How long will the Rolex Bubble Last

[So]

funinhounslow said:

Never having done it I'd imagine a transaction like this would require a degree of trust from both parties? And if someone pops up out of nowhere with no history selling a Rolex, wouldn't that raise red flags with most legitimate buyers?

Maybe I'm overthinking it and advertising a Sub online won't attract dreamers, timewasters and out and out and scammers...

I've done it. Which is why I now only sell to dealers...

[Tango13]

So said:

Koln-RS said:

El stovey said:

It’s definitely happened before, in the 80s all the yuppies wanted submariners, nobody wanted GMT’s or even Daytona’s. After the 80s submariners were symbolic of greed is good naffness. GMTs could be found under list well into the 90s. I remember being offered discounts on a new gmt in the late 1999 in London in Selfridges (I think)
It’s only comparatively recently that Rolex SS sports watches, especially GMT’s, have become so popular again. Used going over list is very recent.

That's not correct.

It's true that the fashion for Rolex watches amongst the nouveau riche started in the '80s - but the Datejusts were the most popular and, interestingly, they were considered big watches at the time. It was the bi-metal and gold models that were the most desirable, and the gold presidential Day Dates that had the most kudos. The market for the Sports watches, and the subsequent waiting lists and premiums really became established in the mid-90s, more than 20 years ago, and has grown steadily since.

Hmmm, to be honest my experience is more in line with Stoveys. Our local AD had stainless sports models fairly regularly until about 4/5 years ago. They had a blue / black GMT in the window for several weeks when it first came out. I don't think anyone waited for a Sub until recently.

Edited by So on Sunday 6th January 19:54

I got a 10% discount on my GMT II back in '96 and it was delivered within 3 days of ordering it.

The current 'bubble' is a pita to be honest, I had mine valued @ £6k two years ago and to replace it now with a second hand watch would be just north of £8.5k, my household insurance company are liking the extra premiums though

[Nano2nd]

lostkiwi said:

FFS it's a watch. If you want an investment you're not going to wear buy a gold bar.

doesn't bullion attract GCT? plus its steadily on the way down since about 2011

[andy tims]

Nano2nd said:

lostkiwi said:

FFS it's a watch. If you want an investment you're not going to wear buy a gold bar.

doesn't bullion attract GCT? plus its steadily on the way down since about 2011

and it depending on the amount, it costs you money to store it!

Double Red Sea Dwellers have just about doubled in price over the last 5 years or so.

Edited by andy tims on Wednesday 9th January 16:08

[Wills2]

I've no idea how much a Comex Seadweller was to purchase in 2008 probably the same as standard SD but harder to get hold of, but someone did well:

£195,000.

https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Sea-Dweller/16...

[devnull]

Wills2 said:

I've no idea how much a Comex Seadweller was to purchase in 2008 probably the same as standard SD but harder to get hold of, but someone did well:

£195,000.

https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Sea-Dweller/16...

It's an obscene amount of money for a watch that simply has a company logo on it. Are people fking stupid? I wonder how much watchfinder paid for it?

"Sorry mate, probably only worth about 3k..."

[Brads67]

I actually hate watchfinder for their part in this whole fiasco with Rolex prices.

And yes, the probably paid that guy about 3k or something stupid for that one. Total vultures imo.

[Tony1963]

devnull said:

It's an obscene amount of money for a watch that simply has a company logo on it. Are people fking stupid? I wonder how much watchfinder paid for it?

"Sorry mate, probably only worth about 3k..."

I take it you're aware that some people collect used stamps, old coins, pizzas (or is that just me?) and that the bill of materials for Constable's Hay Wain was probably, in today's money, less than a grand?

Demand, supply, availability of money.

[Crapshot UK]

I was interested in a Deepsea Sea Dweller 44mm SS and a Panerai submersible.
Went into Watchfinder this week, they have stock of both, with the Rolex models starting at min of £1k over retail and the PAM's also over priced, they are in business to make money so if that's what people are willing to pay its up to them.


OK, so off to the Rolex AD I trot, thinking I will put my name down and wait at retail...….
2 years waiting list and if you don't have a spending history here we wont even take your details...…..


