Do you think Rolex have come up against a brick wall?

[Danand]

Originally Posted by cwru32

seems to me that they have a mechnical movement as a means to make more money during service periods! they should slim down the wt of the watches and offer quartz mvmt ;/

GASP!!!!!

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Jocke

We need a few more RUSA too, there is not enough sued peoples yet.

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by x5falcon

How about getting the second hand move more smoothly? It seems the movement is 8 times per second currently, but if they make it to 10 or 12 or even 16 per second, I think the second hand sweep will be much smoother and more enjoyable to look at too...

Another excellent point!

The Seiko Ananta's Glide Motion already does this:





http://www.seiko-ananta.com/index.ht...sm/springdrive

[Mockingbird]

I really think that when things like the JLC Mater Compressor Extreme LAB, which is basically a watch completely made out of concept materials and completely abandons lubrication etc, exist Rolex is miles behind and has a ways to go.

[Fiery]

Movement-wise I don't have an idea, but other improvement ideas for Rolex:

1) GlideLock clasp for GMT IIC. Or maybe a slightly shorter clasp, just for the sake of easy micro adjustments. If not possible, then a shorter EasyLink would be a nice idea.

2) Pepsi/Coke/Sprite ceramic bezel for GMT IIC.

3) Original Rolex rubber strap, as an option, for DSSD and Sub-C. With a GlideLock clasp, or a similar clasp that Breitling uses on their Ocean Racer rubber strap. They can even bundle the rubber strap in the box of the DSSD, like how they include a NATO strap in the box of the Tudor Heritage Chrono.

4) Updated Exp II, updated YM, all-steel DJ II. But I suppose they're coming at next Basel.

5) Updated Sub ND. Never gonna happen I'm afraid :(

6) Rebirth of the SD: same WR rating + same looks + GlideLock + ceramic bezel + solid bracelet + maxi-dial + supercase. Maybe even red dial text. Never gonna happen.

[dannyp]

I feel that the "improvements" to the cases, bracelets, clasps, etc. were all superfluous, and that they should have concentrated on what they could do to improve the unseen parts of the watches. Price aside, I chose the Exp. II over the GMT because I liked its classic design and wasn't a fan of the "updated" case/bracelet/clasp.

As far as what I think Rolex should have used their R&D budget for:

-Improved gaskets that double the water resistance of any watch or crown without changing the rest of the construction (be it twin lock or trip lock)

-Upped the power reserve to 72-96 hours without giving up anything in terms of accuracy or durability

-Developed improved synthetic lubricants to double the time between services (I know, could be counter productive to their revenue)

-Developed a new manual wind movement and bring back at least one manually wound Oyster (I vote for Air King)

Rolex has always been about constantly improving what isn't seen, and they've never appologized for the fact that aesthetics came second. In fact, that's how they developed their distinctive and oft-imitated look. They messed with a good thing...

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Updated clasp on the YM. I also reckon we'll see Pepsi and Coke inserts for the GMT eventually. So much more to pull out of the bag JJ

Pepsi coke gmt in ceramic will be the most beautiful Rolex

[CoopJr]

Originally Posted by mpkRolex

Pepsi coke gmt in ceramic will be the most beautiful Rolex

I beleive that will happen some day. I just don't buy the story that they cant produce a bi-color ceramic. I mean we put a man on the moon with not much more than a pencil and a slide rule....and they cant make a coke ceramic bezel?

[rxonmymind]

Originally Posted by CoopJr

I beleive that will happen some day. I just don't buy the story that they cant produce a bi-color ceramic. I mean we put a man on the moon with not much more than a pencil and a slide rule....and they cant make a coke ceramic bezel?

That word can't. Never ceases to boggle my mind. We have found a way to stop light, do four cubits quantum computing, even manipulate individual atoms with electron tunneling microscope to form sub atomic masterlocks but no bi-color ceramics?


Strange indeed.

[stephengreen]

Originally Posted by CoopJr

I mean we put a man on the moon

really? mmm

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by rxonmymind

That word can't. Never ceases to boggle my mind. We have found a way to stop light, do four cubits quantum computing, even manipulate individual atoms with electron tunneling microscope to form sub atomic masterlocks but no bi-color ceramics?


Strange indeed.

Wow, Brandon................you some kinda Nuclear Physicist?

[superlative.]

Not much more can be done in my eyes, they came out with a spectacular in house movement for the YM II, the Subs been updated with fantastic results (IMO), the Explorers have been overhauled (Eagerly awaiting the EXP II next year), Suber jubille bracelets, everything I can think of has been done. Cant see them releasing a completely new watch either.....But as you say their lips are sealed

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by rxonmymind

That word can't. Never ceases to boggle my mind. We have found a way to stop light, do four cubits quantum computing, even manipulate individual atoms with electron tunneling microscope to form sub atomic masterlocks but no bi-color ceramics?


