The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 23 March 2017, 05:45 AM   #1
TheVTCGuy
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Paul
Location: San Diego
Watch: 126619LB
Posts: 21,540
"Steel" SkyDweller, is this a sign of desperation?

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?
TheVTCGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 05:49 AM   #2
MrGMT
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Scotland
Watch: Omega-Rolex
Posts: 230
I know a lot will disagree but I think Rolex are devaluing there brand by make a ss version on the sky dweller $14k for a watch like that shocked it's actually happened really am
MrGMT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 05:53 AM   #3
speedmaster73
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,231
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGMT View Post
I know a lot will disagree but I think Rolex are devaluing there brand by make a ss version on the sky dweller $14k for a watch like that shocked it's actually happened really am
Lets not overthink. The sub and daytona are offered in PM and SS.
speedmaster73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 05:56 AM   #4
tomchicago
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chicago
Watch: 16710BLRO, 214270.
Posts: 2,717
It's a physically huge, honking watch. You'd have to have all new dress shirts made to wear it therewith.
tomchicago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 05:57 AM   #5
Wllnv19
"TRF" Member
 
Wllnv19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Real Name: Willie
Location: Parkland,Fl.
Posts: 4,829
I always felt they would release a SS version...
Wllnv19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 05:59 AM   #6
Boothroyd
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Boothroyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Real Name: Daniel
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Watch: Wilsdorf(s)
Posts: 10,259
I think SS is a reaction to the overall soft watch market. Why not try to grab some share? It's a great model and now might be perceived as an obtainable "upgrade" to the GMT IIc. It tells me the GMT function sells well and they are trying to capitalize. (And when I say "upgrade", I should probably say an "upmarket option").

No idea if I am on target, but it makes sense to me, as the Skydweller was out of most people's reach.

And happy your SS DJ41 has arrived, Paul!
__________________
Explorer 214270 MK I/Datejust II Black 116300/Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black 79220N
Boothroyd is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 05:59 AM   #7
Jocke
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Jocke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Real Name: Jocke
Location: Sweden
Watch: A dozen of Rolex's
Posts: 22,541
The marked is slow so they have to do something that sell watches. The currency adjustment a few years ago have
hurt the Swiss market substantially.
__________________
This message is written in perfect swenglish.

What is best a custom Rolex or a Rolex that is stuck in custom?

Buy a professional camera and you´re a professional
photographer, buy a flute and you own a flute.
Jocke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:00 AM   #8
cop414
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
 
cop414's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Real Name: Tim
Location: Pennsylvania
Watch: 14060M
Posts: 72,249
SS Daydate for next year,,,
__________________

Rolex Submariner 14060M
Omega Seamaster 2254.50
DOXA Professional 1200T

Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons
TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron
P Club Member #17
2 FA ENABLED
cop414 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:04 AM   #9
MrGMT
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Scotland
Watch: Omega-Rolex
Posts: 230
Quote:
Originally Posted by speedmaster73 View Post
Lets not overthink. The sub and daytona are offered in PM and SS.
The sub and Daytona are very basic movements not a grand complication like the sky dweller, really does look like a desperate move by Rolex IMO
MrGMT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:04 AM   #10
TheVTCGuy
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Paul
Location: San Diego
Watch: 126619LB
Posts: 21,540
Quote:
Originally Posted by cop414 View Post
SS Daydate for next year,,,
I don't want to offend anyone that would want to buy one, but I am hoping not; never. It is the flagship, you don't skimp when it comes to your flagship. IMHO, that would be a VERY bad sign for Rolex.
TheVTCGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:06 AM   #11
wytrader
"TRF" Member
 
wytrader's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: EU
Watch: SD
Posts: 583
I think it is a sign of conscious marketing and branding. I think the balance has gone between the SS models and the models the AD's can't get rid of. Which only make the cheaper hard to get models even harder to get as the grey dealers get so many as part of their "deals". Finding a model they can sell like hotcakes at their AD's is imo not a sign of desperation rather a sign of strength and trust in their AD network.
__________________
116520
116710LN, 116710BLNR
16600 V NIB, 116660, 116660, 116600, 126600, 126660, 126660, 126603
126610LV
wytrader is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:07 AM   #12
Chewbacca
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2012
Real Name: CJ
Location: Kashyyyk
Watch: Kessel Run Chrono
Posts: 21,112
imop,

the sunk costs in developing these one-off-model movements require fair ROI. even though rolex is no doubt profitable for a NFP organization, it still needs to justify R&D and overhead -- among other things.

