Rolex Boutique: No men's watches

[Lew Archer]

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like this is your first foray into the world of high end watches, inspired by the conversation with the pilot, who was a Rolex fan.

As you've seen, the retail situation is difficult, and those who advocate "go grey" have accepted the huge markup in price in exchange for getting the watch they want NOW. That's their business and to each is own and all of that. But, Rolex are expensive enough as it is!

There is something in human nature which puts greater value into whatever is difficult to obtain. With high end watches, the difficulty has been the ever increasing price tag. Now, we have added extreme scarcity (which, any psychologist can tell you is a very effective sales technique) and so certain brands, Rolex in particular, are both very expensive and scarce...fueling the great market, the prices, etc.

Not all brands have been so afflicted, however. And that is really what I'm leading up to. I am fortunate to own Rolex watches, but there are other brands, such as Omega, Tudor, Breitling, etc., which have much to offer. I enjoy watches from these brands every bit as much as Rolex.

So, if you're in it for the WATCH...an instrument...and you want a high quality instrument, with aesthetic appeal, perhaps with horological history (watch buffs are often into what the brands represent, in terms of past horological achievements)...there is plenty of fair game out there.

If you allow yourself to become myopic and then fall into the "only Rolex will satisfy me"...then, prepare for a long wait or a huge mark up in price.

I recommend that you take in the field...see what's out there. Visit the websites for Omega, Breitling, Tudor (which is, indeed, owned by Rolex). There are other brands, of course, I'm just citing brands with which I have personal experience, whose products have given me a watch equal in satisfaction to Rolex.

Rolex has certain iconic models. The Submariner. The GMT. The Daytona. The Explorer. The Datejust...and others.

Well, iconic models can be found in Omega's catalog...take the Speedmaster Professional, for example, the watch flight qualified by NASA for manned space missions and worn on the moon. Or Breiting's Navitimer, with its long association with aviation. Tudor has reinvented itself and has a number of watches which harken back to its history. The Black Bay 58 is a classy, old school dive watch, very much in the spirit of the original Tudor Submariners...which were cousins to the original Rolex Sub.

If one of these other brands appeals, you may just find a watch that ticks all your boxes and is readily available to anyone with the funds to buy one at retail price, or, perhaps, less than MSRP, on the grey market. The grey market used to be a place for discounts in price, not wait time.

As I type this, I'm wearing a Breitling Navitimer that is a precise recreation of the 1959 Navitimer. Yesterday, I wore the Tudor Black Bay 58, with the blue dial and bezel. Last week, I wore the new Explorer, which I was able to land recently. Guess what? They're all great watches, all a pleasure and luxury to own and wear.

I've seen many posts where the member is furiously seeking a certain reference, then, with great anticipation, finally, finally lands that reference...then, a few months later, has soured on the watch, and is again hunting for the new "grail" piece. That is a cycle that is not about the watch, but the wearer. That's the scarcity trap...the watch is wanted BECAUSE it's hard to get. The problem for anyone who has fallen into this trap is that once you GET the watch, you may no longer want it. It's a very human tendency, but one to be wary about.

Welcome to what can be a satisfying, if costly, pastime...

[Duey]

Originally Posted by 992Guy

Little did I know it was better than money in bank!

At least 1 person mentions money.

It's money simple as that. Rolex SS sport models are commodities that people here are trading like gold and silver without the commission, and making way more money in a big way.

A Grey dealer is someone that buys watches from people who get the watches from AD's at MSRP. The grey dealer marks it up higher to sell it to someone else who can't wait for it from an AD at MSRP.

Those people that sell to the Grey's are called Flippers. Flippers also sell direct here on TRF to people who can't wait for it from an AD at MSRP.

People here will tell you to buy it from a Grey so you don't screw up their deals at the AD. But go to the AD and tell them what you want, go to as many as you can to get what you want at MSRP.

Enjoy the hunt for that perfect timepiece and buy your first Rolex from an AD!

