Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has
Discussion
Algarve said:
funinhounslow said:
To suggest they look like something flogged by a looky looky man is ludicrous.
Context. I'm not saying they're a badly made watch (I've no idea on that) or that its a bad looking watch (imo it isn't) I'm saying it looks like its deliberately been made to look as close to the Rolex as possible. I think if you ask non watch fans they'd agree with me before they agreed with you.
It looks like it should have ROULEX on it and cost 12 euros (bargained down from 50 euros). Maybe you'd get it a bit cheaper if you bought some weed from him too.
The man on the street if asked which was the one bought of the lookie lookie man on the beach they would pick the Rolex not the Tudor as it looks nothing like a Rolex.
P.S. I own both but Chronos.
ddom said:
Kent Border Kenny said:
You mocked someone about their going through a hard time, likely through no fault of their own.
Clearly though you think that if you don’t like someone, you get to behave like that. Different worlds you and I, clearly.
I'm not mocking anyone, just pointing out first world problems and the guys attitude towards people 'can't afford a Rolex so have to buy a Tudor'. Clearly he can't afford the Rolex himself. Do you not see the irony?Clearly though you think that if you don’t like someone, you get to behave like that. Different worlds you and I, clearly.
Gazzab said:
Anyway, has the Rolex bubble finally burst?
Until I walk past my local Rolex Authorised Dealer and see a window full of sports models ready to buy, no.Just got my nephew a new 41mm Oyster Perpetual in blue, cheapest one on C24 is £1,500 over list, average price is £2,000 over list.
For an Oyster Perpetual.
The bubble hasn't burst, it's expanding.
As long as the Rolex sports watches are held in high esteem and the supply is deliberately restricted then the bubble will never burst. Barring any catastrophic financial meltdown anyway.
Something that might put a ceiling on the bubble is that the values of certain models become so inflated that they start to compete with watches with which they have absolutely no right to. But even that is not guaranteed.
Something that might put a ceiling on the bubble is that the values of certain models become so inflated that they start to compete with watches with which they have absolutely no right to. But even that is not guaranteed.
Rob_R said:
As long as the Rolex sports watches are held in high esteem and the supply is deliberately restricted then the bubble will never burst. Barring any catastrophic financial meltdown anyway.
Something that might put a ceiling on the bubble is that the values of certain models become so inflated that they start to compete with watches with which they have absolutely no right to. But even that is not guaranteed.
Interesting interview by Paul Thorpe with Stephen Jopson, former Rolex AD and now a grey/used Rolex dealer, and they discussed the rise in prices and he made a good point that years ago, buying a Rolex was very special purchase and not many people could afford them, but these days so many 'ordinary' people are buying them that demand is bonkers and has led to the grey/used prices being what they are.Something that might put a ceiling on the bubble is that the values of certain models become so inflated that they start to compete with watches with which they have absolutely no right to. But even that is not guaranteed.
The interview is here and it's interesting as he talks about what it's really like to be a Rolex AD and what sort of markup the shops get on the watches etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kynHQWxfxS8
Kent Border Kenny said:
Anonymous-poster said:
Absolute Bolex.
The man on the street if asked which was the one bought of the lookie lookie man on the beach they would pick the Rolex not the Tudor as it looks nothing like a Rolex.
P.S. I own both but Chronos.
What does that sentence mean?The man on the street if asked which was the one bought of the lookie lookie man on the beach they would pick the Rolex not the Tudor as it looks nothing like a Rolex.
P.S. I own both but Chronos.
okgo said:
"buying a Rolex was very special purchase and not many people could afford them, but these days so many 'ordinary' people are buying them"
How is this still not the case? They haven't got cheaper...and you can't finance them like you can an Omega at a high st jeweller...?
I have to agree, the percentage of people out there that can afford to drop 5k plus on a watch must be tiny.How is this still not the case? They haven't got cheaper...and you can't finance them like you can an Omega at a high st jeweller...?
okgo said:
"buying a Rolex was very special purchase and not many people could afford them, but these days so many 'ordinary' people are buying them"
How is this still not the case? They haven't got cheaper...and you can't finance them like you can an Omega at a high st jeweller...?
