CONFIRMED news regarding the professional line

[RickRolexed]

Glad I managed to pick up a BLNR just in time!

[rudestew]

If this unfolds what will be the knock on effect , short and long term ?

[GMT Aviator]

Originally Posted by rudestew

If this unfolds what will be the knock on effect , short and long term ?

Cutting production is one thing, how long they cut production for is another.

The obvious knock on effect will be a rise in the second hand market and likely a rise in grey dealer prices as well. I can’t see anyway that this move will hurt the grey dealers one bit....in fact probably the opposite.

I can see AD’s selling models to Greys for MRSP or more in this scenario.

What Rolex are playing at is anyone’s guess, but this thread has proved rather entertaining at times.

[HogwldFLTR]

FWIW, looked at watches defined by Rolex as Professional, there are 12 lines of 3 and all are Men's. Looked at all their Men's watch and there are 32 lines of three. That means they will reduce production on 37.5% of their line. If speculation is correct regarding the new movement then I can't see a reduction in the SD43 as it's already equipped.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

What makes you think that Rolex is even interested in competing directly with Patek?

Rolex builds Rolex watches and they are the best in the world at doing that. There are plenty of companies that try to out Rolex Rolex, but nobody has even come close. They build good watches, but Rolex, they are not.

Patek could never compete directly with Rolex doing what Rolex does or vice versa.

That's almost as silly as suggesting that Rolex should emulate Philippe Dufour's model and produce one watch per year or that Philippe Dufour should start churning out a million watches a year from his one-man atilier.

If you read the previous posts it was suggested that Rolex is trying to become more exclusive to compete with the likes of Patek, AP, ALS, fill in any name you wish. The idea of this was not mine, I was responding to it.

I agree Rolex makes great watches, thus I own two and want more. My point though is if PP and a few others are so much more expensive and exclusive, Rolex needs to do more than limit supply to compete. Why pay Rolex PM money for an entry level Patek (which still might not be enough) if their watches aren’t significantly higher quality?


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[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

If you read the previous posts it was suggested that Rolex is trying to become more exclusive to compete with the likes of Patek, AP, ALS, fill in any name you wish. The idea of this was not mine, I was responding to it.

I agree Rolex makes great watches, thus I own two and want more. My point though is if PP and a few others are so much more expensive and exclusive, Rolex needs to do more than limit supply to compete. Why pay Rolex PM money for an entry level Patek (which still might not be enough) if their watches aren’t significantly higher quality?


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Okay. I didn't realize that.

Anyway, Rolex is king of the hill in their niche and the very idea that they would switch their focus at this time is ludicrous without some substantive evidence, like massively expanding the Cellini line at the expense of the Oyster line.

In fact, the Cellini line has been pared back to several variations on a single theme.

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[77T]

Originally Posted by semi-ambivalent

And yet it was in the routine news two weeks ago that the Chinese government is cracking down on "gift giving". One of these positions is suspect, or it is a wave of gifting before some tax exemption window closes. I'm pessimistic, and could entertain that Rolex is reducing inventory because it foresees a global slowdown in the tea leaves. But except for a very few people it's all just guessing, isn't it.

I saw that news as well. Production levels are usually set by sales forecasts. Sales forecasts take normal demand and adjust it for factors that can increase or decrease that demand.

So my guess is forecasts are being adjusted for all sorts of things including Asia market risks.


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[galaxy101]

Here we go... Am I the only one seeing price increase is being already reflected in FS board here by some respected dealers?


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[semi-ambivalent]

Originally Posted by 77T

Off topic, but Apple will cut Q1 iPhone X production in half compared to last quarter.

Maybe a Megatrend is forming among companies - perhaps planning for a dip in demand due to some projected downturn in global financial markets?


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If one looks at the sales of, e.g., vinyl records, photographic film technology, and the rising interest in mechanical watches one could argue also for a realization that, although digital technology will continue to spread everywhere, the technology itself is making fewer genuine breakthroughs. Declining return of customer interest in "new" digital products.

Poor Apple. They have to do twice as well as other companies in order to be considered half as healthy. Jobs set the bar awfully high.

[77T]

‘Tis true Steve innovated much better. But back to Rolex I think they may be ready to innovate too.

Out with the old 3xxx, onto a new 4xxx? We shall see...


