Shortages etc

[Madman37]

I know I always talk about the Daytona prices dropping etc and I know there are so many threads on this but hear me out. Today I went to central London and as usual barren Rolex cases. I then saw the Richard Mille shop. I thought wow I have never seen any in real life. Went in and announced I am a watch fan and cannot afford one but would love to see one. The sales lady was lovely. She showed me what they had and it was the diving watch. My other half said do you keep all the watches in the back for security. She said no all these cases normally have watches in there but since covid and now we’re open we have sold out of everything. We have waitlists of around a 100 people per watch.

I am was shocked I said are there that many millionaires in the UK! She said we have so many customers. It got me thinking that compared to a Richard Mille a Rolex retail is nothing even grey market wise. No wonder why everything is being bought up and we can’t get anything. You can take a loan out for a Rolex even grey but not a Richard Mille.

If it’s that mad for such an expensive watch and waitlists etc what chance is there to get the affordable brands.

[77T]

I believe the demand imbalance is across all luxury brands at the dealers.

But seems the secondary market is flush with options.

Market efficiency?


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[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Madman37

I know I always talk about the Daytona prices dropping etc and I know there are so many threads on this but hear me out. Today I went to central London and as usual barren Rolex cases. I then saw the Richard Mille shop. I thought wow I have never seen any in real life. Went in and announced I am a watch fan and cannot afford one but would love to see one. The sales lady was lovely. She showed me what they had and it was the diving watch. My other half said do you keep all the watches in the back for security. She said no all these cases normally have watches in there but since covid and now we’re open we have sold out of everything. We have waitlists of around a 100 people per watch.

I am was shocked I said are there that many millionaires in the UK! She said we have so many customers. It got me thinking that compared to a Richard Mille a Rolex retail is nothing even grey market wise. No wonder why everything is being bought up and we can’t get anything. You can take a loan out for a Rolex even grey but not a Richard Mille.

If it’s that mad for such an expensive watch and waitlists etc what chance is there to get the affordable brands.

Yup, there is no shortage of huge spenders in London

[JSolution]

Thanks for the info sounds like a nice visit - I’ve never been a fan but truth be told never held one in my hand. I do like the skull looking one which I think is something stupid like 2 million dollars.

I agree it’s very crazy that these RM’s have 100 long wait lists. However again as is with Rolex it’s all about money, getting any one of a desirable RM can bring you the same return as a rainbow Daytona would.

[Madman37]

It was a lovely visit thank you, pre birthday :). Saw some other watches. I think the RM visit made me think will it ever change when those type of watches are on waitlist.

[HMHM]

I would say RM is the hardest brand to crack in terms of getting an allocation piece mainly because they operate strictly on a boutique basis. Therefore one really needs to buy those pieces that they don’t want to move themselves up the line and even those cost a fortune. RM is a category which is really hard to get into unless money is not an issue or someone with high social status such that they have the pull to request the exact watch they want.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Madman37

I know I always talk about the Daytona prices dropping etc and I know there are so many threads on this but hear me out. Today I went to central London and as usual barren Rolex cases. I then saw the Richard Mille shop. I thought wow I have never seen any in real life. Went in and announced I am a watch fan and cannot afford one but would love to see one. The sales lady was lovely. She showed me what they had and it was the diving watch. My other half said do you keep all the watches in the back for security. She said no all these cases normally have watches in there but since covid and now we’re open we have sold out of everything. We have waitlists of around a 100 people per watch.

I am was shocked I said are there that many millionaires in the UK! She said we have so many customers. It got me thinking that compared to a Richard Mille a Rolex retail is nothing even grey market wise. No wonder why everything is being bought up and we can’t get anything. You can take a loan out for a Rolex even grey but not a Richard Mille.

If it’s that mad for such an expensive watch and waitlists etc what chance is there to get the affordable brands.

Time for a speedmaster brother.....I have daytonas and the tokyo 2020 (real panda)......no shame in a nice speedy

[JSCP]

Ugly watches

[ArtNouveau]

My luxury mall has brand only Boutiques for Rolex, Omega, Panerai, Hublot, Breitling, and Tag Heuer as well as two other multi brand stores with jewelry also.
Rolex is empty, Panerai doesn’t have much, the others are all well stocked. Popularity certainly plays a role but I think part of the luxury watch market is not over producing. RM certainly doesn’t mass produce. (I am also in the camp of having zero desire to own one regardless of price)

[Madman37]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Time for a speedmaster brother.....I have daytonas and the tokyo 2020 (real panda)......no shame in a nice speedy

Yeah probably or a zenith

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Time for a speedmaster brother.....I have daytonas and the tokyo 2020 (real panda)......no shame in a nice speedy

The speedy is also far by a mile the more significant watch, perhaps the most important wristwatch made today. The Daytona famous…well because a salad dressing guy wore it it. It broke no new ground ad a chrono and it’s not a significant watch past the insta hype and that’s not a debatable point.

[Chester01]

Yea, sure. How many people are waiting for the RM versus how many gray dealers waiting to snap those up and jack the prices beyond belief and sell to buyers who want to be the first to post on their instabooks. Laughable.

[alphadweller]

I'm pretty sure a significant percentage of today's Rolex buyers don't buy to wear, but to keep in a safe as an alternative investment.

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by Madman37

It was a lovely visit thank you, pre birthday :). Saw some other watches. I think the RM visit made me think will it ever change when those type of watches are on waitlist.

What did you think of the RM seeing it in real life? I am curious as I have never seen one as well (and can’t afford one either)

[huncho]

there's something like 50 million millionaires in the world. RM makes less than 5000 watches a year. no shortage of money for them even despite the insane prices

[Brny11]

Not a fan of the shortage threads but still a very interesting perspective. It is beyond watches as well, all collectibles, used cars, housing, etc.

Terrified for what’s to come the next few years, but we shall see!

[garyk]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

I'm pretty sure a significant percentage of today's Rolex buyers don't buy to wear, but to keep in a safe as an alternative investment.

Imagine their embarrassment if that was their take on Rolex ownership and then got hit by a bus and no longer alive….

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by JSCP

Ugly watches

Speedy pro are ugly watches??? Smoke another one lol

[trippinjimmy]

Originally Posted by Chester01

The speedy is also far by a mile the more significant watch, perhaps the most important wristwatch made today. The Daytona famous…well because a salad dressing guy wore it it. It broke no new ground ad a chrono and it’s not a significant watch past the insta hype and that’s not a debatable point.

Hey he makes cookies too!


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[LKWAN]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Speedy pro are ugly watches??? Smoke another one lol

Ugly or not , it's preference and I believe he was replying to the original thread about RM ; not you...

[Madman37]

Originally Posted by Deppe

What did you think of the RM seeing it in real life? I am curious as I have never seen one as well (and can’t afford one either)

It was very light and the mechanics looked amazing form the front and back and the watch looked very busy. The price I think adds to the allure and how few are made.

Depending on which you buy you get an experience eg the airbus tour or McLaren.

The staff are much much better then the Rolex ADs in terms of the way they speak to you etc well in London anyway.

[philhendrix]

Makes you wonder what is to come in the next couple of years. Regrettably, I've gotten into watches too late to miss out the pre-shortage days.....

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Time for a speedmaster brother.....I have daytonas and the tokyo 2020 (real panda)......no shame in a nice speedy

My Speedy has just finished its stint on the wrist, a very nice wear, and such an easy watch to read.

Cannot beat a Speedy.