Are Today's Rolexes Overpriced?

[BristolCavendish]

All things considered and taking into account that there are many outstanding watches in the -$5K range.

Some attribute the exorbitant pricing to Rolex SA's extensive and costly marketing program. Others say one is strictly paying for the name and visual recognition.

At one time, a Rolex was affordable (for those who really wanted one) by either being frugal or eliminating other miscellaneous/unnecessary expenditures. It's a seemingly different story today as $8-10K+ represents a bigger chunk of change even when accounting for current inflation and higher salaries/wages.

A co-worker bought his 1675 back in the mid-1970s while working at a minimum wage job (about $2.00/hour). It took him roughly six weeks + some overtime to accrue the necessary funds. Today at minimum wage (e.g. $5.50/Georgia to $11.50/Washington), it would take close to a year's wages (and that's not even allowing for basic living expenses).

Over the past few decades, Rolexes have become an 'elitist' commodity rather than a somewhat affordable high-end wristwatch that was once realistically and readily attainable by the masses.

Those days are over.