Rolex off the rails

[Le Chef]

The Skydweller is an unmitigated dog of a design - one of the worst imaginable. How could they? The Daytona has become the gangbanger's watch of choice.

The only saving grace is the new Sub No Date: but who stole the lug holes?

If this is the new Rolex I'm mightily glad I bought the old before it went down the tubes.

[JustABreathAway]

I think the Sky Dweller is fantastic, beautifully designed with a useful but simple to use set of functions, and aesthetically pleasing.

[floater156]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

The Skydweller is an unmitigated dog of a design - one of the worst imaginable. How could they? The Daytona has become the gangbanger's watch of choice.

The only saving grace is the new Sub No Date: but who stole the lug holes?

If this is the new Rolex I'm mightily glad I bought the old before it went down the tubes.

I disagree - You're someone who has a preference towards vintage Rolex. That's great, but remember, there are plenty of people who prefer modern Rolex. I personally love the direction Rolex has been going since 2008 - minus the rainbow Daytona

[Dan Pierce]

The Sky Dweller is not my cup of tea but I wouldn't go that far. It will certainly find an audience and probably do well.
We don't have to like everything produced by Rolex. Variety is the spice of life and thank God we don't all like the same thing.
dP

[gwalker]

If you really want to complian why not do so in one of the other 25 threads complaining about it. Personally getting a brand new model from Rolex is a great day. Most of the time it's barely anything. Maybe next time Rolex will consult with you before making any changes.... LOL. Do you drive a 35 year old car?? Not like change??? Lug holes are fine but why can't people accept any kind of change??? Go buy your old vintage watched and be happy. I'll stick with the new.

[jamesw]

I think some TRF input would help point Rolex in the right direction.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

The Skydweller is an unmitigated dog of a design - one of the worst imaginable.

Disagree. I posted my thoughts on all the new lineup in the 1000-page long skydweller thread, where it promptly got lost of course, so I'll repost my thoughts on the lineup here:

Wow, I go afk for 1 day and come back to this. Thoughts:

Skydweller
My first reaction -- F-U-G-L-Y

Then I look at the functionality. Wow. Though the 24-hr indicator rotating anti-clockwise is a bit.... discomfitting?

The everose on leather is freaking gorgeous. More dials are sure to follow, and I'm sure eventually it'll come in TT and, hopefully, SS. It's definitely a new and interesting take on a GMT.

New ND Sub:
Congrats to those who picked up the last of the ND Subs this last year before a non-Ceramic sub became an extinct creature.

New YM:
They missed the boat (lol) on not taking the opportunity to make a red or roulette date wheel.

Bi-directional bezel? Is that new?

Awesome props on updated bracelet. Platty dial is still the best, the new blue is... meh.

SS DJII:
Predictable. I like them okay -- I like the fluted bezel better and don't regret getting it.

Zebra DJ: Needs to be shot and put out of its misery.

Blinged out Daytone: Likewise. I haven't seen such a horrid cacophony of color collision since my last acid trip around tie-dyed hippies. If you buy this, you just spent a TON of $$ essentially buying a Bill Engval "Here's Your Sign" Sign to wear on your wrist.

Lady DJ with the 6 o'clock bling: I like it, and I think the ladies will like it. I hope it goes over better than the flower dials. I also like to see something new come along in 26mm. I like the regular diamonds better than the colored ones.

Ruby and Emerald DD and DDII: Ick. More bad juju.

[aeon888]

Whether the skydweller is good or not, I really don't care because I couldnt afford it anyway.. hehehe But I am dying to get that Sub C no-date. When will it be available to ADs? September? I live in Nebraska, we are always behind or late in everything here. Maybe our AD will get the new Sub C no-date by 2013! ;(

[rocco1109]

What is this in reference to?

[Time2time]

Le Chef. Are you sure??

Skydweller is a beauty and what is it with you fans
of lugholes?? Take your bracelet off a lot do you??

Move on mate. Times change, new innovative designs and old designs get updated.

Suggest you move on to the vintage forum me thinks.

[aeon888]

Originally Posted by rocco1109

What is this in reference to?

I think he meant those with grilled gold teeth, 10 large gold rings on each finger, large gold chain necklaces with very large diamond encrusted pendant, loose sagging pants below butt, drives an all chrome-accented Escalade on 25 inch spinner wheels, very loud obnoxious music with loud bass, I suppose. (stereotyping! hehehe)

[OrangeSport]

The Sky Dweller shouldn't be my cup of tea, but I do actually like it. It's a country mile from my normal choice, but very nice.

