Can Rolex & Seiko Survive Without Certain Watches?

We analyze the importance of flagship watches within certain brands and what would happen without them. Do the brands have other strong models to help carry them?

[danieljameszxy]

Your end comments are well taken. However, with the recent garbage Breitling has put forth- you will find the entire line has suffered to contain the implosion of its resale value. Luxury brands take a beating on valuation when an economy of scale is substituted for consistent painstaking quality considerations. The vid was really good and worthy of a second watch. Thank you.

[richalvarez]

You really know your stuff about watches man. I enjoy your videos.

[imrichbitch.]

*_Just when I thought every conceivable watch topic had been covered._* ;)

[andreaslarsson]

Bulgari assioma in rosegold with black dial and a black leatherstrap!beautiful watch!

[mb-watches]

The most bought Rolex was actually the DJ. Remembering my time in China the sport Modells were not payed any attention too but stumbled over lots of DJs.
And also in Europe it was the DJ was famous, same in the US I guess.
Talking about China, the constellation still is a thing and I wonder why it isn’t such a success in Europe, it’s a beautiful watch.
Great video bro and the Seiko part really was interesting, well thought through and done 👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[WatchGeek]

Great video as usual.
Having many watches in your portfolio is like having a restaurant with too many dishes. Yes it's great to attract more of different types of guests, but you can't offer high quantity without sacrificing quality. Luckily Seiko has GS and Credor to avoid that from happening

[jasontoms]

Seiko began as an "everyman" brand in a country that did not have a long tradition of watchmaking. They have stayed true to that ideal. The Swiss brands have traditionally
chosen a niche in the market and developed their core around that niche. In changing market conditions, Seiko is always more versatile in adjusting to new trends. They don't
need a signature watch. Many Swiss brands are in hot water when the lead watch in their niche looses favor. Actually Rich, I'm surprised that so many Swiss brands have
lasted as long as they have. It seems their long tradition in the business may be worth something after all.

[ItsTimePictures]

No more impressions. Do not make me fly out there!

[lawrenceong]

Good sharing Rich! Like the Bond gun firing too!

[j.r.regenold]

Interesting analysis ... being dependent on a single watch or watch series is really limiting. Something as simple as a change of fashion, could cut sales dramatically.
Thanks for the insight

[sunnyr]

Hi Rich,
I agree with you about Seiko vs the other companies.

I don't know if this is true but I heard that Seiko distributes better quality watches outside the USA than within.

Mickey and Sam should be regulars, like in every episode.

[mikehydropneumatic]

Hi Rich,

The DeVille is a bit of a luxury tool watch, a contradiction imho yet I like it.

All good points there.

To me it seems that demographic of collectors is changing and the industry needs changing too. Seiko is a bit like a Saab or Volvo, you show up in one everywhere. From Seiko 5 to Prospex, Presage Astron, Grand Seiko and Credor they got a watch for almost every taste and budget.

There is a lot of snobbery and some even state that it is about the snobbery...not my opinion though,

[SPQR-Z]

Rolex could easily lose the Subs because there’s always the Explorers, GMTs etc. I bet they could even survive the total loss of their Sport watch lines and carryon with the DATEJUST, Skydweller and Daydate but it wouldn’t be pretty. If you think about it, the SS Sports only make up perhaps a third of their output already so they are still selling out of the fancy stuff. Imagine if they where making and selling 75% SS Sports? Finally saw a SkyDweller in the flesh the other day. What a watch! Have you reviewed that one yet?

[Optidorf]

Interesting topic, but I don't necessarily agree that the Swiss brands should follow the example of Seiko. Seiko has a very broad portfolio of watches ranging from very cheap (Seiko 5) to very expensive (Grand Seiko and Credor if that counts). If Swiss brands begin to offer 'cheaper' watches they will undermine the value proposition of their more expensive watches.

The Swatch group resolves this problem by tying a brand into a market segmentation. Hamilton and Certina are the more affordable brands, Rado is more high-end and Omega is (entry) luxury market.

[bobfrombrisbane]

Interesting video Rich. Rolex has so many iconic models which sit just under the Submariner. Not sure any other watch brand has so many stars 🌟. ⌚️⏱👍

[wellgeo]

Nice video, man! I agree with pretty much all your points... except I think the Pasha could carry on for Cartier ;-)... maybe not, haha. Seiko is one of my favorite brands and I find it difficult to stray.

[edrader]

Seiko and rolex are both as in-house as you get

[patrick]

I disagree with the idea that Swiss brands should follow Seiko. Take Omega for example, I think they would do better to stick with a few core watches and change them over time similar to Rolex. I think they are diluting their own brand.

[phillippugh]

To me Seiko is like Samsung ..they both have a lot of diversity and a product for everyone price range . Most Swiss brands only have one are two models that make money kind like Apple an the iPhone and no price diversity

[landscapes]

Imagine a world without the Submariner? Wow...