Is Rolex missing the market for DLC/PVD watches?

[seabreeze60]

Tudor has it right. Photo below. The DLC case is really scratch resistant. It’s a hidden luxury opportunity! Nobody notices or cares. I do.

Should Rolex introduce a DLC watch?

[WilsdorfNDavis]

No, Rolex isn't missing anything.

[garyk]

Nope, I have one black watch, a Porsche design from the 70s and I’ve always liked the look of Rolex SS….

[huncho]

i think pvd looks tacky in almost all cases that i've seen with the one exception being the blue pvd santos cartier released this year, but also it just works on the santos. not sure how rolex would apply it in their lineup though

[Polar Bear]

A Ceramic case?
Maybe

A DLC/PVD Case?
Nope

[shaunylw]

I feel like Rolex uses Tudor for that sort of thing. I don’t feel like Rolex is missing the boat.


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[Rebel]

No. Not Rolex.

[77T]

How can one say “missing the market” since they Sell EVERY One they make?

The market will let them know if they’ve missed anything - i.e., when new stock sits in AD cases for months on end…


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[MikeyV]

No, I don't think so with the coated PVD thing.

I do think that TUDOR is missing out on offering ceramic watches.

Ceramic watches would not fit in the Rolex line, IMO, but Tudor seems to be the more experimental of the two companies. I think they could pull it off.

Fo some reason, I think ceramic is super cool. Thinking of the Ceramic Omegas and the Ceramic APs. The ceramic AP is super drool-worthy.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

Tudor has it right. Photo below. The DLC case is really scratch resistant. It’s a hidden luxury opportunity! Nobody notices or cares. I do.

Should Rolex introduce a DLC watch?

That’s solid black ceramic. Also, I hate that bezel insert.


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[dannyp]

Originally Posted by huncho

i think pvd looks tacky in almost all cases that i've seen with the one exception being the blue pvd santos cartier released this year, but also it just works on the santos. not sure how rolex would apply it in their lineup though

In theory You could see a coating like that on the Explorer II bezel maybe? Not sure the point but thinking about that Santos…

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

I feel like Rolex uses Tudor for that sort of thing. I don’t feel like Rolex is missing the boat.


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Agree. Mostly since experimenting with different materials is very much a Tudor thing. You don’t see a lot of Sterling silver watches, for example.

Agree with the PVD comments.

[ltmgeller]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

I feel like Rolex uses Tudor for that sort of thing. I don’t feel like Rolex is missing the boat.


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This

[Seddyspaghetti]

No

[Steerpike999]

Originally Posted by huncho

i think pvd looks tacky in almost all cases that i've seen with the one exception being the blue pvd santos cartier released this year, but also it just works on the santos. not sure how rolex would apply it in their lineup though

Love my New Santos de Cartier Blue PVD Bezel.

[fskywalker]

Unlikely to happen

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Rolex plays the long game. They don’t do fads.

[MRBolton]

That Titanium Yachtmaster prototype was kinda in this direction, at least color wise somewhat.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

Tudor has it right. Photo below. The DLC case is really scratch resistant. It’s a hidden luxury opportunity! Nobody notices or cares. I do.

Should Rolex introduce a DLC watch?

Some guy asked this question at the Rolex cafeteria once and was swiftly thrown out a window.

True story.

[bluestreak]

The case on that Tudor is not DLC coated. It’s full ceramic. As is the bezel insert.
The bezel and caseback are PVD though


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[j10s]

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

Tudor has it right. Photo below. The DLC case is really scratch resistant. It’s a hidden luxury opportunity! Nobody notices or cares. I do.

Should Rolex introduce a DLC watch?

I have been interested in a ceramic watch for years. I wanted to like this one, but ultimately it felt kind of boring to me. If Rolex ever did produce a ceramic case, I’m sure it would be very popular.

[28mm]

Originally Posted by j10s

I have been interested in a ceramic watch for years. I wanted to like this one, but ultimately it felt kind of boring to me. If Rolex ever did produce a ceramic case, I’m sure it would be very popular.

Good call..I bought it and never wore and plan to sell.

It's nice enough but you called it...kind of boring.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Rolex plays the long game. They don’t do fads.

Lots of green dials lately which is a fad if there ever was one.

[OrangeSport]

PVD looks cheap and nasty

[rambo99]

dlc is not scratch resistant, those dlc case from panerai developed scratch marks even after 2, 3 years of normal use. the worst part is it can't be polished to remove scratches. I would definitely avoid dlc pieces.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

Should Rolex introduce a DLC watch?

Looks like they already have.

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

Rather than coat a watch, why not produce one in a black base metal? Seiko do a beautiful black titanium which is not coated. More fitting on a Rolex than a top coat, even if a diamond one. Possibly a logical separation of the ranges and the price points they occupy.

I don't claim to know the inner workings of Rolex R&D (unlike every second "expert" with a YT channel) but I'd be willing to bet they are well versed in this technology.

[HL65]

No

[Driver8]

Good god no. DLC/PVD is the scourge of "luxury" watches IMO.

No matter how allegedly tough these surface coatings are, they are just that - surface coatings - which means they DO wear and they DO scratch over time, leaving you with something that can't be polished out.

I tried a couple of DLC watches a few years back - a Breitling and a micro brand - and both scratched from the most innocuous things (and I'm very careful with my watches). It seems that if you catch it just right, literally anything can scratch them.

IMO there are far more interesting materials Rolex could consider for cases than DLC coatings. Ceramic (like the BB posted by the OP) is a much better proposition, provided it's done right, and not combined with DLC coated metal parts (unfortunately also like the BB posted by the OP). Tungsten Carbide would be an interesting material for Rolex to try as it is incredibly scratch resistant and makes a great watch case, etc.

But then again Rolex aren't exactly known for leading the charge in exotic materials! Hell, they've not even embraced good ol' titanium yet. But that said, I actually don't think Rolex are missing anything. As we know, Rolex are about evolution not revolution (and glacial evolution at that), and let's not forget it's not like they need to find something niche to help sell their watches!

[EEpro]

Those watches will end up in the dust bin of history. Rolex should never release a "me too" watch like that.

[beshannon]

No