Rolex - sacrificing one market for the sake of another?

[JParm]

We first saw it with the SkyDweller, a piece that people thought would never be introduced in SS, yet a few years later, here we are.

Today, a SS Pepsi that looks EXACTLY like the PM BLRO (source yourself an Oyster bracelet, and you've got a 1:1 copy).

No doubt, this alienates the PM crowd and would push them towards other (PP, AP) brands. I get that the SS customers must be ecstatic, but what about all the former PM customers?

This is coming from a SS customer interested in my first PM piece...it makes me second guess going after the DayDate, as they'll probably release one in SS soon enough.

[outtatime]

Why does it matter? If you want a PM piece...does it matter that someone can also buy the same watch in steel?

They make steel and two-tone watches.

How is it "alienating" anyone?

I find it interesting how most of the time, PM buyers will say 'oh, I don't buy it to be showy, I buy PM because I like the metal, or (in the case of white gold) because it flies under-the-radar', but then complain when someone can get the "same" watch in steel.

If you REALLY don't care...then...why does it matter??

[Drixonite]

SS Day-Date...

[AK797]

It is a bit strange to disco the WG black and make it blue. It would have been smarter all round just to introduce a blue SS BLRO and leave the WG if they don't want to disco it completely. I predicted a white or red/blue gradient dial on the SS to keep the WG black.

[busytimmy]

Originally Posted by AK797

It is a bit strange to disco the WG black and make it blue. It would have been smarter all round just to introduce a blue SS BLRO and leave the WG if they don't want to disco it completely.

It’s nutty indeed. Who knows what Rolex is thinking.




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[JParm]

Originally Posted by outtatime

Why does it matter? If you want a PM piece...does it matter that someone can also buy the same watch in steel?

They make steel and two-tone watches.

How is it "alienating" anyone?

I find it interesting how most of the time, PM buyers will say 'oh, I don't buy it to be showy, I buy PM because I like the metal, or (in the case of white gold) because it flies under-the-radar', but then complain when someone can get the "same" watch in steel.

If you REALLY don't care...then...why does it matter??

I'm not in that camp; I've never said any of those things. I can be completely honest and say that I want PM because it IS exclusive, and it's something that most people don't have. Same goes for watches that I own - I'm happy when there's talk of discontinuing the Hulk, because the less people that have it, the better.

Let's also be realistic here. The forums do not constitute a realistic outlook of the world. MAYBE 5% of the population owns a Rolex, if that? Everyone on TRF likes a little bit of exclusivity, otherwise you wouldn't spend the money on a watch that does the same basic functions as a $20 timex.

[AS1]

Originally Posted by AK797

It is a bit strange to disco the WG black and make it blue. It would have been smarter all round just to introduce a blue SS BLRO and leave the WG if they don't want to disco it completely. I predicted a white or red/blue gradient dial on the SS to keep the WG black.

I hear you. I think what is happening here is Rolex making what they think will make the most money, period... perhaps a reflection on the general trends in the Swiss watch industry? This goes against what I have thought in the past though, which is that a company without public shareholders or PE money they were not subject to the same "sell as much as you possibly can" pressure. Maybe now they have moved more in that direction...

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

We first saw it with the SkyDweller, a piece that people thought would never be introduced in SS, yet a few years later, here we are.

Today, a SS Pepsi that looks EXACTLY like the PM BLRO (source yourself an Oyster bracelet, and you've got a 1:1 copy).

No doubt, this alienates the PM crowd and would push them towards other (PP, AP) brands. I get that the SS customers must be ecstatic, but what about all the former PM customers?

This is coming from a SS customer interested in my first PM piece...it makes me second guess going after the DayDate, as they'll probably release one in SS soon enough.

The Day-Date will never be produced in SS. Mark my words. Now I don’t know about Oystersteel lol!

Seriously, the DD will never be produced in steel. It has always been Rolex’s flagship. Their iconic PM watch. The Sky-Dweller is only 6 years old. The DD is 62 and counting. It stands for success and steel just doesn’t cut it. They chose to release the Datejust in TT and SS and that’s how things will remain. The DD really killed 18k Datejust sales. They were still producing 116238s but I don’t know if this changed as of now.

[lhanddds]

PM buyers are a different breed. I don't think they will give a hoot.

[sco]

I’m not sure an oyster bracelet will fit the new Pepsi. It was mentioned that the lugs were different...

[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

The lugs and side of the case have been redesigned the oyster bracelet won’t fit on the SS version....


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[Rogdogg]

I don't think it would bother me that somebody could get a watch in steel that looks the same as my WG model. I'd know that mine was gold and theirs was steel and I wouldn't care who else knew.

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[JParm]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

PM buyers are a different breed. I don't think they will give a hoot.

We've already had one owner of a BLRO claim in another thread that they're disappointed. Sure, it's 1 data point, but it's tough to make that claim...people are people, and I think generally if someone spends over 25k on a watch, they wouldn't want to know that they could have it for 9k the next day.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by AS1

I hear you. I think what is happening here is Rolex making what they think will make the most money, period... perhaps a reflection on the general trends in the Swiss watch industry? This goes against what I have thought in the past though, which is that a company without public shareholders or PE money they were not subject to the same "sell as much as you possibly can" pressure. Maybe now they have moved more in that direction...

