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Viv Savage · 3 March 2014, 09:48 AM

We all know that Rolex does things with great care and thought. There are faceless men in the organisation who we will never know. The company is very successful, we all know that, but Rolex is also fallible.

So what are some of the mistakes you think Rolex has made over the years?

I'm finding it hard to come up with some but I'll give it a go.

1) The premature glimpse of the Rolex Explorer II a year before its release in 2010.

2) The Rolex Daytona Beach series released at Basel in 2000. The yellow, pink, turquoise and green chrysoprase coloured dials and straps with white gold cases. These only lasted a few years.

3) The appointment of Bruno Meier as CEO after the sudden resignation of Patrick Heiniger. One has to question why Mr. Meier was only CEO for only three years.

So what are your thoughts, oh wise ones?

Old Expat Beast · 3 March 2014, 09:59 AM

The rumoured but not (as far as I know) substantiated losses through investing with Madoff?

mailman · 3 March 2014, 10:03 AM

Sea King

superdog · 3 March 2014, 10:06 AM

I don't get it. What's the point of this thread?

HL65 · 3 March 2014, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mailman

Sea King

cop414 · 3 March 2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mailman

Sea King

Oh boy...

dajiggalo · 3 March 2014, 10:11 AM

Let's see...
Squared lugs on the Submariner
Bloated dial/hands on the new Explorer II
Choking out independent watchmakers
Etc etc

Old Expat Beast · 3 March 2014, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdog

I don't get it. What's the point of this thread?

To stimulate discussion, i guess. Makes a change from 'Your Rolex with a Plate of Food' type of posts.

Mosco · 3 March 2014, 10:15 AM

creating absolutely nothing exciting in the last 5 years....

Gaijin · 3 March 2014, 10:18 AM

Cracking down on good people who were passionate as some of us are about Rolex.

Crushing and closing the Mom and Pop ADs. My AD was closed. They used to offer great service during and after the sale. A nice Scotch or two whether you were browsing or buying. Discounts and no tax.

I will go into a "boutique" now if I ever pass one by but only to look.

jay1988 · 3 March 2014, 10:18 AM

Their unwillingness/inability to service their vintage models.

The restrictions they place on parts hindering independent watchmakers from filling the void they created.

Tudor66 · 3 March 2014, 10:19 AM

The ill-conceived "Chimmney sweep mariner" never took hold in the United States...

RolexJNJ · 3 March 2014, 10:19 AM

Personally, I do not care at all for the broader case/lugs on the new subs. And while I thought it was fantastic that they brought back the large orange hand on the exp2, they should have left the case size at 40mm. Just my very humble opinion.

jay1988 · 3 March 2014, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

creating absolutely nothing exciting in the last 5 years....

Disagree.

The Sky-Dweller may not appeal to me aesthetically but it was a very exciting release.

I was particularly impressed by the functionality of the bezel and the allocating of the months to the numbers. Saying that the overall design of the dial still left something to be desired for me.

Tudor66 · 3 March 2014, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexJNJ

Personally, I do not care at all for the broader case/lugs on the new subs. And while I thought it was fantastic that they brought back the large orange hand on the exp2, they should have left the case size at 40mm. Just my very humble opinion.

I said the same, then I tried on the gmtIIC and loved it.

Nothing wrong with a 40mm thicker lug watch

Although the Tudor black bay is a more bold design, I like the BB even more...

RolexJNJ · 3 March 2014, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

To stimulate discussion, i guess. Makes a change from 'Your Rolex with a Plate of Food' type of posts.

Though I must admit, some of the foodie shots are quite appetizing and impressive!

dysondiver · 3 March 2014, 10:24 AM

not backing servicing of vintage is a big mistake ,,, puts a finite life on a rolex if you want to only have rolex service history ,,, they made them once , they could still make spares ,,,, to my thinking its like dishonoring your heritage

oh , and a mid size sub would have been nice.

nickb732 · 3 March 2014, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mailman

Sea King

Aha haha good one

RolexJNJ · 3 March 2014, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tudor66

I said the same, then I tried on the gmtIIC and loved it.

Nothing wrong with a 40mm thicker lug watch

Although the Tudor black bay is a more bold design, I like the BB even more...

Yes, thank you, I also don't like the new GMTs for the same reason. But that's OK, because it led me to the vintage market where I recently picked up a great 16750 that I really love. I haven't tried on a BB yet, but it does look good in photos.

Ector495 · 3 March 2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

To stimulate discussion, i guess. Makes a change from 'Your Rolex with a Plate of Food' type of posts.

skypilot · 3 March 2014, 10:56 AM

Doing away with local AD's. We had a pleasant and knowledgeable local AD that they eliminated so now the closest AD is a 3 hour drive in a direction I rarely go.
It worked out well for me, subsequent purchases have been from trusted sellers here.

Chute · 3 March 2014, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuaray

Sweet Jesus. I just googled "Rolex Daytona Beach Series" I can't believe this was real. That would top my list.

This

mike · 3 March 2014, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay1988

Their unwillingness/inability to service their vintage models.

The restrictions they place on parts hindering independent watchmakers from filling the void they created.

I agree though I'm not sure I would call it a mistake, but an intentional act.

