The Verdict

[Nav01L]

The Jubilee on the PM Sky Dwellers is an excellent addition. I mean at that size, they’re a bit vulgar nonetheless in YG or RG, but much better on Jubilee than on Oyster. The new Day Dates are all pretty great and the platty 1908 is downright fantastic.

And then there’s the GMT which I am fairly sure most will come around to. I personally love that they have taken the LN design and have given it a legacy within Rolex Lore. It’s always secretly been one of the coolest color schemes. The low key option, the one for the people who should truly wear these watches, war correspondents, humanitarian helpers, folks who can truly take pride in the stories they have etched into their watches over the years. I love to see that combination back in the catalog.

[travisb]

Don't hate it but it's not even average.

[alphadweller]

Uneventful. Far too much PM, one underwhelming SS piece. Makes it lower than average to me.

[Gerardus]

Average.

[WhistlerX]

The Daytona w/ the diamond set is just plain gaudy … for someone with more $$$$ than sense … it’s become a piece of jewelry, that has lost its way

[Goldilock]

Patek is the same this year. Really nothing to get excited about...

[tiberio comodo]

Among the novelties I really appreciate the models with diamonds, even if they are too expensive for my budget, but dreams are free. I can't give an overall rating for the survey.

[lencap]

It's an interesting release. Regardless of what we may think about the models it's pretty clear that Rolex is moving higher in the pricing of their watches. Profit margins seem to the primary focus, driven by the non-stop rise in Rolex visibility and prestige since COVID.

It seems very logical. Since last year they announced a "pre-owned" watch program, invested in one of the largest individual group of retail locations in Europe, use their deep pockets to build a new line of higher margin watches, and see what the next steps are in the coming years as the rest of the watch world tries to figure out how to respond.

They are the juggernaut in the market, and flexing their muscles just ensures they will remain so for the foreseeable future.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Goldilock

Patek is the same this year. Really nothing to get excited about...

As you would say if you hoped no one else would call their AD for that 5164g - in TRF blue no less

[knighty88]

Hate is a strong word… but uninspired and unimpressed is fitting :)

[JRell]

Originally Posted by knighty88

Hate is a strong word… but uninspired and unimpressed is fitting :)

Agree I should have used the word dislike!

[Ingvarr]

Feel regret not to get Millgauss in 2022.

Below average.

[Spaniard1675]

Good release if you're an Arab sheik or rapper.

Platinum 1908 is gorgeous...but kinda unrealistic for most.

agree Tudor stole the 2024 show

[AK797]

Just 6% liking the release is very telling, surely the worst I can ever remember.

[Bill2e]

Yawn.................

[MRBolton]

It's pretty bad when the biggest news from the releases is what was/wasn't discontinued. This is the first release that I can remember no new Datejust dials, so that's a welcome change.

That being said, the ombre dials on the DDs are so sick!

[0nly5iv3Digits]

I have a few thoughts. Very underwhelming this year. I think intentionally - Rolex is playing 4D chess imo... The fact Tudor keeps dominating year after year with knock-out releases (that enthusiasts actually want!) is all part of their "larger" strategy to swallow up large swaths of the market for "sports" watches that you can "actually" buy, while on the other hand, Rolex itself continues to push the "exclusivity" line. It's clear in their designs! The result has continually been people happy enough to just get an allocation for a watch that isn't anything particularly "special"... and it works as far as marketing goes...clearly.

I think Rolex knows that their watches have become more "status" than tool-oriented "good-lookers". But the sad thing is that what made Rolex so great for so many decades is dying a slow death... it was their ability to balance classic design aesthetic, innovation and utility, robustness and brand provenance in such a beautiful way... The result was fantastic, useable, achievable status... No more it seems. I really believe they know that - hence "Tudor." They are pushing this brand hard, while Rolex itself steps back into the shadows a bit. For me, Rolex has lost that "special" sauce, so-to-speak. The brand just doesn't excite me anymore.

Sorry for the rant! :D

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

I have a few thoughts. Very underwhelming this year. I think intentionally - Rolex is playing 4D chess imo... The fact Tudor keeps dominating year after year with knock-out releases (that enthusiasts actually want!) is all part of their "larger" strategy to swallow up large swaths of the market for "sports" watches that you can "actually" buy, while on the other hand, Rolex itself continues to push the "exclusivity" line. It's clear in their designs! The result has continually become people happy enough to just get an allocation for a watch that isn't anything particularly "special"... and it works as far as marketing goes...

I think Rolex knows that their watches have become more "status" than tool-oriented "good-lookers". But the sad thing is that what made Rolex so great for so many decades is dying a slow death... it was their ability to balance classic design aesthetic, innovation and utility, robustness and brand provenance in such a beautiful way... The result was fantastic, useable, achievable status... No more it seems. I really believe they know that - hence "Tudor." They are pushing this brand hard, while Rolex itself steps back into the shadows a bit.

Sorry for the rant! :D

Tudor didn't have a knock-out year either. I think Rolex had a better release year than Tudor.
The new GMT is a lot more tool-ish looking as well.
To say Rolex is stepping back into the shadows isn't a remotely an accurate statement. No brand is coming close to their current success and won't for the foreseeable future.

[DJM4]

The 1908 is gorgeous, the rest is meh…. I think Tudor’s release was much more compelling.

[Avs Fan]

I'm already on record as loving the gold DS. I guess it's not a DSSD anymore, just a DS.

[Bill2e]

I think I am more interested in Breitlings releases than either Rolex or Tudor.

[dubins930]

I don’t understand why they kept the old GMT case…. Such a missed opportunity.

[watchnwine]

Reinforces for me that the 5-digit-era was the pinnacle of their product offering.

[Phlippe]

Hate no, dislike yes. Though the new 1908 & GMT are spectacular. Trouble is you won’t be able to get either, Saturday I stoped in to my local AD and the GM of two doors was telling me they only received one 1908 since it’s release last year. They also said the Pepsi would not be discontinued and Rolex did indeed have some QC issue on it last year but they had gotten some recently. As for the new flashy and trashy styles released, Meh.

[Crown & Shield]

The only positive thing I can say is that I am glad that they did not kill the BLNR & BLRO.
Zero interest in the new models, the GMT is OK-ish.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by watchnwine

Reinforces for me that the 5-digit-era was the pinnacle of their product offering.

This is the way

[Calatrava r]

It is rare that Rolex has exciting new releases where they mainly tweak the line along and along with dial changes and such. An entire new model line may be in the works at some point. Hard to envision what it might be given Rolex DNA.

[Midlifegoals]

If they had discontinued the BLRO and/or the BLNR for this release cycle, I would fly to Geneva to have a proper word with someone. Haha. It’s disappointing to see the OP and DJ line completely ignored.

The best part of today is that my dream of a BLRO can stay alive for another year….

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by worldofoyster

The 1908 does look very sweet

The best of the 2024 release imho, sadly too small for me I need minimum of 40mm

[KatGirl]

Since I’m constrained by size, and my own taste, nothing was released that will impact my buying habits. As much as I’d enjoy a DayDate 36, it’s not in my budget, unless I sell everything, which I would not do, and it’s overkill for my style, anyway. I’m a jeans and tee gal, still, so my TT DJ looks pretty flashy, already. Taking myself out of the equation, it was a typical Rolex unveiling. Thank goodness for their standard bearers: Subs, OPs , DJs, Explorers, and GMTs.

Kat


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