Oyster Perpetual and Air King Now Ladies Models?

[jot_]

Evening all,

I was looking at the redesigned Rolex website and noticed that the 36mm OP and the Air King are now officially classified as ladies models? Doesn't really hinder the enjoyment of my AK - but what an odd choice for Rolex to make. Reminds me of the Breitling Transocean 38mm marketed as a ladies watch versus a men's.

Wonder why they moved away from the unisex designation it held before - or sorta held anyhow.

[Shade]

Well probably they did a survey and none of the guys are buying them alot these days?

[threemonkeys]

That's crazy. But as a secure dude I don't really care as I love my AK.

[busytimmy]

36mm is totally fine for a man to wear. Seems kind of trivial to change it, but I'm sure there's a point if Rolex has done it.

[Lol-x]

The new fancy colours of the 36mm Day-Date must be dedicated to ladies too.

On one view even the new Platinum Daytona is somewhat coloured for ladies with the light blue dial and LV brown bezel. Being platinum adds to the 'jewellery' aspect of this piece too.

The new releases from Basel have a very heavy feminine emphasis IMHO.

[ecsub44]

Sign of the times, I suppose.

I think 36mm is a perfect size. The 34mm AK and OP are a tad small...but surely very adequate as a "man's watch".

Too bad that most things end up falling into the "bigger is better" category...

[jonathan17]

Does this mean that i will pass down my inherited OP Date 15223 to my future daughter now instead of my future son?

***looking on the bright side I now have a heirloom piece good enough for a baby boy/girl

[Lol-x]

36mm is still a size acceptable for guys but ladies are also wearing 36mm without any problems.

[watchf]

So when is Rolex going to designate my 36mm YG DD as a ladies model They just might a few years down the road since they now have the DD II to designate as the male version!

[joe100]

I guess they sorta kinda took that direction. I wish they'd leave the mid sized models alone but they did do a pink indicie AK with the 114200 series so nothing new there

[jot_]

Odd thing was - the 36mm DD and DJ still fall into the men's category - but the same sized OP doesn't.

Ah well - I still like my watch! :)

[Jake B]

Interesting. I don't think of them as being feminine.

I just think of the AK and the OP Date as being "Old school"...and I mean that in a good way, like they look good with a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars, Levi's 501 button-fly jeans, and a white t-shirt.

[Alanautumn]

I noticed this as well. AK, date and OP no date are classic looking unisex. As opposed to a 28mm on jubilee which is obviously feminine. But I say wear what makes you happy no matter what category rolex put it under.


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[bonbonson]

Nowadays i see women sporting subs,daytonas,explorers and once i even saw a DSSD. you would think the DSSD is way too large but she was able to pull it off. they even sport panerai which are also large. unlike before where women wear watches way smaller but i guess this is because of fashion trends... IMO there is nothing wrong wearing a 34mm watch. Vintage watches are very small in todays standards but many people still wear them. I very frequently wear my 34mm OP

[crowncollection]

Nothing wrong with the airking or op date I have many and feel comfortable they are still acceptable as men's models.


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[jot_]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Interesting. I don't think of them as being feminine.

I just think of the AK and the OP Date as being "Old school"...and I mean that in a good way, like they look good with a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars, Levi's 501 button-fly jeans, and a white t-shirt.

Great analogy! I think you've got it spot on there.

[bradiowausa]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

That's crazy. But as a secure dude I don't really care as I love my AK.

Same Here

[77T]

The DJ is also being included in the ladies collection with fashionable dials: http://m.rolex.com/en/rolex-watches/...-m116200-0085/

[dvdwyn]

new funky colours daydate release with its leather strap are marketed for the ladies as well... i assume rolex is trying to make more women spend on rolex instead of hermes and bottega..

[joe100]

I'm surprised they didn't make the Daytona a ladies model too!

I think they're just positioning models on their website based on sales figures. I'm quite sure the 34-42mm range can be purchased and worn by anyone. Trying to group a watch by gender is a blurry line. I know guys on here who wear the pink marker AK. Hell, I'd wear it, it's nice!

[capote]

Sign of the times

[mmmk604]

I own a 36mm DJ and don't plan on upgrading to the 41mm version.
It'll make no sense to have a dress watch that's bigger than my 40mm sport watches.

[Singslinger]

Interesting.

I've seen women with 40mm Daytonas, GMTs and even Sea-Dwellers while a buddy of mine who weighs 200lbs and lifts weights looks comfortable with a 36mm Day-Date.

Personally I prefer the DJ II over the the 36mm DJ though.

[Sous]

I was at one AD and when I asked to see the Datejust, the male manager said, "That's a womans watch. I'll show you the Submariner." When I said, "Did I ask to see the G--d--- Submariner?" He stopped, and handed me what I asked for.

It's one thing to market watches a certain way, it's another for retailers to try and "shame" people away from what they want. AFAIC, the 1950's-1960's 34mm Rolex Date is still one of the nicest designed watches ever made.

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Sous

I was at one AD and when I asked to see the Datejust, the male manager said, "That's a womans watch. I'll show you the Submariner." When I said, "Did I ask to see the G--d--- Submariner?" He stopped, and handed me what I asked for.

It's one thing to market watches a certain way, it's another for retailers to try and "shame" people away from what they want. AFAIC, the 1950's-1960's 34mm Rolex Date is still one of the nicest designed watches ever made.

Well said!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by jot_

Evening all,

I was looking at the redesigned Rolex website and noticed that the 36mm OP and the Air King are now officially classified as ladies models? Doesn't really hinder the enjoyment of my AK - but what an odd choice for Rolex to make. Reminds me of the Breitling Transocean 38mm marketed as a ladies watch versus a men's.

Wonder why they moved away from the unisex designation it held before - or sorta held anyhow.

No.. the website is NOT a classification guide nor is it a substitute for the Rolex Catalog and never has been.

The website simply shows the dial combinations for different models that have been designed with a Ladies tastes in mind..

They have Datejusts, Day-Dates, Yachtmasters and Daytonas with these special dials in the "Ladies" section too..

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Tools

No.. the website is NOT a classification guide nor is it a substitute for the Rolex Catalog and never has been.

The website simply shows the dial combinations for different models that have been designed with a Ladies tastes in mind..

They have Datejusts, Day-Dates, Yachtmasters and Daytonas with these special dials in the "Ladies" section too..

Agreed

[AK40DJ50]

The first Rolex I owned was a classic Air King that I gave to my son when he turned 21. He wears it every day - a man's watch.