Am I alone in thinking that Rolex is absurd?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by GBD

I don't think Rolex is absurd, I think their watches are great.

I do think the environment is absurd, but how much of that is Rolex's fault is up for debate.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by Zack1978

With that said does anyone else think the various games that are played to allow one the high honor and privilege to buy a Rolex is simply absurd?

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

Rolex isn’t absurd. The demand is.

Absolutely, +1 on both. (Would that be +2?)

Honestly, the idea of spending $9K on a mass production stainless steel watch is absurd, if you think about it rationally. We all justify it because we know how well made these watches are, their beauty and quality. But it's still ridiculous, if we're honest with ourselves. Of course, it doesn't matter, because we deserve it. LOL

However, 10K is about the limit for me. I'm not buying any of these things at "market prices". I'm wearing my $3700 Tudor right now, and I honestly like it as much if not more than most of my past Rolexes. I've got a microbrand coming back from service today that cost me less than $2K. I like that one pretty good too. There are a lot of options out there, and right now, Rolex just isn't one of them for me.

Not to say if (when) my AD calls me to say that my Pepsi has arrived, that I won't buy it at MSRP. But I'm not going to play any games to get it.

[Innocenti]

Rolex used to be ‘Elvis cool’
Now it’s ‘Cheese burger Las Vegas Elvis’ and everyone wants to add extra fries

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

Rolex isn’t absurd. The demand is.

This.

If demand wasn't so high, the display cases would be fully stocked with all the models.

Same thing is going on right now with the new Corvette Stingray C8. It's virtually impossible to get one at MSRP. People are waiting months and spending well over $100,000 for a car that lists at around $85,000. If the car wasn't so popular, and demand wasn't so high, you'd be able to walk into a dealership and buy one today with the usual 7 to 10% discount that you get on every other car.

[XtraCrispy]

I guess what I'm missing here is the responses saying "AD's don't want to sell to flippers".

If AD's aren't selling to flippers - where are the Gray's getting their new stock from???

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by m j b

Absolutely, +1 on both. (Would that be +2?)

Honestly, the idea of spending $9K on a mass production stainless steel watch is absurd, if you think about it rationally. We all justify it because we know how well made these watches are, their beauty and quality. But it's still ridiculous, if we're honest with ourselves. Of course, it doesn't matter, because we deserve it. LOL

However, 10K is about the limit for me. I'm not buying any of these things at "market prices". I'm wearing my $3700 Tudor right now, and I honestly like it as much if not more than most of my past Rolexes. I've got a microbrand coming back from service today that cost me less than $2K. I like that one pretty good too. There are a lot of options out there, and right now, Rolex just isn't one of them for me.

I agree with this completely. The "absurdity" of Rolex demand has been one of the best things that has ever happened in my watch collecting. I have owned nearly every model Rolex at one time or another and still have four of them, but now that the market prices are so ridiculous, it has been the catalyst for me to discover other brands like Omega, Tudor, Sinn, Doxa, etc., that I enjoy equally as much, and in many cases more than my Rolex watches.

[LC23]

its an love or hate relationship... if the watches were readily available and have 10 Daytonas in each AD, than Rolex wouldn't be Rolex and we probably wouldn't have this forum.

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

Rolex isn’t absurd. The demand is.

That says it all..

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by LC23

its an love or hate relationship... if the watches were readily available and have 10 Daytonas in each AD, than Rolex wouldn't be Rolex and we probably wouldn't have this forum.

For sure but then again, years ago when this forum was started, Rolex was easily available and yet Rolex was still Rolex. That's the hard pill to swallow for those of us who remember those days before Instagram.

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[Robine]

Hey OP!

Great topic, I fully understand the problem.

What is your view, how should this be resolved?

- Should Rolex make more watches?
- If not, how should dealers allocate their stock?

Curious to hear your view.

[blargle]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

Rolex isn’t absurd. The demand is.

this is naive - if you think Rolex aren't constraining supply, you are very much mistaken, just look at the mistakes of other 'designer' brands.

[3 Putt]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

So move on to other brands, I love Omega, FPJ, Panerai, Bvlgari, Cartier.....

This is the best thing to happen to the timepiece industry imho and I thank Rolex for understanding and helping others thrive.

