Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has

[Debaser]

Pittsburgh said:

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

If you were to sell your Sub, should someone pay double RRP?

[Dezbo]

GT03ROB said:

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...

I agree and I don’t have an issue with that as long as those regular customers aren’t just using that privilege to flip and make even more money. The number on the grey market tells me this must be happening to an extent

[GT03ROB]

Dezbo said:

GT03ROB said:

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...

I agree and I don’t have an issue with that as long as those regular customers aren’t just using that privilege to flip and make even more money. The number on the grey market tells me this must be happening to an extent

I'm certain it does, just as with many other things in life. looking on the bright side having them hard to get at least stops me wasting money buying the things!

[Dezbo]

GT03ROB said:

I'm certain it does, just as with many other things in life. looking on the bright side having them hard to get at least stops me wasting money buying the things!

True!

[DjSki]

Gazzab said:

Psycho

Very good! I got a table at Sexy Fish once at 8pm, just walked in.

Does that make me a baller?

PS It wasn't all that.

[DjSki]

number2 said:

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 .

Yeah, money is too cheap....inflating asset prices all over the place.....

[don logan]

Gazzab said:

Lord Marylebone said:

I can always get a table at Dorsia.

Psycho

Don’t touch the watch!

[don logan]

Harry Flashman said:

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.

I can’t believe he’s got time to post, what with all the stuff to deal with at BHS

[Gazzab]

don logan said:

Harry Flashman said:

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.

I can’t believe he’s got time to post, what with all the stuff to deal with at BHS

He’s got it all. Happiness, money, love, good looks, perfect body, lovely hair, great teeth, more money, empathy, caring, more money, respect, true friends and more money oh and lovely watches.

[anonymous-user]

don logan said:

Gazzab said:

Lord Marylebone said:

I can always get a table at Dorsia.

Psycho

Don’t touch the watch!

Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it.

[traffman]

I witness far more flippers than actual people that just want the 41mm sub that will be their only watch for a long time.

[anonymous-user]

traffman said:

I witness far more flippers than actual people that just want the 41mm sub that will be their only watch for a long time.

This is exactly what irritates people.

Seeing grey dealers showing off literally handfuls of unworn, unwrapped, 41mm Subs within 2 days of them being released is a slap in the face for buyers who actually want to buy a watch to wear.

Remember those days? When people used to actually buy Rolex watches to wear everyday like an actual watch, rather than treating them as financial investment portfolios.

[don logan]

Lord Marylebone said:

don logan said:

Gazzab said:

Lord Marylebone said:

I can always get a table at Dorsia.

Psycho

Don’t touch the watch!

Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it.

THE BEST!!!!!!! :-)

[911Thrasher]

To put back in context...when I bought my first GMT in 1994, yes you guys read well 1994, there was already a 4-6months waiting list if you wanted the black GMT, only the Pepsi was available immediately. So ended up buying a Pepsi even though the one I wanted was the black one.

Food for thought, nothing has changed.

[GrizzlyBear]

number2 said:

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 .

Have to agree, the good thing is is money can't get that much cheaper now, they are already imposing (effectively) negative interest rates (by effective 0% base rate while printing money!

The banks are getting nervous, no inflation to erode the debt. Do we just wait until people realise the emperor has no clothes... and we have been running on nothing other the ever cheaper debt for a decade or two?

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Saturday 5th December 23:02

[Tango13]

Lord Marylebone said:

traffman said:

I witness far more flippers than actual people that just want the 41mm sub that will be their only watch for a long time.

This is exactly what irritates people.

Seeing grey dealers showing off literally handfuls of unworn, unwrapped, 41mm Subs within 2 days of them being released is a slap in the face for buyers who actually want to buy a watch to wear.

Remember those days? When people used to actually buy Rolex watches to wear everyday like an actual watch, rather than treating them as financial investment portfolios.

When I bought my GMT II back in '96 (with a discount) even a Daytona was possible with a shortish wait, I looked at the range with the decision being 'What do I want on my wrist for the rest of my life?'

I was offered the choice of any of the submariners around '08 but declined, I had one perfectly servicable Rolex, why buy another? I can only wear one at a time.

Edit to add...

I asked about the availability on the Monday and was told there was a 3 month waiting list, when I told the AD I had the money in the bank waiting the AD got one for the Wednesday, a 48hr wait.

Edited by Tango13 on Saturday 5th December 22:19

[gregs656]

911Thrasher said:

To put back in context...when I bought my first GMT in 1994, yes you guys read well 1994, there was already a 4-6months waiting list if you wanted the black GMT, only the Pepsi was available immediately. So ended up buying a Pepsi even though the one I wanted was the black one.

Food for thought, nothing has changed.

I'm sure over their long history there have been periods of time where particular models or colour ways have had a waiting list (in some locations) but that is nothing like the situation today.

[birdcage]

Guys, I was careful to use the word metaphor.

I’m entirely right in how the brand is perceived by many and sold by many but it was meant to be playful rather than literal.

That said, I’ve forgotten who I had lunch with earlier, and even more importantly, where.

[Pittsburgh]

Debaser said:

If you were to sell your Sub, should someone pay double RRP?

Paid 4.5 k in 2008 if my memory service me right
Crono 24 (mainly dealer) asking 7-8 k for 08 model
That good for me , but personally there’s no way in this world would I pay that for 12 year old metal watch . You either have to be mentally imbalance or rich fool to pay they price dealer are asking for submarine or any steel sports Rolex model. My advice is there good solid watches and are worth the RRP price but not any more as they are a mass production product...

[SpeckledJim]

TarpaTow 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

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])

This is yet another string to your bow. Not just any old knobhead can come across so badly on the internet that TarpaTow deigns to take the piss out of you.

Fair play to you. A good day in the world of excelling at whatever it is you're doing.