Stainless Rolex Daytona - Hardly "exclusive"

[Murcielago_Boy]

Now there is no doubt that the Rolex Daytona, in all it's guises, is a lovely looking watch but I can't help but feel that it's exclusivity in Stainless, is a total and utter con job...
I am well aware that this is meant to be a prized watch amongst enthusiasts primarily for it's rarity and low production numbers but I don't buy that for a second(both literally and figuratively) and there's a simple reason why - if there is one single watch which I see MORE THAN ANY OTHER on the wrists of the people I meet on a day to day basis, it is the stainless steel Daytona... More than any other Daytona models by a country mile, more than submariners, more than those nasty Hublots (sorry just my humble preference)more than Breitlings, more than ANY OTHER WATCH.. more than bloody Casios. I don't hardly hang around millionaires or "successful types" so I'm not meaning to sound like a pretentious to55er either.. I'm genuinely serious...

Now, I actually went and bought one at list and offloaded it in a hurry after I saw a few thousand other city boys wearing them (exagerration but you get my point) in a one month period and traded it for a white gold one instead...

My point is, can anyone actually elaborate on the basis of it's "rarity" (historical production numbers etc) because I think Rolex is having us on and from the amount that I see worn, it's the BMW 3 Series of designer watches....?

Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Monday 23 March 17:36

[Ash 996 GT2]

Yes
No
and yes

Lastly maybe.

But who knows?

I am sure someone will be along later with another thread or something.

[Andy OH]

Each to their own I guess but I've had mine for 5 years now and still very much like it.

Can I ask why you sold a SS Daytona for a white gold model, unless of course you wanted one that is readily available and doesn't really fetch a premium should you want to sell it on....sorry but this is only my very humble opinion.

[Murcielago_Boy]

Andy OH said:

Each to their own I guess but I've had mine for 5 years now and still very much like it.

Can I ask why you sold a SS Daytona for a white gold model, unless of course you wanted one that is readily available and doesn't really fetch a premium should you want to sell it on....sorry but this is only my very humble opinion.

I didn't say that it was NOT a nice watch. It is. I bought one at the end of the day.

I'll make it clear:
My point is that the whole "not readily available" isn't really borne out by the numbers of people I see wearing them inspite of premiums.
As I said, I think it's THE most ubiquitous luxury watch out there. For £5K perhaps I'm expecting too much. But the premium thing is beyond me when the ten guys sitting next you on your trading desk all have one as well.

This is it - you'll get a big discount on a white gold/gold/bi metal but see far fewer of them.... what's the story?

I hope you understand my humble opinion.

Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Monday 23 March 19:28

[Number 7]

Lack of imagination perhaps, wanting to have something to impress others rather than for their own satisfaction?

How many that you see are genuine, and how many are fakes?

7.

[mcgus]

Murcielago_Boy said:

Andy OH said:

I hope you understand my humble opinion.

actually I do. They are coming on to the market more and more now and consequently the premium has completely disappeared. However.....had I been able to pick one up at RRP and sell it on for several thousand more at the height of the insanity then the gap between it and the discount that would definitely be achievable on the white gold version would be narrowed making the white gold attainable!

I prefer the white gold.

[BigAlinEmbra]

Murcielago_Boy said:

Andy OH said:

Each to their own I guess but I've had mine for 5 years now and still very much like it.

Can I ask why you sold a SS Daytona for a white gold model, unless of course you wanted one that is readily available and doesn't really fetch a premium should you want to sell it on....sorry but this is only my very humble opinion.

I didn't say that it was NOT a nice watch. It is. I bought one at the end of the day.

I'll make it clear:
My point is that the whole "not readily available" isn't really borne out by the numbers of people I see wearing them inspite of premiums.
As I said, I think it's THE most ubiquitous luxury watch out there. For £5K perhaps I'm expecting too much. But the premium thing is beyond me when the ten guys sitting next you on your trading desk all have one as well.

This is it - you'll get a big discount on a white gold/gold/bi metal but see far fewer of them.... what's the story?

I hope you understand my humble opinion.

Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Monday 23 March 19:28

Step away from the traders and chill out. Just remember, you guys are like sheep.
How else to we explain market volatility?

