ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
7 December 2019, 01:40 AM | #91 |
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7 December 2019, 01:55 AM | #92 | |
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7 December 2019, 02:20 AM | #93 |
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Just be patient, my friend. One day you’ll have all the Rolex watches you want then you’ll be wearing an AP or PP daily instead.
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7 December 2019, 02:39 AM | #94 | |
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7 December 2019, 02:42 AM | #95 |
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Its unfortunate but you made some fair points, nothing beats the premium quality of a Rolex though. But now that we got that out, let's move on and see if we can source a new Rolex for Christmas.
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7 December 2019, 03:11 AM | #96 | |
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7 December 2019, 03:35 AM | #97 |
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Hi, I have not posted in ages, and hardly spend any time reading in here anymore.
I like the part the poster said about the neurons being turned off, as I feel the dame way. I have lost interest in Rolex only because I cant buy anything I want anymore. Its my brains way of protecting me from the desire. Don't get me wrong, I love my Rolex's and enjoying wearing them everyday, but I am not consumed by reading all I can on the brand anymore. I almost equate it to ordering a new car, and reading everything I can on it, joining forums, talking to people, and then upon delivery of the car, things die down, and before you know it, I'm just driving the car and not concerned about reading about it or talking about it. Anyways, its good to be back here, but I wont jump in and read all the new posts.
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7 December 2019, 04:36 AM | #98 |
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Stop the whining. Maybe Rolex is such a strong brand precisely because it’s NOT for everyone.
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7 December 2019, 04:49 AM | #99 |
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7 December 2019, 04:59 AM | #100 |
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I sorta have to side on both ends of it.
Rolex prices have increased disproportionately to the average consumers wages as they have inflated over the years. By that I mean they have moved a bit further from where they use to be price wise, as an expensive item yet still accessible. I’m not saying they are totally unreachable now with some proper planning, but comparatively speaking more expensive than they have been in the past. I think there are definitely some driving forces behind this such as pricing of raw materials such as gold and even steel prices have increased disproportionally to average wages. Advances in technology and alloys that can be pricey that go into each piece. Some of all this largely to global developments of countries around the world. Also increases in labor itself to stay competitive with other industries as in this technological age it takes a special kind of people(mean that in a very positive way) to want to go into the watchmaking field, and it has to be worth it compensation wise for the worker as well. That being said I think this may be more of a global economy issue than solely a Rolex issue. The world has generally become somewhat more expensive to live in per capita. The so called middle class wages have been somewhat stale over the past decade if not a little more than that. I have no idea what the profit margin is on each piece at MSRP, but I doubt if it is reflective of the disproportionate increase in prices. As to the advertising you must stay relevant and sell the general idea, and that sort or romantic ideal behind the watches themselves to really drive the market, and create newfound interests in these pieces as they are overall dated technologies. Hans Wilsdorf was once quoted as saying: It is not with low prices, but in the contrary, it is only with improved quality that we cannot only hold the market, but improve it. So I think some of this mentality as well as overall global price increases on everything from labor to technology has driven a ton of it. I do think they could control some of it as well though. I think they could work a bit at finding these materials needed, and staying in the front of technological advances without sacrificing quality in a slightly more economically sensitive manner. But then again, that’s not necessarily the Rolex ethos. Read this a year or two back and this formed some of what I am speaking of. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.bus...reased-2014-12 |
7 December 2019, 05:02 AM | #101 |
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7 December 2019, 05:18 AM | #102 | |
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The WIS community seems to be so myopic these days in terms of whats hot, whats not. What to spend or not. There are so many other watches with equal or greater pedigree in a variety of arenas (visual aesthetics, technology, and otherwise). Hungry after a Daytona? Why not one of the 1st gen JLC MC Chronos with more technology (and perhaps an even cooler dial) than you would shake a stick at. An ALS hairspring to boot! In the end, I think people are slowly starting to see that 12 rollies in a watch box means something amiss. Try something different, go against the grain and be happier. This hobby is supposed to bring us some enjoyment, not grief |
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7 December 2019, 05:27 AM | #103 |
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I believe Rolex, like some other manufacturers and marketers, is (successfully) moving the product up-market while maintaining its ruggedness, fine timekeeping, accessible service etc.
I think they believe any customers lost at the "affordable" end of the market are more than compensated by new customers upscale. And there are more great affordable watches available in other brands than ever before, including the fine Tudor. |
7 December 2019, 06:37 AM | #104 |
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I remember starting with the OP's frustrations as well. In fact it was more of a rude awakening (I started only last year and never knew that such a situation existed - total newbie). I just knew that there's always more than 1 to choose from (there are many AD's out there - just find the right one). It was also a time when the wife was looking for jewelry just not sure where to go. A hunting I went and a kill scored. I found an AD that I can work with and has been honest with me.
