When did Rolex AD MSRP availability issues start?

[seabreeze60]

Does anyone remember the history of when Rolex ADs started running out of popular models?

[RolexSimon]

Daytona - 10 years ago. Daydate 2021.

[underpar]

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

does anyone remember the history of when rolex ads started running out of popular models?

2018

[dpt.calvin]

I had trouble finding a BLNR from a local AD in 2015. Local ADs put me on an imaginary list. Flew out to Oregon to get it. But I don’t think the craze started until after that.

[huncho]

2018

[sski]

i believe some point in 2019

[Tqmb79]

Late 2017 / early 2018

[pj1369]

When they re-released the Rolex Pepsi on Jubilee, things started getting extra crazy at a faster clip. That's when my discounts were reduced and waits started with my longtime AD. And, in past two years, it magnified across so many other pieces outside sports steel watches, imo.


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[inadeje]

Originally Posted by seabreeze60

Does anyone remember the history of when Rolex ADs started running out of popular models?

Daytona SS Zenith was impossible to buy between 1992 and 1999 (end of production) I tried. Ended up buying a TT.

I wasn’t interested any any others at the time, so I have no idea. Over the years since 2000 onwards the ADs seemed stocked with most other Rolex whenever I looked. The current situation seems to have started late 2017, getting gradually more critical since 2019.

[VogelPhoenix]

There were local shortages in 2015, often related to exchange rate fluctuations. E.g., finding a BLNR in the Eurozone in 2015 was difficult - I tried ~10ADs or so, and best I could do was get on a waitlist (they actually called a few months later, but by then I had already bought one in Switzerland).

The next major event was the collapse of the UKP before/after the Brexit vote in mid-2016 The resulting arbitrage opportunity cleaned out the British ADs, and then things spread (geographically, and within the Rolex model range) from there. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by Tqmb79

Late 2017 / early 2018

This

[Roger Lococco]

2016 in Asia.


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[PepsiBezel]

I think after the the ceramic SS Daytona 116500 (2016) followed by the Paul Newman Paul Newman Daytona then-record breaking auction (2017) things started to take off to the races.

I remember seeing occasional sports models in 2017. By 2018 stainless steel sport models were hard to find, and it’s continued on that trend since.

[Feb_29]

It started in Asia(Chana) around late 2015 early 2016 and spread out to the rest of the world in late 2017 early 2018. I remember seeing Asian tourists getting off the plain and getting on the bus heading right out to Rolex boutiques.

[afmars]

Late 1990s - everything but Daytonas readily available, Daytonas can be had with some effort.
2017 - ceramic Daytona impossible to get, BLNRs hard too.
2018 - forget about any steel GMT, subs also scarce
2019 - explorers start disappearing. Pretty much no professional models in steel except the odd ball YM or explorer, Milgauss
2020 - steel DJ41s starting to disappear. PM/TT sub, Daytona, etc can still be seen in display cases
2021 - PM sports models gone, but still some OPs, DD 36, dateJusts in display cases
2022 - exhibition only watches in display cases, and perhaps a diamond encrusted lady datejust or two.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Tqmb79

Late 2017 / early 2018

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Feb_29

It started in Asia(Chana) around late 2015 early 2016 and spread out to the rest of the world in late 2017 early 2018. I remember seeing Asian tourists getting off the plain and getting on the bus heading right out to Rolex boutiques.

You’re confusing this with covid

[Feb_29]

Originally Posted by GB-man

You’re confusing this with covid

I think it's you who confused. COVID started late 2019. But hey, this spread can be call a Rolex virus.

[pj1369]

Originally Posted by afmars

Late 1990s - everything but Daytonas readily available, Daytonas can be had with some effort.
2017 - ceramic Daytona impossible to get, BLNRs hard too.
2018 - forget about any steel GMT, subs also scarce
2019 - explorers start disappearing. Pretty much no professional models in steel except the odd ball YM or explorer, Milgauss
2020 - steel DJ41s starting to disappear. PM/TT sub, Daytona, etc can still be seen in display cases
2021 - PM sports models gone, but still some OPs, DD 36, dateJusts in display cases
2022 - exhibition only watches in display cases, and perhaps a diamond encrusted lady datejust or two.

Agree ^


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[samuel019]

You wanna know when or what started it??

Blame the hype monger of all hype mongers, the 116500. Been here on TRF for a decade and that was the first model I can remember seeing selling for a premium.

Even back in 2013 when the Platona was first introduced the very first ones here were selling 1-2k under MSRP. The 116500 fresh outta the gate were listed 8-10k over.

Just look in the history of the classifieds here on TRF. I have. So the 116500 opened the flood gates somewhat and by 2018 it was full blown madness. So I guess to answer your question I’d say 2018 but the 116500 was a catalyst

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by Tqmb79

Late 2017 / early 2018

This, but Daytona is already unavailable before then.

[GB-man]

I was just being an a****** but you walked into that a bit lol

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tqmb79

Late 2017 / early 2018

This ^^^

[Watcheroo]

Right around July 2017 - that’s the first time my AD (at the time) told me that they weren’t taking “orders” anymore.


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[GB-man]

I can only speak for the United States but 2012-2016 was a fantastic time to collect watches.

Everything was available. The hardest to land retail were the 5711 blue and then BLNR. Either could be had for 1-2 k premium NIB. Daytonas were 11-12k NIB. 5711 25k. Anything PM Rolex I could have 25% off and that would land you in the good graces of any AD. Aquanauts and other stainless Rolex discounts were there for the buyer who had some hustle. Nobody went to the AP boutique because they didn’t discount. Tiffany had aquanauts and nautilus (not 5711) in the case for sale. 15400 were 12k 15202 were 18k. You could trade a sandwich and coke for an FPJ.

[afmars]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I can only speak for the United States but 2012-2016 was a fantastic time to collect watches.

Everything was available. The hardest to land retail were the 5711 blue and then BLNR. Either could be had for 1-2 k premium NIB. Daytonas were 11-12k NIB. 5711 25k. Anything PM Rolex I could have 25% off and that would land you in the good graces of any AD. Aquanauts and other stainless Rolex discounts were there for the buyer who had some hustle. Nobody went to the AP boutique because they didn’t discount. Tiffany had aquanauts and nautilus (not 5711) in the case for sale. 15400 were 12k 15202 were 18k. You could trade a sandwich and coke for an FPJ.

Wow! Those were the days.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Tqmb79

Late 2017 / early 2018

Yup. I remember easily buying and selling 2 BLNRs in 2017.

I remember when we used to buy at or below msrp and not “bond” with the watch and resell only to have buyers remorse and rebuy back. That’s when the hobby was interesting.

Now to just buy a 30k Pepsi on a whim or 50k Daytona … hobby isn’t the same.

Oh well.


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[TswaneNguni]

Around 2018,but really in 2020.

[H25B]

Originally Posted by Tqmb79

Late 2017 / early 2018

This.

I remember trying on several now unobtainable pieces at ADs while on a work trip in Hong Kong. They served great tea. I kick myself for not buying the GMT back then.

[cvo]

What triggered it 2018? Basically, what changed then?