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Vinz Clortho
·It may just be a generational thing- tonneau/rectoval/rectangle cases seem to be a lot more popular with the younger crowd.
Recent Omega Negativity
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DoctorEvil
·It may just be a generational thing- tonneau/rectoval/rectangle cases seem to be a lot more popular with the younger crowd.
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DoctorEvil
·Taking a guess, most have grown up with Apple watches and now getting interested in actual watches. And they look at watches as jewelry, not a tool, so the natural place to go is Cartier. It's the new entry level luxury piece probably with the effective marketing of Cartier.
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ErichPryde
··Seamasters ForeverTaking a guess, most have grown up with Apple watches and now getting interested in actual watches. And they look at watches as jewelry, not a tool, so the natural place to go is Cartier. It's the new entry level luxury piece probably with the effective marketing of Cartier.
I think this is it. The move from a smartwatch that is rectangular- it makes absolute sense to move to a rectangular-esque shape. It also creates more identity from the prior generation, which is... mostly obsessed with larger dive watches (and chronographs).
Cartier as an entry point from this- especially given pricing- yep.
Man, I hope that the next move is a complete reembrace of the super compressor style case- Longines nailed it with the Legend diver and JLC has some great designs that could use a bit of tlc.
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Jakeys
·I think this is it. The move from a smartwatch that is rectangular- it makes absolute sense to move to a rectangular-esque shape. It also creates more identity from the prior generation, which is... mostly obsessed with larger dive watches (and chronographs).
Ooh great point. I've noticed this a bit as well but didn't give it enough thought to make that connection. Casio seems to be as popular as ever including with Gen Z, and those too are usually rectangular.
I'm glad there's a current trend back to smaller watches in general. I'm relatively neutral on tonneau cases, but I'm loving that sub 39 mm watches are definitely back in style. Back in the early 2010's I had a 39 mm flieger, and I felt like it looked too big even though the trend at the time was 40-44 mm. My 36mm Railmaster fills the role that watch once did and proportionally I think it's so much better.
Sorry, that was a bit off topic... maybe Omega should add a modern tank to the lineup? Or not, realistically Omega is unlikely to be able to compete with Cartier in that space.
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ErichPryde
··Seamasters ForeverCasio seems to be as popular as ever including with Gen Z, and those too are usually rectangular
Man- I hadn't exactly connected this in my mind but I've seen dozens and dozens of these in the Vancouver / Portland area. Could be the shape.
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DoctorEvil
·If more elegant tank style watches are increasing in popularity, then maybe Omega should revive this reference...
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-au/watch-omega-specialities-jfk-commemorative-piece-51653250002001
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spacemission
·If more elegant tank style watches are increasing in popularity, then maybe Omega should revive this reference...
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-au/watch-omega-specialities-jfk-commemorative-piece-51653250002001
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M'Bob
·In my opinion, the last great president of the United States of America.
Not sure how this is relevant to this thread.
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ErichKeane
·Not sure how this is relevant to this thread.
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njlam
·Really? What direct evidence is there of that?
This would seem to be somewhat contradictory to the assertion that the issues are dealt with.
Generally speaking, the "watch media" are beholden to the watch industry, which does not foster a truly open ability to talk about such things.
This is irrelevant to the actual status of the problem. As you correctly pointed out, most people are clueless about the issue.
After 30 years of the workhorse 31xx movement, in 2015, Rolex introduced the 32xx movement in response to improving market standards set by other manufacturers (led by Omega) with respect to power reserve, anti-magnetism, and overall efficiency. Many feel the main improvement of the 32xx over the 31xx was increasing the power reserve from 48 hours to 70 hours.
Beginning with the Day Date in 2015, the 32xx rollout across all Rolex models was completed for the most part by 2020 (with some lesser models upgrading in 2021-23).
Reports of Rolex 32xx series movement problems, primarily regarding low amplitude, inconsistent timekeeping, and slow running, surged in the early 2020s, with many users reporting issues appearing 2–5 years after purchase.
Modern wearing habits where watch owners have many watches, require the regular resetting of watches that are worn for shorter periods making the long-term accuracy of watches harder to detect, in contrast to when people only own one watch where long-term accuracy is easier to measure.
Given these circumstances, issues with the 32xx started to become discussed/known around 2020-21. At that time, Rolex was selling over a million watches a year; demand was high and during COVID people had money and a pent up desire to spend.
An admission of a design/mechanical problem would have been devastating to their reputation, and a recall might have been very costly to implement.
What did Rolex do? They made their watches scarce.
Coinciding with the beginning of the 32xx problems, they made their watches extremely hard to get at the AD level, yet very available on the grey market at substantial premiums. Watch buyers became grateful to get a Rolex at MSRP and asking questions about rumored problems did not help in “establishing a relationship”.
Buyers chose allocation over accuracy.
Modern wearing habits made the 32xx issue hard to detect for many enthusiasts and Rolex handled these issues quietly without admitting the problem or announcing a fix or solution. Personally, I am fearful of buying a 32xx, especially if the recently introduced 71xx becomes the new standard.
W&W 2026 will be very interesting.
The lesson here is: Rolex made lemonade out of lemons.
Omega has a worthy competitor.
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M'Bob
·Many watchmakers I’ve spoken to claim the Rolex 1500 series calibers were more robust and superior to what they’ve made since.
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ErichKeane
·Many watchmakers I’ve spoken to claim the Rolex 1500 series calibers were more robust and superior to what they’ve made since.
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M'Bob
·Many watchmakers would make similar arguments about the 550/600/750 series Omegas 😀
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerMany watchmakers I’ve spoken to claim the Rolex 1500 series calibers were more robust and superior to what they’ve made since.
For me the changes made for the 3230 series went against all the things that Rolex says they are about, and right or wrong, are known for - reliable and robust.
I realize they were falling behind in the power reserve wars, but honestly were Rolex owners feeling so inadequate about their power reserves that Rolex had to act?
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nicolamilton
·The 32xx issue is an interesting lesson in Rolex’s marketing genius.
What did Rolex do? They made their watches scarce.
I daresay it was the incredible post COVID demand what created scarcity.
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ErichPryde
··Seamasters ForeverWell... this never works with anyone who is patently dishonest, and it can be suicide in business perception. There may very well be a quiet marketing way this could be done effectively though.
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njlam
·I would agree. The 3030 series only lasted about 10 years, then the 3130 series came in and was upgraded enough over the years to sort out the issues, then the 3230 series has more issues that appear to be more fundamental than what they have dealt with before - at least based on the goal of the movement having the longer PR.
For me the changes made for the 3230 series went against all the things that Rolex says they are about, and right or wrong, are known for - reliable and robust.
I realize they were falling behind in the power reserve wars, but honestly were Rolex owners feeling so inadequate about their power reserves that Rolex had to act?
Same question replacing "will" with "should"...
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