just like the AK got the Millie movement and some bits and the SkyD now going to ss; it makes sense.

there's only so many Platinum daytonas, pepsi's and DD's they can sell and quite frankly, peoples tastes are changing in general. (the second hand market also tells the story where PM watches can be had for 50% of msrp in many cases where as SS hold better).

they're setting up for the next 50years, not the last. millennials and market realities will drive the models.
Chewbacca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:10 AM   #13
Boothroyd
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Boothroyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Real Name: Daniel
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Watch: Wilsdorf(s)
Posts: 10,259
The Datejust likely sells so well, I don't think they would cannibalize that market by moving the DD downmarket. As said, it would also irritate a very influential market. SkyDweller I don't see as having that reach.
__________________
Explorer 214270 MK I/Datejust II Black 116300/Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black 79220N
Boothroyd is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:13 AM   #14
rc51matt
"TRF" Member
 
rc51matt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Matt
Location: MD
Watch: 6605
Posts: 470
My thoughts were the same this morning when I looked on Rolex site. The 2 tone blue WG sky dweller is fantastic looking & much more obtainable for most at $14.5k. When I saw the PM Daytona's on rubber I thought the same yes they aren't cheap but cheaper than versions with bracelets!!
I wasn't a fan of the Oysterflex rose Yahtmaster from the pictures last year until my father picked one up last month, after seeing it & playing with it the other day its beautiful. I'm sure the rose Daytona on Oysterflex is stunning in person just like the YM
__________________
6605 TT
16800 matte
16700 coke
16628 blue
Breitling Avenger Ti
rc51matt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:14 AM   #15
bondtoys
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: World
Watch: 16750
Posts: 2,733
Imo 2 reasons:
The innovative setting and calendar mechanism caused massive r&d expenses and the pm sales where not enough in Rolex books for that

In the past years, Rolex tried the approach to push pm instead of steel to push their sales/unit. Not sure how successful that all was, but now they seem to take direction of selling more expensive SS watches with "complications" (YM II, the fast Daytona SS and now the SkyD) to gain some additional growth
bondtoys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:15 AM   #16
AK797
2024 Pledge Member
 
AK797's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,369
No, just slow SkyD sales. If they were in trouble we would have the SS CokeC now, if serious trouble the SS PepC too.
AK797 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:19 AM   #17
Fjweld
"TRF" Member
 
Fjweld's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Real Name: Frank
Location: Chicago
Watch: 16570, 1601,
Posts: 452
Quote:
Originally Posted by speedmaster73 View Post
Lets not overthink. The sub and daytona are offered in PM and SS.
Agreed! Glad they came out with an affordable SD
Fjweld is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:19 AM   #18
AK797
2024 Pledge Member
 
AK797's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,369
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGMT View Post
The sub and Daytona are very basic movements not a grand complication like the sky dweller, really does look like a desperate move by Rolex IMO
An AC is not really a grand comp so it is acceptable for a predominantly sports brand to have this also in SS without it meaning too much. If the flagship DD or a Perpetual Calendar was switched to SS then alarm bells would be sounding.
AK797 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:22 AM   #19
GerardoG
Banned
 
GerardoG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Real Name: Gerardo
Location: Here
Watch: ALL of them
Posts: 32,098
To me, economics. On the latest editorials from industry analysts, sales from watch companies are hurting. Bad. Rolex has always pushed for PM as the profit is higher; but with declining sales in their top territories, bringing a complication such as the SkyD to the 10-15k range (which is still serious money) will very likely have more people jump in.
GerardoG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:22 AM   #20
johneh
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Real Name: John
Location: Toronto
Watch: 214270
Posts: 721
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGMT View Post
The sub and Daytona are very basic movements not a grand complication like the sky dweller, really does look like a desperate move by Rolex IMO
I don't think you know what a grand complication is.

