Rolex and Tudor New Releases Postponed

dsacks30 · Apr 7, 2020

From Hodinkee:

Rolex, Tudor, And Patek Philippe Will Postpone 2020 New Product Announcements

"Rolex, Tudor, and Patek Philippe are delaying their usual suites of 2020 launches. None of the three brands are firmly committing to a new timeline for their respective announcements, but they could come as late as the next Baselworld, taking place in January 2021...it could end up being 22 months between product releases"

Source: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-tudor-patek-philippe-postpone-2020-new-product-announcements

Om3ga321 · Apr 7, 2020

It's irrelevant for Rolex as you can not buy a watch off them in the first place.

dsacks30 · Apr 7, 2020

Om3ga321
It's irrelevant for Rolex as you can not buy a watch off them in the first place.

How do you figure? You may not be able to get GMTs, Subs, or Daytonas unless you are already on a list, but pretty much every other watch from them is available. Right at the outbreak of Coronavirus, I got a call from my AD offering the no-date Sub I had put my name down for four months prior (I declined due to uncertainty over the virus). When I went to two ADs in NYC a few months ago, they had the Yacht-Master, Datejust, Air-King, Sky-Dweller, and a blue dial Sub all in the display case available for purchase. I also went to a few ADs in Madrid in February and they had a similar selection.

jhross98 · Apr 7, 2020

I for one am pretty bummed by this

Why not do an online production to introduce some new models

Would give us all something to do!

dsacks30 · Apr 7, 2020

jhross98
I for one am pretty bummed by this

Why not do an online production to introduce some new models

Would give us all something to do!

Patek is also postponing their new releases, which is kind of surprising given that they have let their ADs sell directly online due to the Coronavirus.

asrnj77 · Apr 9, 2020

Im guessing that their release dates are timed to production markers. As soon as they do the announcement they expect to have x amount of watches made every week. Since their production has been greatly impacted everybody would see watches that they can’t buy, which is basically how it is for any new Rolex sport release already.

mrs_LA · Apr 9, 2020

My guess is that the economic effects brought about by the Coronavirus aren't ideal for any new release. Factories are closed and so the watches cannot be produced (perhaps some sourcing of parts from China has an impact on production levels, and of course the need to safeguard employees while there is a global pandemic occurring). Whether the releases involve sports models or dress watches is irrelevant to the situation. Even their normal channels of distribution are forced to close as they are not deemed "essential" businesses. Any expenses towards the promotion of new releases won't be as helpful if the world economic outlook is troublesome. It's not just Rolex or Patek on pause, the whole world is on pause.

140dave · Apr 9, 2020

My guess is that supply chain/logistics played a major role. As other have said factories are closed, workers sheltered, probably not considered essential service (to most) etc. Probably an image thing as well, it would be a little tone-deaf to introduce them now regardless of the fact that their core market is probably okay financially.

Too bad though, would have been at least a couple hours of entertainment perusing the new lineups.

Evitzee · Apr 9, 2020

The shuttering of the Rolex factories for 2, 3, 4 months, or who knows how long, will do nothing to make the availability of many Rolex models any better. Their endemic shortage situation won't be improved by any of this.

Mossback · Apr 9, 2020

I'm in no way knowledgeable of the inter-workings of flippers or wholesale re-sellers. Maybe some have taken a hit and pulled out the market for the time being at least? This could perhaps increase the chances for us on the AD list? Also some (like Dsaks30) have declined the AD call. Again helping our chances. I would love to get a call!

wbfondren · Apr 10, 2020

A few have hinted on here that Rolex potentially made (at least part of) the decision to delay releases because of a fear that COVID would reduce the number of buyers. I don’t really see this to be the case, but would love to hear opinions!

My thought: at the most waitlists (or whatever they’re really called today) might grow slightly shorter, but in all people would still gobble up whatever Rolex or Patek has up their sleeve. Thoughts on this?

ericmtl · Apr 10, 2020

A funny comment I read on another forum :
''Perhaps the most well-known brand of exclusive watches, Rolex, has a small crown as a logo.
The small crown is called coronet in English.
In Latin, it is called corona. The corona virus is
called so because it somehow resembles a small crown, a corona.
I somehow don’t think the good people at Rolex find this one bit interesting or amusing''

OmeGez · Apr 11, 2020

B&J did a good video covering this

Rolex and Tudor New Releases Postponed

dsacks30

Om3ga321

dsacks30

jhross98

dsacks30

asrnj77

mrs_LA

140dave

Evitzee

Mossback

wbfondren

ericmtl

OmeGez

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