Rolex + Basel = Snooze.

[Mosco]

I got my flame-suit on, I know it is coming, but I don't care.

I love the brand - but let's face it, the most exciting and revolutionary thing to come out of the House of Rolex in the last 5 years has been the ceramic GMT and the DeepSea. 2010 lineup simply disappoints.

They take the iconic Explorer and add WG markers to a tool watch

They take the LV and make it even greener (with non-matching finishes on the bezel and the dial at that!!!)

Finally, they do what we all expected and release the SS Sub-Date in ceramic. Yawn.

At this point, they're just playing with colors and materials. No different than Hublot Big Bang - same damn watch in a multitude of finishes.

Are they really out of ideas? Do they get some sort of sick pleasure torturing its fans, building up suspense every G-dd**n year just to let us down? What gives?

The ONLY reason they added the Parachrom is because the past maker of their hairspring stopped supplying them. Otherwise, it would be the same ol' same ol'. Which it really is - blue parachrom is no better than the past one, it's just friggin BLUE. Here's your cookie, Rolex. I'm going back to sleep.

[chillviper]

I'm with ya!

[kcmo]

Agree, Greg! Disappointed too.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Mosco

I got my flame-suit on, I know it is coming, but I don't care.

I love the brand - but let's face it, the most exciting and revolutionary thing to come out of the House of Rolex in the last 5 years has been the ceramic GMT and the DeepSea. 2010 lineup simply disappoints.

They take the iconic Explorer and add WG markers to a tool watch

They take the LV and make it even greener (with non-matching finishes on the bezel and the dial at that!!!)

Finally, they do what we all expected and release the SS Sub-Date in ceramic. Yawn.

At this point, they're just playing with colors and materials. No different than Hublot Big Bang - same damn watch in a multitude of finishes.

Are they really out of ideas? Do they get some sort of sick pleasure torturing its fans, building up suspense every G-dd**n year just to let us down? What gives?

The ONLY reason they added the Parachrom is because the past maker of their hairspring stopped supplying them. Otherwise, it would be the same ol' same ol'. Which it really is - blue parachrom is no better than the past one, it's just friggin BLUE. Here's your cookie, Rolex. I'm going back to sleep.

boy someone didn't have their coffeee, tea, and/or bong hit this morning!!!!!
face it ladies & gentlemen....Rolex doesn't care about the W.I.S. group.....they make what's in demand(and sell a lot)....and folks outside the W.I.S. community don't have the taste, class, & savoire faire that we in the W.I.S. community have.

[chriseskew24]

Agreed this is two years in a row that Tudor out shines its big brother IMHO. Rolex had better get a hint.

[Dan Pierce]

Rolex had new releases this year?? I'm too busy over at the Tudor booth.
dP

[gmh1013]

No Pepsi or Coke GMT's....
The Green SUB looks like something the green hornet would wear..
the old EX1 looked better IMHO.
They continue do ruin the DJ with those dial combo's they would be great
if my name was Timmy and I went to broadway plays and drove a Miata.
so far it looks to be a ZERO for me.

[snow_rocks]

That is all well and go, but what has happen with

the RADO line of fine watches?

[bandityo]

yep....nothing here..move on folks

[hhh007]

I believe one of the many reasons that Rolex has maintained their world class status as well as their traditional high resale value on pre-owned is BECAUSE they are typically conservative regarding dramatic change of any kind. Just my .02

[eagle_lex]

while i agree with greg about lack of excitment and not loving the green sub.... i do like the updates on the black sub. love the glidelock, love the maxi and beefier case. ceramic is the new "it" thing i guess. thanks to hublot. subs IMO shouldnt see drastic changes anyway. its an icon. i would like to own one in the future just for the updates but that said.... i wouldnt flip one of my subs for a new one. just save for it instead.

[InVision]

Aloha Greg!! Glad you got that off your chest !!

Mike

[arabesque]

Like the other conservative European marque Mercedes, Rolex doesn't change for change sake.

I would think Tudor can play with more radical change (relatively speaking) without much consequence on Rolex should perception is adverse.

However, I do not agree with hideous diamonds on men's watches which is becoming norm.

[Fiery]

I was hoping for a new Explorer II, but apparently it will only happen in 2011. Then in 2012 we'll have the Daytona anniversary model. Not much other new models to be expected in the next 2 years if you ask me.

Rolex ventured into bigger models (DSSD, YM II), but they don't seem to continue that trend. The GMT is already up-to-date, the YM I is not bad as it is, the DJ II and DD II is already out, so what else shall we expect from them, really? :) It's Rolex.

I'm happy for Tudor though, the Heritage Chrono looks awesome. It's more exciting than the 3 new Rolex models combined.

