(1)What if Rolex made a second line (2) Are we the last generation of watch lovers?

[Atl]

What if Rolex made a second, lower priced line, but retained the Rolex name? No more Tudor. I think it might be a smart play, they could bring out fresh, (daring?) designs without upsetting the regular line. They could play with materials, i have always wished Rolex made a Titanium model. They could use: Rubber straps? Carbon fiber? Diffrent metals?
But.............. Would it lower the prestige factor? Would it water down the desirability for their watches? Would it lower resale? Or highten it for the top tier models? Could Rolex put their name on a less expensive watch, which might mean using a less costly movement, like they did with Tudor?
All the prestige car companies do it, Mercedes (S-Class, E-Class) BMW (7-Series, 5-series) etc. It does not lower their prestige, just makes their product more widely obtainable. And Rolex's benefit might be more sales to the Y and upcoming Z generation. My sisters kids love my watches, but think they are (too adult?) for their taste. For those with kids of teen/college age, what do they think of your watches?? Most kids I see today don't even wear watches anymore.

Thoughts?

[Gedanken]

That doesn't gel with Rolex's branding approach. The reason they went with Tudor (and a few other less successful names) is that they wanted Rolex to be their flagship line, associated with certain expectations of quality and with a certain conservativeness to boot.

As for your car analogy, it's quite apt. Just this week, I was watching Jeremy Clarkson reviewing one of AMG's latest releases and giving it a very positive review. He wound it off with, "In fact, the only problem I can see with it is that it's a Mercedes. Ten years ago, Mercedes decided to boost their profits by cutting corners, and it's shown with their cars ever since".

I doubt that Rolex would want to make the same mistake.

[Blown Wide Open]

I think the branding is perfect as rolex has it....and I will continue with the automobile analogy to emphasize my point.

BMW and Mercedes all have sport, luxury, and economy models in their line.

Rolex does the same. The simple stainless datejust with stick dial is the c-class benz and the 3 series BMW

The Datejust with a fluted bezel, or the new thunderbird bezel, with a jubilee band, and roman dial, is the AMG c-class and the M3 of the line.

The Explorer I and II are the E-class and 5-series of the line, and the SUB,GMT,and Seadweller are the sport utilities like the M class-or the X5, and the limited edition models are the G-wagens of the bunch.

Finally, the Presidents, Daytona's and Yachtmaster are the S-class, M5, E-series AMG, and 7 series of the line.

Tudor is to Rolex what Mini is to BMW. A place to take a risk, a chance on what is new and modern in style and design while not disrupting the cash cow .
Just my thoughts, I think I rambled enough.

PAtrick

[REXMTL]

Originally Posted by Blown Wide Open

I think the branding is perfect as rolex has it....and I will continue with the automobile analogy to emphasize my point.

BMW and Mercedes all have sport, luxury, and economy models in their line.

Rolex does the same. The simple stainless datejust with stick dial is the c-class benz and the 3 series BMW

The Datejust with a fluted bezel, or the new thunderbird bezel, with a jubilee band, and roman dial, is the AMG c-class and the M3 of the line.

The Explorer I and II are the E-class and 5-series of the line, and the SUB,GMT,and Seadweller are the sport utilities like the M class-or the X5, and the limited edition models are the G-wagens of the bunch.

Finally, the Presidents, Daytona's and Yachtmaster are the S-class, M5, E-series AMG, and 7 series of the line.

Tudor is to Rolex what Mini is to BMW. A place to take a risk, a chance on what is new and modern in style and design while not disrupting the cash cow .
Just my thoughts, I think I rambled enough.

PAtrick

Nicely done !!!

[viper]

Originally Posted by Blown Wide Open

I think the branding is perfect as rolex has it....and I will continue with the automobile analogy to emphasize my point.

BMW and Mercedes all have sport, luxury, and economy models in their line.

Rolex does the same. The simple stainless datejust with stick dial is the c-class benz and the 3 series BMW

The Datejust with a fluted bezel, or the new thunderbird bezel, with a jubilee band, and roman dial, is the AMG c-class and the M3 of the line.

