The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 22 February 2009, 04:44 AM   #1
JJ Irani
Fondly Remembered
 
JJ Irani's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: JJ
Location: Auckland, NZ
Watch: ALL SOLD!!
Posts: 74,319
Is every Rolex a runaway success?

Hi guys,

Rolex produce close to around a million watches each year......but is every model a success?

Sure, we've had distasteful ones like the Leopard Daytona, and the Zebra DJ with Diamonds on a rubber strap...; but surely even these must sell.....otherwise why would Rolex have come up with them in the first place?

We all know Rolex to be the KING of Sales and Marketing; but are ALL their models hits?

JJ
__________________
Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!!

I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!
JJ Irani is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 04:46 AM   #2
Dan Pierce
2024 Pledge Member
 
Dan Pierce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: D'OH!
Location: Kentucky
Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3
Posts: 36,216
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ Irani View Post
Hi guys,

Rolex produce close to around a million watches each year......but is every model a success?

Sure, we've had distasteful ones like the Leopard Daytona, and the Zebra DJ with Diamonds on a rubber strap...; but surely even these must sell.....otherwise why would Rolex have come up with them in the first place?

We all know Rolex to be the KING of Sales and Marketing; but are ALL their models hits?

JJ

I don't know. I'm still gooo gooooin' over the models that are successful.
dP
__________________
TRF Member# 1668
Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band
Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation
The Crown & Shield Club
Honorary Member of P-Club
Dan Pierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 04:47 AM   #3
JJ Irani
Fondly Remembered
 
JJ Irani's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: JJ
Location: Auckland, NZ
Watch: ALL SOLD!!
Posts: 74,319
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Pierce View Post
I don't know. I'm still gooo gooooin' over the models that are successful.
dP
........and I'm simply hanging on to those that are!!
__________________
Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!!

I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!
JJ Irani is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 04:47 AM   #4
Blown Wide Open
"TRF" Member
 
Blown Wide Open's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Real Name: Patrick
Location: Pennsylvania
Watch: All with a crown.
Posts: 504
Some obviously sell better than others.

I wouldn't say everyone is a hit. Almost all sell well by another companies standards, but in the terms of Rolex, I'm sure they view some models as failures.

PAtrick
__________________
"I wouldn't be part of any club that would have me as a member."

Instagram: El_Diablo_Rosso
Blown Wide Open is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 05:05 AM   #5
chenx15
"TRF" Member
 
chenx15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: somewhere
Posts: 2,891
well, people buy them... and beauty is very subjective and there is a reason why they produce them. the leopard daytona was not for everyone but for sure somebody liked it. i think rolex is a run away success which mean i 100% agree with you JJ
__________________
16 GS Titles
16 AMS titles (1 short of Agassi)
23 Consecutive GS semifinals
17/18 of the last GS finals, 237 consecutive weeks #1
5 consecutive wimbledon + 1 = 6 cups
5 consecutive US open
4 Australian open
1 Sweet french open
a crown for every achievement
The Greatest Of All Time loves Rolex
chenx15 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 05:06 AM   #6
JimSnyder
"TRF" Member
 
JimSnyder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Real Name: Jim Snyder
Location: Ohio
Watch: Ask me later.....
Posts: 7,726
I just want one that is
__________________
"You ain't lived, 'til you've had your tires rotated by a red-headed women."
JimSnyder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 05:12 AM   #7
A1000
"TRF" Member
 
A1000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Adrian
Location: UK
Posts: 953
I'd suggest that Rolex have a core of models that are great watches and aren't too way out, which are the ones that TRF members tend to prefer.

Then they have a range that are pretty "bling-ing" and these are aimed at a different market where they are worn for effect and can then be replaced by another one as money isn't the constraint.

If they're not a success in that market then Rolex can always get them back to Geneva and replace the dials and re-sell them I guess.
__________________
Rolex 16610LV (2007)
PAM 312K (2009)
PAM 292K (2009)

A1000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 05:17 AM   #8
TheVTCGuy
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Paul
Location: San Diego
Watch: 126619LB
Posts: 21,540
That's a good question JJ, and in my opinion, the answer is definitely a "no." Like any manufacturer, Rolex will have products that are hits, and those that aren't. I wish we could look at the sales numbers but certain models are definitely not nearly as desirable as others.
TheVTCGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 05:18 AM   #9
AJF
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Ally
Location: Surrey (UK)
Watch: 15223
Posts: 638
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ Irani View Post

Rolex produce close to around a million watches each year......but is every model a success?

Sure, we've had distasteful ones like the Leopard Daytona, and the Zebra DJ with Diamonds on a rubber strap...; but surely even these must sell.....otherwise why would Rolex have come up with them in the first place?


JJ
I fear that their chief design engineer was taking two much Bolivian marching powder, the day they came up with those two designs.

Proof if ever was needed, that they do not always get it right!

