Rolex is just lazy..

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

True story. There is nothing from this year that I want. But there was really nothing that I wanted either except to be surprised and awed a bit. I obviously wasn't. Unimaginative, yes. I'm sticking with lazy too.

,,,

Very Direct Tom,,,,,,
seems to be all about Tudor this year,,,,,
pepsi seems more of a burgundy with purple to my 54yr old eyes,,,
Still love it though by both Rolex and Tudor

[red1108nyc]

Ho hum year so it’s good for my wallet :-)

[904VT]

Originally Posted by HL65

They always just like this year make at least 1 watch I want and buy. A few years back it was the 116500's. Last year the SD43 and SS SkyD. This year the SS GMT BLRO. So for me very happy as it is no different than typcial Rolex minor updates and few changes. They never are going to wow everyone or make huge changes that's just who they are. Also no diffferent than every year with Basel many are happy and many are not so life goes on.

You bring up some good points and if anything Rolex is being consistent with years passed and not looking to reinvent the mold in any one year.

I can only speak for myself, but I have a list of Rolex watches longer than I can keep up with that are all in line for a purchase and all have been recent releases

SD43, new DSSD, GMT Pepsi, SS Sky D, RG Rootbeer, OF Daytona

[JElvis]

Long time fan of anything Pepsi - from the original GMT to the Master II ...but... I just cannot shake the feeling of seeing "sort of red" and "sort of blue" on the bezel ---to me, it looks a bit purple and a bit pink. Just my two cents. Not sure that's anyone's fault, but it is something that makes me shy away form this new watch....for now.....

[Rashid.bk]

This Basel is the same as every year, angry people and happy people. Honestly, this is Rolex, snail pace improvements on materials of the existing references. I quite like it.
This year Omega has no less than 14 variations of the Seamaster 300. Next year I would imagine they will get rid of six and add eight or something crazy like that.

I appreciate Rolex's incremental improvements. The new Pepsi is freaking gorgeous even though I won't be buying it. The one thing I hate about Rolex now is the inability to actually be able to purchase a watch anymore.

[strettyend]

Was a little let down by the Basel announcements but that isn't really my major disappointment. The most disappointing thing is, as you said, not being able to walk into an AD and buy a steel sub or GMT. I mean it's not like they haven't been making roughly the same watch for 50+ years. The fact that you can't just plop down 9 odd grand for a mass produced watch and take it home that day is frankly ridiculous.

[rexG]

To those with a PM.....What’s the big fuss about the new PM GMT? I read all the time....”no one knows it’s WG and not SS.....thats the beauty of it.....but I know and that’s ALL that matters”.......so you don’t have a Blue dial now.....but you still know you’re wearing a WG GMT....right? What about the 5 digit GMT Pepsi owners having to endure all of this....lol! Rolex can’t make everyone happy......just most. I’ll be buying the new Pepsi.

[rabbithole88]

I have to say that that Daytona is growing on me. I might get it for the wife.

[topfuel25]

The ss Pepsi sure is a “surprise” lol when everyone was practically guessing already

[vladamir15]

I agree with you Gaijin imo it was a weak year for rolex releases

[brandrea]

This year was like most other years for me.

I definitely think the BLRO is worth a look. Can't wait for the Basel release party

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[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Starve the marketplace. Right. I just don't get this which makes me think they they just don't give a anymore about us. When I first started this expensive hobby I could walk into any AD and get just about anything I wanted right away or order it ( other than a SS Daytona. )


What is with all the hoops to jump through and the shortages. I used to go to my old AD 3-4 times a month to look at watches, talk with nice like minded sales people and occasionally buy one. All while being plied with free Scotch. . Now there is no point.

Painful to walk into an AD and have a drained salesperson roll their eyes or here suck air through their teeth while telling you no they don't have it and no they can't get it for you.

I'm getting off topic a bit..

but I'm losing my passion.

Hard to not feel the same. The AD’s are just as frustrated. Clearly they would prefer to have more watches to sell. I’m right there with you.


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[lzz73]

Which member of the rap and hip-hop community was the new Daytona specially designed for?

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

The new pepsi GMT is a frankenstein.

They needed to recoup the cost of the Blue /Red Bezel since the WG sales were in the dumpster.

Just like they needed to recoup the cost from the Skydweller. Put them in a SS case so we can sell them!

At the end of the day, Rolex is a manufacturer. They need to sell what they make.

They spent alotta money on references that weren't meeting expectations.

Spot on Fleetlord!!!
I think you nailed it ...

[Flier]

In comparison with last year they have been lame
I would not buy anything from their new collection
To me it looks like old food with a new wrap

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

The new pepsi GMT is a frankenstein.

They needed to recoup the cost of the Blue /Red Bezel since the WG sales were in the dumpster.

Just like they needed to recoup the cost from the Skydweller. Put them in a SS case so we can sell them!

At the end of the day, Rolex is a manufacturer. They need to sell what they make.

They spent alotta money on references that weren't meeting expectations.

I dont necessary like it, but I have to agree with you. As I normally do.

You really do seem to have your finger on the pulse of things.

[Maiden]

What I find interesting is the new DJ 36. Think about this, they release an updated model and put the new 32 movement in it. A datejust? The new movement goes into the datejust before the Sub, before the 36mm Day Date. Why?

I think it is because the datejust represents Rolex's largest consumer market. As much as we bitch and complain about waiting for these hot sports models, I bet there will be plenty of datejusts available, for possibly Rolex's largest and most important customer. Perhaps us on forums are not as special as we think. Maybe the majority of Rolex owners are able to walk in and buy the watch they want? Its a datejust?

