Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has
Discussion
Lord Marylebone said:
You are just being silly now.
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.
I guess this is equivalent to the footballer image of Bentley.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.
And yet it commands a premium and is priced as a luxury premium products. So like you say, it will put some people off but probably no economically significant in terms of brand image.
All the gear no idea :-).
It takes no skill to wear a watch. You don’t need to have ‘taste’ or any technical understanding. You just need a credit card. You can then laugh at those who wear the same but are into watches
It’s a bit different with a 911 or such like. Yes anyone can buy one but it takes some skill to drive one well. But you can still laugh at those who drive the same but are into cars.
It takes no skill to wear a watch. You don’t need to have ‘taste’ or any technical understanding. You just need a credit card. You can then laugh at those who wear the same but are into watches
It’s a bit different with a 911 or such like. Yes anyone can buy one but it takes some skill to drive one well. But you can still laugh at those who drive the same but are into cars.
leef44 said:
Lord Marylebone said:
You are just being silly now.
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.
I guess this is equivalent to the footballer image of Bentley.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.
And yet it commands a premium and is priced as a luxury premium products. So like you say, it will put some people off but probably no economically significant in terms of brand image.
Rolex will continue to grow and be rolling in profit like never before, but some people may be put off purely by the product becoming commonplace and the image of the brand changing.
The people who decide not to buy Rolex anymore will not make a dent in Rolex sales figures.
The people who no longer buy Rolex will move to brands that are slightly more exclusive, more niche, lower production numbers etc and they will be happy.
The people who know nothing about watches will carry on buying Rolex and they will also be happy.
The world will keep turning and no one will really care that much.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 29th October 16:14
Gazzab said:
All the gear no idea :-).
It takes no skill to wear a watch. You don’t need to have ‘taste’ or any technical understanding. You just need a credit card. You can then laugh at those who wear the same but are into watches
It’s a bit different with a 911 or such like. Yes anyone can buy one but it takes some skill to drive one well. But you can still laugh at those who drive the same but are into cars.
Why would anyone want to laugh at those who are 'into watches'?It takes no skill to wear a watch. You don’t need to have ‘taste’ or any technical understanding. You just need a credit card. You can then laugh at those who wear the same but are into watches
It’s a bit different with a 911 or such like. Yes anyone can buy one but it takes some skill to drive one well. But you can still laugh at those who drive the same but are into cars.
Or have I misread that somehow?
Algarve said:
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.
You must be trolling with this. 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.
Anyway. A PO GMT is on it's way to me, traded for my Rolex. Now I own 0 Rolex watches. What do you suggest I buy to make sure I retain some vague sense of success and credibility?
gregs656 said:
You must be trolling with this.
Anyway. A PO GMT is on it's way to me, traded for my Rolex. Now I own 0 Rolex watches. What do you suggest I buy to make sure I retain some vague sense of success and credibility?
Lovely watch that. A mate has the Aqua Terra GMT and it´s delightful.Anyway. A PO GMT is on it's way to me, traded for my Rolex. Now I own 0 Rolex watches. What do you suggest I buy to make sure I retain some vague sense of success and credibility?
LaurasOtherHalf said:
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.
Lord Marylebone said:
Gazzab said:
All the gear no idea :-).
It takes no skill to wear a watch. You don’t need to have ‘taste’ or any technical understanding. You just need a credit card. You can then laugh at those who wear the same but are into watches
It’s a bit different with a 911 or such like. Yes anyone can buy one but it takes some skill to drive one well. But you can still laugh at those who drive the same but are into cars.
Why would anyone want to laugh at those who are 'into watches'?It takes no skill to wear a watch. You don’t need to have ‘taste’ or any technical understanding. You just need a credit card. You can then laugh at those who wear the same but are into watches
It’s a bit different with a 911 or such like. Yes anyone can buy one but it takes some skill to drive one well. But you can still laugh at those who drive the same but are into cars.
Or have I misread that somehow?
matrignano 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.
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.
reapercushions said:
I'm noticing a lot of the Z list celebs / Love Islanders / Youtubers are very much heading down the OP / DJ route these days. Especially with the new colors just released. These models are in high demand. Especially anything with a fluted bezel for added sparkly / bling for the IG story.
Yep.
As soon as I saw these new colours, I was thinking “what on earth are Rolex playing at?”
Then I quickly realised they were aiming at the Love Island generation and they would likely sell them by the absolute truckload.
It was a very smart move.
reapercushions said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
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.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
reapercushions said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
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.
I think I was way off.... these are the new Sports models.
Fullook said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
I've said this for a couple of years, of the mainly round people I employ every one of them think my DJ36 is stunning but don't look twice at any of my sports models.
Who are these round people of whom you speak?ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
I've found that traders tend to go for the APs/Hublots, Fund Managers mostly go for Pateks.
I’ve not seen that. Leaving aside that the most common watch I see on traders is a Garmin, the most popular after that, by quite a long way, is still Rolex.I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a Patek Philippe being worn at work.
reapercushions said:
Whenever I've seen them I instantly thought... oh... couldn't afford or find the Sports model so settled for what the AD had in the window.
I think I was way off.... these are the new Sports models.
I said it a couple of years ago, with so many buying sports Rolexes in the last few years, nearly everyone I know in the fashion industry have sold them on (or tucked them away for now) and have been buying Datejusts and Oysters and Explorer, 39mm and 41mm models have helped bridge the gap between sporty and dressy.I think I was way off.... these are the new Sports models.
Seen quite a few wearing the Aqua Terra too, and a few other models with a similar feel.
I have to say I don't get the new colours at all, but hey ho, they obviously know what they are doing.
gizlaroc said:
reapercushions said:
Whenever I've seen them I instantly thought... oh... couldn't afford or find the Sports model so settled for what the AD had in the window.
I think I was way off.... these are the new Sports models.
I said it a couple of years ago, with so many buying sports Rolexes in the last few years, nearly everyone I know in the fashion industry have sold them on (or tucked them away for now) and have been buying Datejusts and Oysters and Explorer, 39mm and 41mm models have helped bridge the gap between sporty and dressy.I think I was way off.... these are the new Sports models.
Seen quite a few wearing the Aqua Terra too, and a few other models with a similar feel.
I have to say I don't get the new colours at all, but hey ho, they obviously know what they are doing.
Times change and fashions change. I have no doubt the Datejusts and Oysters will become the desirable Rolex for many younger people, but will this have any effect on the 'bubble' of sports model prices? I don't think so.
I think we are seeing the beginning of 'all' Rolex models becoming so popular that soon it will be a struggle to walk into an AD and buy almost anything off the shelf except the most undesirable models. Demand will remain high and therefore used prices will keep inflating.
I have a feeling that sports models are done inflating for the time being, and the more dressy options will begin to inflate on the used market over the next couple of years.
Not for me though. I have tried various dressy models of watches over the years and just can't get on with them at all. They just aren't me. From my point of view a stainless steel 40-44mm dive watch (of almost any brand) is just the ultimate watch. full stop. Call me boring but I just don't like anything else!
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