The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 27 May 2020, 10:47 AM   #1
indi
"TRF" Member
 
indi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 125
(almost) All Rolex Gold watches are subsidized by SS buyers

Do you think the title is correct ?
Well.. I do think so.

Almost all Rolex gold watches price are subsidized by Rolex SS buyers, (except for GMT gold watches )

When we check prices of Rolex gold watches, we can see prices are just below its MSRP. Maybe discounted at least 15% for some types.
I heard and watch somewhere, that reseller got their sport watches stocks from AD with commitment to combine buying the gold watches.

So this is what happened. Reseller mark up the SS watches by almost 100% for some SS types (GMT again, Daytona, Sub and SD) and the margin given to subsidize the gold watches.

Conclusion:
SS buyers subsidize Gold watches buyers. Or shall I mention average income buyers subsidize rich people to enjoy their luxury on gold watches..
ouch.. oo..oww..
indi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 10:54 AM   #2
MILGAUSS88
"TRF" Member
 
MILGAUSS88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: mississippi river
Posts: 3,116
I think the gold watch buyers, just pay a less ridiculous premium.
MILGAUSS88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 11:24 AM   #3
minhc88
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: vancouver
Posts: 161
You may or may not be onto something. But I still refuse to pay premiums on SS pieces. Watch prices drop soon, 13% unemployment rate and counting fellas. Some scary numbers

Sent from my SM-G973W using Tapatalk
minhc88 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 11:34 AM   #4
Rado63
"TRF" Member
 
Rado63's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Real Name: Alan
Location: Northern, CA
Watch: 116334
Posts: 2,215
Certainly clients who spend more at an AD may get more opportunities to buy steel pieces. Is that what you are referring to?
__________________
Rolex 116334 126600 228235
Rado63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 12:07 PM   #5
indi
"TRF" Member
 
indi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 125
Actually my point is on how to make the game fair to all buyers.
Me as average buyer want to buy Rolex at MSRP.
If I can only afford SS, why would I be pushed to accept prices that used to subsidize higher market segment.
indi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 May 2020, 02:24 AM   #6
Jack T
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Real Name: Jack
Location: The Triangle
Watch: Several
Posts: 6,719
Quote:
Originally Posted by indi View Post
Actually my point is on how to make the game fair to all buyers.
Me as average buyer want to buy Rolex at MSRP.
If I can only afford SS, why would I be pushed to accept prices that used to subsidize higher market segment.
You may be an average buyer of a Rolex, but paying $6,000 to $8,000 for a watch is anything but average.
__________________
Sub 116613 LN; GMT 116710 LN; Sinn 104R;
Exp 214270; GS SBGM221; Omega AT
Jack T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 12:08 PM   #7
WatchEater666
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,940
It's pretty hard to pull off a gold watch though.
WatchEater666 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 12:09 PM   #8
Xenon
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 1,136
A Rolex is not like a Porsche whereby Macan and Cayenne SUV owners actually do subsidize the development of higher performing 911 models. Without the Macan and Cayenne, Porsche would cease to exist in this day and age. If Rolex eliminated all stainless steel models, Rolex would still be in business selling PM models. The VW Group owns Porsche. Rolex owns Rolex. Not the same analogy. Porsche needs to develop the fastest race cars for competition in addition to selling cars at dealerships. Rolex simply needs to sell watches at certain price points.
Xenon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 12:10 PM   #9
Calatrava r
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 11,223
I do not agree. Buy what you want.
Calatrava r is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 12:27 PM   #10
horseShu
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Dense Rainforest
Watch: Aqua Terra
Posts: 514
I believe there was a thread long ago. Saying that, if you take all the gold in a two-tone or all-YG/WG/Plat Rolex, it still doesn't justify the big jump in price.

That is why the prevailing wisdom in the forums is to get steel; get PM only if there is a significant discount.
horseShu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 12:40 PM   #11
DG123
"TRF" Member
 
DG123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: San Francisco, Ca
Watch: Oyster Perpetual
Posts: 1,629
Quote:
Originally Posted by indi View Post

So this is what happened. Reseller mark up the SS watches by almost 100% for some SS types (GMT again, Daytona, Sub and SD) and the margin given to subsidize the gold watches.
I don't believe reseller (grey) dealers are selling any watches at a "100% mark up above MSRP".
DG123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 12:41 PM   #12
Setarip
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Margaritaville
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 625
What’s the point of this post?
Setarip is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 May 2020, 12:15 AM   #13
nosignalbmwdriver
"TRF" Member
 
nosignalbmwdriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Ontario
Watch: TT Skydwelli
Posts: 844
Just went strait to the comments LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by Setarip View Post
What’s the point of this post?
nosignalbmwdriver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 May 2020, 12:25 AM   #14
indi
"TRF" Member
 
indi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 125
Quote:
Originally Posted by nosignalbmwdriver View Post
Just went strait to the comments LOL

