Got back from Vegas, the Rolex spotting here was insane

[the dark knight]

I used to go about every 1-2 years, but this was my first trip back in about 5 mostly due to the pandemic. I have never ever spotted this many Rolexes before, not even close. They were basically like Casios (esp something like a Sub, I lost count how many times I saw that, including on my own wrist haha).

Rolexes I saw in rough order of frequency: Submariner, Datejust in different configs, Skydweller in different configs, BLNR in both bracelet configs (don't think I saw a single Pepsi), Day-Dates, RG YM on OF, Explorer II (only saw one and it was a Polar), Daytona (also only saw one, 11 or 126500 white dial), Root Beer GMT (saw one).

Some observations/surprises:

(1) Rolex sightings to other luxury watch ratio was probably a good 100:1. I only positively identified 3 watches of a "higher tier" : a gold APRO chrono, a steel APRO, and an Aquanaut. Even more surprising was this ratio held up at the other end as well, maybe more so. The only luxury watch of a "lower or equal tier" I saw was Omega. I saw two "Bond" Seamasters. I was shocked that I didn't spot more Omegas, Cartiers, IWCs, etc. Didn't spot a single one of the latter two other than women's Cartier watches. Also did not see a single Speedy (always surprises me how I don't see these in the wild).

(2) Not a surprise, the Submariner was definitely the most common Rolex I saw. By a huge factor.

(3) I was surprised by how often I saw the Sky.

(4) Did not see a single Explorer I or OP.

(5) The dearth of nice "dress" watches. Very rarely saw anything on a leather strap.

(6) And yea, can't emphasize this enough. If someone was wearing a nice watch, it's almost guaranteed to be a Rolex. By a huge factor.

[huncho]

definitely a lot of subs. i must've seen at least 15 bluesys in 4 days there

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by huncho

definitely a lot of subs. i must've seen at least 15 bluesys in 4 days there

Yea. Intuitively I should expect this, but it was still a surprise. Esp the overwhelming ratio of Sub to even Datejust. Even if someone was wearing a BLNR, it kinda stood out. Sub, no way.

[varun]

Originally Posted by huncho

definitely a lot of subs. i must've seen at least 15 bluesys in 4 days there

damn, paid $18.5k grey mar 2023 seems like its a plumbers watch now if everyone has it

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by varun

damn, paid $18.5k grey mar 2023 seems like its a plumbers watch now if everyone has it

I don’t know a plumber that doesn’t own a nice boat, so I wouldn’t be surprised by a Rolex collection.

[StylinProfilin]

Originally Posted by varun

damn, paid $18.5k grey mar 2023 seems like its a plumbers watch now if everyone has it

I genuinely laughed out loud at this

[Fahoo Forays]

Originally Posted by varun

damn, paid $18.5k grey mar 2023 seems like its a plumbers watch now if everyone has it

Maybe a luxury brand is in order, if staying clear of plumbers is your life goal
Patek, AP. FPJ?

[1st amg]

Crazy how things have progressed to this...thanks for reporting back. Did you talk watches with anyone?

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Crazy how things have progressed to this...thanks for reporting back. Did you talk watches with anyone?

No, I don't really approach strangers to talk watches anymore because it could make them uncomfortable. And nobody approached me, although I am always happy to talk watches haha.

[amphr1]

Thanks for the observations. I like dress watch in theory, but yeah, I could not give my hard earned money to a leather strap.

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[Nads786]

Originally Posted by amphora001

Thanks for the observations. I like dress watch in theory, but yeah, I could not give my hard earned money to a leather strap.

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Same here … I love bracelets.

OP I go to Vegas 2-3X for work and I agree if someone is wearing a luxury watch it’s a Rolex 9/10 times.

I did see a sprinkling of Seamasters the last time I was there though.

I have never seen a BLNR in the wild, but oddly seen multiple Pepsis and one LN ceramic.


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[jb335]

Originally Posted by Nads786

I have never seen a BLNR in the wild, but oddly seen multiple Pepsis and one LN ceramic.


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That is odd. I see BLNRs frequently (not as much as Subs though) and a lot more often than modern Pepsi’s.