[GaryInDenver]

Originally Posted by GaoKS

Hyde Park or Williams in Denver? Welcome to the forum.

Hyde Park

[GaryInDenver]

Originally Posted by RealMadrid1988

Welcome to the forum!



Let me guess: stainless steel Daytona, GMT and/or Submariner.

#1: GMT Root Beer
#2: Sky-Dweller (Oystersteel and Yellow Gold)
#3: OP (Oystersteel)

[teck21]

Originally Posted by Lew Archer

But, Rolex are expensive enough as it is!



Rolex in particular, are both very expensive and scarce...fueling the great market, the prices, etc..

We live in a world where tens, if not hundreds of millions of households worldwide have become middle to upper middle class entities with the capacity to buy 1, 2 or even 5 Rolex watches at MSRP.

Some of them will invariably direct some of their income towards luxury goods.

And in the world of luxury watches, anyone and everyone knows Rolex reigns supreme. Only the most obtuse will argue this point.

For a while only a few references seemed to retain value well. Then the broader market started realising it doesn’t have to be just these few references, there is simply overwhelming demand at MSRP for all Rolex watches.

What this means for secondary value in the grey market is obvious.

Imagine paying $10,000 for a watch.

That’s less than peanuts for so many people in the world today.

Even better, buy it, wear it and sleep peacefully knowing that it will be worth that much, close to it, or possibly even more than it in 5 years?

I can’t think of a cheaper hobby to indulge in. Fleetlord goes on about it because it is true. Value retention post AD purchase is king. The most valuable luxury brands provide this.

That’s what is happening in the world now. People are only waking up to how affordable Rolex is in terms of pricing and value retention.

It’s fashionable to attribute it purely to hype, but the hype can only do so much to push people to Rolex.

What it does is pique people’s interest in the brand, and then they find out what msrp is versus what secondary values are.

They get a huge shock, because like OP, they always simply assumed Rolex was out of reach. This means heading to a Rolex AD is a no brainer.

Secondary prices may fall, fluctuate with the whims of the market, of tastes, social media hype whatever.

But as long as Rolex controls production and msrp, there’s no going back to the old days.

Ever.

So everybody forget about all the other brands and head straight for a Rolex AD today and start your relationship now.

Everyone’s a winner except the WIS that must have an AD-sourced Rolex but cannot, or will do what it takes to secure one.


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[csong825]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

#1: GMT Root Beer
#2: Sky-Dweller (Oystersteel and Yellow Gold)
#3: OP (Oystersteel)

The markup from MSRP for the Root Beer isn’t bad compared to other sports models. If you love it, I would just go gray.


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[train-time]

Just because don't have any in the case doesn't mean that they don't have any gents or sport models available. I was at my local AD on Saturday picking up another Omega and as I was about to leave, the manager that I have dealt with for more than 15 years asked me if I was interested in a SS Daytona. He got me a new Sub and a Pepsi earlier this year and was aware that I no longer had a Daytona. I told him that I would think about it. He replied, just let me know. So they are still coming in at the ADs.

[7sins]

I think it is geographically dependent, this was just in Santorini at an AD last week, DSSD, two tone daytona, two tone yachtmaster, pm presidential etc, not the ultra desirables but to say all men's watches are sold out isn't true.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I think it is geographically dependent, this was just in Santorini at an AD last week, DSSD, two tone daytona, two tone yachtmaster, pm presidential etc, not the ultra desirables but to say all men's watches are sold out isn't true.

Don’t ruin the narrative for them.


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[Oyster Al]

You’re about 4 years too late

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

Hello. First time posting on the forum.

I just became interested in buying a Rolex watch. I never thought I would be interested in such a thing until I sat next to an airline pilot on a flight a few months ago who described to me how much he liked Rolex watches and how he owned a few. He explained some of the models and what he was looking to get. He had also explained how some of the models were tough to find on the retail market, and that you had to put yourself on a waiting list, while others would be otherwise available.

I thought it sounded too expensive and not something I would ever do.

