Would you lose interest in Rolex if it was easily available?

[Jari from Finland]

But if all models were available at AD's
I wouldn't buy watches I dislike. In my opinion
it must remember that keep waiting certain
models is also a part of this hobby.

[Flint]

No , I would prefer to see all models in AD window and even if they lost value it wouldn't bother me . Although I do not consider myself a collector , I love watches and buy what I like regardless of hype / fashion or investment

[Moondoggy]

Oh yeah of course. It’s all about the money and the great unwashed who hype it.

Tell you daddy issues.

$$$$

[T4ME]

My vote is no... the 116613LB is the ultimate in my opinion.... the first thing I ever brought for myself when I earned money was a watch.. would like a Pepsi but won't go gray... only AD for me

[duquephart]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

Possibly. I still enjoy my Rolexes and I believe they are the most robust, precise mechanical watches. But there is a fierce competition and I see GS, Blancpain and JLC as strong contenders that beat Rolex at some parameters . I have to admit that value retention is still a consideration for me, so if that went away perhaps my collection would look different


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"Precise" and "Rolex" should not appear in the same sentence. Great watches but precision is not among their fortes.

[mfserge]

Originally Posted by duquephart

"Precise" and "Rolex" should not appear in the same sentence. Great watches but precision is not among their fortes.

Oh no? Why’s that?

[fnfiveseven]

Originally Posted by duquephart

"Precise" and "Rolex" should not appear in the same sentence. Great watches but precision is not among their fortes.

I beg to differ. I'm assuming you're talking about time keeping here but my Sub which I have worn for over a year straight when it was my only watch has been absolutely bullet proof in time keeping. Same goes for my GMT which I wore for half a year.
A Daytona is currently my daily for about 4 months now and all I can say is so far so good.

[JSCP]

Why is it hard for everyone to accept that demand is so way out of control that the watches, yes, come the those VIP’s? (I admit me lucky one).

We know the many
many reason s is now popular for “populace” with money, or a cc, to able to pay for a Rolex?

Rolex has always been about achievement celebration and also beautiful
models, iconic history behind most, and relative expensive in proportion. For the last 11 decades Rolex became an aspiration, but once one had the $, one could get it.

Now it’s just way more difficult, but if you are a watch aficionado, one want a Rolex, regardless.

[travisb]

Not at all. That's how it was when I started collecting.
No hype, no social media, no "investment" watches etc. Just the love of the hobby.

[jw0n]

When I started off getting into watches, all Rolexes were sold below RRP in the used market. This was the same case for VC, AP, PP, etc.

[Highlatitude]

For me, when you decide to buy one these days, you get a ‘cooling off period’ that could last for six months or even years. The passion and excitement subsides and you come to your senses and the money goes elsewhere. That must be happening a lot.

Instead the ones I do already own have become something of a liability. When I first bought these watches they cost a couple of thousand and I was not particularly worried about using them for what they are best at - a reliable item of everyday luxury that can stay on your wrist for any activity in any place. And in the past they were replaceable with relative ease should they get lost or destroyed. As they are worth $10-15K now, they risk attracting unwanted attention and I would be a fool to wear them for activities where they might get damaged or make me a target. You need to insure them and ask yourself whether it needs to be hidden or left in a safe when in the wrong part of town. Frankly I can barely be bothered with it all.

Then there is the fact that they are essentially the same workhorse watch that I originally bought at 2K - they can never be worth the current prices to me, it’s simply not worth the money. It’s like owning that ultimate offroader but not daring to take it off the pavement.

So I ask myself, where does that leave me? The answer is to reduce my collection to one or two. It’s not that I cannot afford to buy one with discretionary income, it’s just that they are a lot less desirable to own now they have entered the realm of silliness and impracticality. Fortunately, the final chapter in Rolex for me will be that not only will my years of ownership have been enjoyable, they have essentially been free to own and have made me a welcome profit. I got in at the right time and will get out at the right time. So good bye Rolex and thanks!

