Found an AD with decent stock, walked past an hour later and all sold. Kicking myself

[maxi2015]

Hi All
Been a lurker here for a while but need to share some watch-related emotions.

I'm in Switzerland in a small ski resort and found an AD local with, in the window, an AP 15400 and a white dial stainless steel sky-dweller.

Having just purchased a watch, I was in no position to buy, and due to the incredible strength of the Swiss franc, it was just about the most expensive AD in the world. It was expensive to the point that both watches at Swiss retail price were about market price in the rest of the world.
So, I didn't feel compelled to buy them, the timing wasn't right, and I walked away. I walked past an hour later on the way home, and they were gone.

The frustration I continue to feel is bizarre, I suppose because given the current market they were bound to go. And, as there's a chance that I was the first person that saw them, something inside says I should've bought them, like here I was in this tiny ski resort, and two excellent and desirable watches have been put in front of me at retail price. Felt like the stars aligned and I didn't take the opportunity.

Has anyone else experienced this and know how to talk themselves through this self-torturing remorse?

Max

[tyler1980]

retail price is relative. Im USD based and live in the UK. I passed on a hulk and a sea dweller 43 at an AD in Houston last year because US retail +tax was like 20% higher than UK retail including tax (paying in dollars)... still kicking myself for that one.

[calatravato]

YES! I got the call from my AD for a PP 5167 Aquanaut on bracelet last Summer (on my birthday, no less). I was able to secure a 5711 2 months prior from another AD, so I figured my wife would kill me if I pulled the trigger so close to that. The 5167 was my 2nd choice all along, so I figured I would be nice and pass on it for the next guy on the list. I think I think about that mistake every day...

How do I talk myself out of torturing myself mentally every day? Well I’m still married...so that’s good!

[exador]

It’s called FOMO.

[envuks]

There are always more watches....

[Odie-r]

Ahhh FOMO, what a costly SOB it is.

[watchwatcher]

Well, in your words, you had already purchased a watch, in no position to buy, and the currency rate made the pricing, albeit at MSRP, untenable.

I don't see the issue unless I'm missing something...

[t65tampa]

Don't feel bad. They are just mass produced watches.

Enjoy your Swiss ski vacation! That experience is far more special.

[jps3b]

I’m on the opposite side of this story. While vacationing in Cabo San Lucas last May, the local AD there brought out the 126715 CHNR. It has sold written on the coffin but the sales associate said that the high end client the watch was promised to was late on his wire transfer. The manager approved the watch for sale and even though I was no way in the market for another watch, I had to have it. I paid full retail. No discount. I did get 8.9% VAT refunded a few months after the purchase so it was like getting a tiny discount with zero tax. I love the watch and I’m very happy I manned up and bought it. My savings took a huge hit since I’m not all that wealthy. My wife bought the Cartier Santos in rose gold which they gave us a substantial discount on for buying two precious metal watches. I know that if I would have passed on this watch I would have regretted it since I doubt I would have had the opportunity to buy it again. I’m a passionate and emotional buyer. My wife and I agree that that trip was probably the best vacation we have ever taken in the 25 years we’ve been married. When they released the watch at Basel last year, that was the watch I was all in on and I was blessed enough to buy it. You have to enjoy life because you only get one.



This was taken minutes after we left the AD and went to celebrate with a nice dinner.

By the way, this al happened on my wife’s 50th birthday. This is the 2nd time I’ve bought a watch on my wife’s birthday

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by maxi2015

Hi All
Been a lurker here for a while but need to share some watch-related emotions.

I'm in Switzerland in a small ski resort and found an AD local with, in the window, an AP 15400 and a white dial stainless steel sky-dweller.

Having just purchased a watch, I was in no position to buy, and due to the incredible strength of the Swiss franc, it was just about the most expensive AD in the world. It was expensive to the point that both watches at Swiss retail price were about market price in the rest of the world.
So, I didn't feel compelled to buy them, the timing wasn't right, and I walked away. I walked past an hour later on the way home, and they were gone.

The frustration I continue to feel is bizarre, I suppose because given the current market they were bound to go. And, as there's a chance that I was the first person that saw them, something inside says I should've bought them, like here I was in this tiny ski resort, and two excellent and desirable watches have been put in front of me at retail price. Felt like the stars aligned and I didn't take the opportunity.

Has anyone else experienced this and know how to talk themselves through this self-torturing remorse?

Max

I really, really, really wish posts like this would state the AD or at least the "small ski resort" when making this comment. What is the problem with naming names??

