Rolex + Basel = Snooze.

[1000ftSub]

Originally Posted by goldminer

I am not disapointed at all, look at the history of Rolex and you will find more changes and more innovation in the last few tears than for many years. I like the new stainless steel Sub and nice to see it has a brushed bracelet (perhaps they do read forums?). I also like the new Explorer although I would have preferred 40mm.

I would be quite happy to buy a Sub, Explorer and the Tudor Heritage Chronograph.

[Arrgo]

Big +1

Originally Posted by Brit78

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

[daveathall]

I am going to be different, I think the green sub looks stunning, and I bet it looks even better in the flesh.

Well thats my hat well and truly flung into the corner.

[N_Swe]

This thread will be a whole lot of fun to read in a few months when the pictures from the customers of the new Sub and Explorer is posted here.

I think there will be "ahh"s and "ooh"s and "wow"s all over

[snow_rocks]

This thread is so funny.

South Park should do a parody of Rolex at Basel!

[Rscmaine]

New watches?

What new watches? I see only cosmetics.

Why all the fuss?

This is less exciting than a new paint job on a car.

They really shouldn't have wasted the money on a dealer space at the expo for these.

I suppose if you really really like green, the Hulk sub is for you.

And if paying $800 (or more) for a replacement bezel which can only be changed at an RSC service center sounds like an improvement then all ceramic is the way to go. I can certainly see the allure of waiting weeks for something that used to take 5 minutes to swap. That's a big improvement...

And somehow they supersized the case on the Ex but forgot about the hands? Ummm...how the he&^ do you overlook the freakin HANDS???

Yawn.

[goldminer]

Maybe Rolex should do an AP or Hublot then we would all be happy I don't think so.

I like the slow evolution ... look at the history!

[spuds]

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.....

I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD YOU EXPRESSED THAT SO MUCH BETTER THAN I HAVE THE ENERGY TO!!

THANKYOU!!!!

[1000ftSub]

Originally Posted by snow_rocks

This thread is so funny.

South Park should do a parody of Rolex at Basel!

[Daytonaboy1977]

I must admit I was looking for something different this year!! I have to agree with Greg it is a big let down with very little wow factor at all. I will be looking at Panerai this year I think.

[xjeeunitx]

The new Sub looks marvelous.

[SDDS]

actually its much of a facelift that Rolex has done this year nothing special..

[RRGHOST1]

In one word Rolex (the new black Sub apart) "DREADFULL". Why didnt Rolex consult those on the forum, as we have a better knowledge of what they should be putting out. If they did they would sell shedloads of watches. Because they have gone own the Ceramic bezel route they have lost a big market with GMT Pepsi/Coke since 2007 and why did they have to change to Ceramic anyway,who cares whether its Alluminum or Ceramic. Time to buy a 16710/16700 i think !

[gone-rolex-mad]

Originally Posted by N_Swe

This thread will be a whole lot of fun to read in a few months when the pictures from the customers of the new Sub and Explorer is posted here.

I think there will be "ahh"s and "ooh"s and "wow"s all over

I make you right

[shandy]

I have to say with what has come out so far I like it more than many other years!

I will repeat what I have said on every other thread. I love the green sub and have a feeling once folks see it in the flesh they will too!

The more I see the new explorer the more I like it. I thought the hands were too small to start with but not now and as to the white gold comment, well the old one had white gold markers and numbers as well only with a non lume insert where as at least now it is all non lume and to be honest for the amount of times I use lume (which is usually just so that I can see it glow rather than read the time with it (come on, fess up! How many of you are the same!) it is a non issue.
Remember the year they brought the yuchmaster out, now that was a dog of a year! I still think that watch is hideous, time has not soften that feeling!

[buz-lh]

We are a very small although passionate segment of the Rolex market. I agree with Larry and think they have done some really good things this year. SS Sub with color is awesome, bigger Explorer, updated SS Sub all good. The appeal of Rolex is slow evolution not dramatic changes year to year. I still think the Tudor Heritage is the big winner this year.

[TimeToGo]

There is a positive turn to every situation.

EVEN if the new line does NOT work. It's a WINNER.

They will discontinue the line in a couple of years and it will be the collector of a limited production model...

Figure that!

[kjb]

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.....

I agree with you Larry and will be lined up to buy the new Explorer and Sub . I think they look great!! I was hoping for some Red Lettering on the Sub but still very Excited with the New Watches.

[nyyankees]

I agree. They look sort of fisher price-like and the prices will be sick. I'll continue to buy pre-owned. I'm destined to end up a vintage guy!

[JJ Irani]

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.

Right on, Greg. None of the above would have happened, if they had still kept me on as their CEO!!

[Lamone]

Just like last year.

[STEELINOX]

Its those damned kids runnin the place now !
No focus, just texting and carry'n on in the R&D dept. Too much instant gratification and no look at the future of the branding - sigh - indeed disappointment at every juncture.

[Solar]

Originally Posted by mcubed

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

[Poom]

I'm with Larry

[cody p]

pretty much agree with you Greg as far as what's showing on the outside. but i guess from their perspective - if it ain't broke don't fix it. i do think that their new hair spring is a big deal, at least i thought it was a 'big deal' to be able to make your own hairspring. and the paraflex shock absorber seems very original and well engineered.

[Perdu]

I like the look of the new ladies models and the new Sub, but what's with that green thing. The current LV looks a stunner by comparison.

[rfknauss]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Right on, Greg. None of the above would have happened, if they had still kept me on as their CEO!!

Well, if you wouldn't have been caught with that sheep, you might still be the CEO!

[superb]

Totally agreed with Greg. This is very disappointing. I was expecting for something impressive this year.... you dont need big bucks to hire someone for color coordination....

[Rolex Freak]

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

x2. I totally agree. Rolex isn't who they are because of constant change. Look at the Sub for example. You can look at one from 50+ years and it's almost the same today, other than making it better and more durable to wear. I think if Rolex was to change their tune too often, the value of their product would drop. IMHO they stand in their own league because of this.

[ADG1111]

Would love to see a ceramic pepsi bezel...