This reminds of the SNL skit with William Shatner at a Star Trek convention and the fans knew more about the show and his life than he did. As William Shatner said “Get a life!”.
Perezscope has been tearing this book a new one too. Seems like everyone wet their pants for the book before actually figuring out if it was even good. Embarrassing
You were so positive in your earlier videos. Probably a lot of people ordered the book after those videos. Better to wait before getting so excited about the book without all the facts when dealing with company influenced literature. .
It really is. I'd love to be a fly on the boardroom wall to hear what, internally, they are saying about this. I also wonder how this will effect their approach to the forthcoming books. (Hopefully, they won't scrap those plans altogether!)
You should write a letter to Rolex to get their shit together. Rolex needs to understand that valuing and promoting their history strengthens their future.
Given the amount of online monitoring that they already do, they should be well aware of who would be invaluable as a consultant... Rolex, take note :)
Thank you for the balanced take on this, Austin. I agree with you, this is primarily the failure of Rolex’ heritage division and Rolex as a company. These inaccuracies show that even Rolex don’t know as much about their own history (and by extension, their own watches) than the enthusiasts/fans/scholars of their watches. It was either hubris or ignorance that blinded them from seeing the importance of fact checking their own ‘facts’ with people who are genuinely passionate and well informed about their past watches. The writer was hired to write about their watches and likely to have relied on internal fact checking of his work, erroneously thinking that the company who made these watches must have known the most about their own history.
Exactly! Get a “watch-guy/girl” with a solid rep in knowing the Sub to co-author and it will be a great 2nd Edition. The record had to start somewhere and this is the first itteration.
@@timothyheinrich8881 by the time they issue a revised edition, confidence of enthusiasts have already hit bottom. They had once chance to get such correct
When they do, the mistake book will become an object of lore and hype. "OMG they only printed 1000 of these ones with the wrong page 375, buy yours before the price goes up!" lol
Austin , just be patient. Maybe they will sign up with you for the next edition. I see this book as a good first step. I do agree that the people in charge at Rolex haven’t been to precise as expected. Why don’t you write to them and approach them. Maybe they consider to hire you for the next book. 😊😊😊
AP and PP museums are superb. Rolex has been acquiring countless historical watches at auctions (linked to people and events). They can only open a museum with an incredible collection as we have very high expectations. As everything in Switzerland... it takes time... a lot of time. BTW, I am sure that Rolex board is a little frustrated with PP museum taking all the light and glory in Geneva.
I’m 5 chapters into it and so far I’m finding it incredibly interesting. Loads of history I was unaware of. You lot sound like comic book fans complaining about Marvel movies. Can’t it just be a nice book with some interesting content?
Well said! There are people such as yourself, and some historian types in NY who show very deep knowledge of the Rolex transition through history, which Rolex could have capitalised on with their in-house records. Mr Foulkes is interesting to watch on UT for various cultural affectations and is entertaining, but The ‘King of Watches’ should do this right! Hopefully they give you a call for the next book?
They should have listened to you or better still given you the job to write the book. Good video. P.s. so what was wrong with the bezel insert markers? Not enough? Thanks
Hello Austin, always great and interesting content. Not received the book yet but I would not be that harsh on the author and publisher. I agree they should have put together a "super duper" team for a deep dive research as Rolex alone could for sure not do it. But, only for the second period of mil subs of the 1200 units 5513, 5513/5517, 5517 built between 1972 and 1979 you would need tonns of various experts incl. long retired rolex people from the manufacturing sites. I think Grahame Fowler should be the one from the collectors side since he has at least one 5513 mil sub with mercedes hands and not fully graduated bezel out of his many mil subs. Another very tough story would be the red line 1680 sub, I think it will be very hard to find the exact figures and delivery dates as this six dial versions ran sometimes in parallel. Cheers Daniel
It’s not a fail. It’s the fact that Rolex themselves likely don’t really know what the truth is. When Hans was building Rolex, he’s just looking to sell watches, he’s probably not acting like these will all have historical importance and he needs to keep accurate detailed accounts for every watch made. Look, there are plenty of companies out there today much younger than Rolex that don’t have people anymore that remember what products were released, how many and when. The product teams are long gone, watch companies go through world wars and multiple regional conflicts that essentially shut them down, buildings destroyed and send people running for their lives. You think anyone at those companies are worried about what a watch collector cares about 50 years later that the production numbers might be incorrect? We really need to relax on something that really has no value to this world and just be thankful for what little history was preserved and to take solace in the fact that it’s as accurate as it’s going to be. Those are the numbers if you believe them then great, Rolex doesn’t give a damn about what we believe. They are here to move forward and sell watches. These watches were sold 50 years ago, it’s not new revenue, I don’t think any company wants to spend a whole lot on products they get no business from.