[jrbar-on]

Originally Posted by gwalker

If you really want to complian why not do so in one of the other 25 threads complaining about it. Personally getting a brand new model from Rolex is a great day. Most of the time it's barely anything. Maybe next time Rolex will consult with you before making any changes.... LOL. Do you drive a 35 year old car?? Not like change??? Lug holes are fine but why can't people accept any kind of change??? Go buy your old vintage watched and be happy. I'll stick with the new.

(a Toyota Corolla with 156K mile) and I don't like the Sky Dweller either. While I think that it is extremely innovative and I admire the engineering in it I am not fond the dial. I don’t know how I would have designed it but definitely not the way it is. I do like the Sub and the only reason why I would like the lug holes is so that it is easier to swap out the bracelet if one wants to.

Cheers,

Jonathan.

[rocco1109]

Originally Posted by aeon888

I think he meant those with grilled gold teeth, 10 large gold rings on each finger, large gold chain necklaces with very large diamond encrusted pendant, loose sagging pants below butt, drives an all chrome-accented Escalade on 25 inch spinner wheels, very loud obnoxious music with loud bass, I suppose. (stereotyping! hehehe)

And they're all gangbangers? Wow.

[petesjag]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

I think the Sky Dweller is fantastic, beautifully designed with a useful but simple to use set of functions, and aesthetically pleasing.

Having spent a good amount of time thisevening studying this new model, I think it is an awsome direction that Rolex has choosen. The technology is refreshing and interesting. The dial is something which looks off in pictures but will awe all of us once on the wrist..be assured!

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by Time2time

Le Chef. Are you sure??

Skydweller is a beauty and what is it with you fans
of lugholes?? Take your bracelet off a lot do you??

Move on mate. Times change, new innovative designs and old designs get updated.

Suggest you move on to the vintage forum me thinks.

..... You are RIGHT! Us Lug Hole loving people must move to the Vintage Forum because Rolex has moved on from Lug Holes forever...

Also, to your lack of understanding of our love of lug holes let me enlighten you.... Lug Holes with the shoulderless springbars are way more secure than any modern springbar set up, and Lug Holes were a staple on the Oyster case or many many years. Finally, YES I beleive that a lot of people like to change watch straps quite frequently therefore Lug Holes make that whole process a alot easier.

My

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by petesjag

The dial is something which looks off in pictures but will awe all of us once on the wrist..be assured!

X 2....The live pictures that have been posted look fantastic compared to the Website pics.

[A.J.R.]

Gangbangers wear Daytonas? Time to choose my colors and pick up a gat.

[general]

"The Daytona has become the gangbanger's watch of choice."
Are you serious? Why would you make such a statement?

Rolex was missing a model with more complication which is expected from a company such as Rolex.
If you guys don't like the modern models, stick with the vintage ones.

[p_mcgee]

Not a fan of the dial design (or the price tag) but the complications are great and a step forward for Rolex. In my opinion, if they eventually introduce a stick dial with a smooth bezel, or find some other way to unclutter the dial, it will be a winner.

[A.J.R.]

Originally Posted by general

If you guys don't like the modern models, stick with the vintage ones.

There are plenty out there which need good homes.

[aeon888]

Originally Posted by rocco1109

And they're all gangbangers? Wow.

No, they are not. But you didn't read my last statement. That is why it is called "stereotyping!", because they are being stereotyped into being a part of a group even though they are not ALL gang bangers.

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by petesjag

Having spent a good amount of time thisevening studying this new model, I think it is an awsome direction that Rolex has choosen. The technology is refreshing and interesting. The dial is something which looks off in pictures but will awe all of us once on the wrist..be assured!

I agree with most of what you said - I was not being sarcastic or facetious with my post.

My only disagreement with you is that I already think the dial looks beautiful, especially in Yellow Gold Champagne!

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by QCASANOVA

Finally, YES I beleive that a lot of people like to change watch straps quite frequently therefore Lug Holes make that whole process a alot easier.

My

"Strap changers" are still a minority of all Rolex customers. Lug holes were useful back when Rolex were heavy duty tool watches but Casio have now taken over that role so imo modern Rolex look better/cleaner without the holes.