In these dark days you should pick up a swatch, flog the rolex and keep the difference in the bank for the mortgage payments.

[Trommel]

Murcielago_Boy said:

My point is, can anyone actually elaborate on the basis of it's "rarity" (historical production numbers etc) because I think Rolex is having us on and from the amount that I see worn, it's the BMW 3 Series of designer watches....?

Carefully controlled supply, nothing more. No modern Rolex is truly rare, they are everywhere. A bit like a 911 or a Vantage, they're a default choice.

[deejuic]

Does Rolex release production quantities on any of their models?

[pork911]

The 'exclusivity' of the entire rolex brand is a con job if you buy into it in that sense- if you like them buy them but you can't entirely divorce the purchase from people's perceptions (good or bad). Delicate balancing act between desirability, perceived exclusivity and wide brand recognition (and selling units!). Of course not unique to rolex as same as any supposed 'luxury' goods. Its (mostly) all about the marketing. Believe I read somewhere sometime chairman of rolex may have said 'we are not in the watch business we are in the luxury business'.

IIRC rolex produce around 750,000 watches a year. Not sure how easily you can get precise numbers on models etc. perhaps not in their interests to be too open about it.

Interesting that the OP felt the daytona in stainless was ubiquitous and so changed for a white gold one (but still a rolex and a daytona?).

[Trommel]

pork911 said:

Interesting that the OP felt the daytona in stainless was ubiquitous and so changed for a white gold one (but still a rolex and a daytona?).

... and looks like a stainless one to 99% of people.

[Murcielago_Boy]

pork911 said:

The 'exclusivity' of the entire rolex brand is a con job if you buy into it in that sense- if you like them buy them but you can't entirely divorce the purchase from people's perceptions (good or bad). Delicate balancing act between desirability, perceived exclusivity and wide brand recognition (and selling units!). Of course not unique to rolex as same as any supposed 'luxury' goods. Its (mostly) all about the marketing. Believe I read somewhere sometime chairman of rolex may have said 'we are not in the watch business we are in the luxury business'.

IIRC rolex produce around 750,000 watches a year. Not sure how easily you can get precise numbers on models etc. perhaps not in their interests to be too open about it.

Interesting that the OP felt the daytona in stainless was ubiquitous and so changed for a white gold one (but still a rolex and a daytona?).

No the WG is "relatively" easy to tell apart - odd combo actually which is why I liked it - leather strap, red hands and the "number" hour markers. Also satisfyingly heavy.

I had (mistakenly) expected a stainless Daytona to be as rare as Breguet/Patek type watch but like Trommel mentioned, it's like having a 911 in London - fab product but default - and as a result a little disappointing.

Imagine paying a premium for a Carrera S based on "exclusivitiy" (accounting for current market condition). You'd laugh right..? That's my problem with the Stainless.
Oh well.

Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Tuesday 24th March 10:58

[Mr Noble]

Trommel said:

pork911 said:

Interesting that the OP felt the daytona in stainless was ubiquitous and so changed for a white gold one (but still a rolex and a daytona?).

... and looks like a stainless one to 99% of people.

and costs considerably more......




I'd just put a leather strap on my SS one.

I've had mine for about 4 years and wear it once a month or so, but must say that in London I've only seen about 3-5 others and I don't think I've ever seen anyone wearing one outside of London. I expect the vast majority of the daytonas in the UK are owned by workers in and around the OP's trading floor!! I thought the all wore PAM 090's or 104's though

[justin-banks]

I kind of agree with the OP on this one, I like the Daytona but cannot get my head around SS being the same kind of money SH as the WG.
It simply doesnt make sense. Everyone would agree WG is a nicer more desirable metal than SS. I understand that if you are a collector/completist and simply must have every different Daytona combination you have no choice but to jump in and pay the price but if this is just a watch to own and enjoy why, on gods earth, would you choose the SS over the WG?

Also, you can get a SS at nearly every SH dealer so it is simply the demand that keeps the prices high, when that demand evaporates, as it must, as they are still being made, you are left with a very nice watch, but not the collectors item you paid a premium for.

Dont get me wrong, I like it, it is probably the only Rolex I might consider owning but WG/YG has got to be a no brainer?

