Have Rolex finally achieved their ultimate goals?

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

With such great watches like the new GMT-IIC, the new Sub-C, new Daytona (with the improved clasp) and hopefully the soon to be introduced Exp-II, looks like Rolex have achieved their ultimate goals.

And that is.............to give us the best watches with solid 904L cases and bracelets, excellent movements, improved clasps and maxi, easy-to-read dials..............not forgetting the smoother Ceramic bezels.

Pretty sure the models I've mentioned above cannot be improved any further and are going to hang around for a long, long time.

So, the big question is................what's next?

Opinions?

JJ

[B. Doggy]

I think the new models (in their current form) will hang around for another 50+ years. However, now matter what changes are made, I strongly feel all references will stay true to their roots...

[Johny]

Whats next jj ? why another massive price rise of course.

[andy tims]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Pretty sure the models I've mentioned above cannot be improved any further

Appreciate I'm new here, but FWIW I think the DSSD & the new Sub are clumsy and bulky in design terms compared with the models they replace.

In a way I hope they don't do the same with the Exp II, but if they do, at least it will do the value of my 16570 no harm.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Johny

Whats next jj ? why another massive price rise of course.

Well, if that's a GOAL for them, it's one big HOLE for us!!

[pyxis]

I agree! Afterall, a solid bracelet cannot be made anymore solid! Same with the SEL. And the various new clasps are top notch and can't see how they can be improved much. This evening, I pick up my brother's 20 years old SS DJ with the hollow jubilee bracelet, and was quite shock at how insubstantial it felt after the last few weeks of handling the GMT IIc and the new AirKing with the new clasp and bracelet. Must say it almost felt like a fake!

[EchoBlueUK]

I too was thinking this the other day. Things like the hollow links, cheap feeling clasps etc in the older models were the only negatives and now they have all been addressed. The current range is as good as it can ever be which makes me think the only direction for rolex to go is to innovate brand new lines which may or may not fail but there's always the current designs to rely on as core cash cows.

[moviefreak]

Next year is the Fully Cerachrome Line...slim models, quartz is back..


And Rolex will announce a partnership with Rado..

[Chipmunk]

I'm actually looking forward to see the new EXP II. With regards to achieving their ultimate goals........I'm not sure that they did.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by moviefreak

Next year is the Fully Cerachrome Line...slim models, quartz is back..


And Rolex will announce a partnership with Rado..

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Well, if that's a GOAL for them, it's one big HOLE for us!!

Ofcourse ..There are many suckers out there (most of them on this forum me included) who are willing to shell out $s no matter how much they jack up their prices I think they set "GOALs" for themselves and we work our A$$ off to achieve it for them

[HKtoter]

Triplock on the Explorer II

[rfknauss]

JJ, I'm thinking that Rolex made a last minute decision regarding releasing the new Explorer II at Basel. Perhaps Rolex decided to put a ceramic bezel on the Explorer II?

[Richard.]

Upgrading these classic designs has been a major risk for Rolex. The older models have been around for so long that they must have been seriously concerned how well the new designs would be received. I think they've made the transitions well, and managed to pull off some serious price increases along the way. I would say they are feeling pretty pleased with themselves but also more than a bit relieved. I don't think they'll be making too many more changes in the near future.

[Macro80]

A chronograph with a date function would be the only thing i can think of that would augment the lineup.

[1000ft]

I'd like to see a diamond at the zero position, inlaid in the ceramic.

[cornerstore]

This is the future .The Subdermal Implant Watch Tattoo, also called an “electric tattoo” is a special LED screen which is implanted under your skin.

Powered by your own kinetic energy, the electric tattoo watch illuminates when you turn your wrist towards your face. And since it’s powered by your own body movements, no batteries are necessary.

[Richard.]

Ceramic Pepsi and Coke bezels would be good.

[EchoBlueUK]

I forgot: pepsi ceramic. Then things would be perfect!

[Dr.Brian]

They have proved to be very slow to evolve. I'm sure that's not going to change, it's part of their appeal and has worked for the last 50 years. They have dragged out changing the bracelets, bezels and cases out for years. I think new dials is about it. If they did a SS YMII, I might be tempted. Ladies/midsize chrono? Probably not.

[SLS]

I would have to guess that the Tudor Heritage Chrono re-release has been successful, so I would hope we would see the same in the Rolex line. Omega, Panerai & many other brands have done it, why not Rolex.
Scott

[mactrack]

Originally Posted by rfknauss

JJ, I'm thinking that Rolex made a last minute decision regarding releasing the new Explorer II at Basel. Perhaps Rolex decided to put a ceramic bezel on the Explorer II?

I might be in the minority here but that's exactly what I would like to see.

[Gagebuilder]

Has rolex ever made a tourbillion, repeater, or alarm watch?

[CoopJr]

There's more that they can do. A TT or SS YMII, more straps and use Ti. Coke and Pepsi bezels on the GMT IIc would be a HUGE hit.

[Bigboss]

JJ... two old sentences for you:

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers"
Thomas J. Watson, Sr.
IBM President

"640K of memory should be enough for anybody"
William Gates III
Microsoft Founder

[xjeeunitx]

Originally Posted by patrick09

This is the future .The Subdermal Implant Watch Tattoo, also called an “electric tattoo” is a special LED screen which is implanted under your skin.

Powered by your own kinetic energy, the electric tattoo watch illuminates when you turn your wrist towards your face. And since it’s powered by your own body movements, no batteries are necessary.

That is insane but I wouldn't be surprised. It's almost like that scene from A Beautiful Mind with Russel Crowe where he gets some dye injected in him that releases infrared codes.

[esm]

cough - digital Rolex - cough

[Shade]

I think Rolex will be focusing on colours and dials just the moment, and perhaps release a Rosegold Daytona model on strap..

[Dan2010]

I think you are right as far as improvements. These watches are pretty well made and last forever as it is. Next step in my opinion, like someone else also said and that is to make more dials, straps, etc.

[Singslinger]

A new movement perhaps? I think an ultimate goal should be to offer as wide a range as possible so...how about a new complication like moon phases with or without a chrono or a flyback chrono with date?

Then there's always platinum Sub/GMTs, gold and TT Exps and Exp IIs, more serti dials for the Subs...