Rolex is just lazy..

[Gaijin]

and they don't give a rat's about their customers.

Bear with me.

A few new Datejusts. Ok cool..

A new movement put into basically the same watch with a crown at the 6 to differentiate.

A new blue dial on a pre-existing white gold GMT.

A white and a black OP 39. Oh, but wait they improved the lume.

A horrific new Daytona..

and finally take some pre-existing blue and red ( ok really kinda purple and kinda red ) ceramic bezels they had laying around and put them on a SS GMT. But we will give it a jubilee bracelet to make everyone swoon. They couldn't even make this a Coke instead? Lazy.


Rolex you have outdone yourself in ness.




Makes me long for the awfulness of what was the Ceramic Yachtmaster II release.

Rolex is just lazy. Resting on their laurels.

away.

[AK797]

I think you're being a bit harsh, Tom, a new BLRO SS is a big deal and was mostly unexpected. But I do agree it was a quiet year, esp compared to Patek and Tudor who have had quite a few great new releases.

[mtrunner]

Definitely a very quiet year for Rolex. Not a lot of exciting changes.

[watchwatcher]

I'm not going to argue.

Although, I don't know if I would call it lazy or rather just part of their overall scheme to starve the marketplace of their watches. Which I think is their grand plan.

[Tmac478]

A little harsh but, you're entitled to your opinion. Some might argue that some of these are actually positives.

[904VT]

I was happy with everything Rolex did this year. Even happier if a Coke and Red hand LN come next year. I’m glad they didn’t change the case too much, but I think they missed the mark not offering an abbreviated Glidelock for the GMT Master. Maybe on the next Oyster.

I would’ve liked to see new movement in Exp 2 as well. The DSSD though is an awesome update with new proportions and movement.

[Ruud Van Driver]

I’m not sure I’d call it lazy but it sure is pretty, um, uninspiring. Put it another way, I’m glad I bought my YM in September instead of waiting for Basel.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I'm not going to argue.

+1. But I liked this Basel. The Pepsi was a huge surprise.

[Wools]

Although I understand someone calling Basel 2018 from Rolex a bit dull, saying Rolex is lazy feels a bit harsh.

From an outside perspective, most watchmaking is conservative and improving on pre-existing formulas and designs subtlety over the years. There's some brave manufactures like Richard Mille (As in bold designs that's not harking back to a previous design) but Rolex has built their brand on classic designs with solid construction.

If Rolex went mad (Which you can argue they done with the new Daytona you mentioned) people moan it's not classic. When Rolex go traditional (Like the GMT II Pepsi with the Jubilee) people moan it's the same as gone before.

Rolex can't win! :)

I feel Rolex should always keep improving their current designs as they already do but I agree with some of the sentiment of yours, that they should strike out a little more than they do. In some ways, Tudor is the Rolex that Rolex wish they could be. But then again, that's why Tudor exist!

[fishingbear]

I have said it before and I will say it again: Interesting times to be a fan of the Rolex brand.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I'm not going to argue.

Although, I don't know if I would call it lazy or rather just part of their overall scheme to starve the marketplace of their watches. Which I think is their grand plan.

Starve the marketplace. Right. I just don't get this which makes me think they they just don't give a anymore about us. When I first started this expensive hobby I could walk into any AD and get just about anything I wanted right away or order it ( other than a SS Daytona. )


What is with all the hoops to jump through and the shortages. I used to go to my old AD 3-4 times a month to look at watches, talk with nice like minded sales people and occasionally buy one. All while being plied with free Scotch. . Now there is no point.

Painful to walk into an AD and have a drained salesperson roll their eyes or here suck air through their teeth while telling you no they don't have it and no they can't get it for you.

I'm getting off topic a bit..

but I'm losing my passion.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Wools

Although I understand someone calling Basel 2018 from Rolex a bit dull, saying Rolex is lazy feels a bit harsh.

From an outside perspective, most watchmaking is conservative and improving on pre-existing formulas and designs subtlety over the years. There's some brave manufactures like Richard Mille (As in bold designs that's not harking back to a previous design) but Rolex has built their brand on classic designs with solid construction.

If Rolex went mad (Which you can argue they done with the new Daytona you mentioned) people moan it's not classic. When Rolex go traditional (Like the GMT II Pepsi with the Jubilee) people moan it's the same as gone before.

Rolex can't win! :)

I feel Rolex should always keep improving their current designs as they already do but I agree with some of the sentiment of yours, that they should strike out a little more than they do. In some ways, Tudor is the Rolex that Rolex wish they could be. But then again, that's why Tudor exist!

I find the comments on the Daytona perplexing, not from you specifically but in general. The last rainbow Daytona was $350k+ and not production. It looked pretty much the same with small dial revisions among others. It’s a niche watch at $350k that isn’t meant to be at ADs. Special order only. Just like the awesome Day Date TEM.

Rolex gives the watch everyone has been asking for in cheap SS and people complain about the Jubilee bracelet and bezel. I give up

[Houston77]

Eh, from your post, I just interpret your "lazy" as "they didn't give me what I wanted."