The Explorer I and II are the E-class and 5-series of the line, and the SUB,GMT,and Seadweller are the sport utilities like the M class-or the X5, and the limited edition models are the G-wagens of the bunch.

Finally, the Presidents, Daytona's and Yachtmaster are the S-class, M5, E-series AMG, and 7 series of the line.

Tudor is to Rolex what Mini is to BMW. A place to take a risk, a chance on what is new and modern in style and design while not disrupting the cash cow .
Just my thoughts, I think I rambled enough.

PAtrick

Well said My thoughts exactly!

[dman]

Originally Posted by Blown Wide Open

I think the branding is perfect as rolex has it....and I will continue with the automobile analogy to emphasize my point.

BMW and Mercedes all have sport, luxury, and economy models in their line.

Rolex does the same. The simple stainless datejust with stick dial is the c-class benz and the 3 series BMW

The Datejust with a fluted bezel, or the new thunderbird bezel, with a jubilee band, and roman dial, is the AMG c-class and the M3 of the line.

The Explorer I and II are the E-class and 5-series of the line, and the SUB,GMT,and Seadweller are the sport utilities like the M class-or the X5, and the limited edition models are the G-wagens of the bunch.

Finally, the Presidents, Daytona's and Yachtmaster are the S-class, M5, E-series AMG, and 7 series of the line.

Tudor is to Rolex what Mini is to BMW. A place to take a risk, a chance on what is new and modern in style and design while not disrupting the cash cow .
Just my thoughts, I think I rambled enough.

PAtrick

Great post, Patrick!!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Blown Wide Open

I think the branding is perfect as rolex has it....and I will continue with the automobile analogy to emphasize my point.

BMW and Mercedes all have sport, luxury, and economy models in their line.

Rolex does the same. The simple stainless datejust with stick dial is the c-class benz and the 3 series BMW

The Datejust with a fluted bezel, or the new thunderbird bezel, with a jubilee band, and roman dial, is the AMG c-class and the M3 of the line.

The Explorer I and II are the E-class and 5-series of the line, and the SUB,GMT,and Seadweller are the sport utilities like the M class-or the X5, and the limited edition models are the G-wagens of the bunch.

Finally, the Presidents, Daytona's and Yachtmaster are the S-class, M5, E-series AMG, and 7 series of the line.

Tudor is to Rolex what Mini is to BMW. A place to take a risk, a chance on what is new and modern in style and design while not disrupting the cash cow .
Just my thoughts, I think I rambled enough.

PAtrick

Great analogy, Patrick!! And, David....while I like the way your imaginative thinking works, knowing Rolex....it'll never happen. But the thought's not a bad one at all.

JJ

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by Blown Wide Open

I think the branding is perfect as rolex has it....and I will continue with the automobile analogy to emphasize my point.

BMW and Mercedes all have sport, luxury, and economy models in their line.

Rolex does the same. The simple stainless datejust with stick dial is the c-class benz and the 3 series BMW

The Datejust with a fluted bezel, or the new thunderbird bezel, with a jubilee band, and roman dial, is the AMG c-class and the M3 of the line.

The Explorer I and II are the E-class and 5-series of the line, and the SUB,GMT,and Seadweller are the sport utilities like the M class-or the X5, and the limited edition models are the G-wagens of the bunch.

Finally, the Presidents, Daytona's and Yachtmaster are the S-class, M5, E-series AMG, and 7 series of the line.

Tudor is to Rolex what Mini is to BMW. A place to take a risk, a chance on what is new and modern in style and design while not disrupting the cash cow .
Just my thoughts, I think I rambled enough.

PAtrick

Excellent

[watchdrummer]

Damn. In the last 10 days I have bought an M Class (Sub) and S Class (Yacht Master) I am starting to feel better.

[Blown Wide Open]

Originally Posted by watchdrummer

Damn. In the last 10 days I have bought an M Class (Sub) and S Class (Yacht Master) I am starting to feel better.

I call Shannagins unless you show pics.

PAtrick

[watchdrummer]

Patrick i posted pics tuesday.