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[Nads786]

Originally Posted by jb335

That is odd. I see BLNRs frequently (not as much as Subs though) and a lot more often than modern Pepsi’s.


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Yeah it’s disappointing for me because the BLNR is my fav GMT.

The two wild Pepsis were at ORD and Nottingham London.


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[Walter Sobchak]

Originally Posted by Nads786

Yeah it’s disappointing for me because the BLNR is my fav GMT.

The two wild Pepsis were at ORD and Nottingham London.


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Nottingham London? That’s like Chicago Los Angeles?

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Nads786

Yeah it’s disappointing for me because the BLNR is my fav GMT.

The two wild Pepsis were at ORD and Nottingham London.


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Ironically, the only time I ever saw a Pepsi was at the local Publix supermarket down the street from where I live. The guy in line in front of me was wearing one. I prefer the BLNR, and that’s what I have, but I have to admit the Pepsi is stunning in person. Couldn’t believe how stunning it was.

I saw a lot of Rolexes when I went to Vegas. But I recall seeing mostly Datejusts and DayDates. Plus, a few Subs, too.


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[AlanH]

Originally Posted by Nads786

Yeah it’s disappointing for me because the BLNR is my fav GMT.

The two wild Pepsis were at ORD and Nottingham London.


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Nottingham is absolutely not a suburb of London.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by Nads786

Same here … I love bracelets.

OP I go to Vegas 2-3X for work and I agree if someone is wearing a luxury watch it’s a Rolex 9/10 times.

I did see a sprinkling of Seamasters the last time I was there though.

I have never seen a BLNR in the wild, but oddly seen multiple Pepsis and one LN ceramic.


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Good to see your observations match mine, haha.

Strange you haven't seen a BLNR in the wild, I've seen them even here in the SF Bay Area, and I mean I wear mine here and there haha. But I recall only ever seeing maybe 1 Pepsi ever.

But yea, again, the ratio of what I observed was crazy. I definitely expect to see more Subs than GMTs, but the difference was overwhelming.

[trichard3000]

Originally Posted by Nads786

I have never seen a BLNR in the wild, but oddly seen multiple Pepsis and one LN ceramic.

Funny, I’ve only seen one BLNR truly in the wild but I’ve seen them on the wrists of four Rolex SA’s (in three different AD’s).

[Tylerlsu2008]

Originally Posted by amphora001

Thanks for the observations. I like dress watch in theory, but yeah, I could not give my hard earned money to a leather strap.

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Same…except a Panerai

[Auto16610]

With the explosion of super clones I wouldn't assume all you see are authentic.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

With the explosion of super clones I wouldn't assume all you see are authentic.

I did see one obvious fake, couldn't believe the guy would wear that thing around with no shame.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

With the explosion of super clones I wouldn't assume all you see are authentic.

This !!


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[Njkdog]

Finally, a unique post, and a fun one too. And a great use of the word dearth.

[geoach]

that's why I like my PP 5066 ......heard about but never seen......like Santa

[PenDelicate]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

(5) The dearth of nice "dress" watches. Very rarely saw anything on a leather strap.

Dress watch sales have been tapering for a while, now, so it's more of a dearth/fader :-D

[BroncoOne]

On mylast trip to Las Vegas in November I saw so may Royal Oaks that I lost count.
This was t the Bellagio/ Vdara/ Aria where the conference was. I really didn’t get anywhere else but the Caesars Forum Rolex shop.

[codecow]

Yeah there are all kinds, probably depends where you go. I was playing at a roulette table in Venetian in November and a guy started playing who was wearing a 5740, which is a $200k+ Patek.

I complimented him on it.

His friend had a submariner.

I had on my DD40 Onyx, my wife had on her SBGA429 Grand Seiko on the strap.

[1William]

Good report. It is nice to watch spot.

[fly4food84]

Las Vegas is a different animal. It brings in a lot of Rolex wearers in a concentrated area. You won’t see that level in Disney World or a Starbucks in your hometown, etc. In other words Vegas makes them seem more common than they actually are.

[BMess]

Interesting. I was in the Mandarain Oriental in Miami for a few days last week and with respect to watch spotting in Miami, I saw—by far—the most APs followed equally by Rolex and PP. AP seems to have overtaken Miami.