"Steel" SkyDweller, is this a sign of desperation?

[gossbeau]

Originally Posted by speedmaster73

so what is it now....

will WG PM owners think others think its SS?

will ss owners assume others think it is PM?

well heres a fact. NO ONE can tell WG from SS on the wrist

so PM owners are safe as long as its YG!!!!

So I am wondering what Platona owners would think of a SS, more affordable version coming out with blue glacier dial?
The WG and SS versions Sky-Dwellers have the same configuration. Maybe with a different shade of white for the dial but still.
It seems like I m going to lose money again.

[Eva123]

Originally Posted by gossbeau

To tell you the truth, as many of you would know, I felt that it was a little bit of a low blow being an owner myself of the PM white gold model.
By doing that, Rolex is taking away from us, PM owners, much of the credit and exclusivity we had aspired to have when we purchased the so called "unique" and "high-priced" Sky Dweller in the first place.
The SS model now with white dial, looks exactly like mine dammit. Oh well, I am sure to flip it now.

Still do not understand your post. You are unhappy that your WG SkD will look like the same as WG/SS watch. I can tell you very openly that 99 percent of people do not know that your watch is made from WG. Also, your rant seems really inadeqate.... there are so many people who have Platonas and WG Daytonas and never complain that they look like SS watches. If tou wanted to show off you could buy RG SkD and tell to everybody that this is really full gold watch

[watchwatcher]

I don't think it's desperation...just good economics, as Gerardo said.

As to whether this has been their plan all along, who knows. Knowing the deliberate, strategic, and plodding nature of the way Rolex moves, I would be inclined to think so.

[904VT]

I like it in SS (white Rolesor in Rolex terms) a lot. You make some good points.

I also wonder if it may be more telling of Rolex's evaluation of its competitors. Perhaps they think they can gain new market share from AP and Patek with a complicated SS model of their own

[peterpl]

TBH I feel like Rolex did a smart move in terms of sales because no doubt the SS models and TT models are far far more attainable than the precious metals.

However, by doing this I reckon the prices of the Precious metals will come down. SS is $14k but the precious metal is around $34k? More than double for PM? Its just not worth it

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by peterpl

TBH I feel like Rolex did a smart move in terms of sales because no doubt the SS models and TT models are far far more attainable than the precious metals.

However, by doing this I reckon the prices of the Precious metals will come down. SS is $14k but the precious metal is around $34k? More than double for PM? Its just not worth it

PMs math wise are never worth it

[mahefa]

I thought once that Day-Date is untouchable when it comes to Steel versions, but i thought that Sky-Dweller is only 5 years old and gains little attention so there might be a plan to make Steel version.

Sky-Dweller is not that comfortable in hand as many sport rolexes, but it is masterpiece as it really works with high precision. My former partner bought it few years ago, i was not into watches that much then but it seemed very top of the line product right away. But its not sporty like Daytona or Sea-Dweller.

Rolex makes business, but they have brand psychology to take care of. I think there was too many new models today at Basel.

[GradyPhilpott]

I think the Rolesor model was in the plan from the beginning and I don't think it devalues the brand at all.

The Day-Date remains the king of the hill, so to speak.

[CYKBC]

I'm really pleased to see Rolex offering the TT SDs now. The new hands and stick dials look much better as I'd be peeved had I spent $30K on a yg previous gen model with the rather ugly roman/arabic numerals. I wouldn't kick the champagne faced tt out of bed. Well done.

[OmegaJJH]

I certainly don't think Rolex are struggling

They could ramp up production of the SS Daytona, clear all of the waiting lists worldwide and make more money than they'd know what to do with.

My AD said to me that in an ideal world (to protect their brand image) if they could they'd prefer to only sell PM and not bother with SS at all. That way they would only be bought and worn by the 'elite'. Doubt there's much truth to this though.

[ACF1]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

To be one of the first of 5,294 threads about the TT SkyDweller, and specifically the steel and WG Bezel (for around $14K), I am wondering... is this release in actuality a sign of desperation from Rolex?

First, I absolutely love it and expect a lot of TRFers will be picking one up. More power to you and congrats in advance I actually would consider it myself.... but moving on - was Rolex FORCED to do this because of slumping Swiss Watch sales? WOULD they have taken a model we all expected to be PM only, (like the Day-Date) and turn it in to a SS if sales were steady?

My personal opinion, is no, that the SD was originated to be an all and only PM model that Rolex re thought after three years of steadily falling numbers. I believe they will sell a lot, and it is a fantastic watch, I am just wondering what caused this (pretty drastic) release? Or, am I wrong, and the plan all along was to release it in TT and SS?

What say you TRF?

Desperation???... I don´t think so.. I prefer to say Evolution

[HogwldFLTR]

It is the most desirable watch in the Rolex catalog imho.

