Are Today's Rolexes Overpriced?

[BristolCavendish]

All things considered and taking into account that there are many outstanding watches in the -$5K range.

Some attribute the exorbitant pricing to Rolex SA's extensive and costly marketing program. Others say one is strictly paying for the name and visual recognition.

At one time, a Rolex was affordable (for those who really wanted one) by either being frugal or eliminating other miscellaneous/unnecessary expenditures. It's a seemingly different story today as $8-10K+ represents a bigger chunk of change even when accounting for current inflation and higher salaries/wages.

A co-worker bought his 1675 back in the mid-1970s while working at a minimum wage job (about $2.00/hour). It took him roughly six weeks + some overtime to accrue the necessary funds. Today at minimum wage (e.g. $5.50/Georgia to $11.50/Washington), it would take close to a year's wages (and that's not even allowing for basic living expenses).

Over the past few decades, Rolexes have become an 'elitist' commodity rather than a somewhat affordable high-end wristwatch that was once realistically and readily attainable by the masses.

Those days are over.

[Sub King]

The drastic price increase occurred because the meaning of a Rolex shifted. It went from being a solid tool watch to being a luxury status symbol item. However, all things considered, I think Rolex remains a good value even to this day.

How many other luxury watch brands have as rich a history, designs that are as iconic, durability that is on par, and the innumerable other excellent attributes that Rolex watches have, for the same cost as a Rolex?

Let’s take Audemars Piguet for example: They charge for a stainless steel watch what Rolex, the most well-known and prestigious (in the eyes of common folk) watch brand in the world, charges for a solid 18k gold watch. If you wanna talk about overpricing, I think AP and PP are better brands to look at!

[jmrxtr]

Originally Posted by Sub King

The drastic price increase occurred because the meaning of a Rolex shifted. It went from being a solid tool watch to being a luxury status symbol item. However, all things considered, I think Rolex remains a good value even to this day.

How many other luxury watch brands have as rich a history, designs that are as iconic, durability that is on par, and the innumerable other excellent attributes that Rolex watches have, for the same cost as a Rolex?

Let’s take Audemars Piguet for example: They charge for a stainless steel watch what Rolex, the most well-known and prestigious (in the eyes of common folk) watch brand in the world, charges for a solid 18k gold watch. If you wanna talk about overpricing, I think AP and PP are better brands to look at!

couldn't agree more

[MylesFalkingham]

Originally Posted by Sub King

The drastic price increase occurred because the meaning of a Rolex shifted. It went from being a solid tool watch to being a luxury status symbol item. However, all things considered, I think Rolex remains a good value even to this day.

How many other luxury watch brands have as rich a history, designs that are as iconic, durability that is on par, and the innumerable other excellent attributes that Rolex watches have, for the same cost as a Rolex?

Let’s take Audemars Piguet for example: They charge for a stainless steel watch what Rolex, the most well-known and prestigious (in the eyes of common folk) watch brand in the world, charges for a solid 18k gold watch. If you wanna talk about overpricing, I think AP and PP are better brands to look at!

Could not agree more!

[ALF61]

Originally Posted by Sub King

The drastic price increase occurred because the meaning of a Rolex shifted. It went from being a solid tool watch to being a luxury status symbol item. However, all things considered, I think Rolex remains a good value even to this day.

How many other luxury watch brands have as rich a history, designs that are as iconic, durability that is on par, and the innumerable other excellent attributes that Rolex watches have, for the same cost as a Rolex?

Let’s take Audemars Piguet for example: They charge for a stainless steel watch what Rolex, the most well-known and prestigious (in the eyes of common folk) watch brand in the world, charges for a solid 18k gold watch. If you wanna talk about overpricing, I think AP and PP are better brands to look at!

THIS !!

Rolex of the 60's and 70's and maybe 80's motto was building a tool watch affordable for many.

Now Rolex thinks folks who buy one are so rich that they will buy a whole collection. That is what their marketing targets and that is what their AD's treat you like. When I bought my first Rolex back in the 90's I was a newcomer to Mayors, got excellent attention. Today and AD would probably look funny at me from the moment I walked in the store. Look at their displays--they are not inviting to just anyone, the hot watches are stashed away in the vault awaiting their great clients.

