Miami show observation

[garyk]

Originally Posted by carwashchris

To be fair, I don't know for sure. Except I heard the one guy at the booth tell another guy that was interested in a watch that he had three ADs he wanted to call and see if he could source the watch. That's what I'm going by and I've saw it at other booths.

Wow, disconcerting!!

[garyk]

Originally Posted by VegasBaby

They don’t!!!

True!

[Golfbone]

Originally Posted by sski

will Rolex take a page out from the AP / Journe playbook and phase out AD's, open up company Boutiques? Might happen if the madness is unrelenting.

Why should they? They sell everything they make. Why change their formula. The demand for their product has never been higher and they can't make enough watches. Why change a thing?

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Tavli3

Agree 100%. Well said and bravo!
I like buying my wife and family nice things and I like buying them from nice people. Our AD and SA are super nice and A1 types. I would be buying these items anyway most likely from here there and everywhere as I used to in the past. But since we established such a great relationship we buy 100% everything only from our AD and they in kind do what they can for us on the watch side. No complaints on that issue. It’s a two way street and a game of patience. For me I think we’re in a win win relationship.
Especially in these crazy times, I scratch my head everyday at what’s going on.


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Haha we’re lucky we have a need for the extra pieces of jewelry. If I was single with no need for the superfluous articles of jewelry I’d probably never get offered the hot pieces. And that’s OKAY - nothing in life that isn’t essential for living is worth 3x msrp.


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[bob sims]

Originally Posted by sski

will Rolex take a page out from the AP / Journe playbook and phase out AD's, open up company Boutiques? Might happen if the madness is unrelenting.

That would be the smart move.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

Here’s the thing i don’t get though …if I spend 100k at a jewelry store - I get 100k worth of stuff ie diamonds and gold for the wife or SO to give on special occasions or just because. I then get offered a Daytona.

If I buy a Daytona for 45-50k I’m spending 30-35k over msrp and essentially getting a a Daytona and pissing away the rest. I have nothing else to show for it.

I’ve had a relationship with my AD in 2015 so they knew me. Life events have necessitated that I buy gold and diamonds. Just so happens they know I like watches and offered me hot pieces.


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That’s true, but many folks may not want the other items they are peddling at the AD and I have sold jewelry in the past, and you might get 1/3 of what you bought it for. I mean the more I spent at my AD the luckier I got and realized and seen first hand, while I’m walking in picking up my Daytona and my brother picks up his BLRO and they are giving some poor sap the business about waitlists, and demand and you realize it’s all smoke and mirrors. I mean I gave my Daytona to my wife and have my 16610. I simply don’t like any of the modern watches and am not into playing games so simply dont. I wearing my seiko H558 and it has more meaning for me than my Daytona ever did and prefer it over the Daytona.


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[QuelleHeureEstIl]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Smartly find those hidden jewels, because hopefully Hypemeisters only fall for the Popular Girls in class.

The problem is that they are in low production numbers. And most are sold even before being presented.

For exemple: the *future* Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Titanium. Everything is already allocated but will be presented in April. Forget it... So frustrating...

[JR16]

Originally Posted by bob sims

That would be the smart move.

I actually think it would be the dumbest move Rolex ever made. They make 1,000,000 watches a year and they pay no overhead for their army of ADs who sell them. You can’t compare Rolex to a manufacture that makes 900 watches a year . It’s apples and oranges.


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[bmrk]

This is Insane!

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by QuelleHeureEstIl

The problem is that they are in low production numbers. And most are sold even before being presented. For exemple: the *future* Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Titanium. Everything is already allocated but will be presented in April. Forget it... So frustrating...

Future release means advanced deposits nowadays with some smaller independents. Is that their standard business practice? FPJ does 'secret' releases only for their club members. It seems various business models are at play right now in general. Tribe members had access to a special MB&F timepiece.

Best bet, just move on, it is what it is. Yeah, it gets frustrating at times, but tides ebb and flow. It's better to have high demand than no demand at all.

[sski]

Originally Posted by Golfbone

Why should they? They sell everything they make. Why change their formula. The demand for their product has never been higher and they can't make enough watches. Why change a thing?

i'm not advocating production increase or decrease.....rather how the watches are being allocated. i believe they will do what AP is starting to do.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Hmm, gray dealers getting priority at the AD....gasp!

I'm shocked...shocked that such things go on!

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

This is all fairly recent. Hopefully, things will resemble a bit of normalcy in 2023... or 2025. Just pivot, keep Rolex contacts and requests, yet broaden to other brands.

This is exactly my stat

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by JR16

I actually think it would be the dumbest move Rolex ever made. They make 1,000,000 watches a year and they pay no overhead for their army of ADs who sell them. You can’t compare Rolex to a manufacture that makes 900 watches a year . It’s apples and oranges.


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They don't need any army. Just set up a dozen boutiques across the US near major population areas and the customers will come. Say goodbye to the 40% commission to the always crooked AD's and their bait and switch jewelry scams and selling out the backdoor. Set up verifiable waiting lists where you can check your place online and follow your progress. If you have to wait years fine, as long as you can see yourself moving up on the list from the privacy of your home.
No jewelry scams, bottles of wine, cognac, candy, donuts, thank you cards or any other BS from the Ad's.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by bob sims

They don't need any army. Just set up a dozen boutiques across the US near major population areas and the customers will come. Say goodbye to the 40% commission to the always crooked AD's and their bait and switch jewelry scams and selling out the backdoor. Set up verifiable waiting lists where you can check your place online and follow your progress. If you have to wait years fine, as long as you can see yourself moving up on the list from the privacy of your home.
No jewelry scams, bottles of wine, cognac, candy, donuts, thank you cards or any other BS from the Ad's.

