My Sky-Dweller Perspective.

[Tools]

I like the Sky-Dweller..

It's not really my cup-of-tea though.. I won't get one as far as I can see.

Still, the movement is along the lines of the Yachmaster II. A mini-mechanical computer. It has a perpetual calendar, as well as a sub-dial 24 hr disc, and a bezel that can be activated for function.. pretty slick and very unique in the horological world..

It's an amazing timepiece. However, I think that it will be in the same category as the YM II. A high price toy for the jet-set. We will likely never see it in Stainless.. no point in putting this high dollar movement in a Stainless case that would still top any other stainless model..

I think that this, and the jeweled offerings, show that Rolex has chosen their market..... and that ain't me..

Rolex has set their sights firmly on the luxury aspect and the high dollar market. High dollar, not-for-the-masses watches.. Their cliche' pave dials and jewelled bezels will be in the cases.. along with solid gold watches that once were tools for professionals.. No more watches for real adventure, but just the armchair variety..

But they're still nice to look at..

That's the way I see it..

[sierra11b]

Well put. I appreciate the watch but will never own one even if it comes in SS.

[globalmedia33]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

well put. I appreciate the watch but will never own one even if it comes in ss.

x2

[JustABreathAway]

Well said. I'm pleased to see the new direction (though I don't care for bejeweled men's watches).

[Bangel]

Agree. I think it is purely its appearance which has polarised opinion.

[liuk3]

Problem is at the Sky Dweller price point, I'm largely not looking at Rolexes anymore (except maybe a platinum DDII). The analogy to me is the BMW M6. At that price point, I'd rather be looking at Porsches.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by liuk3

Problem is at the Sky Dweller price point, I'm largely not looking at Rolexes anymore (except maybe a platinum DDII). The analogy to me is the BMW M6. At that price point, I'd rather be looking at Porsches.

I really like your analogy, but like every brand Rolex and BMW wanted to create something that would keep customers of all brackets within their brand.

Just look at Porshe releasing the Cayenne and Panamera... They wanted to keep their "brand loyal" customers from being forced to buy a Range Rover and Mazerati...

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by QCASANOVA

I really like your analogy, but like every brand Rolex and BMW wanted to create something that would keep customers of all brackets within their brand.

Just look at Porshe releasing the Cayenne and Panamera... They wanted to keep their "brand loyal" customers from being forced to buy a Range Rover and Mazerati...

Yeah, that was exsactly my point. It's good to see Rolex making strides to provide more innovative (complicated) models and efforts to stretch their appeal into higher end markets. While it may not be my exact cup of tea at this point in time, I do appreciate the engineering and beauty of the piece even if it doesn't fit my own personal style at this point.

[HERITAGE82]

Well stated Tools...

[eman1200]

also agree....like it, would never buy it. I like the discrete month function, seems to be a nice change in my opinion.

[Porsche]

+ 1

Larry, you nailed it! What you have so succinctly explained also ties in with the direction they have taken with Tudor... ie. new releases are focused more towards sport/tool/vintage tastes. They still want to cater to this market, but know there is reluctance to pay $12K+ for a SS Rolex.

Is Tudor the new Rolex? Ask me again in 50 years!

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Porsche

+ 1

Larry, you nailed it! What you have so succinctly explained also ties in with the direction they have taken with Tudor... ie. new releases are focused more towards sport/tool/vintage tastes. They still want to cater to this market, but know there is reluctance to pay $12K+ for a SS Rolex.

Is Tudor the new Rolex? Ask me again in 50 years!

The only flaw with your argument... We don't have Tudor ADs in the US and UK!

[ocwatching]

I have to agree as well Larry..and though I was not warm to the SkyDweller upon release..I agree with you as well after watching the Video..
nice to see Rolex develop another movement but the trend is BLING...

sad really...

[MoBe]

I don`t know who Rolex expects will buy the SKD but I do know it won`t be me or anyone I know personally,perhaps some members of TRF will own one in the near future.

[Dr. Robert]

I can assure you I will not be buying one.

[Welshwatchman]

I appreciate the annual calender function though I'm a little perplexed as to why the day function is omitted.

I sometimes forget the date, occasionally forget which day it is, but rarely if ever forget which month it is.

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I appreciate the annual calender function though I'm a little perplexed as to why the day function is omitted.

I sometimes forget the date, occasionally forget which day it is, but rarely if ever forget which month it is.

My guess is that it is there to aid in setting the right date. It would be very frustrating to set it correctly with only the date, and no month indicator, to go by.

[springbar]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I appreciate the annual calender function though I'm a little perplexed as to why the day function is omitted.

I sometimes forget the date, occasionally forget which day it is, but rarely if ever forget which month it is.

The Sky-Dweller has an annual calendar. The watch has to know the month in order to know if it's got 28, 30, or 31 days. There must therefore be a method to set the month, and a month indicator, or it would be borderline impossible to set the watch.

[Numismatist]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I appreciate the annual calender function though I'm a little perplexed as to why the day function is omitted.

I sometimes forget the date, occasionally forget which day it is, but rarely if ever forget which month it is.

Exactly, we now have the Day-Date with the Day and the Sky-Dweller with the month - but no SINGLE Rolex with BOTH! I guess I'll buy both so I can keep track of the calendar on my complication(s)...

