Scarcity or desire?

[Sublovin]

As I peruse the threads, I can’t help but thinking about the above question. I see soooo many threads of peo Me asking “should I buy _____?
I can’t help but think a lot of people are mistaking the opportunity to purchase a scarce watch as their desire to actually own that watch. In other words, if the showcases were full with an unlimited supply of watches, would you still buy one?
This is a question that I ask myself when shopping for a watch. I don’t want scarcity, or rarity to trick me into feeling as though I want something. Thoughts??

[MrInternational]

I believe this is a factor for many for sure. Around this forum you have a lot of serious Rolex collectors who have their own desires that are not normal ;-) but I agree with your question and the implication that scarcity drives false sense of desire (along with all the other Rolex master marketing machinations).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[carlhaluss]

Personally, I would never buy a watch solely because of it's scarcity, if it was available. Unless I wanted to resell it at a fantastic profit. And, unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening.
Then there is the other possibility, that one would buy a watch that is scarce for the prestige of owning such a piece. While more acceptable than the above scenario, I just cannot relate to that either.
I do think rarity does trick lots of people into wanting a watch more than, as you say, if the displays were full of a model. On the weekend, I saw a new GMT Pepsi in real life, for the first time, and liked it a lot more than I thought I would. However, it was already spoken for. Still, not a favorite piece for me. But, I did like it a lot, and honestly am not sure if I would have gone for it if I could afford it. The scarcity would, I have to admit, have played at least a part in my decision.

Cheers,
Carl

[Harry-57]

I have a wish list, same as most people. The difference being that in the current climate, rather than wait a few years and buy one of my wanted watches to commemorate something and/or reward myself for something, I will buy now on sight if I spot one in an AD. But I will only buy what I want and I will not hoover adjacently. I've seen some nice SS, TT and PM pieces in my local AD's window. Nothing that I wanted. Most don't stay on display for long. I hope they all went to homes who will love and appreciate them.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

This is a question that I ask myself when shopping for a watch. I don’t want scarcity, or rarity to trick me into feeling as though I want something. Thoughts??

That's the very definition of marketing, getting you to buy something you don't really want or need.

[|404|]

Originally Posted by pickettt

That's the very definition of marketing, getting you to buy something you don't really want or need.

No, that's the definition of a luxury good.

[droptopman]

Yes, I would buy more watches if they were available. Not because of the scarcity or hype but because I like that watch. Just happens the couple watches I would like to buy this year are popular which sucks...this current market has slowed down my buying/trading which is good I suppose.

I have yet to see a SS GMT BLRO in the flesh. It is on my list but without seeing it in person I cannot or will not decide. If it was available to view, at least I could make a purchase decision.

[lenfried29]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

As I peruse the threads, I can’t help but thinking about the above question. I see soooo many threads of peo Me asking “should I buy _____?
I can’t help but think a lot of people are mistaking the opportunity to purchase a scarce watch as their desire to actually own that watch. In other words, if the showcases were full with an unlimited supply of watches, would you still buy one?
This is a question that I ask myself when shopping for a watch. I don’t want scarcity, or rarity to trick me into feeling as though I want something. Thoughts??

it's a part of human nature and I think there's nothing wrong with that.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by |404|

No, that's the definition of a luxury good.

Yes, because only luxury goods manufacturers employ the tactic of persuading you to buy something you don't need.

[|404|]

Well I get your point, but the example no matter how crappy, its still food (kinda) :p and therefore a necessity!

[DowntotheLine]

Filler

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by |404|

Well I get your point, but the example no matter how crappy, its still food (kinda) :p and therefore a necessity!

What's going on in your world that you find it necessary to eat New Kids on the Block cereal?

[|404|]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

What's going on in your world that you find it necessary to eat New Kids on the Block cereal?

Haha, well you know... Brexit man? Hard times.

[GradyPhilpott]

I really think that people who buy Rolex watches at huge premiums are going to feel like they've been taken to the cleaners, unless Rolex follows up these "shortages" with huge price increases.

I guess that if nothing else, the grey market is giving Rolex a very good idea of what the market will bear when it comes to the professional series watches.

I never claimed to know anything about money or markets, though.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I guess that if nothing else, the grey market is giving Rolex a very good idea of what the market will bear when it comes to the professional series watches.

At least what it will bear in a bubble market. Rolex would be smart not to take the bait, though. If they base price increases on bubble aftermarket sales, they'll be up a creek when the economy takes a downturn.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

At least what it will bear in a bubble market. Rolex would be smart not to take the bait, though. If they base price increases on bubble aftermarket sales, they'll be up a creek when the economy takes a downturn.

I agree.

[Odie-r]

Astute observation. I'm sure (even though no one will admit it) that this goes on around here.

