Pricing Differentials (aka Justifying the Platona)

[Chiboy]

I have always thought the pricing differential of the Daytona between stainless steel and platinum was crazy. $12,400 vs. $75,000. But the real life difference is a lot less. The 116500C has a "market" price north of $15,000 and the 116506 is about $45,000-$50,000. Still a giant difference for the same watch made with different materials. I readily admit that.

But I was googling the AP 15400, just to see what it was. The stainless steel (watch and bracelet) retails for $16,900. In "pink gold," it is $64,800. Now that is egregious!

OK, I'm justifying. But still... Thoughts?

[GreenLantern]

I'd say for the amount of Platinum you get, compared to other Platinum watches, the Platona is a bargain.

[Le Chef]

The counter argument is you still get the same movement you get in the base watch. Alternatively look at the price point of the pt version and ask yourself which other watch you could buy. E.g. a lightly owned Lange Datograph in pt with a phenomenal movement and a date thrown in.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

The counter argument is you still get the same movement you get in the base watch. Alternatively look at the price point of the pt version and ask yourself which other watch you could buy. E.g. a lightly owned Lange Datograph in pt with a phenomenal movement and a date thrown in.

I don't know enough about Lange, but how much better is their movement vs the Rolex one? Isn't Rolex's one of the best and most reliable on the market?

[Le Chef]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I don't know enough about Lange, but how much better is their movement vs the Rolex one? Isn't Rolex's one of the best and most reliable on the market?

If you go to a site with a Lange forum then you will find out why the Datograph is so highly regarded: it's like the difference between a Porsche 911 Turbo vs a Pagani Huayra.

[rmlovett1]

For me owning the PT version is about certain feelings I get when wearing it...I guess I mean the intangibles. It's not about the metal. (other than the weight, which is awesome!) Owning the Platinum version, IMHO, is just special. Maybe some other owners can chime in with what I'm trying to express. :)

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Richris1

For me owning the PT version is about certain feelings I get when wearing it...I guess I mean the intangibles. It's not about the metal. (other than the weight, which is awesome!) Owning the Platinum version, IMHO, is just special. Maybe some other owners can chime in with what I'm trying to express. :)

Indeed. This intangibility is exactly why I want a Platona.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Indeed. This intangibility is exactly why I want a Platona.

Oh, I am completely thrilled with the Platona. This was kinda tongue in cheek. But also just a comparison of SS vs. Pt premiums for watches in the same line.

[hallidc]

Originally Posted by Richris1

For me owning the PT version is about certain feelings I get when wearing it...I guess I mean the intangibles. It's not about the metal. (other than the weight, which is awesome!) Owning the Platinum version, IMHO, is just special. Maybe some other owners can chime in with what I'm trying to express. :)

I'll never be an owner, however I was lucky to try one on at my AD. The Platona is a magical piece. And the weight....wowowow

[Rolex addict]

No need to justify, just do it!!! You won't regret it. Feel free to skip the urine remover, though.

[Investr]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

No need to justify, just do it!!! You won't regret it. Feel free to skip the urine remover, though.

Holy crap!!!!!! TWINS!!!!!!!

[AK797]

Not egregious when the AP SS can easily be bought for less than the D500 and that AP RG can be bought for under 50K like the Platona, it's really all the same and yes it's all pretty crazy.

[watchwatcher]

Yeah...when you get into PM, rational thought kinda goes out the window.

Actually, this really begins when you start looking at spending thousands of dollars on a watch.

OK...I've got to ask, Chad, what are two guys with Platonas doing with urine remover?

[Rolex addict]

Just a typical trip to Target with Dr. Tom and family.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

Just a typical trip to Target with Dr. Tom and family.

[Etschell]

I can buy a timex for 10 bucks.

[Hodog16]

Whew. Gotta stop looking at pictures of the 116506. Must resist temptation!

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I have always thought the pricing differential of the Daytona between stainless steel and platinum was crazy. $12,400 vs. $75,000. But the real life difference is a lot less. The 116500C has a "market" price north of $15,000 and the 116506 is about $45,000-$50,000. Still a giant difference for the same watch made with different materials. I readily admit that.

But I was googling the AP 15400, just to see what it was. The stainless steel (watch and bracelet) retails for $16,900. In "pink gold," it is $64,800. Now that is egregious!

