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Old 16 December 2018, 08:23 PM   #1
Cru Jones
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Icon5 All SS models readily available, but.....

For all those disenchanted with Rolex these days,

imagine a big increase in availability:

* all ADs pretty much have full stock
* you buy what you want, when you want!
* no multi-purchase required
* your watch loses 30-60% of MSRP after purchase
* secondary market corrects by 30-60%
* so, Rolex would be like pretty much all other brands

Would that be better?
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Old 16 December 2018, 08:28 PM   #2
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And you don’t really want that Ceramic Daytona that you can readily pick up in the AD as everyone has one!


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Old 16 December 2018, 08:30 PM   #3
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Hmm.. that does not sound so desirable does it. It's human nature to want what we can't have. Rolex know exactly what they are doing..
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Old 16 December 2018, 08:32 PM   #4
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Yes, I’d be fine since I bought my watches for myself and I’m not a douche
I don’t care for a few grands buying-selling watches, it’s so pathetic
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Old 16 December 2018, 08:37 PM   #5
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It shouldn't be the extreme left or extreme right of the situation. It's possible to find some middle ground. 2-3 years ago, there were hard to find models available with some diligence and the grey market was also thriving.
Even in today's climate, do you believe that the relationship that the greys have had with their sources has soured? I would with no doubt surmise they are still walking out with discounts and marking them up to market value. Such is life.

I don't whole heartedly believe their is a shortage per sé, because the grey dealers and flippers have every single supposed "rare" model available for sale, with and without stickers.
Demand is up, but so is technology and much easier for people to make a quick buck on the impatient and must haves.
I don't have the reason why we are in the state we are but, I don't believe there is a shortage as people make it out to be. Walk in and buy a platinum Day Date with diamond dial and a BLRO or Daytona magically become available, that's not a shortage.
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Old 16 December 2018, 08:44 PM   #6
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This is the story of Omega.

You can walk into any Omega AD & pretty much buy any model you want & if they don't have it that day they can get within a couple of weeks.

Great if you want to buy to keep for ever, not so great if you decide after a couple of years you want to move it on to make way for something new.

I am in exactly that position now, bought a Seamaster a couple of years ago that doesn't get much wrist time these days so thought id put it up for sale.

Wow! nobodies interested & those that are want to offer nothing compared to rrp for a new one!
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Old 16 December 2018, 08:44 PM   #7
Rashid.bk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Terrakot View Post
Yes, I’d be fine since I bought my watches for myself and I’m not a douche
I don’t care for a few grands buying-selling watches, it’s so pathetic
Exactly. Why is retaining value, rarity or popularity so important if it's for you.
The LVC was not a popular watch a few years ago. It was polarizing and a few loyalist liked it. Then social media came in and the rumors of stopping production. Everyone hoarded to buy it which caused demand to spike and all these "new" owners seemingly willed themselves into liking this all green thing.

911 GT3s aren't rare and I don't care how much value retention or people have it. All I care about is how it looks in my driveway and I feel when I drive it and the engine sings. My Rolex are for me, and if I don't plan to sell, what do I care about valuation.

Manage your life correctly and you won't have to depend on selling watches and leaving watches to your family to make a buck.
Dad's old beat up baseball glove is just as priceless as a diamond ring to a caring and well raised child.
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Old 16 December 2018, 08:46 PM   #8
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How things were in 2016 was just fine as Rashid says, where Rolex was the biggest player in the mid-lux watch market by far already, and probably in the mid-lux market entire for men. But then Brexit happened and was the global catalyst for everything that has happened since in reordering Rolex as a must have commodity/stock for the masses not just WIS and status hunters.
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Old 16 December 2018, 09:05 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
For all those disenchanted with Rolex these days,

imagine a big increase in availability:

* all ADs pretty much have full stock
* you buy what you want, when you want!
* no multi-purchase required
* your watch loses 30-60% of MSRP after purchase
* secondary market corrects by 30-60%
* so, Rolex would be like pretty much all other brands

Would that be better?
are you talking about panerai?
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Old 16 December 2018, 09:34 PM   #10
zengineer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
For all those disenchanted with Rolex these days,

imagine a big increase in availability:

* all ADs pretty much have full stock
* you buy what you want, when you want!
* no multi-purchase required
* your watch loses 30-60% of MSRP after purchase
* secondary market corrects by 30-60%
* so, Rolex would be like pretty much all other brands

Would that be better?
I'm more than willing to buy pre-owned so bring it on.
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Old 16 December 2018, 09:47 PM   #11
JohnH86
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All SS models readily available, but.....

