Would you lose interest in Rolex if it was easily available?

[Oneday333]

I don't understand why one would lose interest if its easy available. My view, if a person would lost interest, then he/she isn't really interested in the watch, rather he/she enjoys the process of getting the watch!

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Oneday333

I don't understand why one would lose interest if its easy available. My view, if a person would lost interest, then he/she isn't really interested in the watch, rather he/she enjoys the process of getting the watch!

I think its more about that if you know you can go get one whenever you want it, you're less motivated to do so
Its less "wanting what you cant have" and more "meh, I'll get to it eventually"

I have friends who entered the hobby and while a Rolex was on their lists, they're now at the top of the list. If the call comes, everything in the collection will go to raise the cash to purchase what they've been waiting for.
When quizzed as to why, most replied "if it turn this offer down, i may never get another and i can always rebuy what i have to sell later down the track"

[baamvino]

I've been a fan of Rolex for +10years now so NO

[ndrs63]

Possibly. I still enjoy my Rolexes and I believe they are the most robust, precise mechanical watches. But there is a fierce competition and I see GS, Blancpain and JLC as strong contenders that beat Rolex at some parameters . I have to admit that value retention is still a consideration for me, so if that went away perhaps my collection would look different


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[duquephart]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

Possibly. I still enjoy my Rolexes and I believe they are the most robust, precise mechanical watches. But there is a fierce competition and I see GS, Blancpain and JLC as strong contenders that beat Rolex at some parameters . I have to admit that value retention is still a consideration for me, so if that went away perhaps my collection would look different


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"Precise" and "Rolex" should not appear in the same sentence. Great watches but precision is not among their fortes.

[mfserge]

Originally Posted by duquephart

"Precise" and "Rolex" should not appear in the same sentence. Great watches but precision is not among their fortes.

Oh no? Why’s that?

[fnfiveseven]

Originally Posted by duquephart

"Precise" and "Rolex" should not appear in the same sentence. Great watches but precision is not among their fortes.

I beg to differ. I'm assuming you're talking about time keeping here but my Sub which I have worn for over a year straight when it was my only watch has been absolutely bullet proof in time keeping. Same goes for my GMT which I wore for half a year.
A Daytona is currently my daily for about 4 months now and all I can say is so far so good.

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by fnfiveseven

I beg to differ. I'm assuming you're talking about time keeping here but my Sub which I have worn for over a year straight when it was my only watch has been absolutely bullet proof in time keeping. Same goes for my GMT which I wore for half a year.
A Daytona is currently my daily for about 4 months now and all I can say is so far so good.

Agreed. I wore my Yachtmaster daily for 20 years and timekeeping was never an issue. Rolex makes a robust and accurate watch.

There may be many “hype” things about a Rolex…but COSC certification is a real thing.


As to the original question, Rolex marketed itself with “a crown for every achievement.” I got my first Rolex to commemorate a significant milestone. Others here have as well. It’s been unfortunate to read so many stories here of people wanting a Rolex to celebrate a well-earned achievement, whether personal or at work, but can’t get one. I understand the one or two “hot” releases, but across-the-board? That’s tough.

[ndrs63]

Originally Posted by duquephart

"Precise" and "Rolex" should not appear in the same sentence. Great watches but precision is not among their fortes.

It is. Their chronometer internal certification goes beyond cosc requirements. It’s +/- 2sec/day. Let’s give them what is theirs. I have 3 Rolexes and are the most accurate watches I’ve had, except GS spring drives


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[EQUITYft]

Not at all. As a matter of fact, when I bought my first Rolex, I had no idea about waitlists or anything else. So I was firmly interested before knowing it is hard to get.

I would like it more if there were no waitlists or that noise, just walk in, buy it and get out.

[Chewbacca]

Since when is a $10k +++ watch easily attainable at MSRP or when one wants one, and why should it be difficult to make it engaging and interesting?

The whole point of Rolex is the achievement of what it took to be in a position to attain one. Not the difficulty in fulfilling the purchase.

Let’s all grow up a little and stop acting like this is some Biblical calling to be called on for the privilege.

If you worked hard and have the money you should be able to walk in a store and buy it when you want it.

That’s it.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Since when is a $10k +++ watch easily attainable at MSRP or when one wants one, and why should it be difficult to make it engaging and interesting?

The whole point of Rolex is the achievement of what it took to be in a position to attain one. Not the difficulty in fulfilling the purchase.

Let’s all grow up a little and stop acting like this is some Biblical calling to be called on for the privilege.

If you worked hard and have the money you should be able to walk in a store and buy it when you want it.

That’s it.

100% agreed. Well stated.

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[temporarychicken]

If I could walk into an AD and buy what I wanted, I would. And I'd enjoy it deeply.

But since I can't, I've taken my business elsewhere.

There is no joy in paying way over the odds at a grey and I won't play the 'suck up to the dealer for 3yrs game'.

I'm an owner-enthusiast and not an investor.

[Jari from Finland]

But if all models were available at AD's
I wouldn't buy watches I dislike. In my opinion
it must remember that keep waiting certain
models is also a part of this hobby.

[Flint]

No , I would prefer to see all models in AD window and even if they lost value it wouldn't bother me . Although I do not consider myself a collector , I love watches and buy what I like regardless of hype / fashion or investment

[Moondoggy]

Oh yeah of course. It’s all about the money and the great unwashed who hype it.

