panerai153 Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Well, Rolex finally got around to it!! Baselworld 2014, Rolex announces the new Rolex GMT Master IIC with a Red/Blue Bezel insert. Here is a link to an articlehttp://www.hodinkee.com/blog/new-rolex-gmt-master-ii-white-gold-pepsi-cerachrom-bezel Unfortunately for those few of us who might have entertained the idea of buying a new genuine, it will only be available in White Gold, which pushes it way outside my buying range. Why they didn't offer this one in SS is beyond me, but I long ago quit trying to figure out what Rolex was doing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolex_panelai Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 i think the trusted dealer will offer a ss-version ;-) hopefully soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKTime Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Wow Rolex, way to take what I considered one of the most iconic and more easily accessible of their watches and make it a pipe dream for your average enthusiast. Now it's like the smurf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Once again "Modern Day Rolex Corp" missing the boat. This will retail somewhere in the $20,000 neighborhood because of the White Gold. Even the current versions are still overpriced at $8500 & $9500 is SS. But still. If they wanted more sales a SS version would sell 2:1. The reps (previous fantasy models) are out there, but their process & red color will be hard to rep. This will look more Bakelite. I have totally given up on (modern) Rolex as a brand, especially when I see the designs coming out of Omega these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 I have totally given up on (modern) Rolex as a brand, especially when I see the designs coming out of Omega these days. Like you, I've totally given up on modern Rolex. Unfortunately, I've also totally given up on Omega because they want to sell their watches at modern Rolex prices! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest REPPIN Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 White Gold! REALLY ROLEX...REALLY. This was an Iconic sports watch that has now been turned into bragging right for rich yuppie stock brokers. What a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 I wonder if you can buy a black/blue SS and swap out for Pepsi insert? I am sure they won't be easy to source but not impossible. Just like the Smurf can be "frankened" with a black or green ceramic sub with a new dial and insert! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eton Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Yah, I was all hyped up and ready to give a deposit...then read that it was WG. I went from top gear to reverse before I finished breakfast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 I wonder if you can buy a black/blue SS and swap out for Pepsi insert? I am sure they won't be easy to source but not impossible. Just like the Smurf can be "frankened" with a black or green ceramic sub with a new dial and insert! You will also need to source a RED 24hr hand. :-( This is so disheartening. I am seeing pricing now starting closer to $40,000. ($36,900). At that level, might as well shop for a 6542 where it all began. If it was SS they would actually come closer to selling 3:1 IMHO. (I came over to being more of a GEN guy in recent years. This has reinvorgorated my REP side. A nicely polished SS REP will shine. REP IT!!!! Fsck Rolex. Hell, I would even rock a less than perfect REP here to make a statement.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Sorry guys but I dig it, not as much as a 6542 or 1675, and certainly not 36K like it, but enough that I would buy a rep as soon as one of the factories makes one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 The reps (previous fantasy models) are out there, but their process & red color will be hard to rep. This will look more Bakelite. Oh, I think bakelite looks much better. The white gold might be just for the show, and SS will come out quickly. Rolex ain't all that stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonyyammine Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Thats a shame thats a nice watch. Its gonna cost over 30k. The black and blue is really nice though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Apparently pricing will be closer to $40k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aero_Dave Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Not bad looking with the cerachrom bezel. But they should offer it in SS and maybe change the model to the GMT Master III Dave... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crwilsn Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I think once it's out in WG, it will never appear in stainless. If you just bought a 40k watch would you want to see an identical looking model the next year for 10k? I will put money on there being a stainless coke bezel (black and red) next year in stainless, maybe even replacing the blnr. This would appeal to the traditionalist base while not pissing of those dropping lots on a pepsi model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I suspect it's going to be a very long wait until we see a Pepsi in steel, but I hope Crwilsn's right. I just don't believe appealing to the traditionalist base is high on the Rolex priority list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archierocks Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 the ss version will launch in 2015 I'm willing to wager on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 The rep that's currently out there has the bezel paint in the wrong order, opposite of this new GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 The rep that's currently out there has the bezel paint in the wrong order, opposite of this new GMT. Good catch! Just when you think the rep factories are getting really good they do that! They got the fantasy ceramic black/red 'coke' correct, why the 'Pepsi' goof-up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) LOL I never even looked at that fantasy piece until now, so that's funny. ...sigh. .. Edited March 28, 2014 by Mendota Explorer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rower Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I wouldn't buy the gen even if I won the lottery! They ruined the watch by making it white gold. It's like they've totally left their tool watch heritage chasing after gold. I would have preferred a nod to the Bakelite bezel GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Here is the link to Rolex for the new GMT. Double AR on this one http://www.rolex.com/watches/baselworld-2014/new-rolex-gmt-master-ii.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 "Rolex introduces world first on its Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, unveiling a red and blue Cerachrom bezel insert, echoing the first GMT‑Master bezel of 1955." "The aesthetic effect is equally spectacular. The ceramic’s sheen gives volume to the insert and enhances the colours in a way that is reminiscent of the Plexiglas insert of the original GMT-Master." While I like the new insert, I still prefer the smaller lug case. So, if Rolex is trying to emulate the "original" I guess I'll stick with the original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 The problem is the modern Rolex buyer is neither and enthusiast or a student of Rolex history. About 99.99% of the current day Rolex buyers couldn't tell a 6542 from a B-52, bomber that is!!. Rolex knows this so they don't have to satisfy the purist. Rolex like every big corporation looks at the numbers, and sadly, the folks who are the brands biggest disciples are and infinitesimal part of the big picture. They figure at 40K, they have to sell 4 10K watches to equal the same bottom line. So the ratio is 1:4. if they figure that if they only sell 1:2 or 1:3 then it's a no brainer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Good point on the 4:1 1:4 observation. I was speaking to an economist friend about the watch, and "she" pointed out that the Luxury goods market is going through the roof. With the stock market gains being insane in the past few years--- the wealthiest among us are doing very very well. Rolex probably has it right, much to WIS's world wide chagrin. Consider this proof of an economic recovery-- for upper crust, and proof of a diminishing middle class. The $5000 Rolex SS watches of yesteryear were obtainable for middle/upper-middle class. Not anymore. No more "Dominos Pizza Rolex" corporate award watches for middle management. In short, Rolex is a "Luxury Goods Brand" and no longer just a "Watch Company" as we would like to think. A Luxo brand that just so happens to make watches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now