What On Earth is Rolex DOING?! (New Releases)

[@watchfinder]

We know you want more watches…. click here: linktr.ee/watchfinder

[@brunors1595]

I would 100% prefer to have them focus in production than releasing new watches every year

[@calebrolin262]

Totally agree, how about a press release to announce increased watchmakers and resulting production. That would overshadow any new watch

[@teruphoto]

Increased production would drain away the sense of exclusivity that keeps hype up so...not likely.

[@electronicgrinsch]

@@teruphoto An A.Lange&Soehne is definitly much more exclusive, more craftmanship and sophisticated and still... I can buy them. While Rolex? Seems to be they turneid into the Ed Hardy of watchmaking in these days looking at the distasteful hype they create and the typical buyer they attract.

[@Arseization]

@@electronicgrinsch You're right about ALS but they are not more exclusive than Rolex, and I see that very positive, they only exclude the Odysseus for new time buyers but are very inclusive to new and young customers. On the other hand the three Brands that are currently unreached in exclusivity are Rolex, Patek and AP. And I hope they get what they sow - a Brand so exclusive that nearly none of the new generation will care because they were ignored or worse.

[@teruphoto]

@@electronicgrinsch My usage of "exclusive" referred to the availability for those who could afford. ALS is more expensive, but it's not too big a challenge to get one from an AD, whereas someone with the money to buy a Daytona still needs to wait for ages, unless they have a relationship with their AD.

[@josiahfugal5407]

You're telling me Rolex thought it was an innovation to put lume on a pilot's watch? They're only a century late to the party!

[@mikehoward9912]

That zero really has changed the Air King. I better go collect the weekly rent at my low income apts. So I can afford more Rolex's to put in my safe.

[@Wu.Tang.Financial]

The black and green bezel is really cool. It’s a shame Rolexes have become so overhyped, they’re great watches, but not that great.

[@alphaenterprise2232]

Overhyped, overpriced it's no longer about the heritage and craftsmanship Rolex became fashion-mainstream brand

[@Storm762x39]

Agreed! I still think Rolex's look good and are generally cool. But not cool enough to enslave my mind.

[@Wu.Tang.Financial]

@@alphaenterprise2232 I wouldn’t call them a fashion brand, the quality is still there. It’s just that the branding and hype has blown prices so far out of proportion that it just kills the appeal to me. When you have people spending the same cash for a steel sports watch as you could pay for an entry level Lange, or a pretty nice JLC it’s just laughable given how much better those pieces are

[@alphaenterprise2232]

@@Wu.Tang.Financial I didn't mean it in context of Rolex being Daniel Wellington or MVMT, I meant more as Rolex really is mainstream fashion watch. Almost every celebrity has one, almost everyone desires to get hold one, you can see its presence in most of movies. Also blown prices are deliberate action on the behalf of Rolex's

[@Wu.Tang.Financial]

@@alphaenterprise2232 yeah fair enough. It’s more about being seen to have one at this point than due to any intrinsic quality of the piece or appreciation for horology

[@Semper_Iratus]

tired of the rolex hype train. whats the point in wanting something you cant have?

[@augustortiz]

I find Rolex to be so unbelievably boring now. They make the most minor detail changes and watch snobs just gobble them up.

[@rainydaywatches6508]

The Air-King went from being the Explorer you have at home to, something worse than the Explorer you have at home. The best way to balance out too many 5's is to add too many 0's! That destro is cool AF though!

[@-chris-n-lucy]

What makes rolex designs so timeless is precisely the fact that they dont make huge changes. The flowery datejust was also my favorite. And you guys just keep on doing what you're doing. Love the videos.

[@Nimadee]

I absolutely love this format, because it gives you guys more personality and character. The expressed opinion give the usually informative videos a framing.

[@victorbgdream8328]

Can we all agree that the biggest and coolest release was by Omega?

[@demarko500]

I hate Rolex, but they totally kicked ass on the Air King. Love it and buying it , and will pay the premium. I tried this watch on and this piece does not feel or look like the typical stuffy shite…

[@jwdepriest]

Agreed that it’s nice to not have a new hype piece every year. My wallet also needs a break. I like the new aesthetics of Air King with the 05, agree that they should have lumed the rest of the numbers, but not sure I would have preference the old case style (I prefer the YM/Daytona cases myself). I like the idea of fluted DayDate in platinum, but it’s also out of my price range so the “looking like the poor man’s white gold version” issue isn’t an issue for me, lol. I could see people putting in a RH dial into the new GMT and wearing it upside down, or people just putting them all in the safe…

[@rickyromano6659]

You guys do know that the majority of pilots are not commercial pilots flying modern passenger planes right? Having an easy to read wrist watch with loom for low light is helpful when flying a biplane. Also, those cockpits are pretty tight and made of metal, so having a slimmer case and crown guards is nice.

