Vintage Rolex Ads
2
Before the days of just creating a product and having influencers pimp it out, the world was subject to more civilized promotional strategies.
Not saying motives were always pure on Madison Avenue, but they were certainly more clever than they are now. This is why Don Draper captivates our imagination. This is why vintage ads endure.
We can let the images speak for themselves. We sit back, relax and soak in one of the great ad campaigns from one of the world’s most iconic brands.
Just my two cents on what I consider to be a great pique within horology.
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David
Watch Dealer | Cigars, Cars and an obsession with watches.
London, UK
Member since
Last active: 1 month ago
17.10 cm
Bet people are still waiting for their watches
Bet people are still waiting for their watches
In London it's always rainy but there's more than enough watches for everyone.
(Rolex did increase their production this year to 2 million.)
Made a few into art. The best are the prices.
The ads are pretty cool, but really they're no different than some influencer on a rented yacht in the Med shilling for a brand. It's selling people the idea that they can be part of glamorous/adventurous lifestyle just by wearing a piece of jewellery.
It worked extremely well back then because you could walk into a Rolex AD with your annual bonus/promotion pay cheque, and walk out with a new Rolex to flaunt your success. These days they are facing the risk that they will slid in the minds of average watch buyers(not enthusiasts), in favour of brands that can be bought.
The ads are pretty cool, but really they're no different than some influencer on a rented yacht in the Med shilling for a brand. It's selling people the idea that they can be part of glamorous/adventurous lifestyle just by wearing a piece of jewellery.
It worked extremely well back then because you could walk into a Rolex AD with your annual bonus/promotion pay cheque, and walk out with a new Rolex to flaunt your success. These days they are facing the risk that they will slid in the minds of average watch buyers(not enthusiasts), in favour of brands that can be bought.
Very true, especially with Digital marketing nowadays.
Here's an example of a targeted campaign (most successful in terms of generating leads.
Cool ads!
Also - Swedish stainless steel - who knew?
Also also, why isn’t the racing driver wearing a Daytona?
Love the vintage explorer.
I'm old school and love the old ads ,so glad they have brought the catalogues back
More Laguna seca than Laguna beach😁
Love the vintage ads! But prefer Omega adverts ...
If you weren't on a waitlist, you'd wear a Rolex.
What's going on with the bracelet on the Explorer ad?
What's going on with the bracelet on the Explorer ad?
Looks weird right? The ends of the bracelet don’t seem to match up with each other?
But it's a great example that it's not the marketing strategies that changed... just there are more channels now to execute them.
What's going on with the bracelet on the Explorer ad?
Could be the Rolex USA riveted 20mm bracelet. https://rolexhaven.com/bracelets.html
Apparently these were made in the USA for that market because it was expensive to import Swiss made bracelets.
Slightly less 🤮 than the old sexist IWC ones, but only slightly.
Except Pan Am never flew the Concorde…
I'll add one...
This is the best ad
For some real cringe, check out IWC
If Rolex was still this today, I wouldn’t have sworn to never ever buy one.
And probably never wear one 😅
In London it's always rainy but there's more than enough watches for everyone.
(Rolex did increase their production this year to 2 million.)
By EoY it should be about 2 million..their new factory isn't 100% complete yet.
It seems like these guys are whereing thier watches upside-down in these pictures
Some I had saved form the late 80's.
Priceless! 🤣
For some real cringe, check out IWC
Ugh, gross...
Could be the Rolex USA riveted 20mm bracelet. https://rolexhaven.com/bracelets.html
Apparently these were made in the USA for that market because it was expensive to import Swiss made bracelets.
But curved at one end and straight the other?
But curved at one end and straight the other?
Ah, I see what you mean now. Yes, that's weird.
Here are some old ones from the 1950s: https://www.watchcrunch.com/celinesimon/posts/1950-s-rolex-ads-in-national-geographic-explorer-and-submariner-3144
I'll add one...
I think this may be their best. Brilliant advertisement.