How will Rolex announce the 2020 models?

[ArtNouveau]

Just last week one day before the AD closed, my reliable SA of over 20 years told me their RolexUSA rep told them the plan was a website launch in April followed by local and regional showings. I suspect that will happen but most likely delayed a month or two.
I believe any new variations were already in or scheduled for production before the recent shutdown.

[Bizcut1]

Really...who cares?

[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by Bizcut1

Really...who cares?

Unfortunately this too.

[direwolf]

We obviously do otherwise we would not be on this forum right now. Again, maybe thinking about new watches can be a nice quick distraction during these troubling times. I think most of us understand the seriousness of what is going on in the world.

[blada4life]

i'm torn... initially when the C19 virus came about and started shutting things down, i thought it would shift to online only, or small presentation. Then, Rolex closed... as of about 1-2 weeks ago i thought they might cancel releases. Now, i see the market may need an injection, like the Fed has done, and i am convinced again there WILL be a new release... possibly summer time. They will have a few weeks +- but given what others have said before, they likely already have stopped production on some models and at the same time started production on new models... they cant just not release, it would affect their bottom line. Once this is all said and done, it would be nice for them to get an infusion of hype for a new model(s) and boost sales that have been sitting on shelves and in their warehouses for what will likely be 1-2 months. I do, however, see any release to be very quiet. Possibly just an announcement on IG and their site. No fan fair, but maybe some sort of "sneak peak" to not only peak interest, but also push a few existing models off shelves if people know they will be gone.

Lets not forget, they essentially abruptly closed their doors about 1 month before debuting new releases. Not only are promotional items prepared already, but likely the website, pictures, movements, manufacturing equipment re-tooled and watches in production. They have shifted manufacturing internally i am sure... they cant just throw that all away. They have NOTHING to lose to release a new model. Nothing. Whether there is a new sub or old sub, it will sell similarly (new sub probably even better), and given all the costs already invested, it doesnt make sense to undo everything just to save face in a watch community. The general public will be none the wiser anyway.

[Brian7708]

Patek put off their new releases to 2021. I think Rolex could do the same.

[eplsoccer7]

This might be the wrong thread, however having their facilities shut will have a huge impact on their supply chain. Being a private foundation, their financials are anyones best guess. My understanding is that they outsource a good portion of their parts to independent suppliers. If these independent suppliers suffer during the COVID-19 global shutdown (and possibly depression) Rolex will either need to bail them out or their production runs become limited. If that's the case, they may push back any new releases and keep supply low to keep demand high. As I type this, Neiman Marcus is considering bankruptcy to ease debt loads. Nobody knows what the balance sheet of Rolex looks like..