Will Stainless Steel Rolex Sports Models Ever Fall Out of Favor?

[OG1982]

A watch is a staple item for many human beings.

Rolex isn’t fashionable, because fashions come and go. Rolex has been a staple in the luxury watch market for more years than most of us have been alive.

It’s a bit like asking will belts or socks ever go out of fashion.


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[1William]

A SS Sport Rolex watch, of any kind, will always be fashionable and desirable. Will values rise and fall with time, sure. But one thing is for sure, in the long run, Rolex watches will always be more expensive than what they originally sold for.

[Dan Pierce]

Who cares? If you like it, buy it. If you don't, it doesn't matter.
dP

[travisb]

Pricing may change and they may become more available at some point but I can't ever see these models ever losing popularity.

[Krash]

It’s hard to imagine them losing popularity now or anytime in the future.


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[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by joli160

Yes, not so very long ago GMT’s were really cheap on the secondary market Subs could be bought with discounts everywhere.
Only the Daytona was strong.

Hypes are cyclical so sure the interest will fade, when nobody knows

Exactly. Used No date sub was like 5-6k


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[ppierce]

They wrote a book about the Sub so no.


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[espanol]

I sure hope so. I’ll buy even more if they become much less expensive.

Trends don’t matter to me.

[Calatrava r]

Like anything else, just when the majority of people say it will never change, it already has started to change. Funny how that works.

[Gearjockey]

I doubt there will be much of a discount on popular SS professional models. There may be an occasional dip, but you’ll be waiting for years. Meanwhile, it could’ve been on your wrist the entire time.

As for stainless steel being less expensive and therefore more popular, I don’t believe that.
SS professional models are more expensive than retail on secondary where many procure them, whereas PM is often immediately available at retail.

Most TRF users can afford a PM model but choose not to because it’s not for everyone and less popular as a first purchase than stainless for aesthetics.

[gerry100]

$10-15K steel tool watches service a bigger, broader demographic than more expensive, dressy offerings.

Always more demand for a Ford than a Mercedes

[stevestil]

No


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[GMTmatt]

The Egyptians didn’t bury themselves with stainless steel.

[173rdabn]

Nope.

[kritameth]

Originally Posted by metallic

Technology will continue to advance but watches are not technology goods. Casual dress is here to stay. Thus the short answer as already stated is no.

Here's a less likely, but equally entitled remark, casual dress will be the new formal wear. One day, when people decide the heck with dressing up and just waltz around butt naked, wearing any watch will seem mighty silly.

[majidessa]

The popularity of Rolex SS sport watches did not come from nothing there are many good reasons that made them a first choice that no other brand was able to achieve, some of the reasons are:
- Well engineered
- Use of best materials
- Top quality manufacturing
- Robust movements
- Timeless & iconic designs
- Strong marketing

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Marciano

Will Stainless Steel Rolex Sports Models Ever Fall Out of Favor?

anything is possible ... I expect that to be a simple no.

will people ever start wearing a 3 piece suit and top hat again? could be but why... actors and musicians and billionaires have paved for big business with jeans and t-shirts.

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by Marciano

Could stainless steel sports Rolexes ever become unfashionable?


Is there a point where people might move away from these tool watches in favor of smaller, more elegant pieces?


Are we in the middle of a long-term cycle, or is the dominance of steel sports Rolexes here to stay?

1. I don't think that's going to happen. While theoretically possible it's very unlikely.
2. I think Rolex sports watches are elegant enough to be worn with dressy attire, so they are going to remain popular. Also the majority of them aren't too large. Sure, DSSD does exist, and SD is larger than before, but GMTs and Subs and Daytonas are all not too large.
3. I think we already see the tide shifting. Smaller watches are making a comeback. DD40 and DJ41 being smaller than DDII and DJII is a good indication of that. That being said, Rolex is addressing it as well. GMT and SkyD being available on the Jubilee is definitely an indication that Rolex is trying to make its larger and sportier watches more elegant. And, seemingly, Jubilee versions sell well so it's working.

[Dr. T]

While I think Rolex will always be popular and likely the 'big' luxury watch brand, I could see a situation where competitors get their act together and challenge Rolex more.

Back 15-20 years ago, competing brands seemed to be doing much better and were cooler/for real enthusiasts. E.g.Panerai, IWC and even Omega I would say we're doing better in the UK market than today.

