Rolex Waiting Lists
Discussion
tgclowes said:
Ringing around and putting your name on a bunch of never-never lists seems like a colossal waste of time to me.
I agree. But what’s the alternative? Grey market extremely pricey vs RRP. Lots of people mention build up a relationship with an AD but if they haven’t got any S/S that you like because of the waiting lists what can you do?
Mainoooo said:
I agree. But what’s the alternative? Grey market extremely pricey vs RRP. Lots of people mention build up a relationship with an AD but if they haven’t got any S/S that you like because of the waiting lists what can you do?
Mainoooo said:
I agree. But what’s the alternative? Grey market extremely pricey vs RRP.
ker-they aren't, or at least they shouldn't be if that's your mindset. The buy in price may be higher but you will still get a large portion of that back should you sell.In the last 6 weeks I've been offered a couple of deals to buy;
£7.5k for a new stickered BLNR GMT
£10.25K for a new stickered SD50
£12.5k for a new stickered Daytona
This was what I was offered from a physical shop jeweller as a straight cash sale. I was also offered list price on the SD50 and 50:50 on the profit of whatever it sold for.
So let's say you pay £1-1.5K more than that as a grey market flip? So what? You want to sell two months later you're not going to lose your shirt. And I'd say if you've got the wherewithal to spunk £12K on a watch you can afford to lose a grand on a bit of jewellery. If money gets tight, try selling the wife's diamond earrings and see how many shirts you'll lose.
To be honest, I think it's more of a greed thing that gets folk all het up about paying over list in that they fancy some filthy lucre for themselves and want to profit from it.
Yet the same folk bang on about the good old days when a Pepsi was £3K, conveniently forgetting about it depreciating 20% as soon as you bought it
Buy, wear and enjoy
Why don't Rolex just make more of the models that people want and less of the ones they don't?!
Every AD has stacks of bi metal/precious metal sports models in the windows and they don't appear to sell very quickly?
Of course limiting supply increases brand desirability but that comes at the cost of lost sales, do they really achieve a net gain with the current business model? Im intrigued.
Certainly my AD in Bath always have a plethora of less desirable models in stock and yet never seem to display any SS sports at all? Indeed the last time I enquired about the Daytona list, they refused to add me (despite the fact I was there buying a bloody expensive diamond ring!)
Every AD has stacks of bi metal/precious metal sports models in the windows and they don't appear to sell very quickly?
Of course limiting supply increases brand desirability but that comes at the cost of lost sales, do they really achieve a net gain with the current business model? Im intrigued.
Certainly my AD in Bath always have a plethora of less desirable models in stock and yet never seem to display any SS sports at all? Indeed the last time I enquired about the Daytona list, they refused to add me (despite the fact I was there buying a bloody expensive diamond ring!)
yellowtang said:
Why don't Rolex just make more of the models that people want and less of the ones they don't...
Marketing 101.Google marketing luxury goods and it won't be long before you hear about the golden circle.....
google search said:
Pull customers into an exclusive circle
Mass brands define who their customers are and “push” products towards them. For luxury brands, the roles are reversed: consumers must be “pulled” towards the brand with the promise of belonging to an exclusive community. Many consumers may want access to this circle, but only a select few who truly share the brand beliefs can really belong.
To this end, luxury brands should create artificial barriers or initiation rituals to select which customers gain admittance. If a customer wants to buy a premium Apple product, all they have to do is pay the price. But Hermés customers must form a long-term and intimate bond with the brand if they want to be offered the opportunity to buy one of the manufacturer’s “it” bags. Rather than putting customers off, this behaviour creates a sense of belonging to a special circle. Customers stay loyal and are rewarded for it.
Rolex are by a million miles not the only ones doing it, they are just (along with Porsche, Hermes etc etc) very good at playing the gameMass brands define who their customers are and “push” products towards them. For luxury brands, the roles are reversed: consumers must be “pulled” towards the brand with the promise of belonging to an exclusive community. Many consumers may want access to this circle, but only a select few who truly share the brand beliefs can really belong.
