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vh2k · 15 April 2021, 03:59 AM

Rolex underwhelms super-fan CEO with 2021 watches

After decades as a collector, Paul Altieri turned his passion into a business by buying Bob’s Watches and turning it into one of America’s preeminent pre-owned luxury watch specialists.

His timing was perfect with the acquisition, as prices for Rolex watches rocketed on the secondary market, starting with the all-steel Daytona and spreading to every steel sports watch in the portfolio.

Now even precious metal or bi-colour Datejusts are selling for over retail.

Mr Altieri’s love for Rolex is unquenchable, but this year’s new models, revealed last week, have disappointed him.

“As a whole, the new releases were slightly underwhelming, but Rolex did just give us quite a few exciting and unexpected new watches in September of last year, so this year’s additions make sense and are largely consistent with where Rolex seems to be headed as a brand,” he tells WatchPro.

Only Rolex could get away with such a lackluster line-up and still see demand increase and prices rise on the secondary market.

“I think most of the Rolex’s most popular watches will only become more difficult to find at a retail level,” Mr Altieri predicts, because people are looking for enduring classics.

“Wait lists for them were already long, and with the relatively conservative batch of new releases this year, demand for the existing models that you already could not find at authorized dealers will only become stronger,” he adds.

Prices have been rising on rumors of Rolex watches being discontinued and, when the news is confirmed, they increase again.

“New releases typically generate interest in the recently discontinued models. The fact that the Explorer has returned to 36mm means that the now-discontinued 39mm model has become rather unique. Additionally, while the update to the Explorer II was relatively minimal from an aesthetic standpoint, the simple fact that you will likely not be able to buy one at a retail level means that more people will be searching for past references on the pre-owned market,” Mr Altieri suggests.

His favorite watch from Rolex this year is the new 36mm Explorer (pictured top), but he thinks it may be too small for many customers, which is driving up demand for the discontinued 39mm piece.

“The watch itself is a truly iconic design and its return to the classic 36mm case size means that it is essentially the modern version of the vintage models that are held in such high regard by collectors today. But some people still feel that 36mm is too small. Now that the 39mm Explorer has been discontinued, every person who wants a Rolex Explorer with a larger case size will be looking for that exact same reference,” Mr Altieri explains.

https://www.watchpro.com/rolex-under...-2021-watches/

Do you agree?

AK797 · 15 April 2021, 04:55 AM

I don't know about now but a few years ago there were alot of negative stories about Bob's Watches and they were not recommended here.

CLTRolex · 15 April 2021, 04:57 AM

Yes I agree with him - 36 is indeed too small for men’s wrist (and please save me the oh well men in the past wore them).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GradyPhilpott · 15 April 2021, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLTRolex

Yes I agree with him - 36 is indeed too small for men’s wrist (and please save me the oh well men in the past wore them).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nonsense.

It's time to accept that Rolex released what they released and move on.

Beating a dead horse benefits no one.

I would also note that I was quite pleased with this year's releases, even though I'm not interested in buying at this time, and I hold my opinion to be just as valid as the owner of Bob's Watches, maybe even more so.

CLTRolex · 15 April 2021, 05:33 AM

I think Rolex hit the nail on the head. Why release new models that take attention away from the already white hot watches currently in circulation...that have been around for multiple years and still conjure up insanity on the market and ESPECIALLY on this forum

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

dazzle66 · 15 April 2021, 05:39 AM

If you don’t like them don’t buy them , well don’t try to get on the imaginary wait list anyway .. buy something you like instead ... what watch you wear really isn’t that important

SeaDweller50 · 15 April 2021, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazzle66

If you don’t like them don’t buy them , well don’t try to get on the imaginary wait list anyway .. buy something you like instead ... what watch you wear really isn’t that important

Thanks for the advice.

Jack T · 15 April 2021, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLTRolex

Yes I agree with him - 36 is indeed too small for men’s wrist (and please save me the oh well men in the past wore them).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is your opinion, but many think otherwise.

