Rolex sells almost every watch they make !

[Tools]

We seem to be doing a lot of speculating here....

I think a lot of it is wishful thinking....

The fact remains that Rolex sells practically every watch it manufactures.......

The ND Sub was updated with the chapter ring and COSC dial.....I think that's good for a decade. I expect we will see some minor cosmetic details on older models, and perhaps some ceramic.


Why do some of us believe that they will "suddenly" come out with new models over the next couple of years ?

[frostie]

That's true they sell all the watches they make. The no date sub is absolutely stunning and i do believe that they are going to do some cosmetic upgrades on the models that are going to follow

[frostie]

Here is a nice pic of the ND sub i found enjoy

[nko51]

Easier justification for raising prices!

[frostie]

Do you guys think that one day these watches will not be affordable anymore?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

You are absolutely right. We - and even the ADs (!) - cannot be speculate what will happen next. Only Rolex knows, and being a very secretive company, indeed, Rolex won't tell us anything before the news is pretty much out.

Yet, there is a TENDANCY: We know that ALL Rolex watches will get the inner chapter ring branding (and Rolex already sneaked it in via the back door on the new Sub OP COSC). So it is only logical to assume that the Sub Date and SD will get this branding, too.

But pretty much any other assumptions about what will happen to the still "unchanged" Rolex models, i.e.: Ceramic bezels, "Super Case", "Maxi Dials" etc., etc. will be pure speculation only untill proven true.

Just my 2 cents

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by frostie

Do you guys think that one day these watches will not be affordable anymore?

I read on the Guardian Online that 65 % of high end jewelry & watches ($5k+ purchases) were financed by one credit method or another (excluding those who paid by credit/charge card and settled the bill in full).

If the anticipated credit squeeze occurs then it would surely impact sales of new Rolex watches.

It does not mean that Rolex will reduce their prices but it would mean that they would be unaffordable for those whose line of credit have been taken away from them.

[GoldenBear]

The growth of the consumer base that can afford to buy luxury items is growing at a much faster rate than Rolex is making watches. Even though things are getting more expensive, there are a lot more people that can afford to buy them every year. I don't think the Sub-prime loan debacle and the impending credit market reaction will have much of an impact on the watch market. The bond market and real estate market is a different story. Besides, not all of those 65% that "charged" their watches couldn't afford to pay cash. I could have paid cash for mine. I chose to open a credit account with the store because they gave me a 2-year, interest-free deal. I pay 1/24 of the coast each month for 2 years. I can invest the remainder. Say you can get a 7.5% return for 2 years...It's almost like a 15% discount.

[colemanitis]

Originally Posted by nko51

Easier justification for raising prices!

You hit the nail on the head.

[Solar]

Originally Posted by frostie

Do you guys think that one day these watches will not be affordable anymore?

Crikey!

You think they're affordable now?!?

[colemanitis]

Originally Posted by frostie

Do you guys think that one day these watches will not be affordable anymore?

It's definitely going to get worse, no doubt about it. Rolex raised the price of the Sub over $600 last year. In a few years I believe they'll be out of reach for the average middle class enthusiast. The more improvements they make to their watches the more drastic the increases will be.

[Pete G]

Originally Posted by frostie

Do you guys think that one day these watches will not be affordable anymore?

If you think Rolex watches are affordable, you must be doing okay for yourself.

[mike]

Interesting topic.

Like everyone else I have no idea what Rolex will do, but....I tend to think we are on the cusp of some pretty big changes to the sport line in the near future.
The 16610 is a long lived reference..even by Rolex standards. To continually push the price upwards with nothing visually to show the customer is strange....even by Rolex standards.
That the 14060M is now a COSC certified watch didn't take much to do...the movement is already certified in the EXP. Nor is changing the watch after a short time odd. Look at the 168000, a watch made for a very short time, and the only thing different from the previous was the steel used while the 3135 movement came on line. (One wonders about the collectability of the COSC 14060M down the road?)
If memory serves the 16710 was discontinued in Oct. of last year while the 116710 was being geared up.
Rolex sees what the response to the new GMT has been,and keep in mind the direction Rolex is moving.

[Tools]

Rolex takes baby steps....

I expect to see engraved chapter rings on everything...not a big deal..

The question is...Will Rolex embrace such things as the current "Big Watch" fad and come out with new models to be trendy..

I would bet not....

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex takes baby steps....

I expect to see engraved chapter rings on everything...not a big deal..

The question is...Will Rolex embrace such things as the current "Big Watch" fad and come out with new models to be trendy..

I would bet not....

Actually...I said that wrong...I mean, they already sell everything...

Where is their motivation to introduce any new drastic changes or new models.. They have no reason to fill our small dreams of 44mm or double reds or whatever...

[frostie]

well rolex watches are really expensive right now but i they are not as expensive as patek philippe or other brands. I think that if you have a normal job and you try hard you can get a rolex yourself. But if you have a normal job it's really hard to get a patek or a breguet watch. I think that rolex watches are going to increase so if somebody of you guys is going to buy a watch buy it now

[speedmaster]

The only watches I ever see remain in my local AD's case for month after month, are the Cellini line. I just don't get those. ;-)

[mike]

Originally Posted by Tools

Actually...I said that wrong...I mean, they already sell everything...