Surely there can be a happy medium. I honestly have no problem with being on a waitlist. In fact, I joined the list and my AD looked after me only a few months ago in the way that it should run. What I object to is how many ADs manage these lists and what is becoming common practice.

I personally would have no problem waiting for a BLRO or Daytona if I knew there was a finish line. My concern comes from the shady under table deals that force me into a position where I wait for 5 years or pay double RRP.

I don’t think either scenario is ‘better’?


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Old 16 December 2018, 09:48 PM   #12
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Dumb, just buy what you want when you want. In your scenario discounts would be rampant, so I would be ahead of you and everyone else anyways if I even cared about resale.
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Old 16 December 2018, 10:00 PM   #13
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Thinking back 10 years towards the end of the 5 digit era, Kermits in AD windows, and so on. Did a 16610LV drop 30-60% post purchase? What models did? That would be useful to know.
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Old 16 December 2018, 10:09 PM   #14
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It would be nice to achieve some type of balance between the two extremes. In the end it is about the watches and less value means more watches and greater selection.
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Old 16 December 2018, 10:33 PM   #15
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I would be very happy with that scenario as I also buy to keep, but want a diverse collection and like many different brands and models.

This is exactly how I just picket up my first Planet Ocean. I would never buy one new, but at about 73% off retail, I am very happy with it and will still wear it proudly.

Someone sell me a smurf like that ;) .
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Old 16 December 2018, 10:40 PM   #16
mui.richard
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
For all those disenchanted with Rolex these days,

imagine a big increase in availability:

* all ADs pretty much have full stock
* you buy what you want, when you want!
* no multi-purchase required
* your watch loses 30-60% of MSRP after purchase
* secondary market corrects by 30-60%
* so, Rolex would be like pretty much all other brands

Would that be better?
In a word, YES.

And no I don't give a shxt about retaining value. I buy them to wear, not as investment.

Besides, the supply of SS sports models wasn't like this 10 years ago. And I sure as heck didn't see them losing 30-60% after purchase back then so your hypothetical scenario holds no water.



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Old 16 December 2018, 11:35 PM   #17
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All I know is that 2 years ago when I was finally in a position to buy my first Rolex, walking into the AD and walking out with my Sub Date was a great day. Current situation stinks, even if the value of my watch is much higher.

It used to be fun to stop by an AD and look at watches and talk about them. Now the cases are bare. There’s no point walking in the door.
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Old 16 December 2018, 11:44 PM   #18
Jason71
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The current state of affairs is unsustainable IMHO. Many longstanding loyalists will be jumping ship and changing to a different brand. Imagine the first time buyer. I can’t imagine this is truly the Rolex strategy.
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Old 16 December 2018, 11:49 PM   #19
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Many of Rolex buyers cannot afford their watches from a healthy financial viewpoint. These people bought watches on a stretch and are likely to sell the timepieces when there is an expense that does not fit into a paycheck. These are the guys who'll be affected the most by the strategy proposed by the OP.

My rule of thumb: Buy what you can afford and wear what you want. May not be as hot as Rolex, but I get good sleep.
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Old 16 December 2018, 11:52 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
For all those disenchanted with Rolex these days,

imagine a big increase in availability:

* all ADs pretty much have full stock
* you buy what you want, when you want!
* no multi-purchase required
* your watch loses 30-60% of MSRP after purchase
* secondary market corrects by 30-60%
* so, Rolex would be like pretty much all other brands

Would that be better?
I wear the watch. I don’t treat it like a stock or a bank account. Don’t care what the value is or how exclusive it is.
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Old 16 December 2018, 11:55 PM   #21
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The current state of affairs is unsustainable IMHO. Many longstanding loyalists will be jumping ship and changing to a different brand. Imagine the first time buyer. I can’t imagine this is truly the Rolex strategy.
I couldn't agree more with you. Its going to backfire sooner or later.