As for desperation, I don't think so. People that want PM watches buy PM watches. Why not open this one up to someone that has $15k to spend on a watch, and not the $40k for a PM version.
__________________
instagram: jaschtag
johneh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:24 AM   #21
jon_jon
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 4,350
PM watches are a small percentage of overall Rolex sales. Introducing a SS version of the Skydweller will help overall sales.
jon_jon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:26 AM   #22
OgSnowflake
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2016
Real Name: Steve
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 506
Was having a convo this morning with a friend and came to the conclusion Rolex kinda slam dunked the skyd in the dumpster n took a flagship annual calendar and turned it into a datejust 3
OgSnowflake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:30 AM   #23
MrGMT
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Scotland
Watch: Omega-Rolex
Posts: 230
Quote:
Originally Posted by johneh View Post
I don't think you know what a grand complication is.

As for desperation, I don't think so. People that want PM watches buy PM watches. Why not open this one up to someone that has $15k to spend on a watch, and not the $40k for a PM version.
Well it's the most complicated modern Rolex movement and a lot do consider it a grand complication
MrGMT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:30 AM   #24
henry333
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Real Name: Hendricks
Location: USA
Watch: 116600
Posts: 826
Only DD is only PM only... so no problem

YM2 came out only with PM then got to SS
henry333 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:34 AM   #25
superdog
2024 Pledge Member
 
superdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Real Name: Seth
Location: nj
Watch: Omega
Posts: 24,834
Great post. And yes.
__________________
If happiness is a state of mind, why look anywhere else for it?

IG: gsmotorclub
IG: thesawcollection

(Both mostly just car stuff)
superdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:45 AM   #26
superdog
2024 Pledge Member
 
superdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Real Name: Seth
Location: nj
Watch: Omega
Posts: 24,834
Quote:
Originally Posted by johneh View Post
I don't think you know what a grand complication is.

As for desperation, I don't think so. People that want PM watches buy PM watches. Why not open this one up to someone that has $15k to spend on a watch, and not the $40k for a PM version.
Because they look exactly the same? (In the WG scenarios).

I debated this in WG. If I bought it and then saw this...

Well...let's just say I'm very happy I didn't go down that path.
__________________
If happiness is a state of mind, why look anywhere else for it?

IG: gsmotorclub
IG: thesawcollection

(Both mostly just car stuff)
superdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 06:59 AM   #27
Los
"TRF" Member
 
Los's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Albuquerque
Watch: 116610 Sub C
Posts: 14
I'm happy this watch is now more accessible personally
Los is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 07:12 AM   #28
GreenLantern
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Montana
Posts: 3,223
It's just good business.

Even though Rolex claims to be a non-profit, they're in the business of making money... If they weren't their prices would be much lower.
GreenLantern is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 07:12 AM   #29
Vaxe
"TRF" Member
 
Vaxe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 2,122
Well said

Looks great on steel too, really looking forward to it in the flesh

Quote:
Originally Posted by GerardoG View Post
To me, economics. On the latest editorials from industry analysts, sales from watch companies are hurting. Bad. Rolex has always pushed for PM as the profit is higher; but with declining sales in their top territories, bringing a complication such as the SkyD to the 10-15k range (which is still serious money) will very likely have more people jump in.
Vaxe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2017, 07:18 AM   #30
WS9D
"TRF" Member
 
WS9D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Real Name: Steve
Location: Shasta
Watch: es..More Watches!
Posts: 2,415
Could this be a plan to limit the release (like the DaytonaC) to drive customers towards the more available (and expensive) PM models?
WS9D is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.