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by gregmoeck

I'm selling all my modern models, I'm 5 digit only from this point forward.

The old ones are best......SS Rolex watches used to be tool watches, now they are jewel watches.....bah humbug, I’ll just wear my 1655 with the rattly folded link bracelet with the tin foil clasp.

[Yuri.Popov]

Even though I like some of the new Rolex models in this Basel, I am also a little disappointed... I don't see the wow! factor anymore.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

The old ones are best......SS Rolex watches used to be tool watches, now they are jewel watches.....bah humbug, I’ll just wear my 1655 with the rattly folded link bracelet with the tin foil clasp.

Which is why the Tudor line is beginning to better and better to my old eyes.

[kilyung]

After what they did with the SkD and BLRO, I’m done buying Rolex WG models.

[dhknola]

The new Daytona is worth shaming, what does it's tachymetre scale count with those silly stones? It's kind of a bummer that with a limited release line, one is as lame and functionally derelict as that time-only Daytona...
I was hoping for some update to the Cellini line because I think the moonphase date they introduced last year is so good, and that with a triple date function would have been an insta-classic, basel winner.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by rabbithole88

I have to say that that Daytona is growing on me. I might get it for the wife.

~$350k

Your wife is a lucky woman

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by kilyung

After what they did with the SkD and BLRO, I’m done buying Rolex WG models.

I fully understand and don't blame you one bit. Rolex had zero regard for the hard earned money that WG lovers spent on those models.

Rolex taking leftover bezels from the WG GMT II C and throwing them on a SS bracelet is like how Anthony Bourdain described what Chefs do with leftover fish on Sunday. Throw it in with some other stuff and you have fish you couldn't sell now marketed as Chef's Special Seafood Stew. Everybody buys it.

[Bruno Datejust]

But having renovated only part of the Datejust line, aren't they going to kill the market of SS DJ, OP and DD until the new 12XXXX references will be on the market? Strange behaviour. .

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Starve the marketplace. Right. I just don't get this which makes me think they they just don't give a anymore about us. When I first started this expensive hobby I could walk into any AD and get just about anything I wanted right away or order it ( other than a SS Daytona. )


What is with all the hoops to jump through and the shortages. I used to go to my old AD 3-4 times a month to look at watches, talk with nice like minded sales people and occasionally buy one. All while being plied with free Scotch. . Now there is no point.

Painful to walk into an AD and have a drained salesperson roll their eyes or here suck air through their teeth while telling you no they don't have it and no they can't get it for you.

I'm getting off topic a bit..

but I'm losing my passion.

Right. Totally get you, Tom. I can't even go to my AD anymore b/c Rolex pretty much forced them out of their AD status.

So I've got to look at my computer screen if I even want to see one. And pour my own scotch.

Originally Posted by Duey

What about Rolex not giving a about the people that purchased a 116719BLRO ? Now that's just lazy.
They would have sold just as many if not more black & red bezels and not pissed off the PM buyers.

Hey Rolex -

Right on, Duey. Stick it to the man.

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

The new pepsi GMT is a frankenstein.

They needed to recoup the cost of the Blue /Red Bezel since the WG sales were in the dumpster.

Just like they needed to recoup the cost from the Skydweller. Put them in a SS case so we can sell them!

At the end of the day, Rolex is a manufacturer. They need to sell what they make.

They spent alotta money on references that weren't meeting expectations.

Yep...agree. Even though it's painful to hear. Well said.

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

Ho hum year so it’s good for my wallet :-)

Exactly. My wife is thankful as well.

Originally Posted by kilyung

After what they did with the SkD and BLRO, I’m done buying Rolex WG models.

Well that's understandable, Mike. However, lately, WG has been where my head is at. The feel of it, the heft, the fact that I can look down and be wowed by the looks of it, yet it doesn't scream "I'm gold!"

So...I've slowly been dumping the YG and going for steel or WG. As a matter of fact, have a WG and a steel coming tomorrow. Basel 19 be damned.

[abozz]

Is NOT lazy, is already PERFECT, and do not need to be Flashy with new models.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Bruno Datejust

But having renovated only part of the Datejust line, aren't they going to kill the market of SS DJ, OP and DD until the new 12XXXX references will be on the market? Strange behaviour. .

Didn't they just update the DJ36 this year and the DJ41 in years prior

DD already has next gen movement, at least the 40

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by superdog

I dont necessary like it, but I have to agree with you. As I normally do.

You really do seem to have your finger on the pulse of things.

Thanks! I just try to look behind the curtain and see the reasons for things..it gets me in trouble sometimes...

I really felt strongly it was going to be a pepsi once the promo video came out...I just was traveling around and didn't get a chance to pontificate my belief that they would not be doing a COKE, but a Pepsi to recoup their costs....I think some other peeps have mentioned that as well...

The sacred ground of PM only in certain models or colorways is pretty much over. That ended with the Skydweller last year. Now with the absolutely unthinkable...moving the Pepsi to SS....while still using it in WG???????? But, again, they need to recoup that bezel...

I think the Day Date is still safe as a PM only model as it is as old as dirt and paid for itself many times over....




or is it? Muahhhahha

Can you imagine a SS Day Date ?

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

The sacred ground of PM only in certain models or colorways is pretty much over. That ended with the Skydweller last year. Now with the absolutely unthinkable...moving the Pepsi to SS....while still using it in WG???????? But, again, they need to recoup that bezel...

I think the Day Date is still safe as a PM only model as it is as old as dirt and paid for itself many times over....

If they need to ditch some slow moving dials...