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Starve the marketplace. Right. I just don't get this which makes me think they they just don't give a anymore about us. When I first started this expensive hobby I could walk into any AD and get just about anything I wanted right away or order it ( other than a SS Daytona. )


What is with all the hoops to jump through and the shortages. I used to go to my old AD 3-4 times a month to look at watches, talk with nice like minded sales people and occasionally buy one. All while being plied with free Scotch. . Now there is no point.

Painful to walk into an AD and have a drained salesperson roll their eyes or here suck air through their teeth while telling you no they don't have it and no they can't get it for you.

I'm getting off topic a bit..

but I'm losing my passion.

Agreed, this supply deal is beyond ridiculous. If I want a wait list product, I usually look to Patek instead.

[AK797]

I hear you on the low supply, been happening in UK so long I don't notice any more and haven't been to an AD for nearly 6 months.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Houston77

Eh, from your post, I just interpret your "lazy" as "they didn't give me what I wanted."

True story. There is nothing from this year that I want. But there was really nothing that I wanted either except to be surprised and awed a bit. I obviously wasn't. Unimaginative, yes. I'm sticking with lazy too.

[Dr.Smellody]

I do not agree at all.

[herts9]

The only gripe I really have (and that has been brought up before by other members), is that there are too many models and options. Scale it back a bit as to not oversaturate things.

But I guess that point is counterintuitive as oversaturation is not an issue with the inability to locate many of those that are in great demand. The less desired models become choice 1b.

[rossi46]

Completely uninspiring Baselworld from Rolex. Nothing new - just rehashes of the same stuff they've been making/have made in the past.

But, this could be said about almost every other large Swiss brand.

[Spartan1]

Not sure if lazy is the most accurate of terms to describe the most highy respected company in the world, not to mention, brilliant marketers. Decisions are certainly not made over lunch and, as much as it hurts to say it, I have to trust that they know their market better than most of us. Just my two cents!

[Ss22525]

As if someone would buy all of the releases !! If you dont like anything this year just move on

[ap1]

It’s become a challenging hobby - no doubt

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

and they don't give a rat's about their customers.

Bear with me.

A few new Datejusts. Ok cool..

A new movement put into basically the same watch with a crown at the 6 to differentiate.

A new blue dial on a pre-existing white gold GMT.

A white and a black OP 39. Oh, but wait they improved the lume.

A horrific new Daytona..

and finally take some pre-existing blue and red ( ok really kinda purple and kinda red ) ceramic bezels they had laying around and put them on a SS GMT. But we will give it a jubilee bracelet to make everyone swoon. They couldn't even make this a Coke instead? Lazy.


Rolex you have outdone yourself in ness.




Makes me long for the awfulness of what was the Ceramic Yachtmaster II release.

Rolex is just lazy. Resting on their laurels.

away.

A new DJ36 (which is part of Rolex's highest volume selling line) is both major and giving customers what they want

[bayerische]

The SS GMT pepsi was a surprised. I made an order with my AD right away.

They did kill what was left of the WG GMT lure though.

Perhaps next year the WG GMT will be a Coke?

Anyhow.

Very lazy developments. The blue dial on the WG GMT was ridiculous.

[Duey]

What about Rolex not giving a about the people that purchased a 116719BLRO ? Now that's just lazy.
They would have sold just as many if not more black & red bezels and not pissed off the PM buyers.

Hey Rolex -

[HL65]

They always just like this year make at least 1 watch I want and buy. A few years back it was the 116500's. Last year the SD43 and SS SkyD. This year the SS GMT BLRO. So for me very happy as it is no different than typcial Rolex minor updates and few changes. They never are going to wow everyone or make huge changes that's just who they are. Also no diffferent than every year with Basel many are happy and many are not so life goes on.

[gster33]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

and they don't give a rat's about their customers.

Bear with me.

A few new Datejusts. Ok cool..

A new movement put into basically the same watch with a crown at the 6 to differentiate.

A new blue dial on a pre-existing white gold GMT.

A white and a black OP 39. Oh, but wait they improved the lume.

A horrific new Daytona..

and finally take some pre-existing blue and red ( ok really kinda purple and kinda red ) ceramic bezels they had laying around and put them on a SS GMT. But we will give it a jubilee bracelet to make everyone swoon. They couldn't even make this a Coke instead? Lazy.


Rolex you have outdone yourself in ness.




Makes me long for the awfulness of what was the Ceramic Yachtmaster II release.

Rolex is just lazy. Resting on their laurels.

away.

Evolution not revolution


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fleetlord]

The new pepsi GMT is a frankenstein.

They needed to recoup the cost of the Blue /Red Bezel since the WG sales were in the dumpster.

Just like they needed to recoup the cost from the Skydweller. Put them in a SS case so we can sell them!

At the end of the day, Rolex is a manufacturer. They need to sell what they make.

They spent alotta money on references that weren't meeting expectations.

[gregmoeck]

I'm selling all my modern models, I'm 5 digit only from this point forward.

[Gaijin]

I forgot to mention the new Rootbeer. That was kinda cool.



I am loving these responses, not because I'm trying to be controversial or argumentative. It is nice to read some of the opinions from loyal Rolex customers. Of which I have always counted myself as one.

and I love this forum. Both watch related and other topics...

but Rolex is slowly losing me. Thank the good Lord for what I already have.