AJF
AJF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 05:33 AM   #10
Xenophon
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Xenophon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Xenophon
Location: UK
Posts: 2,728
I'm sure Rolex know their business well and only produce a handful of the more exotic e.g. leopard cosmograph models. History has shown us that if a model fails to sell then it is discontinued. As you probably know the original Milgaus was a very poor seller. I heard of one taking six years from manufacture until it was sold.
__________________
The sea! The sea! Θάλαττα! θάλαττα!
Xenophon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 01:54 PM   #11
Wildwing
"TRF" Member
 
Wildwing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 593
Well, it's hardly scientific, but of the Rolex's I see, I don't tend to see too many Explorers. Don't know about actual sales figures.
Wildwing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 02:06 PM   #12
Lion
"TRF" Member
 
Lion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Leo
Location: Midwest
Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI
Posts: 21,461
I do not think that all models are highly successful but they usually find a market niche and someone ends up buying them. But I'm sure once in awhile they have a dud and marketing goes back to the drawing board!!!
__________________

SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#)
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!!
MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley
MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum
Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!
Lion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 02:45 PM   #13
SLS
"TRF" Member
 
SLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Real Name: Scott
Location: GMT -7
Watch: GMT's & Sub's
Posts: 10,401
Here is the more important question, yes they are all sold....but to whom? We have all seen 4 or 5 year old serials sitting in the AD's cases. I would guess that it takes more than two years to sell all the watches Rolex produces, hence the GM dealers.
Scott
__________________
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin

Member No. 922
SLS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 03:17 PM   #14
Art 1
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida, Canada
Watch: Rol/Seik/Tud/Omega
Posts: 30,244
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ Irani View Post
Hi guys,

Rolex produce close to around a million watches each year......but is every model a success?

Sure, we've had distasteful ones like the Leopard Daytona, and the Zebra DJ with Diamonds on a rubber strap...; but surely even these must sell.....otherwise why would Rolex have come up with them in the first place?

We all know Rolex to be the KING of Sales and Marketing; but are ALL their models hits?

JJ
My AD loves to get in the Leopard Daytona and the Zebra DJ, they fly out of the case. I don't really care for them but apparently many do.
Art 1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 03:19 PM   #15
JJ Irani
Fondly Remembered
 
JJ Irani's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: JJ
Location: Auckland, NZ
Watch: ALL SOLD!!
Posts: 74,319
Quote:
Originally Posted by Art 1 View Post
My AD loves to get in the Leopard Daytona and the Zebra DJ, they fly out of the case. I don't really care for them but apparently many do.
Well, there you go.....every damn Rolex watch sells.....irrespective of whether some of them appeal to us or not.

JJ
__________________
Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!!

I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!
JJ Irani is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 04:09 PM   #16
bodybump
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2024 SubLV41 Sponsor & Boutique Seller
 
bodybump's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Oscar
Location: Florida
Watch: Me!!!
Posts: 23,233
i think this kind of model is produce in a few...and some people buys it...especially old rich people...that leopard and zebra is attractive to old people...much as we attracted to our steel watches...
__________________
bodybump is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 07:07 PM   #17
Starwalker
"TRF" Member
 
Starwalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: aroundtheworld
Watch: SS Daytona - BLACK
Posts: 2,261
i think the lepord daytona is aimed at the clientle that consist of african dictators....hahhaa i gotta check mugabe's wrist hahhaa lol, hmm...i'm not a fan of the airking...and i have not noticed too many at all, i've probably seen one or two outsiede an AD, the highest selling rolex model from what ive read is the Ladies, SS or TT datejust, i think after that would probably come the Mens sub or maybe the DJ TT........are all a sucess...hmm...i guess there's a rolex for every man/woman, every occasion, every achievement...lol...
__________________
116520 Black - 116500 White - 116713LN - 116613LB - Panerai 389 - Chopard Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph - Chopard LUC Sport 2000 - Moser Pioneer Centre Seconds
Starwalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 07:23 PM   #18
rusi
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 275
Icon14 Rolex is King

Hi
Thanks JJ for the great post.
Yes Rolex sells all that its makes, thats why sales of 1 million every year irrespective of recession.
As rightly said some models are made in small quantities to take care of sales aspect others in 000s as they sell well, its a marketing stragety.
rusi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 07:23 PM   #19
rusi
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 275
Icon14 Rolex is King

Hi
Thanks JJ for the great post.
Yes Rolex sells all that its makes, thats why sales of 1 million every year irrespective of recession.
As rightly said some models are made in small quantities to take care of sales aspect others in 000s as they sell well, its a marketing stragety.
rusi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 08:02 PM   #20
ROLEX MAN
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
ROLEX MAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Martin
Location: Home and Away
Watch: you? "YES PLEASE"!
Posts: 3,719
I think JJ has got the 1 million production a year wrong!
Its closer to "only" around 100000 p.a. or 1920 a week, or 270 a day!

"yes" and they could delete the leopard Daytona!
__________________


it's not just about telling the time...

happy rolexing...