I actually think Rolex really like their WG model and could not bear to part with it, so if I was a WG owner I'd be quite pleased. It almost feels like they have begrudgingly issued the black SS, as yes they do need to make more money on the insert and maybe the money men said this must be black then.

[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

Originally Posted by sco

I’m not sure an oyster bracelet will fit the new Pepsi. It was mentioned that the lugs were different...

It won’t fit.... you are correct, they redesigned the lugs


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[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

Originally Posted by AK797

I actually think Rolex really like their WG model and could not bear to part with it, so if I was a WG owner I'd be quite pleased. It almost feels like they have begrudgingly issued the SS, as yes they do need to make more money on the insert.

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[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Today, a SS Pepsi that looks EXACTLY like the PM BLRO (source yourself an Oyster bracelet, and you've got a 1:1 copy).

The case edges and lugs are very slightly modified on the SS Pepsi, so technically not a 1:1 copy. Also, the case mods could mean existing SS Oyster bracelets won't fit the new case.

[codecow]

I do not "get" any of the WG professional line models. To me they do not really feel special and I don't get a feeling of gold from white gold.

Yellow gold with bracelet does it for me though!

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by AK797

It is a bit strange to disco the WG black and make it blue. It would have been smarter all round just to introduce a blue SS BLRO and leave the WG if they don't want to disco it completely. I predicted a white or red/blue gradient dial on the SS to keep the WG black.

We're assuming that the WG BLRO won't still be available with a black dial Neil - it wouldn't be the first time that not all the dial options were shown on the website (ie WG Sky D and PM Daytonas)

Additionally, as JS has mentioned above, we shouln't assume the Oyster bracelet will fit the SS BLRO case. Rolex makes reference to a redesign, so they may not be interchangeable.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by codecow

I do not "get" any of the WG professional line models. To me they do not really feel special and I don't get a feeling of gold from white gold.

Yellow gold with bracelet does it for me though!

Have you ever tried one on? WG feels exactly the same as YG on the wrist

[AS1]

Originally Posted by AK797

I actually think Rolex really like their WG model and could not bear to part with it, so if I was a WG owner I'd be quite pleased. It almost feels like they have begrudgingly issued the black SS, as yes they do need to make more money on the insert and maybe the money men said this must be black then.

Yes I think that's fair. As a WG BLRO owner, my feelings are definitely some annoyance at Rolex but massively outweighed by: I don't like the Jubilee bracelet; the only modern Pepsi I would want on my wrist is the one I have (black dial; Oyster bracelet); can't substitute that PM feeling; and... hard to be mad at Rolex given how much appreciation I have had on my collection over the years, particularly the vintage.

I think Rolex have created some doubts in people's minds as to whether they pay up for future PM pieces though.

[vinny84]

I'm still interested in acquiring a YG Sub sometime in the future. If they made a Sub in blue bezel and dial in SS, it still wouldn't stop me from wanting one or buying one

[Jim Smyth]

I have the WG BLRO and dont care that a SS version is out there. I am actually happy that it will be at a price point that more people can enjoy one at. Getting into the PM club is a hard pill to swallow and most cant afford to do so. Now there will be more Pepsi's out there which will make mine blend in even more which is why I bought mine in the first place. I dont like drawing attention to myself (if thats even possible wearing any Rolex) but I like the nicer things in life.

[Curt941]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

PM buyers are a different breed. I don't think they will give a hoot.

Yes, I think this is key. We get caught up on all the details, the caliber movement, the dial color, text details, that kind of stuff.

Most people dropping $25k+ on a white gold Pepsi GMT in a month aren't going to care that it has a 3186 vs the 3285, because 1) it costs 2.5x the cost of the SS and 2) has a blue dial and polished GMT hand, so it's clearly different.

[GerardoG]

Just economics. Sales volume (per units) are hurting in the upper tier; this is why MANY brands are strengthening their SS line. Breitling and Omega are revamping the $5-9kus products.

If you read the overall condition of the swiss watch industry -as a whole, I know there are companies doing better and worse-, sales are down, profits are down, unit sales are down. People are spending LESS money on timepieces, so you can either: a) say I stay true to myself and try to survive or b) adjust to market needs and participate in the 'under 10k' product line

[Fabrice M]

I don’t think that the SS diminishes the White Gold Pepsi in any ways. The WG BLRO is and will always be the original ceramic Pepsi, which from a collector’s point of view is priceless. and if you like gold watches, having white gold is just genius in term of flying under the radar. I really think is is and always will be a special and unique watch. For people like me who prefers SS but didn’t like the GMT SS offerings, it a welcomed arrival.

[GFONG]

I own the WG BLRO. I don’t care about a SS version. It is similar to you wear the WG or PT ring. Do you care people wearing gold plated ring?

I don’t know why people are so excited about the SS BLRO. They keep saying the bezel is ugly. Most of them prefer the old bezel.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

PM buyers are a different breed. I don't think they will give a hoot.

Agree!!!

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

We've already had one owner of a BLRO claim in another thread that they're disappointed. Sure, it's 1 data point, but it's tough to make that claim...people are people, and I think generally if someone spends over 25k on a watch, they wouldn't want to know that they could have it for 9k the next day.

That’s the point. It will not be PM and they would not feel the same. They don’t look the same and the difference in weight is significant.


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[JParm]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

That’s the point. It will not be PM and they would not feel the same. They don’t look the same and the difference in weight is significant.


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Disappointed that they didn't sell their BLRO, disappointed that they produced a watch so close to their WG piece.