Entitled Rolex Collectors

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by envuks

I don’t know. Their marketing promoted “a crown for every achievement” for quite some time.


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Yes, for a long time a long time ago.

[79280_116520]

The hunt is always more fun than obtaining the watch.

[BOXMAN76]

First world problems

[Greg 59]

Originally Posted by BOXMAN76

First world problems

Not anymore. These watches are bought and sold in all corners of the globe. In addition, the ones that can't afford them, steal off others or purchase fakes that are so good that the uninitiated wouldn't notice.

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[mike morris]

Only time

[woof]

We're not entitled. We just like to complain.
C'mon now you're guilty too!!

[Atone]

Originally Posted by woof

We're not entitled. We just like to complain.
C'mon now you're guilty too!!

[Speedbird-1]

We're all entitled, not to buy.

[hambone1983]

Neither paying a fat premium nor waiting for a call from a watch peddler appeals to me, so no Rolexes in my immediate future. That's fine, there are plenty of other things to do with money, including keeping it for a rainy day.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Most of the complaints I read on TRF have to to with the wait for what we want. Price is a distant second but that too is related to the wait because fundamentally we can pay extra to not have to wait. The the fact that we bemoan the wait and complain about sometimes having to pay extra to get something immediately that we don’t actually need makes us sound like an entitled bunch indeed.

[jerryguo]

those who complain are usually not collector but rather first time buyer or simply buying into the hype and might not have true passion about mechanical watches at all.


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[peterskinner]

In the end it really doesn’t matter....because we are chasing luxury goods, not items we actually need. Going without (say) a Daytona, simply doesn’t matter. And deep down, people know that. But it’s fun making a fuss ...

[Emery]

Eh, trends come, trends go.

SS sport too will come to pass; enjoy the circus while it lasts.

[harvey]

...I wouldn’t waste my time thinking about how poorly other people act.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Serious question are Rolex collectors who can't get what they want and complain continually acting entitled?

Only slightly worse is those complaining about those complaining!!!

[jamesbondOO7]

I have no interest in the new watches, so all those posts about waiting lists and such are totally foreign to me. I navigate smoothly in a very fluid, full of choices market, where zillions of beautiful 5-digit Rolexes shine.
And when I don't feel the love for one any more, I swap it for another one, or just make a small profit selling it after wearing for 6 years (16600 for example). Life is sweet.

[Aberdein]

Entitlement? It boils down to its a free market and as the saying goes "Money Talks". If you have the money, are willing to spend it you will get what you want.
Many will say that's not fair and complain endlessly, but when has life been fair?

[EEpro]

Angry entitled WIS checking in. Have you found my Pepsi yet?

[ap1]

I don’t know about being entitled or not. I know I bought these things before the craze and I’ll buy them after (hopefully). So yeah, during this period im frustrated as heck.

I’m also not one that believes the chase is the fun part. That’s the part that gives me ulcers. I also “commit” to watches like crazy, they just never come in.

[iliketime]

but once you have the watch, then what

[kneedeep]

We are not even entitled to our next breath, much less to a material luxury like a watch.

[Oxfordian]

The current situation with Rolex is all that I have known, I bought my first 'luxury' watch in 2010 an Omega Seamaster then waited 9 years before getting my Speedmaster then picking up my first Rolex in the Autumn of 2019. My Sub came 12 months later.

So never had the experience of stores with stock on display or getting the chance to ask for a discount.

No stock, waiting lists, AD relationships, grey market, this is the norm for me.

[envuks]

Before the current situation, Rolex collectors were still a bit entitled.

Entitled posts about AD discounts/no discounts. Refusal to buy TT or PM without a discount and even scoffing at the idea. Help finding an AD with a good discount. Etc.

Now it’s model availability cry and moan, but before it was discount cry and moan


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[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Serious question are Rolex collectors who can't get what they want and complain continually acting entitled?

In a nutshell, yes.

Some people take it way too personally. It's only business and as such ADs try to pay bills and ideally make a profit. No one is forcing me to buy and they're under no obligation to sell. Say they can make one of their best client happy with a white steel Daytona, why on Earth would they sell it to me? Is it not logical to take care of their biggest and most regular customers first? I keep my cash, no problem . Better luck next time.

I get the frustration some people express and that's fine. Get it off your chest and move on. There are more important things in life to worry about.

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Serious question are Rolex collectors who can't get what they want and complain continually acting entitled?

Is it really justified at this point?

Times change. I guess one can blame Rolex, ADs, the gray market and a variety of other things. The truth is change is one thing people have a hard time with. Especially when the change is not in ones favor. I know this all too well as we all do.

Like it or not a lot of the market sees Rolex as an investment. That is driving people to buy Rolex over other brands. Supply is less than demand of course and brand value has never been higher.

I am no fan of what is going on in todays Rolex market but I call it like I see it.

Don't get me wrong everyone is allowed to have an opinon and certainly complain. Acceptance after all is the last stage in the process.

Lectures such as this are just as bad, perhaps worse.

[espanol]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Serious question are Rolex collectors who can't get what they want and complain continually acting entitled?

Is it really justified at this point?

Times change. I guess one can blame Rolex, ADs, the gray market and a variety of other things. The truth is change is one thing people have a hard time with. Especially when the change is not in ones favor. I know this all too well as we all do.

Like it or not a lot of the market sees Rolex as an investment. That is driving people to buy Rolex over other brands. Supply is less than demand of course and brand value has never been higher.

I am no fan of what is going on in todays Rolex market but I call it like I see it.

Don't get me wrong everyone is allowed to have an opinon and certainly complain. Acceptance after all is the last stage in the process.

OP, you bring a very interesting perspective. I've never quite thought of the current state this way, but I believe your point carries some merit.

Now that I think about it, one of my major interests outside of watches is the stock market. Parallels can be drawn between the two. Over the years, we've seen both a surge in retail investors, and those interested in buying Rolex watches.

Why would I complain about not being able to get a Rolex at MSRP like I could 5 years ago, but not complain about not being able to buy AMZN at ~$700 like five years ago? It's basically the same thing, but now I'd have to pay much more for either (unless my AD is reading this )! Just because I've been into watches for more than 5 years doesn't make me any more entitled than a newbie that wants to buy their first piece... Just my $0.02

[Fleetlord]

This is what Rolex was destined to be since Rolex went the direction of luxury good vs tool watch. It took some time to get here, but here we are indeed.

As the luxury market evolved, exclusivity is no longer a function of exclusion via high price. The product itself needs to be limited in availability from its main sales channel. There is plenty and plenty of money in the streets...and that money craves luxury goods that are NOT ubiquitous. There must be something more to set the item apart and make it "better". Cost alone is not enough anymore.

It was a weird dynamic with Rolex promoting an aura of luxury and a vibe of superiority, with a display case stuffed with references....many times multiples in the same case...

I noticed that 5yrs ago and figured it would have to change. The marketing messages were too mixed.

[edingotham]

This is not necessarily who has more money, but who's willing to part with more of to buy watches (and stuff) to get the watches they want.

Just because you're a "real" collector (whatever that means) does not make you a better buyer or more deserving.

At the end of the day the AD needs to pay rent/salaries and maximize their income. whoever buys more for longer period of time will get the sought after watches because they believe these people will keep buying more for a longer period of time.

its all about $$$$$$

[GMT Aviator]

I’ll have to defer this question to the ex-wife.

She’s the only person I know who is continually acting like she’s ‘entitled’.

Anyone else is just being precious.

[amanbra]

Answer is yes. If we were whinging about the lack of healthcare, education, food, shelter and safety etc not so much but this is a luxury and completely superfluous good.