it is simply because Rolex cannot sell more watches even if they wanted to, they already sell out. Whereas Tudor could sell a lot more, which benefits Rolex.
I think you’re bang on Mark and I’ve been predicting this also. Rolex want to be in the place where VC, AP, and Patek are. So they are definitely going up market, and they’re going to be moving Tudor to fill the void and they’ve got Omega clearly in their sights. So give it a few years, there’ll just keep going more gold, more diamonds, perhaps more interesting movements, but both brands will be hiking up prices so that METAS BB41 will soon be Seamaster 300 Pro money.
I can only think you would get the Black and Grey Bezel if you cannot get a Pepsi or Batman. Why not just make more Pepsis than a consolation watch that nobody really wants? Along with a Gold Deepsea, it seems that Rolex has made some strange decisions on new watches this year. Releasing watches that nobody actually wants to buy is a bold move!
Everything you said is pretty spot on, Mark. Reality is the watch market is in dire need of a cool down. Things have just been way too hot since the pandemic + the last two years. Tudor have definitely stolen the show, however no one (and i repeat no one) should be buying those Black Bays without at least a 10% discount ?which takes pricing of these watches back to normality)... sadly though I think the majority of us have become accustomed to paying full retail. On a side note - what about Tag Heuer! Their designers went down the hall at LVMH to the Hublot office and stole the designs for the Monaco split seconds from there. The only place we will ever see that watch is on Max Verstappens wrist. Putting the Skipper in a rose gold case isnt exactly innovative either. Tag is not a high horology brand and need to get back in their lane ASAP (the same needs to be said about several other brands as well).
Yeh TAG is another missed opportunity in this market where people are looking to spend less, and get more. Those Black Bays are already available to buy, I got offered one yesterday! Declined, as I don't want to pay retail for a Tudor!
not going to lie when it was rumored that the new GMT would be either a coke or the "bruce wayne" (grey and black), I prefer the one that was actually released the grey and black bezel, I think it looks fantastic
I've heard the Black/Grey/Green GMT referred to as the "Dark Knight"......I like the watch but then again I was a big fan of the all black Lunette Noir GMT.
Despite all the new releases being precious metal models this year, the vast vast majority of Rolex sales will continue to be steel sports/DJ/OP models .
Well, I was spot on saying that Palm Dail will definitely discount with Yughat Master 😎 And we both thought Pepsi would never discontinue I got Sprite a few months back what a beautiful watch Now Waiting for a Pepsi anytime soon ☺️ By the way, AD told me Pepsi will be just as hard as Daytona from now on Good to see you again and nice trailer 👌🏽
Yes you were right about the palm motif! I reckon now there are 4 steel GMTs that all 4 will be a little harder to get, as Rolex won't make any more by volume, just because they introduced a new colour. And yes surely the Pepsi will become as hard to get as a Panda, and rightly so. Whoever thought that model would seriously be discontinued! Ahh the grey market!
I think this W&W signals who the watch industry expects to be first out to recover from the recession, who's going to have the spending power this year. They're perhaps anticipating that middle income people who want to treat themselves will not have that spending power, whereas people in the market for precision metals and gem-set watches might already be back on track. It was a similar story from Cartier (who beat out Omega last year to become the second largest watch company after Rolex) as well, who didn't seem to have much (anything) on offer at the entry level, but released new Privé models in precious metals with new movements, etc.
The Black Grey 🩶🖤 GMT with the green 🌿 hand is my second favourite ⌚ I'm a 40mm Ceramic Sea Dweller owner... Love your work from the North Western Island 🏝️ 🦘
If you say the best winter watch theme for Rolex it would have to be the Yachtmaster Rhodium dial the Whitewalker 😂 ... And yes I have added the Tudor GMT bb58 to my watch list to get! 😂.. all this time I was waiting for a bb58 that had a date window and now my prayers came true ❤
I think everyone is missing the current market position. Since 2021, Rolex produced 20% more volume for 6% rise in value. So all this gold is a strive to premiumise, because the winners in past few years have been AP, Patek, RM. Meanwhile, Tudor fell behind Hermes on sales down to 17th, so the sub homage and Coke GMT is a desperate move to gain market share. Can Tudor shake off cheap Rolex image? Not easy when all Tudor do is release Rolex homages from the 1990s. Whilst overall market is in a downturn, the very rich are not affected. So Patek are not worried, whilst Rolex are. It’s easy to assume the crown is unassailable. Nokia thought that in the 00s. They have enough cash and brand awareness to be strong for sure, but if you are in the 30k market for a watch, do you really want mass produced? Rolex volumes are similar to Moonswatch. So the future isn’t plain sailing necessarily for continued Rolex growth, and how long can Tudor milk back catalogue?
Hi Mark do like the deepsea but will not be paying £45700 for it hopefully in the years to come it will go down on the Gray market because not many people will be able to afford or wear it unless you have very big wrists.thats what happened to the yacht-master 2 all gold can buy them for about 30k.but I do think your right I think maybe Rolex is going to go for the really high end of the market and maybe the new factories might start making parts for Tudor who take over the middle part of the watch market? It does seem a bit strange. thanks John.
To me it says they’re going up market for those who can afford those new models so they can catch up and step up production of the steel sports models instead of continuing to clog the waitlist with more steel hype pieces
but plenty of working class people did have relax in the 60s 70s 80s 90s even 00s They could only afford certain models and this is the whole point. Rolex are no longer interested in those models or those customers. Rolex is not patek
@@Robert-vw3od totally agree. Rolex is and always will be a large volume, commodity watch manufacturer. They'll never be high end horology, in our lifetime.
I think it's been a while since Rolex was for the working class omega have also turned it's back on the working class and even breitling have increased the prices above the working class so Tudor might just be the working class watch now.
@@JohnBowman-ut4dz Well it's definitely getting harder isn't it. Who actually buys brand new Breitlings these days!? I like several of their models but the resale kills it for me.
The Coke Tudor GMT looks great, much better than the Pepsi on a Tudor. The Tudor ‘Sub’ is excellent. And gone are the fake rivets on the bracelet. I really like Tudor, I don’t even have one. I always go to Rolex…. delightful purgatory. I am glad for now that I have all the steel models I want. You’re right about the volume… Rolex has done what Rolex want and not want ‘the people’ want. And that’s what keeps Rolex on top. Rolex doesn’t care what you want, you’ll like what you’re given 😆 A full gold Deepsea?! Ridiculous!! Yet awesome.
Shocking releases this year. Who wants a Diamond Bezel on a Daytona. Must be aiming at the ladies. If you went diving in that gold Deepsea you would struggle to get back up to the service.👎🏾🤣
Rolex can make more money from their precious metal watches, so that’s the direction they are going towards. All the hype and overpriced watches in the grey market are for the stainless steel models, but they don’t generate as much income for Rolex, so why would they want to invest as much in those models. They are aiming for the Patek and AP customers, who have pots of money……
All other luxury brands are doing the same thing. They are pivoting to catering to their wealthy customers and have largely given up on everyone else. The poors will never be able to afford a Rolex or Hermes, so just leave them behind.
My confusion is why is Rolex allegedly building a second factory to increase their production volume if they’re going to go up market. If most people can’t afford those gold watches, who are they going to sell those 800,000 watches to? If they want to become a “Patek for the nouveau riche”, they don’t need more volume. Maybe that was a false rumor? I think 2024 is a great year, Omega released two new moonwatch speedmasters (Apollo 8 and the white one). Rolex is for wankers trying to get attention. The quality of a Rolex watch is good, but who needs the aggravation of being chased by thugs trying to steal it off your wrist?