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[OmegaManOnTheMoon]

Originally Posted by semi-ambivalent

And yet it was in the routine news two weeks ago that the Chinese government is cracking down on "gift giving". One of these positions is suspect, or it is a wave of gifting before some tax exemption window closes. I'm pessimistic, and could entertain that Rolex is reducing inventory because it foresees a global slowdown in the tea leaves. But except for a very few people it's all just guessing, isn't it.

I read the opposite that China is relaxing on the 'gift giving' crackdown - which explains shortages to the remainder of the world. Their pent up demand has created a short-intermediate supply issue.

[Tanner]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

And you thought the DayC was hard to get....

Do you think they will take a deposit?

[yessir69]

Everyone seems to be focused on the "why".

If you're already a Rolex owner, wouldn't you be glad about this? The product just became more exclusive and harder to get. Since there will be less product, if the demand stays high, the value of existing (used) products will rise.

[BillA]

OP still has not produced a letter or concrete proof, I say TROLL.

[Duey]

Originally Posted by BillA

OP still has not produced a letter or concrete proof, I say TROLL.

The OP is TRUSTED here -

[Hamish]

Ban him

[Duey]

How about new sports models coming out? Not just movements.
Look at the patents over the last few years - They are for New models

When you're making new stuff it's kind of hard to keep making the old stuff to keep up with demand.

2017 shows a New full glow bezel
2015 shows a new GMT (pic below)

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by BillA

OP still has not produced a letter or concrete proof, I say TROLL.

Given all that has gone down in this thread about comments regarding OP's reputation, I'm inclined to think you're trolling us. Either that, or you don't read so good.

[AEC]

I do that. Isn't that how this darned contraption is supposed to work?

Originally Posted by Egelber

am I the only one who starts at the last page and works there way backwards???

[OmegaManOnTheMoon]

Originally Posted by Duey

The OP is TRUSTED here -

A very famous leader once said "Trust, but verify."

You may not agree with Ronald Reagan, but it's a good and accurate principle regardless if it has to do with leadership or this.

[OmegaManOnTheMoon]

Originally Posted by AEC

I do that. Isn't that how this darned contraption is supposed to work?

Haha yeah. read the first few pages then click "last" to see what's new. But it's all the same. Maybe on 12 distinct thoughts out of hundreds of comments :-)

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by OmegaManOnTheMoon

A very famous leader once said "Trust, but verify."

You may not agree with Ronald Reagan, but it's a good and accurate principle regardless if it has to do with leadership or this.

Nobody should accept any information blindly, and even if accurate, OP's information raises perhaps more questions than it answers. But calling him a troll is unnecessarily disrespectful. It also accuses him of starting the thread for inflammatory rather than informational purposes. I don't believe that for a second.

[gegarrenton]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Nobody should accept any information blindly, and even if accurate, OP's information raises perhaps more questions than it answers. But calling him a troll is unnecessarily disrespectful. It also accuses him of starting the thread for inflammatory rather than informational purposes. I don't believe that for a second.

Precisely.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

FWIW, looked at watches defined by Rolex as Professional, there are 12 lines of 3 and all are Men's. Looked at all their Men's watch and there are 32 lines of three. That means they will reduce production on 37.5% of their line. If speculation is correct regarding the new movement then I can't see a reduction in the SD43 as it's already equipped.

What we’ve not addressed is how much they will cut back production.

It could be a nominal amount. Or a significant one.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Devildog

What we’ve not addressed is how much they will cut back production.

It could be a nominal amount. Or a significant one.

Good point. Cue another 19 pages.

[Gharddog03]

40,000 views here we come!!

[77T]

Originally Posted by Bill

OP still has not produced a letter or concrete proof, I say TROLL.

Bill
You’ve been here a long time and never seem to make such a strong comment. Isn’t calling another well-respected member a troll an undue epithet?

If you don’t agree, I can respect that but name calling hasn’t been your normal posts before.


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[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by 77T

Bill
You’ve been here a long time and never seem to make such a strong comment. Isn’t calling another well-respected member a troll an undue epithet?

If you don’t agree, I can respect that but name calling hasn’t been your normal posts before.


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X 2. Agree,disagree, counterpoint, everyone on TRF including Gerardo will support you, but calling a long time respected member a Troll is not warranted.

[TheVTCGuy]

570 posts, over 30,000 views, and when I start a thread I'm lucky to get three replies!

[Shaky]

Have I missed something lol

Unfortunately some people post without reading most of the stuff in between. I can’t blame them, there is quite a bit, but I think the majority of us can agree the OP is not a troll.