Exactly this. I have bought two Omega's in the past 6 weeks. I was at the Panerai Boutique in the Houston Galleria mall a few days ago. Unbelievable customer service. They spent a lot of time discussing their brand and the watch industry. But most of all, very well informed about their product. And they thanked me for visiting and sent me a follow up email.

I too think this over-inflated watch hype is good for the industry. And it would appear independent brands are getting more noticed.

[superspectral]

Originally Posted by Krash

Same thing is going on right now with the new Corvette Stingray C8. It's virtually impossible to get one at MSRP. People are waiting months and spending well over $100,000 for a car that lists at around $85,000. If the car wasn't so popular, and demand wasn't so high, you'd be able to walk into a dealership and buy one today with the usual 7 to 10% discount that you get on every other car.

Car dealers are not forced to sell at MSRP so there is probably very little to no Corvette "flipping" going on. And a 6 month used C8 is probably selling for less than what a dealer can get for it (if perchance it goes up for sale). There is a vintage collectible car market *but* a C8 is not that yet.

Chevy dealers are not luxury outfits and are not selling luxury product. IMHO their product is much nicer than it was 20 years ago but their cars are aimed at the average consumer. The Corvette is a halo performance product meant to catch the eye and bring in customers. The kids look at it while dad buys a Silverado - at below MSRP.

[Parapraxis]

Welcome to the real world

[RKTINC1]

Rolex is the only company on Earth that would not raise retail prices to reflect the actual consumer demand. Not sure how this exists, but it does. Rolex could increase retail prices and solve most of this gray market issue, but they seem to have discovered a way to move their slow selling inventory / production to the aftermarket. I can't think of any other company in this situation.

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by XtraCrispy

If AD's aren't selling to flippers - where are the Gray's getting their new stock from???

ADs do their best to vet and qualify customers.

Sometimes, their preferred customers are actually the ones who decide to flip a few pieces. (Yes, plenty of TRFers do this.)

Other times, hot pieces are sold with less desirable ones, and customers or brokers offload them for profit.

The strength of pricing in the secondary market increases the incentive for customers to flip their new Pepsi for an $8,000 profit... when helps fuel the surge in the demand through the primary market (ADs).

[Francist]

OP is sour because he's number 98765th on the waiting list.
I've worn a number of other watch brands & let me say this, Rolex is the most reliable watch. I have never ever sent a single Rolex for repair due to mechanical failure.

I've sent JLC & IWC & Tag for repairs and each time they cost 30-40% value of the watch. Ouch. Thousands of $ poof. No i will never ever buy them again.
Heard the same story with AP & PP from my circle of friends. They bleed u dry with "labour cost" repair.

[TTbluesy]

Originally Posted by Zack1978

Hi everyone,
I am a casual visitor here and I drop in to stay in the loop because I ultimately want to but my grail watch, the GMT.
With that said does anyone else think the various games that are played to allow one the high honor and privilege to buy a Rolex is simply absurd? The idea of building "relationships" with AD's and buying in ones local region, etc seems ludicrous to simply buy a watch. Is it really fun to play the game or am I missing something?
I look at the prices on David SW's page and I am simply astonished that people will pay double the MSRP to get a GMT ASAP. I don't need the watch that badly, so I am out of the game at the moment but it is really eye opening.

People are flush w cash right now due to being locked down and a screaming stock market.

Things will correct. But nothings worth waiting for as time is much more priceless than any marked up Rolex. Certainly nothing to get upset about.

Buy what you want if you can afford it.


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[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by m j b

Absolutely, +1 on both. (Would that be +2?)

Honestly, the idea of spending $9K on a mass production stainless steel watch is absurd, if you think about it rationally. We all justify it because we know how well made these watches are, their beauty and quality. But it's still ridiculous, if we're honest with ourselves. Of course, it doesn't matter, because we deserve it. LOL

However, 10K is about the limit for me. I'm not buying any of these things at "market prices". I'm wearing my $3700 Tudor right now, and I honestly like it as much if not more than most of my past Rolexes. I've got a microbrand coming back from service today that cost me less than $2K. I like that one pretty good too. There are a lot of options out there, and right now, Rolex just isn't one of them for me.

Not to say if (when) my AD calls me to say that my Pepsi has arrived, that I won't buy it at MSRP. But I'm not going to play any games to get it.