[minute_man]

I don't think they're overpiced. Especially at sub-10K most of the SS sports models and SS/TT DJ are priced just right and attainable by many if not by most who decide to save towards one. Given the resale value and pre-owned market of popular SS sports models I'd go as far as saying they're quite affordable purchased BNIB.

Originally Posted by ALF61

Now Rolex thinks folks who buy one are so rich that they will buy a whole collection. That is what their marketing targets and that is what their AD's treat you like. When I bought my first Rolex back in the 90's I was a newcomer to Mayors, got excellent attention. Today and AD would probably look funny at me from the moment I walked in the store. Look at their displays--they are not inviting to just anyone, the hot watches are stashed away in the vault awaiting their great clients.

I respectfully disagree.There are AD's who value and treat every client as a VIP. I personally have only good experiences from Singapore to Spain and Greece; the latter being not just any AD but Rolex Greece. And it wasn't even a Rolex I bought from them but a Tudor.

[ALF61]

Originally Posted by minute_man

I don't think they're overpiced. Especially at sub-10K most of the SS sports models and SS/TT DJ are priced just right and attainable by many if not by most who decide to save towards one. Given the resale value and pre-owned market of popular SS sports models I'd go as far as saying they're quite affordable purchased BNIB.




I respectfully disagree.There are AD's who value and treat every client as a VIP. I personally have only good experiences from Singapore to Spain and Greece; the latter being not just any AD but Rolex Greece. And it wasn't even a Rolex I bought from them but a Tudor.

My statement was probably too broad in nature. you might be right. But some AD´s are there for tourists or newcomers and that is their primary target. In other markets however my statement I stand by, and their attitude is a departure from what it was decades ago.

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by ALF61

But some AD´s are there for tourists or newcomers and that is their primary target. In other markets however my statement I stand by, and their attitude is a departure from what it was decades ago.

Both true. There are different attitudes depending on actual respect for their own business and how much they value a good name over some short term profit.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Sub King

The drastic price increase occurred because the meaning of a Rolex shifted. It went from being a solid tool watch to being a luxury status symbol item. However, all things considered, I think Rolex remains a good value even to this day.

How many other luxury watch brands have as rich a history, designs that are as iconic, durability that is on par, and the innumerable other excellent attributes that Rolex watches have, for the same cost as a Rolex?

Let’s take Audemars Piguet for example: They charge for a stainless steel watch what Rolex, the most well-known and prestigious (in the eyes of common folk) watch brand in the world, charges for a solid 18k gold watch. If you wanna talk about overpricing, I think AP and PP are better brands to look at!

Amen

[vladamir15]

Originally Posted by Sub King

The drastic price increase occurred because the meaning of a Rolex shifted. It went from being a solid tool watch to being a luxury status symbol item. However, all things considered, I think Rolex remains a good value even to this day.

How many other luxury watch brands have as rich a history, designs that are as iconic, durability that is on par, and the innumerable other excellent attributes that Rolex watches have, for the same cost as a Rolex?

Let’s take Audemars Piguet for example: They charge for a stainless steel watch what Rolex, the most well-known and prestigious (in the eyes of common folk) watch brand in the world, charges for a solid 18k gold watch. If you wanna talk about overpricing, I think AP and PP are better brands to look at!

x2

[TimeToWatch]

An item's worth as much as one is willing to pay. On that basis, I would say Rolexes are priced just right. I don't really understand the point of your post.. Of course you can have a fine watch for much less than a Rolex. It is, after all, Rolex.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by aschneid

An item's worth as much as one is willing to pay. On that basis, I would say Rolexes are priced just right. I don't really understand the point of your post.. Of course you can have a fine watch for much less than a Rolex. It is, after all, Rolex.

Really? It wasn't really very complicated. His point was that Rolex prices have risen significantly over the years, not just in nominal, but also in real (inflation-adjusted) terms. You didn't understand that? I showed it to my 14 year old daughter and even she understood the point he was making. He even used examples, for goodness' sake.

[rebel_1]

To my knowledge, the US Federal minimum wage is $7.25 / hour. While I’m not disputing Rolexes are expensive, the minimum wage position doesn’t hold as much water as you think. The way the US is set up, minimum “compensation” supersedes the minimum wage via wealth / tax redistribution. IMO, the redistribution stops somewhere around the $40,000 / year mark.

