Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has

[DjSki]

Lord Marylebone said:

A recorded phone call to a UK Rolex AD.

Apparently a new green bezel Sub isn’t available at all... But if you buy a lot of jewellery, it will become available.

https://youtu.be/cv3GhO0z9Kk

Buy a Seiko SLA019 instead......much cooler.

[BaronMcLaren]

Lord Marylebone said:

A recorded phone call to a UK Rolex AD.

Apparently a new green bezel Sub isn’t available at all... But if you buy a lot of jewellery, it will become available.

https://youtu.be/cv3GhO0z9Kk

Shock horror - dealer allocates very small inventory to biggest spending customers.

[Maxym]

My AD tells me that the new OPs in 36 and 41 sizes are very rare currently; as of a couple of weeks ago they hadn't had any. I guess they'll start trickling through but I suspect they'll always be in fairly short supply.

Subs, GMTs and Daytonas - no change I reckon.

So, after so many pages of posts can we conclude that the Rolex bubble hasn't burst? And end of thread?

[Salted_Peanut]

DjSki said:

Buy a Seiko SLA019 instead......much cooler.

I agree

[richthebike]

Salted_Peanut said:

DjSki said:

Buy a Seiko SLA019 instead......much cooler.

I agree

Problem with this logic is that the SLA019 was a limited edition, there were fewer than 2000 produced, they're all sold, and the quality control was shocking. The bezel and lume finishing on the ones I went to look at were so bad the boutique offered me a discount to clear the stock.

I say this as somebody who owns two Marine Masters, a couple of GS and who bought and sold a few others including an SLA025.

GS dials can be excellent. I'm sat looking at a 2020 Sub next to an SBDX017 and anyone who says the Seiko is a higher quality needs glasses. You hear it all the time on forums but I just don't see it. Its normally the same people who spout about Rolex being inaccurate, neatly forgetting that they're regulated to +/- 2 seconds.

I love a Seiko, but let's be sensible.

[DjSki]

richthebike said:

Problem with this logic is that the SLA019 was a limited edition, there were fewer than 2000 produced, they're all sold, and the quality control was shocking. The bezel and lume finishing on the ones I went to look at were so bad the boutique offered me a discount to clear the stock.

I love a Seiko, but let's be sensible.

There are 6 for sale on Chrono24 right now, from £2850 in the UK. They pop up on ebay and TZ. Buying one is less effort than throating a Rolex AD. Only 1968 ever made, compared to millions of subs. It's even a better shade of green than either kermit or hulk. Sounds pretty sensible to me.

[richthebike]

DjSki said:

richthebike said:

Problem with this logic is that the SLA019 was a limited edition, there were fewer than 2000 produced, they're all sold, and the quality control was shocking. The bezel and lume finishing on the ones I went to look at were so bad the boutique offered me a discount to clear the stock.

I love a Seiko, but let's be sensible.

There are 6 for sale on Chrono24 right now, from £2850 in the UK. They pop up on ebay and TZ. Buying one is less effort than throating a Rolex AD. Only 1968 ever made, compared to millions of subs. It's even a better shade of green than either kermit or hulk. Sounds pretty sensible to me.

You cut out a fair bit of text there!

Brand new or second hand, I'd still worry about QC given the examples I've seen, particularly around the lumed triangle integration at 12 on the bezel.

Taste in shades of green varies. The only green bezel or dial I liked in the metal is on the gen 1 Breitling SOH. I'm tempted by an OP41 in green but don't think I'd use it much. Dealer has promised to call when they have one to look at - always hard to tell in photos.

The Seiko Antarctica LX looked promising but wasn't great in the metal either.

I'll repeat what I've said a few times: you don't need to participate in dodgyness to get watches from ADs. I accept that some people do.

[anonymous-user]

Lord Marylebone said:

A recorded phone call to a UK Rolex AD.

Apparently a new green bezel Sub isn’t available at all... But if you buy a lot of jewellery, it will become available.

https://youtu.be/cv3GhO0z9Kk

I think Rolex ADs need to be put in the same category as estate agents or used car salesmen!

[birdcage]

Lord Marylebone said:

A recorded phone call to a UK Rolex AD.

Apparently a new green bezel Sub isn’t available at all... But if you buy a lot of jewellery, it will become available.

https://youtu.be/cv3GhO0z9Kk

Jesus what clickbait......Do Rolex care. No. Would the shop care. No. Should he care. No

Long standing customers looked after well shocker.

I've been visiting the same expensive restaurant for years. I've spent tens of thousands of pounds there.

If someone could get an 8pm table and they just happened to walk past my 8pm table which is empty as I haven't arrived yet haven't never been before and said 'could I please have that table it looks lovely' the restaurant would say no and they would be led to sit far far away from the supermodels and captains of industry.