Then a few months pass buy and I decided to look at the Rolex website to see what he was talking about.

And now I am hooked.

So I went into the local Rolex boutique only to see almost all of the displays empty except for about 3 ladies watches in the entire store. The gentleman I spoke to was very nice, but explained that they have no men's watches at all. Not even DJs or OPs. Nothing. I filled out a card giving my contact info and listed a few model numbers and options that I was interested in. And he was very kind in giving me a hard-covered book from Rolex that explained the company, it's locations, and described each model that Rolex has, all with beautiful photos throughout.

How can there be no inventory at all? I felt like I was in the Monty Python cheese shop sketch.

Is it this way at other ADs/boutiques?

Is Rolex going out of business?

Sadly you’re very late to the party.
Plenty on the grey market, and that’s how many people new to the brand need to shop now.

They’re far from going out of business

[SS Oyster]

Boutique at Southcoast Plaza (Costa Mesa, CA) just recently put nearly every hot SS on display, and you can try them on, but alas, they aren’t for sake and all are locked at 10:10 (not functional).

I actually like the idea because at least you can try them on. Only Daytona though is TT with white dial.


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[TheDapperYank]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

Hyde Park

I just picked up a piece from Hyde Park there, they're lovely to work with. Just be patient, they were very straight up with me and from what I could see acted with integrity. (Granted the Rolex I was after isn't a popular model, but I was never asked to purchase other things just to get on a list and this was my first Rolex) Just check in with them every couple months or so just to let them know you're serious and still interested and you'll get what you're looking for at some point.

Some of the folks around here fear monger a bit with regard to building AD relationships. Just chat them up from time to time, otherwise go about your life and your Rolex will come in eventually.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

Is Rolex going out of business?

Welcome to the forum.

To answer your question, no Rolex is doing just fine.

They are proving that they no longer need physical locations or even sales people.

Good luck

[TheDapperYank]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Welcome to the forum.

To answer your question, no Rolex is doing just fine.

They are proving that they no longer need physical locations or even sales people.

Good luck

Lol, Rolex has transcended our physical reality and no longer needs representation on our mortal plane of existence.

[IamJacky]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

How can there be no inventory at all? I felt like I was in the Monty Python cheese shop sketch.

Is it this way at other ADs/boutiques?

Is Rolex going out of business?

Welcome OP!

As others have mentioned, Rolex popularity across the globe is at its unprecedented height, they are so sought after that all of their inventory are instantly sold out at the authorized dealers, that's why you don't see anything for sale.

You will, however, be able to purchase most of the models you want by buying through the secondary market, by doing so you'll have to pay premium over the MSRP; the more popular the watch is, the more premium they command. Buying from the secondary market is often referred to as "going grey".

Opinions on going grey are divided, there are lots of threads in this forum where many members contribute their thoughts on this topic, you can read it up to gain perspective. Best of luck on acquiring your first Rolex!

[TomLou]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

Hello. First time posting on the forum.

I just became interested in buying a Rolex watch. I never thought I would be interested in such a thing until I sat next to an airline pilot on a flight a few months ago who described to me how much he liked Rolex watches and how he owned a few. He explained some of the models and what he was looking to get. He had also explained how some of the models were tough to find on the retail market, and that you had to put yourself on a waiting list, while others would be otherwise available.

I thought it sounded too expensive and not something I would ever do.

Then a few months pass buy and I decided to look at the Rolex website to see what he was talking about.

And now I am hooked.

So I went into the local Rolex boutique only to see almost all of the displays empty except for about 3 ladies watches in the entire store.

How can there be no inventory at all? I felt like I was in the Monty Python cheese shop sketch.

Is it this way at other ADs/boutiques?

Is Rolex going out of business?

The three ladies Rolex you saw in stock you can buy at regular retail.
The watches you saw in the beautiful hard cover catalog and you now want
can only be bought at a premium in the “black market” if you must have it now
and not wanting to wait. - for some of them the wait is forever !