[YoyoGift8]

Scarcity drives desire, applies not only to watches.

[gaeleus]

In the luxury world, scarcity drives desirability and price. Look at Rolex SS sports, PP Nautili, Sports cars and such. I am sure many buy solely on this factor with making a profit in mind.

[EDL7]

A lot of people..either don't know what they really like..or dont actually like anything..
They buy stuff to please someone else's ideas and notions..not because they themselves actually like the item..
That's how companies get people to buy stuff..convince em it's great..sell the myth..and sell the product..
This goes from food ..to real estate..and everything in between..

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

As I peruse the threads, I can’t help but thinking about the above question. I see soooo many threads of peo Me asking “should I buy _____?
I can’t help but think a lot of people are mistaking the opportunity to purchase a scarce watch as their desire to actually own that watch. In other words, if the showcases were full with an unlimited supply of watches, would you still buy one?
This is a question that I ask myself when shopping for a watch. I don’t want scarcity, or rarity to trick me into feeling as though I want something. Thoughts??

Scarcity has always created demand and demand equals "want".

[BakerView]

EDL7 nailed it. For you to have the appreciation for the piece as it should be worn, you really have to love it. Otherwise it's just inventory.....and how sad is that.

[Dirt]

The answer to this question will vary depending on the individual and their life experience and more importantly their own individuality quotient.

I can only speak to our house hold circumstances and offer the following.
The last watch we bought was not a Rolex but one out of a numbered limited edition totaling 1960 which is an aspect i couldn't care less about, but it has finally and superbly filled a yawning gap in my collection which has stood for decades despite a single failed but honest attempt to fill the gap in the distant past. Job done

The watch before that was for my then fiance as a wedding present for my wife.
She has come to appreciate what the brand offers at its core through my understanding and perspective and also understand how her watch fits within the market segment it occupies. The choice was hers alone based upon sound logic but motivated by beauty, and could've been from a number of different brands that were eliminated for one logical reason or another. It was a very long and protracted search to find the right style of watch that sang to her.
We went well over budget and regardless we are both over the moon with it on every level imaginable.
We also fully understand there is no hope of getting any sort of meaningfull return on the investment as it's a ladies watch.
In some ways, It was also a purchase born purely out of passion

The watch before that was a Rolex(D-blue 116660 as a wedding present from my wife) and for all intents and purposes just like the one i bought for myself before that(MK II 116660) with only a dial variation between them. I love and appreciate them for what they are.

There are currently a couple of other watches around here which i like an awful lot
One is Swiss, the other is Japanese with one being currently AWOL. We have been very busy with multiple renovations

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by EDL7

A lot of people..either don't know what they really like..or dont actually like anything..
They buy stuff to please someone else's ideas and notions..not because they themselves actually like the item..
That's how companies get people to buy stuff..convince em it's great..sell the myth..and sell the product..
This goes from food ..to real estate..and everything in between..

So true

[grymg]

I hear you, it seems like every 5 posts is about the Hulk, how beautiful it is, how hard to get, etc. and it probably drives the desirability a lot. But that doesn't make it look any better in my eyes. I just can't wear green, never have and never will.

[ancientmariner]

Good point OP.
‘Unexpected incoming’ threads show hyped watches are being bought on impulse.

[roosvelt]

Reminds me when I chased women. I wanted the best looking[rarest], she was hard to get, many men wanted her, and once I had her, on to the next. A lot like .........everything in life.

[|404|]

Originally Posted by roosvelt

Reminds me when I chased women. I wanted the best looking[rarest], she was hard to get, many men wanted her, and once I had her, on to the next. A lot like .........everything in life.

If you define, "rarity" purely and only on physical attributes then I'm not surprised you had to move onto the next.

There are far better traits in women than beauty. Beauty is a depreciating asset.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

As I peruse the threads, I can’t help but thinking about the above question. I see soooo many threads of peo Me asking “should I buy _____?
I can’t help but think a lot of people are mistaking the opportunity to purchase a scarce watch as their desire to actually own that watch. In other words, if the showcases were full with an unlimited supply of watches, would you still buy one?
This is a question that I ask myself when shopping for a watch. I don’t want scarcity, or rarity to trick me into feeling as though I want something. Thoughts??

if you are asking do people buy watches they get offered even if its not the one they want then absolutely 100% that is happening.

Want a white daytona and get offered a black. You buy it. Want a daytona and get offered a Sky Dweller, you probably buy that too. Zero risk makes people more likely to just buy it because they can.

Its also a factor in why people who actually want the watch cant get it, as other people buy it because its hard to get and they are still waiting on a different hard to get watch they want more so they either buy it as a placeholder or flip it.

[AK797]

FOMO is one of the main drivers behind a Veblen Good.