Has Rolex lost its pizzaz?

[Lol-x]

I'm not talking about legends......in their own lunch hour.....Bozos!!!

Rolex needs to strike the imagination of the general populous.
Admittedly Rolex may be beyond the financial reach of the general populous these days.
We are quite well aware of the exquisite precision that Rolex brings to the table.......but its the marketing that excites the imagination and stimulates the general buying public into action.

Hence my point: Rolex needs to spark some imagination in the potential buying populous.

[MaxCargo]

Hm... If Rolex gave me the new Exp II phantom I could gladly take it to Svalbard and have a fist(paw)fight with polarbears live on TV.
MMA fighting Viking styke
And become a realty show douchebag with a rolex.

[mjclark32]

Maybe they should go back to donating a certain production Rolex to a certain person... like the 18,000,000th Rolex to the member of seal team 6 that shot Bin Laden (which may not work so well in advertising since we're not supposed to know their identity, but you get my drift...).

[watchf]

Probably because tennis and golf players (not sure about yachtsmen) earn big bucks and most people look to $$$ as being successful so align Rolex being worn by these sports people as the symbol of success I reckon.

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by watchf

Probably because tennis and golf players (not sure about yachtsmen) earn big bucks and most people look to $$$ as being successful so align Rolex being worn by these sports people as the symbol of success I reckon.

+1

[ewhite]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Once upon a time there were astronauts, presidents, and adventurers who conquored new frontiers that wore Rolex.

Today we have tennis and golf players and yachtsmen.........

Come on Rolex what's wrong!!!!!??????

Technology has changed. I feel like today's adventurer has more options. For example devices that measure altitude, temperature, heart rate, air pressure, etc. I'd rather have additional information on my wrist if it helped my performance and safety.

[watchdaddy1]

no more adventures they been replaced w/ hip hop moguls & the like

[mike]

Originally Posted by ewhite

Technology has changed. I feel like today's adventurer has more options. For example devices that measure altitude, temperature, heart rate, air pressure, etc. I'd rather have additional information on my wrist if it helped my performance and safety.

Yeah, I think that's a valid point. As mentioned earlier G-shock etc... provide so much more information. While these functions can be carried out by equiment designed for the task a back-up system is nice to have.

Having worn Rolex for more years than most here have been alive IMHO the modern references are every bit as capable as their forbearers (actually more so) to take whatever comes up.

Rolex themselves says they make luxury items. Some feel this started as far back as the mid-80s with the advent of WG surrounds etc..

[Mosco]

I think as long as Rolex has the ability to sell vast majority of its stock without having to close any of it out (sell at deep discounts), they don't need to re-think their strategy. If it ain't broke - don't fix it.

[WyoWatch]

I agree with others sentiments on here about the direction they have taken. I first became aware of and wanted a Rolex based on all those National Geographic ads over the years showing extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. Where have those people gone? I guess there is still a little bit of that going on like the "Deepsea under the Poles" expedition sponsored by Rolex:

http://www.deepseaunderthepolenews.com/event.asp

[expensivetaste]

There are still a few programs such as the Young laureates, Awards for Enterprise, and mentors and proteges that Rolex still heads up. However i agree with Steve, that it isn't as publicized as it once was.

[LightOnAHill]

does it really matter? to me, no.

but if you won't wear a watch because it's not in some circle of people sk youcan feel included in that circle you were only within a dillusion to begin with. we call it marketing and many are victims if it ;)

[Wisconsin Proud]

Another person trying to tell the most successful watch company how to do business...

[MortgageGuy]

I would love to see more adventure put into the Rolex name again, sure the golf/tennis is great but I agree we are missing something... Rolex has such a great product, I think it is time to start showing just what it is capable of again

[T-Rip]

Now a days I think people buy the Rolex brand for just that, the brand.People buy them for the history and the story. There are 100's of watches that are mechanically better, have a better depth rate, more updated and aggresive style, ect.... Rolex is a status symbol more then a "superlative" timepiece..
If you are looking for a watch (non digital) for the sole reason to tell the most accurate time, then rolex shouldnt be on the top of your list.They are great but certainly not the best....
I love my DSSD but I find myself wearing my breitling "44" more and more often. Mainly due to the more modern look of it..IMHO....
Dont get me wrong I respect Rolex for not making a huge amount of different models. Keeping them simple makes them more prestigious, then on the other hand maybe a down side as well..

[Le Chef]

These days people have gotten savvy to product placement. If I'm an explorer or famous musician I want you to pay me to wear your product. If Rolex won't pay they won't get product placement. Simple as that.

[skalis]

The changing kind of ambassadors just reflects the changing taste of society in general. The heroes from the past - like presidents, adventurers or even scientists (see the very vintage rolex ads) - are replaced by new 'pseudoheroes' like VIPs, movie stars etc. We should be lucky for tenis players and people like this, because they still belong to those, who made their fortune by their hard work.

[skalis]

Just fot ilustration... (hopefully, you will see the pictures, I have linked them from our watch forum)

scans made by forum.chronomag.cz member Romulada:

[Khack]

I like pizza.

[Harrya]

Yes Rolex sucks now. In the same has-been category as Rolls Royce, Bentley, LV, Chanel, Bechstein and Bugatti....All brands that have lost their pizza.....Not.

[Oyster1982]

Rolex is still a sexy watch, there are plenty of gangsters and dictators who wear a Rolex.

[Ski Dweller]

When I see Rolex on Amazon.com for 30-50% off MSRP like I see Breitling, Omega or TAG, Rolex will have lost its cache.

[htc8p]

in asia it is still the top watch brand. chinese gobble it up like candy

[glimmer]

Honestly I think it is a function of their growth as a company...Rolex is now a luxury brand, thus their ambassadors are people with money. It wouldn't hurt though to start catering to those who will have money someday ( or the future wealthy).

[pyxis]

Originally Posted by htc8p

in asia it is still the top watch brand. chinese gobble it up like candy

Not just in Asia, but still No. 1 all over the world based on the ranking of brand value. But in Asia, I think way way above any other brand.

[toph]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Once upon a time there were astronauts, presidents, and adventurers who conquored new frontiers that wore Rolex.

Today we have tennis and golf players and yachtsmen.........

Come on Rolex what's wrong!!!!!??????

Once upon a time they were societies heroes that ordinary people aspired to be, now the average person aspires to be sportstar or superstar..

[bhall41]

Originally Posted by toph

Once upon a time they were societies heroes that ordinary people aspired to be, now the average person aspires to be sportstar or superstar..

Sad but probably, in many cases, true.

[cody p]

I don't think they need to spark the imagination of the general populous. It seems to me the general populous already thinks that Rolex is 'the watch' to own. We (WIS) of course, know better.

[magic_johnson]

Some say Chuck Norris wears a Rolex :)

[nowzen]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Once upon a time there were astronauts, presidents, and adventurers who conquored new frontiers that wore Rolex.

Today we have tennis and golf players and yachtsmen.........

Come on Rolex what's wrong!!!!!??????

Agree 100%.

I couldn't care less what some guy wears whose only achievement is how well he can bash a yellow tennis ball. Miss the good ol' days... real men, real achievements, real robust stainless steel watches.

Rolex is changing into a company of glitzy, blingy celebrity crapola.
Too bad.