It's sad that the very watches that brought Rolex to the forfront are looked down upon by the mothership.

In no small sence the storied history that is Rolex falls to the collector/admirer of vintage.

As Rolex moved to luxury and away from tool something was lost.

Speed · 3 March 2014, 11:41 AM

Engraving on the Rehaut.

Reminds me of a Louis Vuitton bag.

dajiggalo · 3 March 2014, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

Engraving on the Rehaut.

Reminds me of a Louis Vuitton bag.

Ditto

Mrdi · 3 March 2014, 11:51 AM

Increasing prices significantly on a regular basis , in spite of the economy.

RolexJNJ · 3 March 2014, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

Engraving on the Rehaut.

Reminds me of a Louis Vuitton bag.

nameIess · 3 March 2014, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viv Savage

2) The Rolex Daytona Beach series released at Basel in 2000. The yellow, pink, turquoise and green chrysoprase coloured dials and straps with white gold cases. These only lasted a few years.

That is how I feel about the current blue/brown daytona. I am sure in the future some people will feel about it the same as I do now ;/

eteokles · 3 March 2014, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

Engraving on the Rehaut.

Reminds me of a Louis Vuitton bag.

This won't be an issue when your eyes start to go south. You won't be able to see the engraving anymore.

springer · 3 March 2014, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

creating absolutely nothing exciting in the last 5 years....

There you go!

3 March 2014, 09:48 AM	#1
Viv Savage "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Ed Location: Australia Watch: Rolex, PP, AP, JLC Posts: 612	Rolex's Biggest Mistakes. We all know that Rolex does things with great care and thought. There are faceless men in the organisation who we will never know. The company is very successful, we all know that, but Rolex is also fallible. So what are some of the mistakes you think Rolex has made over the years? I'm finding it hard to come up with some but I'll give it a go. 1) The premature glimpse of the Rolex Explorer II a year before its release in 2010. 2) The Rolex Daytona Beach series released at Basel in 2000. The yellow, pink, turquoise and green chrysoprase coloured dials and straps with white gold cases. These only lasted a few years. 3) The appointment of Bruno Meier as CEO after the sudden resignation of Patrick Heiniger. One has to question why Mr. Meier was only CEO for only three years. So what are your thoughts, oh wise ones?

3 March 2014, 09:59 AM	#2
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,826	The rumoured but not (as far as I know) substantiated losses through investing with Madoff? __________________ _______________________

3 March 2014, 10:03 AM	#3
mailman TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,510	Sea King __________________ JJ

3 March 2014, 10:06 AM	#4
superdog 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Real Name: Seth Location: nj Watch: Omega Posts: 24,834	I don't get it. What's the point of this thread? __________________ If happiness is a state of mind, why look anywhere else for it? IG: gsmotorclub IG: thesawcollection (Both mostly just car stuff)

3 March 2014, 10:15 AM	#9
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	creating absolutely nothing exciting in the last 5 years.... __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

3 March 2014, 10:11 AM	#7
dajiggalo "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Atlanta area Watch: anything 36mm Posts: 134	Let's see... Squared lugs on the Submariner Bloated dial/hands on the new Explorer II Choking out independent watchmakers Etc etc

3 March 2014, 10:18 AM	#10
Gaijin 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Japan Watch: ing your back. Posts: 16,179	Cracking down on good people who were passionate as some of us are about Rolex. Crushing and closing the Mom and Pop ADs. My AD was closed. They used to offer great service during and after the sale. A nice Scotch or two whether you were browsing or buying. Discounts and no tax. I will go into a "boutique" now if I ever pass one by but only to look.

3 March 2014, 10:18 AM	#11
jay1988 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Midlands Posts: 1,515	Their unwillingness/inability to service their vintage models. The restrictions they place on parts hindering independent watchmakers from filling the void they created.

3 March 2014, 10:19 AM	#12
Tudor66 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Al Location: California, USA Watch: GMT- Pepsi Posts: 3,462	The ill-conceived "Chimmney sweep mariner" never took hold in the United States... __________________ -NAWCC Member

3 March 2014, 10:19 AM	#13
RolexJNJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: Chicago Posts: 5,036	Personally, I do not care at all for the broader case/lugs on the new subs. And while I thought it was fantastic that they brought back the large orange hand on the exp2, they should have left the case size at 40mm. Just my very humble opinion.

3 March 2014, 10:24 AM	#17
dysondiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: tom Location: northern ireland Watch: my fins Posts: 10,063	not backing servicing of vintage is a big mistake ,,, puts a finite life on a rolex if you want to only have rolex service history ,,, they made them once , they could still make spares ,,,, to my thinking its like dishonoring your heritage oh , and a mid size sub would have been nice.

3 March 2014, 10:56 AM	#21
skypilot "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 490	Doing away with local AD's. We had a pleasant and knowledgeable local AD that they eliminated so now the closest AD is a 3 hour drive in a direction I rarely go. It worked out well for me, subsequent purchases have been from trusted sellers here.

3 March 2014, 11:41 AM	#24
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	Engraving on the Rehaut. Reminds me of a Louis Vuitton bag.

3 March 2014, 11:51 AM	#26
Mrdi Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Posts: 3,478	Increasing prices significantly on a regular basis , in spite of the economy.

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