DSSD-Blue signed by James Cameron

[Downforce]

Hi all,
In discussions with Rolex USA but I wanted to ask here on TRF what everyone thought of this idea for an amazing charity item. In a live auction a brand new DSSD-Blue autographed by Cameron in the inner box. This would be accompanied by a photograph with James Cameron with the watch (personally signed to winning bidder) and the serial number. Again this is for charity and the attendees are paying $40k for a table of 10 or individual tickets at $500 in NYC at a very famous luxury hotel ballroom we would have the bidding start at MSRP...


So the question is what do you think it could possibly go for?

[UNLVino]

Honestly, without a tie in to a screen used piece in a specific movie, not much over MSRP. If it were screen used in Avatar or Titanic - up to $300k I'd imagine. without movie tie in - not much above what folks that can pay $40k for dinner normally pay for auction items - of course amount of alcohol consumption by the crowd figures in then as well

[AK797]

Bragging rights might get you a few grand on top of retail if you can hype the idea Jussi Pylkkanen style.

[UNLVino]

Also one piece of advice always start bidding at least 20% below MSRP - you'll get more action. Even super rich folks want a deal and starting bidding at MSRP usually fails - it's psychological- get maximum participation early with perceived deal for bidding war later when egos kick in.

[AF_Rob]

I have to agree with Tim... Without a movie tie in or a being his personal watch, I wouldn't see it being a blockbuster. People are very generous but they're going to have to be $10,000 deep just to get into it. Then maybe a few thousand after that.

I went to a charity event last year where a meet and greet with Megyn Kelly brought in A LOT of money. Maybe the same with Mr. Cameron and a watch?

[ltmgeller]

Sounds like a good idea. Since Cameron will be signing it maybe he can be convinced to put the watch in his next film or even the winner a cameo with watch in the film. That would certainly increase the value.

[Limestonedan]

I think Tim has some really good points. My thoughts mirror Tim's. I think it might work if you have the "right" audience, booze and a prelim short 3-5 minute video to the Deep Sea Challenge movie. Build it up, the significance, etc. Get them to salivate.. :)

If this the type to belong to the NYYC or other yacht clubs, summer in the Hampton's, Shelter Island etc., Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard etc., then it might do really well for you. You would know best.. Another idea, if possible, you might think about circulating the idea with a few key selective folks that would be at the event to get their thoughts.. If it's more of an artsy Metropolitan Museum of Arts crowd I'm not so sure..

Good thought! Good luck with it.

[bdex75]

I attend a similar event every year in Indianapolis. The provenance will peak interest if anybody there knows who he is or what the watch is about. But I would not expect a while lot over MSRP. That being said if you run across two guys that have been looking all over for one and cannot find it then they may go nuts. But they obviously would know what it is about.

This is not important, I don't think, but are the individual tickets $5000 or are the tables of 10 $4000?? The math does not work in your original posting. Unless I am missing something.


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[Hpozzuoli]

I strongly dislike auctions that have a starting price. The point of an auction is to allow people to bid what they feel the item is worth. Same thing with reserves. Don't put a reserve on an auction item. If you have a price you want just list the item for sale. Christie's or Sotheby's throws a starting point out and if it isn't bid they keep dropping until someone jumps in. I didn't know who James Cameron was until I looked him up. To me I would bid on the watch itself, but would careless about the celebrity aspect. What are the chances of getting a room full of Rolex and James Cameron lovers at the prices you want.

I think the cause (a charity)is very noble and your intentions are genuine. I think you are trying to use Rolex because of your love for the brand. I can't see Rolex donating anything or even sponsoring the event. If it was a national campaign against children's cancer with multiple celebrities I could see Rolex donating a watch to be auctioned on its own merits and not celebrity endorsed.

Please understand I am only offering my opinion. I am being honest. I have been involved in many different charity auctions around the country. Please don't think I am being overly critical or trolling. Like I said, you intentions admirable. We don't even know the charity which makes this a little harder.

[m1911a1]

I've NEVER understood some folk's need to have a signature from another human being.....and his signature on a fine watch would be a NEGATIVE to me...

