Rolex market insanity and I’m damn mad about it

[Rameez-Q]

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.

50 year wait, more like a 5-10 at max.

There's no way these ADs only get 10 subs a year, probably like 3-5 per month at minimum!

[Raymondlam09101985]

Then f*** the SS and go for TT easier find w/precious metals :D

[UK_]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

Thanks.

A true capitalist and a true believer of the free markets would support allowing failing businesses to fail.

Slight de-railing here, but what we’ve seen over the last few years is a significant number of businesses expand at an incredible pace by taking on huge debt.

To my mind, the governments on both sides of the pond have kept businesses afloat that would likely have gone to the wall even without the pandemic. That should never have happened. Bad business practices are being rewarded with seemingly unlimited amounts of government cash.

I think the Government is allowing businesses to fail, they have to, for the reasons you pointed out.

I very much agree that In not allowing businesses to fail, it keeps inefficient companies trading, which is ultimately damaging to an economy.

All the businesses have geared up on cheap debt, it’s the norm now, but I do think we were starting to see the effects of that with the struggles we were seeing prior pandemic.

Furlough and the government spending has propped up many that will go bust, I think we will see a lot in the new year.

But, given the state of the economy (house prices up, PMI index positive, little to no mortgage foreclosure problems, M2 money supply) I think we can take a large increase in unemployment.

The true free market believer would welcome this as that employment was inefficient and needs skilled and redistributed.

Returning to Rolex - I think demand will stay high, it’s a fact that their customer base is the least affected, and actually has more cash than ever.


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[Tavli3]

Well the last time I was at my two local malls one of which is super high end I saw lines at Chanel & Gucci and at the other mall not as high end but still a very affluent mall there's a long line at Louie. There's an ocean of PPP and stimulus money floating around. And its being spent on luxury items, so no surprise Rolex AD's phones are ringing off the hook.

Same for marinas selling boats, try buying a boat. Never was there a time when there were no boats available. PPP will go down as the biggest boondoggle in the history of the country.

So we just need to stop paying so much attention to it and let it pass. Eventually things will revert back to the mean, they always do.

I know things are bad when I haven't heard a word about any watch from my favorite AD. Not a peep, crickets.

[GMT Freak]

Originally Posted by 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.

Well if you think about it, there are probably hundreds of “VIP” customers with a history that came before you. You’d probably die of old age before they got enough supply to allocate you one so the store was basically saving your time.

[Bizcut1]

This is such a new and exciting topic. Thanks for posting.

[sgwatchguy]

Another “I’m so upset with Rolex” post.

[Rebel]

Wow.

[JRell]

If you say Rolex backwards 3 times in the mirror, I heard you will get a free Rolex. Xelor...xelor...xelor...

[gittengirl]

I am fed up with having to possibly wait years for the new sub when some are buying them just to sell for profit! I notice that Watchfinder are currently selling the new steel sub for £16,950 for a watch that cost £6,450 ! There are some customers who actually want to buy a watch to wear and enjoy ! Something needs to be done. I’ve built up a good customer relationship with a retailer whose allocations keep getting reduced.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by drfrankenstein

Except Apple eventually delivers within a couple of months and everyone who wants and iPhone can get one.

Of course, anyone who can pay. Strangely it’s exactly the same situation with ANY Rolex model. Pony up and you can get one at an AD or a grey.

No difference between the two except price. Arguably Rolex is even easier to get because you can offer to pay more than everyone else and get anything want INSTANTLY.


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[RoscoPico]

Originally Posted by mbalmz

it's not just the higher demand but also the supply--production in geneva was entirely shut down for about 2 months I believe; that probably makes a serious dent in supply when it's already so outstripped by demand.

as to incomings on this forum, people who buy lots and lots of very expensive watches and have great AD relationships are much more prominently represented among TRF posters than among the general rolex-interested world population. incomings here mean very little for most people saving up and wanting to buy a submariner.

agreed both counts.

[RoscoPico]

Originally Posted by dauster

welcome to my world ... let's f*** up these bay area ADs together :)

hahaha just lmk when lmao

[drfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by teck21

Of course, anyone who can pay. Strangely it’s exactly the same situation with ANY Rolex model. Pony up and you can get one at an AD or a grey.

No difference between the two except price. Arguably Rolex is even easier to get because you can offer to pay more than everyone else and get anything want INSTANTLY.


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Except iPhones are the same price no matter who you buy them from. Apple is doing a volume business for integration and other purposes. The analogy to Rolex is weak at best.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by drfrankenstein

Except iPhones are the same price no matter who you buy them from. Apple is doing a volume business for integration and other purposes. The analogy to Rolex is weak at best.

It’s not, Rolex just costs a lot more. It’s a capitalist economy. You can pay up and get any luxury item you want, or not.

No difference at all.

Why should Rolex watches have to cost the same price no matter who you buy them from?


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[drfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by teck21

It’s not, Rolex just costs a lot more. It’s a capitalist economy. You can pay up and get any luxury item you want, or not.

No difference at all.

