Curious for the MSRP only crowd

[IR201]

For those who refuse to pay over retail on Rolex, I'm genuinely curious as to this hypothetical:

Would you pay 10,000 USD plus tax for a BLRO, if you wanted one?

or 13,500 USD plus tax for a ceramic daytona, if you wanted one?

Or is it a matter of principle and you'd rather wait for years possibly than pay literally 1 cent over MSRP?

[kmzandrew777]

Originally Posted by IR201

For those who refuse to pay over retail on Rolex, I'm genuinely curious as to this hypothetical:

Would you pay 10,000 USD plus tax for a BLRO, if you wanted one?

or 13,500 USD plus tax for a ceramic daytona, if you wanted one?

Or is it a matter of principle and you'd rather wait for years possibly than pay literally 1 cent over MSRP?

I would pay above MSRP if it was a popular model like the Daytona or a BLRO/Pepsi.
Not 2x MSRP, but I'd be okay with 10-25% more.
That being said my dream Rolex is a YM and I wouldn't pay over MSRP as I feel prices on them are just inflated by flippers and ADs playing games, forcing people to buy other models just to get access to subs, daytonas, GMT Masters, etc.

[dannyp]

For me, it’s about getting via AD and knowing I was the first owner and I’m getting it through the most legitimate channel, with no question about what I’m getting.

If I could get that, but had to pay slightly over msrp, I’d think little of it. Basically the equivalent of traveling to a higher tax state, or shipping from a dealer that insisted on using a more expensive method, or eating credit card fee, and there being a difference in final purchase price as a result (which I wouldn’t hesitate to do for a minute).

“Back in the day” I’d also have been willing to forgo some level of discounting in order to get through AD vs secondary market.

[brandrea]

I think we all have a line in the sand as to what we will pay. It’s different for everyone

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by IR201

For those who refuse to pay over retail on Rolex, I'm genuinely curious as to this hypothetical:

Would you pay 10,000 USD plus tax for a BLRO, if you wanted one?

or 13,500 USD plus tax for a ceramic daytona, if you wanted one?

Or is it a matter of principle and you'd rather wait for years possibly than pay literally 1 cent over MSRP?

I've seen this question asked before and for many on here (at least in the past) the answer was "yes" to this.
Always found it bizarre.

[JRell]

If it was from a Rolex AD, yes that price is fine. Wouldn’t trust it is authentic otherwise. That wouldn’t happen as the ADs can’t go over MSRP for new, so it wouldn’t happen.

[kieselguhr]

I didn’t need to but I don’t mind paying over MSRP for a watch I want if it’s reasonable. However, at the current going rates I couldn’t afford market prices

[NachoNeal]

I think I would personally draw the line somewhere around 10% over retail.

[DJTOSUB]

Originally Posted by IR201

For those who refuse to pay over retail on Rolex, I'm genuinely curious as to this hypothetical:

My feelings as of today:

I would gladly pay MSRP + 6.25% which is the equivalent sales tax where I live in Massachusetts.

If I really wanted a certain model I would talk myself into paying MSRP + 20% premium + 6.25% equivalent tax for the convenience of overnight delivery and immediate enjoyment.

I would simply enjoy my current watches at anything higher. That is what I am currently doing.

[Santiago32]

I never understood folks only willing to pay MSRP but developing spend history on unwanted items.

Wouldn't grey be cheaper at that point?

[Master_Grogu]

Principle. I will never pay something more than I need. I’ve spent years negotiating deals and what I’ve learned through my life is that I don’t need a shiny piece of metal on my wrist.

So with that in mind, I just go to the AD and buy at MSRP. It will take more time, but that’s fine because my money is being invested and thus stays useful instead of allowing greys to sustain their Instagram heavy lifestyles.

[JoeBobsFineRolex]

For me it is about the challenge . I could pay over retail but love the surprise when one comes in. I have been very lucky as I have gotten over 8 Rolex watches this year and only in July. Most are hard to get models. I have a great AD and love the shopping experience.

[PJ03029174]

When spending that much money (x13 more than i've spent on a watch before), personally I'm waiting to go with an AD for piece of mind its genuine. Whilst I'm happy waiting, its hard having a multi year wait knowing prices will keep going up each year for the foreseeable future.