I would arrive and get my usual table.

Do I want some charlie who phones a watch dealer to get my very limited edition watch he could sell for double just based on some terrible phone call to get my watch when I have spent possibly hundreds of thousands at the AD over the years. No I don't

The metaphor is apt. Life is one big pecking order and thats just the way it is, always has been and always will be.

Plus they are, whether people like it or not the most desirable watch brand on the planet, for bad reasons and for very good reasons.

[TarpaTow]

birdcage said:

Jesus what clickbait......Do Rolex care. No. Would the shop care. No. Should he care. No

Long standing customers looked after well shocker.

I've been visiting the same expensive restaurant for years. I've spent tens of thousands of pounds there.

If someone could get an 8pm table and they just happened to walk past my 8pm table which is empty as I haven't arrived yet haven't never been before and said 'could I please have that table it looks lovely' the restaurant would say no and they would be led to sit far far away from the supermodels and captains of industry.

I would arrive and get my usual table.

Do I want some charlie who phones a watch dealer to get my very limited edition watch he could sell for double just based on some terrible phone call to get my watch when I have spent possibly hundreds of thousands at the AD over the years. No I don't

The metaphor is apt. Life is one big pecking order and thats just the way it is, always has been and always will be.

Plus they are, whether people like it or not the most desirable watch brand on the planet, for bad reasons and for very good reasons

Cool, you've obvs been mega successful and there aren't many people that get as far up the ladder as you, respect. I meet a few in my line of business but they can't all get 8pm tables.

Congratulations.
TarpaTow (Finding Financial Solutions, [FFS])

[paulqv]

birdcage said:

Jesus what clickbait......Do Rolex care. No. Would the shop care. No. Should he care. No

Long standing customers looked after well shocker.

I've been visiting the same expensive restaurant for years. I've spent tens of thousands of pounds there.

If someone could get an 8pm table and they just happened to walk past my 8pm table which is empty as I haven't arrived yet haven't never been before and said 'could I please have that table it looks lovely' the restaurant would say no and they would be led to sit far far away from the supermodels and captains of industry.

I would arrive and get my usual table.

Do I want some charlie who phones a watch dealer to get my very limited edition watch he could sell for double just based on some terrible phone call to get my watch when I have spent possibly hundreds of thousands at the AD over the years. No I don't

The metaphor is apt. Life is one big pecking order and thats just the way it is, always has been and always will be.

Plus they are, whether people like it or not the most desirable watch brand on the planet, for bad reasons and for very good reasons.

I think you are correct. everyone is human. Establishing a relationship with people on a personal and business leve is important.
I went to a few Rolex shops just to see the sub and try it on. I had no relationship with these outlets so they simply advised there was a waiting list.
I don't see that is objectionable.
I am struggling a bit with the idea that as you have money, you can simply buy what you want for something that may be restricted supply. Lots of people have money. In short so what?

[Gazzab]

TarpaTow said:

Cool, you've obvs been mega successful and there aren't many people that get as far up the ladder as you, respect. I meet a few in my line of business but they can't all get 8pm tables.

Congratulations.
TarpaTow (Finding Financial Solutions, [FFS])

I get three tables at 8pm every night of the week, even when they are closed.

[anonymous-user]

Gazzab said:

TarpaTow said:

Cool, you've obvs been mega successful and there aren't many people that get as far up the ladder as you, respect. I meet a few in my line of business but they can't all get 8pm tables.

Congratulations.
TarpaTow (Finding Financial Solutions, [FFS])

I get three tables at 8pm every night of the week, even when they are closed.

I can always get a table at Dorsia.

[Gazzab]

Lord Marylebone said:

I can always get a table at Dorsia.

Psycho

[Dezbo]

birdcage said:

Jesus what clickbait......Do Rolex care. No. Would the shop care. No. Should he care. No

Long standing customers looked after well shocker.

I've been visiting the same expensive restaurant for years. I've spent tens of thousands of pounds there.

If someone could get an 8pm table and they just happened to walk past my 8pm table which is empty as I haven't arrived yet haven't never been before and said 'could I please have that table it looks lovely' the restaurant would say no and they would be led to sit far far away from the supermodels and captains of industry.

I would arrive and get my usual table.

Do I want some charlie who phones a watch dealer to get my very limited edition watch he could sell for double just based on some terrible phone call to get my watch when I have spent possibly hundreds of thousands at the AD over the years. No I don't

The metaphor is apt. Life is one big pecking order and thats just the way it is, always has been and always will be.

Plus they are, whether people like it or not the most desirable watch brand on the planet, for bad reasons and for very good reasons.

