Where is Rolex going with their brand?

[petespendthrift]

Reading another thread (about possible changes to Sub and SD cases), I worked myself up into a frenzy of passion, posted the message below and then decided to start my own thread. So here it is again. (It represents my own opinions but I think others might agree)

Standby for me to open fire...

40mm cases can fit pretty much anyone - small or large wrists, 42mm and beyond will narrow the number of people prepared to buy them. Omega have gone down the route of silly big sizes but offer smaller cases as well. Their smallest Planet Ocean at 42mm is however larger than I would buy. Watches that are too big are just not practical as tool watches, they get smashed on everthing and are not comfortable. A 40mm case can accomodate a big enough dial to be clearly ledgeable, bigger offers no advantage. Rolex cases might still be 40mm but they are wearing much bigger.

If I want a great big shiny piece of bling jewelry to flash about I can get it from virtually any other manufacturer (Breitling, Omega etc). Rolex is meant to be classic and different (somehow above mere fashions that come and go). Worryingly it's starting to feel like Rolex management has changed and some young trendy but tasteless idiot is now at the helm. Come on Rolex, your average SS sports model buyer loves you for being classy, reserved/conservative but above all lots of us wear your watches because they are rugged and practical. I definately like my GMTIIC (bought on impulse) but everytime I look at it I see and regret the bling extra details. The rather unnecessary ROLEXROLEXROLEX crap, the polished centre links, the huge font on the bezel numbers and the unsubtle block-like case. In isolation each one is not that bad but the combined effect is not classy, far too flashy and less likely to have the long term appeal of the more orginal models. The GMT was already different enough from the Submariner because of it's functionality so why be so radical? Time will tell whether I keep it. Rolex if you read this my words echo many other customers feelings - Do not throw away what makes you different and classier than the competition or you will eventually loose your cult status and devalue your brand image. Make sure that any future updates to the sports/professional line are based on form following function not the other way round.

I also hope against all odds that Rolex will decide to give customers the choice of full brushed finish on the new type bracelets on all sports models and then sort mine out on a service. All I really wanted on the new GMT was a better clasp and the Triplock crown. Other (real) improvements are welcome as long as they are not bling.

Ammunition expended!