[dualcarb]

Originally Posted by jps3b

I’m on the opposite side of this story. While vacationing in Cabo San Lucas last May, the local AD there brought out the 126715 CHNR. It has sold written on the coffin but the sales associate said that the high end client the watch was promised to was late on his wire transfer. The manager approved the watch for sale and even though I was no way in the market for another watch, I had to have it. I paid full retail. No discount. I did get 8.9% VAT refunded a few months after the purchase so it was like getting a tiny discount with zero tax. I love the watch and I’m very happy I manned up and bought it. My savings took a huge hit since I’m not all that wealthy. My wife bought the Cartier Santos in rose gold which they gave us a substantial discount on for buying two precious metal watches. I know that if I would have passed on this watch I would have regretted it since I doubt I would have had the opportunity to buy it again. I’m a passionate and emotional buyer. My wife and I agree that that trip was probably the best vacation we have ever taken in the 25 years we’ve been married. When they released the watch at Basel last year, that was the watch I was all in on and I was blessed enough to buy it. You have to enjoy life because you only get one.



This was taken minutes after we left the AD and went to celebrate with a nice dinner.

By the way, this al happened on my wife’s 50th birthday. This is the 2nd time I’ve bought a watch on my wife’s birthday

Congrats, and it seems that your wife’s birthdays seem to bring you luck :)

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by exador

It’s called FOMO.

This was my thought, as well. OP, did you really want either of those watches for themselves, or was the pull because they were there - and you sensed that soon they wouldn't be? If the latter, then you didn't really miss out.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by maxi2015

Hi All
Been a lurker here for a while but need to share some watch-related emotions.

I'm in Switzerland in a small ski resort and found an AD local with, in the window, an AP 15400 and a white dial stainless steel sky-dweller.

Having just purchased a watch, I was in no position to buy, and due to the incredible strength of the Swiss franc, it was just about the most expensive AD in the world. It was expensive to the point that both watches at Swiss retail price were about market price in the rest of the world.
So, I didn't feel compelled to buy them, the timing wasn't right, and I walked away. I walked past an hour later on the way home, and they were gone.

The frustration I continue to feel is bizarre, I suppose because given the current market they were bound to go. And, as there's a chance that I was the first person that saw them, something inside says I should've bought them, like here I was in this tiny ski resort, and two excellent and desirable watches have been put in front of me at retail price. Felt like the stars aligned and I didn't take the opportunity.

Has anyone else experienced this and know how to talk themselves through this self-torturing remorse?

Max

Mission Accomplished Rolex and AP.

That is how it's done.

[jps3b]

Originally Posted by dualcarb

Congrats, and it seems that your wife’s birthdays seem to bring you luck :)

[Chilly Coconut]

If those watches were regularly available in AD windows to purchase at MSRP, would you feel the same compulsion to buy them? If not, I fail to see why it makes sense to buy them now.

[maxi2015]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

This was my thought, as well. OP, did you really want either of those watches for themselves, or was the pull because they were there - and you sensed that soon they wouldn't be? If the latter, then you didn't really miss out.

They were watches that I had considered instead of my current daily, however the sense to pull the trigger since they were there was strong. If I thought they'd still be there in two weeks, I wouldn't have cared. Honestly, if I walked past and they were still there, I still wouldn't have bought them.
So you're totally right - just the incredible FOMO that has been engineered by market short-supply! It's incredible how it can affect you, I thought I would be immune to it.

[maxi2015]

Originally Posted by Chilly Coconut

If those watches were regularly available in AD windows to purchase at MSRP, would you feel the same compulsion to buy them? If not, I fail to see why it makes sense to buy them now.

I think not in a million years. You're the rational angel on my shoulder my friend.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

retail price is relative. Im USD based and live in the UK. I passed on a hulk and a sea dweller 43 at an AD in Houston last year because US retail +tax was like 20% higher than UK retail including tax (paying in dollars)... still kicking myself for that one.

I’ve turned down a HULK, SkyD black and white and SD43 in the USA for the same reason.

For us in the UK, it’s the same as paying over list and I’m not for paying over list. Also officially there’s a VAT issue which further blew the price out the water.

No regrets from me.

[VicLeChic]

Passed on a Sub no date and a Hulk at the AD, before the craze. They didn’t tickle my fancy, no regrets.

My theory is if you’re not immensely thrilled to buy a certain luxury piece, you probably shouldn’t. You’re either blown away or you walk away.

Affordables are a different story.

[harvey]

This phenomenon of 'fear of missing out' is real...