That's a sensible take on things, and I think you're absolutely right - back in the day, nobody fathomed that these little tools would become museum-grade artifacts!
I ask myself , who runs Rolex. Do they care about making money or making watches. They do create the idea that its hard to get a Rolex because demand is so high, so they can keep prices high.
@Austin: Love your content but have to push back on the assumption that enthusiasts are Rolex’ “base.” Those interested in this book might be enthusiasts, but Rolex’ “customer base” is the one-and-done, status symbol (or milestone achievement) buyer who will never buy another and has zero interest in Milsub history.
@@Calmness1014 Rolex never did care from many years ago. Good example is when they were not even bothered how their AD's manipulated the market by creating hype and artificial shortage when you could see every model you ever wanted in windows of grey markey resellers. Most new, unworn and some even partially stickered
I saw the preview pages online of this book and the first thing that came to mind was that there was no way that Rolex authorized this book . Nick Fowles got so many things wrong and now the guy looks like a complete incompetent idiot . Rolex needs to be on top of anything about the history of their watches . This book isn’t worth the paper it is printed on as so long as they don’t correct it and a new revision is issued . Thanks Austin, as always you are always looking out for the your subscribers. 👍👍👍
This is a MARKETING book. Anyone that expects more from Rolex/Wallpaper is foolish. Foulkes is the go-to writer for the watch industry because he writes what the brands WANT. I don't really fault him. I knew this book was a sham from the moment news of it broke. You'd be better off reading old Japanese Rolex centered "Mooks" from 20-25 years ago.
I've always said Dufour is a shitty CEO, the worst Rolex has ever had. He was better off at Zenith! But of course, that is from the lens of a true enthusiast, for the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation he has been brilliant with the revenue Rolex has generated under his regime.
This reminds of the SNL skit with William Shatner at a Star Trek convention and the fans knew more about the show and his life than he did. As William Shatner said “Get a life!”.
Perezscope has been tearing this book a new one too. Seems like everyone wet their pants for the book before actually figuring out if it was even good. Embarrassing
You were so positive in your earlier videos. Probably a lot of people ordered the book after those videos. Better to wait before getting so excited about the book without all the facts when dealing with company influenced literature. .
wow you have talent my friend !
more knowledge than Rolex now that's an Enthusiast !
thank you for sharing your knowledge !
Its hard to believe one man was in charge of writing the book instead of a whole team
It really is. I'd love to be a fly on the boardroom wall to hear what, internally, they are saying about this. I also wonder how this will effect their approach to the forthcoming books. (Hopefully, they won't scrap those plans altogether!)
@@oddpout it's called arrogance and it reflects in how they do business
You should write a letter to Rolex to get their shit together. Rolex needs to understand that valuing and promoting their history strengthens their future.
Given the amount of online monitoring that they already do, they should be well aware of who would be invaluable as a consultant... Rolex, take note :)
Its marketing, really. Nothing more…
Thank you for the balanced take on this, Austin. I agree with you, this is primarily the failure of Rolex’ heritage division and Rolex as a company.
These inaccuracies show that even Rolex don’t know as much about their own history (and by extension, their own watches) than the enthusiasts/fans/scholars of their watches.
It was either hubris or ignorance that blinded them from seeing the importance of fact checking their own ‘facts’ with people who are genuinely passionate and well informed about their past watches.
The writer was hired to write about their watches and likely to have relied on internal fact checking of his work, erroneously thinking that the company who made these watches must have known the most about their own history.
Dammit, got mine last week. Oh well, chalk that up to ‘fools rush in’. Look forward to a GMT equivalent with Austin on the team!
Thanks for this video. Saved me money. Was really thinking to buy the book. Not want the book now. 😅
Same!
Rolex needs to invite Austin to tour the factory.
just canceled my pre-order.... thanks.
