I know: Omega and Rolex go head to head. But Omega:

Posts
257
Likes
273
They've practically gone full on Louis Vuitton at this point - too many people own the basic black dial stainless steel sports watch that made them famous (brown monogram logo bag) so now the only way to stand out as a brand is start releasing extremely expensive things covered in graffiti print or with rainbow colours all over or gimmicks on the dial - puzzle pieces, palm leaves, tiger print, balls etc. There seems to be this point where your brand becomes too successful and reliant on success from past iconic designs that you're incapable of actually producing anything new that's as good so you just start plastering your icons with gimmicky designs to create hype and chase Instagram fame.

The next logical step from Rolex is to do some collaboration between themselves and another brand like a high end version of the Swatch x Omega thing. Something like Rolex x Gucci or Rolex x Balenciaga.

Edited:
 
Posts
91
Likes
91
Ok. Got it. Good talk
I see you expected me to know your family member is Autistic. In that case, you are right. I guess Rolex do owe you an explanation.

I would like to think that we have a good bunch of level headed forum members, who can make their own mind up. I have to say that I am extremely disappointed with the response from Rolex Geneva…


“The "jigsaw puzzle" dial of our new DAY-DATE 36 presented during Watches & Wonders was designed internally and independently by our team and is not inspired or associated with Autism Awareness. For this reason, the press release did not mention it.”
 
Posts
318
Likes
1,967
I would like to think that we have a good bunch of level headed forum members, who can make their own mind up. I have to say that I am extremely disappointed with the response from Rolex Geneva…


“The "jigsaw puzzle" dial of our new DAY-DATE 36 presented during Watches & Wonders was designed internally and independently by our team and is not inspired or associated with Autism Awareness. For this reason, the press release did not mention it.”

I totally agree:

First, if the Rolex puzzle watch were an autism benefit watch, I believe everyone would have had a very, very different reaction. And shame on them - the connection is obvious.

Second, as a watch, I find the puzzle and the balloon watch to be....well...fine. There's nothing really wrong with them. Rolex is being a little playful. Go to it! However, what I do believe these designs are, paradoxically, kind of ....lazy. I mean, I get it, "hey, let's do emojis" and someone was brave enough to green light it. But let's be honest, this isn't really that innovative or even all that interesting. Oris w/the actual Kermit is a bigger shocker. Aside from my personal enthusiasm for the return of the bigger Explorer, I found many of the other 2023 pieces just nice, but meh.
Edited:
 
Posts
81
Likes
90
Now Rolex are sponsoring boxing, which I didn’t see coming.

 
Posts
2,067
Likes
4,210
I would like to think that we have a good bunch of level headed forum members, who can make their own mind up. I have to say that I am extremely disappointed with the response from Rolex Geneva…


“The "jigsaw puzzle" dial of our new DAY-DATE 36 presented during Watches & Wonders was designed internally and independently by our team and is not inspired or associated with Autism Awareness. For this reason, the press release did not mention it.”

Totally disingenuous design of them, esp after going after a children's clock company. One internet search away would have shown them this association could have happened, but who is going to sue them? No one, so of course they get away with it. And everyone will buy them up uncaringly, maybe even assuming it meant something. Shame. But hey, people are still going to shove their dollars at the crown no matter what they do.
 
Posts
6,501
Likes
50,211
You are likely correct, and partially to what I object to: this notion that any publicity is good publicity.

All of these watch brands we discuss have done well for years without resorting to side-show tactics. That being said, they may only be reflecting that sad state of affairs in our respective cultures.

Here in the US, our emoji watch equivalent (one of them…) is Marjorie Taylor Greene, although with less redeeming features. A walking train wreck, espousing divisiveness, vitriol and utter nonsense, she garners a disproportionate amount of headlines here because people just have to take a look. Politicians with more reasonable, centralist perspectives are sidelined because they aren’t as much fun, nor newsworthy.

Is Rolex really suffering to the point where they need this? And to Al’s point, their exploitation of the Autism issue is indeed even more offensive.

Why yes, this is a point well taken, especially as Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez could also be said to be a similar flavor of yuck offered by the other brand.
 
Posts
81
Likes
90
No, nothing to do with Rolex. More to do with Autism Awareness as depicted on his (David Morrell JR) trunks.
https://www-the--sun-com.cdn.amppro...hi-811958789.jpg?strip=all&w=620&h=413&crop=1
I watched the fights and saw his shorts, I was just making a little joke in my post above.

Agree with you btw that Rolex should have done some research and found the Autism Awareness connection but maybe their designers are sealed off from the world in a secret subterranean bunker somewhere in the Alps.