replace Harley with Rolex

[extra260]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqinqsK-LZc

I stumbled across this video by accident and I couldn't help but notice all the similarities between Harley Davidson in its hey day and the current Rolex market. lots of Shocking similarities.

[NanoGuitarist]

Crazy how similar the stories are ... atleast the Rolex dealers are not as bad as the Harleys.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by extra260

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqinqsK-LZc

I stumbled across this video by accident and I couldn't help but notice all the similarities between Harley Davidson in its hey day and the current Rolex market. lots of Shocking similarities.

As a life long motorcyclist on many levels, the stories are extremely similar !

[Bigblu10]

They can't give Harley's away now even if they were free. Much different in the 90's when you had to be on a "list" to buy one. My how things change.

[EndlessEight]

The market similarities are similar but that’s where this stops.

Harley opened a new factory in PA which eventually was able to ramp up production to meet the market demand.

Rolex seemingly has no intention of opening a new factory or making more watches.

[JodyHighroller]

Wow. I didn’t plan on watching the entire video, but the similarities are simply striking! Makes you really think where this thing could head.

[Kowaco]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

The market similarities are similar but that’s where this stops.

Harley opened a new factory in PA which eventually was able to ramp up production to meet the market demand.

Rolex seemingly has no intention of opening a new factory or making more watches.

I think the mania for Harleys has dropped, baby boomers all wanted a Harley but now they're too old to ride. I think Harley is having problems because the market just isn't there anymore.

[EndlessEight]

Originally Posted by Kowaco

I think the mania for Harleys has dropped, baby boomers all wanted a Harley but now they're too old to ride. I think Harley is having problems because the market just isn't there anymore.

Right. But the guy was saying it was a 10-15 year frenzy. We’re basically in year 2.

[oldman2005]

Cool video but one difference: Rolex intentionally limited the production of the SS sport so it's not really 100% customer demand. You can still get all the DJ/TT/PM you ever want. Personally I think Rolex simulated the SS sport pro demand for the past 2 years, they could easily increase the production but...Nothing lasts forever as other watch brands are supplying what Rolex decides not too.

[donq]

Originally Posted by oldman2005

Cool video but one difference: Rolex intentionally limited the production of the SS sport so it's not really 100% customer demand.

I’ve read this in many threads.
Can someone please cite a source or verify this in some way?

[Juantxo]

Big difference. Rolex is like a Ducati Panigale. Harley is like an old sofa on wheels.

[donq]

One of Harley’s problems, in addition to an aging/shrinking market, is over exposure.

In the late eighties, seeing a Harley was a relatively rare occurrence.
Harley riders were basically outlaw bikers/wannabe outlaw bikers and traffic cops.

Their image was tied in with Easy Rider and the Hell’s Angels.

After they started making reasonably good bikes with the introduction of the Evo motors, they started selling and the boom was off and running.

Wait lists, used models selling above MSRP etc.

But pretty soon, with ramped up production and high demand, they were everywhere.
And then there were TV shows. Orange County Chopper, The Biker Build-Off, Jesse James (remember him?), Sons of Anarchy...etc.

When you see things everywhere, they cease to be special and desirable.
If you know five guys with a Harley, and they are all goofy biker wannabes, do you really want to join that club?

Rolex is playing the long game that Harley never saw.
Keep production at a low level and demand high.
When demand goes down, they won’t have to worry about big stockpiles, price cuts or discounts. They will be in fine shape.

[Nikrnic]

Haha funny when I wanted a new FatBoy in 1997 I had to buy from a Grey dealer. Then l became friends with an owner of an AD buy stopping in for parts I was bumped up the list for a 2000 Heritage.

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[extra260]

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

Wow. I didn’t plan on watching the entire video, but the similarities are simply striking! Makes you really think where this thing could head.

Haha, I didn’t either but it was so familiar I couldn't stop watching.

[SoTaxLaw]

Somehow the “Harley” dial 116000 missed out on all the craziness. Seems like it should have seen a lot more demand.

[drtii]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

Big difference. Rolex is like a Ducati Panigale. Harley is like an old sofa on wheels.

LOL...no.

You can't go comparing an Italian superbike to any Rolex. If anything a Rolex would be closer to the BMW line of motorcycles. Utilitarian and reliable with a build quality that varies between a bank vault and an aircraft.

Richard Mille would be closer to a Panigale. Over the top. Expensive in its class.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by drtii

LOL...no.

You can't go comparing an Italian superbike to any Rolex. If anything a Rolex would be closer to the BMW line of motorcycles. Utilitarian and reliable with a build quality that varies between a bank vault and an aircraft.

Richard Mille would be closer to a Panigale. Over the top. Expensive in its class.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

The market similarities are similar but that’s where this stops.

Harley opened a new factory in PA which eventually was able to ramp up production to meet the market demand.

Rolex seemingly has no intention of opening a new factory or making more watches.

No, they opened up a new factory in Kansas City which has now closed due to poor sales and low demand for their overpriced toys.

[Linzjnr]

Having lived through it and watched the Harley "boom" and now the crazy low prices they are selling second hand for now I can't help but wonder whether the world will reach saturation point with Rolex's or whether the emerging markets out there will keep it buoyant for years to come. Rolex are smart also in not trying to lessen demand by flooding the market.

Cheers to the OP for the link, was an interesting watch

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by donq

I’ve read this in many threads.
Can someone please cite a source or verify this in some way?

Rolex is among the most secretive brands in the world, so their marketing strategies won't be published for the perusal of the general public.

Limiting distribution is a very well known tactic in the luxury space, so Rolex practicing it as well is not as unfathomable as some people think.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by donq

One of Harley’s problems, in addition to an aging/shrinking market, is over exposure.

In the late eighties, seeing a Harley was a relatively rare occurrence.
Harley riders were basically outlaw bikers/wannabe outlaw bikers and traffic cops.

Their image was tied in with Easy Rider and the Hell’s Angels.

After they started making reasonably good bikes with the introduction of the Evo motors, they started selling and the boom was off and running.

Wait lists, used models selling above MSRP etc.

But pretty soon, with ramped up production and high demand, they were everywhere.
And then there were TV shows. Orange County Chopper, The Biker Build-Off, Jesse James (remember him?), Sons of Anarchy...etc.

When you see things everywhere, they cease to be special and desirable.
If you know five guys with a Harley, and they are all goofy biker wannabes, do you really want to join that club?

Rolex is playing the long game that Harley never saw.
Keep production at a low level and demand high.
When demand goes down, they won’t have to worry about big stockpiles, price cuts or discounts. They will be in fine shape.

There used to be a group of RUBS (rich urban bikers) called the "Rolex Riders". I kid you not. These guys were doctors, lawyers and such that were weekend "bikers" who all happened to wear Rolex watches. I wonder where they all are now and if their "gang" is still chugging along.

[dtwer]

Comparing Rolex to Harley is, simply put, completely missing the mark.

Harley consistently produces products that are high in price and subpar in quality. These are the major forces that result in its downfall, not the millennials, nor the market. There is nothing that looks similar between Rolex and Harley once one does some research into the subject matter.

[HogwldFLTR]

Seriously, during the '90s Harleys were selling like hot cakes. Of course it was model dependent. I purchased two during the time and paid list on both. Resold HDs were selling for as much as new. Even 10 year old bikes. HD increased production to capitalize on the demand. Demand decreased as supply increased and now new bikes can be had at a discount (so I'm told). My bike is 22 years old now and isn't worth near what I paid for it. BTW, I turned off the video when the bathroom joke was used.

[omx5o]

This is a perfect example of why Rolex should not ramp up production to meet demand as some people on here have suggested.

[CharlesN]

That is so similar to rolex and the grey market that it is scary.

I wish I could edit films then I would edit this video, take out the word Harley and add the word Rolex and it would be exactly what is happening now.

The "Bubble" will burst one day and a lot of folks who bought from grey dealers will have a lot of egg on their faces.

[zengineer]

The other similarity seems to be bashing them when your wife won't let you buy one.



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[In-Cog-Neeto]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

There used to be a group of RUBS (rich urban bikers) called the "Rolex Riders". I kid you not. These guys were doctors, lawyers and such that were weekend "bikers" who all happened to wear Rolex watches. I wonder where they all are now and if their "gang" is still chugging along.

Thank you for broadening my horizons. Quick google and a good read about the ‘rolex Riders’!

[Pilliam]

Originally Posted by donq

One of Harley’s problems, in addition to an aging/shrinking market, is over exposure.

In the late eighties, seeing a Harley was a relatively rare occurrence.
Harley riders were basically outlaw bikers/wannabe outlaw bikers and traffic cops.

Their image was tied in with Easy Rider and the Hell’s Angels.

After they started making reasonably good bikes with the introduction of the Evo motors, they started selling and the boom was off and running.

Wait lists, used models selling above MSRP etc.

But pretty soon, with ramped up production and high demand, they were everywhere.
And then there were TV shows. Orange County Chopper, The Biker Build-Off, Jesse James (remember him?), Sons of Anarchy...etc.

When you see things everywhere, they cease to be special and desirable.
If you know five guys with a Harley, and they are all goofy biker wannabes, do you really want to join that club?

Rolex is playing the long game that Harley never saw.
Keep production at a low level and demand high.
When demand goes down, they won’t have to worry about big stockpiles, price cuts or discounts. They will be in fine shape.

Well said, on all counts. I echo your assessment and add that Rolex is private and Swiss; Harley is neither. Rolex is far smarter at the long game, as you say, so I don’t think they’ll ever suffer the same fate as HD

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Seriously, during the '90s Harleys were selling like hot cakes. Of course it was model dependent. I purchased two during the time and paid list on both. Resold HDs were selling for as much as new. Even 10 year old bikes. HD increased production to capitalize on the demand. Demand decreased as supply increased and now new bikes can be had at a discount (so I'm told). My bike is 22 years old now and isn't worth near what I paid for it. BTW, I turned off the video when the bathroom joke was used.

The fact that they now have a full electric motorcycle that lists for 30K shows just how much this company is basically done and is grasping at straws to survive.

[MartinHH]

Originally Posted by Kowaco

I think the mania for Harleys has dropped, baby boomers all wanted a Harley but now they're too old to ride. I think Harley is having problems because the market just isn't there anymore.

Also, japanese bikes are less expensive and come with way less factory defects.