Hard economic times?

[Tombstone]

I was at an AD yesterday the business is located in a large suburban mall in an area where all economic classes are represented. At the AD I saw two SS GMT II C and one LV Sub. Speaking with the sales rep. he advised the watches have been on display for two weeks. The sales rep said the store received three SS GMT II C one was pre sold the other two sit. The LV Sub came in at the same time.

Almost forgot to mention why I was in the AD I am buying a second band for my SD as I feel the prices for Rolex are just going to go higher and higher. Guess how much a replacement band for a SD goes for? $1,200 U.S.D. OUCH!
I love my SD and I want to keep it forever so it seems logical to buy another band before the band goes higher or becomes difficult to obtain.

[scottschoe]

I don't see any sign of a slowdown at my local ADs.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Funny you should mention this since I was astonished to see some of the SAME Rolex models in the window display of two separate AD's (a Milgauss White Dial and a Sub 14060m COSC). I know they are the same since the serial number on the rehaut were the same. Last time I saw them was in December 2007!

[richc1958]

My AD says things are slow except for certain watches like the sub and a few others but many just sit

[GMTJOHNNY]

From my experience in the past, luxury items are rarely affected by economic times- those are reserved for the "masses".
Art, coins, wine, fine watches, all seem to continue to grow in price no matter what.
Those who got the $$$$ just don't care.

And then there are people like us!

NUTS!!!

[SeniorDad]

Originally Posted by Tombstone

I was at an AD yesterday the business is located in a large suburban mall in an area where all economic classes are represented. At the AD I saw two SS GMT II C and one LV Sub. Speaking with the sales rep. he advised the watches have been on display for two weeks. The sales rep said the store received three SS GMT II C one was pre sold the other two sit. The LV Sub came in at the same time.

Almost forgot to mention why I was in the AD I am buying a second band for my SD as I feel the prices for Rolex are just going to go higher and higher. Guess how much a replacement band for a SD goes for? $1,200 U.S.D. OUCH!
I love my SD and I want to keep it forever so it seems logical to buy another band before the band goes higher or becomes difficult to obtain.

Wow!

You're lucky. Wouldn't be anywhere within driving distance of CA would it?

I'm currently going through the painful task of trying to sell my Father-in-Law's Explorer I and buy him a Milgauss or GMTIIc, watches he may actually be able to see with his Macularly-degenerated eyes. Every time a GMTIIc or Milgauss hits the store, someone "has a deposit on it." I'd be willing to bet his name is "Mr. Grey."

About your bracelet. Don't forget, if it's about time for service, just send it to the RSC without a band, mucho cheaper. For me, on a 1675 the only replacements are a 93150 flip-lock or a 78360. At the RSC with service the cost is $345 and $415 respectively.

It's not really shady to do this. RSC's "encourage" band replacement just as often as they do dial replacement. Of course, there's that little bit about all parts being on exchange basis....

[richc1958]

Originally Posted by GMTJOHNNY

From my experience in the past, luxury items are rarely affected by economic times- those are reserved for the "masses".
Art, coins, wine, fine watches, all seem to continue to grow in price no matter what.
Those who got the $$$$ just don't care.

And then there are people like us!

NUTS!!!

I agree . It is also a fact business at Casinos picks up during hard times.

[DJF881]

I think the announcements at Basel may have taken some of the heat off the GMTIIc. A lot of people are probably putting down deposits on the Deep Sea instead of buying the GMT.

Also, I never got the impression that GMTIIc was a limited production watch. It's always been fairly easy to get Subs and GMTs, and the crunch on the new one was more a function of mass demand for the new watch than it was about constraints on the production, as seems to be the case with the steel Daytona and Milgauss, which seem to be produced in very small quantities.

[Surfpirate]

When things get tough for some, they will get rid of things that are not necessities.

Much like the stock market, when there is a big drop, the tight money panics and follows the crowd where the smart money sees an opportunity and buys.

The pre-owned websites have some inventory, I am not saying it is a buyers market but it appears more sellers are open to negotiations. for now...

Most Rolex owners love them at any price so if you see one you love, grab it!

[unclesallie]

Dano: I would go further and say it is definitely a buyer's market now.
best,
dan

[topcat30093]

IMO, with all the talk in the media, about the slow down in the economy and the rising food and fuel prices. it has to start happening nearly everywhere.
But I guess for us Rolex diehards, who are set on getting our next Rolex, then it maybe other things that suffer first.

[greekbum]

The last 3 weeks I have seen many of the so called hard to find models with eager to negotiate sellers.I have never seen so many d z and m ss daytonas for sale around msrp.After the last price increase things have gotten stale.I think that many dealers and wanna be dealers who tried being a dealer in a rising market are stuck and its only a matter of time until 1 starts to lower and the others will follow.This is different depending on where you live.I would say ive seen a 10% decrease in prices in the last month.Do you see what I see to or is it just me?

[2careless]

I've seen the same watches on display in our 2 ADs here in Melbourne since early April...
One has got a SS GMT2c and a 14060M on, the other got 2x SS GMT2c, a sub date, a WG Daytona black dial (red hands). I wish I could justify another purchase.

[springer]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I spent $15000 FOR AN EXTRA MOTOR FOR MY SHELBY THINKING THEY MIGHT BE DISCONTINUED - DRIVING UP PRICES FOR THEM LATER!!!

[etp095]

Originally Posted by SeniorDad

Wow!

You're lucky. Wouldn't be anywhere within driving distance of CA would it?

I'm currently going through the painful task of trying to sell my Father-in-Law's Explorer I and buy him a Milgauss or GMTIIc, watches he may actually be able to see with his Macularly-degenerated eyes. Every time a GMTIIc or Milgauss hits the store, someone "has a deposit on it." I'd be willing to bet his name is "Mr. Grey."

About your bracelet. Don't forget, if it's about time for service, just send it to the RSC without a band, mucho cheaper. For me, on a 1675 the only replacements are a 93150 flip-lock or a 78360. At the RSC with service the cost is $345 and $415 respectively.

It's not really shady to do this. RSC's "encourage" band replacement just as often as they do dial replacement. Of course, there's that little bit about all parts being on exchange basis....

So your saying the RSC will accept my 1675 without a bracelet and sell me one for under $500?which RSC did you deal with,did you purchase one(for your 1675?

[SeniorDad]

Originally Posted by etp095

So your saying the RSC will accept my 1675 without a bracelet and sell me one for under $500?which RSC did you deal with,did you purchase one(for your 1675?

This particular watch had a history with them of having the "wrong" bracelet on it during two previous services. Recently I made the mistake of sending Dallas RSC a 78360 with a 93150 clasp and 501b endpieces, these pieces came from other 3 Rolexes that I've had over the years. The only "authorized" bracelet I've ever had on the 1675 was a 7206 riveted with 80 endpieces.

I sent a 1603 with this same 7206 bracelet attached to NY in 2000. They laughed and told me that this particular bracelet needed to be "retired," and they would clean it for me (They actually did more than that, it looked pretty good) but not to use the band and gave it back to me. So, NY sold me a new jubilee for the 1603 (actually Rolex NY says I bought a "Flip-lock" for it, which if I did, I lost that one too) and I sold it with it's original jubilee. So now the 1675 has no bracelet, unless I put the jubilee on it, which isn't authorized, I think.

And as soon as I pay the $1200 or so ransom to get my watch back, it will be equipped with a 93150. But, if this deal I'm working out with a nice fellow for a Milgauss falls through, I'll probably take the 580 endpieces off the 93150, put them on a 78790 which I will remove from an Explorer I and wear that combo for a while. Then put the Explorer I endpieces on the 93150, put it on the Explorer and put it away, because it's too small (The watch, not the band). Otherwise, the 1675 will have a 93150 "authorized" bracelet. And since my Father-in-law will probably "loan" me the Milgauss for my 1675, and I can't give him my 1675 with the "good" 93150 on it, can I? So, it'll probably end up with the same 78360 with 501b endpieces and a 93150 clasp.

Add two kids, a dog and an immediate family that mostly own sport Rolexes and it becomes real easy to lose a bracelet.

I think they sort of expect older watches to come without a bracelet.

[sphereman]

Originally Posted by GMTJOHNNY

From my experience in the past, luxury items are rarely affected by economic times- those are reserved for the "masses".
Art, coins, wine, fine watches, all seem to continue to grow in price no matter what.
Those who got the $$$$ just don't care.

And then there are people like us!

NUTS!!!

I beg to differ.
I don't think Rolex watches under $30,000 are considered luxury items and they ARE affected by bad economy.

True luxury items include exotic sports cars such as Ferrari and Lambo, fine arts, high-end yachts and etc.

You will see more and more GMT2C and LV Subs sitting at many ADs.

[walds11]

I agree, but I would not say around MSRP. Definitely a lower premium than we are used to seeing on SS Daytonas.

Originally Posted by greekbum

The last 3 weeks I have seen many of the so called hard to find models with eager to negotiate sellers.I have never seen so many d z and m ss daytonas for sale around msrp.After the last price increase things have gotten stale.I think that many dealers and wanna be dealers who tried being a dealer in a rising market are stuck and its only a matter of time until 1 starts to lower and the others will follow.This is different depending on where you live.I would say ive seen a 10% decrease in prices in the last month.Do you see what I see to or is it just me?

[marshallr47]

Interesting. I wonder if the economy is slowing down? Time will tell.

[Howie]

I've yet to see a Milgauss or SS Daytona at any AD here in NYC, but a famous AD has had a SD, Sub, and other sport Rolexes in the window for the past month - I walk by it every day heading to the office.

[ROLEX MAN]

I really think things are slowing down, but on everything not just rolex!

[BillA]

Peoples rebate checks for $600 are going right into the gas tank

[Tombstone]

Sad but true $600.00 in gas is not that much now days.