[Rolex57]

Only way this would fly is if it was the DSSD from Cameron's personal collection. The same one he wore when he went down into the Marianas Trench in the sub and was photographed wearing in PR photos of the excursion, etc etc. I've seen plenty of signed photos and film related toys of Cameron and none of them sell.

[GB-man]

I'll guess 15k.

[Jim Smyth]

How about a 1 off in precious metal since its for charity. Maybe Rolex would pitch in too and build it special?

[murph145]

assuming you mean $4k for a table of 10 not $40k since a single ticket is $500??

Anyways don't think much more than msrp plus a few $1K unless you got some really rich people in the audience that just dont care and want to give away $$$.

[XZACM102]

I doubt that you'll get the blessing from Rolex. This just doesn't fit their concept of philanthropy. And without their blessing Cameron will not sign anything.
However I hope I'm wrong and wish you a good luck since this for a good cause.

[Tri-Tip]

Do you already have a link to James Cameron, or do you still need to reach out to him?

Have you tried to get a watch donated, or at least at a steep discount? Maybe an independent AD would sell it to you at cost in exchange for an advertisement in the journal for the event? Gives you a lot more room to play with.

Also, how about selling say 200 raffle tickets at $100 each? If you have enough attendees, this should not be an issue, you're guaranteed a $20,000 take if you can sell out. If you have enough attendees, consider 250 or 300 tickets.

[Downforce]

Thank you everyone for your feedback my friend fully agrees with you about being tied to a film. Just to be more clear the event is very well known and he is very well known by the crowd attending. Individual member ticket is $500, tables range from $40k to $10k. Will advise what our decision is about this auction item. Rolex donates a lot of money to it already.

[flyinghell34]

Originally Posted by m1911a1

I've NEVER understood some folk's need to have a signature from another human being.....and his signature on a fine watch would be a NEGATIVE to me...

I kind of like the idea of a watch box or other piece of hardware signed by someone that has a special relationship to a particular brand of watch.

[Limestonedan]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

i kind of like the idea of a watch box or other piece of hardware signed by someone that has a special relationship to a particular brand of watch.

That is pretty incredible set!

[Ckci]

Hopefully a lot. Can't hurt to try. Most people aren't going to these events to bargain shop. It's not the Sam's Club. I like the raffle idea. I'd list in advance online and let people buy tickets online before the event with PayPal or credit card and announce winner at the event. When's the event? Keep us posted.

[Sublovin]

Can't see this being worth much more that the price of the watch and the value of a James Cameron auto.
Sounds like an expensive event so you may get a lot just for that fact, but I wouldn't view this as being very collectible unless there was something unique about the actual watch

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Hpozzuoli

I strongly dislike auctions that have a starting price. The point of an auction is to allow people to bid what they feel the item is worth. Same thing with reserves. Don't put a reserve on an auction item. If you have a price you want just list the item for sale. Christie's or Sotheby's throws a starting point out and if it isn't bid they keep dropping until someone jumps in. I didn't know who James Cameron was until I looked him up. To me I would bid on the watch itself, but would careless about the celebrity aspect. What are the chances of getting a room full of Rolex and James Cameron lovers at the prices you want.

I think the cause (a charity)is very noble and your intentions are genuine. I think you are trying to use Rolex because of your love for the brand. I can't see Rolex donating anything or even sponsoring the event. If it was a national campaign against children's cancer with multiple celebrities I could see Rolex donating a watch to be auctioned on its own merits and not celebrity endorsed.

Please understand I am only offering my opinion. I am being honest. I have been involved in many different charity auctions around the country. Please don't think I am being overly critical or trolling. Like I said, you intentions admirable. We don't even know the charity which makes this a little harder.

a starting price is all relative. The auction has to start somewhere. Also the reserve is just part of the business. All of the standout items sold in auction in the past year blew past their reserves, some selling for 10x more than the estimated prices. I entered 3 watches into Sotheby's Important Watches last year. 2 Sold for quite a bit more than the reserve and estimates, while the 3rd didn't meet the reserve and believe my I was happy to have it returned. From a sellers perspective, I was very happy to not lose my for nothing. And I was very happy to see my other two sell for more than I thought. Maybe I'm in the minority, but in this case I am very much appreciative of the 'reserve' system.

Otherwise, everything you don't really identify with basically comes down to the collectors mentality.

