For those who have been collecting for 10 years plus....

[mfer]

Has Basel-mania gotten more and more each year? I mean was the expectation in in the 80's and 90's that Rolex would always introduce something new and exciting at Basel?

One thing I've grown to love about Rolex is that they don't change much. They make solid watches year after year. They watches simply "work" and you can tell they put a lot of thought into them and their designs. Rolex doesn't appear to be a company that has the mentality of "let's see if this will stick." They do things right.

Each year now, people seem to have the expectation that Rolex has to release something uber cool each year and be revolutionary year over year. Not saying their won't be big years for change, but every year doesn't need to be a shocker.


Here is what I got from Wikipedia on the history.

Originally Posted by wikipedia.org

The history of the show dates back to 1917 with the opening of the first Schweizer Mustermesse Basel (muba), of which a section was devoted to watches and jewellery.

1925 muba invited several watch manufacturers
1931 the Schweizer Uhrenmesse (Swiss Watch Show) was first held in a dedicated pavilion.
After 1972's Europe's meeting place exhibition, companies from France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom were also invited.
1983 the show changed its name to BASEL and two numerals denoting the exhibition year, e.g., BASEL 83.
1986, companies from outside Europe were included for the first time, reflecting the increased number of visitors from outside Europe.
1995 the show was renamed to BASEL 95 - The World Watch, Clock and Jewellery Show.
1999, a new hall with 36,000 square meters exhibition space was added. The year 2000 saw an increase of 6 per cent in trade visitors.
2003 the show was again renamed to Baselworld, The Watch and Jewellery Show.
2004, with the introduction of a new hall complex, the exhibition area extended to 160,000 square meters, attracting more than 89,000 visitors.

I for one don't want Rolex to have to make something revolutionary each time. I don't want drastic changes. I don't want limited or special editions. To me (and I could very well be wrong as I'm not an industry expert) these are short term gains for watch companies, not long term plays.

So, in the 80's and 90's was Basel always the crazy media frenzy where everyone expected big things, or is this a more recent trend over the last few decade?

[tkerrmd]

I think I expect slow steady improvements and upgrades to the current lines more than new block buster models every year, no idea what was going on in Basel in 80's and 90's was before I ever owned a Rolex

[capote]

I wasn't around watches then but I share your opinion on Basel releases. Take a look at Omega, they have released more than 10 variations of two models in two years, its too much IMO.

[engin33r]

Originally Posted by mfer

So, in the 80's and 90's was Basel always the crazy media frenzy where everyone expected big things, or is this a more recent trend over the last few decade?[/B]

Did you realize 10 years ago was 2005 ? the 90's was 20 years ago, the 80's was 30 years ago.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by engin33r

Did you realize 10 years ago was 2005 ? the 90's was 20 years ago, the 80's was 30 years ago.

Yup, my math is good! I've been in this game for about a decade. So I know what it was like. I'm asking for before then. It seemed the frenzy was there 10 years ago, but it is getting more and more and more each year it seems. So I'm wondering what it was like in the 80's, 90's and yeah I guess the early 00's.

[HL65]

Well there was no internet in 80's or early 90's for that matter. I think with watch forums coming into existence and play in 2000's the hype was born and has evolved each year. Think we have been forum here since 05' and look at growth over last 10 years. So with more access to Internet and watch forums comes more hype and expectation IMHO.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by HL65

Well there was no internet in 80's or early 90's for that matter. I think with watch forums coming into existence and play in 2000's the hype was born and has evolved each year. Think we have been forum here since 05' and look at growth over last 10 years. So with more access to Internet and watch forums comes more hype and expectation IMHO.

Yeah, I thought about that. People are "closer" to the show now. I wonder if the internet is changing the way watch companies feel they need to constantly change and evolve?

[Speed]

Spot on Ken.

We now want instant gratification and have a much higher focus on what's new. The internet thrives on what's new - today. Rolex moves at their own pace.

But I'll shut up. I'm interested in more answers to Mik's question.

[Cru Jones]

well, 80s was kind of post-quartz crisis, when watches weren't such a "big deal".

90s probably saw some growth, as mechical watches came back into fashion and some earlier watches started to appreciate.

by the time mid-2000s rolled around, watches were popular and the internet and forums only fueled the fire.

still, it's a pretty small niche market....car shows & electronics get more media attention.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by engin33r

Did you realize 10 years ago was 2005 ? the 90's was 20 years ago, the 80's was 30 years ago.

80's = 30 years
Cmon man, this actually makes me feel old and I'm only 40.

Originally Posted by HL65

Well there was no internet in 80's or early 90's for that matter. I think with watch forums coming into existence and play in 2000's the hype was born and has evolved each year. Think we have been forum here since 05' and look at growth over last 10 years. So with more access to Internet and watch forums comes more hype and expectation IMHO.

+1. The Internet has played a major role....not only in the attention that Basel receives but the ease in which people can latch onto the WIS disease. I got into watches in the mid 80's, and I can't imagine how I would have been had the internet been around in those times -LOL

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Speed

But I'll shut up. I'm interested in more answers to Mik's question.

My first 10 years were dedicated to vintage watches from many brands non Rolex, and only on the last 10 yrs with Omega and then Rolex I started paying attention. Now I'll do what Speed said above and read the comments. Great thread.

[patek.wis]

proliferation of the internet. lets us all hype up things that were otherwise just reserved for industry nuts. the 99% who buys rolex has no ideal what basel is or what was released.

just us creatures waiting up at 5AM trying to figure out the teaser pictures

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Speed

But I'll shut up. I'm interested in more answers to Mik's question.

Why?! No one seems to think my threads are interesting but me!

I'm wondering if Rolex is being swayed to change more quickly because of the vast amount of information, desires, wants, other watch industry news, etc available on the net?

[AK797]

As I've said before I think Rolex delight in coming up with new variations that no one has predicted before, ie the RG YM, DD40, half blue DSSD, BLNR, WG PepC etc etc, it is just that all the changes we want, ceramic Daytonas, CokeC, platinum Subc/GMTc etc they wilfully do not produce or take an eternity to.

[Roley]

Subtle change works for me.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by mfer

Why?! No one seems to think my threads are interesting but me!



I'm wondering if Rolex is being swayed to change more quickly because of the vast amount of information, desires, wants, other watch industry news, etc available on the net?

I also think their customer has changed dramatically. The stodgy curmudgeon tool watch or old geezer date just guy may still be interested but newer customers who are more fashion conscious demand more / more new things / more often.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Speed

I also think their customer has changed dramatically. The stodgy curmudgeon tool watch or old geezer date just guy may still be interested but newer customers who are more fashion conscious demand more / more new things / more often.

So Padi and Fremstar, got it!

guys.

[Speed]

That'll cost you two points Mik ;-)