Dear Rolex: You are a Joke

[Morrisdog]

I know it sucks but all luxury brands try and achieve this state of affairs. Those who can't do this wish they could .


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[MCO1]

I agree with you but its subjective to the AD, I don't believe they are all this way. I am as equally irritated by by the gray market dealers who are decreasing AD supply while doing it only for excessive profit. I want one and am on the list and will hopefully have one in a year but I will not pay over retail for one.

[blue16613]

Originally Posted by MCO1

I agree with you but its subjective to the AD, I don't believe they are all this way. I am as equally irritated by by the gray market dealers who are decreasing AD supply while doing it only for excessive profit. I want one and am on the list and will hopefully have one in a year but I will not pay over retail for one.

Agree. These ADs have created a modern day Tulip Mania and the greys have only served to make it even worse.

The snippets that follow come from Wikipedia:

• Tulip mania was a period in the Dutch Golden Age during which contract prices for bulbs of the recently introduced tulip reached extraordinarily high levels and then suddenly collapsed.

• At the peak of tulip mania, in March 1637, some single tulip bulbs sold for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman.

• The term "tulip mania" is now often used metaphorically to refer to any large economic bubble when asset prices deviate from intrinsic values.

[GB-man]

Every good watch brand has watches that are tough to come by. Rolex chooses to make it the Daytona. Don't blame Rolex, blame the ADs who are backdooring them to the grey market.

I didn't get a silver snoopy. (Nor did I want one)

I couldnt find a 5711 blue in the next few months if I wanted one.

I couldn't get a AP perpetual ceramic at retail if I wanted one this spring/summer

Think of the Patek collectors who have spent nearly half a mill and don't have a 5131.

You know the game Seth. We all do.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Every good watch brand has watches that are tough to come by. Rolex chooses to make it the Daytona. Don't blame Rolex, blame the ADs who are backdooring them to the grey market.

I didn't get a silver snoopy. (Nor did I want one)

I couldnt find a 5711 blue in the next few months if I wanted one.

I couldn't get a AP perpetual ceramic at retail if I wanted one this spring/summer

Think of the Patek collectors who have spent nearly half a mill and don't have a 5131.

You know the game Seth. We all do.

Great post. And I do know the game. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Or for that matter, play it.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by superdog

Great post. And I do know the game. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Or for that matter, play it.

That is certainly your right my friend

For the record, I heard a similar line from the N Michigan ave boutique last August. I was fully expecting it but much like a free lotto ticket I couldn't help but play the game

Also funny that when I was there I was blown away by the DD40 blue dial. Still haven't added one. Some day

[Mangas]

Originally Posted by superdog

Great post. And I do know the game. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Or for that matter, play it.

Indeed , we all have choices and can make any one we want

[Pmt2]

The same reason you're upset is probably the same reason you love their watches.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Pmt2

The same reason you're upset is probably the same reason you love their watches.

I have not one Rolex in my collection currently. Largely because I do not like the brand.

Yes, I love and appreciate many of their watches. I am just not OK with representing the brand.

I respect that most here do like the brand. I very much so do. Currently, it is just not for me.

And that is coming from a guy that REALLY wants a DJ41 in steel. I love that watch.

I am just not sure I am OK with wearing it.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by superdog

I have not one Rolex in my collection currently. Largely because I do not like the brand.

Wow, didn't realize this. It changes the perception of the post from Rolex lover's rant to something else!

[emersm]

Originally Posted by superdog

I have not one Rolex in my collection currently. Largely because I do not like the brand.

Originally Posted by Maxy

Wow, didn't realize this. It changes the perception of the post from Rolex lover's rant to something else!

X2^^

[superdog]

Originally Posted by emersm

X2^^

Umm, a watch enthusiasts rant?

[hugs]

A lot of companies that sell non-essential, high end/luxury goods seem to be doing this these days.

In my opinion it seems these companies are trying to convince their customers that they are being gracious in suppling the product - the customer should be the one feeling grateful for the service, as opposed to the company for the custom.

Maybe this is sensible...we are currently in a time when many people can afford nice things and they may be trying to avoid "burning the candle at both ends" by sating the all these "new-money" customers all at once.

[chicagonoob]

Fair and thoughtful take. It should be noted that the Rolex boutique on Michigan Ave in Chicago (I gather this was the spot?) is owned by Tourneau, so the info from the sales associate shouldn't be taken as directly from the OEM. That being said, your point is a salient one!

Hope you enjoyed Chicago - lots of top notch watch boutiques in and around the mag mile!

[Mastergreenhand]

I agree, Seth. It's ridiculous and Rolex doesn't need this gimmick to maintain their appearance as a status symbol. They think by limiting output makes people want the model even more. And maybe it does, but it's really frustrating. I want one. But I can't get one. I can afford it MSRP. I can't afford the dealer mark up prices. So I'm just out of luck.

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by Mastergreenhand

I agree, Seth. It's ridiculous and Rolex doesn't need this gimmick to maintain their appearance as a status symbol. They think by limiting output makes people want the model even more. And maybe it does, but it's really frustrating. I want one. But I can't get one. I can afford it MSRP. I can't afford the dealer mark up prices. So I'm just out of luck.

and here lies the problem....this model will be sold for the next 15 years if the 116520 is any indication....and will not be hard to get in a matter of a year or 2

shame on rolex. the daytona-c is nothing more than a 2002 chrono model(116520) with a ceramic bezel!!!!

