SS availability

[nektar]

Hello,
Last week I was on vacation in Europe (Greece), so I decided to get a new (tax free) watch:) Heathrow did not work out on the outbound flight (8 days ago), they had only a Oyster Perpetual 39mm (grey dial), and yesterday they had 2 SS Datejust and one 39mm OP (white dial). Actually, I decided to get it, but they did not have an additional link for the bracelet, so I did not. The price was awesome (3460 pounds). Meanwhile, in Greece, I found a 2 tone blue/black sub (10,250.00 Euros, a perfect watch, but too much bling for my lifestyle/ attracts too much attention for every day use), in another shop a new SS Daytona (18K Euros/ ridiculous pricing) and a Deep Sea (that shop did not offer the tax free option, so I passed). No SS subs (no date, date).One year ago you could find a Submariner almost in any AD. Now days it is impossible.. I forgot to say that I found the two tone Daytonas almost anywhere (13,500.00 Euros), but in my eyes it seems like a small watch for my wrist. Any idea when Rolex will increase production?

[jrs146]

As to when production will increase.....Only Lord Rolex knows and they’re not sharing that information with anyone!


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[bruinmd]

Originally Posted by Jim

Hello,
Last week I was on vacation in Europe (Greece), so I decided to get a new (tax free) watch:) Heathrow did not work out on the outbound flight (8 days ago), they had only a Oyster Perpetual 39mm (grey dial), and yesterday they had 2 SS Datejust and one 39mm OP (white dial). Actually, I decided to get it, but they did not have an additional link for the bracelet, so I did not. The price was awesome (3460 pounds). Meanwhile, in Greece, I found a 2 tone blue/black sub (10,250.00 Euros, a perfect watch, but too much bling for my lifestyle/ attracts too much attention for every day use), in another shop a new SS Daytona (18K Euros/ ridiculous pricing) and a Deep Sea (that shop did not offer the tax free option, so I passed). No SS subs (no date, date).One year ago you could find a Submariner almost in any AD. Now days it is impossible.. I forgot to say that I found the two tone Daytonas almost anywhere (13,500.00 Euros), but in my eyes it seems like a small watch for my wrist. Any idea when Rolex will increase production?

Lots of speculation but as jrs said, only Rolex knows.

They have asked some of their AD's (like mine) to share with their customers that pieces will be harder to come by than even previously thought ("many hard to get watches have just become even rarer to get" were her exact words).

So who knows.

[nektar]

Thanks for the replies.. In my mind, that strategy does not make a lot of sense, since they reduced the production in so many models.. Hard to realize that you cannot find a new SS sub these days..

[jaisonline]

Originally Posted by Jim

Thanks for the replies.. In my mind, that strategy does not make a lot of sense, since they reduced the production in so many models.. Hard to realize that you cannot find a new SS sub these days..

Yeah, it seems Rolex wants folks to start buying SS DateJust models for diving (or rocking a diving watch outside of water). I assume we can always rock a Gold Sub as they are available but who wants to wear a gold watch when diving...

Nothing makes sense anymore. They are forcing buyers to the secondary market for new and used Professional watches.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Jim

In my mind, that strategy does not make a lot of sense, since they reduced the production in so many models..

It makes perfect sense.

The result has been that this is all that people want to talk about and the lack of inventory just fuels the hype. Brilliant!

[Navarino]

Sorry to hear your search was not fruitful. Any time I have flown internationally for work recently I walk into Rolex dealers at airports with blind optimism I'll be able to find a SS Daytona. No luck yet -- but have heard success stories here so I keep trying!

Hope you enjoyed your time in Greece!

[jaisonline]

Originally Posted by beshannon

It makes perfect sense. The result has been that this is all that people want to talk about and the lack of inventory just fuels the hype. Brilliant!

sure, this is brilliant marketing scheme but how long can it last? you have tons of people salivating for new SS GMT, Subs, DSSD, SD and Daytona models...

then when these hyped up folks run into AD stores thinking about buying a watch, they are told "no luck", "join a 10 year wait list", "you need to spend $30k to get a $9k watch", "we stopped keeping lists", "how about a nice datejust?", etc... it makes for a bad experience. my AD who said me a GMT BLNR and Sub LVc earlier this yr (a good friend spends tons there) keeps apologizing for not being able to sell me a Daytona heck, i'm one of the VERY few fortunate buyers out there (2 in-demand SS watches in 3 months) but most folks won't get that lucky.

eventually, this marketing scheme will backfire.