At least some people on this forum have more brains than money.

If you take a step back and take a look at the situation if you cant see that there is a serious problem in the current environment and its no way sustainable long term then you need to take off those rose colored Rolex glasses.
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Old 17 December 2018, 12:06 AM   #22
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Rolex get a lot of grief for how they hold back supply/restrict stock etc etc and I just don’t think that’s true. I doubt when all’s said and done that the amount of SS professional models they make is much difference to last year or the year before. What has changed dramatically if the demand. It’s probably gone up 10 times, maybe even more. People are now seeing them as an investment and in a way you can’t blame them. Imagine being able to buy a Daytona or Pepsi and make enough profit to buy a car, have a family holiday or even buy a non date or date sub outright with the profits - crazy really, but that’s where we are right now.

So what could Rolex do anout this? Increase production of course but let’s say they flooded the market and now every person that wanted a Daytona, hulk, BLNR or Pepsi could get it - guess what? They wouldn’t want it. Prices would drop and Rolex would be viewed like omega, Tag or Breitling (not knocking them but there pre owned prices tell a tale). Anyway upping production would be limited I guess based on watchmaker availability and skills.

Fortunately Rolex will continue being Rolex and won’t change.
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Old 17 December 2018, 12:12 AM   #23
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I like the way it is now...
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Old 17 December 2018, 12:19 AM   #24
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I would like to go back to pre-2016. This rat race is killing the fun, exclusivity means nothing to me. Let the watches lose 30-40% on the secondary and begin wearing what you like.
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Old 17 December 2018, 12:25 AM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
For all those disenchanted with Rolex these days,



imagine a big increase in availability:



* all ADs pretty much have full stock

* you buy what you want, when you want!

* no multi-purchase required

* your watch loses 30-60% of MSRP after purchase

* secondary market corrects by 30-60%

* so, Rolex would be like pretty much all other brands



Would that be better?


Um, yes. I don’t buy watches as investments
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Old 17 December 2018, 12:54 AM   #26
brandrea
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
For all those disenchanted with Rolex these days,

imagine a big increase in availability:

* all ADs pretty much have full stock
* you buy what you want, when you want!
* no multi-purchase required
* your watch loses 30-60% of MSRP after purchase
* secondary market corrects by 30-60%
* so, Rolex would be like pretty much all other brands

Would that be better?
I like things the way they are Cru, I agree with you
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Old 17 December 2018, 12:59 AM   #27
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As much as I hate having to wait and the politics of the fake lists....etc. but I have to admit it’s part of the fun. That adrenaline rush “getting the call”
Look at omega! A snoopy omega and a Moonwatch. Two great watches but most will go for the snoopy simply because of its rarity!

I think if omega stops over producing it will become the “new Rolex” as far as the hype and demand
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Old 17 December 2018, 01:02 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cru Jones View Post
For all those disenchanted with Rolex these days,

imagine a big increase in availability:

* all ADs pretty much have full stock
* you buy what you want, when you want!
* no multi-purchase required
* your watch loses 30-60% of MSRP after purchase
* secondary market corrects by 30-60%
* so, Rolex would be like pretty much all other brands

Would that be better?
Absolutely. My wife is frankly offended by the notion that if she wanted to go out and buy me or a family member a SS Rolex, she could not source one. As someone who has no AD relationship (and neither do I as a one watch guy), she's got to be lucky or work with a grey and pay over MSRP. The situation is ludicrous. It also is unlikely to change in the near future.
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Old 17 December 2018, 01:08 AM   #29
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Yes it would be much better for those of us who buy watches because we like and want to keep them versus as an investment. Trying on a watch before spending 10k+ would be nice. If the resale value wasn’t so readily available, it would make people think a lot harder about whether or not they really loved the watch. Currently, the mentality is I'll buy it now even though I don’t love it because I can sell it and only lose some value.
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Old 17 December 2018, 01:12 AM   #30
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I think the state of affairs 5-6 years ago was a good in-between. You could expect to wait a bit for some of the hard to come by models (but none of this 100 year waitlist for a GMT BS), but at the same time you could also grab some of the moderately popular sports models readily. The Rolex market nowadays is just crazy, but I don't think the alternative is for it to go full Breitling.
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