Where is their motivation to introduce any new drastic changes or new models.. They have no reason to fill our small dreams of 44mm or double reds or whatever...

Agreed! While I think we will see an increase in the use of the maxi-dial, etc... I don't know about a 42 or 44MM size case. One of the great things about Rolex is the association there references have to each other over the long haul. A Sub today bears a striking similarity to a Sub of 30 years ago.

[Lane from s.c.]

I`m not sure that they are not less money now than they where 20 years ago when you factor in inflation and then all the improvments they have made on the new one. I love my old trusty, but the new gmt is light years ahead on mine.

Lane

[Blown Wide Open]

Originally Posted by frostie

Do you guys think that one day these watches will not be affordable anymore?

Lol...I don;t think out wathces are affordable now.

PAtrick

[frostie]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I read on the Guardian Online that 65 % of high end jewelry & watches ($5k+ purchases) were financed by one credit method or another (excluding those who paid by credit/charge card and settled the bill in full).

If the anticipated credit squeeze occurs then it would surely impact sales of new Rolex watches.

It does not mean that Rolex will reduce their prices but it would mean that they would be unaffordable for those whose line of credit have been taken away from them.

Interesting thanks for the info

[dman]

Originally Posted by mike

Interesting topic.

Like everyone else I have no idea what Rolex will do, but....I tend to think we are on the cusp of some pretty big changes to the sport line in the near future.
The 16610 is a long lived reference..even by Rolex standards. To continually push the price upwards with nothing visually to show the customer is strange....even by Rolex standards.
That the 14060M is now a COSC certified watch didn't take much to do...the movement is already certified in the EXP. Nor is changing the watch after a short time odd. Look at the 168000, a watch made for a very short time, and the only thing different from the previous was the steel used while the 3135 movement came on line. (One wonders about the collectability of the COSC 14060M down the road?)
If memory serves the 16710 was discontinued in Oct. of last year while the 116710 was being geared up.
Rolex sees what the response to the new GMT has been,and keep in mind the direction Rolex is moving.

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex takes baby steps....

I expect to see engraved chapter rings on everything...not a big deal..

The question is...Will Rolex embrace such things as the current "Big Watch" fad and come out with new models to be trendy..

I would bet not....

Originally Posted by mike

Agreed! While I think we will see an increase in the use of the maxi-dial, etc... I don't know about a 42 or 44MM size case. One of the great things about Rolex is the association there references have to each other over the long haul. A Sub today bears a striking similarity to a Sub of 30 years ago.

While I am not one to normally comment on the Rolex board or on their watches I wanted to interject a point here if I may.


To say that Rolex makes slow changes is before Henniger took the helm, in fact since he has been in charge change has been plentiful and often.

And as far as size goes, I think the Yacht-Monster II is a perfect example of where the size is going. I am pretty sure that they are not just milling cases in that size for that watch only.

This is only my opinion, but I think Henniger is very progressive and Rolex will continue to move forward in many ways, some good and some bad.

Going back to my Panerai hole now.

[Tools]

Possibly Daren,

But other watch companies don't think twice of enlarging the cases and slapping in a padded movement just to be on the fashion train.

Rolex tends to keep their "look" trendy without such modifications to their trademark Oyster case. An expensive operation.

The 42mm YM has yet to really catch on and might stay as a strictly "tool" watch for regatta watchers as opposed to participants.

It doesn't mean they will have bigger cases lying around to make new or larger models if the demand isn't there on the long haul.

I agree with the new management perspective. He will make his mark, and he has with the GMT II, the YM Regatta and the updates to the Air King and perpetual models. They should move better now.

Does he need to do more ????

[mike]

Point taken Darren, and one that has be speculated on by others.
I have read thoughts on the possible expansion of the Submariner case when/if a new reference is introduced, and of the possible uses of the YMII's movement capabilities in other references.
I guess I'm of two minds here. While I applaud Rolex for their seeming expansion of certain features which make a given watch more usable for it's supposed given purpose, (maxi-dial, increased luminosity, ceramic bezel etc...) the traditionalist in me would hate to see change for change sake.
I do think whatever is coming is coming sooner rather than later.
As I've said before, and still feel, we are on the cusp of some big changes coming from Rolex.
It makes for some exciting times!

[dman]

Originally Posted by Tools

Possibly Daren,

But other watch companies don't think twice of enlarging the cases and slapping in a padded movement just to be on the fashion train.

Rolex tends to keep their "look" trendy without such modifications to their trademark Oyster case. An expensive operation.

The 42mm YM has yet to really catch on and might stay as a strictly "tool" watch for regatta watchers as opposed to participants.

It doesn't mean they will have bigger cases lying around to make new or larger models if the demand isn't there on the long haul.

I agree with the new management perspective. He will make his mark, and he has with the GMT II, the YM Regatta and the updates to the Air King and perpetual models. They should move better now.

Does he need to do more ????

I know of two AD's, one is a good buddy of mine in Dallas and the other is one of the biggest stores in the world in NY and both of them have gotten and sold every Yacht-Monster II they have gotten in with in 3 days of reciept, about 8 between the two of them. So I do think it has caught on. Like you said, and I agree, they sell every watch they make. I would just like to add an eventually to the end of that statement, since some precious metal models may sit in the case for years before moving.