[MortgageGuy]

Agreed Larry unfortunately I think the days of a moderately priced tool watch from Rolex (and yes I say moderately loosely ) appear to be coming to an end and this saddens me and many others.

[htc8p]

IF EVER im going to get a gold watch, this would be a great consideration and go over the top.

however i have no need for those complications. and a gold watch is a gold watch. i'd rather go straight to a "gold ultra thin"

but this new skydweller really looks nice

[HL65]

Well said Larry. The more I look at the Sky Dweller the more it grows on me. I personally wouldn't add one either though. It appears as you said Rolex is moving in a different direction. I think when you get up in the high end luxury market though they will have a tougher time competing with Patek, AP, ALS etc. Rolex has made its bread and butter in the regular to moderate luxury brackets so it will be interesting to see how they fare.

[Singslinger]

I don't think Rolex are overly focused on the luxury, high-end segment today any more (or less) than at any time in their past.

In the past 5-6 years, I think Rolex has released sufficient affordable and appealing sports or "tool'' watches if you prefer to keep its customers happy -

the new GMT II ceramic, 3 new Milgauss variations, the Deepsea, the ceramic Subs (TT, black and green), a new 39mm Explorer and the new 42mm Exp II.

In the meantime, the luxury end was served by the YMII, ceramic Daytona and upsized President.

Not all are popular but at least customers have greater choice. I think the new Sky-Dwller will have its own following - it's not for me because I most probably can't afford it but if I could, I might very well consider it.

[FremStar]

Larry, I always enjoy reading your posts and you are part the reason I acquired my Tudor Heritage and 216570. Very well put!

[thlax]

I'd buy it over a DJ2 any day. Especially if it was SS. If its only WG I'd do a DD2 or WG sub

[Oyster Junkie]

The technology of the movement is amazing, but asthetically it is not appealing to me.

Any speculations on what the MSRP on the Sky-Dweller would be if they were to ever offer it in SS?

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by Oyster Junkie

The technology of the movement is amazing, but asthetically it is not appealing to me.

Any speculations on what the MSRP on the Sky-Dweller would be if they were to ever offer it in SS?

I'm thinking that with the number of complications they will just keep it to precious metals as with the DD...

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by Oyster Junkie

The technology of the movement is amazing, but asthetically it is not appealing to me.

Any speculations on what the MSRP on the Sky-Dweller would be if they were to ever offer it in SS?

$17k U.S. Somewhere around there. It is not ridiculous if they keep supply lower than demand (like SS Daytona). Take into consideration that a PP Nautilus retails for $27k, PP Aquanaut with rubber strap for $22k I believe, and the new AP Royal Oak depending on the model $16k - $24k I believe. By the way all these models give the standard hour, minute, and date. The SKY-DWELLER ads to this an annual calendar, and second time zone function.

High-end watches are hot right now, and these companies are just maximizing profits in a healthy market for them. Plenty of money in Asia to spend on luxury goods. I also think this watch will find plenty of customers here in the U.S., although it may cannibalize some DAY-DATE sales.

As someone mentioned, the GMT for pilots and the SKY-DWELLER for the executive sitting comfy in the back sipping on scotch while jumping from country to country. I think the SKY-DWELLER can even become the executive traveler's beater for traveling on business - it's tough, reliable, and if lost can easily be replaced unlike some PP, FP Journe, or A. Lange, etc. in their collection.

Although we love this brand we are not their target customer. With the exception of a few on this forum, we are the low-end of the high-end watch customer, with nowhere to go unless we move to the next bracket down. IWC, Panerai, Breitling, JLC, Cartier, and even Omega now are equally priced with Rolex SS models, and in some cases more. Even designer watches such as Channel, LV, Hermes, Mont Blanc, and Ralph Lauren are priced similar or higher.

Let's just hope what's on our wrists become rare and classics!

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Tools

I like the Sky-Dweller..

It's not really my cup-of-tea though.. I won't get one as far as I can see.

Still, the movement is along the lines of the Yachmaster II. A mini-mechanical computer. It has a perpetual calendar, as well as a sub-dial 24 hr disc, and a bezel that can be activated for function.. pretty slick and very unique in the horological world..

It's an amazing timepiece. However, I think that it will be in the same category as the YM II. A high price toy for the jet-set. We will likely never see it in Stainless.. no point in putting this high dollar movement in a Stainless case that would still top any other stainless model..

I think that this, and the jeweled offerings, show that Rolex has chosen their market..... and that ain't me..

Rolex has set their sights firmly on the luxury aspect and the high dollar market. High dollar, not-for-the-masses watches.. Their cliche' pave dials and jewelled bezels will be in the cases.. along with solid gold watches that once were tools for professionals.. No more watches for real adventure, but just the armchair variety..

But they're still nice to look at..

That's the way I see it..

I agree Larry for the most part. I don't care for the look though.

[Submarino]

Love your perspective Larry. Unfortunately, the new Rolexes don't do anything for me. They are so far away from what they used to be. I grew up aspiring to have one of those tool rugged but cool looking watches. Now they are just about PCLs and bling. Not for me anymore!!!