Should Rolex introduce new models?

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Maybe a new Rolex Follower model, which has a complication that shows how many followers one’s various social media accounts have?

They could call it the Valais, a Swiss region noted for its sheep.

[teck21]

Consistency in their line up is one of their biggest strengths and they are not likely to change it.

A lot of their customers are highly successful non-WIS individuals who do not, or cannot devote too much mental bandwidth to deciding what model they want.

Keeping the simple is a real selling point for Rolex.

Rolex is not G-Shock.


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[Chester01]

Originally Posted by skp

It seems a lot of companies are jumping on the heritage bandwagon and I think it works for them because their normal line looks modern. I feel that Rolex is in between so probably a heritage line wouldn't work for them... but I can't help wonder if they should offer at least 1 or 2 more modern looking pieces. I thought that was what Tudor was for but now it looks like the heritage pieces took over that brand.

They may have to. I mean, there are diminishing returns here with what Rolex can do with an analog watch. I mean bloat the lungs, slim them down, add ceramics, add a new dial color, increase the diameter and then trim it down...i mean at some point your are topped out. In today's day and age watches are nostalgia as there are very few that actually use there watches to tell time.

Rolex can of course introduce a new watch line, but given we dont need them will not have the lineage of the sub or GMT which broke new ground and were worn by pilots and divers, military etc for their jobs. That kind of real heritage cant be fabricated and is the heritage their preppier siblings now bask in.

Rolex will eventually have to do something, the Apple watch will of course get better and better. I mean the sub/gmt/yacht master, and SD are all basically the same watch, so they are not the most creative people. At some point, Rolex will have to do something, and cannot rely on slight of hand (i.e. slapping 40 year old "technology" on the 116520 and calling it a new watch).

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Shakespeare wrote a hundred and fifty-four sonnets, all using the exact same format and we are still talking about them. Rolex will do just fine with the models they already have.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Rolex will eventually have to do something,.

They already did. They started in the 70s when quartz watches came about.

They started their move to position Rolex as a luxury watch, not a tool.

A consistent position they have held for the past 5 decades.

Rolex watches are a celebration of success, not a tool.

Because they aren’t stupid enough to think that a mechanical watch is a better tool than something like a smartphone, smartwatch or dive computer.

For Rolex to try and take on Apple in terms of functionality and market would be suicide.


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[Chester01]

Originally Posted by teck21

They already did. They started in the 70s when quartz watches came about.

They started their move to position Rolex as a luxury watch, not a tool.

A consistent position they have held for the past 5 decades.

Rolex watches are a celebration of success, not a tool.

Because they aren’t stupid enough to think that a mechanical watch is a better tool than something like a smartphone, smartwatch or dive computer.

For Rolex to try and take on Apple in terms of functionality and market would be suicide.


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Celebration of success? For who? Know any recent grads or retirees that scored a Rolex at the good ole AD recently? Catering to oligarchs is not a realistic long term plan (I’m talking 50 years). As their too watch history fades, and association with run away capitalism is not great either. Sure they may sell watches to celebs, but their relevance is fading.


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[donas]

My vote is to make available what is already "offered" and then lets re-visit new stuff.

[Roll-E]

Yes, they should. Specifically a rosegold submariner and a two tone rosegold submariner.

[Gab27]

IMHO it would not make sense considering how so much of Rolex's current lineup still has such close resemblance to their original designs. For example, compare a 50 year old Submariner to a modern Submariner, and a 50 year old Seamaster to a modern Seamaster.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by skp

It seems a lot of companies are jumping on the heritage bandwagon and I think it works for them because their normal line looks modern. I feel that Rolex is in between so probably a heritage line wouldn't work for them... but I can't help wonder if they should offer at least 1 or 2 more modern looking pieces. I thought that was what Tudor was for but now it looks like the heritage pieces took over that brand.

Well in real world you could count on one hand the real new models Rolex has introduced over the past 20 plus years.Most are just cosmetically changed old ones,yet they can still every watch they can make.Today for many Rolex watches are little more than ££$$€€ object things and little more.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by skp

Or maybe they should take out some of their pieces. Isn't the milgauss obselete with the silicon balance spring? explorer vs gmt? what is an air king?

To me the Milgauss is anything but obsolete. It’s the story behind it. Otherwise you’re close to the argument that all of these watches are “obsolete” in the age of iPhones and Apple Watches etc.
Milgauss and Explorer are really the only Rolex watches that interest me at this point next to my SD.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Chester01

They may have to. I mean, there are diminishing returns here with what Rolex can do with an analog watch. I mean bloat the lungs, slim them down, add ceramics, add a new dial color, increase the diameter and then trim it down...i mean at some point your are topped out. In today's day and age watches are nostalgia as there are very few that actually use there watches to tell time.

Rolex can of course introduce a new watch line, but given we dont need them will not have the lineage of the sub or GMT which broke new ground and were worn by pilots and divers, military etc for their jobs. That kind of real heritage cant be fabricated and is the heritage their preppier siblings now bask in.

Rolex will eventually have to do something, the Apple watch will of course get better and better. I mean the sub/gmt/yacht master, and SD are all basically the same watch, so they are not the most creative people. At some point, Rolex will have to do something, and cannot rely on slight of hand (i.e. slapping 40 year old "technology" on the 116520 and calling it a new watch).

Lately, Rolex has been going down the two-tone route, adding gold to the Sea-Dweller and Explorer. Just a few years ago, the thought or mention of this move would have drawn violent objections, but now that's been done, we find that there are many who like the option of a bit of gold on these models.

But yes, your point is valid - there is only so much you can do with the existing models. My guess is we'll see a TT Air-King and Exp-II introduced some time in the future.