Sorry, but there is zero chance this works . A dozen boutiques have no chance of selling all those watches , most of which are non- subs/gmts/Daytonas etc.


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[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by sski

will Rolex take a page out from the AP / Journe playbook and phase out AD's, open up company Boutiques? Might happen if the madness is unrelenting.

Are things that much better at AP and FPJ? If anything, that has made the watches even less obtainable.

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by JR16

Sorry, but there is zero chance this works . A dozen boutiques have no chance of selling all those watches , most of which are non- subs/gmts/Daytonas etc.


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Every watch would sell. Put a boutique in central NJ and you have like 30 million people within 3 hour drive. For less popular items like iced out ladies sizes you can walk out the door with one. Other than that you get assigned a number on a fairly operated wait list that goes down as others are sold.

[sski]

Originally Posted by Nav01L

Are things that much better at AP and FPJ? If anything, that has made the watches even less obtainable.

well - i read today that at least AP is figuring out a way to allocate pieces to even those without a purchase history (including the in demand references.) they may not 'perfect' the allocation strategy but i applaud AP for at least considering the newcomers / aspiring collectors.

we'll see how it plays out.

[boogiebot]

Originally Posted by sski

well - i read today that at least AP is figuring out a way to allocate pieces to even those without a purchase history (including the in demand references.) they may not 'perfect' the allocation strategy but i applaud AP for at least considering the newcomers / aspiring collectors.

we'll see how it plays out.

If this is true, it will be really cool. Let’s see how things shake out in the years to come


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[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by boogiebot

Honestly I don’t think Rolex HQ cares. Any hype for the brand is good hype. It keeps us all craving and wanting more. Sadly, the real power is in the hands of the consumers that are blinded. How do we fix this? Simple, we stop buying the watches. The hard part is no one will do it because as a people we all love having this feeling that we have what someone else craves or doesn’t have.

I’m not saying that I am not guilty of this. Just starting to realize more how crazy and ridiculous it is.


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I think in the USA and also HK that seems to be true. In other countries, Rolex are really trying to clamp down on it. As a result, I know several "average Jo" friends on the "list" who get their sub and YMs after a relatively short wait with little or no previous history. That's what we all want to happen in all reality. Rolex just need to police it better in the bigger markets too.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

This is all fairly recent. Hopefully, things will resemble a bit of normalcy in 2023... or 2025. Just pivot, keep Rolex contacts and requests, yet broaden to other brands.

I'm on a bit of a Panerai kick of late
Once that is satisfied, I'll be looking to Doxa, Omega and Breitling to help fill out my watch box.

I'm on a list for a Polar Ex2 (whatever that means these days) but have zero expectations of a call and have no interest in paying $20k pre owned for one

In Aus, at least, a 2021 Ex2 is only $2k less than a 2021 Panerai Bronzo in the current market
Very different watches, I'll grant you, but i know which I'd rather have

[grimps]

Originally Posted by train-time

Rest assured that the AD is pocketing a lot more this way than giving it to the next guy on their list at MSRP.

Some of these grey dealers will have had relationships with multiple ADs going back decades.
Like it or not these guys will be considered fantastic customers by the ADs, they'll always have the cash ready to go , they wont waste time tire kicking and will take models that were historically difficult to sell.
Just because the last few years there has been a shortage caused by hype ,these authorized dealers are unlikely to stop selling to long term, reliable ,big hitting customers

[gameon]

Originally Posted by BillA

I am surprised with Covid that they actually had the show and that people attended.

Shhh….Covid does not exist in Florida

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by gameon

Shhh….Covid does not exist in Florida

Exactly. We've been partying for well over a year.

Florida Man can handle his own life decisions

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by sski

well - i read today that at least AP is figuring out a way to allocate pieces to even those without a purchase history (including the in demand references.) they may not 'perfect' the allocation strategy but i applaud AP for at least considering the newcomers / aspiring collectors.

we'll see how it plays out.

Would love to see that article for AP!

[QuelleHeureEstIl]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Future release means advanced deposits nowadays with some smaller independents. Is that their standard business practice? FPJ does 'secret' releases only for their club members. It seems various business models are at play right now in general. Tribe members had access to a special MB&F timepiece.

Best bet, just move on, it is what it is. Yeah, it gets frustrating at times, but tides ebb and flow. It's better to have high demand than no demand at all.

And here it is: https://swisswatches-magazine.com/bl...er-sport-auto/

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by grimps

Some of these grey dealers will have had relationships with multiple ADs going back decades.
Like it or not these guys will be considered fantastic customers by the ADs, they'll always have the cash ready to go , they wont waste time tire kicking and will take models that were historically difficult to sell.
Just because the last few years there has been a shortage caused by hype ,these authorized dealers are unlikely to stop selling to long term, reliable ,big hitting customers

Yep. The resellers are probably the best customers some of the AD's have, exceeded only by whales that buy a ton of overpriced jewelry as well as watches.

[waterking]

Originally Posted by bob sims

Every watch would sell. Put a boutique in central NJ and you have like 30 million people within 3 hour drive. For less popular items like iced out ladies sizes you can walk out the door with one. Other than that you get assigned a number on a fairly operated wait list that goes down as others are sold.

Well said...and certainly becoming a part of the business model.

[Fedor]

As someone else mentioned earlier....

If you´re willing and about to spend, let´s say 50k on a 116500LN from grey, first go to your AD and tell them your willing to spend an extra 30k on jewelry and/or other lower-end watch brands if they source you the Daytona.

Having a daytona + jewelry worth 30k for the sum of 50k

or

Having a daytona for the sum of 50k

Which scenario would you prefer? Can´t believe more people haven´t gone this route yet.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by BillA

I am surprised with Covid that they actually had the show and that people attended.

It’s in Miami, not Ontario.


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