Visited Rolex stores in central London

[Raku]

I decided to go for a walk on my lunch break and visit 3 Rolex stores, close to my work place, on Regent Street and Old Bond Street, asking about SS sport models.
For anyone interested, here is a quick summary:
- 2 ADs mentioned they have a list of 20+ people for Subs and GMTs, with no chance to get on the list unless you are a loyal customer.
- 1 AD quoted a waiting time of over 2 years for Subs and GMTs and 6 to 8 months for Explorer I.
- all 3 stores mentioned they get 1 SS sports model every 2 months and that there is no way of getting one unless things change and Rolex send more (something like 20 per month).

I know this is nothing new, but I just though I would share here.

If Rolex doesn't want my money, it will just stay in my pocket for now, keeping me warm.

PS On the way there I went past the Omega store, the window was absolutely packed with watches, especially Speedmasters in about any variation you can think of.

[Lemonvr6]

Which company would you rather be?

[rolexinfl]

Funny thing is...people are waiting for Rolex and turning to the grey market for them and not buying Omega/Breitling 'instead'.

Goes to show you the power of the brand and what it means to have a Rolex on your wrist. No one cares about watches that have been to the moon, etc.

[hulkalicious]

Originally Posted by Lemonvr6

Which company would you rather be?

This

[timlaw]

one that sells watches?

this strategy makes no sense to me - rolex has no dog in the fight on the level of premium in the grey market so why fuel that market by limiting supply? all that does is reduce rolex profit (at a time when market conditions are fairly favourable for luxury watch purchasers) and fuel the grey market upwards.

my AD has racks full of datejusts and oyster perpetuals (which aren't selling) but none of us are going to buy one of those instead of an SS sports model.


still rolex is rolex and they can do just about whatever they want to do

[Lemonvr6]

Do we really think they aren’t selling other watches now that the cheaper models are scarce?

[tyler1980]

the wait isnt that long if you avoid the big chains. Coming in out of the blue and thats the response you get at all of them though. Its that long for a BLRO, Daytona, Skydweller but you can get a sub with a short wait, but not if they dont know you.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Raku

PS On the way there I went past the Omega store, the window was absolutely packed with watches, especially Speedmasters in about any variation you can think of.

thats why no one buys them... just sitting there available like a dog at the pound. If its not hot then people just dont care. .

Its interesting you mentioned the explorer 1 wait. They were not hot until they disappeared. Some watches haven't sat in cases in London for years, but the explorer was not one of them but no one bought them when they were available. Take them away and there is a WL.

[AK797]

Looks like the strategy to strangle flippers is still in full flow, hopefully next year things will improve, Rolex have already said this year supply will be tight.

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

thats why no one buys them... just sitting there available like a dog at the pound. If its not hot then people just dont care. .

Its interesting you mentioned the explorer 1 wait. They were not hot until they disappeared. Some watches haven't sat in cases in London for years, but the explorer was not one of them but no one bought them when they were available. Take them away and there is a WL.

Very disappointing as fan of the Speedy moonwatch and the Omega brand. I hate to say but they’ve really bouchered their product. Releasing every LE and color variation possible with the Speedy. Heck they just released 5 more reissues for the Tokyo Olympics along with another Speedy Tuesday. Their modern flagship moonwatch should’ve gotten a direct boost in sales as result of everyone’s hype and demand... but nope.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by AK797

Looks like the strategy to strangle flippers is still in full flow, hopefully next year things will improve, Rolex have already said this year supply will be tight.

i still dont think there is a flipper problem anymore. The big dealers are offering below retail on almost everything minus a couple references. Subs, GMT's (minus the BLRO), SD 43, Sky Dweller (minus blue) are all below retail offers or at least right at retail so you dont make money AFAIK.

Its legitimately a supply issue ... unless these people are managing to get market prices selling on gumtree or something.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

Very disappointing as fan of the Speedy moonwatch and the Omega brand. I hate to say but they’ve really bouchered their product. Releasing every LE and color variation possible with the Speedy. Heck they just released 5 more reissues for the Tokyo Olympics along with another Speedy Tuesday. Their modern flagship moonwatch should’ve gotten a direct boost in sales as result of everyone’s hype and demand... but nope.

i want a speedmaster and i really like them. The problem for Omega is my purchase keeps getting pushed as i know its always there so i add other hard to get pieces when i get the chance. Rolex is getting people to buy right now, not later so its very very successful.

Omega isnt making a dime on my plan to buy a moon watch, only when i actually do.

[onemany]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

Very disappointing as fan of the Speedy moonwatch and the Omega brand. I hate to say but they’ve really bouchered their product. Releasing every LE and color variation possible with the Speedy. Heck they just released 5 more reissues for the Tokyo Olympics along with another Speedy Tuesday. Their modern flagship moonwatch should’ve gotten a direct boost in sales as result of everyone’s hype and demand... but nope.

It must be working for Omega. The new speedy tuesday sold out in 2 hours. Last year's speedy tuesday still commands a premium over MSRP. It's a different approach but they must be making money.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by onemany

It must be working for Omega. The new speedy tuesday sold out in 2 hours. Last year's speedy tuesday still commands a premium over MSRP. It's a different approach but they must be making money.

thats two watches made in small numbers. They sold out because they are hard to get unlike every other watch they make. They make too many watches and they are too available. You are right its a good strategy but they need to do it with everything.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i still dont think there is a flipper problem anymore. The big dealers are offering below retail on almost everything minus a couple references. Subs, GMT's (minus the BLRO), SD 43, Sky Dweller (minus blue) are all below retail offers AFAIK.