[Safetrends]

Greg:

[SeamasterGMT]

I'm also disappointed - I was looking forward to a chunky Eplorer II/III.

[Tools]

I disagree with all this...

WIS have been clamoring for years about a "bigger Explorer" because it's just too small.. Now, at 39mm, it's a practical dress watch, and likely to grab a lot of attention.... I might check this one out..

WIS have been clamoring for a SS Blue Sub.. Well, it isn't blue, but is a very popular green, if the last iteration of the LV is any indication.. Tis one should prove very popular... and it's not the high price all gold or TT version..

WIS ladies have been saying the ladies DJ is out of date...at 31mm, it is the same size as the mid-size mens/unisex.. Should be very popular this Christmas..

WIS have been looking forward to the release of the SS SUB ceramic.. well, it's here...... I can hear the footsteps and see the dust as Rolex fans line up for this one...... It will be twice as popular as the GMT IIc.


And we haven't even seen the many dial combinations that may appear once Basel actually opens.......

What more did you expect.....

[Brit78]

I'm with you so far Greg. And Dan for that matter. The Tudors are more impressive thus far.

[Safetrends]

I am still fond of black on black Sub's.

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by Safetrends

Greg:

I'm in yellow.

[Starwalker]

Greg, well said, completely agree with you.

[inLine4]

Lol

[CKLinLA]

Originally Posted by Mosco

They take the LV and make it even greener (with non-matching finishes on the bezel and the dial at that!!!)

I've been trying to let all that greenery sit (well for a couple of hours anyway), but I still cannot help but wonder if its intended to be some kind of St Patricks Day thing. Its hard getting that Rolex intends this to be taken seriously ...

Oh well

[Cru Jones]

you know, looking again at the "press kit", i wonder if that's not the "full" press kit....i mean, look at the table of contents page. the listing of the three watches looks out of place font-wise and done by photoshop....it's be easy otherwise to cut and paste the rest of the PDF together (there are no page numbers). plus, i'd suspect that a full, professional, kit might not be so heavy, Mb-wise (easier to distribute electronically).

i'm thinking maybe, just maybe, there's some misinformation going on.

is the Web site with the press kits reliable?

[zlin08033]

Compare what Panerai did on 2010 SIHH, Rolex

[mcubed]

Originally Posted by Tools

I disagree with all this...

WIS have been clamoring for years about a "bigger Explorer" because it's just too small.. Now, at 39mm, it's a practical dress watch, and likely to grab a lot of attention.... I might check this one out..

WIS have been clamoring for a SS Blue Sub.. Well, it isn't blue, but is a very popular green, if the last iteration of the LV is any indication.. Tis one should prove very popular... and it's not the high price all gold or TT version..

WIS ladies have been saying the ladies DJ is out of date...at 31mm, it is the same size as the mid-size mens/unisex.. Should be very popular this Christmas..



WIS have been looking forward to the release of the SS SUB ceramic.. well, it's here...... I can hear the footsteps and see the dust as Rolex fans line up for this one...... It will be twice as popular as the GMT IIc.


And we haven't even seen the many dial combinations that may appear once Basel actually opens.......

What more did you expect.....

Of course Larry, we go through this EVERY YEAR. EVERY YEAR it's "Rolex has lost it's way" EVERY YEAR they are abandoning their tool watch roots. EVERY YEAR it's "well it's not exciting enough". Everyone hated the New GMT when it came out, then everyone loathed the Milgauss (remember the outcry over the lightning hand?) , then the Deepsea was the worst thing ever. We won't even talk about the furor over the Yachtmaster II. This year it will be the Explorer. Then by Christmas, half of the people here will have one and love it. Yep this year is complete with the complaints about Rolexes with precious stones, something that has been well featured in the lineup at least since the early 1980s. I said the same thing the last two years, and I am sure I will be saying the same thing next year. Happy Basel

[CKLinLA]

Originally Posted by hhh007

I believe one of the many reasons that Rolex has maintained their world class status as well as their traditional high resale value on pre-owned is BECAUSE they are typically conservative regarding dramatic change of any kind. Just my .02

Good point. Except while the changes were smallish, whether they are tasteful and/or conservative design-wise is uncertain/debatable/personal opinion/etc.

I am glad there wasn't a supersized Sub! That would reduce ('cheapen') the appeal of an iconic watch (re DJ II, Day Date, etc.)

[eagle_lex]

well im glad for the minor changes. like a previous poster mentioned.... yachtmaster II WOW talking about a bomb. that was a drastic change and i dont see many of those around nor would i ever consider buying one..

[galloman]

I agree with you Greg

[newmedia]

why change the good thing, the Rolex watches are boring just the way I like it.