[www777]

Is this really going to be 14K? Isn't the new sea dweller around 11K for for an extra 3,000 you get a partially gold watch with a more complicated movement?

[Maxy]

Its the same reason when they jumped steps and released ceramic Daytona in SS first over all PM. I think it is due to slump in sales. Better than reducing prices like other brands and cutting corners in base models and introducing entry level models such as JLC, VC etc.

[mikkemus23]

Problem is the gold models are way too expensive.
So Rolex did this to boost sales. And it will sell. But SS will kill off the PM models.

Hmm, a DD 40 in SS with that green dial at 10k would be nice for 2018 ;)

[HL65]

Don't think it is a sign of desperation but a sign of a company that is adapting to the market place. The fact is that the Sky-D was an awfully slow seller for Rolex. So now they introduce in SS and and can monetize the movement.

[Trouble15]

Originally Posted by HL65

Don't think it is a sign of desperation but a sign of a company that is adapting to the market place. The fact is that the Sky-D was an awfully slow seller for Rolex. So now they introduce in SS and and can monetize the movement.

[japenney]

Originally Posted by HL65

Don't think it is a sign of desperation but a sign of a company that is adapting to the market place. The fact is that the Sky-D was an awfully slow seller for Rolex. So now they introduce in SS and and can monetize the movement.

I have to agree with this. They put all this time into developing the skydweller movement and at 55k in Canada they just aren't selling. My small AD had 4 people waiting on the list for the SS blue skydweller by mid day today...smart move Rolex

[Mystro]

It doesn't seem like any of the truly "new" Rolex designs are that accepted like the YMII and Sky Dweller. I questioned this years ago when a brand is forced to never evolve????
I am tending to like the non traditional looks as I have a "been there done that" for decades with the same designs. I am actually more excited about the Rolex brand seeing they are breaking out of the safe and conservative mold.

Originally Posted by japenney

I have to agree with this. They put all this time into developing the skydweller movement and at 55k in Canada they just aren't selling. My small AD had 4 people waiting on the list for the SS blue skydweller by mid day today...smart move Rolex

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by HL65

Don't think it is a sign of desperation but a sign of a company that is adapting to the market place. The fact is that the Sky-D was an awfully slow seller for Rolex. So now they introduce in SS and and can monetize the movement.

this....majority of brands in rolexes category are moving towards SS models

[AK797]

Originally Posted by HL65

Don't think it is a sign of desperation but a sign of a company that is adapting to the market place. The fact is that the Sky-D was an awfully slow seller for Rolex. So now they introduce in SS and and can monetize the movement.

For sure, I also remember commanding the bezel in the ADs and really having a terrific time, such a shame that so few people were enjoying this innovative fine piece so extending it to SS is a good and almost compassionate move . If it was in their minds all the time I wouldn't be that surprised.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by AK797

For sure, I also remember commanding the bezel in the ADs and really having a terrific time, such a shame that so few people were enjoying this innovative fine piece so extending it to SS is a good and almost compassionate move . If it was in their minds all the time I wouldn't be that surprised.

Ceramic bezel daytona first plat, then gold, then ss.

Rolex has a plan always.

[jakeysrolex]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Ceramic bezel daytona first plat, then gold, then ss.

Rolex has a plan always.

This.

While surprised it happened now, would seem silly to think that Rolex didn't plan this all along. All that R&D for PM only? Besides DD which is just grandfathered in, this really is the way Rolex does it all the time with releasing new stuff. PM first, milk it, then SS. Smurf Sub, Yachtmaster, ceramic Daytona, list goes on.

[Xerxes77]

IMO things are like this:
Many other big brands(PP, AP) are models who in PM cost very much but in SS are acceptable. Let's take AP RO who are made in rg and cost 40000€ but they made and SS version who cost around 20000€.
On the other side if we look closely we see are many details who are not on SS or TT models.

[WhyMe]

IMO, the SS with the blue dial is a winner! I might get this later this year.

[FTX I]

I don't get why screw WG SD owners and release a new gigantic Sea-Dweller with cyclops and keep a 10 yrs line for a Daytona-C

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I don't get why screw WG SD owners and release a new gigantic Sea-Dweller with cyclops and keep a 10 yrs line for a Daytona-C

i think the daytona-c will be released more freely now.....an AD in florida told me the Rolex rep verified this would be happening...that said, I'm not sure what rolex thought would happen by limiting output in 2017.....they alienated a lot of buyers...anyways....the ss sky dweller is the ss sport watch to own now imo

[redalert]

the SS version of sub, seaD, daytona holds better value compare to their gold version. wouldn't the new skyd be the same?

[Mystro]

Hard to say as it's a totally new design and not a Rolex core design like the others that have been around for decades.

Originally Posted by redalert

the SS version of sub, seaD, daytona holds better value compare to their gold version. wouldn't the new skyd be the same?

[Snow-Dweller]

A sign of desperation?.....not at all....a very cool move IMO.