2 questionable Rolex design choices

[ernie2]

This is just a personal opinion and not meant to offend current owners of the referred watches. You don't have to agree with me, it is just my observation.

For the record, I am not bashing Rolex, I own 3 Rolexes ( EXP 1, EXP 2, SD4K) and I love Rolex's quality and design. However, as a design professional, there are 2 design flaws keep sticking out as eyesores to me.

In every aspect of the Rolex watches, the curves of the case, the fonts of the lettering, the color schemes were well designed aesthetically to please our eyes. But there are 2 things just seemed to be afterthoughts without any design put into it.

1. The 24hr hand of the last generation Explorer 2 16570 and all the GMTs. All the hands of the Rolexes had some design elements to them. Be the Mercedes shape, the 3D tapering of the DD, or the round lume dot on the second hands. If you look at the 24hr hand of the above mentioned models, they are straight sticks with an isosceles triangles at the end. Like street yield signs. They do not even have tapering and do not look like they belong with the rest of the watch hands.

Luckily, at the new Explorer II 216570, they changed the 24hr hands. But it seems like there is no plans to update the GMTs.

2. A lot of people are going to disagree with this one here. I cannot stand the thick metal ring inside the DSSD. It has no curve lines, no chamfering, like a piece of plumbing parts from home depot. And don't get me started on the big lettering of the RING LOCK SYSTEM. That is similar to people wearing big GUCCI prints on their clothes, you can see it from a block away.

These are just my observations. I hope no owners of GMTs and DSSD are offended.

[superdog]

Ok. Fair opinions.

How are they design flaws?

Because you don't like them? Or are they flawed?

[NeedlessKane]

I think you're confusing "flaws" and "personal preference"

What you described are not flaws in terms of workmanship, but rather design differences.

[watchnutty]

replace the word "flaws" with "opinions".
the 24 hour hand on my GMT II is my favorite part of the watch.
as far as any DeepSea, you couldn't pay me to wear one with that writing on it.
see, opinions, not design flaws.

[ernie2]

There are no flaws what so ever in workmanship. To me, they are perfect.

However, in the product design world, there are some proven basic principles we adhere to. All elements of a product should speak the same set of language and have co-relations with each other. Of course there are exceptions.

If a car has fluid curvy front like a BMW and has a boxy tail like a Cadillac, it is just bad design. Buy hey, there is no right or wrong, it just look weird and people might actually buy it.

[Speed]

Yes. To be picky...these are not design flaws but aesthetic choices.

I'm fine with the arrow on the GMT hand. I certainly like it better than the teeny tiny triangle on early models. I do like the Expy Orange hand, but that design is closely tied to that watch.

What heck does ring lock system mean anyway ;-)

[RockinIt]

A design flaw would be how the bracelet may "stretch" but you make good point about the design choices of rolex

[ernie2]

You guys have a point. I have changed the title of the post to questionable design choices

[Tri-Tip]

I don't care for the wording on the inside of the DSSD either, but that's my opinion. Also don't care for the "Yacht Master II" wording on the bezel of that watch.

[AK797]

I had a DSSD and the Ring Lock Text never bothered me, on the wrist everything on a watch is just so much smaller than in pics.

[Nycturbovr6]

To each their own

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by superdog

Ok. Fair opinions.

How are they design flaws?

Because you don't like them? Or are they flawed?

x2.

[Speed]

Has anyone looked into the Ring Lock System? ;-)

[Cru Jones]

Everyone can and will find things to criticize, and, it's better that way, IMHO, than overly consensual design.

Personally, I find the new 24-hour hand of the Explorer II to be way too thick and, for the black, specifically, the so-called "floating effect" is a total fail.... Still nice watch though.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Speed

Has anyone looked into the Ring Lock System? ;-)

[bdex75]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. That is what makes the world interesting. I don't tend to agree with your opinion on these two in particular, but that is ok. I have opinions on the Daytona and YM2 that aren't likely popular but presented well are tolerated by most.

The Ring Lock System writing has never seemed to be a distraction to me in real life.


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[Cryten]

Thanks for the post Mike, I've often wondered about the ringlock system, but clearly not enough to actually Google it.

