Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has

Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has

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Discussion

Kent Border Kenny

2,219 posts

59 months

Friday 6th December 2019
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I never bought based on rarity, I just think that they look nice.

It did turn out afterwards that a couple of them are now quite hard to get, but that was never the motivation.

So

26,271 posts

221 months

Friday 6th December 2019
quotequote all
Kent Border Kenny said:
I never bought based on rarity, I just think that they look nice.

It did turn out afterwards that a couple of them are now quite hard to get, but that was never the motivation.
I remember when I was in Dream Watches (I think) about five years ago. The owner had just picked up a Hulk cheaply because no one else wanted it. It was about the same time that our local Goldsmiths had a Batman in the window for quite some time.

whatleytom

1,272 posts

182 months

Friday 6th December 2019
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So said:
I remember when I was in Dream Watches (I think) about five years ago. The owner had just picked up a Hulk cheaply because no one else wanted it. It was about the same time that our local Goldsmiths had a Batman in the window for quite some time.
Probably a similar time ago I went into a place with a mate, they had a choice of several Hulks, all for around the £5k mark. He ended up paying just under £5k from memory.

gregd

1,640 posts

218 months

Friday 6th December 2019
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There was decent Stainless Sports Watch availability in the AD I visited in Tel Aviv last week. Local pricing is high though, even with the VAT taken off. They had an Explorer I, black dial Explorer 2, blue and black Milgauss models and even the new two-tone SeaDweller.. I don't recall seeing that level of stock on display in an AD for a couple of years.

Carl_Manchester

12,104 posts

261 months

Friday 6th December 2019
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After six years of ownership I have sold my two Rollie steels. I really enjoyed my time with them but it’s a good time to sell. I lost a bag of sand on each, not bad considering they are both due a service soon.

This years Rolex reps were not a factor but i have to say they (Chinese factories) finally cracked the Daytona.

Will probably pick up a used Omega Speedmaster for dress duty in the interim and a nice band for my Apple Watch for the daily.


epom

11,400 posts

160 months

Friday 6th December 2019
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Kent Border Kenny said:
I never bought based on rarity, I just think that they look nice.

It did turn out afterwards that a couple of them are now quite hard to get, but that was never the motivation.
Of course, was merely an observation. Which I how I’ll spend my time with a Rolex smile enjoy.

Buster73

5,043 posts

152 months

Saturday 7th December 2019
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EmilA said:
I know someone who paid about 12k for both their Batman and Pepsi recently as they don't want to wait.
Paid £7150 each for both of mine , only waited a few months.

Stu-nph26

1,984 posts

104 months

Monday 16th December 2019
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Buster73 said:
Paid £7150 each for both of mine , only waited a few months.
Wherefrom Buster I'd love to get my hands on a batman but begrudge paying such a premium

okgo

37,862 posts

197 months

Monday 16th December 2019
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Stu-nph26 said:
Wherefrom Buster I'd love to get my hands on a batman but begrudge paying such a premium
From a dealer, presumably. Go get your name down if you want to pay list...

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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Was talking with a mate the other day about all this, he has a vested interest as he gave up his AD a few years ago and is a grey market specialist now.

We reckoned that things might have softened a little with warranty cards being released and a bit of a market flood from amateur flippers but the rumour of a chunky price increase will probably absorb that and increase things even more.

Then, if the pound softens again Britain is still the cheapest option for luxury goods buyers and you’d have to bet on that with more brexit uncertainty.

As I said, he has a vested interest in talking up values but we still think the merry go round will continue for some time.

Every January I make plans to thin out the collection, every December I seem to lump up more watches!

I’m going to put up my James Cameron 126660 and get back into a Kermit I think. Long term I want the two 50th anniversary watches for the kids.

I’ll keep the explorer 2 that’s fully stickered for the inevitable discontinue price rise and sell that when prices spike. Shame as it’s a nice watch.

Then it’s just the Daytona conundrum. I really want to swap a ceramic for a white gold panda on tan leather but I know it’s financially a daft move! I suspect it’s going to be the one that got away that watch.

whatleytom

1,272 posts

182 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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LaurasOtherHalf said:
Was talking with a mate the other day about all this, he has a vested interest as he gave up his AD a few years ago and is a grey market specialist now.

We reckoned that things might have softened a little with warranty cards being released and a bit of a market flood from amateur flippers but the rumour of a chunky price increase will probably absorb that and increase things even more.

Its no rumour, as mentioned on the other thread. I've spoken to two AD's who confirmed the 7.xx% increase from Jan '20. Have a look on Chrono 24 at the price data and things have undoubtedly softened. (It seems to have gone in tandem with the high-end car market as well imo, but that's another topic)

Anecdotal evidence of more supply at the AD end and willingness to give out warranty cards a bit easier says to me Rolex is trying to ease the gap between AD and grey market by both increasing supply and price and getting people back into AD's rather than grey dealers. Falling grey market prices would in my eyes confirm that.

Stu-nph26

1,984 posts

104 months

Friday 27th December 2019
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okgo said:
From a dealer, presumably. Go get your name down if you want to pay list...
Most dealers won't take my name as I have no previous Rolex purchase history

Tony1963

4,701 posts

161 months

Friday 27th December 2019
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Stu-nph26 said:
Most dealers won't take my name as I have no previous Rolex purchase history
So go to those who will?

Stu-nph26

1,984 posts

104 months

Friday 27th December 2019
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Tony1963 said:
So go to those who will?
Can't find any ha

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Friday 27th December 2019
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I see the WF Rolex sale is back on as they try and sell those GMTs after the Christmas "rush"

NDA

21,494 posts

224 months

Saturday 28th December 2019
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Stu-nph26 said:
Tony1963 said:
So go to those who will?
Can't find any ha
Go to somewhere like Mappin & Webb - I've never bought anything from them previously and they have my name and address on a waiting list.

Tony1963

4,701 posts

161 months

Saturday 28th December 2019
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Stu-nph26 said:
Can't find any ha
Oh. You said “most”, sorry.

Stu-nph26

1,984 posts

104 months

Saturday 28th December 2019
quotequote all
NDA said:
Stu-nph26 said:
Tony1963 said:
So go to those who will?
Can't find any ha
Go to somewhere like Mappin & Webb - I've never bought anything from them previously and they have my name and address on a waiting list.
Thanks I’ll give them a shout

Stu-nph26

1,984 posts

104 months

Saturday 28th December 2019
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Tony1963 said:
Stu-nph26 said:
Can't find any ha
Oh. You said “most”, sorry.
I know I’m just holding out home some will

dai1983

2,902 posts

148 months

Saturday 28th December 2019
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My brother recently bought a DJ to go with his Milgauss. He was on a list for about 4 months.