Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has
Discussion
Jamescrs said:
I knew a Police Sergeant going back roughly 15 years who wore a green bezel sub to work. That was just his watch he wore, he didn't have a collection of Rolex watches or any other brand for that matter. He just liked that watch and had bought it as a gift to himself.
I knew a DS on the drugs squad back in the mid 80's who treated himself to a Rolex from a second hand shop. All his work mates ribbed him mercilessly about it being a knock off so much that he ended up selling it on (at a loss!).paulguitar said:
Badda said:
It would have been even simpler if you’d said ‘too expensive’.
Occupy a completely different price point? You Wally.
WTF Occupy a completely different price point? You Wally.
The reason I didn't write that was that it is not what I meant. A 'different price point' is exactly what I meant to say.
That's why I said 'a different price point', and not 'too expensive'.
Impressive bellendery, well done.
Edited by paulguitar on Monday 28th June 17:41
DoubleSix said:
You just described the 'normal' market conditions Rolex desire - that's not really where we are at right now...
Agreed, but there is more volatility in all markets as a result of Covid...which makes the Rolex MBA gurus' long-game market manipulation plans harder to control right now.Wish the flippers and speculators would all f
k off. I refuse to give money to those wkers who add nothing of real value for the ordinary purchaser.HocusPocus said:
DoubleSix said:
You just described the 'normal' market conditions Rolex desire - that's not really where we are at right now...
Agreed, but there is more volatility in all markets as a result of Covid...which makes the Rolex MBA gurus' long-game market manipulation plans harder to control right now.Wish the flippers and speculators would all f
k off. I refuse to give money to those wkers who add nothing of real value for the ordinary purchaser.I don’t think the present situation is desired by Rolex HQ at all. Hence my comments above that AD shinanigans are driven at a staff level, and very much under wraps.
I heard recently infact that Rolex might be looking to the beginning of the end of the AD network with introduction of directly controlled Rolex boutiques.
Now that would be interesting.
Saweep said:
The Moose said:
Saweep said:
I've just, a few mins ago, been offered a WG YM42 on rubber and a steel and rose `YM44 for immediate collection by an AD I have never purchased anything from.
Quite fancy the WG.
Decent inflation hedge?
It's a pretty awesome watch!!Quite fancy the WG.
Decent inflation hedge?
I phoned my usual AD salesperson and told them that the local Goldsmiths had offered me these two watches and asked them what they could do.
"If you don't buy them (ie spend £45k with a competitor) and come and see me as soon as you can, we can draw up a list and you can have whatever you want, ASAP" was the reply.
ASAP last time, for a Sub, turned out to be 48 hours.
It really is a load of nonsense but I will play anyway.
If so, good result
paulguitar said:
Mmm, I'm not sure that's true. The Submariner Date was, for years and years, until well into the 2000s, £2350, which a quick check on the UK inflation calculator puts it at about £3,500 in today's money.
That's an achievable goal, even for someone with a fairly ordinary job, if they put their mind to it. What is the list for a 16610 today? Probably over £8k, and pushing £12k to get one with the overs. It's all gone very silly.
My sub date 16610 was bought in 1999 for £2350, but less a 10% discount. I called around dealers and found one. It was a wedding gift that won’t be sold. That's an achievable goal, even for someone with a fairly ordinary job, if they put their mind to it. What is the list for a 16610 today? Probably over £8k, and pushing £12k to get one with the overs. It's all gone very silly.
DoubleSix said:
Indeed.
I don’t think the present situation is desired by Rolex HQ at all. Hence my comments above that AD shinanigans are driven at a staff level, and very much under wraps.
I heard recently infact that Rolex might be looking to the beginning of the end of the AD network with introduction of directly controlled Rolex boutiques.
Now that would be interesting.
It wouldn’t surprise me.I don’t think the present situation is desired by Rolex HQ at all. Hence my comments above that AD shinanigans are driven at a staff level, and very much under wraps.
I heard recently infact that Rolex might be looking to the beginning of the end of the AD network with introduction of directly controlled Rolex boutiques.
Now that would be interesting.
If Rolex are maxed out on production capacity, one way to increase their income is to cut out the AD’s.
There is a 40% markup between wholesale and RRP, and Rolex must be tempted to get their hands on some of that.
Some of the most profitable brands in the world retail direct to customers using their own stores.
Fat hippo said:
Saweep said:
The Moose said:
Saweep said:
I've just, a few mins ago, been offered a WG YM42 on rubber and a steel and rose `YM44 for immediate collection by an AD I have never purchased anything from.
Quite fancy the WG.
Decent inflation hedge?
It's a pretty awesome watch!!Quite fancy the WG.
Decent inflation hedge?
I phoned my usual AD salesperson and told them that the local Goldsmiths had offered me these two watches and asked them what they could do.