On page 113 in picture of 4 comex one on bezel has only 3 interested of 30... wrong rendering and printing in book?
Maybe they could make a second revision with the corrections.
Exactly! Get a “watch-guy/girl” with a solid rep in knowing the Sub to co-author and it will be a great 2nd Edition. The record had to start somewhere and this is the first itteration.
@@timothyheinrich8881 by the time they issue a revised edition, confidence of enthusiasts have already hit bottom. They had once chance to get such correct
When they do, the mistake book will become an object of lore and hype. "OMG they only printed 1000 of these ones with the wrong page 375, buy yours before the price goes up!" lol
@@MegaThucydides haha
Austin , just be patient. Maybe they will sign up with you for the next edition. I see this book as a good first step. I do agree that the people in charge at Rolex haven’t been to precise as expected. Why don’t you write to them and approach them. Maybe they consider to hire you for the next book. 😊😊😊
AP and PP museums are superb. Rolex has been acquiring countless historical watches at auctions (linked to people and events). They can only open a museum with an incredible collection as we have very high expectations. As everything in Switzerland... it takes time... a lot of time. BTW, I am sure that Rolex board is a little frustrated with PP museum taking all the light and glory in Geneva.
Maybe they did it on purpose to make it a collectors item ? Well done for spotting and outing them Austin. 👍🏼🇬🇧
AD - your wealth of understanding & knowledge of ROLEX is deeper than the Mariana Trench - good job. ~ JDS/CT
I’m 5 chapters into it and so far I’m finding it incredibly interesting. Loads of history I was unaware of. You lot sound like comic book fans complaining about Marvel movies. Can’t it just be a nice book with some interesting content?
True enough - point taken!
I'm sure the gems in the book outweigh the minor mistakes. What can I say - we like to bitch about pedantry.
*yup on the title.*
*On another note GMT Master 2 > Submariner, no one can change my mind otherwise.*
Given that it's the first Rolex sanctioned book it's likely that the first editions will be collectable even taking into account the inaccuracies.
Is a book version 1 with lots of mistakes (validated by Rolex) as collectable as a watch with mistakes from the factory (double nine Air-King)?
Well said! There are people such as yourself, and some historian types in NY who show very deep knowledge of the Rolex transition through history, which Rolex could have capitalised on with their in-house records.
Mr Foulkes is interesting to watch on UT for various cultural affectations and is entertaining, but The ‘King of Watches’ should do this right!
Hopefully they give you a call for the next book?
They should have listened to you or better still given you the job to write the book. Good video.
P.s. so what was wrong with the bezel insert markers? Not enough?
Thanks
Cancelled my order after Perezcope found so many mistakes.
CPO is the reason for interest in the history.
Rolex is a bigger disappoint than the Mike Tyson - Jake Paul fight.
Awesome report
Hello Austin, always great and interesting content. Not received the book yet but I would not be that harsh on the author and publisher. I agree they should have put together a "super duper" team for a deep dive research as Rolex alone could for sure not do it. But, only for the second period of mil subs of the 1200 units 5513, 5513/5517, 5517 built between 1972 and 1979 you would need tonns of various experts incl. long retired rolex people from the manufacturing sites. I think Grahame Fowler should be the one from the collectors side since he has at least one 5513 mil sub with mercedes hands and not fully graduated bezel out of his many mil subs. Another very tough story would be the red line 1680 sub, I think it will be very hard to find the exact figures and delivery dates as this six dial versions ran sometimes in parallel. Cheers Daniel
If the models are inferior then why do they cost as much or more as the new ones?
It’s not a fail. It’s the fact that Rolex themselves likely don’t really know what the truth is. When Hans was building Rolex, he’s just looking to sell watches, he’s probably not acting like these will all have historical importance and he needs to keep accurate detailed accounts for every watch made. Look, there are plenty of companies out there today much younger than Rolex that don’t have people anymore that remember what products were released, how many and when. The product teams are long gone, watch companies go through world wars and multiple regional conflicts that essentially shut them down, buildings destroyed and send people running for their lives. You think anyone at those companies are worried about what a watch collector cares about 50 years later that the production numbers might be incorrect? We really need to relax on something that really has no value to this world and just be thankful for what little history was preserved and to take solace in the fact that it’s as accurate as it’s going to be. Those are the numbers if you believe them then great, Rolex doesn’t give a damn about what we believe. They are here to move forward and sell watches. These watches were sold 50 years ago, it’s not new revenue, I don’t think any company wants to spend a whole lot on products they get no business from.
