Why doesn't Rolex make the Dato-Compax anymore?

[Touring]

I was browsing Hodinkee and came across this interesting article on vintages. I was particularly struck by the beautiful Dato-Compax.

Any idea why Rolex isn't producing this reference or something similar these days? An anti-magnetic triple date chrono would be a fantastic addition - or re-addition - to the Rolex line-up.

[submariner66]

Very beautiful watches! Seems like Rolex left this for the sportier looks. In my book these look like what I associate with finer and elegant looking watches like JLC.

[springbar]

Originally Posted by Touring

Any idea why Rolex isn't producing this reference or something similar these days? An anti-magnetic triple date chrono would be a fantastic addition - or re-addition - to the Rolex line-up.

Something like that is what the Sky-Dweller should have been.

[Old Expat Beast]

Really beautiful, better looking than anything Rolex is currently producing IMO,...not sure about the name though, sounds a bit like an automated waste disposal.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Touring

I was browsing Hodinkee and came across this interesting article on vintages. I was particularly struck by the beautiful Dato-Compax.

Any idea why Rolex isn't producing this reference or something similar these days? An anti-magnetic triple date chrono would be a fantastic addition - or re-addition - to the Rolex line-up.

Would expect mainly because at the moment they have not got a movement with these complications, as in that watch the movement was from ETA Valjoux.

[springbar]

Originally Posted by padi56

Would expect mainly because at the moment they have not got a movement with these complications, as in that watch the movement was from ETA Valjoux.

They don't have such a movement because they have chosen not to develop one; the suggestion being that it would be nice if they did.

[Jake B]

If you want something like that (basically the same movement, too) you can always go Omega..

[padi56]

Originally Posted by springbar

They don't have such a movement because they have chosen not to develop one; the suggestion being that it would be nice if they did.

Have to agree in a way but over the decades Rolex has mainly rested on there laurels, and stuck to what they was good at producing very fine watches with very robust simple movements. And what most public wanted to buy and watches like the Dato-Compax,even the Daytona back in those vintage years were very poor sellers.But time has changed Rolex made there first ever chronograph back in 2000 cal 4130 then a few years later modded that 4130 into the cal 4160 to put into the YM11 later again a slight mod into the cal 4161 in the newer YM11.Plus the introduction of the cal 9001 in the Skydweller which is a real completely new movement.So who knows what the future will hold but don't hold your breath, to design and tool up to make a completely new movement is very costly.But once you have the tooling then you can make them in vast numbers just like the rest of the line up.

[travisb]

Don't we wish!

[Rolexpharm]

I have to agree with the OP I really like the style and complication of that Rolex and I wish they kept it in the line

[BlakeC]

Beautiful, classy watch. I would love to have that.

[Touring]

Originally Posted by springbar

They don't have such a movement because they have chosen not to develop one; the suggestion being that it would be nice if they did.

Yep - that's what I was implying. I believe the Valjoux movement was then modified by Rolex to meet their specifications, which makes me think they could have easily developed their own in-house movement.

There's still time, Rolex!