[Emreozcan]

I understand your feelings. I've been in the same situation back in 2016, saw a hulk in AD window in Dresden. I could have bought it for 7150 EUR but I didn't. Don't worry regret passes after some time :)

[AK797]

You said you were in no position to buy so what's the problem? Were you tempted to borrow money or take it from your essential spending? These are far bigger problems than missing out on some wrist metal. Character, dear boy, always character.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by jps3b

I’m on the opposite side of this story. While vacationing in Cabo San Lucas last May, the local AD there brought out the 126715 CHNR. It has sold written on the coffin but the sales associate said that the high end client the watch was promised to was late on his wire transfer. The manager approved the watch for sale and even though I was no way in the market for another watch, I had to have it. I paid full retail. No discount. I did get 8.9% VAT refunded a few months after the purchase so it was like getting a tiny discount with zero tax. I love the watch and I’m very happy I manned up and bought it. My savings took a huge hit since I’m not all that wealthy. My wife bought the Cartier Santos in rose gold which they gave us a substantial discount on for buying two precious metal watches. I know that if I would have passed on this watch I would have regretted it since I doubt I would have had the opportunity to buy it again. I’m a passionate and emotional buyer. My wife and I agree that that trip was probably the best vacation we have ever taken in the 25 years we’ve been married. When they released the watch at Basel last year, that was the watch I was all in on and I was blessed enough to buy it. You have to enjoy life because you only get one.



This was taken minutes after we left the AD and went to celebrate with a nice dinner.

By the way, this al happened on my wife’s 50th birthday. This is the 2nd time I’ve bought a watch on my wife’s birthday

Great story. Congrats on those two beautiful watches.

[jps3b]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Great story. Congrats on those two beautiful watches.

Thank you my friend

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by jps3b

Thank you my friend

In my haste reading through the thread I neglected to see the full scope of events.
Happy bday to the Mrs, enjoy those babies in many years of health.

[beshannon]

Did you want to own the watches?

Or did you want to buy the watches?

Huge difference that is lost on most people here today.

[cloudplay]

Originally Posted by maxi2015

Having just purchased a watch, I was in no position to buy, and due to the incredible strength of the Swiss franc, it was just about the most expensive AD in the world. It was expensive to the point that both watches at Swiss retail price were about market price in the rest of the world.

Not sure about your math here - after taking out the 7.7% Swiss VAT, Rolex prices in Switzerland are lower than in the US, and pretty much on par with the rest of Europe. The CHF is where it has been for the last 4 years, about 1:1 with the USD.

[77T]

My theory on the title of this thread is someone at that AD had goofed and put all the inventory out in the cases.

Then for myriad reasons it was taken out of the case and put back in the safe.

The sales plus fulfillment processes, divided by the number of salestrons, would not have made that many in-person, over-the-counter sales possible in an hour’s time. Could have been a grey dealer bought it all in one phone call. Or manager may have other reasons - theft prevention, list management and inventory management - to empty the case.

As for frustration - that is in our control. While we can’t control the retailers actions, we can control our reaction to them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[jsausley]

Originally Posted by maxi2015

The frustration I continue to feel is bizarre, I suppose because given the current market they were bound to go. And, as there's a chance that I was the first person that saw them, something inside says I should've bought them, like here I was in this tiny ski resort, and two excellent and desirable watches have been put in front of me at retail price. Felt like the stars aligned and I didn't take the opportunity.

And that is why this marketing strategy works wonders for Rolex/AP/PP. The fact that people feel compelled to buy watches they don't even desire on a personal level is driving sales to a point that we can't even comprehend.

[ALF61]

Originally Posted by maxi2015

Hi All
Been a lurker here for a while but need to share some watch-related emotions.

I'm in Switzerland in a small ski resort and found an AD local with, in the window, an AP 15400 and a white dial stainless steel sky-dweller.

Having just purchased a watch, I was in no position to buy, and due to the incredible strength of the Swiss franc, it was just about the most expensive AD in the world. It was expensive to the point that both watches at Swiss retail price were about market price in the rest of the world.
So, I didn't feel compelled to buy them, the timing wasn't right, and I walked away. I walked past an hour later on the way home, and they were gone.

The frustration I continue to feel is bizarre, I suppose because given the current market they were bound to go. And, as there's a chance that I was the first person that saw them, something inside says I should've bought them, like here I was in this tiny ski resort, and two excellent and desirable watches have been put in front of me at retail price. Felt like the stars aligned and I didn't take the opportunity.

Has anyone else experienced this and know how to talk themselves through this self-torturing remorse?

Max

Nice story and very credible. That AD does not need wait lists. He probably just serves on a first come basis and sells out that way to wealthy skiers. That says it all. A lottery ticket.