Thanks again Bill for a great video. I think I'm going to have to be satisfied with the sleeper watches I have. The winning watches are certainly amazing and out of my reach, but always nice to see your keeping everyone (advertisers) from pulling the wool over our eyes.
Hi Say It! That video from 2016 when I first started the channel, sure looks a lot different than now, but I'm glad you liked it! Next month (November), the 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève will be announcing the winners of this year's awards, and I hope to cover it as soon as the awards are announced. Kindest regards, Bill
Very informative. Although official numbers are not released, it is extrapolated by earnings that Rolex makes up to a million watches a year. I think they have a LOT more to lose if they competed in the Grand Prix and lost. They are afraid that the mass market would realize that the King has no clothes.
Hey Ed, Rolex has lots of charm, and I saw a very nice Cellini pieces that would fit into a vintage collection. They even support the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, and yet they have never entered nary a watch. Go figure. Cheers, Bill
Maybe that was a strategic way out. Meaning it would be a conflict of interest to be a fiscal supporter and enter. So save the embarrassment of entering and losing and just support?
Hi Xuenan! Let me check. This link, ua-cam.com/video/0HE8fOpGISE/v-deo.html , works but I'll need to see if it's off the menu. Thanks for letting me know. Bill
5:45 GP à échappement constant. It is a mechanical marvel. I had the chance to see it on the flesh. The case is a bit big for wearing but still an amazing achievement. ua-cam.com/video/pwL8LmduxVE/v-deo.html
Hey Roman! GP just snagged 2 Grand Prix awards this year, and for the time being, they may be one of the best bargains in high horology. It's great to see them getting the recognition they deserve. (Besides, I've got a GP base in my VC Overseas movement!!) Cheers, Bill
I think Rolex is a more conservatory watch brand than most of the names on that list, movement wise that is. They already have a winning team of mechanisms and don't feel the need to expand the range.
Hi Sati, Rolex is...well it's hard to say. Having been involved in software development over the last 30 years, I've seen dramatic changes, and I've seen those who refuse to innovate, left in the dust. With mechanical watches, I've seen companies like Leroy, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin use a large number of resources just to see how many complications they can put into a mechanical watch. It's an attitude of "Just because it's there..." in terms of mechanical development, even though it's hardly practical from either a production or sales point of view. At this point in time, Rolex is positioned so that it is the top seller of luxury watches and rests on a richly deserved reputation. However, will it last without innovation? Take for example, one of my favorite Rolexes (that I do not own)-the Milgauss. The name is for 1,000 gauss anti-magnetic. However, Omegas with the co-axial escapement have 15,000 gauss. Does that impress me? Definitely! Now if Rolex comes out with new model called "Vingt-Millegauss" (20,000), I would be impressed and have faith that Rolex is rolling right along development and innovation-wise, albeit, quietly. But right now, 15,000 gauss beats 1,000 gauss any day of the week. So, let's get Rolex to cowboy up and get innovating! (Or at least let us know what innovations they have.) Kindest regards, Bill
Great point. Rolex is the least innovative brand out there. Their designs bore me. 40mm for a dive watch these days is too small on a man. For that $8K I'll take a preowned Zenith, GP or Breguet. Comparing a new Sub. to a used Breguet type XX1 is no contest. Breguet is 10X the watch.
Hi Mike, I am squarely in Rolex's corner on this--they are one of the most generous watch companies around and they make excellent watches. And according to different releases, the innovations are incremental rather than revolutionary. However, none of us should buy a watch because of the hype. I truly love my Patek Philippe, but it's not because of their hyperbole; it's because until 2015, they had the most complications in a mechanical watch (in 2015, Vacheron Constantin took the title). So, I'd like to see this great watch company do the same thing--something revolutionary or highly innovative. Otherwise, watches like Zenith, GP and Breguet will continue to be more attractive--not to mention VC, PP & AP!! Cheers, Bill
Hi Bill, from business point of view, Rolex is really a very successful in marketing & make a huge profit. Quality speaking, it is good, but not really great and as you had mentioned, due to easy money for them to earn, they don't put much effort in R&D , and hence lack of innovation and hence becomes gradually boring overtimes. Unfortunately the public mass will still blindly cast their fate on Rolex. True horology lovers may still like some Rolex model, but definitely will not think Rolex is the King of horology. By the way, if I want to share my collection to have your review, what should I do?
Rolex entering is exactly like when George Foreman made his comeback, if you fought him and won you beat an old man , so I don’t know why he got so many shots at the title ? You win you beat an old man if you lose you got your butt kicked by an old man , but as Michael Moorer found out he was a very dangerous old man , kinda like Rolex they are damned if they do not so much damned if they don’t, that Patek looks a whole lot like the Rolex prince, can they actually say there watch is 250 thousand dollars better than the Rolex prince ?
Thanks again Bill for a great video. I think I'm going to have to be satisfied with the sleeper watches I have. The winning watches are certainly amazing and out of my reach, but always nice to see your keeping everyone (advertisers) from pulling the wool over our eyes.