Tell you daddy issues.

$$$$

[Flint]

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Oh yeah of course. It’s all about the money and the great unwashed who hype it.

Tell you daddy issues.

$$$$

Above reads to myself as sarcastic / angry , if your post was aimed at me then I am sorry you feel that way . I have no intention of offending anyone , only my view

[T4ME]

My vote is no... the 116613LB is the ultimate in my opinion.... the first thing I ever brought for myself when I earned money was a watch.. would like a Pepsi but won't go gray... only AD for me

[JSCP]

Why is it hard for everyone to accept that demand is so way out of control that the watches, yes, come the those VIP’s? (I admit me lucky one).

We know the many
many reason s is now popular for “populace” with money, or a cc, to able to pay for a Rolex?

Rolex has always been about achievement celebration and also beautiful
models, iconic history behind most, and relative expensive in proportion. For the last 11 decades Rolex became an aspiration, but once one had the $, one could get it.

Now it’s just way more difficult, but if you are a watch aficionado, one want a Rolex, regardless.

[travisb]

Not at all. That's how it was when I started collecting.
No hype, no social media, no "investment" watches etc. Just the love of the hobby.

[harvey]

Originally Posted by travisb

Not at all. That's how it was when I started collecting.
No hype, no social media, no "investment" watches etc. Just the love of the hobby.

Snap! I walked in and bought my kermit (sept 2005)…I wish I got the other one they had in as well !

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by harvey

Snap! I walked in and bought my kermit (sept 2005)…I wish I got the other one they had in as well !

I waited a whole 3 months for my 16710LV back in 2005! Seemed like an absolute age back then...

[Flint]

Originally Posted by travisb

Not at all. That's how it was when I started collecting.
No hype, no social media, no "investment" watches etc. Just the love of the hobby.

:

100%

[dtwer]

I think Kevin O'Leary says it best in this discussion. A very insightful discussion, by the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW5SP6--82M


He says for any watch brand that trades down in the secondary market is brand mismanagement. This I totally agree.

On the subject of buying a watch that loses 30% or 40% of value in a year in the secondary market, Kevin says "it makes you feel foolish, it's like you didn't do your homework."

I think right there he hits home on the psychology of why people pursue Rolex; it reinforces the notion that owning Rolex is a wise and well thought-out decision, as opposed to a foolish one. The psychology goes beyond just money, it validates the human nature of maximizing upside risks and minimizing downside risks. That's why we look up to and emulate winners, not losers. Rolex is an undoubted winner in the watch game.

So yes, I would say scarcity and rising value make people, myself included, want Rolex even more. Whether I have the time and attention span to play the AD game is, of course, a totally different matter. However if my AD presented me with a 126610LV at MSRP and a Omega Planet Ocean at 30% discount, I would take the 126610LV without a second thought.

[jw0n]

When I started off getting into watches, all Rolexes were sold below RRP in the used market. This was the same case for VC, AP, PP, etc.

[Highlatitude]

For me, when you decide to buy one these days, you get a ‘cooling off period’ that could last for six months or even years. The passion and excitement subsides and you come to your senses and the money goes elsewhere. That must be happening a lot.

Instead the ones I do already own have become something of a liability. When I first bought these watches they cost a couple of thousand and I was not particularly worried about using them for what they are best at - a reliable item of everyday luxury that can stay on your wrist for any activity in any place. And in the past they were replaceable with relative ease should they get lost or destroyed. As they are worth $10-15K now, they risk attracting unwanted attention and I would be a fool to wear them for activities where they might get damaged or make me a target. You need to insure them and ask yourself whether it needs to be hidden or left in a safe when in the wrong part of town. Frankly I can barely be bothered with it all.

Then there is the fact that they are essentially the same workhorse watch that I originally bought at 2K - they can never be worth the current prices to me, it’s simply not worth the money. It’s like owning that ultimate offroader but not daring to take it off the pavement.

So I ask myself, where does that leave me? The answer is to reduce my collection to one or two. It’s not that I cannot afford to buy one with discretionary income, it’s just that they are a lot less desirable to own now they have entered the realm of silliness and impracticality. Fortunately, the final chapter in Rolex for me will be that not only will my years of ownership have been enjoyable, they have essentially been free to own and have made me a welcome profit. I got in at the right time and will get out at the right time. So good bye Rolex and thanks!

[Rori]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

Would you lose interest in Rolex if every model was easily available at the AD for msrp?

I probably would. As amazing as they look, the difficulty to get certain pieces is a big part of the attraction for me. I get bored with instant gratification.

I missunderstood the question and voted yes instead of no.
Of course i would not lose any interest in the brand, I've been enjoying their stories since I was a teenager. To me, they are the best I don't care how accurate or more prestigious other brands are, there's something about Rolex that no one else has, at least for me.

[1William]

I would have more interest and a better collection.

[st8edge]

I have been wearing Rolex on and off since 1973. I lost some interest when they were easily available but appreciated the Sports watches for their ability to withstand daily bumps, dings and submersion. Rolex will always have a place in my collection.

[alphadweller]

No. The Hulk and the Sub Date were readily available in 2016 and I didn't buy them (supercase), picked a YM instead.