But over the past 5-10 years some of the competition (with exceptions of PP, AP, Cartier) seemed to have completely dropped the ball and fallen out of favour with a lot of buyers. Rolex's dominance has grown to unprecedented levels.

While I think Rolex will remain the most popular brand for the next 10-20 years, I think there is a good chance the competition will catch up a bit. They can hardly do worse than they have been doing recently!

[Solo118]

imho the only thing that can knock Rolex down is the digital watch (aka apple watch, etc) and I do not see that happening unless there is some serious revolution

[Davidt]

Can’t see it really. Then again, 120 years ago if you asked the same question about pocket watches everyone would have laughed at the notion of those falling out of fashion.

[Tools]

Trends and fashion change, they always have.

In the 70's the goal was the flattest gold watch, and Rolex produced classics like the King Midas and the flattest mechanical watch made, as well as the classic Prince. Stainless was a work watch.

In the 80's mechanical watches were almost obsolete, regardless of what they were made of.

Who's to say the future

[Speedbird-1]

Geneva were forced to go down the quartz route, albeit temporarily.
If the numbers lead the bean counters down the smartwatch path, that’s what we’ll see……..a smart Rolex.
I’ll wager they’ve already looked at it and contingency plans are already in place. Rolex SuperSmart T3000 Carbolex Seadweller anyone?

[Car32]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Geneva were forced to go down the quartz route, albeit temporarily.
If the numbers lead the bean counters down the smartwatch path, that’s what we’ll see……..a smart Rolex.
I’ll wager they’ve already looked at it and contingency plans are already in place. Rolex SuperSmart T3000 Carbolex Seadweller anyone?

There was much angst about this when the Apple Watch first came out. But the big Achilles heel for smart watches is that they’re not built to last, no matter how fashionable. Either the battery dies, or more likely the software becomes obsolete. They’re just wrist computers and cant compete with a piece of jewelry (sorry, thats what a Rolex is now) that can last generations.

[NAUI1982]

If history has shown us anything, it’s that watch trends are never set in stone (or stainless steel, for that matter). But let’s break it down.

Steel Rolex sports models are dominant right now for a few key reasons:
1. Versatility – A Submariner or GMT-Master works with everything from a t-shirt to a tux, making them an easy daily wear.
2. Marketing & Pop Culture – Rolex has mastered the art of making their sports watches aspirational yet ‘unattainable,’ with long waitlists and strategic scarcity. Seeing them on celebrities and influencers only fuels the desirability.
3. Investment Mentality – The current generation of collectors (especially newer ones) sees watches as an asset class, and few categories have been as bulletproof in resale value as stainless steel sports Rolexes.

Now, could they become ‘unfashionable’? Theoretically, yes. Trends always cycle. But if they ever fall out of favor, it likely won’t be overnight, and it won’t be because people stopped liking them—it’ll be because a new narrative takes over.

Where could trends go?
1. Smaller watches are creeping back in – 36mm pieces like the Explorer are getting more love, and even the new Daytona has subtly slimmed down.
2. Precious metals might make a resurgence – We’re already seeing an uptick in interest for full-gold and two-tone pieces, which were shunned for years.
3. Neo-vintage & weird Rolex models – Collectors love the underdog, so expect increased interest in pieces like early Yacht-Masters, Turn-O-Graphs, and forgotten references.

That said, I don’t think steel Rolex sports models will ever truly fade. They’re the mechanical equivalent of a blue blazer—classic, timeless, and even when they’re ‘out of trend,’ they’ll still be respected. The real shift will be how they’re worn—maybe less flex, more appreciation.

TL;DR – Trends will evolve, but if you’re hoping Submariners and GMTs will end up in the bargain bin anytime soon, don’t hold your breath.

[SudiYunus]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Not unless their retail price exceeds that of other options. People want a Rolex, but most can only afford SS, so demand is highest, thus “in favor” despite being much higher on secondary market, still affordable vs. gold. TT had its day in 70s and 80s, but that’s over.


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+1

[hojlund]

actually I think the panerai case material carbon fiber is quite amazing. it looks cool, durable and scratch proof.

[123Blueface]

At my age I have learned to never say never but in this case, as close as it will come to never.

[Marcjvr]

At some point sun dials and pocket watches went out of style

The only correct answer is no one knows

[HiDive]

Watch trends change over time but as long as Rolex is making watches the Submariner and the GMT will always be there in some similar form. The rest of them could come and go.