[Trommel]

justin-banks said:

it is probably the only Rolex I might consider owning

Surely there are far more desirable ones out there than a modern Daytona?

[Healey73]

Sorry for my probably stupid question but can a used white gold one be picked up for around the £6-7k area then? The only ones I ever see are POA. I have to say that I prefer the face on the WG, how does it stand up to day-today use, as my SS Sub still looks new(ish) after 10 years.

[Ash 996 GT2]

Murcielago_Boy said:

Andy OH said:

Each to their own I guess but I've had mine for 5 years now and still very much like it.

Can I ask why you sold a SS Daytona for a white gold model, unless of course you wanted one that is readily available and doesn't really fetch a premium should you want to sell it on....sorry but this is only my very humble opinion.

I didn't say that it was NOT a nice watch. It is. I bought one at the end of the day.

I'll make it clear:
My point is that the whole "not readily available" isn't really borne out by the numbers of people I see wearing them inspite of premiums.
As I said, I think it's THE most ubiquitous luxury watch out there. For £5K perhaps I'm expecting too much. But the premium thing is beyond me when the ten guys sitting next you on your trading desk all have one as well.

This is it - you'll get a big discount on a white gold/gold/bi metal but see far fewer of them.... what's the story?

I hope you understand my humble opinion.

Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Monday 23 March 19:28

"you'll get a big discount on a white gold/gold/bi metal but see far fewer of them"

Not true.

Seen loads, can pick them up anywhere.

[Murcielago_Boy]

Ash 996 GT2 said:

Murcielago_Boy said:

Andy OH said:

Each to their own I guess but I've had mine for 5 years now and still very much like it.

Can I ask why you sold a SS Daytona for a white gold model, unless of course you wanted one that is readily available and doesn't really fetch a premium should you want to sell it on....sorry but this is only my very humble opinion.

I didn't say that it was NOT a nice watch. It is. I bought one at the end of the day.

I'll make it clear:
My point is that the whole "not readily available" isn't really borne out by the numbers of people I see wearing them inspite of premiums.
As I said, I think it's THE most ubiquitous luxury watch out there. For £5K perhaps I'm expecting too much. But the premium thing is beyond me when the ten guys sitting next you on your trading desk all have one as well.

This is it - you'll get a big discount on a white gold/gold/bi metal but see far fewer of them.... what's the story?

I hope you understand my humble opinion.

Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Monday 23 March 19:28

"you'll get a big discount on a white gold/gold/bi metal but see far fewer of them"

Not true.

Seen loads, can pick them up anywhere.

You're missing the point... it doesn't matter to me where or how many places you can pick them up. You can "pick up" one of 23 different Ferrari Enzo's on mobile.de - big deal.

What matters to ME, is that for my £5-6K I have a special" watch.

Not something that people claim is "rare"/"hard to get"/"commands a premium" and then I see being worn by LOADS of people and which is the absolute default choice for anyone who want's a watch in this price range. That's not the basis for why I buy a watch.
"Buy an SS Daytona, it fetches a premium" - makes me laugh.

In MY experience I almost NEVER see people wearing the other Rolex Daytona variants and these command nothing.

As I said earlier, it appears, I expect too much for £5K-£6K...

[Murcielago_Boy]

Healey73 said:

Sorry for my probably stupid question but can a used white gold one be picked up for around the £6-7k area then? The only ones I ever see are POA. I have to say that I prefer the face on the WG, how does it stand up to day-today use, as my SS Sub still looks new(ish) after 10 years.

Depends on condition... But I think you COULD previously - now Rolex have lifted their prices so maybe a grand or so more... either way the delta between SS and WG is so small it makes the SS look even sillier.
Stands up fine to everyday wear but it's a little on the heavy side. (compared to say a Patek but not say, a Breitling).

[lowdrag]

Somewhat aslant as to the OP but as one of the older guys here I found that it was difficult to read at night unless I put my reading specs on. I now have a Seiko Monster and an IWC Spitfire chrono which are easy to read. Personally I find the whole Rolex thing a bit of a yawn - they are good watches but are they THAT good? It's like the Anonimo (great name too since people have hardly heard of them) Panerai thing. Anonimos are the original Panerai but a darned sight cheaper.