Had it with Rolex

[AbsolutelyROLEX!]

Hey guys havent posted in a while, just venting a bit

So ever since this whole supply restriction problem, my whole excitement and enthusiasm and love for the brand has died a slow death.
This has happened automatically, without me even forcing it. Its like my brain just killed all those rolex fetish neurons never to be enlivened again!
I have completely given in to the fact that this is rolex's new business model and that it will never change.
Hats off to them for implementing it though, they certainly have climbed the upper luxury watch echelon and are now the top brand, and with it the most sought after.
Now more people than ever before want one!
But at the same time wiped out the middle class from ever owning one (unless of course you are lucky to get one at and AD at MSRP after years of waiting) and I mean people that never owned one and are aspiring new rolex owners!
This is where my disappointment comes in.
That the entire class of loyal customers from years past that bought watches and helped build up the brand with their hard earned money are now pushed into the lower classes that nobody cares about.
Oh well, tough luck! stop crying and get over it! (Say the filthy rich that are not affected)
A brand that always advertised their products as "tough WORK watches that can withstand anything nature throws at it" now only are sitting on the wrists of rich people that will never ever climb a mountain, dive in the ocean, or even wear them to anything work related that exposes them to the forces of nature (which rolexes were designed for)
Now submariners and seadwellers are a "going for a night out" watch to impress fellow aristocrats.
GMT's and Skydwellers are not used by travelers and pilots (not the majority middle class anyways who represent the bulk of them)
Explorers maybe are still in the affordable category but are also getting expensive and elusive.
Yachtmasters? well they were always in a different class anyways and almost never used for what they were designed to do.
And for the middle class to get their hands on one? They have to pay double to triple the price.
Rolex still actively advertise their products, WHY? Why do that if you cant get one?!?
To all of you that disagree, I say this:
THE VERY FACT THAT ROLEX HAS GOTTEN TO WHERE IT IS NOW, IS BECAUSE THEY WERE ALWAYS ADVERTISED AS TOUGH, RELIABLE EVERYDAY WATCHES THAT YOU PAY MORE FOR, BUT LAST A LIFETIME, AND ARE VERY USEFUL.

NOW? THEY ARE JUST VERY EXPENSIVE JEWELRY

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH EXPENSIVE JEWELRY?
RARELY WEAR IT,
ONLY THE RICH CAN AFFORD IT

What do you guys think? (And please be respectful, I've heard all the snarky comments before LOL!)

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by AbsolutelyROLEX!

What do you guys think? (And please be respectful, I've heard all the snarky comments before LOL!)

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

[R G]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

I thought that as soon as I read the name of the thread!

[rspeabody]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

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[Syed117]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

I came to say this and it was the first response.

You guys are too good

[Father and Son]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

That is the first thing that struck me when I saw this post. The juxtaposition of the thread title and the username

[Tavli3]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

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[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

Was thinking the same thing about the username!
That said OP, you do a good job of illustrating the rise of Rolex into the stratosphere of other items too expensive for most, except the 1%. Roles still supports the specs but you are right in assuming most, 99%, give or take, will never use it for a rigorous adventure. Sad really… Although, at the crazy prices these "jewelry" items are selling for it's really no surprise. If it's damaged, you're potentially looking at hundreds or thousands to repair or service. Kind of removes the relative comfort level of accidentally bashing it against a door frame.

[Madman37]

Vote labour!

[AbsolutelyROLEX!]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

I am being optimistic guys! still hoping things will change!

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by AbsolutelyROLEX!

I am being optimistic guys! still hoping things will change!

These watches haven't been "tools" since before the quartz revolution in the 70's. And even then, they were an expensive watch relative to the average worker's salary. You can thank a certain event that occurred in November of 2016 that stimulated the world economy so that many more in the world have the financial means to afford these watches. I think you get my drift.

[Mandy01]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

These watches haven't been "tools" since before the quartz revolution in the 70's. And even then, they were an expensive watch relative to the average worker's salary. You can thank a certain event that occurred in November of 2016 that stimulated the world economy so that many more in the world have the financial means to afford these watches. I think you get my drift.

Nail it brother, the vibrant economy and economic expansion is causing the high demand/shortage. Other brands are benefiting as well, AP's were always easy to get and now some models are very scarce, what about Patek SS spot models, almost impossible to get. It is the economic boom of the past 2-3 years....

[yessir69]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

I'm very glad this was the first reply because I didn't want to read the whole thread just to see if I should say it.

[JePro]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

You’ll probably want a new TRF username

LMFAO

[Dsmith1974]

Why not go for pre-owned five digit models?


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[uncufunc]

I agree with you 100%. Not sure why they keep advertising pieces when they've become so hard to get. I used to check TRF hourly, but went on a hiatus because of the new distribution model

[Vipes]

I disagree; they are still tough, reliable, everyday watches that will still last a lifetime. I do agree with you that Rolex is more of a luxury brand now then in the past when it was considered mainly a tool watch.

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by uncufunc

I agree with you 100%. Not sure why they keep advertising pieces when they've become so hard to get. I used to check TRF hourly, but went on a hiatus because of the new distribution model

They advertise these models for the same reason car manufacturers advertise their “halo cars.” Chevrolet does not need to advertise the new Corvette to get sales. It is used as a (advertising term) “halo effect” to sell Chevrolets to mainstream butters.

Draw you in with a GMT and you walk out with a Datejust.


