Rolex - sacrificing one market for the sake of another?

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Devildog

We're assuming that the WG BLRO won't still be available with a black dial Neil - it wouldn't be the first time that not all the dial options were shown on the website (ie WG Sky D and PM Daytonas)

Additionally, as JS has mentioned above, we shouln't assume the Oyster bracelet will fit the SS BLRO case. Rolex makes reference to a redesign, so they may not be interchangeable.

Fair point Scott, but with ADs not taking black orders I thought they might be ended, we'll see.

[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.

[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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[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

Originally Posted by Jim Smyth

I have the WG BLRO and dont care that a SS version is out there. I am actually happy that it will be at a price point that more people can enjoy one at. Getting into the PM club is a hard pill to swallow and most cant afford to do so. Now there will be more Pepsi's out there which will make mine blend in even more which is why I bought mine in the first place. I dont like drawing attention to myself (if thats even possible wearing any Rolex) but I like the nicer things in life.

Jim let’s see how many people complain and say they don’t like the bezel color now!


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[tomchicago]

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

[Jacobson]

Originally Posted by AK797

It is a bit strange to disco the WG black and make it blue. It would have been smarter all round just to introduce a blue SS BLRO and leave the WG if they don't want to disco it completely. I predicted a white or red/blue gradient dial on the SS to keep the WG black.

Could be a very short run. Maybe it's to allow for exising inventory of WG cases to be sold out. Then maybe introduce a WG RONR or somthing in its place next year.

[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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[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.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Jacobson

Could be a very short run. Maybe it's to allow for exising inventory of WG cases to be sold out.

You may be on to something. The blue-dial WG BLRO is a completely under-the-radar release. It's not mentioned with the new releases, and even the reference number remains unchanged. It's almost like Rolex doesn't want people to know they changed it.

[3581512]

Originally Posted by outtatime

I find it interesting how most of the time, PM buyers will say 'oh, I don't buy it to be showy, I buy PM because I like the metal, or (in the case of white gold) because it flies under-the-radar', but then complain when someone can get the "same" watch in steel.

If you REALLY don't care...then...why does it matter??

I was thinking the same thing, I thought the appeal of WG was that it looked like steel and wasn't flashy

[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.

[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

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


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[Jacobson]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

You may be on to something. The blue-dial WG BLRO is a completely under-the-radar release. It's not mentioned with the new releases, and even the reference number remains unchanged. It's almost like Rolex doesn't want people to know they changed it.

I don't know about any other region but the UK price of the new WG GMT is now lower by £1200 compared to the black dial WG GMT.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by AK797

Fair point Scott, but with ADs not taking black orders I thought they might be ended, we'll see.

I did think that but then we heard of ADs that weren’t taking orders for the smurf too.

But yes Neil. Let’s see




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[elcompa]

Originally Posted by Drixonite

SS Day-Date...

Never happen!

[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.

[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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[dr35mm]

Originally Posted by outtatime

Why does it matter? If you want a PM piece...does it matter that someone can also buy the same watch in steel?

They make steel and two-tone watches.

How is it "alienating" anyone?

I find it interesting how most of the time, PM buyers will say 'oh, I don't buy it to be showy, I buy PM because I like the metal, or (in the case of white gold) because it flies under-the-radar', but then complain when someone can get the "same" watch in steel.

If you REALLY don't care...then...why does it matter??

This x 10000000

[AK797]

Originally Posted by jets

I think we're overthinking it.

Who? Us? Here? Never!

[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.

[ian.thomas]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

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

They already make a SS DD >>>

[Reddy_Kilowatt]

Originally Posted by outtatime

Why does it matter? If you want a PM piece...does it matter that someone can also buy the same watch in steel?

They make steel and two-tone watches.

How is it "alienating" anyone?

I find it interesting how most of the time, PM buyers will say 'oh, I don't buy it to be showy, I buy PM because I like the metal, or (in the case of white gold) because it flies under-the-radar', but then complain when someone can get the "same" watch in steel.

If you REALLY don't care...then...why does it matter??

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

PM buyers are a different breed. I don't think they will give a hoot.

You think so? I think a great number of PM buyers (not necessarily represented in the sample of hardcore watch guys on this forum) care about making sure the public knows their watch costs a lot of money.

It doesn't mean they are bad people by any stretch, but I think some people like to show off how much their watch costs.

[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.

[jcs2000]

WG is for being under the radar. I do not like the look of yellow gold so all my collection is in white metals (steel, white gold, platinum) so I will never add rose gold. It is clear WG is not a big seller and we can see that with WG Skydweller going away—glad I got mine when I did. Rolex is about selling watches and SS will always sell the best. They are giving the market what it wants.

[Swashplate]

Steel does not look exactly like Stainless. Sorry but I have both metals on my left hand and Steel has no luster. I do agree about the odd marketing decision as all of the other PM watches have a particular color trim feature to them. Frankly that is why I expected a Coke version so no confusion was made.

[georgekart]

My two cents is that if you want to show that you bought a PM Rolex, just get a YG or RG. If you get WG in my opinion it means that you want something that doesn't stand out to most people as a PM watch, but you know what you have on the wrist.