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by speedmaster73

and here lies the problem....this model will be sold for the next 15 years if the 116520 is any indication....and will not be hard to get in a matter of a year or 2

shame on rolex. the daytona-c is nothing more than a 2002 chrono model(116520) with a ceramic bezel!!!!

Blames Rolex for not changing enough on the Daytona. Loves a watch that's unchanged for 60 years.

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Blames Rolex for not changing enough on the Daytona. Loves a watch that's unchanged for 60 years.

i don't mind the current iteration.not for me however due to size. would have been nice to see a 42mm option.

the 60 yrs went over my head?

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by speedmaster73

i don't mind the current iteration.not for me however due to size. would have been nice to see a 42mm option.

the 60 yrs went over my head?

I don't follow omega closely enough so I shouldn't be talking. I assumed the speedy pro was largely unchanged but maybe I'm wrong.

[Mangas]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Blames Rolex for not changing enough on the Daytona. Loves a watch that's unchanged for 60 years.

[teo]

What about patek philippe nautilus waiting list? A simple watch with 3 hands.

[Canook]

Originally Posted by teo

What about patek philippe nautilus waiting list? A simple watch with 3 hands.

im pretty sure they are not a mass produced watch like Rolex and there is a reason for smaller numbers been made available.... dont get me wrong i know Rolex still do a large part by hand but having 300 people assemble watches is prob alot different to 15 people......
I made these numbers up but you catch my drift of what im trying to say... we are not comparing production numbers as "apples to apples" for these ones

[teo]

What about patek philippe nautilus waiting list a simple watch with 3 hands?

[diverdoug]

I really don't understand this game. I understand when DeBeers limits supply to drive up prices, But would Rolex can set the prices as they wish, do they think not producing more watches when there is a market will increase the number of people who want the watch?

[c41006]

I get where you are coming from and I can understand your frustration. It doesn't really bother me but maybe that's because I'm not in the market for that particular piece. Could you explain why you feel so strongly about this? To the point that you don't even want to represent the brand by wearing one? I say this with all due respect but I feel like that is maybe a little over the top.

You have to consider that Rolex is one of the best brands in the world when it comes to branding and image. They know what they are doing. There is a reason that the Rolex brand is known by just about everyone on the planet. There is a reason that Rolex has that mystique surrounding it. They have carefully built the image they want. I think you have to respect the fact that they don't flood the market just to make a quick buck. I also appreciate the fact that it keeps the resale value high. I feel that if they pumped out as many units as they could sell, it would in some way cheapen the brand. Maybe I'm wrong...

Maybe it would be better if they were more upfront about it? If they came out and said that production will be limited to X number of units per year.

[kneedeep]

Same as Patek with 5711s. Create overwhelming demand by limiting supply to a relatively large pool of interested buyers. As the pool of interested buyers shrinks for any number of reasons i.e. economy, demographics, consumer trends and preferences, etc. that marketing strategy expires. In the meantime, we are stuck with it like it or not with the option to spend our money elsewhere.

[chiko323]

Originally Posted by kneedeep

Same as Patek with 5711s. Create overwhelming demand by limiting supply to a relatively large pool of interested buyers. As the pool of interested buyers shrinks for any number of reasons i.e. economy, demographics, consumer trends and preferences, etc. that marketing strategy expires. In the meantime, we are stuck with it like it or not with the option to spend our money elsewhere.

Last week I was chatting with a Patek AD about the blue 5711 and was told that they get two per year and have a waiting list with 100 names on it. My math tells me that's a 50 year wait list .

[JasonKrick]

Originally Posted by chiko323

Last week I was chatting with a Patek AD about the blue 5711 and was told that they get two per year and have a waiting list with 100 names on it. My math tells me that's a 50 year wait list .

Really?

I'm surprised. Whenever I am in SoCal and stop by a Patek dealer. Not only do a see a blue Nautalis. But I can tell the salesperson is itching to try and move any Patek.

When I got my Daytona. I asked the sales lady three times if she had one. Each time she said yes. I finally asked if I could see it. She begrudgingly said okay and went to the back to get it.

I rarely to never see a person browsing the Patek section. And I only saw one person in the Vegas Breuget store with me browsing. They may be considered luxurious. But I haven't seen them to be in a fevered and frenzied demand.

[DCheeta]

I hear ya Seth. I waited almost a year for one, and then when my number came up and I was about to hand over my credit card, they told me I had to engrave the back in order to leave with it. This disgusted me and made me lose my taste for the watch completely. No thanks Rolex, I'll get a new 60th Anniv Speedmaster instead.

I still love Rolex and happily wear them, and I get why they hype it like that, but it's just not a game I want to play.

[c41006]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

I hear ya Seth. I waited almost a year for one, and then when my number came up and I was about to hand over my credit card, they told me I had to engrave the back in order to leave with it. This disgusted me and made me lose my taste for the watch completely. No thanks Rolex, I'll get a new 60th Anniv Speedmaster instead.

I still love Rolex and happily wear them, and I get why they hype it like that, but it's just not a game I want to play.

I totally disagree with forcing people to engrave but isn't that decision made by the AD and not Rolex themselves?