Should Rolex compete with AP Royal Oak and PP Nautilus?

[cszy67]

What would you think if Rolex released a direct competitor for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus?

Would Rolex be successful? Why or why not?

What do you think Rolex would call the new watch?

Do you believe Rolex would update and advance the older designs?

Would you buy one?

[Seddyspaghetti]

No. Just no.

[JR16]

Why in the world would Rolex do that ? There are zero reasons . Zero.


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[huncho]

why would they need to do that when they already compete with AP and Patek as a whole?

[omar-rye]

You mean a Genta inspired design? Leave that to brands like Tissot to imitate. Would it be successful if they did? Sure it would; it’s Rolex. Though it would be cool if Rolex released a modern iteration of the oysterquartz design

[Tim Plains]

1. Rolex isn't high horology.
2. Rolex doesn't need to compete with anyone.

[Rolexavidfan]

Rolex is already successful in what it is doing.


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[illiguy]

Originally Posted by cszy67

What would you think if Rolex released a direct competitor for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus?

Would Rolex be successful? Why or why not?

What do you think Rolex would call the new watch?

Do you believe Rolex would update and advance the older designs?

Would you buy one?

Rolex need not have to chase AP or Patek. They are the king, hence the crown.

[Benzsiam]

Rolex is number one right now. No reason to compete with others.

[dannyp]

If Rolex were to attempt such competition, it's for the sake of ego, not commercial success. It doesn't need the extra sales, and PP/AP aren't "threats" to Rolex's business.

However, and I've said this before, Rolex has a single avenue to compete in haute horology: Relaunch "Rolex Cellini" as just "Cellini" (its own, completely separate line). That gives some room to compete against those houses at the middle end (no way of taking on the ultra-complicated pieces those guys have spent centuries perfecting).

[Ichiran]

Its very difficult to beat Patek and AP at their own game. Rolex will need more skilled watchmakers and technicians to manufacture these types of watches with decorated movements, sapphire caseback, higher degree of hand-finishing on cases, bracelets and movements, and more interesting dials.

As many have already highlighted, Rolex is already the marker leader in revenue. They don't need to compete in that Nautilus/Royal Oak arena, unless it's for diversifying their product portfolio or for increasing their margin. That said, if I want to buy a Nautilus or Royal Oak type of watches, I will go directly to Patek or AP.

[Time Out]

Rolex is in their own lane. Period. AP/Patek are as well.

[usmc_k9_vet]

No


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[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Its very difficult to beat Patek and AP at their own game. Rolex will need more skilled watchmakers and technicians to manufacture these types of watches with decorated movements, sapphire caseback, higher degree of hand-finishing on cases, bracelets and movements, and more interesting dials.

As many have already highlighted, Rolex is already the marker leader in revenue. They don't need to compete in that Nautilus/Royal Oak arena, unless it's for diversifying their product portfolio or for increasing their margin. That said, if I want to buy a Nautilus or Royal Oak type of watches, I will go directly to Patek or AP.

[Gab27]

Should they? - IMHO, No.

I don't really like the style of either of the two watches you mentioned, but those watches are iconic to each respective brand and certainly carry tremendous horological significance. They are arguably vastly different products than what Rolex makes, and if a buyer wants one of either of those two watches, they are likely going to buy that specific brand/model and probably have no interest in an alternative (same situation in a sense that when I wanted a Sub, a dealer tried to sell me an Omega PO, which I had zero interest in). IMHO, Rolex needs to be Rolex, AP/PP/VC should be AP/PP/VC.

[smallcollector]

yes. more comp = better

[cryptowalkway]

Originally Posted by cszy67

What would you think if Rolex released a direct competitor for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus?

Would Rolex be successful? Why or why not?

What do you think Rolex would call the new watch?

Do you believe Rolex would update and advance the older designs?

Would you buy one?

Strangest thing ever posted on the forum

[subprimero]

Rolex is the best at what it does. There is no need to compete with high horology brands.

[tudk]

I find the question interesting.
I don’t think Rolex need to design
a Genta looking watch as IMHO
it would just be a copy.
As far as complication goes sure why not

[GGGMT]

Yes great idea


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[rambo99]

rolex have already found the perfect balance between horology and robustness. let other brands go chasing them.

[KY..]

Modifying the Sky-Dweller with a perpetual calendar movement might work well...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by cszy67

What would you think if Rolex released a direct competitor for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus?

Would Rolex be successful? Why or why not?

What do you think Rolex would call the new watch?

Do you believe Rolex would update and advance the older designs?

Would you buy one?

Definitely not myself not a fan of any of the RO range, even less the Patek Nautilus, great movements yes but dont the style.

[Krash]

The Royal Oak could be an entire brand by itself. There are tourbillons, perpetual calendars, chronographs, ceramic, titanium, stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold, open work, men, women , iced out diamonds, blue, black, green, brown, purple, silver, salmon, bracelets vs leather straps, etc.

I think if you limit it to just the Gerald Genta integrated bracelet inspired design, then it’s more plausible. However, if you look at the Datejust, DayDate, Submariner, GMT, Daytona, I don’t think there is any reason to do so. They already have all the bases covered in terms of luxury sport watches.


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[SS Oyster]

Already done …



Case / bracelet remind you of any brand?


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[OrangeSport]

No

Both brands are notably better than Rolex

Both those ranges are ugly as sin

Can't see the point of competing with a superior manufacturer in a race to make horrible watches

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by cszy67

What would you think if Rolex released a direct competitor for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus?

Would Rolex be successful? Why or why not?

What do you think Rolex would call the new watch?

Do you believe Rolex would update and advance the older designs?

Would you buy one?

Rolex does not compete with them, they compete with Rolex. Why do you think PP and AP introduced SS sport watches? They are dress watches masquerading as sport watches and have no heritage as sport watches and can’t compete with rolex on that front. Not to offend, it it’s well backed up. Rolex has been on the wrist of those doing history and PP/AP in the wrists of the spectators of history. The PP and AP references you mention simply can’t ever compete with what the sub and GMT have done. That real heritage. They did not bring in some outside jewelry designer to make a “hit” they made tools for professionals.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

No. Just no.

Ditto.

[mykii]

No, never, not in a million years.

Anyone who thinks Rolex is even remotely close to AP, PP, etc. has rocks in their head.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Already done …



Case / bracelet remind you of any brand?


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They sure have. Even more so, Rolex 1831 Emperor.