[@zhicaofang2354]

I have to say the diamond flower dial Datejust is my least favorite new release. Maybe it's just me biased toward any kind of overly dial, but this one is too far away from the clean, legible dials of classic Rolex. Sure there have been some dials with more elements released but legibility is the key for Datejust line. The cacophony diamond flower dial just defeats the purpose. But then again, who says you are buying a Datejust to wear it everyday? :)

[@BabyJesus66]

Agreed. The diamonds are also pitifully sized. They probably cost $3 each so it looks cheap to me. Looks like something Invicta would put out.

[@finnandrei5745]

Rolexes are hyped. The best watches out there are not Rolexes.

[@daniellien6704]

Yes, but there are some damn good Rolexes.

[@bongkem2723]

they used to be solid toolwatch now they are all about brand/symbol/luxury/money...

[@STEVEARABIA1]

@@bongkem2723 I think they still are good tool watches. Do you think Rolex or the general public is more responsible for the insane hype machine. I think prob both a bit?

[@sebastien6483]

I tend to think like this but I'm challenging myself not to. I don't want a watch to impress other people, I want something to impress me as a personal reward. That said they hold their value and their process is still impressive to me. That said if I find out the rumors about how ADs behave when selling them is true I wouldn't consider them further.

[@thecianinator]

Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?

[@brianmsahin]

I like the Air King. It's the only Rolex I've ever liked.

[@OuijTube]

The Air-King is the newest of “new-hattery.” Also it looks like ass. Why is the Air-King so bad now? It used to be one of their simplest and most elegant watches.

[@DarthMalaks_Missing_Lower_Jaw]

Adding the 0 to the 5 brings better balance to the AirKing dial, if a dial like that could be balanced at all. But yeah, if no one told me about the "redesigns" on the AirKing, I wouldn't have even known. The floral design on the DateJust is pretty nice.

[@bobyoutube4037]

That zero on the 5 is out of alignment, someone from seiko must be working rolex now!

[@Hojadecoca]

Boring to death this year's release... as each year... lot of noise and nothing behind...

[@masked_goose]

Is this going on an rss feed any time soon? (Pretty please)

[@laurusschluep7464]

i don't think anyone minds the hype machine, but rolex blows it out of proportion like an added zero and crown guards are the best thing since sliced bread. and everyone jumps on board instead of just acknowledging that it looks ok and moving on

[@Hiluxtaco]

No. It's more like, "Rolex raised their prices. Yay!" And, "You still can't walk into a Rolex dealer and actually buy a Rolex that you want.. Yay!"

[@somewonderfulguy]

Very important question to me: is it possible to replace a bezel in left-handed gmt master? I'd like to buy an original red-blue bezel and replace it. The question is... is it replaceable at all? I just don't like new colours, but love red-blue combination. And why won't I buy regular version of gmt master ii? Well, I'm left-handed person and would like to wear this watch on a right hand (with red-blue bezel only).

[@BabyJesus66]

I don't see why you couldn't swap them but I'm not an expert. If they're the same sized watch they should have identical bezels.

[@sebastien6483]

"Five Fuh Fuh Five Five... We're going down!" 😆😂🤣💀

[@just-a-kollector1568]

Rolex: We have added new crown guards to the Air King! Rolex Fanboys: Put me on that 18 month waiting list! 😂 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Dugger1991]

They should shrink the font and change 3/6/9 to 25/30/45 and lume all numbers. The airking is very close to be perfect!

[@AFCAWorldBodybuildingArchive]

With SO many countless awesome watches, should I even care about RLX? 😅

[@thegorn]

Other websites have referred to the Air-King's "subtle line of light along the middle case " as "a symbol of the new horizons so often opened up by Rolex". I'm guessing it's the polished vertical surface of the edge of the bezel where it meets the brushed case body. The painted on numerals are a little bit thinner, and the point off he edge of the Mercedes hour hand is a bit more elongated. The seconds hand is a bit thinner between the cannon pinion and roundel, and also more elongated, for better balance and aesthetics. There's another change - it now has an AR coating on the underside, whereas the old air-king had no AR coating at all. Of course it has the new 3230 chronergy escapement with 70 hours power reserve and better shock protection. It's a much improved timepiece.

