I think it’s funny that...

[galveston22]

3 years ago the GMT was undervalued and frequently going for $2k under retail on the used market. Everyone was complaining about the PCLs and folks were even brushing them out.

Now there’s a flood of Batman’s and regular GMTs listed for ridiculous prices.


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[ADR1982]

More people buy these watches over perceived demand and value than they do out of actually personally liking it

[Tulsa_WIS_88]

Originally Posted by ADR1982

More people buy these watches over perceived demand and value than they do out of actually personally liking it

This!

[Dr Watches]

Originally Posted by ADR1982

More people buy these watches over perceived demand and value than they do out of actually personally liking it

Yes. Just look at the near total lack of “I love my watch because...” posts. Now it’s “which should I buy to make as much money as possible?”

The “hobby” is being flooded with spectators who know almost nothing about watches, hardly like them, and need to be told what to buy.

[Cryten]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

Yes. Just look at the near total lack of “I love my watch because...” posts. Now it’s “which should I buy to make as much money as possible?”

The “hobby” is being flooded with spectators who know almost nothing about watches, hardly like them, and need to be told what to buy.

I have money to buy a watch but don't know which one. Please tell me what to buy

[JayG]

It is interesting. Can’t decide if it’s market manipulation by Rolex,
cyclical, changing trends.
Similarly, but more pronounced, was the initial roll out of the royal oak and
nautilus which were panned by many and easy to obtain. Of course now it’s a feeding frenzy. One never knows what is going to strike a nerve in the consumer.

[007timer]

Originally Posted by JayG

It is interesting. Can’t decide if it’s market manipulation by Rolex,
cyclical, changing trends.
Similarly, but more pronounced, was the initial roll out of the royal oak and
nautilus which were panned by many and easy to obtain. Of course now it’s a feeding frenzy. One never knows what is going to strike a nerve in the consumer.

I think it’s all the above.


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[Danny83]

Crazy how things change. This must be terrible for new collectors

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Crazy how things change. This must be terrible for new collectors

[BobDyl]

Here's a piece of history. Receipt for my LN from 2008.
USD $6,825 base cost = $8,013 in today's dollars. Of course the other big difference is that I just walked in the store and bought it. Different times...

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by BobDyl

Here's a piece of history. Receipt for my LN from 2008.
USD $6,825 base cost = $8,013 in today's dollars. Of course the other big difference is that I just walked in the store and bought it. Different times...

Oh wow......What a nice memory of the Gool Ol' Days! Sure wish we could do that now. Imagine, walking into a store and able to buy exactly what you want on the spot!

[BobDyl]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

Oh wow......What a nice memory of the Gool Ol' Days! Sure wish we could do that now. Imagine, walking into a store and able to buy exactly what you want on the spot!

Exactly! And it was only the case from about 1905 to 2014.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by galveston22

3 years ago the GMT was undervalued and frequently going for $2k under retail on the used market. Everyone was complaining about the PCLs and folks were even brushing them out.

Now there’s a flood of Batman’s and regular GMTs listed for ridiculous prices.


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I agree. The pcl complaints have went way down. I've heard none with the ss skydweller.

There are two classes of collectors. Those who believe that watches should never change and those who understand why they must. You can be the earlier or the later but I prefer watches that can get wet.

[BobDyl]

Originally Posted by Etschell

I agree. The pcl complaints have went way down. I've heard none with the ss skydweller.

There are two classes of collectors. Those who believe that watches should never change and those who understand why they must. You can be the earlier or the later but I prefer watches that can get wet.

Ha! Agreed you can never fight progress. Aside from aesthetics, the 6 digits are functionally the best watches Rolex has ever made. One commentator recently talked about Rolex always improving incrementally and I think that is true. Are they as charming as the older references? Maybe not.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by BobDyl

Ha! Agreed you can never fight progress. Aside from aesthetics, the 6 digits are functionally the best watches Rolex has ever made. One commentator recently talked about Rolex always improving incrementally and I think that is true. Are they as charming as the older references? Maybe not.

I would agree, other than, perhaps, the clasps. Ease of adjustment aside, some of the newer ones seem over engineered for over engineering's sake and the more simplified older versions are, in fact, more functional.

Perhaps it was impossible to do a substantial enough version of the old flip-lock to match the beefed up bracelets.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Etschell

I agree. The pcl complaints have went way down. I've heard none with the ss skydweller.

There are two classes of collectors. Those who believe that watches should never change and those who understand why they must. You can be the earlier or the later but I prefer watches that can get wet.

I agree re: collectors...but you leave out a category I call "Buyers/Receivers."

These are sales which are likely one-time purchases by someone who wants a Rolex and/or gets one as a gift. They could have done a little research, but typically not much.

Mentioning a product nickname or reference # to one of these folks would likely get you a blank - or worrisome stare.

[THC]

Datejusts are next.. stock up

[GMT Aviator]

Originally Posted by THC

Datejusts are next.. stock up

There is likely truth in your words. I’m holding my DJ2’s.

[007timer]

Originally Posted by THC

Datejusts are next.. stock up

I find that hard to conceive.


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[Cryten]

Markets are cyclical and the fact Rolex hasn't raised prices to take advantage of it suggests they know these secondary prices won't hold forever.

Panerai cashed in on market hype and then lost out in a big way. Perhaps that's a lesson already learned by Rolex.

[tacotaco]

Originally Posted by Cryten

Markets are cyclical and the fact Rolex hasn't raised prices to take advantage of it suggests they know these secondary prices won't hold forever.

Panerai cashed in on market hype and then lost out in a big way. Perhaps that's a lesson already learned by Rolex.

Can you please explain this a bit?

[Cryten]

Originally Posted by tacotaco

Can you please explain this a bit?

The only people who believe in endless growth are economists. The frantic Rolex buying wont last forever, and when a manufacturer has to lower prices it damages the brand, sometimes irrecoverably (Coach hand bags are a good example of how to ruin a premium brand).

Richemont has just been though this with Panerai, hopefully Rolex won't make the same mistakes.

[broham84]

Originally Posted by Cryten

The only people who believe in endless growth are economists. The frantic Rolex buying wont last forever, and when a manufacturer has to lower prices it damages the brand, sometimes irrecoverably (Coach hand bags are a good example of how to ruin a premium brand).

Richemont has just been though this with Panerai, hopefully Rolex won't make the same mistakes.

Since we are throwing handbags in this discussion. You don’t have to worry about Rolex, they’re like Chanel and PP is like Hermès. And the rest don’t matter.

[DHISTORY]

People weren’t touching the LN at $7300 w warranty and full kit 12 months ago. Now folks are asking $10k for a 2007-8 polished no papers version. Not likely to hold. Mass produced for over a decade, plenty out there, maybe not here on TRF because of how WIS we are (meaning nuts).

[Stig722]

Still not a fan of PCL.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by galveston22

3 years ago the GMT was undervalued and frequently going for $2k under retail on the used market. Everyone was complaining about the PCLs and folks were even brushing them out.

Now there’s a flood of Batman’s and regular GMTs listed for ridiculous prices.

There's a reason the term "sheeple" was coined.

[oldman2005]

Like typical bed time story:

"A long time ago, everyone can just walk in a Rolex AD and buy a SS GMT...Now and only prince and king have a chance to get one...

[glamorama]

And soon it will be.. "I remember when one could walk in to an AD and buy any PM on the spot, way under MSRP. Those were the days, if I only had known..."

[jimcameron]

When I bought my 16800 it was all word of mouth that inspired people to consider Rolex. Maybe some magazine ads, but not much. Certainly being able to buy in the Military Post Exchange in the 60's and 70's for $200-$400 had a lot to do with popularity. But it was nothing like the making and braking of fashion and style that social media controls today. Some celebrities got free one's, like Jack Nicholas, who has gotten at least 2 Presidentials, over a 50 yr relationship with Rolex. It is the must have watch for the blossoming affluent generation.

[BobDyl]

I think most of us suffer from "recency bias" - meaning we believe today's reality will always be so (at least that's my understanding of recency bias). It's hard to believe that normalcy will return to the world of Rolex but there's a high likelihood that it will. At some point.