Now I may appreciate the lettering a little more.

[Jim Smyth]

Originally Posted by ernie2

I cannot stand the thick metal ring inside the DSSD. It has no curve lines, no chamfering, like a piece of plumbing parts from home depot. And don't get me started on the big lettering of the RING LOCK SYSTEM.

I am with you there. I wouldnt wear that watch if someone gave it to me. Whatever I buy I remove all access extraneous writing if I can. Kinda like dealership logos on your new car etc. Gotta go, I like things looking clean.

[FTX I]

The 5mm extension (easylink) is a flaw IMO. Only Dr. Banner needs 5mm when he gets angry. Normal people need 2mm perhaps 3 but that's the max.

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by ernie2

A lot of people are going to disagree

Yup, they are. I love the GMT! Not only is if functional but, new or vintage, they have the loveliest lines of any mechanical watch I've ever seen.

[osamu]

in pictures I was never a fan of the "Ring Lock System" text, but when I saw it in person, I was surprised how I barely noticed it. I think it's one of those things (along with like the Milgauss second hand) where in blown up pictures it sticks out like a sore thumb, but on the wrist it's a lot smaller and not as noticeable. I don't think I would notice it a block away.

That being said, I wouldn't mind them, like you said, adding a chamfer or some type of subtle shape to that ring with smaller text to make it a little more interesting.

[strafer_kid]

All down to personal choice just!

[SALTY]

Originally Posted by strafer_kid

All down to personal choice just!

I agree.

[Ravager135]

I think the design choice is intentional because it contrasts with the aesthetic of the rest of the watch. Think about it: the hour and minute hands are similar in design because they are grouped to read the local time. The 24 hour hand which is designed to be reflective of a separate time zone should contrast so referencing it is a deliberate choice by the viewer. They are intended to be viewed separately as they convey different information. The Explorer II goes one step further by making the 24 hour hand larger in proportion and a bright color to deliberately make it stand out.

I get your points. I think you just made the case as to why they are different looking.

[Old Expat Beast]

I agree about the DSSD ring/gas thing, but the aforementioned 24hr hand wouldn't even make the small print on a long list of other questionable rolex design choices for me.

[Wingman244]

Wow, as a designer and photographer I read your first sentence about a design flaw and said to myself don't read it, don't read it, it will ruin you. Kind of like the song that gets in your head and never leaves. Then I saw - "24hr hand" and my conscience was yelling at me "Close the dang thread!"

Then "Luckily, at the new Explorer II 216570, they changed the 24hr hands." whew,,, that turned out well.

Personally, that is why I choose the E2 Polar 216570 - it was the most beautiful design. I love the maxi hands and the orange 24 hour hand. From a design perspective I think it is Rolex's best and most balanced design. I still look at it and just think "wow". (Just my opinion...)

[acarriles]

I think that you also forgot that good design follows form and function. In the case of the DSSD it is a TOOL watch. As a tool, it is appropriate to indicate its capabilities and functionalities. Like the depth at which it can operate, and the unique features it has compared to other similar tools, hence the Ring Lock System which is what allows it to withstand such pressure, and the Gas Escape Valve to provide automatic decompression.

You mentioned that the ring looks like a piece of pipe. It should. It is a mechanical piece that provides structural support. It is not there for decoration. The fact that we choose to use the DSSD as a luxury item instead of as its intended function (diver's tool) does not make the design flawed.

And when on the wrist, given the thickness of the sapphire crystal, it provides just enough light distortion that the writing is barely noticeable and at a secondary plane to the main visual focus of the dial.

Just my opinion too ;)

[regnant]

DSDD is a tool watch not fancy dress watch , meant to be able to handle deepths beyond fathomable given these facts if Rolex put down something it is there because of a good reason

[GradyPhilpott]

I have no problem with the 24 hour hands on the GMTs. I also think that the 16550 and the 16570 represent the pinnacle of Explorer II design.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by watchnutty

as far as any DeepSea, you couldn't pay me to wear one with that writing on it.

Well without that writing, how would you know whether or not they were replicating a pre-existing Gas Escape Valve?