why does rolex have such limited variety in dials

[rockysw]

btw I dont mean to offend any hardcore rolex fans. I am rolex fan myslef, I just think we should expect more from them.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by rockysw

I am really just curious. I know they sell all their watches but shouldnt they try to capture different tastes ?

At the risk of sounding hagiographic Rolex doesn’t chase taste, they define it, mostly through restraint.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by rockysw

I guess you could look at it that way. Mine was a general question that I dont see much variety even when comparing to other large brands (e.g. AP has many different kind of dials, JLC also does quite a bit of variety).

I mean why not have a sub with a matte dial (if they think it is too similar to glossy black dial, add texture or something).

I am really just curious. I know they sell all their watches but shouldnt they try to capture different tastes ?

I suppose the brand has changed it up over time … Matt dials, Glossy dials etc. they do tend to stick to one or the other in the moment


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[rockysw]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

At the risk of sounding hagiographic Rolex doesn’t chase taste, they define it, mostly through restraint.

that is an interesting perspective.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by rockysw

I think rolex have long moved from the toolish aesthetics and does focus on making pretty watches.

They are so successful and have so much resources, shouldnt we expect more from Rolex?

No. The professional line is not to be messed with. Very much like Porsche and its 911, slow and steady evolution. Yes, they (Rolex watches) are slightly bigger and shinier and they were a few years ago, but this is in the name of longevity, and not aesthetics.

If you want pretty, there are precious metals and you always have the colourful OP line.


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[Ten Ten & 32]

This thread needs a pic!

Todays matt dial




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[1William]

Nice watch.

[Thomas Mudge]

Originally Posted by rockysw

I mean, most of their dials (sports watches in particular) are either glossy (lacquered) or sunburst. Why dont they have matte dials or textured dials? I know there are few exceptions perhaps with sea dweller dial (although dont think that is fully matte) or Ti YM. But overall it seems like for a large brand like rolex, which produces most luxury watches in the world, there is very limited variety.

I ask this because I was thinking about going a little understated and was thinkng about matte dials. E.g. i think it would be amazing if Rolex had some variations of steel sub and gmts in matte dials.

Are there other manufacturers that have a wider variety of dials?
More than Rolex?

[miamiclay]

I admit I was a little amused that here, “variety in dials” meant “black in both gloss and matte”!

There is (or at least there has been) plenty of variety among other models - Here are just a *few* of the hundreds of different dials offered …
.

[Roddypeepa]

Originally Posted by 2001jesper

If you want dial variarity in Rolex, then you have to skip steel and go to pm - Pretty sure thats on purpose

This

Meteorite dial in steel would break the internet.


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[rockysw]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

I admit I was a little amused that here, “variety in dials” meant “black in both gloss and matte”!

There is (or at least there has been) plenty of variety among other models - Here are just a *few* of the hundreds of different dials offered …
.

I think most of these have been offered over time and most of these are I believe for day date and datejust rather than in sports model. And most of these are kind of in shiny category.

[rockysw]

Originally Posted by Thomas Mudge

Are there other manufacturers that have a wider variety of dials?
More than Rolex?

I think so. I think even in big names, AP has quite a wide variety of dials across their code 11.59, RO and RO offshore and within them as well. And need less to say that omega, IWC and similar one have a very large variety of dials.

[rockysw]

Originally Posted by OG1982

No. The professional line is not to be messed with. Very much like Porsche and its 911, slow and steady evolution. Yes, they (Rolex watches) are slightly bigger and shinier and they were a few years ago, but this is in the name of longevity, and not aesthetics.

If you want pretty, there are precious metals and you always have the colourful OP line.


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I have a different view. I have rolex sub (126610 LV) and it is bit toolish but overall I do consider it a "pretty" watch. And indeed the changes Rolex has made has helped with longevity but there are equally durable matt ceremic bezels and dials etc. So in my view these changes are not purely driven by longevity.

[rockysw]

Originally Posted by Ten Ten & 32

This thread needs a pic!

Todays matt dial




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that is a nice watch! YM does indeed have some matte dials (Ti version perhaps the most toolish version).

[Afratello03]

If you dig deep the brands different models, you'll have a lot of different dial colors to choose from, Datejust and Daydate has a lot of dial varieties, the GMT's and Daytona might have limited colors but that's still very unique.