[jswing]

I'm not interested in either of those watches, so I don't even know what MSRP is. I'm interested in two Rolex right now, and am on my local ADs list for them. I would pay slightly over list to get them now. I have nothing against gray market dealers, and have bought from them before when the prices were within reach of MSRP, but the current prices for what I want are too much. Here's what I want and what I'd pay:

Explorer 124270, MSRP $6450, I'd pay ~$7500
Submariner 124060 MSRP $8100, I'd pay ~$9200

It has nothing to do with whether or not I can afford to pay gray market prices, but I don't need the watches and I don't think they're worth the current gray price.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by IR201

For those who refuse to pay over retail on Rolex, I'm genuinely curious as to this hypothetical:

Would you pay 10,000 USD plus tax for a BLRO, if you wanted one?

or 13,500 USD plus tax for a ceramic daytona, if you wanted one?

Or is it a matter of principle and you'd rather wait for years possibly than pay literally 1 cent over MSRP?

For me, it's a matter of patience-meets-desire. Have waited for some, walked in and was behind the counter on others. Waited for initial release on many. A friend had a 'hot' piece but wasn't overly in love and so lateraled it to me for a friend price (yeah yeah it's gone up a lot more, I don't give a flying f... about that).

I am bummed to have not 'pulled the trigger' on FP Journe earlier, or to have aacquired the very first release Roger Dubuis when he first started up and did the RG with black dial and Berguet with fancy crystal... it was just there sitting under the counter. I reeeally wanted it, but for some stupid stupid reason...

But then again I got the Bvlgari Octo FS before it became very popular. I sought it out. Then there are calls out of nowhere from ADs and boutiques offering all sorts of Forbidden Fruit.

Enjoy the journey. Over the past few decades have been grateful for them all. Some hits, some misses... yet my SIG FILE always applies.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by dannyp

For me, it’s about getting via AD and knowing I was the first owner and I’m getting it through the most legitimate channel, with no question about what I’m getting.

If I could get that, but had to pay slightly over msrp, I’d think little of it. Basically the equivalent of traveling to a higher tax state, or shipping from a dealer that insisted on using a more expensive method, or eating credit card fee, and there being a difference in final purchase price as a result (which I wouldn’t hesitate to do for a minute).

“Back in the day” I’d also have been willing to forgo some level of discounting in order to get through AD vs secondary market.

This.

[Zuger]

Sure, pay the premium and get the watch on my wrist tomorrow, but what's the fun in that? I am going for the adrenaline rush when the AD calls!

In the meantime I am more than happy to read reviews, watch videos, dream about the watches I truly want to own. If by the time the AD calls and I am still interested, then I go buy it with glee. If no longer interested, it's fine if someone else buys it.

The biggest benefit for me though is that by slowing down the pace of acquisition, it gives me time to bond with my collection.

[zengineer]

It's not that I refuse out of principle but at some loint the price is just too high for what you get. The last car I bought was 70k all in and while like any car enthusiast I'd rather have a $400,000 car...except for the fact that they cost $400,000. The car was what I wanted for about what I wanted to spend.

If the dealer had told me they were in high demand and I'd have to pay $160,000 for my $70,000 car I would have to say no thanks.

I paid a few grand extra for my Sub but any more than that I would simpy decide it is priced beyond what I percieve as the value. If I was drawn to the Daytona (I'm not) I'd pay a few grand over retail if that's what it took. Double or triple? Sorry, that's not a $35,000 watch.

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[zengineer]

Originally Posted by Santiago32

I never understood folks only willing to pay MSRP but developing spend history on unwanted items.

Wouldn't grey be cheaper at that point?

Well, nobody was making that arguement...but yes, to me it's the same thing and I wouldn't do it in any significant way.

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[Brew]

I don't care for the watch. Offered at MSRP, it's still a pass.

[Goin2drt]

I enjoy the AD experience. However there is always a number on a watch that I like and there is no rhyme or reason as to that value I put on it other than the watch has to be a want for me not the hype of the watch. To answer your question a white faced Daytona isn’t worth MSRP to me however if my AD offered me one I would take it as I am not stupid. The BLRO also is not worth MSRP to me as I do not care for it. Now you release a black red GMT on an oyster and that would be worth $10-$12k to me.