Its legitimately a supply issue ... unless these people are managing to get market prices selling on gumtree or something.

It shouldn't be a big issue now all ADs have fallen into line, but I'm sure there are still some latecomers who are buying Exps and YMs thinking they can flip them, as well as those just happy to buy any SS now, but the lack of supply is to drive out the flippers so that will remain until next year, until Rolex are fully convinced it has worked. But allocations will still be the way things are done for a long while yet.

[Lemonvr6]

So what happens when the real motivation is revealed to be a permanent shift to artificial scarcity and the demand it generates?

[Wiener48]

Originally Posted by Raku

I decided to go for a walk on my lunch break and visit 3 Rolex stores, close to my work place, on Regent Street and Old Bond Street, asking about SS sport models.
For anyone interested, here is a quick summary:
- 2 ADs mentioned they have a list of 20+ people for Subs and GMTs, with no chance to get on the list unless you are a loyal customer.
- 1 AD quoted a waiting time of over 2 years for Subs and GMTs and 6 to 8 months for Explorer I.
- all 3 stores mentioned they get 1 SS sports model every 2 months and that there is no way of getting one unless things change and Rolex send more (something like 20 per month).

I know this is nothing new, but I just though I would share here.

If Rolex doesn't want my money, it will just stay in my pocket for now, keeping me warm.

PS On the way there I went past the Omega store, the window was absolutely packed with watches, especially Speedmasters in about any variation you can think of.

Sadly nothing new...

[eurofunk]

everywhere in the world it’s the “same”. Majority of the ADs are just telling u what they want to “tell u”. Believe it or not they have the hot models in their safes. Just not for everyone who strolls in.

[Jsimon]

Originally Posted by eurofunk

everywhere in the world it’s the “same”. Majority of the ADs are just telling u what they want to “tell u”. Believe it or not they have the hot models in their safes. Just not for everyone who strolls in.

Why would they lose out on an immediate sale? People don’t buy loads of Rolex’s to then be eligible to be selected for a SS model. They may hold the odd one back for a favourable customer but doubt they’re locked away in their safe. A sale is a sale and they can only sell it for RRP.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by eurofunk

everywhere in the world it’s the “same”. Majority of the ADs are just telling u what they want to “tell u”. Believe it or not they have the hot models in their safes. Just not for everyone who strolls in.

i don't disagree, but they have maybe one of certain models and a hundred people after it. Its not like they have an unlimited supply so they are rationing them to customers they want to keep. The supply issue is real and AD's holding items in the safe doesnt make it less true.

[Lemonvr6]

Originally Posted by Jsimon

Why would they lose out on an immediate sale? People don’t buy loads of Rolex’s to then be eligible to be selected for a SS model. They may hold the odd one back for a favourable customer but doubt they’re locked away in their safe. A sale is a sale and they can only sell it for RRP.

Because they can bundle them with PM models or other higher priced items.

[DARK_KNIGHT]

Originally Posted by rolexinfl

Funny thing is...people are waiting for Rolex and turning to the grey market for them and not buying Omega/Breitling 'instead'.

And wait - they shall continue. I know I can pretty much buy an Omega any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Originally Posted by tyler1980

thats why no one buys them... just sitting there available like a dog at the pound. If its not hot then people just dont care. .

Must be true.

[Vivalas]

Rumour (and a picture) has it on another forum that someone walked into an AD in London for a chat and an hour later walked out with a black steel Daytona.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Vivalas

Rumour (and a picture) has it on another forum that someone walked into an AD in London for a chat and an hour later walked out with a black steel Daytona.

it happened to me with a 5711

[Vivalas]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

it happened to me with a 5711

Wow, we’re you an existing client?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Vivalas

Wow, we’re you an existing client?

Yes, but I never asked for the watch previously


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Navarino]

Originally Posted by Raku

I decided to go for a walk on my lunch break and visit 3 Rolex stores, close to my work place, on Regent Street and Old Bond Street, asking about SS sport models.
For anyone interested, here is a quick summary:
- 2 ADs mentioned they have a list of 20+ people for Subs and GMTs, with no chance to get on the list unless you are a loyal customer.
- 1 AD quoted a waiting time of over 2 years for Subs and GMTs and 6 to 8 months for Explorer I.
- all 3 stores mentioned they get 1 SS sports model every 2 months and that there is no way of getting one unless things change and Rolex send more (something like 20 per month).

I know this is nothing new, but I just though I would share here.

If Rolex doesn't want my money, it will just stay in my pocket for now, keeping me warm.

PS On the way there I went past the Omega store, the window was absolutely packed with watches, especially Speedmasters in about any variation you can think of.

6 month wait time for an Explorer I?!?! That's the first I've heard of that. Sounds a little like AD nonsense to me.

[oldman2005]

IMO Omega and other is picking up the slack left by Rolex, Swatch group (omega, hublot, ..) sale increased by record 60%. Nothing is without cost

[Muxi]

Wow

[rmk]

Originally Posted by Raku

PS On the way there I went past the Omega store, the window was absolutely packed with watches, especially Speedmasters in about any variation you can think of.

And for this reason, an Omega loses 50% of value the moment you walk out the store. There's a careful balance to be had here. Not to say the Rolex model the right one but it does protect overall brand value.