The point is I want to show that SS buyers become victim by this game and the mark-up price they have to pay because they desperately want a SS sport watch, being used by reseller of grey market to subsidise PM watches.
indi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 May 2020, 03:21 AM   #15
beshannon
"TRF" Member
 
beshannon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Real Name: Brian
Location: Northern Virginia
Watch: One of Not Many
Posts: 17,892
Quote:
Originally Posted by indi View Post
The point is I want to show that SS buyers become victim by this game and the mark-up price they have to pay because they desperately want a SS sport watch, being used by reseller of grey market to subsidise PM watches.
No one HAS to pay anything
__________________
IWC Portugieser 7 Day, Omega Seamaster SMP300m, Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar, Glashutte PanoInverse, Glashutte SeaQ Panorama Date, Omega Aqua Terra 150, Omega CK 859, Omega Speedmaster 3861 Moonwatch, Breitling Superocean Steelfish, JLC Atmos Transparent Clock
beshannon is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 28 May 2020, 03:28 AM   #16
Bigblu10
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Real Name: Jaime
Location: Here
Posts: 5,606
Quote:
Originally Posted by indi View Post
The point is I want to show that SS buyers become victim by this game and the mark-up price they have to pay because they desperately want a SS sport watch, being used by reseller of grey market to subsidise PM watches.
"Victim"? OMG What drama! Tell me something. When does a man consider a luxury watch a "necessity"? Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. Don't like the game, don't be a participant.
Bigblu10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 12:51 PM   #17
BaliBryan
"TRF" Member
 
BaliBryan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Watch: 1680 RED, OP39,PAM
Posts: 192
If you have the funds, yes the pm watch at 10-20% off is a relative bargain.
BaliBryan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 02:09 PM   #18
Bigblu10
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Real Name: Jaime
Location: Here
Posts: 5,606
Quote:
Originally Posted by BaliBryan View Post
If you have the funds, yes the pm watch at 10-20% off is a relative bargain.
25% off three years ago. Could care less about steel watches anymore.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Bigblu10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 10:38 PM   #19
Golfpaul66
"TRF" Member
 
Golfpaul66's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2020
Real Name: Paul
Location: Florida
Watch: 126600
Posts: 219
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigblu10 View Post
25% off three years ago. Could care less about steel watches anymore.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
This! Like a boss!
Golfpaul66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 08:49 PM   #20
AK797
2024 Pledge Member
 
AK797's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,367
Even at a 20% plus discount the AD is still making a nice profit on a PM piece so there is no subsidising going on, it is just that there are different retail price points for SS and PM to reflect their perceived luxuriousness, and the demand for them creates the prices they sell at, SS Subs were selling for 15% discounts as well 4 years ago.
AK797 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 09:00 PM   #21
Stu3
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Arlington VA
Watch: Accutron Astro/GMT
Posts: 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by AK797 View Post
Even at a 20% plus discount the AD is still making a nice profit on a PM piece so there is no subsidising going on, it is just that there are different retail price points for SS and PM to reflect their perceived luxuriousness, and the demand for them creates the prices they sell at, SS Subs were selling for 15% discounts as well 4 years ago.

I'd sure love to see 15% to 20% discounts on a YM 37 Rhodium.
Stu3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 08:51 PM   #22
beshannon
"TRF" Member
 
beshannon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Real Name: Brian
Location: Northern Virginia
Watch: One of Not Many
Posts: 17,892
Quote:
Originally Posted by indi View Post
Do you think the title is correct ?

When we check prices of Rolex gold watches, we can see prices are just below its MSRP. Maybe discounted at least 15% for some types.
And precious metal watches are still very over priced, which is why they are discounted.

At MSRP it is the precious metal buyers that subsidize stainless steel.
__________________
IWC Portugieser 7 Day, Omega Seamaster SMP300m, Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar, Glashutte PanoInverse, Glashutte SeaQ Panorama Date, Omega Aqua Terra 150, Omega CK 859, Omega Speedmaster 3861 Moonwatch, Breitling Superocean Steelfish, JLC Atmos Transparent Clock
beshannon is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 10:01 PM   #23
indi
"TRF" Member
 
indi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 125
Quote:
Originally Posted by beshannon View Post
And precious metal watches are still very over priced, which is why they are discounted.