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[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Dougiebaby

They advertise these models for the same reason car manufacturers advertise their “halo cars.” Chevrolet does not need to advertise the new Corvette to get sales. It is used as a (advertising term) “halo effect” to sell Chevrolets to mainstream butters.

Draw you in with a GMT and you walk out with a Datejust.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great post as well that deserves a bump up.

The general public WANTS ROLEX....they don't really care which specific model...they just want ROLEX.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Great post as well that deserves a bump up.

The general public WANTS ROLEX....they don't really care which specific model...they just want ROLEX.

To be honest, I’m not sure the general public knows there are multiple models. They just know there’s this expensive watch out there called a Rolex.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by pickettt

To be honest, I’m not sure the general public knows there are multiple models. They just know there’s this expensive watch out there called a Rolex.

That's is quite accurate.

Just get ROLEX!

[SWISSAHOLICS]

Andy, buddy change your username from AbsoluteyROLEX to HaditwithROLEX.

[AbsolutelyROLEX!]

Originally Posted by swissaholics

andy, buddy change your username from absoluteyrolex to haditwithrolex.

lolololololol!!!

[vette boy 52]

I showed my ex-wife a Rolex advert from a magazine an AD sent out for Christmas and it has a beautiful 116610 on the back cover.

I ask her what do you think is wrong with this and of course she didn't know. So I told her I don't know why the AD is advertising this watch (I know Rolex requirement) but I can't go down to their store and buy it because they don't have one to sell. The AD misses a sale and I can't purchase this beautiful timepiece.

Come on ROLEX.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by SWISSAHOLICS

Andy, buddy change your username from AbsoluteyROLEX to HaditwithROLEX.

[minhc88]

Alot of inventory sitting in the hands of the Grey's and flippers. Not on enthusiast's wrist. Who knows how long this can last for. What goes up must come down.

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[fsprow]

Originally Posted by AbsolutelyROLEX!

Hey guys havent posted in a while, just venting a bit

So ever since this whole supply restriction problem, my whole excitement and enthusiasm and love for the brand has died a slow death.
This has happened automatically, without me even forcing it. Its like my brain just killed all those rolex fetish neurons never to be enlivened again!
I have completely given in to the fact that this is rolex's new business model and that it will never change.
Hats off to them for implementing it though, they certainly have climbed the upper luxury watch echelon and are now the top brand, and with it the most sought after.
Now more people than ever before want one!
But at the same time wiped out the middle class from ever owning one (unless of course you are lucky to get one at and AD at MSRP after years of waiting) and I mean people that never owned one and are aspiring new rolex owners!
This is where my disappointment comes in.
That the entire class of loyal customers from years past that bought watches and helped build up the brand with their hard earned money are now pushed into the lower classes that nobody cares about.
Oh well, tough luck! stop crying and get over it! (Say the filthy rich that are not affected)
A brand that always advertised their products as "tough WORK watches that can withstand anything nature throws at it" now only are sitting on the wrists of rich people that will never ever climb a mountain, dive in the ocean, or even wear them to anything work related that exposes them to the forces of nature (which rolexes were designed for)
Now submariners and seadwellers are a "going for a night out" watch to impress fellow aristocrats.
GMT's and Skydwellers are not used by travelers and pilots (not the majority middle class anyways who represent the bulk of them)
Explorers maybe are still in the affordable category but are also getting expensive and elusive.
Yachtmasters? well they were always in a different class anyways and almost never used for what they were designed to do.
And for the middle class to get their hands on one? They have to pay double to triple the price.
Rolex still actively advertise their products, WHY? Why do that if you cant get one?!?
To all of you that disagree, I say this:
THE VERY FACT THAT ROLEX HAS GOTTEN TO WHERE IT IS NOW, IS BECAUSE THEY WERE ALWAYS ADVERTISED AS TOUGH, RELIABLE EVERYDAY WATCHES THAT YOU PAY MORE FOR, BUT LAST A LIFETIME, AND ARE VERY USEFUL.

NOW? THEY ARE JUST VERY EXPENSIVE JEWELRY

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH EXPENSIVE JEWELRY?
RARELY WEAR IT,
ONLY THE RICH CAN AFFORD IT

What do you guys think? (And please be respectful, I've heard all the snarky comments before LOL!)

Better see the doc for a new med prescription, this one isn't working.

I'm not rich but use all of my expensive watches -- working on cars, hiking, safaris, diving, helping supply aid in Afghanistan, mountain climbing -- as they were intended. I doubt I'm alone.

[bigfatpauli]

Originally Posted by AbsolutelyROLEX!

NOW? THEY ARE JUST VERY EXPENSIVE JEWELRY

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH EXPENSIVE JEWELRY?
RARELY WEAR IT,
ONLY THE RICH CAN AFFORD IT

What do you guys think? (And please be respectful, I've heard all the snarky comments before LOL!)

They have been expensive jewellery for 20 years now, but you only posted this rant now. Why?

I'm not rich and I got a Hulk from my AD, no waiting, and my only prior purchase from them as an Explorer 2 a year prior. You can get the 'hot' models without being a high roller. And I'm not the only person to post a story like this.

I paid retail for my Hulk. So it isn't an "only rich mans" game (ie paying 2X retail).

I wear my Hulk most days, so it isn't jewellery that is never worn. Who says expensive jewellery never get worn? That's a you issue and not one that relates to everyone else.

I think your rant is built on sand.

If you don't like Rolex, that's fine. I can appreciate tastes changing, but your "change" is based on you being frustrated with you not being able to build the rapport with an AD to get the watch you want, not with Rolex itself or their watches.