Land-Dweller in Stainless Steel..is it for you?

[FloydRedford]

No thanks. Not my bag.


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[TickTockChuck]

A rather polarizing design (and name) from Rolex. However, it's not for me. The dial is a bit of a mess imho and the 70's retro design is interesting, but not at those price points. I very much prefer a Datejust. Regardless, the relentless Rolex demand will ensure it's success.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by INC

That is true as a fact that these went to the market first, but these "were not the first" ones! This was the OQ pilot program, these were the "test" watches. Rolex made these watches for this very reason.

It is no coincidence that they are rare, because if I remember correctly, a total of 1500 of them were made. It is a strange twist of fate that if we consider that there were quite a few OQ variations, but only ~30,000 OQs were made in total, then it is possible that there are OQ versions of which fewer were made.

By the way, none of the OQ models were successful in their time. So it is a "totally great idea" to resurrect this model. A new "Cellini era" has begun.

Sure, but what we don’t know is whether the OQ was relatively obscure due to its design or its movement. Seems like they’re betting on the latter, and they’re kind of pretending that watch didn’t happen.

With the LD, they even copied an unusual design choice of the 1530/1630: they used a dial smaller than the DJ’s with a separate chapter ring. That’s something even the OQ doesn’t have.

[INC]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Sure, but what we don’t know is whether the OQ was relatively obscure due to its design or its movement. Seems like they’re betting on the latter, and they’re kind of pretending that watch didn’t happen.

With the LD, they even copied an unusual design choice of the 1530/1630: they used a dial smaller than the DJ’s with a separate chapter ring. That’s something even the OQ doesn’t have.

Very interesting point of view, you have convinced me. From this perspective it really does seem like they put the OQ in parentheses and placed the 1530 as if it were the prototype of this watch. I like the idea, but still does not like the "new" watch But to be honest, in this case it's even more true that it's worth buying a 1530 instead of an LD.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by INC

Very interesting point of view, you have convinced me. From this perspective it really does seem like they put the OQ in parentheses and placed the 1530 as if it were the prototype of this watch. I like the idea, but still does not like the "new" watch But to be honest, in this case it's even more true that it's worth buying a 1530 instead of an LD.

It’s quite interesting that second hand prices of the 1530 look to be about where msrp of the LD is. To me, the deal is the 1630, if one can stand two-tone. They’re going for what seems to be less than half of the 1530.

[kieselguhr]

I would totally rock the land dweller. I do own the North Flag which utilizes the OysterQuartz design language.

[hojlund]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

I can’t work out if you’re serious or if it’s sarcasm

grey market price of the LD will be higher than that of the pepsi even after stablised. mark my word.

[returntorolex]

Good to see Rolex still innovating, but this one aesthetically isn’t for me.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

I would totally rock the land dweller. I do own the North Flag which utilizes the OysterQuartz design language.

Or even more so the Ranger II…which also has an unusual (for Rolex) chapter ring Iike the 1530/1630 and new LD!

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by hojlund

grey market price of the LD will be higher than that of the pepsi even after stablised. mark my word.

How could that possibly be considering what the DJ41 did when released??
The LD is plotted to be be a high volume model like the DJ within the catalog. The LD is an interesting model but it strays too far from the typical Rolex design for universal appeal. Other models like the YMII have done this only to have a niche appeal from the masses that buy a Rolex watch. I also remember the days of the Oysterquartz and how much it was not loved at its peak popularity. The LD will be a popular niche watch for more the Rolex owner with a larger collection. The main competition of the LD will be the DJ41 and not any of the professional line.

What I can see now after the dust has settled from the LD release is how the senior and more advanced Rolex owners (on TRF and YouTube) are viewing its appeal for themself and it’s not great at this point when hype is at its highest. It’s a take it or leave it response in how they view it in their current/established collection of Rolex models.

[Robf52]

I really like the design...thinness of the case, bracelet, movement, exhibition caseback. I even like the dial, honeycomb and all, although the dial seems to be a bit controversial. The name is a bit goofy. I've expressed interest with my AD.

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by returntorolex

Good to see Rolex still innovating, but this one aesthetically isn’t for me.

I think the watch looks too busy with the bracelet, bezel and dial and lack of dial colors. I do like the new movement, but I wouldn't buy one.

[FTX I]

Not even for free

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by JoseR

I think the watch looks too busy with the bracelet, bezel and dial and lack of dial colors. I do like the new movement, but I wouldn't buy one.

^^^Not to use you specifically but your response is the general response I hear everywhere regarding the LD release. It doesn’t move the excitement needle enough for any one to want to actually buy but appreciates the technical achievements of the movement .

[hojlund]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Not even for free

lol.

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by Mystro

^^^Not to use you specifically but your response is the general response I hear everywhere regarding the LD release. It doesn’t move the excitement needle enough for any one to want to actually buy but appreciates the technical achievements of the movement .

Correct. I don't like the bracelet design or the dial. Interesting movement design, and let's see if they use it on other models in the near future.

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[thesharkfactor]

Meh..

[TonyD]

Nope. I told my AD no thanks. Maybe in a few years with a colored dial and stick markers etc. The dial kills it for me.

[Easy E]

Case and bracelet, yes. Strong yes. Dial….yuck-o-rama to the maximum. Can’t stand the 6, 9 markers. I think the motif pattern distracts from the other visual features of the watch. More like clashes. I’ll wait for other flavors.

[Dr.Stu]

Originally Posted by Mystro

How could that possibly be considering what the DJ41 did when released??
The LD is plotted to be be a high volume model like the DJ within the catalog. The LD is an interesting model but it strays too far from the typical Rolex design for universal appeal. Other models like the YMII have done this only to have a niche appeal from the masses that buy a Rolex watch. I also remember the days of the Oysterquartz and how much it was not loved at its peak popularity. The LD will be a popular niche watch for more the Rolex owner with a larger collection. The main competition of the LD will be the DJ41 and not any of the professional line.

What I can see now after the dust has settled from the LD release is how the senior and more advanced Rolex owners (on TRF and YouTube) are viewing its appeal for themself and it’s not great at this point when hype is at its highest. It’s a take it or leave it response in how they view it in their current/established collection of Rolex models.

Great post!. I am in the camp of the Rolex owners with a larger collection &, as I said above, am looking forward to adding this OG LD to my collection for the reasons I stated. I agree that it likely will be a niche watch- much as the OQ was/is.

Regarding rolling out the new movement to other lines, I'd think that that is not that likely for the professional models- as the 7135 should not either be as robust/shock resistant as the 323X movements (e.g.) and b/c of the higher beat rate will potentially be more prone to wear/need for servicing. That said, it's hard to imagine that Rolex would have spent so much time/effort/$$$ developing such an innovative movement and not have much bigger plans for it than just launching it into the new LD line alone.

It didn't feel like there was that big a space to fill between the DJ line and stepping up to a DD, but the LD was certainly designed to sit squarely between those lines. It will be interesting to see how the line is received & what Rolex does with this movement.

[codecow]

I realize I failed a bit, because I put my name down for the platinum. I would also wear the steel though.