OK, I'm justifying. But still... Thoughts?

At least get your retail pricing correct... The retail pricing for 15400 in SS is $17,800, and in full 18k it's $50,500.

Also, you can't compare retail and "market" price.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

At least get your retail pricing correct... The retail pricing for 15400 in SS is $17,800, and in full 18k it's $50,500.

Also, you can't compare retail and "market" price.

I humbly apologize. I got the prices from Hodinkee:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ex...mm-and-15450-3

"The pricing of the 15400 is as follows: In steel it is $16,900. In pink gold on a leather strap as seen above, it is $33,800. In pink gold on a pink gold bracelet, it is $64,800. "

I clearly should have checked multiple sources or realized that the article was five years old and were no longer representative.

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I humbly apologize. I got the prices from Hodinkee:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ex...mm-and-15450-3

"The pricing of the 15400 is as follows: In steel it is $16,900. In pink gold on a leather strap as seen above, it is $33,800. In pink gold on a pink gold bracelet, it is $64,800. "

I clearly should have checked multiple sources or realized that the article was five years old and were no longer representative.

No worries at all... Lots of misinformation about AP's out there, just wanted to correct it.

[vladi123456]

I'm just curious why gold watches are less expensive than platinum - looks like gold is actually the same price or even slightly more expensive at the moment

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by vladi123456

I'm just curious why gold watches are less expensive than platinum - looks like gold is actually the same price or even slightly more expensive at the moment

A few reasons... Yes, gold is trading higher than Pt, but watches are made with 95% Pt as opposed to only 75% gold. Pt is more dense than gold, so, more Pt is needed to fill the same mold. There is also that Pt is supposedly harder to work with than gold, and harder on the machines used to make the watch parts. Add in exclusivity, and there you go.

Im sure there are other reasons I don't know about, or forgetting to mention too.

[vladi123456]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

A few reasons... Yes, gold is trading higher than Pt, but watches are made with 95% Pt as opposed to only 75% gold. Pt is more dense than gold, so, more Pt is needed to fill the same mold. There is also that Pt is supposedly harder to work with than gold, and harder on the machines used to make the watch parts. Add in exclusivity, and there you go.

Im sure there are other reasons I don't know about, or forgetting to mention too.

That makes perfect sense - I didn't realize there was 95% Pt content vs 75% gold content

[Eva123]

Originally Posted by vladi123456

That makes perfect sense - I didn't realize there was 95% Pt content vs 75% gold content

I think that it does not matter that Pt is more dense than Au. Pt watch are perceived as top of the line and that's why they are priced so high. Difference in material costs is quite small comparing to the difference of price between gold and platinum watches.

[peterpl]

Platinum is only $32,000 per kilo! So calculate how much Rolex and in fact every watch company is making on precious metals - its actually a staggering huge margin.

Your paying for the manufacturing not the gold content.

[sensui]

This is reserved for my 10th anniversary with wife next year. Such an amazing watch...pictures do it no justice and the presence on your wrist is breathtaking. Once a certain trusted seller with identical wrist size let me wear his....it was over for me.

[kilyung]

Have you checked the price of a platinum AP or PP? I think you'll find that Rolex was CHEAP in comparison.

[Rocket_Man]

The amount of gold or platinum in a PM watch amounts to a few thousand dollars. That is not what sets the price of PM watches. It is marketing. SS < TT < Gold < Pt. Any PT watch is more exclusive than Gold which is more exclusive than TT... SS etc.

Years ago I had my wife's engagement and wedding rings custom made. The difference in cost between using gold and pt was the cost of the material. Not twice the cost. It was itemized on the quotes they gave me based on the market price of the material.

I'm sure if you are machining these metals there might be a difference in labor, but the large price difference in these watches is for exclusivity. A big reason their market value drops so quickly as used watches.

[TG3N]

As others have stated, the cost price of raw materials, extra machining costs etc. are only a small part of the pricing premium - the rest is emotion, perceived rarity, looks & marketing - this article is excellent on the topic: http://quillandpad.com/2016/12/18/he...recious-metal/

[travisb]

None of it really makes sense. Buy what you like the most.
I went through the same thing with the BLNR vs BLRO but knew which I preferred. I stopped trying to justify it and just did it. Zero regrets.