Great philosophy. If you’re into watches and not the hype it’s a great time to be an enthusiast. If you just want the white Daytona, Pepsi, blue sky dweller, hulk then you’re kind of part of the problem.


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[~Haze~]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Agree with you, very silly to pay 2-3x retail prices for the hot pieces



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Yes exactly. When I was a kid, a hot piece meant you payed 1/3.


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[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by Zack1978

Hi everyone,
I am a casual visitor here and I drop in to stay in the loop because I ultimately want to but my grail watch, the GMT.
With that said does anyone else think the various games that are played to allow one the high honor and privilege to buy a Rolex is simply absurd? The idea of building "relationships" with AD's and buying in ones local region, etc seems ludicrous to simply buy a watch. Is it really fun to play the game or am I missing something?
I look at the prices on David SW's page and I am simply astonished that people will pay double the MSRP to get a GMT ASAP. I don't need the watch that badly, so I am out of the game at the moment but it is really eye opening.

The demand is absurd, and the branding is absurd these days (but I think that about many other products in the social media flex era in which we live), but what is most certainly not absurd is the product. The engineering and production quality that goes into their watches is still there, and what they made their reputation on. As long as that continues, I'll continue to love Rolex.

[drfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by LC23

its an love or hate relationship... if the watches were readily available and have 10 Daytonas in each AD, than Rolex wouldn't be Rolex and we probably wouldn't have this forum.

Originally Posted by Mendota

For sure but then again, years ago when this forum was started, Rolex was easily available and yet Rolex was still Rolex. That's the hard pill to swallow for those of us who remember those days before Instagram.

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The opposite is also true. The high demand means also means you don't have time to decide or perseverate on a watch. You can try it on once an AD calls you but you probably don't have more than 2-3 days to decide. I would guess this forces people to buy and feeds the cycle, though there is no way to know.

[Robine]

- Should Rolex make more watches?
- If not, how should dealers allocate their stock?

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by drfrankenstein

The opposite is also true. The high demand means also means you don't have time to decide or perseverate on a watch. You can try it on once an AD calls you but you probably don't have more than 2-3 days to decide. I would guess this forces people to buy and feeds the cycle, though there is no way to know.

Indeed! Isn't that the truth! You literally have to act on the spot. I waited about 4 days from the time my wife tried on the new 34mm blue dial OP she found at my AD until when I emailed them back saying I wanted to get it for her. I was worried it was going to sell in those few days. A 25% deposit made sure we could then take our time getting over there to pick it up. The good news is my AD told us that with OP and DJ models they can order any of those for us, so if it had sold it wouldn't have been a big deal. We just would have had to order it and then wait a bit until we could get another. Can't do that with sports or professional models of course.

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[D.P.G.]

I agree 100% I would never spend time and money building a relationship to acquire a watch nor would I pay more then retail which is already to much. I called and AD and in 3 weeks had a GMT Master ll BLNR. If I had to put in any more effort then a phone call I would wear a Samsung smart watch.

[polaris72]

Have you seen the real estate market?

[myporsche]

I agree, that's why I'm fortunate enough to never pay over MSRP or even MSRP for any piece I have owned. You just have to think outside the box and look beyond where everyone else is looking - like the internet where flippers/grays have perfectly curated photos at every angle with a nice price tag to boot. If I were in the market for another one I wouldn't play AD games either but if I had to I would probably do something crazy like put down a full deposit and tell the AD keep the card for a year to separate myself from the crowd, hypeboys, and flippers. Another idea is to wait a bit as it's the worst time to by a Rolex, watch, and many other assets.

[1665fan]

Let’s all move onto other brands...........royal oaks and nautilus anybody?????

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by myporsche

I agree, that's why I'm fortunate enough to never pay over MSRP or even MSRP for any piece I have owned. You just have to think outside the box and look beyond where everyone else is looking - like the internet where flippers/grays have perfectly curated photos at every angle with a nice price tag to boot. If I were in the market for another one I wouldn't play AD games either but if I had to I would probably do something crazy like put down a full deposit and tell the AD keep the card for a year to separate myself from the crowd, hypeboys, and flippers. Another idea is to wait a bit as it's the worst time to by a Rolex, watch, and many other assets.

My AD said they already retain copies of the card and paperwork for 5 years now for all watches sold for warranty purposes. That idea doesn't work. I tried offering it.


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[Robine]

It's all so unfair!!