[Rori]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

Would you lose interest in Rolex if every model was easily available at the AD for msrp?

I probably would. As amazing as they look, the difficulty to get certain pieces is a big part of the attraction for me. I get bored with instant gratification.

I missunderstood the question and voted yes instead of no.
Of course i would not lose any interest in the brand, I've been enjoying their stories since I was a teenager. To me, they are the best I don't care how accurate or more prestigious other brands are, there's something about Rolex that no one else has, at least for me.

[JC316]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Most people would say "no" but that begs a deeper question

Why are you interested in Rolex in the first place?

The amount of people who come here claiming to be "watch collectors" but only buy Rolex shows there seems to be a delta between people who like watches and people who like Rolex

If you want a well made, accurate watch that you can hand down to your kids, there are a thousand options out there.

The value retention and investment angle seems to be an underlying drive for a lot of new Rolex buyers, I feel like this speaks more to their financial position than anything else. People say they want to "hand it down", but if your planning to never sell it, why does it matter what its worth in 10 years time?
If you cant afford to take a small loss on a watch, you shouldnt be buying it. IMO

In 2022, mechanical watches are superfluous luxury goods.
I'm all for buying smart but the paradox of "I'll never sell it, but do you think it will hold value" is a strange one to me

The easiest way to never loose money on a watch is to never actually sell it

I've been a member on this forum for quite a long time. I was always interested in the brand because I liked their designs and felt that it was reasonably priced.

I still feel that it is reasonably priced, if you can buy it at retail. I, like many others, still like Rolex but are being turned off by the current state of the market. So I continue to admire Rolex from a far while I continue to enjoy the hobby with other brands and their offerings.

If the market ever comes back down to reality, I may once again consider adding more to my collection. Until then, I will live vicariously through those of you who are able to purchase at retail and those of you who are spirited enough to pay gray!

[1William]

I would have more interest and a better collection.

[Bozack90]

Originally Posted by JC316

I've been a member on this forum for quite a long time. I was always interested in the brand because I liked their designs and felt that it was reasonably priced.

I still feel that it is reasonably priced, if you can buy it at retail. I, like many others, still like Rolex but are being turned off by the current state of the market. So I continue to admire Rolex from a far while I continue to enjoy the hobby with other brands and their offerings.

If the market ever comes back down to reality, I may once again consider adding more to my collection. Until then, I will live vicariously through those of you who are able to purchase at retail and those of you who are spirited enough to pay gray!

Same here, I like/love tons of watches and or brands but gravitate to Rolex and Omega when it comes time to buy because they are durable, relatively reasonably priced, can be serviced most anywhere, and are good enough for what I am looking for, but now with the current situation getting a Rolex at retail isn't a reality.

[st8edge]

I have been wearing Rolex on and off since 1973. I lost some interest when they were easily available but appreciated the Sports watches for their ability to withstand daily bumps, dings and submersion. Rolex will always have a place in my collection.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Since when is a $10k +++ watch easily attainable at MSRP or when one wants one, and why should it be difficult to make it engaging and interesting?

The whole point of Rolex is the achievement of what it took to be in a position to attain one. Not the difficulty in fulfilling the purchase.

Let’s all grow up a little and stop acting like this is some Biblical calling to be called on for the privilege.

If you worked hard and have the money you should be able to walk in a store and buy it when you want it.

That’s it.

100% agreed. Well stated.

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[alphadweller]

No. The Hulk and the Sub Date were readily available in 2016 and I didn't buy them (supercase), picked a YM instead.

[harvey]

Originally Posted by travisb

Not at all. That's how it was when I started collecting.
No hype, no social media, no "investment" watches etc. Just the love of the hobby.

Snap! I walked in and bought my kermit (sept 2005)…I wish I got the other one they had in as well !