"If you don't buy them (ie spend £45k with a competitor) and come and see me as soon as you can, we can draw up a list and you can have whatever you want, ASAP" was the reply.
ASAP last time, for a Sub, turned out to be 48 hours.
It really is a load of nonsense but I will play anyway.
If so, good result
Lord Marylebone said:
DoubleSix said:
Indeed.
I don’t think the present situation is desired by Rolex HQ at all. Hence my comments above that AD shinanigans are driven at a staff level, and very much under wraps.
I heard recently infact that Rolex might be looking to the beginning of the end of the AD network with introduction of directly controlled Rolex boutiques.
Now that would be interesting.
It wouldn’t surprise me.I don’t think the present situation is desired by Rolex HQ at all. Hence my comments above that AD shinanigans are driven at a staff level, and very much under wraps.
I heard recently infact that Rolex might be looking to the beginning of the end of the AD network with introduction of directly controlled Rolex boutiques.
Now that would be interesting.
If Rolex are maxed out on production capacity, one way to increase their income is to cut out the AD’s.
There is a 40% markup between wholesale and RRP, and Rolex must be tempted to get their hands on some of that.
Some of the most profitable brands in the world retail direct to customers using their own stores.
PistonGuy66 said:
Not saying your wrong but where did you get the 40% mark up from?
A friend of mine used to run a small family business AD until about 4 years ago, and he told me it was around 40% markup on Rolex.Also, I simply googled ‘how much markup is there on a Rolex’ and most of the answers from various forums said 40%. Some people said they worked for AD’s and were more precise saying that 62% of the RRP was destined for Rolex, which means that 38% goes to the AD.
Lord Marylebone said:
PistonGuy66 said:
Not saying your wrong but where did you get the 40% mark up from?
A friend of mine used to run a small family business AD until about 4 years ago, and he told me it was around 40% markup on Rolex.Also, I simply googled ‘how much markup is there on a Rolex’ and most of the answers from various forums said 40%. Some people said they worked for AD’s and were more precise saying that 62% of the RRP was destined for Rolex, which means that 38% goes to the AD.
Badda said:
paulguitar said:
Badda said:
It would have been even simpler if you’d said ‘too expensive’.
Occupy a completely different price point? You Wally.
WTF Occupy a completely different price point? You Wally.
The reason I didn't write that was that it is not what I meant. A 'different price point' is exactly what I meant to say.
That's why I said 'a different price point', and not 'too expensive'.
Impressive bellendery, well done.
Edited by paulguitar on Monday 28th June 17:41
In answer to some of the comments about accessibility of Rolex to the average person. Yes they are an extravagant purchase compared to a “standard” watch, but they aren’t comparable to Porsches, Ferraris etc as a sign of wealth IMO. Watches don’t
really have running costs for starters. So to me they are still accessible, albeit less so than before, to something closer to the average person who’s saved up a bit or can afford the monthlys
really have running costs for starters. So to me they are still accessible, albeit less so than before, to something closer to the average person who’s saved up a bit or can afford the monthlys
Dezbo said:
In answer to some of the comments about accessibility of Rolex to the average person. Yes they are an extravagant purchase compared to a “standard” watch, but they aren’t comparable to Porsches, Ferraris etc as a sign of wealth IMO. Watches don’t
really have running costs for starters. So to me they are still accessible, albeit less so than before, to something closer to the average person who’s saved up a bit or can afford the monthlys
Except someone that’s saved and saved to get a deep sea.really have running costs for starters. So to me they are still accessible, albeit less so than before, to something closer to the average person who’s saved up a bit or can afford the monthlys
Then wants it serviced,,,,, ouch.
I like them, but asked about (genuine) Rolex servicing and opted not to progress enquiry.
Sure it was circa £1k … and that’s before they tell you there is something else that needs doing,…
Meeten-5dulx said:
Except someone that’s saved and saved to get a deep sea.
Then wants it serviced,,,,, ouch.
I like them, but asked about (genuine) Rolex servicing and opted not to progress enquiry.
Sure it was circa £1k … and that’s before they tell you there is something else that needs doing,…
It would be very unfortunate to be put off a watch because of service costs.Then wants it serviced,,,,, ouch.
I like them, but asked about (genuine) Rolex servicing and opted not to progress enquiry.
Sure it was circa £1k … and that’s before they tell you there is something else that needs doing,…
My mum wore her Datejust practically all day, every single day, for about 22 years, pretty much bashing the heck out of it in the process, and it only got serviced when it stopped for some reason. It was serviced, easy fix, back running again for probably another 20 years.
My point is that decent watches can run for years before needing attention, and when when they do, why get bent over by Rolex? Any decent watchmaker will charge less than about £200 for a full strip down, clean, service, new mainspring, and rebuild.
It’s not like a watch has a service history book that needs keeping up to date. I would be very surprised if many people actually got their Rolex serviced in line with recommendations, and more like they won’t ever think about it until it stops.
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