will have done some market research before they brought in the changes. Some of the changes like the new GMT II I like, others like the Yacht Master I don't. I have to admit that I do like the old sports models and I think it will be hard to better them. Time and sales will tell if they have done the right thing. You could be right Larry, we may be getting old and they are looking for a younger clientèle.

CJ

Me personally, I don't like the direction they're going, at all. I agree with Adrian that they're targeting a much younger crowd. Rolex is a marketing, money making giant. I'm sure they know what they're doing. Let's face it, the tool watches for professionals are made by Casio and Seiko now. Rolex is little more than jewelry for most new owners and a very special reminder of a time gone by for a very few of us.

Flatlander

I don't think Rolex is any different than any other company. They are looking to expand their customer base (more profit).

IMHO, I think that as we get older we tend to resist change and this can vary by person or category. Some change is good, as evidenced by Rolex's changes in the movements over the years.

I too am not pleased with the direction they're going but they have enough models that I can find something to my taste. I don't believe that Rolex will abandon their "old" customer base but the selection might become more limited. At least until their marketing department discovers that "what's old is new again". :lol:

Prince

Well Larry, here's my take on what you have said:

I believe that Rolex IS moving forward with what they think the public wants. I am not one of the "public" that wants a lot of what they are producing at this time.

However...since a Rolex watch is made to be a lifetime item, and I have four of them, made when things were the way I like them, I am set for life. 8)

mike

It's an interesting question. I to am one who "grew up" with the "tool watch" concept and because of that the vintage pieces speak to me in a way no modern reference can.
Having said that, I have to say some of the "improvements" Rolex has made has rekindled my interest in modern pieces that heretofore has been a bit weak.
The maxi-dial ala the 116710 and 16610LV, even with their WG surrounds represents a measure of practicality the small indices of the 16610, 16710, etc.. never had. Certainly things like polished centerlinks et al are not associated with the true tool watch concept (nor perhaps the price tags associated with modern Rolex), but from a practical standpoint they do represent a bit of a throw back to a different age.
I have to admit to a lot of interest in what might be coming down the pike.

Prince

Tardis

Am I trying to live in the past....If I don't accept these changes when they permeate the entire line, will I still be a customer ??

Boutique shops and bold colors.... Whq is the market they're trying to reach ?? Are they abandoning their core customer base that put them where they are ??

What do you think...????

I agree to a degree, but I believe Rolex will not go overboard with bling. Sure they have the jewel encrusted models, but they are catering for a niche in the market where Rolex seem to be able to sell those particular models with radical and lurid color changes. I doubt if they would be dumb enough to forsake the majority customers who look for the traditional models. When one looks at the sports range, yes, there are changes, but apart from the YM II, which most will agree is off the charts in design. I don't think the changes will alter the quality or sales of the basic oyster line.

Rumors of changes for the 16610 and the 16600 which are supposed to be times for the 2008 Basel Show, will be immediately noticeable to us Rolex officianados. Things like CRB, larger lume indices, triplok replacing twinlok ceramic bezels and some minor changes to the bracelets may be the furthest they may need to go I hope!

uncle aj

Tardis