I’m going to say it straight but your attitude stinks frankly. Comes across that you think you are better and more worthy than the rest of us because your are in a better financial position. The reason many of us have grumbled on here is that we’re denied the chance to spend our hard earned money on watches we would like and can afford because others are making profit out of them. I imagine that people like yourself will say yes to these watches when offered regardless of whether you were interested in them and probably take the opportunity to make a few quid, regardless of how much you’ve already got.

[gregs656]

I've been watching 'Talking Watches'. It's a bit hit and miss.

Similar to my thoughts on looking at old forum posts, it is interesting how Rolex features in a lot of the collections over the time they have been filming. Some of these guys seem to just go into a store in LA and walk out with a pre packaged vintage sub collection, a GMT and a Daytona.

Q: So what got you into watches?
A: Well I had a watch as a kid, then I kind of drifted away from it as a teen. Years later I ran out of ways to spend my money and then I bought 8 vintage Rolexes, a Nautilus/Aquanaut and a Royal Oak.

Not knocking their success, but no sign of the bubble bursting yet.

[Pittsburgh]

I just don’t get the Rolex phenomenon. I was in the Trafford centre before latest lockdown saw the new no date 41 submarine in a dealer window for £12 k !!! Nice watch but who in there right mind would pay double for mass production metal watch is beyond me . I own the older sub bought back in the good old days 2008 lol when you could buy them straight away (brand new ) from the AD window admitting I paid full price ( sorry no discount on that model was salesman reply when I asked ) but fair enough it’s a good watch so worth the RRP . But no way in this world is worth paying double ...
On that point reason for my visit to take back my bb58 for second time in less than year first issue the lune pip fell out ..Sent back to Rolex / Tudor to be replaced . who then informed me the leather strap has split need new one (Less than 1 year old watch ) after I pointed out it’s still under warranty they reluctantly agree to replace the strap. Personally I regret buying the bb58 fell for the Made / own by Rolex marketing ..would not recommend Tudor they’re definitely no were near Omega/ breitling quality just more Rolex bs ...

[number2]

It's not a Rolex bubble, asset prices (incl. luxury assets like watches, cars handbags etc.) have been heading up and through the roof since 2008. Real interest rates are through the floor, money is cheap. This is the same as the house price thread .

[Harry Flashman]

birdcage said:

Jesus what clickbait......Do Rolex care. No. Would the shop care. No. Should he care. No

Long standing customers looked after well shocker.

I've been visiting the same expensive restaurant for years. I've spent tens of thousands of pounds there.

If someone could get an 8pm table and they just happened to walk past my 8pm table which is empty as I haven't arrived yet haven't never been before and said 'could I please have that table it looks lovely' the restaurant would say no and they would be led to sit far far away from the supermodels and captains of industry.

I would arrive and get my usual table.

Do I want some charlie who phones a watch dealer to get my very limited edition watch he could sell for double just based on some terrible phone call to get my watch when I have spent possibly hundreds of thousands at the AD over the years. No I don't

The metaphor is apt. Life is one big pecking order and thats just the way it is, always has been and always will be.

Plus they are, whether people like it or not the most desirable watch brand on the planet, for bad reasons and for very good reasons.

It is people like this advocating the brand that have always prevented me from wearing one, despite quite liking the watches.

I just don't want anyone to think that I could be this sort of weapon. Embarrassing.

[GT03ROB]

Dezbo said:

birdcage said:

Jesus what clickbait......Do Rolex care. No. Would the shop care. No. Should he care. No

Long standing customers looked after well shocker.

I've been visiting the same expensive restaurant for years. I've spent tens of thousands of pounds there.

If someone could get an 8pm table and they just happened to walk past my 8pm table which is empty as I haven't arrived yet haven't never been before and said 'could I please have that table it looks lovely' the restaurant would say no and they would be led to sit far far away from the supermodels and captains of industry.

I would arrive and get my usual table.

Do I want some charlie who phones a watch dealer to get my very limited edition watch he could sell for double just based on some terrible phone call to get my watch when I have spent possibly hundreds of thousands at the AD over the years. No I don't

The metaphor is apt. Life is one big pecking order and thats just the way it is, always has been and always will be.

Plus they are, whether people like it or not the most desirable watch brand on the planet, for bad reasons and for very good reasons.

I’m going to say it straight but your attitude stinks frankly. Comes across that you think you are better and more worthy than the rest of us because your are in a better financial position. The reason many of us have grumbled on here is that we’re denied the chance to spend our hard earned money on watches we would like and can afford because others are making profit out of them. I imagine that people like yourself will say yes to these watches when offered regardless of whether you were interested in them and probably take the opportunity to make a few quid, regardless of how much you’ve already got.

birdcage may not have come across as well as he might, but the bottom line & point he is making is still valid.

It happens everywhere in life.....the ADs just operate an unofficial frequent flyer scheme...