To this end, luxury brands should create artificial barriers or initiation rituals to select which customers gain admittance. If a customer wants to buy a premium Apple product, all they have to do is pay the price. But Hermés customers must form a long-term and intimate bond with the brand if they want to be offered the opportunity to buy one of the manufacturer’s “it” bags. Rather than putting customers off, this behaviour creates a sense of belonging to a special circle. Customers stay loyal and are rewarded for it.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Rolex are by a million miles not the only ones doing it, they are just (along with Porsche, Hermes etc etc) very good at playing the game
Interesting, I (clearly) have no idea about marketing! Mind you, I think Rolex make something like 750,000 watches per year so there must be a huge stock holding of less desirable models in the AD's. Do these dealers have to buy whatever they are alotted by Rolex? It's astonishing really but fair play to Rolex I guess!
One things for sure, I won't be buying any non SS sports models so Rolex won't likely see my money at this rate. Although I guess I wouldn't mind updating my ancient SS Oysterdate, not that that would do much in 'relationship' building terms with my AD!
Do Patek and Audemars have similar lists for their SS sports models?
yellowtang said:
Do Patek and Audemars have similar lists for their SS sports models?
Yes.And there's a very fine art to marketing prestige brands and maintaining exclusivity, whilst still producing a commercial volume. Careful management of supply and demand, particularly 'halo' products, is key.
I see nothing wrong with 'premiums' on certain new watches - PPs, Audemars, Rolexes, particularly Daytonas, etc - that's market forces in action.
However, my own view is that desirable, out of production, vintage models are a safer investment, as they will never make any more. So, hold onto your ancient S/S Oysterdate - but, maybe, take it to your AD for a service if you want to build a relationship. It will come back like new.
My 1966 Oysterdate. Id happily keep this as I've had it 10 years now but I'd like a a couple of other watches to choose from. It's also rather small compared with modern stuff (thankfully I have skinny wrists).....then again quite large hands!
My wish list for my 40th birthday treat is black Daytona, black or blue Skydweller, black GMT, black Sub date, black Datejust 41 with jubilee bracelet and fluted bezel.
The last one is the only one I'd be able to buy and it's still rather similar to the watch I have!
Was talking to a friend about some watches he was buying yesterday, essentially as a recent deal has gone through he was going to buy a number of standard, in stock Rolex models-three mens and one ladies datjusts. As he wants a Daytona he was preparing to buy one from Blowers at grey market prices and mentioned it to the salesman.
He phones Rolex HQ in the UK and his white faced Daytona will be arriving special delivery Saturday morning
True story, just found out tonight The lucky bugger!
He phones Rolex HQ in the UK and his white faced Daytona will be arriving special delivery Saturday morning
True story, just found out tonight
The lucky bugger!I feel you’re pain as I have been trying to get my name on the list for a deepsea D-blue after my local AD in aberdeen closed their two year waiting list , over a few days ago of calling other AD,s I have managed to get my name onto a waiting list but with no idea when I will ever see the watch .
This will be my first Rolex but I find this whole ordeal you have to go through with Rolex dealers as a joke , almost like you have to prove yourself to them of being worthy .
This will be my first Rolex but I find this whole ordeal you have to go through with Rolex dealers as a joke , almost like you have to prove yourself to them of being worthy .
Fuzzy69r said:
I feel you’re pain as I have been trying to get my name on the list for a deepsea D-blue after my local AD in aberdeen closed their two year waiting list , over a few days ago of calling other AD,s I have managed to get my name onto a waiting list but with no idea when I will ever see the watch .
This will be my first Rolex but I find this whole ordeal you have to go through with Rolex dealers as a joke , almost like you have to prove yourself to them of being worthy .
I would say it's like any other proper luxury brand. Take Ferrari, anyone can order a 488 but those who are special enough can get early allocations and such to get theirs sooner. Same principle for me, just less money being exchanged,This will be my first Rolex but I find this whole ordeal you have to go through with Rolex dealers as a joke , almost like you have to prove yourself to them of being worthy .
CRB14 said:
toastybase said:
Normal GMT 2 is 18 months I was told at goldsmiths
Forget Goldsmiths. Told me the same on the Sub Date. They’re probably short on stock because they’re feeding the grey market. At least that my completely unfounded guess aeropilot said:
CRB14 said:
toastybase said:
Normal GMT 2 is 18 months I was told at goldsmiths
Forget Goldsmiths. Told me the same on the Sub Date. They’re probably short on stock because they’re feeding the grey market. At least that my completely unfounded guess So to me there’s only 2 logical conclusions. 1) Goldsmiths are having their supply heavily restricted by Rolex compared to two (arguably) smaller local dealers or 2) some of their supply is being directed to grey dealers and not reaching private customers.
I’ve no idea what the normal supply rates are but 2 to 3 per month sounds very low.
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