[Likestheshiny]

Rolex is the most well-known, and arguably the most successful, watch company on the planet. I'm gonna go ahead and assume they know more about what's best for their business than the armchair quarterbacks on watch forums.

Without access to their sales numbers, none of us can say anything meaningful about the value of the current strategy. However, my suspicion is that the increase in exclusivity and prestige associated with scarcity is costing Rolex a few sales in a handful of sports models and gaining Rolex a solid increase in datejusts and precious-metal watches. Keep in mind that most of the models we're struggling to find aren't Rolex's big sellers. The enthusiasts are gnashing our teeth in frustration while average watch-buyers are happily purchasing datejusts without giving it a second thought.

[nektar]

Originally Posted by Carry The Interest

Sorry to hear your search was not fruitful. Any time I have flown internationally for work recently I walk into Rolex dealers at airports with blind optimism I'll be able to find a SS Daytona. No luck yet -- but have heard success stories here so I keep trying!

Hope you enjoyed your time in Greece!

Yep, I did! It was perfect.. At the airport I was told that it is impossible to find a SS Daytona there. I accept that, since everybody knows that SS Daytone are so difficult to find.. But no Subs? Crazy.. I will do! Thanks.

[nektar]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

Yeah, it seems Rolex wants folks to start buying SS DateJust models for diving (or rocking a diving watch outside of water). I assume we can always rock a Gold Sub as they are available but who wants to wear a gold watch when diving...

Nothing makes sense anymore. They are forcing buyers to the secondary market for new and used Professional watches.

Honestly, now I start to regret that I did not get the Bluesy.. I had confidence that I would find something nice at Heathrow on my way back :). The problem is, that people do not always look at you when you wear that watch, but they stare at your wrist :)

[nektar]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

Rolex is the most well-known, and arguably the most successful, watch company on the planet. I'm gonna go ahead and assume they know more about what's best for their business than the armchair quarterbacks on watch forums.

Without access to their sales numbers, none of us can say anything meaningful about the value of the current strategy. However, my suspicion is that the increase in exclusivity and prestige associated with scarcity is costing Rolex a few sales in a handful of sports models and gaining Rolex a solid increase in datejusts and precious-metal watches. Keep in mind that most of the models we're struggling to find aren't Rolex's big sellers. The enthusiasts are gnashing our teeth in frustration while average watch-buyers are happily purchasing datejusts without giving it a second thought.

Correct! I start to regret I did not get the Bluesy now..

[nektar]

Originally Posted by beshannon

It makes perfect sense.

The result has been that this is all that people want to talk about and the lack of inventory just fuels the hype. Brilliant!

Correct.. Although all these people that wear Subs are free and advertisement for Rolex. They may want to make us buy some Gold :)

[nektar]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

sure, this is brilliant marketing scheme but how long can it last? you have tons of people salivating for new SS GMT, Subs, DSSD, SD and Daytona models...

then when these hyped up folks run into AD stores thinking about buying a watch, they are told "no luck", "join a 10 year wait list", "you need to spend $30k to get a $9k watch", "we stopped keeping lists", "how about a nice datejust?", etc... it makes for a bad experience. my AD who said me a GMT BLNR and Sub LVc earlier this yr (a good friend spends tons there) keeps apologizing for not being able to sell me a Daytona heck, i'm one of the VERY few fortunate buyers out there (2 in-demand SS watches in 3 months) but most folks won't get that lucky.

eventually, this marketing scheme will backfire.

Yes, plus for the first time in my life I walked in to the Panerai Store in Heathrow.. Many potential buyers may not like Rolex as much as we do here..

[jpsmoove]

I don't think it's marketing. It's the stock market. Hard to believe you can't even see a no date sub in an AD anymore.