You can buy used ones with finance though. I just looked on Watchfinder and a £10k submariner is £2500 deposit and £190 a month for 4 years.How is this still not the case? They haven't got cheaper...and you can't finance them like you can an Omega at a high st jeweller...?
The availability of cheap loans, cheap finance deals, cheap credit card money, plus the lack of availability new, has all conspired to send the used market into orbit.
Edited to add: What I think the AD was meaning in the interview was that people these days stretch themselves to buy all sorts of 'luxury items' and stuff that they shouldn't really be buying, just because the credit is available to them one way or another, and that has driven the demand for new Rolex models. New models have then become hard to buy because of increased demand, and in turn this has then driven the demand for used Rolex as it's the only way most people can buy one.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 29th October 13:38
Algarve said:
...as I say I'm not a watch guy... Perhaps I'm just not getting it ... I'd never heard of Tutor a few hours ago ... couldn't really care less about watches overall... I've got no clue what's the difference between a GMT and a dive watch
You seem like a decent guy, quite reasonable and slow to ire / patient with those who are having a go at you. I'm sure your intention is not to troll. But.Can you see that your accumulated contributions to this thread are a bit odd?
As a somewhat s
t analogy it's a bit like someone turning up at a chess club and saying:"Hi everyone, I know nothing about chess, I have nothing to contribute at all - can I join in? I know it's basically draughts though - of course it is. By the way, this chess thing that you all seem to understand much better than I do - did you know that most normal people like me also know it's the same as draughts?"
And then being surprised when people take exception.
If you don't know stuff, ask - people here tend to be fairly generous with their knowledge. If you do know stuff, contribute. Your posts make it unclear whether you're asking or telling.
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
I have to agree, the percentage of people out there that can afford to drop 5k plus on a watch must be tiny.
Yes, but when you change that to "The percentage of people out there that can use their credit card or a cheap loan to drop £5k on a watch", you can see what is really happening.Over the last 15+ years or so I have known so many people go nuts and buy all kinds of stuff that they would never buy if they actually had to have the cash in the bank to make the purchase.
£4000 TV's, watches, expensive holidays, jewellery, anything made by Land Rover or Mercedes, stretching themselves to constantly move to bigger houses, etc
All this demand for wanting a luxury lifestyle and luxury products the second you can afford the monthly payments has filtered through to Rolex watches.
I sit in meetings at work and sometimes you will notice that almost every bloke around the table is wearing a Rolex. The demand is huge. It's almost like everyone wants to be seen wearing one for fear of being labelled 'The guy who hasn't been able to buy a Rolex yet'.
Not just that, people are buying them for their wives/girlfriends left right and centre now. 30th birthday present, 40th birthday, Wedding gift, Anniversary etc. So many women with Rolex watches as well now.
I mean fair enough, if that's what people want to buy, but it's actually putting me off the brand in a big way now. They are now the Audi/BMW/Merc of the watch world. Decent product, but you see them absolutely everywhere.
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
okgo said:
"buying a Rolex was very special purchase and not many people could afford them, but these days so many 'ordinary' people are buying them"
How is this still not the case? They haven't got cheaper...and you can't finance them like you can an Omega at a high st jeweller...?
I have to agree, the percentage of people out there that can afford to drop 5k plus on a watch must be tiny.How is this still not the case? They haven't got cheaper...and you can't finance them like you can an Omega at a high st jeweller...?
I think it’s because Rolex have sort of become like the Porsche 911 they are simply the go to watch brand when you make your first big chunk of cash.
When I was selecting my first watch at 17 I didn’t know much and had no imagination. The decision was simple Rolex or nothing. I think that’s the case for quite a lot of people. It’s the most recognised watch brand in the world.