[@davidlovell7785]

I like that the Air King now has a safety clasp, think it’s the first time ever.

[@barneyrubble9309]

I think I must be weird cos I simply don't get the whole Rolex thing. Clever company but for me, their watches simply don't warrant the veneration they seem to attract.

[@BabyJesus66]

Back when you could buy them in stores, I shopped between Rolex and Omega and I just couldn't get into any of the Rolex. They all seemed very underwhelming. I realized at that point the only reason I was considering them was the name on them, which is probably why they sell most their watches. Went with an Omega and other than from a financial standpoint, I am very happy with my choice. I still own the watch probably 12 years later.

[@igorpackaging4942]

The left hand GMT looks weird, I do understand the crow on the left but the date as well? It’s looks like the watch is upside down all the time

[@stuartcole4845]

With regards to Rolex listening to their customers as allegedly evidenced by making minute changes to their watches I think this is dubious because if they were really listening to people THEY WOULD JUST BE MAKING MORE WATCHES AND ELIMINATING THE GREY MARKET.

[@markgads8017]

Hello gentlemen, I wanted to ask, has no one noticed that Rolex released new mint green dials for the DateJust 41 models, or is no one allowed to talk about them? The blue motif dial is also available for the 41. Any thoughts on those, what’s going on there? Thanks!

[@tillist1]

The yachtmaster has straight up invicta vibes.

[@arcadiushakim3675]

Can you clarify with Rolex? Platinum Ice Blue DayDate, Fluted Bezel is made White Gold or Platinum? WHat is truth?

[@bottomtext5872]

what's the difference between the Sub and the Yacht Master

[@WarpFactor999]

@Watchfinder: nice discussion gents! I've always had the opinion that too much glitz on the face of the dial just makes a fine watch look gouache. Keep it clean, simple, elegant. I really wish Rolex would make at least a few really fine watches in addition to their commodity watches.

[@brianmccarthy7768]

The lh GMT. As well as just fitting the dial upside down and the bracelet clasp back to front, I guess that the crown would need to go anti-clockwise instead of clockwise? Unless left handers wind towards them rather than away 🤷‍♂️

[@rosschops9509]

That line of light, is it a new polished facet on the case?

[@alexito9213]

Air King - I prefer the look of the old version. Especially the 3 6 9 looked better without lume.

[@gjonno]

You’re on your own there….apart from the 3 ‘likes’ of course 😁

[@yashav2949]

Omega releases this year were fascinating! A correlation of imagination with engineering ingenuity.

[@lonefather]

Thanks for the discussion on the Air King. The 116900 did not bode well with me when newly released. But with your discussion I came to like it better now. I am an owner of the Roles Air King 14000 and I still like it very much.

[@just-a-kollector1568]

Aside from the explorer 2, what really has Rolex brought out in the market that has made the watch world go “wow!” People can hate on the moonswatch all they want, but in a business perspective, that roll out was 100% a success. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@michaelh.1627]

Despite not being a big Rolex guy, I really like the new Air King. Sporty as hell and mimics old speedometers in a very cool way. This will be the new tulip fever Rolex that will be sold well above RRP and will ultimately be impossible to buy from your AD. It’s a mad mad world.

[@RAJohnson713]

Don’t think so, everyone thinks it’s ugly

[@Marc_prime]

Regarding the left handed GMT, you could just wear it on your left arm. Who adjusts the crown without undoing the strap anyway? Is it just me?

[@danielleclare2938]

Re the number 05... in a bouncy ride you need the clarity of the number a bumpy 5 looks like more but 05 is still understandable all blurry.... also we do NOT turn on a light in the cockpit at night except for red so as to NOT disturb night vision.

[@riocc]

I prefer the 116900 Air King... the dial was based on the SSC Bloodhound instruments, so thats why there was no 0 before the 5minute marker. So if you have it based on that, keep it that way, otherwise it's all for naught. Then also prefer the classier case, with the bellowed flanks and no crown guards. but that's just pp I assume (pp = personal preference, not to confuse... soz) ;)

[@XX-ut2fd]

The dial is not the only change on the GMT. They also needed a new date disk because the date window is on the left. If they used the same disk the dates would be upside down. In any case I find this piece quite silly, apart from those two small changes it’s just turning the regular watch upside down.

