Do you think Rolex have come up against a brick wall?

[mjrennie]

Originally Posted by EchoBlueUK

I'd like to see:

Pepsi Ceramic for the GMT2C, DSSD with wider bracelet and "...ring lock" etc. words gone, Super Jubilee option on a DJ2.

That's about it from me.

Good choices.

I'd like to see a ss sub with blue face and bezel, like the wg version, only not £15!

and a ban on blingy rolexes, they are not nice, almost never.

as long as things are blue, it will be cool.

[Danand]

Thatsthe beauty of engineering and r an d- when we mere mortals think something is perfect and can't be improved someone comes up with something the rest of us didn't think of. For example the glidelock clasp is great but perhaps it is a bit long- so can someone design an improved version that is shorter while still performing the same way( same amount of adjustability, etc)?
I guess the problem is we don't have a crystal ball to see everything coming down the line. We might enter a period of relatively minor changes, but there will be big ones again sometime. Time does not stand still, and likely neither does rolex.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Danand

For example the glidelock clasp is great but perhaps it is a bit long- so can someone design an improved version that is shorter while still performing the same way( same amount of adjustability, etc)?

Good post, but if that GLIDELOCK were made any shorter, the very purpose for which it was designed and engineered would be defeated.

It has to be long enough for a professional diver to wear on the outside of a thick diving suit. In fact, the DSSD GLIDELOCK is even further modified for this purpose and is an advancement on the Sub's Glidelock system.

JJ

[Danand]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Good post, but if that GLIDELOCK were made any shorter, the very purpose for which it was designed and engineered would be defeated.

It has to be long enough for a professional diver to wear on the outside of a thick diving suit. In fact, the DSSD GLIDELOCK is even further modified for this purpose and is an advancement on the Sub's Glidelock system.

JJ

That's exactly my point- IF they could make it shorter but still keep the same degree of adjustability that would be great. (say the length of a gmt master 2 clasp but the degree of adjustability of the subc). We think it can't be done, but maybe it can, it just needs someone to have a eureka moment.

[zeuloa]

They will probably leave the main things such as bracelets, cases , and such the same for the next 20 years while having minor improvements. Maybe the next step for the Sub C will be to take it down to 4000ft like the old Sea Dweller!

[JasoninDenver]

Maybe the next big step would be a customization program whereby the buyer has the ability to specify dials, hands bezels, etc. This would let them cater to the exclusive set that is willing to pay a premium for such selections and further enhance their brand VIP chacet.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Maybe the next big step would be a customization program whereby the buyer has the ability to specify dials, hands bezels, etc. This would let them cater to the exclusive set that is willing to pay a premium for such selections and further enhance their brand VIP chacet.

Good observation, Jason...............but I think that can be done even today by the Rich & Famous!!

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Maybe the next big step would be a customization program whereby the buyer has the ability to specify dials, hands bezels, etc. This would let them cater to the exclusive set that is willing to pay a premium for such selections and further enhance their brand VIP chacet.

I think this is already available to companies and very exclusive customers at a high premium.

[MrTito]

I know you guys don't always embrace the 'bigger' watches, but if Rolex ever produced a 44mm sub I would never buy any other watch ever again.....ever....at all.......ever....never

Pretty please

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by MrTito

I know you guys don't always embrace the 'bigger' watches, but if Rolex ever produced a 44mm sub I would never buy any other watch ever again.....ever....at all.......ever....never

Pretty please

Rolex already have the 43 mm DSSD, so I don't see them pumping up the Sub from its present 40 to 44 mm..............and then have it competing against the DSSD for size.

JJ

[sandybax]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Rolex already have the 43 mm DSSD, so I don't see them pumping up the Sub from its present 40 to 44 mm..............and then have it competing against the DSSD for size.

JJ

Yeah, but DSSD is too damn thick. I want a bigger watch, but that brick just does not sit right on my hand and I am not a small guy. 44mm Sub is the way to go!!!

[rxonmymind]

Here's one. How about making one that wouldn't need to be sent in to RSC for maintenance.
Least you scoff at the idea look at what Dyson did to the Eureka vacuum industry. Proved one does not need a bag AND that was a HUGE engineering accomplishment.

