Obligatory Wristwatch Thread

[Duke]

The only Rolex I have a desire to own is an Oyster Perpetual (stainless steel 36mm or 39mm with Dark Rhodium or Red Grape dial). Unfortunately, I can't justify $6k on a watch.

Chris

The 114300 rhodium is one of my favorite time only Rolex models.

[Duke]

[Lex Luthier]

A bit of history showed up on Christmas.

1941-44 Leonidas. This is *not* a military issue watch, but this version has been spotted in period photos being worn by Kriegsmarine personnel.
17 jewels, fitted with a new mainspring and crystal. Hands are radium painted.
It is a testament to good engineering; worn silly, yet still capable of +/- 1 minute a day.

Leonidas later became TAG-Heuer.

[Duke]

For a bit of color it’s hard to beat the 116400GV Milgauss

[JodyH]

For a bit of color it’s hard to beat the 116400GV Milgauss

I agree completely.
Add in a "new" Air-King and you have the funky full house when it comes to colorful Rolexes.

Attachment 33763

[Duke]

I agree completely.
Add in a "new" Air-King and you have the funky full house when it comes to colorful Rolexes.

Attachment 33763

I went the new Mk2 dial explorer 214270 when I saw it next to the air king

[BillSWPA]

The Milgauss is on the short list of watches I would seriously consider if I were in the market for one now.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BillSWPA]

Rolex wants to sell $10k watches for $50k.
Tudor wants to sell $2k watches for $10k.

In the current market they can't do that.
I think they are making deliberate moves towards that long term goal.
Remember that Rolex is a private "charity" with huge cash reserves that answers to no one, hence they can and do think long term.
Weakness in the ultra high end market due to the Chinese market downturn which is hurting the "Holy Trinity" sales along with pressure from LVMH brands like Tag, Hublot and Zenith as well as SWATCH brands like Omega and Blancpain at their current price point makes it a great time for Rolex to try and move upscale and position Tudor to compete directly with Omega and Hublot.

Rolex is very conservative with their designs, that plays well with the ultra high end market.
Tudor is more flexible and willing to take trendy design risks to better compete against Tag, Omega and Hublot.

When they get their prices that high, who will buy them?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JodyH]

When they get their prices that high, who will buy them?

The same type of people that were buying $50k+ AP, VC, PP and ALS two years ago.
Two years ago it was the uber-rich Chinese.
I see about a 5-10 year drought and then the next crop of multi-billionaires (probably Indians or Koreans) will come along and start a watch buying frenzy all over again.
That's why I think Rolex is making their move now, $10k+ watch sales are fairly slow and $25k+ sales are stagnant.
They have the cash reserves to wait out the competition and they have the Tudor brand to cultivate at the mid-tier (<$10k) luxury price point which is still seeing some demand right now.

[JodyH]

I went the new Mk2 dial explorer 214270 when I saw it next to the air king

I really liked the look of the updated Explorer, but the Milgauss case, band and heft fit my wrist perfectly.
The Air-King was the perfect addition since it's basically a redialed Milgauss with a more tool like brushed finish.