How could Rolex improve.

[mike]

This is kind of a take off on the thread Mamas started in the Omega forum.
What are your feelings on how Rolex could improve?
Is there something to the product that in your view could be better? More styles?etc...

Personally I rather like the fact Rolex moves rather slowly and deliberately in the changes they make to their watches. I've made it no seceret that I think the Maxi-Dial is a change that should be expanded in the professional series though.

For me it isn't so much the product as it is the rather restrictive policies Rolex employs.
As an owner of vintage pieces and hopefully the future owner of more I find it rather sad that Rolex may not see fit to service certain models.

It seems to me that while I'm sure the vintage market is rather small in the overall scheme of things to Rolex it is a market with much historical significance to the brand.

[Sam]

I really like the fact that Rolex is resistant to change and watches evolve at a snail's pace. Look at how little the Sub has changed over 50 years.

The common comment is that the clasp could be "beefed up", but I don't mind it the way it is. Expanding the maxi dial would be nice but maybe only to the Sub & Dweller....not across the entire sport range. Whatever Rolex decides to do...PLEASE OH PLEASE don't polish the case & center links on the Sub!

[clifton]

From a pure watch perspective, I’m content with where Rolex is and where they are going with future designs. As mentioned, changes are glacial in movement which is part of the reason why I like Rolex. They don’t change and they retain the classic design with a clear lineage.

If I had to be picky, I’d say improvements would be welcomed under the hood, i.e., the movement. A 72 hour power reserve would be nice. Maybe even a means by which the owner can regulate the watch via the crown. Exceeding the Chronometer grade would be welcomed as well.

Separate from their watches, what I’d like to see Rolex improve on is their efforts to eliminate fakes. Fakes are getting too good and I see better ones every day.

In addition, I’d LOVE to see Rolex offer a special line of servicing for their vintage pieces. The US based centers are not sufficient and they treat vintage Rolex as trite old watches. Service centers have even told me this bluntly.

[worktolivelife]

Its nice to think that your brand new D Series rolex today may well be even more desirable in years to come, so a more encouraging and accommodating attitude by rolex would be welcome with regard vintage pieces to nurture this market and actively encourage the dream that a Rolex is for life.
With regards my personal wishes i often find it hard to criticise a product or company which i have obviously bought into for exactly what it is today!!! taking into account there long history they are where they are today through making the right decisions.

but i would like a maxi dial sea-dweller with a nice clasp and no polished bracelets

steve

[Mr. K]

I agree with trying to crack down on fakes. But really wonder if that is a lost cause. Anyway that is one suggestion.

Another would be marketing. We all say how Rolex is one of the best at marketing. Known all around the world. But I wonder if they are resting on their reputation a tad bit too much.

With the new generation, there is a whole new market out there. But there is a lot of competition these days. Many younger people think Rolex is "old money" while something like TAG is "new money".

May mean nothing, but if it keeps up for too long, Rolex may not be able to rest on its reputation forever. JMHO.

[mamas]

Here are my gripes with the direction that rolex is moving.. i think that they are moving away from what they do best of all.. ie a tool watch with potentially disasterous results and the risk of alienating some of their customers.. the polished centre link does not befit a tool watch, and i think is going too far towards the bling fashion. Also i am not very impressed the way that rolex is plastering diamonds all over its faces.. asif they are going out of fashion.. diamonds have no place on a gentlemans watch, least of all a tool watch.
Aslo the new ss datejust are rather too bling for my taste too.. rather too ostenatious.. if i wanted that i would buy a jacobs and co. watch not a rolex.. i prefereed the old datejusts..

it seems that rolex is losing its traditional reserved styling, and taking its cues from MTV rap videos..which is a pity.. as at the moment they are fantastic watches.. but i fear that the way that rolex is headed it will lose people like ourselves as potential customers..
Also the way that vintage watches are treated by rolex is disgusting..they should try to protect their heritage.. and offer a full and proper restauratuion service like omega.. which pretects the history of the brand.
mamas

[Sam]

All good points Mamas. Diamonds have no place on mens watches....even worse on a "sports" watch. IMO gold really doesn't have a place on a sports watch either. Watches like the Leopard Daytona and other similar abominations do nothing to help their image. Unfortunately, Rolex most likely makes enough money on those diamond encrusted eyesores to keep on making them.

[JIM]

Just a few suggestions from me - NOT Rolex bashing.

1. Stop the yearly price increase, its gotten out of control.
2. Improve the Bracelet Clasp.
3. A much nicer box,perhaps all wood with a leather interior and rolex emblem finish on the cover.
4. The new DJ clasp is nice but the hidden buckle with the crown is a disaster.
5. Enlarge the DJ series to at least 38mm.

[mike]

worktolivelife said:

Its nice to think that your brand new D Series rolex today may well be even more desirable in years to come, so a more encouraging and accommodating attitude by rolex would be welcome with regard vintage pieces to nurture this market and actively encourage the dream that a Rolex is for life.
With regards my personal wishes i often find it hard to criticise a product or company which i have obviously bought into for exactly what it is today!!! taking into account there long history they are where they are today through making the right decisions.

but i would like a maxi dial sea-dweller with a nice clasp and no polished bracelets

steve

I think that's very well put Steve!
A rolex is not a "disposable" item,but one that should last a lifetime,and then be past down.
Continuing to service these pieces not only enhances that generational feeling,but pays hommage to the historical significance many of these models represent.

[bruces]

I don't know, I mostly buy the sports models and I like them the way they are, for the most part. I wouldn't mind seeing more of a domed crystal, rather than the flat one, and I think they could make the clasp on the Subs/Seadweller more flush. Other than that, I like the sports models the way they are.

I kinda do like the new Datejusts. The watches feel more substantial to me and appear larger on the wrist (that's just the new case design though).

I appreciate that Rolex is slow to change what works. Most companies change designs like Nike changes trainers. They just don't hold their value because everyone wants the new thing. To me, Rolex is timeless and I want them to stay that way!

[Mr. K]

jim said:

1. Stop the yearly price increase, its gotten out of control.

Have to agree with that. It is a nice feeling if you already own the watch, but really wonder at what point will buyers just say no and move into a different brand. Although not a Rolex, Omega, and cartier (I like the roadster) have nice watches.

Most other watches have decent discounts, I ALWAYS liked the fact that with Rolex you did not have to play the discount game. Well if you did it is not like the 30% you can get off of Omega.

But consumers are wise with their money. At a certain price point they will switch brands. My dealer is actually concerned about it. Is Rolex getting priced out of the market? How soon before the SS sub will be over $5K? For a SS tool watch? I know other brands have SS watches above 5K but those are often discounted.

Reminds me of some type of bubble economy, I sure hope I am wrong in that.

[JIM]

Thats exactly what I was getting at Mr. K, considering the SD is already at $4,700 and the SS Sub at $4,525 it be long before the SS Sub is well over 5K and thats just silly. I mean com'on 5K for any watch is really just outrageous and the SD is pushing the envelope fast. I know all Rolex are overpriced and most of us will pay the inflated price to own a Rolex but there are limits with everything, and if they continue at the current pace they will price themselves right out of the market. I understand Rolex wants to separate their product from the everyday watch, but overpricing will push away their base customer.

[atomic]

First and foremost, solid link bracelets all the way around.

Secondly, a domed crystal.

Third, employ the new clasp across the line.

Fourth, better boxes (take a page from Panerai)

Fifth, introduce a new watch with many complications.

Otherwise, I think they're pretty damned good!