Does anyone actually enjoy the hunt?

[TwoToneHappy]

I must be in a minority but I actually enjoy the whole Rolex AD scarcity situation and the hunt involved in getting your hands on a new Rolex watch! I have bought a couple of Cartiers in the last year and frankly it’s too easy just being able to walk into a boutique and buy what I want! Am I the only one?

[MILGAUSS88]

I do enjoy the hunt, and I can tell you stories about many of my watches.
However, I am mostly a vintage guy, and I don't think going to an AD or ordering online is "hunting".

[JRell]

I do - it is like getting OG Jordan’s on their release date for me. More of a prize when you work for it.

[Travis29]

Originally Posted by JRell

I do - it is like getting OG Jordan’s on their release date for me. More of a prize when you work for it.

This ^

[beshannon]

I used to.

Not any longer

[ap1]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I used to.

Not any longer

Yeah, no way. Ulcers only

[train-time]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I used to.

Not any longer

Have to agree with you Brian!

Initially I viewed it as a challenge, but at time passed and I realized just how unlevel the playing field was it became intolerable.

Essentially it all has to do with Rolex USA and ADs being independent businesses. Rolex contributed to the unlevel playing field by cutting ADs in one area and leaving many in other areas and in many cases these areas didn't seem to warrant all the ADs. The ADs contributed to the problem by adopting their own business practices that ranged from allocating watches to people on a waiting list on a first come, first served basis at MSRP to extorting true market value for any and all watches that they sold, one way or another and anything in between. We witness this playing out every single day with the "incomings" and the threads on "how much" it took to get a piece other than simply paying MSRP and all the games that ensue.

So essentially given the inherent inequity in the system, the fun disappeared and so did the desire.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I used to.

Not any longer

Bingo. Gets old, fast.


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[Ichiran]

I have become a more patient person after indulging in this hobby. Now I'm quite ok with waiting, and find myself enjoying the moment more when the watch finally came.

I also learnt how to deal with disappointment better, ie, I know how to manage my emotions if the watch never comes. I just move on and console myself with the watches I already have.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I have become a more patient person after indulging in this hobby. Now I'm quite ok with waiting, and find myself enjoying the moment more when the watch finally came.

I also learnt how to deal with disappointment better, ie, I know how to manage my emotions if the watch never comes. I just move on and console myself with the watches I already have.

Words to live by.

[Turb0wned]

There is nothing enjoyable about being treated my trash and being lied to at Rolex “boutiques.” I go there with my hard earned money and can’t get what I want because they rather sell to VIP customers that turn around and sell them to the grey market or the AD just sells to their buddy under the table that runs a grey market.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by TwoToneHappy

I must be in a minority but I actually enjoy the whole Rolex AD scarcity situation and the hunt involved in getting your hands on a new Rolex watch! I have bought a couple of Cartiers in the last year and frankly it’s too easy just being able to walk into a boutique and buy what I want! Am I the only one?

Don’t tell your AD you enjoy waiting. Or maybe do

[Newt]

I love the hunt, but I sorta split acquisitions along "vintage/neo-vintage" and "waitlist." The waitlist thing just kinda bores me. But hunting down that 1999 A-serial, swiss only dial explorer two in perfect condition with box and papers in Montreal? That was pretty fun. I wanted a matched pair with my A-serial sub that my mom gave me in '99 when I got back from overseas. And early 70's pepsi? heck yeah.....no holes 5-digit GMT coke and then adding a jubilee, that was fun too....

And occasionally, my guy calls me, and boom, it's like gravy.

[DJ2020]

No, not with Rolex. It's like fishing in a bath tub. No bites for a long time one looses intrest. For new pieces anyway. Preowned is easily available at a decent price again in my neck of the woods. I am enjoying that immensely at the moment.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by DJ2020

It's like fishing in a bath tub. No bites for a long time one looses interest.

I agree with the analogy, not the interpretation.
Fishing in a bathtub (buying new from an AD) is not challenging. You know where the fish are and you can put the bait right in front of them. If they won't bite, you can always empty the water from the tub. (Go gray.)

Hunting, or fishing in this analogy involves going out into the wild and trying your luck in ponds and lakes and outwitting the fish. (Going to auctions, antique shows, flea market and pawn shops and knowing more than the seller.)

[Cigars&Watches]

I do like the hunt as well. I enjoy the anticipation, the suspense, the visits to the AD, the conversations with my friends about what piece to get next... Frankly, if Rolex was easy to get I wouldn't be as hooked as I am..

[sherrill]

Yes! It’s fun to see if you can actually make something happen towards a goal by moving things that you have but don’t wear or want anymore without really losing out. There have been a lot of watches I thought I wanted or was mesmerized by, but they ended up being disappointing or the thrill eventually wore off. I’ve got my forever watches, and some that may leave the older I get. Tastes change with time.

[minute_man]

Yes, I do. Makes something as trivial as a consumer goods purchase, feel like it's a big deal.

[MrGoat]

I don’t chase frivolous things at my stage in life. I buy what I want, when I want it. Time means so much more to me than money or “status” at an AD.


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[SLWoodster]

Hell no.

So much time wasted. Just end up having to buy other watches anyway.

Then when you get what you want you’re onto the next AP or Patek.

[Wee-Willie]

Since I bought my 1st 2 Rolexes in 1986 & 1999, I hate this hunting & hoping crap.
It was great to see something in the window or display & be able to go in, buy it & get it sized & walk out..... was Perfect!!

[rico7rico]

enjoy the part making connections. Not so much about the part I have been waiting for 2+ years.

[GGGMT]

Yes, because it slows down the purchase, and forces me to do some research, deep, taking, learning about the piece actually want. At which time I often decide I don’t want to piece anymore.


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[NachoNeal]

No I do not enjoy the hunt.
It would be the same for me as trying to hunt for my favorite toilet paper.
At best an annoyance and inconvenience.

[PenDelicate]

Not me.
Waited a year for a TT Daytona. Just ... unpleasant.
Don't think I can afford another Rolex, but if I do and grey-market is within 5% of MSRP and the AD wait is more than a month or two, I'd go grey.

[Chewbacca]

No. The hunt is searching for customers or knowledge or achieving personal milestones and greatness, to earn the money to then acquire. Not the embarrassing search like adults at a kids Easter egg hunt. People with the means and who’ve put in the effort to afford mass market goods don’t necessarily sign up to be Indiana Jones, for a watch.

The deal was always, celebrate your achievement. Not play the game of their retail network mismanagement.

[carwash66]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

No. The hunt is searching for customers or knowledge or achieving personal milestones and greatness, to earn the money to then acquire. Not the embarrassing search like adults at a kids Easter egg hunt. People with the means and who’ve put in the effort to afford mass market goods don’t necessarily sign up to be Indiana Jones, for a watch.

The deal was always, celebrate your achievement. Not play the game of their retail network mismanagement.

Yep. Pretty much sums it up.

[Calatrava r]

The whole buying experience is generally unpleasant at the moment. Even if you get allocated a watch, there are all the other customers in the store with long faces. Buying used on-line is not much better. Overpaying retail for a used anything is never ideal.

[tjs1295]

I hate it. I love hunting, just not for watches.

[Harry-57]

No. I have a plan and it usually comes to fruition. There is no hunting involved, just planning, reviewing, anticipation and patience, plus the occasional bit of good fortune.