Rolex - sacrificing one market for the sake of another?

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

We first saw it with the SkyDweller, a piece that people thought would never be introduced in SS, yet a few years later, here we are.

Today, a SS Pepsi that looks EXACTLY like the PM BLRO (source yourself an Oyster bracelet, and you've got a 1:1 copy).

No doubt, this alienates the PM crowd and would push them towards other (PP, AP) brands. I get that the SS customers must be ecstatic, but what about all the former PM customers?

This is coming from a SS customer interested in my first PM piece...it makes me second guess going after the DayDate, as they'll probably release one in SS soon enough.

The Day-Date will never be produced in SS. Mark my words. Now I don’t know about Oystersteel lol!

Seriously, the DD will never be produced in steel. It has always been Rolex’s flagship. Their iconic PM watch. The Sky-Dweller is only 6 years old. The DD is 62 and counting. It stands for success and steel just doesn’t cut it. They chose to release the Datejust in TT and SS and that’s how things will remain. The DD really killed 18k Datejust sales. They were still producing 116238s but I don’t know if this changed as of now.

[kans86]

Originally Posted by lecorsaire

The Day-Date will never be produced in SS. Mark my words. Now I don’t know about Oystersteel lol!

Seriously, the DD will never be produced in steel. It has always been Rolex’s flagship. Their iconic PM watch. The Sky-Dweller is only 6 years old. The DD is 62 and counting. It stands for success and steel just doesn’t cut it. They chose to release the Datejust in TT and SS and that’s how things will remain. The DD really killed 18k Datejust sales. They were still producing 116238s but I don’t know if this changed as of now.

The GMT is a sport/tool watch, and Rolex sport/tool watches are firstly made from steel. I can't see any reference of them only existing in PM. The DD is not a sport but dress watch.

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by kans86

The GMT is a sport/tool watch, and Rolex sport/tool watches are firstly made from steel. I can't see any reference of them only existing in PM. The DD is not a sport but dress watch.

Actually for many years now, the new sport models have been introduced in PM followed later by some sort of SS variant. In the old days the SS 1675 was introduced as well as the 1680 sub followed by a gold model at some point.


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[kans86]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

Actually for many years now, the new sport models have been introduced in PM followed later by some sort of SS variant. In the old days the SS 1675 was introduced as well as the 1680 sub followed by a gold model at some point.


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Yes you are correct. Actually I meant steel is supposed the main material for sport watch.

[sco]

I’m not sure an oyster bracelet will fit the new Pepsi. It was mentioned that the lugs were different...

[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

Originally Posted by sco

I’m not sure an oyster bracelet will fit the new Pepsi. It was mentioned that the lugs were different...

It won’t fit.... you are correct, they redesigned the lugs


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[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

The lugs and side of the case have been redesigned the oyster bracelet won’t fit on the SS version....


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[Rogdogg]

I don't think it would bother me that somebody could get a watch in steel that looks the same as my WG model. I'd know that mine was gold and theirs was steel and I wouldn't care who else knew.

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[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Today, a SS Pepsi that looks EXACTLY like the PM BLRO (source yourself an Oyster bracelet, and you've got a 1:1 copy).

The case edges and lugs are very slightly modified on the SS Pepsi, so technically not a 1:1 copy. Also, the case mods could mean existing SS Oyster bracelets won't fit the new case.

[codecow]

I do not "get" any of the WG professional line models. To me they do not really feel special and I don't get a feeling of gold from white gold.

Yellow gold with bracelet does it for me though!

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by codecow

I do not "get" any of the WG professional line models. To me they do not really feel special and I don't get a feeling of gold from white gold.

Yellow gold with bracelet does it for me though!

Have you ever tried one on? WG feels exactly the same as YG on the wrist

[vinny84]

I'm still interested in acquiring a YG Sub sometime in the future. If they made a Sub in blue bezel and dial in SS, it still wouldn't stop me from wanting one or buying one

[AK797]

Originally Posted by vinny84

I'm still interested in acquiring a YG Sub sometime in the future. If they made a Sub in blue bezel and dial in SS, it still wouldn't stop me from wanting one or buying one

Suddenly I thought of Rolex yellow gold-plating subs! But hopefully that comes only after the DD goes SS and the fourth horseman comes riding in.

[GerardoG]

Just economics. Sales volume (per units) are hurting in the upper tier; this is why MANY brands are strengthening their SS line. Breitling and Omega are revamping the $5-9kus products.

If you read the overall condition of the swiss watch industry -as a whole, I know there are companies doing better and worse-, sales are down, profits are down, unit sales are down. People are spending LESS money on timepieces, so you can either: a) say I stay true to myself and try to survive or b) adjust to market needs and participate in the 'under 10k' product line

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Just economics. Sales volume (per units) are hurting in the upper tier; this is why MANY brands are strengthening their SS line. Breitling and Omega are revamping the $5-9kus products.

