Throwback!! You're gonna wanna see this

[khalifam]

So, when the watch market started to "explode" I was keeping an eye on prices and taking screenshots of things that were coming up for sale to then be able to go into a time machine to see how things have evolved...

Many of you will be able to say throwbacks for you are when you could walk in and buy a GMT at 20% off retail. For me it's when grey dealers were selling Daytona's for 10k... Well here it is.

GMT black full set if I recall for 5k (or best offer) this was around 2017

Watchfinder selling the hulk for.... 7kish

Trotters jewellers selling a 2016 Daytona for 13k


Would have loved to post my original encounter with AD on here but can't find the message... I was after a green sub in 2016 the "wait" was three days to get it from branch to another. How times have changed.

*Waiting for Paddy to chime in now about how rolexs are nothing but £$¢¥€) Screenshot_20220220-123550_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20220220-123023_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20220220-123010_Gallery.jpg

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

[DESH]

Once upon a time.

[khalifam]

Another one where you could walk into Rolex in London and pick up a Black Sub way before "exhibition only" models Screenshot_20220220-125619_Gallery.jpg

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

[mdx77]

Tomorrow is my 5 year birthday for my Hulk. When I walked in I had my choice of 3 to choose from…

[brandrea]

Those were the days

[khalifam]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Those were the days

Even I'd laugh saying who's going to pay 3k over list for a Daytona...

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

[travisb]

I remember and miss those days. Just about anything you want with a discount.
I was getting 20-25% off SS sport models.

[Philadelphialawyer1]

People think Im lying when I tell them I called my AD Saturday morning and was wearing a SS sub date at 10% discount by noon in March 2016.

[khalifam]

Originally Posted by Philadelphialawyer1

People think Im lying when I tell them I called my AD Saturday morning and was wearing a SS sub date at 10% discount by noon in March 2016.

I believe ya!! Got my hulk in 2016. Tried to sell it in 2017 at 7k had interest but nothing real. Didn't sell it and kept it!

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

[garyk]

And conversely, the watches I paid $18,000 for in 2000 and $12,000 for in 2016….I realize these are asking prices but it’s so crazy for me to see these…

I think I’m not allowed to post photos from a commercial site so I’ll revise below.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[garyk]

My 116500LN SS Daytona purchased in 2016 followed by my 116528 PN YG Daytona purchased in 2000…todays grey asking prices…






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[padi56]

Originally Posted by DESH

Once upon a time.

But today Rolex are no longer watches to be worn and enjoyed, now little more than £$€ objects and little more, and sold to the highest bidder. Then photographed and bragged about on so called social media, plus today many now do what ever social media dictates what to buy at any price. As so called social media have taken over there lives and use of there own brain power, but hype sells watches to many who just wear the hype..

[RazorD]

Back when people loved grey dealers because it was cheaper than going to the AD. Now many view them as the enemy. Lol

[garyk]

I personally don’t know what to think about all this anymore except it’s insane and makes it so difficult to buy the 1 or 2 more watches I was looking to buy from an AD.

[Jacobson]

Those were the good days. Then again I paid circa £2K for a 5 digit GMT Pepsi & even less for a 5 digit Explorer II not that long ago.

Rolex prices have gone crazy, but no where near as crazy as some other brands.
I remember paying £16K for a 3 week old Nautilus back in 2014.

Prices on some references are way over inflated, even after taking into consideration low supply & increased demand. Don't see the current situation ending anytime soon, but it surely will end at some point.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by padi56

But today Rolex are no longer watches to be worn and enjoyed, now little more than £$€ objects and little more, and sold to the highest bidder. Then photographed and bragged about on so called social media, plus today many now do what ever social media dictates what to buy at any price. As so called social media have taken over there lives and use of there own brain power, but hype sells watches to many who just wear the hype..

Exactly………

[khalifam]

Originally Posted by Jacobson

Those were the good days. Then again I paid circa £2K for a 5 digit GMT Pepsi & even less for a 5 digit Explorer II not that long ago.

Rolex prices have gone crazy, but no where near as crazy as some other brands.
I remember paying £16K for a 3 week old Nautilus back in 2014.

Prices on some references are way over inflated, even after taking into consideration low supply & increased demand. Don't see the current situation ending anytime soon, but it surely will end at some point.

Wow how soon ago was the 16710? Not that long ago to me sounds like two weeks ago

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

[Sprezzatura!,]

Good times.

Sad.

[Zuger]

Many more bitcoins millionaires since then who decided to take profits and park money in watches (aka put options) instead of bank accounts.

[hambone1983]

I don't think status seekers & instagram show-offs have any loyalty to the brand or longevity as collectors. When something else confers superiority more efficiently or they start losing money I think they'll move right along to the next thing.

[mikelprz]

If i would have known then, what i know now.. my Rolex collection would be plus up by two.

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by padi56

But today Rolex are no longer watches to be worn and enjoyed, now little more than £$€ objects and little more, and sold to the highest bidder. Then photographed and bragged about on so called social media, plus today many now do what ever social media dictates what to buy at any price. As so called social media have taken over there lives and use of there own brain power, but hype sells watches to many who just wear the hype..

O rly

[jaySL350]

Aah,,
Those were the days,,,
Remember prevaricating with Richard B at WF over a couple of month old ,full set,first gen Blnr and grudgingly lol paid £450-£500 over msrp iirc,,,
Lost money when I traded it for blue dial DJ2 but that dial did sing,lol,,

[daveswordfish]

Here’s a screen shot of notes from 2016. I was looking to add another piece to my collection. Prices are discounts from the AD. Prices in parentheses were gray.

Cases were full…any model you wanted. If my AD didn’t have it at that moment, he’d get within a day or two. Those were the days.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brny11]

Originally Posted by RazorD

Back when people loved grey dealers because it was cheaper than going to the AD. Now many view them as the enemy. Lol

Yup. AD for experience, grey for savings. Forum made up of collectors who had no clue what instagram was and talked about watches as prized objects, not material objects. Hopefully we get back there soon! Sadly, don’t think we ever will.

[Tuffstang]

Back in 2014, Paris at the Shops at the Louvre. Had the choice of all three Daytona LN steel, GMT “Batman”, Sub “Hulk” You can make out the price on the Batman $7k Should have pickup all 3.

[Jpccarguy]

You guys are killing me here!

[TimeAZ]

Yeah, and now folks are "trying" to buy their first Rolex. What a shame. Meanwhile you have people here talking about how great that is for the brand and what a magnificent "strategy" this is and marketing genius etc. Give me a break. Let the whole house of cards come down, getting tired of it.

[Anestheticsaregood]

Back when $ was worth something

[calebb90]

Originally Posted by khalifam

So, when the watch market started to "explode" I was keeping an eye on prices and taking screenshots of things that were coming up for sale to then be able to go into a time machine to see how things have evolved...

Many of you will be able to say throwbacks for you are when you could walk in and buy a GMT at 20% off retail. For me it's when grey dealers were selling Daytona's for 10k... Well here it is.

GMT black full set if I recall for 5k (or best offer) this was around 2017

Watchfinder selling the hulk for.... 7kish

Trotters jewellers selling a 2016 Daytona for 13k


Would have loved to post my original encounter with AD on here but can't find the message... I was after a green sub in 2016 the "wait" was three days to get it from branch to another. How times have changed.

*Waiting for Paddy to chime in now about how rolexs are nothing but £$¢¥€) Attachment 1275037Attachment 1275038Attachment 1275039

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

Bitcoin was 1k and Tesla was $50 bucks a share….


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk