Is the Batman losing popularity? Why does it seem like that?

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by Delhiwatchjunkie

Is it my imagination or is the BLNR Jubilee losing popularity in the market?

What information do you have to support this? What I see is they are still selling and still commanding a over retail price. My local guy sales them as soon as he gets them on a average around 14k. I would say demands is still very very strong. Welcome to the forum !

[djgallo]

I agree, the Batman should ....surpass the Batgirl....in price and popularity....it’s already been moving in that direction and should continue....thumbsup:

After all, it’s the original 1st Batman ....now discontinued....and has everything going for it to be the classic collectible....so when you think Blue/black GMT this will be the ONE!

[Bluside]

If I didn't already have a BLNR on an oyster bracelet, I would buy the new one on jubilee. But, I'll be darned if I would ever refer to it as Batgirl.

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by peterpl

All the watches are.

After 2+ years of hype it gets to a point where everyone just gets over it and starts moving on.

I'm feeling all watches are dying down again. Not only Rolex but AP/Patek all of them. If you look on insta each watch picture used to have 1000+ comments. Now most of the posts have 5-10 comments max and thats it. Thats a good sign ppl just dont care anymore.

Plus the hype is all downhill, flippers are gone so not many ppl are making $$$ which in turn equals less interest. We had a massive influx of non watch people around just to make a few grand on the flip. They cant do it now or its very hard due to the gray dealers offering much less now in what is now a soft market so those guys have all pissed off as well.

Peter you’ve been around for awhile. Do you really agree it’s changing now ? My local guy can’t keep these in stock. He sales on average around 14k depending on stickers or no stickers. I just don’t see anything softening or changing until the watches show up at AD and you can buy without an issue. Merry Christmas by the way and thanks for saving me 26k on buying a 36mm dd instead of a 40 haha.

[Nairn1980]

I’m quite happy with my Batgirl. I find her very attractive.

[SpeedyTuomas]

Well it is better on an oyster bracelet and this "Batgirl" nick name is "retarded"..

[Roddypeepa]

Originally Posted by JonaG

BLNR works best on Oyster and people know it.

Spot on.


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[Roddypeepa]

Originally Posted by peterpl

Agree with all your points.

I still find it hard to believe there are people that thought all this crazy prices would continue on forever and increase indefinitely.

These are watches people and MASS produced ones at that (its not the same as holding Real Estate) - LOL. Private sales for BNIB BLNRs "batgirls" or whatever you want to call it are going for mid 12's now with no sign of it slowing down. Dealers asking high 13's or 14s are not selling anything. No one is buying at those prices.

I feel for the guys holding multiple of these SS hyped watches and that bought them for peak hoping they would continue to go up. I've been saying it all along that is a suckers game.

I don’t. That’s the nature of commerce. You take a risk and you win or you lose. Sometimes you get greedy and lose.


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[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by kwingy

The way I look at it IMO:

- The batman was a nice watch when it came out but I know a lot of people that didn't bond with it and it was a watch that was constantly flipped for minimal profit.
- The SS shortage came about and suddenly the Batman and Hulk were being sold for silly prices and become very hyped because their values suddenly became very desirable again. Social media aka Instagram had a lot to do with it.
- The market is slowing down rapidly because of already mentioned factors and watches like the Batman and the Batgirl are now suddenly seen as way way too overpriced and have been for some time.

So in short yes they are losing popularity again which is a good thing if you want to get one now cheaper then say 4 months ago where they were being sold for 50% over retail. Sucks obviously if you bought purely for retention value but surely people didn't think this was going to on for ever.

Good points.

[pj1369]

I think the batgirl nickname is funny and distinctive. It clearly resonates among watch enthusiasts and we continue to use it actively. Haven't seen or heard a good alternative other than: Batman on a Jubilee. Say that 10 times, fast. Family and friends just call it the handsome black and blue watch."

Name aside, supply has been slightly growing for them as percentile sold if you look at Watch Charts website. The trends do show it slowing down and price decreasing every two weeks since August. What's interesting in number of Pepsis available is way higher (about 100 more) and prices sticking to ~$16k range; but, sold rate is lower than Batman.

Chrono24 has less Pepsis than Batgirls as a counter point, by about 100. But no sales data available.

[LooseCann0n]

If popularity = high price then they are still popular - just no longer rising fast.

From chrono24:




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[Tridor]

Originally Posted by Pentameter

It’s a lot of factors, but one of them is that prices got to a point where they basically were too high to be sustainable. Once you get to 20K and half of that is premium over retail, people are thinking should I really be spending my money on a watch? I could buy a car, or tons of other things - or a watch that is actually precious metal. Just a lot of factors really.

^^^This. It should be made a sticky for all questions on this subject.

[MTdweller]

A BLNR with a jubilee bracelet was a very polarizing move by Rolex. I was not a fan but I finally got to try one on in person yesterday and I was very impressed. I liked the look and the jubilee was very comfortable.

I believe the overall softening of secondary prices we are seeing for the new BLNR is partially the result of the passage of time. Based on current wait times, folks that got on the list right after Basel should have received the call or are near the top of the list. Besides, with the BLRO taking most of the spotlight, the new BLNR has not been as popular (even though wait times are still over six months, IF you have a good relationship with your AD).

[RolyMoly]

Originally Posted by Pentameter

It’s a lot of factors, but one of them is that prices got to a point where they basically were too high to be sustainable. Once you get to 20K and half of that is premium over retail, people are thinking should I really be spending my money on a watch? I could buy a car, or tons of other things - or a watch that is actually precious metal. Just a lot of factors really.

Agreed. I wanted DaytonaC, but not for $25k. I also wanted the BLNR, but not for $17k. I just buy PM stuff now. PM watches feel better anyways. Hype dies.

I still will get an AP 15202 or a BLNR one day, but not for the same prices I’m buying PT or RG watches. They aren’t even on the same playing field for me.

[shawn13ca]

People reflecting a little on the product in itself may find that:
- Majority of people don't need the GMT complication.
- Apart from Daytona, Milgauss, AK... All sport Rolex look the same. So why pay double for a colored ring of ceramic most don't need?
- Many ADs laughed at watch connoisseurs because they just sold to "whales" while the market was hot. So connoisseurs got fed up with Rolex and went elsewhere. Look at the rise of Grand Seiko in the 2 past years. Even Joe Rogan wears one in UFC galas.
- Now that the Asian market is crashing and that recession is looming most people are careful about spending on luxury items.
- If said recession happens it will become impossible to sell other than a discount, flippers know this and they are withdrawing from the market, so crooked ADs who sold only to whales and flippers are now double screwed, because all their customer base is gone.
- Its only gonna get way worse. If recession happens and situation keeps deteriorating in Asia, soon you'll see discounts back even on Daytona.

[BroncoOne]

It's not a loss of popularity of Batman 2.0 or its predecessor (go ahead and try to buy one at an AD this week, or next week or the week after.....) Also, the MSRP for a new BLNR is higher than it was for the old BLNR. Rolex raised the price and demand is still huge at ADs.

It's that the watch reached its maximum pricing power. The grey market just kept increasing prices and finally hit the ceiling where people wouldn't buy at that price. Thus, they adjusted prices to where people would buy them again.

Take emotion. Out of it. Everyone's feelings are different and feelings don't matter, numbers do.

[alphasports]

Originally Posted by LooseCann0n

Oh no - and I’m just about to buy one... maybe I won’t bother if it’s not popular!!

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This is a joke right?

[UK_]

Originally Posted by BroncoOne

It's not a loss of popularity of Batman 2.0 or its predecessor (go ahead and try to buy one at an AD this week, or next week or the week after.....) Also, the MSRP for a new BLNR is higher than it was for the old BLNR. Rolex raised the price and demand is still huge at ADs.



It's that the watch reached its maximum pricing power. The grey market just kept increasing prices and finally hit the ceiling where people wouldn't buy at that price. Thus, they adjusted prices to where people would buy them again.



Take emotion. Out of it. Everyone's feelings are different and feelings don't matter, numbers do.

‘Maximum pricing power’ is the price that the market will support. Sellers will always try and push it up, but will be dragged down by what determines this price supply and demand. The BLRO is not seeing a drop so something is happened for with supply and demand.

So the real question being asked here is why is the market price dropping, my view is supply is actually much higher for the BLNR than the similar watches that are not seeing a decline (BLRO or Black SubC).

Not one shred of evidence to back this up though!


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[LooseCann0n]

Originally Posted by alphasports

This is a joke right?

Yes - hence the j/k (just kidding) in the next line...
Will get one as I like the look of it - not because it is “popular” (whatever that means!).
Was going to get one shortly as in Hong Kong at the moment but not sure - depends if I have time to break away from the holiday and trek around Nathan Road. Might wait till Xmas is over and I am back in UK in January where prices are traditionally weaker as people are still recovering from December!
Happy to wait a few extra weeks if I can get some movement on the price as it is not a Christmas present or anything.


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[smym18]

I hope it is so I can eventually get one. Checks all the boxes for a new watch for me: Jubilee since I have a Sub/Explorer on oyster, GMT function, and a dash of color.

[djyolky]

Originally Posted by JonaG

BLNR works best on Oyster and people know it.

This is pretty much the lamest thing I've heard. It is the EXACT same watch. If anything, the black and blue go much better together than red and blue.

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[TeutonicCarFan]

I hope to get blnr on jubilee call any moment then!

[Magicmerlin]

Originally Posted by rambo99

I love the batgirl. i have been monitoring the grey price for several months now, would probably bought it once it drop below hkd 100,000.

I bit the bullet last week got batgirl for shy over 100k with a 888 HK reg. As I'm leaving this weekend.

[vitadine]

Originally Posted by shawn13ca

People reflecting a little on the product in itself may find that:

- Majority of people don't need the GMT complication.

- Apart from Daytona, Milgauss, AK... All sport Rolex look the same. So why pay double for a colored ring of ceramic most don't need?

- Many ADs laughed at watch connoisseurs because they just sold to "whales" while the market was hot. So connoisseurs got fed up with Rolex and went elsewhere. Look at the rise of Grand Seiko in the 2 past years. Even Joe Rogan wears one in UFC galas.

- Now that the Asian market is crashing and that recession is looming most people are careful about spending on luxury items.

- If said recession happens it will become impossible to sell other than a discount, flippers know this and they are withdrawing from the market, so crooked ADs who sold only to whales and flippers are now double screwed, because all their customer base is gone.

- Its only gonna get way worse. If recession happens and situation keeps deteriorating in Asia, soon you'll see discounts back even on Daytona.

I think you are exaggerating things a lot.

[goodolejr]

Originally Posted by shawn13ca

People reflecting a little on the product in itself may find that:
- Majority of people don't need the GMT complication.
- Apart from Daytona, Milgauss, AK... All sport Rolex look the same. So why pay double for a colored ring of ceramic most don't need?
- Many ADs laughed at watch connoisseurs because they just sold to "whales" while the market was hot. So connoisseurs got fed up with Rolex and went elsewhere. Look at the rise of Grand Seiko in the 2 past years. Even Joe Rogan wears one in UFC galas.
- Now that the Asian market is crashing and that recession is looming most people are careful about spending on luxury items.
- If said recession happens it will become impossible to sell other than a discount, flippers know this and they are withdrawing from the market, so crooked ADs who sold only to whales and flippers are now double screwed, because all their customer base is gone.
- Its only gonna get way worse. If recession happens and situation keeps deteriorating in Asia, soon you'll see discounts back even on Daytona.

Agree with all your points except the last one. Even during the Great Recession, steel Daytonas were difficult to procure from ADs. That is the one model that is immune to an economic downturn. Sure, the gray prices will dip, but it's absurd to believe one will be able to get a stainless Daytona at a discount.

[JayG]

This is a game and Rolex plays it very very well. Popularity is based on demand of course.
Popularity is also based on supply , I believe Rolex is pumping out more Batmans and less Pepsis and Daytonas. Easily manipulable...

[Mastergreenhand]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

The BLRO and BLNR are two different watches. The BLNR has been available in SS for 7 years in some form. The jubilee version is new, but I don’t think it is that substantial a change. The BLNR had a market premium, then the BLRO was released in SS and had its own premium. The “batgirl” version was released and resellers tried to push its market value to on par with the BLRO, when really it should have remained closer to the 116710BLNR. Now we are seeing the market adjust down accordingly.

Given the unique circumstances of the Batman/girl, I don’t think it is wholly indicative of the other popular Rolex SS professional models.

Very interesting, but which model is the Batgirl? I really want a SS BLRO on jubilee, and have been waiting for the call....

[exador]

Originally Posted by rambo99

I love the batgirl. i have been monitoring the grey price for several months now, would probably bought it once it drop below hkd 100,000.

Have the HK Greys started dropping prices yet or are they still holding out?

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

I am normally accepting of the nicknames, but this “Batgirl” moniker for the BLNR on jubilee is awful.

Yea, agreed. You didn’t see the DSSD or any other modern Rolex makeover have its name changed from going from a 11 series to a 12 series. The DSSD even got a new case, bracelet, and movement and strangely enough it’s name wasn’t changed.

Most dealers or video reviews call the new 126710BLNR the “Batman” or “New Batman”. The same players keep pushing the female name change over and over, I am assuming because they know others don’t care for it?? It’s childish regardless the intent or implementation and oddly enough they tend to be newbies by their forum stats so there may be some other motives at play...?

As to popularity and pricing.......The initial $20k snipers are gone. Look at DavidSW and other forum trusted sellers to see what the current market is yielding. These guys don’t discount much at all so the prices are black and white what they are actually selling for OTD. The turn over of new watches is selling as I watch them be replaced almost semi daily at the same price point. If you see DavidSW selling a new 126710BLNR for $13.5k then the prices have come down but that doesn’t seem to be the case. There is a lot of attempts of social media to imply prices are coming down but that hasn’t done anything other than get people’s hopes up and then just more frustrated when they don’t see it happen.

Today the 126710BLNR is up to $15.9 at the report of the Rolex price increase. The market value was $15.3-$15.5 months ago. In my experience the new model 126710BLNR has probably stabilized by now to what it’s going to be.

On a similar report: The latest inventory release wave this past week to dealers is the CHNR. DavidSW has 5 of them. Rolex releases models in waves so you will see this reflected at dealers and in the grey market’s inventory every few weeks. This is in no reflection of a models popularity but just how Rolex inventory works.

[SS Oyster]

Rolex should have left the Batman on oyster bracelet to differentiate it from Pepsi.


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