At MSRP it is the precious metal buyers that subsidize stainless steel.
From reseller perspective it is SS that subsidize PM.

Demand for PM is less than SS, so they must mark up SS price to cover discounted price of PM.

Background of this is:
Reseller must take the PM watches together with SS watches from AD, otherwise they will be replaced with other reseller who is willing to do that with AD and they will never can get that sport watches.
This is the common AD games which create unfairness to the SS buyers where their money used to subsidize PM buyers.
indi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 11:34 PM   #24
beshannon
"TRF" Member
 
beshannon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Real Name: Brian
Location: Northern Virginia
Watch: One of Not Many
Posts: 17,892
Quote:
Originally Posted by indi View Post
From reseller perspective it is SS that subsidize PM.

Demand for PM is less than SS, so they must mark up SS price to cover discounted price of PM.

Background of this is:
Reseller must take the PM watches together with SS watches from AD, otherwise they will be replaced with other reseller who is willing to do that with AD and they will never can get that sport watches.
This is the common AD games which create unfairness to the SS buyers where their money used to subsidize PM buyers.
Resellers are irrelevant.

MSRP is what the manufacturer sells for. The cost of materials vs the MSRP is lower for stainless than for precious metals, hence the reason precious metals are discounted.

Precious metals subsidize lower cost goods. Period.
__________________
IWC Portugieser 7 Day, Omega Seamaster SMP300m, Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar, Glashutte PanoInverse, Glashutte SeaQ Panorama Date, Omega Aqua Terra 150, Omega CK 859, Omega Speedmaster 3861 Moonwatch, Breitling Superocean Steelfish, JLC Atmos Transparent Clock
beshannon is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 28 May 2020, 09:37 PM   #25
Brny11
"TRF" Member
 
Brny11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Real Name: Brian
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,460
Quote:
Originally Posted by indi View Post
Background of this is:
Reseller must take the PM watches together with SS watches from AD, otherwise they will be replaced with other reseller who is willing to do that with AD and they will never can get that sport watches.
This is the common AD games which create unfairness to the SS buyers where their money used to subsidize PM buyers.

This isn’t new. Difference is, Greys might be paying closer to MSRP in today’s market. Prior, they would by in bulk from AD. In the mix was SS and PM watches, all discounted enough to make it worth it for greys and the AD, who are getting rid of slow moving pieces.
Brny11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 08:55 PM   #26
THC
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
 
THC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: Tom
Location: Mandeville La
Watch: 126333
Posts: 10,648
PM is always greater than SS /// MSRP or bust for all hot SS models
THC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 May 2020, 12:10 AM   #27
101031-28
"TRF" Member
 
101031-28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Watch: 1665
Posts: 4,764
Quote:
Originally Posted by THC View Post
PM is always greater than SS /// MSRP or bust for all hot SS models
+1
__________________
He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex.

Ian Fleming
101031-28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 08:59 PM   #28
Sandpit
"TRF" Member
 
Sandpit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Middle East
Posts: 1,808
Is the material cost of gold over steel equivalent to the uplift in premium? I would think absolutely no chance.
Sandpit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 10:31 PM   #29
Maiden
"TRF" Member
 
Maiden's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,652
Don't believe this is true at all.
__________________
Rolex 116613LN
Rolex 16610LN
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 41mm
Omega Geneve
Tag Heuer Aquaracer WAY2112
Orient Ray 2
Maiden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 May 2020, 10:33 PM   #30
Ravager135
"TRF" Member
 
Ravager135's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 4,210
The premium or lack thereof comes down to demand. Precious metal Rolex watches have a far smaller audience than a stainless steel watch. Any discount is an incentive. It wasn't long ago that stainless steel watches commanded a similar discount. I think lines have been blurred since stainless steel Rolex watches now approach some two tone and precious metal watch costs on the secondary market, but realistically there's a big difference between a 10k watch and a 20-30k watch.

Most people will never own a Rolex. Those that are fortunate enough to have that luxury can envision saving up 10k to purchase one. Spending 20k+ is a whole different level. I've been collecting for 12 years. Ive owned about 20 different watches at one point or another, holding on to about 10-11 at a time. I still can't picture parting with the kind of money it costs to own a gold or platinum Rolex. For others, it's a drop in the bucket.
Ravager135 is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

Wrist Aficionado

Asset Appeal

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.