[Eagles4133]

To tell you the truth it was more fun when you could walk into an AD and try almost everything on and actually purchase if you wanted. The forums were filled with more interesting content and less "got the call" posts. When pieces are tied to the dollar they lose some of their edge and become more of a currency. I miss the days of mass basel releases in March of many brands.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by harvey

Snap! I walked in and bought my kermit (sept 2005)…I wish I got the other one they had in as well !

I waited a whole 3 months for my 16710LV back in 2005! Seemed like an absolute age back then...

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

the difficulty to get certain pieces is a big part of the attraction for me.

What difficulty are you even talking about? All you do is instantly buy one from a grey because you can't get it from an AD. How is that more fun?

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=768964

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by nosignalbmwdriver

You been living under a rock??



its a great question that’s why there’s so much engagement

Haha, no rocks. I just think it's an absurd question when you get to the heart of it but you are right in that it is creating engagement and that's what forums are all about. It reveals who is actually interested in the watches themselves and who is only interested in the byproducts of the watches.

I've been interested in Rolex since I was a kid, watching James Bond, and in hindsight I admit that I made some dumb moves back in the early 2000s when I had plenty of opportunities to buy one but didn't. I spent time on watch forums, such as Timezone, back before they were like this and were bulletin board formats. I took it for granted that I would always be able to go get a watch when I was ready. Now that I actually want to celebrate a big milestone coming up I can't get it.

I don't like that I've been at my AD multiple times over the last year, with purchase history, and I can't even get a basic 124060 sub for a legit milestone. Maybe they are planning to surprise me for my birthday and will call me up during that month, since they know the date, so I can actually get it for my birthday day! Haha! Wishful thinking...

I will say this - there are a couple of Jaeger LeCoultre pieces that I really like and the Breitling Superocean on rubber is looking like a fun summer sailing/swimming watch. Both of those can be bought with discounts and even lower if pre-owned. The Tudor BB58 black is looking attractive too. A part of me is starting to think maybe I should start looking at these others until this insanity dies down.

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[Seddyspaghetti]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

What difficulty are you even talking about? All you do is instantly buy one from a grey because you can't get it from an AD. How is that more fun?

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=768964

It’s not more fun for me i realized. That’s why I’ve sold that
Daytona and am waiting for one at an AD.

I realized that getting one at an AD is what makes collecting rolex fun for ME (nowadays)

Back then around 2015, it was the opposite for me actually. Finding a hulk or gmt at the cheapest gray price was what made things fun for me back then.

You all have your reasons for collecting and being in this hobby and these are simply mine. No need to judge or impose your reasons on others.

[AK797]

Those buying before 2015 are probably losing interest, those after are more likely to be FOMOed into chasing the hype.

[Podmornica]

Completely. I would look down on Pepsi thinking it's a cheap looking watch that nobody will get you serious wearing it ..

[Flint]

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Oh yeah of course. It’s all about the money and the great unwashed who hype it.

Tell you daddy issues.

$$$$

Above reads to myself as sarcastic / angry , if your post was aimed at me then I am sorry you feel that way . I have no intention of offending anyone , only my view

[Flint]

Originally Posted by travisb

Not at all. That's how it was when I started collecting.
No hype, no social media, no "investment" watches etc. Just the love of the hobby.

:

100%

[OpusXIII]

Stupid question. Many of us have 'been into' Rolexes back when they were a dime a dozen; availability wise. They were in plentiful supply and you could get virtually any model at any time. The fact that they are now ridiculously and nearly impossible to acquire (unless you're stupid enough to pay third party prices) is - to me - having the opposite effect; making them less appealing, not more so.

[Longhorn]

Yes, I went from being satisfied with a sub to having much more interest in the other models. When there were models readily available, i'd try them on and deliberate on it and decide I didn't need any more Rolex. I'd be lying if VALUE RETENTION due to scarcity isn't a big driver to where I'd immediately pull out the credit card if I got called for a new one.