[@cohan88]

Six 5s has been aerodynamically-proven to lower aircraft stall speeds more than five 5s. Well done to Rolex. Maybe next year they'll crack the code for keeping the 737max in the air... 🤭

[@MrSlurry]

How about Seiko 5s?

[@spazz27]

My issue isn’t whether or not a manufacturer comes up with a “major new release” or not, my issue is that no matter what Rolex does, even if it’s just new crown guards, one reads “shocking new release from Rolex”… it’s just part of the hype machine and it’s so frustrating… and then you hear very little by comparison regarding the GS Constant force. That was an actual “shocking new release” but very few talked about it…

[@RogerSartet007]

What's the lug to lug of this watch, please?

[@Boombatty]

The air king also has a different movement to its predecessor with longer power reserve, and it also now doesn’t have the anti magnetic cage due to upgrades

[@qd6qIvV]

These 2 have obviously had a few beers lol

[@user-zz6iv2ou6f]

Rolex’s design and engineering are very impressive. The prices and second hand market are not.

[@PierceMD]

Yeah... The markup is too unattractive to me.

[@electronicgrinsch]

A.Lange&Soehne is much more exclusive, more craftmanship and sophisticated and still... I can buy them. While Rolex? Seems to me they turned into the Ed Hardy of watchmaking in these days looking at the distasteful hype they create and the typical buyer they attract. The completly diamond encrustet models are still missed but I am sure they will make it sooner or later.

[@cos-9113]

actually, we don’t like to have the cockpit light on as you cannot see out the cockpit, at least when flying lower altitudes. It also ruins night vision. So having lume is a help (not that I would use the Air King myself), and maybe because of my age I do use my watch for timekeeping despite having a clock in the cockpit as well.

[@BabyJesus66]

What watch do you use?

[@cos-9113]

@@BabyJesus66 GMT II

[@watchtherapy1068]

Every thing that rolex does, rolex fans will marvel at it!

[@phila3884]

I like how you say, "We need to temper our expectations", but there is no way you are ever going to temper your expectations, especially with Rolex.

[@BabyJesus66]

They should do a handwriting test before selling the left handed version.

[@b_altmann]

The Air-King is more of a Land-King these days. The dial was inspired by the instruments Rolex designed for the Bloodhound project in 2006. That was a supersonic car that holds the land speed record. It is powered by a Eurofighter engine, so there is a link to aviation. Sort of. By a stretch.

[@msteaks1939]

If you want a right-handed crown with a green and black bezel, you can always get the Timex that came out two years ago.

[@larrymarkowitz8386]

How was Rolex able to make a fluted crown in Pt., if (formerly) unable to do so for the bezel?

[@CokeWithIceAndLemon]

I cant wait to get on an imaginary waitlist.

[@marceauratard6869]

I like the new green fluted dial on the DJ41

[@999NINE99]

The Air King is nice; for the price you can buy other brands' models that are nicer. It is ok to announce new changes to models yearly, but to overhype will eventually catch up with them as customers will become numb to the announcements.

[@Thetrancemix]

The Yatch Master reminds me of an Omega Seamaster 300m Diver from 2021 yellow gold... personally I like the Omega better still.. something about the bezel of that Rolex that turns me off..

[@ItsMinarmy]

I wish I could buy the new Air King, never thought I'd say that

[@sebastien6483]

Is there a cooler model besides the Skydweller?

[@slice1208]

A other watch companies at watches and wonders we made a muchanical watch thinner then a human hair , we made a watch that tracks every star in the sky , we made a watch that can go to the bottom of the ocean . Rolex we have a new color , and we put a zero in front of five .

[@zeustanbul]

I’m getting a lot of “the Rlcky Gervais Show” (the 10+ years old radio show with Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington which later turned into an animated series by HBO) vibe from you guys and that’s a great thing.

[@biblomatic]

Your opinions are so right on point!

[@danielleclare2938]

It is not a left handed watch. It is just turned upside down and a reverse date wheel that is all. And not left handed because some like to wear the crown up on the wrist for protection of same you never wind it on wrist anyway. Also the green is visible under red night lighting... Anyway I have a Hamilton pilot that is just turned over... so I assume the GMT will wind backwards relative to being on the right side up. Tks for the vid good camera angles...love it.