I went elsewhere and bought another Panerai......no doubt I will succumb and look at Rolex again in the future, but very happy with my purchase for now.

[rog007]

Was offered as Sea Dweller by my AD last week, but they’re too big for my liking so turned it down.

[williaa68]

Nano2nd said:

lostkiwi said:

FFS it's a watch. If you want an investment you're not going to wear buy a gold bar.

doesn't bullion attract GCT? plus its steadily on the way down since about 2011

Somewhat off topic but while bullion attracts CGT, if you hold your gold in the form of sovereigns it doesn’t.

[Nattyboy888]

I had the same culture shock after I got burgled last May and had 20 yers of collecting nicked. Couldn't believe the Rolex waiting lists (or the attitude of some AD's) ! I really wanted an anniversary sea dweller but couldnt even find one to try (important as at 43mm I was worried it wouldn't fit my girly wrists !) - and I work all over the world ! Ended up paying £9.5k for a new one from a collector and don't regret it at all (and I've been offered slightly more for it already and I've only had it 5 months).

I've bought other brands with the insurance money but glad I went back into a Rolex. But I have to say Bremonts are well worth a look. Chuffed to bits with my U2 DLC - its getting more wrist time than my sea dweller at the minute !

[harleywilma]

Been seeing more and more Subs becoming available ,looks like folk who bought new wanting to flip now happy to get there money back.
Lots of the puke green up for grabs at over retail and no takers. Funny old game ...

[WreckedGecko]

williaa68 said:

I can't even find an AD to put me on a list for a Daytona. That might be a London thing, but each time I ask at any of the main ADs in the city or the wharf they just tell me the lists are closed. I wouldn't mind waiting a few years. In the meantime I check the shop at Zurich airport every time i pass through (which is about once a month) just in case. They sometimes have the bimetal ones but never the SS. Given a new bimetal is less than the current price of a secondary market SS, what do people think the chances of a swap are..?

If you haven't already, have a look in Westfield. The dealer there has / had at the weekend a couple of bi-metal daytonas in the window. They said they might be getting some SS ones in if that's not your bag.

But yes, even getting on a list in London is fking hard. I have been round to about 5 dealers and 4 were happy to do it, and one said "Honestly, there is no point. Its so long you will have better luck with one of the others."

The 4 that did put me on a list only did so after a good bit of chat and demonstration of knowledge. I think they get so many chancers in every day they have to screen some how.

Plus you also get the whole "Well, if you were to first buy some other watches from us..." lines.

Funnily enough they all have Yachtmasters and thousands of Datejusts.

[Brads67]

There is no list. It's a pacifier to get you out of the shop.

[Koln-RS]

There are lists but I was told that they are vetted by Rolex to make sure the same individuals are not on multiple lists

[Brads67]

Yup and the shop told you that right ?

There are no lists. They give watches to their preffered customers or the first lucky person in front of them with cash.

[Badda]

WreckedGecko said:

The 4 that did put me on a list only did so after a good bit of chat and demonstration of knowledge. I think they get so many chancers in every day they have to screen some how.

'Demonstration of knowledge' to buy a watch. What did you do, show them how you could tell the time?

[Brads67]

WreckedGecko said:

If you haven't already, have a look in Westfield. The dealer there has / had at the weekend a couple of bi-metal daytonas in the window. They said they might be getting some SS ones in if that's not your bag.

But yes, even getting on a list in London is fking hard. I have been round to about 5 dealers and 4 were happy to do it, and one said "Honestly, there is no point. Its so long you will have better luck with one of the others."

The 4 that did put me on a list only did so after a good bit of chat and demonstration of knowledge. I think they get so many chancers in every day they have to screen some how.

Plus you also get the whole "Well, if you were to first buy some other watches from us..." lines.

Funnily enough they all have Yachtmasters and thousands of Datejusts.

All of the above is basically a dealer feeding you a pile of wk.

Accept that if you like. Or tell them to shove it for being such dickwads.

[Buster73]

In 2006 I bought my son a Sea Dweller for his 21st.

In the window , walked in , a little bit of haggling saw a 10% discount offered and accepted.

£2440 netted down to £2200.



How times have changed.