Chester01 · 15 April 2021, 06:28 AM

Rolex was being Rolex this year.

turkeysub93 · 15 April 2021, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLTRolex

Yes I agree with him - 36 is indeed too small for men’s wrist (and please save me the oh well men in the past wore them).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Humans are larger today than ever before.

Men's avg. height has increased from 5'7 to 5'10 in the past century.

I suppose it all boils down to preferences...but a 36 mm watch looks silly on anyone 5'10 and above imo.

drrd · 15 April 2021, 06:46 AM

Why should I care what a second-hand watch dealer thinks? Their view of the watch market has nothing to do with end-users, they're just looking for another angle to enhance their sales.

And why the promo/mini-bio about this particular dealer?

So 'this year’s new models, revealed last week, have disappointed him'?

Oh. Let's just hope that something else happens soon to cheer him up. Probably sales-related.

Robf52 · 15 April 2021, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Nonsense.

It's time to accept that Rolex released what they released and move on.

Beating a dead horse benefits no one.

I would also note that I was quite pleased with this year's releases, even though I'm not interested in buying at this time, and I hold my opinion to be just as valid as the owner of Bob's Watches, maybe even more so.

Well said. Right on.

Harry-57 · 15 April 2021, 07:12 AM

Who cares?

That's his opinion.

So what?

Liga · 15 April 2021, 07:13 AM

What do you expect them to do.
It's familiarity that everybody knows and loves.
It's their ability to have a watch instantly recognized by others that makes them famous.

The oyster is the hub of the brand.

Should they reinvent the Oyster for you?

make a perpetual tourbillion that breaks down in a year??????

jerryguo · 15 April 2021, 07:18 AM

why would people care about his opinion about Rolex?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BradSomrak · 15 April 2021, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turkeysub93

but a 36 mm watch looks silly on anyone 5'10 and above imo.

I’ll never understand painting with a brush this broad.

Cru Jones · 15 April 2021, 08:06 AM

This guy knows a lot about the market and also is a big fan of Rolex.

His views carry weight.

vh2k · 15 April 2021, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryguo

why would people care about his opinion about Rolex?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Who cares? That's his opinion. So what?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

This guy knows a lot about the market and also is a big fan of Rolex. His views carry weight.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But, not all opinions are equally weighted or qualified.

This guy runs a $40 million retail operation and is an undisputed expert on Rolex and the vintage/preowned watch market.

WatchPro and their readers care about his opinion; WatchPro’s readers don’t care about yours or mine.

MOD NOTICE: He is also banned from TRF. Subject closed.

View Poll Results: Do you agree with him?
YES - I'm generally underwhelmed by these releases	42	47.73%
MAYBE - I'm mixed on the announcements	17	19.32%
NO - Rolex knocked it out of the park this year	9	10.23%
Don't know / don't care	20	22.73%
Voters: 88. You may not vote on this poll

15 April 2021, 03:59 AM	#1
vh2k "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: USA Posts: 3,018	UNDERWHELMED? - Bob's Watches CEO Goes Public on 2021 Rolex Offerings Rolex underwhelms super-fan CEO with 2021 watches After decades as a collector, Paul Altieri turned his passion into a business by buying Bob’s Watches and turning it into one of America’s preeminent pre-owned luxury watch specialists. His timing was perfect with the acquisition, as prices for Rolex watches rocketed on the secondary market, starting with the all-steel Daytona and spreading to every steel sports watch in the portfolio. Now even precious metal or bi-colour Datejusts are selling for over retail. Mr Altieri’s love for Rolex is unquenchable, but this year’s new models, revealed last week, have disappointed him. “As a whole, the new releases were slightly underwhelming, but Rolex did just give us quite a few exciting and unexpected new watches in September of last year, so this year’s additions make sense and are largely consistent with where Rolex seems to be headed as a brand,” he tells WatchPro. Only Rolex could get away with such a lackluster line-up and still see demand increase and prices rise on the secondary market. “I think most of the Rolex’s most popular watches will only become more difficult to find at a retail level,” Mr Altieri predicts, because people are looking for enduring classics. “Wait lists for them were already long, and with the relatively conservative batch of new releases this year, demand for the existing models that you already could not find at authorized dealers will only become stronger,” he adds. Prices have been rising on rumors of Rolex watches being discontinued and, when the news is confirmed, they increase again. “New releases typically generate interest in the recently discontinued models. The fact that the Explorer has returned to 36mm means that the now-discontinued 39mm model has become rather unique. Additionally, while the update to the Explorer II was relatively minimal from an aesthetic standpoint, the simple fact that you will likely not be able to buy one at a retail level means that more people will be searching for past references on the pre-owned market,” Mr Altieri suggests. His favorite watch from Rolex this year is the new 36mm Explorer (pictured top), but he thinks it may be too small for many customers, which is driving up demand for the discontinued 39mm piece. “The watch itself is a truly iconic design and its return to the classic 36mm case size means that it is essentially the modern version of the vintage models that are held in such high regard by collectors today. But some people still feel that 36mm is too small. Now that the 39mm Explorer has been discontinued, every person who wants a Rolex Explorer with a larger case size will be looking for that exact same reference,” Mr Altieri explains. https://www.watchpro.com/rolex-under...-2021-watches/ Do you agree?

15 April 2021, 04:57 AM	#3
CLTRolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Charlotte/London Watch: Multiple Posts: 889	Yes I agree with him - 36 is indeed too small for men’s wrist (and please save me the oh well men in the past wore them). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ ♕ Daytona - 116506 ♕ GMT-Master II - 116710BLNR ♕ Yacht-Master II - 116680 ♕ Daytona - 116520 ♕ Explorer II - 16570

15 April 2021, 05:33 AM	#5
CLTRolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Charlotte/London Watch: Multiple Posts: 889	I think Rolex hit the nail on the head. Why release new models that take attention away from the already white hot watches currently in circulation...that have been around for multiple years and still conjure up insanity on the market and ESPECIALLY on this forum Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ ♕ Daytona - 116506 ♕ GMT-Master II - 116710BLNR ♕ Yacht-Master II - 116680 ♕ Daytona - 116520 ♕ Explorer II - 16570

15 April 2021, 04:55 AM	#2
AK797 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Neil Location: UK Watch: ing ships roll in Posts: 59,369	I don't know about now but a few years ago there were alot of negative stories about Bob's Watches and they were not recommended here.

15 April 2021, 05:39 AM	#6
dazzle66 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: uk Watch: Planet ocean 43.5 Posts: 47	If you don’t like them don’t buy them , well don’t try to get on the imaginary wait list anyway .. buy something you like instead ... what watch you wear really isn’t that important

15 April 2021, 06:28 AM	#9
Chester01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: East Coast Watch: 16610 Posts: 4,933	Rolex was being Rolex this year.

15 April 2021, 06:46 AM	#11
drrd "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Real Name: rd Location: uk Posts: 1,534	Why should I care what a second-hand watch dealer thinks? Their view of the watch market has nothing to do with end-users, they're just looking for another angle to enhance their sales. And why the promo/mini-bio about this particular dealer? So 'this year’s new models, revealed last week, have disappointed him'? Oh. Let's just hope that something else happens soon to cheer him up. Probably sales-related.

15 April 2021, 07:12 AM	#13
Harry-57 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Real Name: Harry Location: England Posts: 10,669	Who cares? That's his opinion. So what?

15 April 2021, 07:13 AM	#14
Liga Banned Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Canada Watch: Bulova Marriage Posts: 95	What do you expect them to do. It's familiarity that everybody knows and loves. It's their ability to have a watch instantly recognized by others that makes them famous. The oyster is the hub of the brand. Should they reinvent the Oyster for you? make a perpetual tourbillion that breaks down in a year??????

15 April 2021, 07:18 AM	#15
jerryguo "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bay Area Watch: Rolex, PP, Lange Posts: 1,024	why would people care about his opinion about Rolex? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

15 April 2021, 08:06 AM	#17
Cru Jones 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 35,297	This guy knows a lot about the market and also is a big fan of Rolex. His views carry weight.

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