[shaunylw]

Yes and yes. I’ve bought grey many times but when it was a reasonable amount over MSRP. I might pay 17-18k for a SS Daytona. But at 30+, it’s laughable.


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[calebb90]

Most people will buy at any price lower than they feel confident they can easily sell it for, which is why market prices are always just out of reach and people say “never more than MSRP”; meanwhile missing Daytonas at 18k and Nautiluses at 32k.

People who actually want the watches to keep have different tolerances. Personally, there are too many other fish in the sea to pay gray prices. If I were a 1-2 watch guy and had no AD relationship, I’d buy the watches I wanted at the best price I could find and readily available to purchase.


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[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by IR201

For those who refuse to pay over retail on Rolex, I'm genuinely curious as to this hypothetical:

Would you pay 10,000 USD plus tax for a BLRO, if you wanted one?

or 13,500 USD plus tax for a ceramic daytona, if you wanted one?

Or is it a matter of principle and you'd rather wait for years possibly than pay literally 1 cent over MSRP?

I just don’t see watches as a must have at any cost item.

It’s a watch it tells the time, that’s all it is.

I am happy with a watch that is available or with a short wait, I am happy with buying from an AD and I am happy paying MSRP. To me if I cannot get a watch I like under these circumstances then I will look for another watch.

From me there is no incentive to wait years for a watch, I don’t understand the logic in going in that direction, equally I see no logic in paying over retail for a watch, in my opinion no watch is worth buying at over retail.

Now my views may cost me the chance to buy certain ‘celebrity’ watches, but that’s fine, I know that I will never own these watches and it doesn’t bother me.

Next month if everything goes to plan I will pick up my next watch, it isn’t a Rolex, I haven’t had to wait for it I have simply asked to pick it up on my birthday which the AD is happy to allow me to do.

After that who knows, I like the YM42 on the OF, I also like the Submariner LV, but I really fancy a VC Overseas, so I’ve got some thinking and some saving to do.

[Bigmozza]

Me personally would never pay over retail for ANY watch no matter what it’s all hype

[HMHM]

All my watches are bought from AD or boutique directly. The main reason being that all it takes is ONE mistake and there goes the money. There’s no point taking the risk in saving a few hundreds to thousands but face the risk of buying a counterfeit product. That was pre-2010 whereby most watches could be bought for a discount at the resellers. Nowadays authenticity is more important than ever, considering watches like Daytona are going $35k. One mistake from the buyer and there goes 35k. The HorologyHouse scandal is a good example. The buyer was fortunate he had a friend with a genuine Daytona for comparison or else he might not have realised it until today… maybe forever.

Developing history with the AD is a challenge with finite resources. But buy what you like then every watch is worthy of a spot in the collection.

[Michael T]

I have never paid over MSRP, it is less a philosophical thing as I have had good luck getting the pieces I wanted in a reasonable amount of time (four to six months), other than a Pepsi. I at times think Rolex should raise their prices 10-20% across the board on the hotter pieces, to reduce the wait times. It would not rid the wait on all items, but it would just help the wait times.

[prnceofpersia23]

Originally Posted by dannyp

For me, it’s about getting via AD and knowing I was the first owner and I’m getting it through the most legitimate channel, with no question about what I’m getting.

This for me as well.

[nyc10ken]

Originally Posted by Zuger

Sure, pay the premium and get the watch on my wrist tomorrow, but what's the fun in that? I am going for the adrenaline rush when the AD calls!

In the meantime I am more than happy to read reviews, watch videos, dream about the watches I truly want to own. If by the time the AD calls and I am still interested, then I go buy it with glee. If no longer interested, it's fine if someone else buys it.

The biggest benefit for me though is that by slowing down the pace of acquisition, it gives me time to bond with my collection.

This exactly, part of the fun in this hobby is playing the AD game and pacing your collection out.

[greengold]

Priniciple and i'd hate the thing knowing i'd paid more than it 'costs' every day I look at it