What are the chances Rolex will ever adopt 'new technology?'

[Ken Nielsen]

I have a Casio that just about requires no attention, solar powered, satellite date and time set, but still with nice analog hands and sweep. These ideas faltered a little to start, but this watch has been on a constant run for years now and is always correct. Not that it would affect the desirability of collectable watches, I was just wondering, Is there any chance that Rolex may adopt these technologies?

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-WVA470DJ...e+ceptor+solar

[Frogman4me]

IMO never. Not to say anything is wrong with the technology but that direction is not what makes Rolex a Rolex.

The question might be more appropriate in the modern rolex section and not vintage.

[RollieVerde]

Each technology has it's advantages and drawbacks. If Rolex sees a clear reason to use it, they'll adopt it. They tried quartz, and it was clear it's not the direction they wanted to go so they decided to refine pure mechanical movements instead. These "low tech" watches seem to be doing well, and hold their value (and then some, quite often).

[landroverking]

Why?

[Ken Nielsen]

Originally Posted by landroverking

Why?

Just a curiosity. Certain things are adopted (day, date) and others are not. And yes, there are pluses and minuses to every technology. Solar power and radio wave setting are neat, accurate and require no 'winders' or setting.

Just a thought, and I can agree, that if something is well proven, it 'might' be adopted by Rolex. It would have to be very good though.

[Ken Nielsen]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

IMO never. Not to say anything is wrong with the technology but that direction is not what makes Rolex a Rolex.

The question might be more appropriate in the modern rolex section and not vintage.

I posted in vintage because there is good 'hindsight' in this area and familiarity with changes that have been adopted over time. I felt a little more 'realistic' or 'long-range' viewpoint for a subject about adopting changes for a watch that holds fast to the tried and true even among the newest releases.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Ken Nielsen

Just a curiosity. Certain things are adopted (day, date) and others are not. And yes, there are pluses and minuses to every technology. Solar power and radio wave setting are neat, accurate and require no 'winders' or setting.

Just a thought, and I can agree, that if something is well proven, it 'might' be adopted by Rolex. It would have to be very good though.

day date movements were started around 1955 so it's far from a new innovation. They tried the oysterquartz which IMO is a brilliant movement, pretty much a manual wind movement with an electric motor instead of a mainspring but it never caught on. Solar power is something I don't think will catch on. it's innovative, it's accurate, but it's not what Rolex owners want. If I wanted that, I would buy an atomic g-shock. Rolex has maintained their company by sticking with tradition. Over the past 50 years, the case and bracelet designs have stayed relatively the same. for that reason I can spot a Rolex 50ft away. back in 2004 there was allegedly another OQ movement designed, and they didn't bring it to the market, so I'm sure they'll stick with mechanical movements. and if you look at Tudor, they've had a handful of quartz models over the years, but most of their new models are more revolved around making larger cases, and using different case materials. they don't seem to be interested in using new technology as much as they do case design and metallurgy.

[T. Ferguson]

Rolex will adopt those technologies only if people cease to be willing to pay the hefty premiums for a fine mechanical timepiece. I just don't see that happening any time soon. In this segment of the market people are paying for craftsmanship, not solid state electronics.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Ken Nielsen

I have a Casio that just about requires no attention, solar powered, satellite date and time set, but still with nice analog hands and sweep. These ideas faltered a little to start, but this watch has been on a constant run for years now and is always correct. Not that it would affect the desirability of collectable watches, I was just wondering, Is there any chance that Rolex may adopt these technologies?

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-WVA470DJ...e+ceptor+solar

Everything you mention is all about convenience. It's like asking if the world's best restaurant kitchens will ever switch from gas ovens to microwaves.

[crowncollection]

i hope not, i love the mechanics of the watches, btw i think rolex invented the quick change date and definately the day display, it is there innovation

[Old Expat Beast]

Sure, Rolex has been the main single innovator of the wristwatch industry over the last century, either inventing or buying up the patents early on, for many if not most significant developments - from the waterproof case onwards.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Sure, Rolex has been the main single innovator of the wristwatch industry over the last century, either inventing or buying up the patents early on, for many if not most significant developments - from the waterproof case onwards.