Btw, I love the SkyD! I think it's a stunning piece.

[TSts]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis

Disagree. I posted my thoughts on all the new lineup in the 1000-page long skydweller thread, where it promptly got lost of course, so I'll repost my thoughts on the lineup here:

Wow, I go afk for 1 day and come back to this. Thoughts:

Skydweller
My first reaction -- F-U-G-L-Y

Then I look at the functionality. Wow. Though the 24-hr indicator rotating anti-clockwise is a bit.... discomfitting?

The everose on leather is freaking gorgeous. More dials are sure to follow, and I'm sure eventually it'll come in TT and, hopefully, SS. It's definitely a new and interesting take on a GMT.

New ND Sub:
Congrats to those who picked up the last of the ND Subs this last year before a non-Ceramic sub became an extinct creature.

New YM:
They missed the boat (lol) on not taking the opportunity to make a red or roulette date wheel.

Bi-directional bezel? Is that new?

Awesome props on updated bracelet. Platty dial is still the best, the new blue is... meh.

SS DJII:
Predictable. I like them okay -- I like the fluted bezel better and don't regret getting it.

Zebra DJ: Needs to be shot and put out of its misery.

Blinged out Daytone: Likewise. I haven't seen such a horrid cacophony of color collision since my last acid trip around tie-dyed hippies. If you buy this, you just spent a TON of $$ essentially buying a Bill Engval "Here's Your Sign" Sign to wear on your wrist.

Lady DJ with the 6 o'clock bling: I like it, and I think the ladies will like it. I hope it goes over better than the flower dials. I also like to see something new come along in 26mm. I like the regular diamonds better than the colored ones.

Ruby and Emerald DD and DDII: Ick. More bad juju.

For those who say Rolex is tasteful when it comes to gems on their bezels, dials and cases and for those who also say that Rolex is a statement of understated elegance without said gemstones, I offer to ask, what do you think of Rolex now? * BOOM! * - is that where Rolex is headed in the future?

[floater156]

Originally Posted by A.J.R.

Gangbangers wear Daytonas? Time to choose my colors and pick up a gat.

I gotcha back homie, strap up - let's ride!

[scarab007]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

The Skydweller is an unmitigated dog of a design - one of the worst imaginable. How could they? The Daytona has become the gangbanger's watch of choice.

The only saving grace is the new Sub No Date: but who stole the lug holes?

If this is the new Rolex I'm mightily glad I bought the old before it went down the tubes.

All right, I am a ganbanger now with my Daytona on. I think I might go to oak town tonight in new M56S and do some ganbanger stuff. Not sure what that is though.

[Time2time]

Originally Posted by QCASANOVA

..... You are RIGHT! Us Lug Hole loving people must move to the Vintage Forum because Rolex has moved on from Lug Holes forever...

Also, to your lack of understanding of our love of lug holes let me enlighten you.... Lug Holes with the shoulderless springbars are way more secure than any modern springbar set up, and Lug Holes were a staple on the Oyster case or many many years. Finally, YES I beleive that a lot of people like to change watch straps quite frequently therefore Lug Holes make that whole process a alot easier.

My

Fair enough BUT, more secure? My watches haven't fallen off my wrist yet!
Oh well, if they make you happy.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by Preacher

"Strap changers" are still a minority of all Rolex customers. Lug holes were useful back when Rolex were heavy duty tool watches but Casio have now taken over that role so imo modern Rolex look better/cleaner without the holes.

Btw, I love the SkyD! I think it's a stunning piece.

Other than the Sub being used on a NATO strap for diving, what aspect of them being "heavy duty tool watches" required the need of Lug Holes??

I beleive Rolex's initial intension of Lug Holes was strength and durability and the only reason it strayed from them is due to the "jewelry" aspect that watches have become today.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by aeon888

Whether the skydweller is good or not, I really don't care because I couldnt afford it anyway.. hehehe But I am dying to get that Sub C no-date. When will it be available to ADs? September? I live in Nebraska, we are always behind or late in everything here. Maybe our AD will get the new Sub C no-date by 2013! ;(

In September-ish you'll be able to buy it on the FS forum here above market price. ADs will get it in Oct/Nov in limited supply. By February you'll likely be able to walk into an AD and see one that's available for purchase and not promised out to someone who pre-purchased.