For those that say they don't think this "relationship" thing doesn't work, totally understandable - we're all not good salesmen (myself included) and not everyone has time (and/or patience) on their side. But this is part of the work I believe. The work that needs to be put in to get the Rolex you want (at an AD at MSRP). In a way this situation still doesn't stray away from the Rolex ethos as a "hard worker's watch." I definitely do know, and many would agree, that complaining will never get me any timepiece period, let alone a Rolex I want that happens to be desirable. |
7 December 2019, 07:20 AM | #105 | |
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After reading the rest of this thread, one thought comes time mind, a totally selfish thought. What I'm mad about (and not sure who to direct that anger to) is that I can't TRY ON the different watch models to make a decision which one to buy. That's where my frustration is (and it is totally selfish), and maybe others' frustration as well. There are plenty of DJ's out there, so I was able to go to a few AD's and try on enough DJ's to pick out and buy the "perfect" one for me. But if I want a SS watch, I basically have to: 1) Look online at rolex.com until I convince myself which I should buy out of the 5 of them I like on the web site. 2) Court an AD, to get on their wait list. 3) Then wait 6-36 months to try it on -- only to maybe decide that I don't like it (it's to heavy, too big, too ugly in person, maybe I'd prefer the white dial, etc.) so say "no thanks" and go back to step one. Very much counter to the "instant gratification mantra" that same-day-shipping-Amazon has taught me! And spoiling my shopping fun. Selfish and spoiled, I know. I would say that "they'd sell a lot more product if you could try them on in the store", but since they are selling everything they make anyway, this isn't a valid argument to Rolex. But it IS true that I'd be buying a lot more Rolexes if I was able to try them on in the store... so maybe this shortage is a good thing (for my wallet)! -Dan
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7 December 2019, 07:59 AM | #106 |
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I beg your pardon!!!! Every time I fly I sit there usually far back in coach with the paupers clicking my GMT bezel as we cross time zones.. and I always show the watch to the pilot so he knows I have his back when it comes to the correct arrival time... tool watches ROCK!!!!..... now if i can get a dive cert...i can really make a sub rock too
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7 December 2019, 08:07 AM | #107 |
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Thanks for all the great opinions guys!
Everyone has made good points here, I think its an argument nobody can ever win! Just to clarify a few things... I never said rolex was low quality, on the contrary, I mentioned they are incredibly good quality. I used to be a grey dealer and 90% of my customers were middle class (I sold well into hundreds) I am not that pissed about it, over time I have accepted it and calmed down. I am still on 2 waiting lists for a pepsi, been 2 years now
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We want to be the first in the field and Rolex should be seen as the one and only-the best. Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex founder |
7 December 2019, 09:31 PM | #108 |
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Let’s be honest..... even when a sub was 5 grand, I think the average person who knows nothing about watch brands would call that “expensive jewelry” as you put it. When you can buy a g shock dice watch for 100 dollars that is tougher and has more features.
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7 December 2019, 10:35 PM | #109 |
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FWIW, when life present only certain options it makes no sense to complain that other options aren't available. Choose the path you can follow and go that way until other ways that you prefer become available.
Today there are options of paying Grey prices, maybe getting on a waitlist, buying PM or less sought after models, buying other brands, deciding not to play at all. Choose a path and follow it. You'll have much less angst. |
8 December 2019, 12:24 AM | #110 |
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I Kinda understand your frustration. That said, the day the Casio G-Shock came out, most all of these became jewelry. Rolex has always been an expensive luxury item, even when they were used as tools. For the record, many of my Rolex have been in the ocean, on top of mountains, in caves, etc.
Your post sounds like your frustration has turned into complete hate. For that reason, it’s probably best you just go away and forget about it. It’s a watch
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8 December 2019, 12:56 AM | #111 |
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This thread was worth it just to see the word "juxtaposition" used.
Reminds me of a thread I created Is the Brand in Trouble...so much advertising but no supply... no supply leading to loss of desire to buy one, leading to lack of demand. Last edited by T4ME; 8 December 2019 at 01:01 AM.. Reason: adding a comment |
8 December 2019, 01:17 AM | #112 |
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This is a fad folks. I remember back in the late 90s when Sly and Aahnold started wearing the hockey puck sized Breitlings and all of a sudden the brand took off like a rocket ship with big premiums for a shiny B-1 or Emergency. Now you can buy at Breitling at 30% off MSRP at most AD's with a decent relationship. Breitling still makes a fantastic watch, I have a B50 that I wear daily and I would argue it is built as well as my SD43. Too many people forget that there are other fantastic and yet under rated brands out there.
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8 December 2019, 03:34 AM | #113 | |
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Great mix of classic references both in SS and 2tone. As for professional references, they only got a TT Black Sub, but no worries as they can just sell from the classic references they got in for the holidays. They might get one more shipment...not sure. Every dealer I have been to over the last month, except for Miami, has had a nice stock level of quality classic references. Miami was sold out of all SS, but store was still packed with TT and PM buyers. Rolex is still hot as ever and GP buyers will purchase whatever is in the case. |
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8 December 2019, 06:37 AM | #114 | |
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8 December 2019, 06:57 AM | #115 |
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It's a different world. Personally I'm indulging my other hobbies. Waiting years and buying a relationship. Pah! I could go grey right now and buy the watches I want from the current lineup but I won't based on principle. At some point in life I may fold even if it costs me 30k for a steel Daytona. Even though I had both coloured, steels minty in my hands at 7K a pop not all that long ago. Nuts.
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8 December 2019, 07:55 AM | #116 |
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In 5 years half of us won't even care about Rolex. It's a hobby and our interest in it is ephemeral.
By then we'll be collecting cassette tapes. |
8 December 2019, 09:12 AM | #117 | |
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There's a lot of truth to this. I think I'm going to start collecting original iPhone packaging. Anyone have a pristine iPhone 3g box that they want to part with? Randy |
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8 December 2019, 09:18 AM | #118 | |
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Probably true for 1/2 the crowd. Then, there are those of us that will always be watch/Rolex geeks forever (got my first Rolex in 1984 and still as passionate today as with the first). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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8 December 2019, 09:31 AM | #119 |
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I wouldn't be too sure on that. I'd say most who're 'done' will remain enthusiasts even if they choose not to jump through hoops. Probably about 1/2 of the crowd have already got fantastic collections. Doubt they'll end up gathering dust.
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8 December 2019, 09:34 AM | #120 | |
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