Rolex Culture Shift.........

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

I have a practical and collectors side to me so I do both. I wear my vintages all the time and they have scratches and nicks and such. I also have a SD M series with all the stickers still on and sitting in a safe. Guess I am sort of a BI-WIS.

and that's the LEAST of it !

really though, i do agree that people should just relax and enjoy their watches. i don't quite understand people sticking their watches in a case and looking at them once in a while, but since it's THEIR watch and NOT MINE, I guess they can do whatever they please.

[Moto]

A Rolex is a valuable repository of wealth, which can often stand on its own merit. See this article from October.

AFP: From correspondents in Reykjavik
October 17, 2008 07:37am

AS Icelanders suddenly find themselves in the eye of the global financial storm many are seeking stability and solace in luxury goods like Rolex watches, which unlike their plunging currency are unlikely to devalue.
As Iceland in recent weeks has teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, Frank Michelsen, the Nordic country's only Rolex vendor, says he has seen a "significant increase" in sales.

He refuses however to reveal his figures for fear of being accused of taking advantage of the crisis.

"Customers want something they can hold in their hands," Mr Michelsen told AFP.

"They don't trust figures on computers because they've already seen these figures vanish just like smoke," he said.

In the past year, the Icelandic krona has lost more than 40 per cent of its value compared to the euro and the dollar, paving the way for the dire lack of liquidity that in recent weeks has caused the island's entire financial sector to collapse.

Most of Mr Michelsen's customers are Icelanders who snap up a number of the luxury watches, which cost several thousand euros a piece.

Since the devaluation of the krona has yet to be fully reflected in shop prices, Icelanders who do not decide to hold onto their luxury purchases for future generations stand to make a pretty penny by re-selling the watches abroad.

Compared to the depreciation of many items, sometimes including currency, a Rolex will hold its value very well over the years. Certainly any money invested in a Rolex recently has probably held its value better than money invested in the stock market over the last year.

No, the average guy is not going to make a lot of money buying a Rolex and selling it down the road, but if he gets a good deal on the watch to begin with he is also unlikely to lose a lot of money down the road either.

I don't buy gold to make a fortune, I buy gold so I don't lose a fortune if TSHTF. A Rolex has some value in this regard as well. I just wanted to point that out to people who see no investment value in the watch.

[Moto]

Doh! Wrong thread. :/

[DCGuy1965]

I'm not a collector per se but I do believe the OP has a very valid point in today's market. Look at the hysteria that ensued when the LV first came out, then the Milgauss, then the DSSD, get the point......???? The AD's feed the hype and the WIS' buy into it. However, we can all agree there are other vintage brands (PP comes to mind) where one can strike it rich. I've seen the articles where some lucky SOB buys a PP in 1981 for 8-9K and sells it at auction for 1.5M. Nice return!!!

As for me, I have multiple Rolexes but just find myself drawn to one I wear the most. It's not about keeping the others in pristine condition to sell down the road but I will say when I break out another to wear it's like falling in love all over again and THAT's what it's all about!!!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

If I buy a new watch from an AD, I want it exactly as it came out of the Rolex factory.
I don't want some AD removing the stickers etc. etc. I want the watch to do as I please.
You get some AD's who remove the stickers. Then they see some sticky stuff and so then they roughly polish the watch to remove the sticky residue, and it comes to you with micro scratches
No way forget it. I'll remove the plastic if and when, in my own sweet time, I paid for that right!

100% with you on this one, Steve.

If it's brand new, then I want it as brand new - end of story.

JJ

[newrolexman]

I love my GMT ll c

I was offered a SS white Daytona and took $9200 out of my money market account which is paying 2.8%

The watch is untouched,, stickers on.

my experiment:

It's in the bank box for 10 years til 2017.

If the money market account accrues interest at 2.8% compounded i d have $12,126 (less taxes paid annually on the interest) so prob $11,126 net

I want to see what this watch will be worth in 10 yrs

I d say I ll best $11,126 when I sell it in 10 years which will prove to me some watches are better investments than leaving money in savings.

If I wasnt so enamored with the SS GMT I d probably be wearing the Daytona.

I ll report the results in 2017.


D

[Incurable]

Originally Posted by newrolexman

I love my GMT ll c

I was offered a SS white Daytona and took $9200 out of my money market account which is paying 2.8%

The watch is untouched,, stickers on.

my experiment:

It's in the bank box for 10 years til 2017.

If the money market account accrues interest at 2.8% compounded i d have $12,126 (less taxes paid annually on the interest) so prob $11,126 net

I want to see what this watch will be worth in 10 yrs

I d say I ll best $11,126 when I sell it in 10 years which will prove to me some watches are better investments than leaving money in savings.

If I wasnt so enamored with the SS GMT I d probably be wearing the Daytona.

I ll report the results in 2017.


D

Yes, please do that... and don't forget to forward a copy to:

Pleasant Horizons Assisted Living Center
Senile Occupant (I don't remember my name)
Anytown, USA