Strange indeed.

IMHO it's one thing to manufacture a bi-color ceramic bezel insert, which I think could be done anytime, by virtually any big players on the Swiss watch market (Omega, Breitling, Rolex, etc). But it's a completely different story when you want to produce something that is durable and last for decades.

AFAIK the only problem with bi-color ceramics is the joining of the two halves. I can imagine "melting" them together is not an option, since then the "clear cut" line between the two halves would be not so clear, not so straight, and so it would be ugly. Using simple screwing or glue would not stand the time for long I guess. So the only option would be for Rolex to properly "join" the different ceramic compositions together at the 2 joining points by precisely providing a straight, clear separator line.

But I'm no good in such things, so it was just me thinking out loud, without any physics knowledge or deep material studies

[Wildwing]

I think they should do a stainless steel version of the Day Date, complete with President bracelet.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Wildwing

I think they should do a stainless steel version of the Day Date, complete with President bracelet.

I don't see that happening. The DD and the President bracelet are synonymous with precious metals only..............and I'll be shocked to see Rolex get rid of that exclusivity!!

JJ

[L-16610]

the next to change is the yachtmaster

[behardt]

I agree with JJ. These are GREAT designs. I think some of these styles may last 50 years like the last ones.

Perhaps a mechanical alarm watch

[clint501]

That is an interesting point- I agree with some of the comments that Rolex can't improve upon the new bracelets with solid links and and easylink/glidelock clasps- these are perfection. And it would be very hard to improve upon the new maxi cases. I could see maybe some improvement in the tapering of the bracelets on the new maxi cases to make them blend more like the old versions. Also, could see improvements to models like the YM and Explorer II - things like the bracelet (solid links) and clasp (glidelock). Making pepsi and coke bezels for the GMT II C is another. And as much as I love the Deepsea, making a version with slightly thinner case and wider bracelet would be the only thing I could think of there. And maybe adding a date function to the Daytona.

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by stephengreen

really? mmm

Yes, really.

[rxonmymind]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Wow, Brandon................you some kinda Nuclear Physicist?

No to dangerous of a job.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by rxonmymind

No to dangerous of a job.

Gosh..............the technical lingo you used in that post, had me mesmerized!!

[rxonmymind]

Too much of this in my life

[subkrawler]

Originally Posted by L-16610

the next to change is the yachtmaster

What about a stainless YM II with a blue ceramic bezel?

[RolexguyinSF]

Ok this is what I'd like to see:

Pepsi GMT-C- being worked on according to Rolex, so that means we'll see it within 5 years.

Sub ND upgrades- either 2011 or 2012 Basel.

A new SD more in line with the older one- not as big as DSSD. This is a longshot, if it ever happens. Don't hold your breath.

A new Millgauss color combo. Another longshot, but if they sell as slow as they do, it's either a new color or discontinue it again.

A new TurnOGraph at the 39-40mm size. Id LOVE this, and I think it's a possibility within a few years.

As always, Rolex will surprise us, and introduce a new watch design within 5 years. Something in the way of a GMT- EXP II combo, silver dial maybe, orange accents, etc. OR....

we can look to see what they've retired in the last 30 years, and needs a "re-boot" like the Milgauss!

As always they will work quietly behind the scenes, on springs, new lubricants, etc, to make the watches more reliable and accurate. Maybe some new leather straps, and the super jubilee for the DJ II will be out soon.

[Mantooth]

I would love to see a SS blue bezel/dial sub. However, it will never happen. The WG is too exclusive.

[TempoKing]

Thank god we introduced robots instead of master watchmakers..

[stephengreen]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

Yes, really.

[dsio]

72 hour PR is a big deal, because at present one of the things that holds some people back from an automatic is the fact at it will wind down over the weekend. My dad won't wear a datejust or constellation because if he takes it off at 6pm Friday, it will have stopped by 7am Monday when he suits up again. There are some people that don't want to wear their workday watch on the weekend, and don't want the hassle of buying a winder.

[mjrennie]

Originally Posted by EchoBlueUK

I'd like to see:

Pepsi Ceramic for the GMT2C, DSSD with wider bracelet and "...ring lock" etc. words gone, Super Jubilee option on a DJ2.

That's about it from me.

Good choices.

I'd like to see a ss sub with blue face and bezel, like the wg version, only not £15!

and a ban on blingy rolexes, they are not nice, almost never.

as long as things are blue, it will be cool.

[stusrt]

figure out a way to get blue and red into the ceramic bezels...

I disagree that rolex has hit a wall with movements - I actually think they are way behind when you compare to other lines.
Yes, they are very accurate - but their complications are VERY lacking.

I mean no Chrono with a date?

but the overall line from 5 years ago?
Sooooooooooo much better!
I love the new subs and GMT's