[@handlesarethelaststrawiquit]

one of the advantages of being left handed is not having a crown digging into the top of your hand. left handed watches negate that advantage. but if you are right handed i recommend a left handed watch.

[@brianhilsden2880]

Found a drill bit from B&Q that fits😂😂😂👏👏👏

[@keepitraw1]

What about the mint green Date just dial?

[@mojostudio403]

I liked the Air-king better without the crown guards. The new dial is ok.

[@davidkphoto]

Love the new spite Green and Black ... One day may get one since I wear watches on my right wrist.. and thanks for your vids , you guys inspired me to do my own watch reviews and minor adjustments.. thanks

[@JJ-zr6fu]

No they shouldn't have huge annocements every year, but Rolex's brand is all hype so them not having one should be counted against them.

[@IHWKR]

when I was in Kuwait at the Avenues Mall they have a Rolex store. I went in to take a look at all the watches and in the shop front window they had a Rolex that had an array of orange and yellow jewels around the bezzle. the price tag was 187,000 KD. Kuwaiti Dinar is the world's most expensive currency at a ratio of 1KD to 3.30 USD (at the time).

[@Arseization]

I could imagine that some day the hype generation will understand that Rolex is kind of boring and conservative and after 4-5 years of hyping daytonas and gmts on social media, the train will leave eventually.

[@JasonX2]

The diamond bezel yacht master is actually really nice, and I generally dislike diamonds.

[@tonyzambrota9303]

H. Moser please! In detail for next video

[@ismaela.6973]

Hmm... It kinda reminds me of a ball watch. Being said that, I prefer the ball watch over this one :/

[@Luciamason34]

Rolex might as well have not bothered

[@sdaafasfad]

"we haven't been through the releases of screwfix this year". My interest is piques and I am now waiting, gentlemen!

[@paskrell]

I’d love the sprite in right handed. You unfortunately forgot the date so you need a new face and date wheel to turn it around… love how they sell innovation…

[@SillytanN]

not efficient enough and too much standalone cost to produce the air king? Ok lets use the GMT's case, explorer 39mm's 3 6 9, OP's movement, and submariner's bracelet and call it the new Air King!

[@calebrolin262]

Rolex missed the mark this year and last year. Explorer 1 should have a crown guard and bump water resistance to 200m

[@calebrolin262]

Think sarb017

[@VWatchie]

To make the watch left-handed you must also have a left-handed date indicator wheel.

[@MischkaMunich]

Every single word: so true, so true! Thanks and greetings from Trentino! (vacation)

[@alifeinlycra5622]

I reckon to get the new LHD Rolex, you have to prove you’re left-handed!

[@danielleclare2938]

Missed detail you have to be a old school pilot to notice. We used to read maps under red light at night so as not to disturb night vision. The green hands and lume show up under the red light as a red hand would disappear in those conditions... nobody flies by a map anymore just the electric nav stuff now. Not complaining but anyway that is the point of green in a pilot watch. Also the dial shows us seconds which is needed for timing a turn in the clouds so you end up going the right way etc....

[@wigee]

The thing that brands like Rolex do exceptionally well is avoiding cheap money grabs and short-term trust-breaking marketing tactics. Like the clickbaity title of this video :( Love you guys and wish you the best. I hope whatever the AB title testing results will indicate, you'll choose respecting your viewers ;)

[@GoodGuyPlayer2]

Yay, now left-handed rich people can join waitlists!

[@biblomatic]

So true. Rolex was just too hyped this year.

[@swanney75]

It’s not just a flipped dial on the GMT, the date wheel would be flipped too otherwise it would be upside down at the 9 o’clock position- If you really wanted a green bezel RHD instead of changing the dial it’s probably easier to swap the bezel over from the normal GMT OR order a replacement green one from Rolex at the service interval as they send the old one back to you- either way people will just think your wearing a fake one anyway as there’s no hope in hell of buying one of these 😳

[@nonexistant2k3]

I personally love the air king. Those crown guards do it for me.

[@TucanSam75]

Rolex is like my drug addicted relative. You check in with them from time to time to make sure they are still ok, but generally, pretend they don't exist.

[@ICYMIKE]

It would be great if they debuted increasing production by 4X

[@richdelgado3405]

Over on Reddit, someone posted a video of a guy getting his very expensive watch stolen. A lot of people were far from sympathetic. Some said he deserved to get a watch that expensive stolen, or he was "asking for it", and other similarly-veined comments. Is this becoming common? Or was that hate always there and I just didn't see it?