Realme, the Chinese smartphone brand, has recently launched a teaser campaign that hints at a partnership with Rolex, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, for its upcoming 12 Pro series. The teaser campaign has sparked a lot of curiosity and excitement among the fans and the media, as it suggests that the Realme 12 Pro series will feature a luxury watch-inspired design and high-quality camera specs. The partnership with Rolex could also have a significant impact on Realmeās brand image, market value, and sales performance.
Realmeās Teaser Campaign
The teaser campaign for the Realme 12 Pro series began on January 10, 2024, when Realme posted a cryptic tweet that said āTime to reveal something big. Stay tuned. #Realme12Pro #Rolexā. The tweet was accompanied by an image of a clock that showed 12:12, and a caption that said āThe time is nowā. The tweet generated a lot of speculation and buzz among the netizens, who wondered if Realme was collaborating with Rolex for its new flagship series.
The speculation was further fueled by the certification of the Realme 12 Pro series on TENAA, the Chinese regulatory authority, on January 11, 2024. The certification revealed some of the key specs and images of the Realme 12 Pro series, which showed that the devices will have a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 888+ processor, a 5000 mAh battery, and a 108 MP quad-camera setup. The images also showed that the Realme 12 Pro series will have a unique design that resembles a luxury watch, with a circular camera module and a metal frame.
The Potential Impact of the Partnership
The partnership with Rolex, if confirmed, could have a huge impact on Realmeās brand image, market value, and sales performance. Realme, which was founded in 2018, has been one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands in the world, especially in emerging markets like India, Southeast Asia, and Africa. However, Realme has also faced some challenges in establishing its brand identity and differentiating itself from its competitors, especially in the premium segment.
By collaborating with Rolex, Realme could leverage the prestige and credibility of the worldās most famous luxury watch brand, and position itself as a premium and innovative smartphone brand. Realme could also target the luxury market segment, which is dominated by brands like Apple, Samsung, and Huawei, and attract more high-end customers who value quality, design, and exclusivity. Moreover, the partnership with Rolex could boost Realmeās sales and market value, as the Realme 12 Pro series could generate a lot of demand and hype among consumers and the media.
Revealing the Realme 12 Pro Series
High-Quality Camera Specs and Luxury Watch-Inspired Design
While details about the Realme 12 Pro Series are yet to be fully disclosed, the teaser suggests a focus on high-quality camera specifications and a design inspired by luxury watches. The leaked images hint at a custom variant of the 12 Pro+, featuring Blue leather and gold accents on the back.
Collaboration with Luxury Watch Designer Ollivier Saveo
Realme’s collaboration with Ollivier Saveo, a luxury watch designer, adds another layer of sophistication to the 12 Pro Series. Although the teaser doesn’t explicitly mention the Rolex brand, the use of a crown emoji, reminiscent of the Swiss watchmaker’s logo, sparks intrigue.
Teaser Using a Crown Symbol
The teaser not only features a crown emoji but also highlights the date “28” on the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust. This detail leads to speculation that the official launch might take place on January 28. Notably, Rolex does not currently offer a variant with a Blue dial, suggesting the possibility of a limited edition tied to the smartphone launch, with an estimated retail price of $15,000.
Is Rolex Really Making a Smartphone?
No, Rolex is not making a smartphone. The rumor that Rolex is collaborating with Realme, a Chinese smartphone brand, to produce a special edition of the Realme 12 Pro series is most likely a hoax. The evidence for this rumor is based on a leaked image of an ad that shows a non-existent Rolex watch and a poorly written copy. The image was posted by an unverified X user and has not been confirmed by either Realme or Rolex. Moreover, Rolex is a highly exclusive and conservative brand that has never ventured into other product categories besides luxury watches. It is very unlikely that Rolex would partner with a relatively new and unknown smartphone brand like Realme, which mainly targets emerging markets. Therefore, the rumor that Rolex is making a smartphone is probably false and should not be taken seriously.