You may not care about James Cameron, but if you're a true collector, it's important to keep in mind that the D-Blue is probably the only watch in history of Rolex to officially affiliate with a celebrity name.

There have of course been many nicknamed watches; McQueen, Newman, Killy, etc. but I don't believe (correct me if I'm wrong) any were given official affiliations in the way the D-Blue directly connects to James Cameron.

Point being, whether you give a damn or not about James Cameron, the watch holds some high sentimental and monetary value. I would guess 90% of the people willing to bid on this watch also don't care about Cameron. They care about adding something unique to their collections, that they can keep forever or try to sell for profit down the road.

[Downforce]

Yes we are very well connected to Cameron and Rolex. Rolex donates to this auction annually but the watch they donate we place in the silent auction. In lieu of that annual donation we would approach Rolex to donate the DSSD-Blue instead so we can have Cameron sign and be photographed with it. This item will then be part of the live auction done by the head of Sotherbys. And yes this is the only watch by Rolex specifically designed for a celebrity. If Rolex designed the Daytona specifically around Newman that original watch of those years prior to changes in dials, lugs,etc etc... I believe it would be worth quite a bit more today! Not only because of the year produced and model but it having Newman associated with it. If I am correct the Daytona model is associated with Newman by happenstance and his interest in car racing. Please correct me if I am wrong that particular Daytona goes for $45k plus today. Imagine what this one would be in 40 years from now. Again, your responses are appreciated and helpful must decide before Wednesday.

[Downforce]

In response to Chadriv,

the participants care very much about Cameron as he is an equal member of this association and has to pay just as much as the next member to attend. James Ballard for those who don't know found Titanic as well as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldron, Sir Edmund Hilary, Jane Goodall and the list goes on and on are all members. As a member myself I offered to be a part of this years auction committee for our annual gala and as a collector myself thought this would be a great idea. Again, all your responses are appreciated thank you so much!!!

[Limestonedan]

Originally Posted by Downforce

In response to Chadriv,

the participants care very much about Cameron as he is an equal member of this association and has to pay just as much as the next member to attend. James Ballard for those who don't know found Titanic as well as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldron, Sir Edmund Hilary, Jane Goodall and the list goes on and on are all members. As a member myself I offered to be a part of this years auction committee for our annual gala and as a collector myself thought this would be a great idea. Again, all your responses are appreciated thank you so much!!!

I love the idea. BTW, I think you meant Dr. Robert Ballard..

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by Downforce

Yes we are very well connected to Cameron and Rolex. Rolex donates to this auction annually but the watch they donate we place in the silent auction. In lieu of that annual donation we would approach Rolex to donate the DSSD-Blue instead so we can have Cameron sign and be photographed with it. This item will then be part of the live auction done by the head of Sotherbys. And yes this is the only watch by Rolex specifically designed for a celebrity. If Rolex designed the Daytona specifically around Newman that original watch of those years prior to changes in dials, lugs,etc etc... I believe it would be worth quite a bit more today! Not only because of the year produced and model but it having Newman associated with it. If I am correct the Daytona model is associated with Newman by happenstance and his interest in car racing. Please correct me if I am wrong that particular Daytona goes for $45k plus today. Imagine what this one would be in 40 years from now. Again, your responses are appreciated and helpful must decide before Wednesday.

I think your mistaken on this....the DSSD was out long before Camerons dive...furthermore the actual dive watch used by Cameron designed by Rolex was a one off and is not available for sale to the public**Cameron himself IRONICALLY wore a 'black' dial DSSD!!!....the DSSD-blue is simply just a change of the dial colour on the DSSD to 'commemorate' the James Cameron dive but when you really think about it had NOTHING to do with the dive! ....it seems by some that this watch will become some super collectors item....i see it no more special than a 50th anniversary 16610LV

or

it could simply remain in the lineup as a dial option for the DSSD and its allocations restricted by Rolex 'for now'.....

so would it be cool for James Cameron to autograph the box or something? yes....but the watch was not designed for James Cameron..the dial was...

[Askewww]

That sounds like a pretty ritzy club......

[UNLVino]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

I kind of like the idea of a watch box or other piece of hardware signed by someone that has a special relationship to a particular brand of watch.

Wow - amazing