Weirdly I find myself listing after much cheaper watches now. Like Mille Miglia inspired Chopards and Panerai.
ntiz said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
okgo said:
"buying a Rolex was very special purchase and not many people could afford them, but these days so many 'ordinary' people are buying them"
How is this still not the case? They haven't got cheaper...and you can't finance them like you can an Omega at a high st jeweller...?
I have to agree, the percentage of people out there that can afford to drop 5k plus on a watch must be tiny.How is this still not the case? They haven't got cheaper...and you can't finance them like you can an Omega at a high st jeweller...?
I think it’s because Rolex have sort of become like the Porsche 911 they are simply the go to watch brand when you make your first big chunk of cash.
When I was selecting my first watch at 17 I didn’t know much and had no imagination. The decision was simple Rolex or nothing. I think that’s the case for quite a lot of people. It’s the most recognised watch brand in the world.
Weirdly I find myself listing after much cheaper watches now. Like Mille Miglia inspired Chopards and Panerai.
Both also happen, sadly, to be the default choice for know-nothing, unimaginative cocks. I have worked in finance for decades and the number of Rolexes I see is ridiculous.
Lord Marylebone said:
Interesting interview by Paul Thorpe with Stephen Jopson, former Rolex AD and now a grey/used Rolex dealer, and they discussed the rise in prices and he made a good point that years ago, buying a Rolex was very special purchase and not many people could afford them, but these days so many 'ordinary' people are buying them that demand is bonkers and has led to the grey/used prices being what they are.
The interview is here and it's interesting as he talks about what it's really like to be a Rolex AD and what sort of markup the shops get on the watches etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kynHQWxfxS8
Ha! That's a very good mate of mine, the dealer not the YouTube'r, he kept that quiet!The interview is here and it's interesting as he talks about what it's really like to be a Rolex AD and what sort of markup the shops get on the watches etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kynHQWxfxS8
AstonZagato said:
Rolexes are great watches. 911s are great sports cars. Both are bought by true aficionados - for good reason.
Both also happen, sadly, to be the default choice for know-nothing, unimaginative cocks. I have worked in finance for decades and the number of Rolexes I see is ridiculous.
Why not speak to your AD about introducing a written exam on the brand history and the specific model you're interested in, before you're allowed to pull the trigger on some wrist time?Both also happen, sadly, to be the default choice for know-nothing, unimaginative cocks. I have worked in finance for decades and the number of Rolexes I see is ridiculous.
AstonZagato said:
Rolexes are great watches. 911s are great sports cars. Both are bought by true aficionados - for good reason.
Both also happen, sadly, to be the default choice for know-nothing, unimaginative cocks. I have worked in finance for decades and the number of Rolexes I see is ridiculous.
My view exactly.Both also happen, sadly, to be the default choice for know-nothing, unimaginative cocks. I have worked in finance for decades and the number of Rolexes I see is ridiculous.
Re: bankers, Rolex was/is the default choice but I've noticed APs (ROO) and Patek's (Nautilus) become more wide-spread.
Unsurprisingly, those models now seem to be the aspirational watch of choice on a price band (or three) higher than Rolex.
Algarve said:
AstonZagato said:
Rolexes are great watches. 911s are great sports cars. Both are bought by true aficionados - for good reason.
Both also happen, sadly, to be the default choice for know-nothing, unimaginative cocks. I have worked in finance for decades and the number of Rolexes I see is ridiculous.
Why not speak to your AD about introducing a written exam on the brand history and the specific model you're interested in, before you're allowed to pull the trigger on some wrist time?Both also happen, sadly, to be the default choice for know-nothing, unimaginative cocks. I have worked in finance for decades and the number of Rolexes I see is ridiculous.
Aston is correct in what he says. Rolex watches are bought by everyone these days, from expert watch collectors to people who know absolutely nothing about watches.
No one said there was anything wrong with this, just that it happens.
The fact that so many people now buy/own Rolexes will put some people off the brand, but that's just inevitable.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff