Rolex market insanity and I’m damn mad about it

[casadecamporolex]

Just spent an hour at my #1 AD.
While I was there, they received over 5 calls looking for new Sub.
They explained to me that it’s become someone’s designated job to handle customer inquiries. Each leads to a rejection. And Rolex then requires an appropriate communication to each inquiry encouraging an in store visit.
The list is now over 500 for the SS release.
He joked, it’s a 50 year wait based on my allocation.
Incredible that COVID has made Rolex, currently, more desirable.
Perfect for them, ridiculous for everyone else.

[Ranger67]

It’s a bit of a lottery as there seems to have been quite a few incomings lately.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Just spent an hour at my #1 AD.
While I was there, they received over 5 calls looking for new Sub.
They explained to me that it’s become someone’s designated job to handle customer inquiries. Each leads to a rejection. And Rolex then requires an appropriate communication to each inquiry encouraging an in store visit.
The list is now over 500 for the SS release.
He joked, it’s a 50 year wait based on my allocation.
Incredible that COVID has made Rolex, currently, more desirable.
Perfect for them, ridiculous for everyone else.

Heard the same thing from my AD. He has never seem anything like this. They will get more black subs than other “hot watches”, but not enough.

[Chopped54]

I am confused, what does COVID have to do with the desirability of a luxury watch?

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Just spent an hour at my #1 AD.
While I was there, they received over 5 calls looking for new Sub.
They explained to me that it’s become someone’s designated job to handle customer inquiries. Each leads to a rejection. And Rolex then requires an appropriate communication to each inquiry encouraging an in store visit.
The list is now over 500 for the SS release.
He joked, it’s a 50 year wait based on my allocation.
Incredible that COVID has made Rolex, currently, more desirable.
Perfect for them, ridiculous for everyone else.

Lol, Sure. How many subs went out the back to the gray market. %0 year wait for you and I. Gray market will come to the back door and walk out with 3/4.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by Ranger67

It’s a bit of a lottery as there seems to have been quite a few incomings lately.

Definitely no lottery, it's based on past spend as always..

[Ranger67]

Originally Posted by Chopped54

I am confused, what does COVID have to do with the desirability of a luxury watch?

The correlation I assume with Covid that as has been mentioned before is that people have more disposable income due to not able to go on holiday, not eating out, not needing new clothes etc and Rolex is a safe investment.

[Loevhagen]

If you think of it for a little while, it's actually a good thing. I felt the same recently; aggravated. However, this funny business (sic) has lead me to open the eyes to other brands.

[pickettt]

So they are to encourage a customer to visit a store...so they can be told in person that they don’t have what they’re looking for?

[Loevhagen]

Originally Posted by pickettt

So they are to encourage a customer to visit a store...so they can be told in person that they don’t have what they’re looking for?

Yes - to offer them an iced 31mm DJ instead.



Or, maybe a nice Omega, etc.

[1William]

Such is the current market.

[DtownRRS]

Funny, I was watching the US Open and up pops the ad for the NEW ROLEX Sub and shows how awesome it is etc. I was thinking any normal person watching this would think, hey that's really nice looking I am going to contact my local store and get one. Outside this world the general public has no idea about how it really is. These adds will have lists miles long with "if one comes" etc. requests.

[Sinanamus]

Well hey, the regular ss sub is the same price as the two tone sub on the grey market, or two tone is only like 1k more. So, epic value for two tone lovers right now. I hope that won't correct itself, it would make sense for two tone to get more popular now and prices rise a bit over next few months with insanity of regular ss sub prices.

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[Robf52]

Originally Posted by DtownRRS

Funny, I was watching the US Open and up pops the ad for the NEW ROLEX Sub and shows how awesome it is etc. I was thinking any normal person watching this would think, hey that's really nice looking I am going to contact my local store and get one. Outside this world the general public has no idea about how it really is. These adds will have lists miles long with "if one comes" etc. requests.

Also, full page Sub ad in today's WSJ.

[DavidRT]

Local AD here in Bay Area refused to even put my name down or take my information saying that there were other "loyal customers" that they would prefer to sell to before a new guy like me. I asked if I purchased with the store if it would make a difference and they said no flat out... felt a bit dejected.

[FTX I]

I don't like it either so I'll just have to wait.

[time_and_cars]

this is the way free market works

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Sinanamus

Well hey, the regular ss sub is the same price as the two tone sub on the grey market, or two tone is only like 1k more. So, epic value for two tone lovers right now. I hope that won't correct itself, it would make sense for two tone to get more popular now and prices rise a bit over next few months with insanity of regular ss sub prices.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

The new bluesy is 20-22!

[DCheeta]

My AD told me that almost all of their phone calls are for the Cermit, and that black Subs shouldn't be too hard to get. Probably the same as the situation prior to Sept 1.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Just spent an hour at my #1 AD.
While I was there, they received over 5 calls looking for new Sub.
They explained to me that it’s become someone’s designated job to handle customer inquiries. Each leads to a rejection. And Rolex then requires an appropriate communication to each inquiry encouraging an in store visit.
The list is now over 500 for the SS release.
He joked, it’s a 50 year wait based on my allocation.
Incredible that COVID has made Rolex, currently, more desirable.
Perfect for them, ridiculous for everyone else.

So, who's to blame here? Certainly not Rolex can't make 2 million watches now, right? Already they are highest in watch making and if that's falling short and more people are interested in buying the watch, what can Rolex do?

Everyone keeps blaming Rolex (not this particular post) as I said even if they increased the numbers, it will be still be same. They can't make like 5 times the number without any long term plan!

[Kigan]

Originally Posted by loevhagen

if you think of it for a little while, it's actually a good thing. I felt the same recently; aggravated. However, this funny business (sic) has lead me to open the eyes to other brands.

+1.

[RoscoPico]

I heard JLC, Omega, IWC, to name a few, make great watches.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Ranger67

The correlation I assume with Covid that as has been mentioned before is that people have more disposable income due to not able to go on holiday, not eating out, not needing new clothes etc and Rolex is a safe investment.

So a Rolex is a "safe investment"? But investing in a booming record setting stock market isn't? I'm confused.

There a a million better investments than a luxury watch which nobody in their right mind "needs", FWIW

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

If you think of it for a little while, it's actually a good thing. I felt the same recently; aggravated. However, this funny business (sic) has lead me to open the eyes to other brands.

Originally Posted by RoscoPico

I heard JLC, Omega, IWC, to name a few, make great watches.

Absolutely! This is the great thing about the current Rolex situation. In the past two or three years I have been enjoying many more various brands - IWC, Omega, JLC, Breitling, Seiko, etc. Get out there and explore other brands, there is so much more to the watch world then Rolex.

It's such a pleasure to walk into a boutique and buy whatever you like without the wait list BS.

[SDREW22]

Were you at VanCott? I purchased my OP39 from them last year and was thinking about popping in next week. Doesn't sound worthwhile.

[Posh Gentleman]

wait, wait list of 500+ for a new Submariner?

that's extreme. however my guess is not all of those on that wait list are serious buyers. many just putting their name down for a quick flip for small easy profit.

[thefollandgnat]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

So a Rolex is a "safe investment"? But investing in a booming record setting stock market isn't? I'm confused.

I tried wearing the stock market on my wrist but ended up in the emergency room.

[Posh Gentleman]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Absolutely! This is the great thing about the current Rolex situation. In the past two or three years I have been enjoying many more various brands - IWC, Omega, JLC, Breitling, Seiko, etc. Get out there and explore other brands, there is so much more to the watch world then Rolex.

It's such a pleasure to walk into a boutique and buy whatever you like without the wait list BS.

Well my thinking is very different.

A luxury watch is basically a jewelry for men. with smartphones, smartwatches, etc a luxury mechanical watch is no longer about meeting a functional need.

I'd say for a discretionary luxury jewelry (watch), you buy what appeals to you, from sizing, looks, feel, history, and yes "desirability".

My view is that having a nice, desirable 2-3 watch collection is much better than having a 10+ watch collection made of semi-desirable, or non desirable watches.

I guess what I am saying is I'd rather have one Daytona C, rather than 5 Omega watches combined. But that's just me.

I have 3 watches and that's more than enough for me.

[RoscoPico]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Absolutely! This is the great thing about the current Rolex situation. In the past two or three years I have been enjoying many more various brands - IWC, Omega, JLC, Breitling, Seiko, etc. Get out there and explore other brands, there is so much more to the watch world then Rolex.

It's such a pleasure to walk into a boutique and buy whatever you like without the wait list BS.

you said it brother. and i am missing my GS and Breitling.
just feel like it's too many brands. trying to keep the collection at 12 or less is NOT EASY

[Posh Gentleman]

Originally Posted by thefollandgnat

I tried wearing the stock market on my wrist but ended up in the emergency room.

not sure I follow. you buy quality stocks, slowly, and let it compound for years.

that's how you get rich.