That's a sensible take on things, and I think you're absolutely right - back in the day, nobody fathomed that these little tools would become museum-grade artifacts!
Damn, I ordered it a few days ago.
The author looks like Austin Powers’ grandfather. Yeah baby yeah 😂
I ask myself , who runs Rolex. Do they care about making money or making watches. They do create the idea that its hard to get a Rolex because demand is so high, so they can keep prices high.
" Do they care about making money or making watches." I think they care most about their brand image. Everything follows that.
I bought the book, but still haven't opened it... yikes.
The saying goes "never judge a book by its cover" - but I actually knew it was shite when i saw the cover.
Forget the 000 mk1 and mK2 then eh? I suppose (from the page) I saw the 16660 doesn't even rate a mention. Oh well...
Unfortunately, you're correct, it has the most general of stats.
Why wouldn’t James Dowling or the Modani’s be involved?
agreed they should have included people who are passionate Rolex enthusiasts
Need to hire the great and all knowing Austin.
@Austin: Love your content but have to push back on the assumption that enthusiasts are Rolex’ “base.” Those interested in this book might be enthusiasts, but Rolex’ “customer base” is the one-and-done, status symbol (or milestone achievement) buyer who will never buy another and has zero interest in Milsub history.
😂😂😂😂 they don't care about Rolex fans or enthusiasts ... common ... wait another 75 or 80 years for an official Rolex book about GMT 😂😂😂😂
...that's what I was going to ask...don't they staff 1-2 Historians?
Whoever's got the book, keep it. 10-20 years later it will increase 10X. Another anomaly in Rolex production foul-ups😂
I'm not buying the book because they don't talk about Serti Dials
Second edition, no problem. They can correct mistakes.
@@saulysw I'd rather they correct their production, supply and distribution as well as their ADs
Rolex call Austin ?
how about a video on the batman
Book now off my Christmas list.Just back from Japan loved every minute of it .❤
Perezcope is all over this. Thanks Jose.
I like Rolex, but they are an arrogant company!!!
@@jfdomega7938 made worse by their ADs
Shock horror Rolex doesn't care about it customers! We're just money to them! that's it, nothing more, nothing less!
@@Calmness1014 Rolex never did care from many years ago. Good example is when they were not even bothered how their AD's manipulated the market by creating hype and artificial shortage when you could see every model you ever wanted in windows of grey markey resellers. Most new, unworn and some even partially stickered
Straight to the bargain book bin.....
Perestroika??? 😂😊
I’m an airline pilot and vintage GMT owner. I would really appreciate a well written book about this iconic watch, but this does not bode well.
the older watches are inferior..in every way
not necessarily in the looks department
@@lettuce1305 subjective, and at least they’re no longer radioactive
I saw the preview pages online of this book and the first thing that came to mind was that there was no way that Rolex authorized this book .
Nick Fowles got so many things wrong and now the guy looks like a complete incompetent idiot .
Rolex needs to be on top of anything about the history of their watches .
This book isn’t worth the paper it is printed on as so long as they don’t correct it and a new revision is issued .
Thanks Austin, as always you are always looking out for the your subscribers.
👍👍👍
This is a MARKETING book. Anyone that expects more from Rolex/Wallpaper is foolish. Foulkes is the go-to writer for the watch industry because he writes what the brands WANT. I don't really fault him. I knew this book was a sham from the moment news of it broke. You'd be better off reading old Japanese Rolex centered "Mooks" from 20-25 years ago.
G Shock did this allready!😂
This book will be in the bargain bin at Waterstones very soon $ 12.99
How will Rolex react? Lol they literally change bezel colors and you trained seals clap. Like they gaf about you being upset.
Couldn't care less about Rolex. Mass produced and don't care about their customers. Can't even get a book right. Says it all!
i don't see the attraction with this brand other than being a status symbol
I've always said Dufour is a shitty CEO, the worst Rolex has ever had.
He was better off at Zenith!
But of course, that is from the lens of a true enthusiast, for the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation he has been brilliant with the revenue Rolex has generated under his regime.