As for the price of any item, the manufacturer has to include in its overhead All the costs of the sale including advertising.

I’m ok with the price of a Rolex personally. Other brands, forget about it.

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by rebel_1

To my knowledge, the US Federal minimum wage is $7.25 / hour.

That's what I always thought but click on the map of Georgia. There's some sort of exception.

https://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/amer...m#stateDetails

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

That's what I always thought but click on the map of Georgia. There's some sort of exception.

https://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/amer...m#stateDetails

that only applies to employees not covered by the fair labor standards act. So yes, you could have employees as independent contractors which many companies do, and pay them less than federal minimum wage and would pay them the state minimum which is less. That lower rate only applies to those not covered by the FLSA and those covered by the federal act must be paid the federal minimum.

[SpyShopsNYC]

If you was in the Amazon forest and had a Rolex on they would know it. I went to my high school reunion and I wanted to show my status so I wore the Rolex not my IWC. I wore my YM2 116688


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[Investr]

Originally Posted by SpyShopsNYC

If you was in the Amazon forest and had a Rolex on they would know it. I went to my high school reunion and I wanted to show my status so I wore the Rolex not my IWC. I wore my YM2 116688


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Oh brother......

[TimeToWatch]

Originally Posted by Investr

Oh brother......

[Mainewatchman]

Originally Posted by Investr

Oh brother......

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by Investr

Oh brother......

[Flier]

[QUOTE=Investr;8211768]Oh brother......:thinking
Lol

[jmrxtr]

Originally Posted by SpyShopsNYC

If you was in the Amazon forest and had a Rolex on they would know it. I went to my high school reunion and I wanted to show my status so I wore the Rolex not my IWC. I wore my YM2 116688


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don't you new yorkers usually stack the love locks?

[bio guyver]

This is what I call symbol of status. King of watches

[semi-ambivalent]

Originally Posted by bio guyver

This is what I call symbol of status. King of watches

Best post here. Of all watches less, or more, or vastly more expensive, Rolex above all others remains iconic for the "average person". There are a lot of more expensive watches out there, most of which will remain unknown to the masses. But Rolex has perfectly crafted a niche where someone (a lot of people, actually) can think they are over-priced but not hold it against them. To have someone not think "$8k, that's BS." But "$8k, that's an awful lot, but I'm going to have one some day." Easy consumer credit has tarnished the value of such aspirations because it takes struggle and discipline and satisfaction in achieving a goal and replaces it with instant access and debt+interest.

A SS Rolex is the best deal going for the money paid if you're after a watch for a lifetime. Want to throw some "prestige" into it? Get a PM, but that's not where the value is. Even the humble OP has orders of magnitude more real stuff to it than some Birkin bag. But that's just the sort of writing I'd expect to find in The Economist.

[Vanmarsenille]

Originally Posted by SpyShopsNYC

If you was in the Amazon forest and had a Rolex on they would know it. I went to my high school reunion and I wanted to show my status so I wore the Rolex not my IWC. I wore my YM2 116688


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Oh dear.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by SpyShopsNYC

If you was in the Amazon forest and had a Rolex on they would know it. I went to my high school reunion and I wanted to show my status so I wore the Rolex not my IWC. I wore my YM2 116688

Please, for the sake of this guy, let this be a joke. Please.

[Watch This]

Originally Posted by SpyShopsNYC

If you was in the Amazon forest and had a Rolex on they would know it. I went to my high school reunion and I wanted to show my status so I wore the Rolex not my IWC. I wore my YM2 116688


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I sincerely hope you didn't run into your former English teacher.

[mk2jag]

Originally Posted by Watch This

I sincerely hope you didn't run into your former English teacher.

Haha, well said!

[lilsweetie]

Originally Posted by SpyShopsNYC

If you was in the Amazon forest and had a Rolex on they would know it. I went to my high school reunion and I wanted to show my status so I wore the Rolex not my IWC. I wore my YM2 116688


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Love that Love/YM combo. Simply gorgeous!

[997.2]

Originally Posted by SpyShopsNYC

If you was in the Amazon forest and had a Rolex on they would know it. I went to my high school reunion and I wanted to show my status so I wore the Rolex not my IWC. I wore my YM2 116688


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Oh no......