Not the least of which was the 24 hour hand / rotating bezel GMT complication and the improved performance with the Master II snd the independent jump hour hand.

In my mind still the coolest complication ever designed into a watch.

Rolex actually adopts new technologies all the time in the materials they use and how they are manufactured. They just aren't in to incorporating electronics into their watches.

If Rolex ever comes out with a solar model it will probably be a mechanical watch that got that name because it was designed to withstand the temperatures on the surface of the sun.

[Ken Nielsen]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Everything you mention is all about convenience. It's like asking if the world's best restaurant kitchens will ever switch from gas ovens to microwaves.

Good point.

[adambisogno]

Forgive me if I'm off point gents but it seems the SkyDweller adopts some new technology (or innovates it rather).

I want to say 'ring command' is the coined term for the three bezel positions that allow you to set the reference time, local time and date from the same crown position.

That's the sort of detail that makes a good watch a great watch for me. I'm sure that wasn't the path of least resistance for the engineers...

Does this fit our discussion?

[rahible]

There is a good book, unfortunately out of print, called Time for America that chronicles the Hamilton Watch Company and the watch industry in the US. The last few chapters describe the major innovations that Hamilton made as well as the quartz crisis and it's effects on the watch industry.

From that crisis, the top watch companies of the world that still exist today learned many lessons from the downfall of Hamilton, and the quartz crisis in general. One of the many lessons is that people buy mechanical watches for several reasons (prestige and status), but mostly because of quality, brand heritage, and the fact that they are mechanical.

IMHO that's why the Rolex (and Patek) quartz are not in high demand or command the high dollars (relatively); people who buy these brands of watches want quality, history, mechanical, and in the case of Patek mostly handcrafted mechanical.

[steptoe]

Originally Posted by Ken Nielsen

Just a curiosity. Certain things are adopted (day, date) and others are not. And yes, there are pluses and minuses to every technology. Solar power and radio wave setting are neat, accurate and require no 'winders' or setting.

.

Throwaway technology. Worthless as it gets superceded or goes wrong.

[jmcclean40]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Rolex will adopt those technologies only if people cease to be willing to pay the hefty premiums for a fine mechanical timepiece. I just don't see that happening any time soon. In this segment of the market people are paying for craftsmanship, not solid state electronics.

Agree 100%. This is no different than telling the owner of a premium luxury car that they should buy a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry because they're more reliable at a fraction of the price.

For Rolex to go this route, the small majority of us who are offended at the phrase "Why spend money on a watch when I can just get the time from my phone?" would have to change course and start agreeing with the sentiment. I hope it never happens in my lifetime....

[locutus49]

Rolex is an innovator or adopter in new technology, from colored ceramics to various anti-magnetic parts in the mechanism.

[eco8gator]

Id like to see a power reserve display. I hate not knowing the power level...

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by adambisogno

Forgive me if I'm off point gents but it seems the SkyDweller adopts some new technology (or innovates it rather).

I want to say 'ring command' is the coined term for the three bezel positions that allow you to set the reference time, local time and date from the same crown position.

That's the sort of detail that makes a good watch a great watch for me. I'm sure that wasn't the path of least resistance for the engineers...

Does this fit our discussion?

Yup, just another example of their innovation. I doubt Rolex will go to the point of introducing electronics, as suggested by the OP, but they certainly continue to innovate in other areas (i.e.-mechanical, materials, etc.)

[HL65]

Never IMHO.

[Rolexpharm]

Never and I hope never. That's the history of Timex. Somebody told Rolex they should adopt the new digital watch technology. They said no then and I hope they continue to say no.

[tfduff723]

Personally, I think Rolex researches & adopts new technology all of the time. But specific to mechanical watches. New technology doesn't automatically mean quartz, digital, etc..

By definition techology is:

"tech·nol·o·gy noun \tek-ˈnä-lə-jē\ : the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems

: a machine, piece of equipment, method, etc., that is created by technology"

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technology

According to this Rolex has been and continues to be at the forefront in the world of mechanical timekeeping.

Just saying....