Why should Rolex watches have to cost the same price no matter who you buy them from?


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I disagree. Apple wants everyone to have an iPhone. Rolex doesn’t care if everyone has one of their watches. The original analogy of the hype to new iPhones to Rolexes is poor. iPhones are hard to get at first but then can be purchased at MSRP from multiple vendors 1 month after release. It’s not even close to the same.

[Tha Baron]

I had lettuce for lunch

[Pam673]

Don't like the bullshit, don't buy it!

You have the power to vote with your money, not Rolex! If you vote with your mouth, you bound to lose out!

Players make the game. Everyone walks out and there is no game.

Before you say there are always players, think about this...once you walked out, you are not in the game. It can then no longer affects you emotionally or financially!

[Bizcut1]

I say let 'em all walk. Maybe they'll stop whining, too.

Hah! Right! Seriously, though, if more walk then more available Rolex
for the rest of us. Sounds good to me.

Either pay to play or don't.

The pouting and sniveling is getting a bit incessant.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by drfrankenstein

I disagree. Apple wants everyone to have an iPhone. Rolex doesn’t care if everyone has one of their watches. The original analogy of the hype to new iPhones to Rolexes is poor. iPhones are hard to get at first but then can be purchased at MSRP from multiple vendors 1 month after release. It’s not even close to the same.

*facepalm* If Apple wants everyone to have an iPhone, it would be selling them at US$100.

Anyway I’m done. You don’t have to reply unless you feel you must have the last word.


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[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Bizcut1

This is such a new and exciting topic. Thanks for posting.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Nairn1980]

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.

No need to be “damn mad about it”.
It’s just a watch

[Ihatecheese]

So much rage. Rolex don't care kids! They sell their stuff. Why get so angry? There is no right to owning something

I remember watching rugrats as a kid. So many little Angelica's here! :!

Also weird Apple comparison. They absolutely do gouge by resellers, then skyrocket in price when there is a lack of availability. When I lived in HK you could go in shop. Buy the phone and sell outside for double. You could pay people to queue. It happens with every popular item.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

No need to be “damn mad about it”.
It’s just a watch

You hit the nail on the head. That's all it is. Nothing more Plenty of other brands out there.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by gittengirl

Watchfinder are currently selling the new steel sub for £16,950 for a watch that cost £6,450 !

They are asking £16,950, which is not the same as selling for £16,950. Do you know how many they have sold at £16.950? WF are the biggest gougers in the business.

However, if someone wants to pay a ridiculous price, and they can, then they should. People are different. Only stupid people think that anyone who is different to them is stupid.

People who can't get on a list and don't want to buy at the going rate outside the AD network should forget about it and move on. These watches aren't for them. They shouldn't take it so personally. Nothing stays the same for ever.

[tudk]

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.

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Agreed TT is much better value.
I wonder how long the market will take to reassess.
Prices for a grey market TT bluesy have jumped since the new release.

[drfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by Ihatecheese

So much rage. Rolex don't care kids! They sell their stuff. Why get so angry? There is no right to owning something

I remember watching rugrats as a kid. So many little Angelica's here! :!

Also weird Apple comparison. They absolutely do gouge by resellers, then skyrocket in price when there is a lack of availability. When I lived in HK you could go in shop. Buy the phone and sell outside for double. You could pay people to queue. It happens with every popular item.

It happens the first month or two the iPhone is released. After things catch up, anyone who wants a phone can buy one. This is not the case with SS Rolex for the past few years. The fact that multiple people on here don’t understand that is baffling. Comparing luxury jewelry to tech is not a good comparison - tech companies (eventually) mass produce their product so people can use it. You aren’t waiting years to get one. In the US, most people don’t even pay for their phones outright anymore, the cost of the phone is rolled into your monthly cell bill and after two years you own it.

Apple made 31 million watches in 2019, 10 million more than all Swiss watches combined. They make so many so people can buy and use them.

[David001]

People have made YouTube careers on the strength of complaining about Rolex, it's a hobby for many.

Tracking a new one down at RRP is part of the game, the thrill of the hunt, no point complaining about it.

You should try trying to order a Nautilus

[Carlos282]

I understand the Rolex manufacturing plants shut down for several months. That likely affected the supply chain and cut down on the new supply of 2020 models to hit the store.

[MP1348]

Originally Posted by Tavli3

Well the last time I was at my two local malls one of which is super high end I saw lines at Chanel & Gucci and at the other mall not as high end but still a very affluent mall there's a long line at Louie. There's an ocean of PPP and stimulus money floating around. And its being spent on luxury items, so no surprise Rolex AD's phones are ringing off the hook.

Same for marinas selling boats, try buying a boat. Never was there a time when there were no boats available. PPP will go down as the biggest boondoggle in the history of the country.

So we just need to stop paying so much attention to it and let it pass. Eventually things will revert back to the mean, they always do.

I know things are bad when I haven't heard a word about any watch from my favorite AD. Not a peep, crickets.

Spot on with the PPP comments.....dont even want to know the amount of fraud in that program