If you read the overall condition of the swiss watch industry -as a whole, I know there are companies doing better and worse-, sales are down, profits are down, unit sales are down. People are spending LESS money on timepieces, so you can either: a) say I stay true to myself and try to survive or b) adjust to market needs and participate in the 'under 10k' product line

You make an excellent point Gerardo.

I think that you and I may have been the only ones to listen to the "state of the industry" speeches during the live feed.

[Fabrice M]

I don’t think that the SS diminishes the White Gold Pepsi in any ways. The WG BLRO is and will always be the original ceramic Pepsi, which from a collector’s point of view is priceless. and if you like gold watches, having white gold is just genius in term of flying under the radar. I really think is is and always will be a special and unique watch. For people like me who prefers SS but didn’t like the GMT SS offerings, it a welcomed arrival.

[GFONG]

I own the WG BLRO. I don’t care about a SS version. It is similar to you wear the WG or PT ring. Do you care people wearing gold plated ring?

I don’t know why people are so excited about the SS BLRO. They keep saying the bezel is ugly. Most of them prefer the old bezel.

[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

Originally Posted by GFONG

I own the WG BLRO. I don’t care about a SS version. It is similar to you wear the WG or PT ring. Do you care people wearing gold plated ring?

I don’t know why people are so excited about the SS BLRO. They keep saying the bezel is ugly. Most of them prefer the old bezel.

My point Most say the color is off on the bezel, but SS makes you change your mind quick. I don’t like the jubilee on it soooo it’s nothing major imo


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[Giangos]

Originally Posted by SteelSubmarinerGuy

My point Most say the color is off on the bezel, but SS makes you change your mind quick. I don’t like the jubilee on it soooo it’s nothing major imo


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Exactly this. Last month when the WG BLRO was reported as discontinued the masses applauded this and lambasted the "off" bezel colors.

Today the same masses seem to be applauding a SS blro with the same bezel.

Methinks there is still the same sense of envy out there towards the WG.

On another note, the jubilee bracelet on the SS looks wrong to me. I'd like to see it in the flesh, but if the pics are anything to go by, it just doesn't look as good as the WG.


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[SPMN]

I wouldn't blame an existing BLRO owner for being annoyed. WG is nice to stay under the radar in the real world, but being happy with exclusivity is a pretty natural human trait.

[tomchicago]

Peezy this is a 100% valid concern. JF Dufour is blundering left and right with this.

[Mystro]

WG is for the owner to have a PM in white metal. SS,WG, Platinum doesn’t really matter as its a style choice. White metal is in style now more than ever. Yellow Gold is what you buy if you are looking for external acknowledgment of a PM watch. The general public generally doesn’t know anything about Rolex models other than “Its a Rolex”. A Rolex to the general public is not under the radar regardless what it’s made of.

[subtona]

It helps when the pm dial has some exclusivity or uniqueness.

In this case they are awfully similar...the jubilee bracelet makes the difference but with possibly a reverse impact as the jubilee may make the SS more desireable than the PM outright.

Jubilee bracelet hasn’t been unavailable for so long I can see a huge desire.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by subtona

It helps when the pm dial has some exclusivity or uniqueness.

In this case they are awfully similar...the jubilee bracelet makes the difference but with possibly a reverse impact as the jubilee may make the SS more desireable than the PM outright.

Jubilee bracelet hasn’t been unavailable for so long I can see a huge desire.

I stand corrected. The WG version now comes with a blue dial... missed it while I was frothing over all the news.

[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

You won’t be able to change the bracelet so it’s really no big deal for PM owners


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[benvh]

It’s interesting how they want to cash in and increase revenue by releasing a SS version of the Pepsi, but at the same time artificially limit availability (I’m assuming). I guess their methods do work, even moreso than having desirable features exclusive to PM.

Ben

[jets]

I think we're overthinking it. The just want to sell watches. I never doubted a SS pepsi it's like throwing money away for them if they don't release it. Just occured to me:

SS 116710LN / YG 116718LN / YG 116718GSO with the Green dial.
SS 126710BLRO / WG 116719BLRO / 116719BLRO with a Blue dial

Both PM versions have had 2 dial colors with the difference that YG can have either now and WG only the blue moving forward. Maybe this means 116718LN will depart in the future.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by jets

I think we're overthinking it.

Who? Us? Here? Never!

[lhawli]

No disregard to anyone at all and IMO only, I would never buy PM in WG. Unless it’s an ALS, which never comes in SS anyway.

Then again, never say never. But in any case, if I’m dropping that much cash in PM, I would like to show it with YG or RG. Otherwise I’m sticking to SS.

PS. Under the radar? Say what? It’s a Rolex people, it ain’t going under any radar - please!


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[ian.thomas]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

... DayDate, as they'll probably release one in SS soon enough.

They already make a SS DD >>>