I'm just a man with a passion
ROLEX MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2009, 10:05 PM   #21
mike
"TRF" Member
 
mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 22,683
Well, the short answer is no. If we look at history we find several references that in their day were poor sellers. In addition to the early Milgauss mentioned, the 1655 was a poor seller. Many viewed the dial as to hard to read.

The GMT II reference 16760 had a remarkably short run as it competed with the cheaper 16750 (despite having "upgrades" we take for granted now.

Early Daytonas were slow sellers as well as early Turn-O--Graphs as they competed with Submariners.

What is interesting is that many of these early "ugly ducklings" became "swans" as time went on.

Interesting when we look at references that take hits from todays buyers. Will history repeat?
mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 12:22 AM   #22
MrCowboy99
"TRF" Member
 
MrCowboy99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Real Name: Mac
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 1,367
Like any investment (even tho Rolex as NOT investments) ...

Past performance is NOT indicative for future gains. Remember that!
__________________
I do not offer or provide any Rolex investment advice or opinion regarding the nature, potential, value, suitability or profitability of any particular watch, collections of watches, transaction or investment watch collecting strategy, and you shall be fully responsible for any watch decisions you make, and such decisions will be based solely on your evaluation of your financial circumstances, watch objectives, risk tolerance, and what looks good in yoru opinion on your wrist.
MrCowboy99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 12:32 AM   #23
Carolina
"TRF" Member
 
Carolina's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: North Carolina
Watch: it, Bubba!
Posts: 6,271
No, I doubt it. But even the less popular models find a certain audience. I'm wondering if the "misses" that were not wildly popular at this time, will become collectors items in the future.
__________________
.
.Member #5380
.
Carolina is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 12:35 AM   #24
ijen0311
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Jen
Location: Jax, FL
Watch: Sea-Dweller
Posts: 3,977
I think that part of the Rolex legacy is their trend to make "classic" and stylish watches (with a few exceptions)...
ijen0311 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 12:59 AM   #25
mike
"TRF" Member
 
mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 22,683
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carolina View Post
No, I doubt it. But even the less popular models find a certain audience. I'm wondering if the "misses" that were not wildly popular at this time, will become collectors items in the future.
That's always the big question.
mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 01:26 AM   #26
Davvan
"TRF" Member
 
Davvan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: David
Location: Location Location
Watch: out..make way!!
Posts: 726
I´ve heard ...

...that the classic Milgauss (1019) was a non success model at first. Any one else heard this?

Evedently I missed some eralier post...sorry!
__________________
Mare Nostrum

Last edited by Davvan; 23 February 2009 at 01:29 AM.. Reason: just beeing stupid :)
Davvan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 01:49 AM   #27
SSD
"TRF" Member
 
SSD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Jamie
Location: Georgia
Watch: Stainless Sub Date
Posts: 3,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike View Post
Well, the short answer is no. If we look at history we find several references that in their day were poor sellers. In addition to the early Milgauss mentioned, the 1655 was a poor seller. Many viewed the dial as to hard to read.

The GMT II reference 16760 had a remarkably short run as it competed with the cheaper 16750 (despite having "upgrades" we take for granted now.

Early Daytonas were slow sellers as well as early Turn-O--Graphs as they competed with Submariners.

What is interesting is that many of these early "ugly ducklings" became "swans" as time went on.

Interesting when we look at references that take hits from todays buyers. Will history repeat?
I agree 100%. Every Rolex sells to someone, apparently. IMHO some became collectors items because they were not wildly popular when they were introduced.
__________________


SUBMARINER OWNERS' CLUB
ESTABLISHED 1953
TRF Member # 5464

SSD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 02:21 AM   #28
Nakow
"TRF" Member
 
Nakow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Watch: 16622
Posts: 536
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ Irani View Post
Well, there you go.....every damn Rolex watch sells.....irrespective of whether some of them appeal to us or not.

JJ
Yachtmaster likewise !!
__________________
16622
Nakow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 02:40 AM   #29
JJ Irani
Fondly Remembered
 
JJ Irani's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: JJ
Location: Auckland, NZ
Watch: ALL SOLD!!
Posts: 74,319
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROLEX MAN View Post
I think JJ has got the 1 million production a year wrong!
Its closer to "only" around 100,000 p.a. or 1920 a week, or 270 a day!

"yes" and they could delete the leopard Daytona!
Oh no......the ONE MILLION mark is pretty close to the truth.....maybe just a little less, but certainly not just 100,000 - that's way too low a figure.

JJ
__________________
Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!!

I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!
JJ Irani is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 February 2009, 04:00 AM   #30
Perdu
"TRF" Member
 
Perdu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Gary
Location: GMT-6
Watch: GMT
Posts: 3,350
Well the OysterQuartz got dumped through lack of sales and I can't imagine the Milgause sold much before the redesign.
__________________
Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Noire
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8500

Benson 1937 Sterling Silver Hunter
Perdu is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.