Is the dd40 meteorite genuinely a “rare” model?

[JSolution]

Is the dd40 meteorite dial genuinely a rare model? I own this watch and it’s undoubtedly the Most beautiful piece I own. I check listings from time to time and the same 3 have been listed on C24, for quite some time, one at least of which is debatable if they even have in stock as I enquired, and was told they’d get back to me. With no response.

Compared with 48 GMT meteorites at the time of writing for sale on the same platform.

Now I tend to believe it’s not as my AD actually told me I could purchase one on special order but it would take two years, which I wasn’t prepared to wait, so I had someone source it for me on the grey market. And I carry no weight at all at the AD. If I asked for a GMT meteorite, which I actually have, I was told two people are already waiting and they’ve never even seen one, and they’d refuse to even take any orders for it.

So what’s the reason for the lack of listings vs the gmt meteorite, any ideas?

[Tools]

No, it would not be considered a rare watch in the sense that it is not on a "rare collectibles list".

Probably a lot fewer of them than the overly popular champagne dials.

I'm not sure that comparing what's for sale or not has much bearing on things, except what sellers think will make money for them.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Tools

No, it would not be considered a rare watch in the sense that it is not on a "rare collectibles list".

Probably a lot fewer of them than the overly popular champagne dials.

I'm not sure that comparing what's for sale or not has much bearing on things, except what sellers think will make money for them.

Not something I would ever sell for the record - just was interested. It was actually very hard to source myself when I wanted to purchase it. The reason I ask is because three listings is probably, without scrolling through all of the listings Probably the lowest of any available Rolex model there actually is. When compared to for example the so called “unicorn” blue sky dweller which has 150 or so listings.

Bought it because I love it I have no interest in popularity etc, just an observation.

[newton982]

It probably is rare in the sense that it's not something that you can easily walk into an AD and purchase. However, rare does not always correlate to additional value though this shouldn't matter since you're planning on keeping it indefinitely.

[Calatrava r]

I think it is rare and hard to get as ADs rarely get them. But I do not think the demand is that strong either given the high price and general preference for other dials on this reference. One of the most beautiful combos. I would love to be able to afford one.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

I think it is rare and hard to get as ADs rarely get them. But I do not think the demand is that strong either given the high price and general preference for other dials on this reference. One of the most beautiful combos. I would love to be able to afford one.

Definitely agree with your point about demand. Maybe they just produce a very lower number to distribute to some AD cases and the rest are made to order.

Or maybe everyone who has ever bought one realised just how damn nice it is and nobody wants to sell it

[Navarino]

Rare in the sense that you probably don't see these as frequently on display as other DD models on any given day. Also guessing they make up a fairly low percentage of overall DD sales.

Not rare in the sense that if you are ready to buy one, they're probably available if you are okay with a modest wait time. This is a piece where if an AD calls their purchase rep asking for (another) one, they likely won't be told "you already got X of these, I can't give you any more". From what I've heard, the demand/wait for a WG Pepsi with meteorite dial is far worse.

I think the WG meteorite DD is one of the best looking modern DDs. It's #2 on my preference list right behind the RG olive dial configuration.

[jltait]

I saw on in the ad case last time I dropped by. Gorgeous watch!

[hellofromthebay]

Out of curiosity, did you pay MSRP for that watch or get a discount? Last time I saw the watch at an AD they were asking $74k. Thanks

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by hellofromthebay

Out of curiosity, did you pay MSRP for that watch or get a discount? Last time I saw the watch at an AD they were asking $74k. Thanks

No it was about 10 per cent off the MSRP.

really is a stunner, hard to stop looking at it!

[thenewrick]

Rolex is sort of the opposite of the idea of rare or exclusive. It’s the most popular luxury watch in the world. A quick search on C24 came up with 38 meteorite DD. That’s not rare. It’s not common by any means. I guess for me rare is 1-10 for sale at any time.

My old Subaru Baja was very rare but it also wasn’t worth that much. Sometimes rarity just doesn’t matter to the market. But, it was cool driving something that virtually nobody else in the country was driving.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Rolex is sort of the opposite of the idea of rare or exclusive. It’s the most popular luxury watch in the world. A quick search on C24 came up with 38 meteorite DD. That’s not rare. It’s not common by any means. I guess for me rare is 1-10 for sale at any time.

My old Subaru Baja was very rare but it also wasn’t worth that much. Sometimes rarity just doesn’t matter to the market. But, it was cool driving something that virtually nobody else in the country was driving.

You’re including the 36 models - was specifically talking about the 228239. There’s three for sale.

[Razorsedge1]

Rare or not it looks fantastic.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Razorsedge1

Rare or not it looks fantastic.

[JoseR]

Beautiful watch. Congrats and enjoy..

[thenewrick]

I could see a very specific combination of specs being pretty rare. Like the one you got.

Vendors will also not list certain models if they don't think they can sell it. I have a feeling if someone looked at the number of Hulks for sale 1 year ago and 1 week ago they'd see a huge increase as prices went up.

[s22s2]

Its rare in the sense that meteorite is hard to come by so Rolex has a limited supply that meets their standards for manufacturing. However its not a model that is in high demand. I contacted most AD's in Australia and New Zealand, some of which I have established relationships with and all have told me meteorite models are allocated to AD's and its not something they can specifically order. I agree its a stunning piece!