Hi Say It! That video from 2016 when I first started the channel, sure looks a lot different than now, but I'm glad you liked it! Next month (November), the 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève will be announcing the winners of this year's awards, and I hope to cover it as soon as the awards are announced. Kindest regards, Bill
I'm a new follower of your channel Bill and I'm just catching up . Cheers
Wow Bill so interesting, you do such an excellent job of it all-and you are the only one too!:]
Hey Thomas, thanks man! Take care, Bill
Very informative. Although official numbers are not released, it is extrapolated by earnings that Rolex makes up to a million watches a year. I think they have a LOT more to lose if they competed in the Grand Prix and lost. They are afraid that the mass market would realize that the King has no clothes.
Hey Ed, Rolex has lots of charm, and I saw a very nice Cellini pieces that would fit into a vintage collection. They even support the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, and yet they have never entered nary a watch. Go figure. Cheers, Bill
Maybe that was a strategic way out. Meaning it would be a conflict of interest to be a fiscal supporter and enter. So save the embarrassment of entering and losing and just support?
i know I'm quite off topic but does anybody know a good site to stream newly released tv shows online?
It seems that the links have expired. Really enjoying your channel!
Hi Xuenan! Let me check. This link, ua-cam.com/video/0HE8fOpGISE/v-deo.html , works but I'll need to see if it's off the menu. Thanks for letting me know. Bill
@@watchartsci Bill , do you have a saved copy of the pdf file.The link provided is dead
Would it be possible to share a link to the FT article? I would love to read it. Thank you.
Hi Luis,
Here you go! www.ft.com/content/5a9bcc1c-2a80-11e3-8fb8-00144feab7de
Let me know what you think.
Kindest regards,
Bill
5:45 GP à échappement constant. It is a mechanical marvel. I had the chance to see it on the flesh. The case is a bit big for wearing but still an amazing achievement. ua-cam.com/video/pwL8LmduxVE/v-deo.html
Hey Roman! GP just snagged 2 Grand Prix awards this year, and for the time being, they may be one of the best bargains in high horology. It's great to see them getting the recognition they deserve. (Besides, I've got a GP base in my VC Overseas movement!!) Cheers, Bill
I think Rolex is a more conservatory watch brand than most of the names on that list, movement wise that is.
They already have a winning team of mechanisms and don't feel the need to expand the range.
Hi Sati, Rolex is...well it's hard to say. Having been involved in software development over the last 30 years, I've seen dramatic changes, and I've seen those who refuse to innovate, left in the dust. With mechanical watches, I've seen companies like Leroy, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin use a large number of resources just to see how many complications they can put into a mechanical watch. It's an attitude of "Just because it's there..." in terms of mechanical development, even though it's hardly practical from either a production or sales point of view. At this point in time, Rolex is positioned so that it is the top seller of luxury watches and rests on a richly deserved reputation. However, will it last without innovation? Take for example, one of my favorite Rolexes (that I do not own)-the Milgauss. The name is for 1,000 gauss anti-magnetic. However, Omegas with the co-axial escapement have 15,000 gauss. Does that impress me? Definitely! Now if Rolex comes out with new model called "Vingt-Millegauss" (20,000), I would be impressed and have faith that Rolex is rolling right along development and innovation-wise, albeit, quietly. But right now, 15,000 gauss beats 1,000 gauss any day of the week. So, let's get Rolex to cowboy up and get innovating! (Or at least let us know what innovations they have.) Kindest regards, Bill
Great point. Rolex is the least innovative brand out there. Their designs bore me. 40mm for a dive watch these days is too small on a man. For that $8K I'll take a preowned Zenith, GP or Breguet. Comparing a new Sub. to a used Breguet type XX1 is no contest. Breguet is 10X the watch.
Hi Mike, I am squarely in Rolex's corner on this--they are one of the most generous watch companies around and they make excellent watches. And according to different releases, the innovations are incremental rather than revolutionary. However, none of us should buy a watch because of the hype. I truly love my Patek Philippe, but it's not because of their hyperbole; it's because until 2015, they had the most complications in a mechanical watch (in 2015, Vacheron Constantin took the title). So, I'd like to see this great watch company do the same thing--something revolutionary or highly innovative. Otherwise, watches like Zenith, GP and Breguet will continue to be more attractive--not to mention VC, PP & AP!! Cheers, Bill
Hi Bill, from business point of view, Rolex is really a very successful in marketing & make a huge profit. Quality speaking, it is good, but not really great and as you had mentioned, due to easy money for them to earn, they don't put much effort in R&D , and hence lack of innovation and hence becomes gradually boring overtimes. Unfortunately the public mass will still blindly cast their fate on Rolex. True horology lovers may still like some Rolex model, but definitely will not think Rolex is the King of horology.
By the way, if I want to share my collection to have your review, what should I do?
Rolex entering is exactly like when George Foreman made his comeback, if you fought him and won you beat an old man , so I don’t know why he got so many shots at the title ? You win you beat an old man if you lose you got your butt kicked by an old man , but as Michael Moorer found out he was a very dangerous old man , kinda like Rolex they are damned if they do not so much damned if they don’t, that Patek looks a whole lot like the Rolex prince, can they actually say there watch is 250 thousand dollars better than the Rolex prince ?
Well Pat, if I get the Cellini Rolex Prince I like ... I might find out! Cheers, Bill
only $62,000 .
It's all relative...
Start utube
David, please elaborate. Thanks, Bill