[Michael M.]

I think they should update the clasp on yacht master, come out with a GMT2c with a pepsi bezel, and a 42mm daytona.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

I think they should update the clasp on yacht master, come out with a GMT2c with a pepsi bezel, and a 42mm daytona.

All good suggestions, Michael..............hope they happen!!

[rxonmymind]

Maybe make metals that self lubricate within the watch and by default other parts around it?

[Traveler]

Coke, Pesisi and 7up bezels for the GMT;s wider braclet for the Submariner LN and LV. SS version of the WG blue dial and bezel Submariner.

[HL65]

I think they can offer smooth bezel for gold DDll with a few more dials to choose from--that is about it IMHO.

[Joey_V]

Please...

There's so much that can be done.

1. Improve the crystal. Use something better than sapphire.
2. Hardened steel to resist scratches better.
3. Glidelock on all clasps (GMTIIC included).
4. Better lume.
5. Easy release system for their bracelets so we can start playing with straps.
6. Improved chrono pushers on the daytona. Not something that isn't water resistant underwater.
7. Improved shock system for the movement... Perhaps suspend it between springs or shocks.

So many. It's naive to say that this is as good as it gets.

[Lion]

There is always room for improvements that any company can make to their products but if you are looking for agreements among end users...that will never happen. Since Rolex has done the most to improving wrist watches over the decades I believe people now expect big changes and are not happy when the changes do not meet up with their expectations.......So we have choices we can make and one of them would be not to buy and patronage the brand!!!

[rfknauss]

JJ, for a mass production watch, Rolex can't be beat. I think they are constantly making improvements and will continue to do so in the future.

[Mockingbird]

Erase the whole super case debacle and go back to their old well-proportioned cases.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Think back 50 years. (I'm only 33, but pretend I'm 95).

Watchmaking had gone through major changes prior to that, and then automatic watch became more common. That blew people's minds. Accutron made it's crazy device, and set the movements into two seperate catagories.

Rolex has kept the basic movement idea, and improved on the frame. In 20 years it will change even more. I expect to see the movements made of crazy light weight metals, or things beyond the parachrome spring.

As far as looks go, they need to get this Pepsi thing situated!

[Watch Professor]

Allowing us to purchase parts such as the new Glide Lock clasp.
Adding a date to the Daytona.

[fernando]

Add anti-reflective coatings to both sides of the crystal (other mfg's have been doing this for decades).

I agree with the posts about upgrading the crystal material. Synthetic diamond, which is certainly doable with today's technology - or perhaps as used in one of the Star-Trek movies, transparent aluminum. I would be impressed with that.

Add some thickness and dome the crystals a la DSSD.

Optional crystal backs to see the movement. The Omega Seamaster GMT (2535.80) has one.

I agree with the longer power reserve, maybe 72 hrs. Along with some notation on the dial to indicate such reserve.

[SCD]

Co-axial movements some time down the road?

[Pep04]

They can create more models with complications like their competitors. Maybe a new moon phase watch or a split second?


I would like to see what a rubber strap would look like on my GMTIIc.

[ayres]

i think shock absorption will see some advances... as is currently happening in other brands.

higher-beat movements with better alloys that resist wear better?

whatever it is, it needs to happen. maybe we're all denying the truth: rolex peaked decades ago. i hope not.

[Joey_V]

Bottomline is that Rolex will not stay stagnant and they are not up against a brick wall.

I don't understand how anyone can think otherwise.

I mean, even the Daytona has faults - what about the bezel and the fading numbers?

[KarlFr]

Rolex hasn't stopped developping, just taking one planned step ahead at the time. if you live in switzerland for a while you'll figure it out. Imagination is there no limit to, and competion is getting tougher now when major brands are all going manufacture. For Rolex sake i'm hopping they'll follow the shrinking watch trend (no bigger manufactured than 43mm as quoted by zenith). Personnally i also like to retro trend like the tudor heritage and possibly 1655 inspired expii nextyear. If rolex were daring (but not though)they'll also go for a Rolex Portugueser style or a bullhead daytona all equipt with second generation coaxials

[jamesw]

Maybe Rolex could take a look at their QC.