Does anyone actually enjoy the hunt?

[Pw92676]

Initially no. But as my collection grows, yes. Some watches tell a story. Some hunts tell a story.

[1665fan]

The real hunt is vintage Rolex……

[hellofromthebay]

Some like being offered a watch more than actually buying and owning the watch. Same reason people gamble, feeling special.


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[Fleetlord]

If Rolex were more available @ retail, the rocket fueled desire to acquire would fall off. Just human nature.

Of course, it's ROLEX, so it would always be in demand, but FOMO is an immensely powerful motivator. Brands love it, especially in an era where lotta people have money and high price isn't a barrier of entry any longer.

[MinMay]

Originally Posted by TwoToneHappy

I must be in a minority but I actually enjoy the whole Rolex AD scarcity situation and the hunt involved in getting your hands on a new Rolex watch! I have bought a couple of Cartiers in the last year and frankly it’s too easy just being able to walk into a boutique and buy what I want! Am I the only one?

I still enjoyed the call and getting new watches every year. However I enjoyed looking for vintages more.

[7enderbender]

No. It would only make me angry. There was a time as an American or European where you could take your hard earned money and walk into a store and buy the Roelx or the car that you always wanted. Now the inventory gets shipped to the “developing world” and designs and features have been adjusted accordingly. I may put myself on the list for a new 36mm Explorer at some point. It’s the only new model I like. Otherwise, yes, hunting the right 5 digit models may still be fun in a way. Same with cars. If I were to get a fat bonus check or win the lottery and felt like I wanted a new car I wouldn’t know where to go. The two or three models that might interest me are not available for the same reasons. Everything else is stupid. I’m pretty sure my next (fun) vehicle will be vintage also. Same reasoning. Just like buying old guitars actually.

[BillA]

I would think most do but may not admit it
Human nature at work……what you can have you do not want and what you cannot have you want.

[brandrea]

About the only thing I don’t like (at least here) is that now an appointment is required to set foot in the boutique.

Kind of ruins the whole … “I was just in the neighborhood and decided to drop by” gig

[the dark knight]

Yes, 100%. I've begun to suspect the reason why I considered the Daytona a "grail" was because for most of my collecting life it was the only sports Rolex that wasn't fairly easy to get just by walking into an AD. Essentially every Rolex sports model has become a "Daytona" now. And as I type this I realized how crazy it is that getting an Explorer I is arguably more difficult now than a steel Daytona circa 2013-2014ish.

[fooey]

No

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[watchvert]

Kind of, yes.

The reason why I say 'kind of' is not because I urgently require watches, but there are times when it's not too suitable to buy it and I would prefer to decide when I am comfortable to make a purchase and it doesn't coincide with other commitments, and when I want to commemorate an occasion or buy a present for someone, not years after the date had passed.

I wouldn't like them to give me all the watches, which I like in one go, even the ones that are super scarce, it wouldn't be interesting to just grab them and have at disposal, as I am not going to wear them at once or swap every day.

I get what I want in a pretty good time, so can't complain really. Wouldn't like to make it my life mission to hunt for them all over the world and prove anything to anyone to get it and also wait for 5+ years for a simple Daytona, GMT, Aquanaut/Nautilus/ROJumbo or a Sub or buy a lot of stuff I don't genuinely desire.
I don't understand why they have to produce watches, which hardly anyone ever buys. If nobody buys Celini or Pearlmaster, make them special order items. If you need to move gold/platinum make the popular models out of those metals and they'll go anyway.

[carwash66]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

No. The hunt is searching for customers or knowledge or achieving personal milestones and greatness, to earn the money to then acquire. Not the embarrassing search like adults at a kids Easter egg hunt. People with the means and who’ve put in the effort to afford mass market goods don’t necessarily sign up to be Indiana Jones, for a watch.

The deal was always, celebrate your achievement. Not play the game of their retail network mismanagement.

Yep. Pretty much sums it up.

[hark]

I enjoyed the hunt before exhibition pieces began showing up in cases. There used to be some excitement walking into an AD to see what might be there.

[TimeAZ]

No.
Because I am a rational human being.

[Stan Cooper]

My Rolexes have all been purchased used, and frankly I'm not sure I want a new watch with a 32xx caliber movement. I'm quite happy with my P-serial, 22 year old 16710 GMT II with a reliable 3185 movement and a variety of bezel inserts and bracelets/straps that can be changed in less than five minutes for a completely different look. This watch replaces my 1675 and gets 95% of my wrist time; I only wear something else (usually a cheap quartz watch) when I'm involved in activities that pose a relatively high risk of my watch being lost, stolen, or damaged.

[KY..]

I enjoy the hunt and acquisition too much.
The problem for me is figuring out how to let them go as I don’t buy anything unless I really want it.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I have become a more patient person after indulging in this hobby. Now I'm quite ok with waiting, and find myself enjoying the moment more when the watch finally came.

I also learnt how to deal with disappointment better, ie, I know how to manage my emotions if the watch never comes. I just move on and console myself with the watches I already have.

Words to live by.

[Dmcnill]

I use to enjoy it but not anymore, the time wasting is much.

[B2 Stealth]

I honestly think I wouldn't purchase as many Rolex if they were easy to acquire. A BLRO would've sufficed when readily available. I am envious of those who purchased a one and done Rolex GMT 20 or more years ago and enjoyed it thru the years. My 26 year Air Force career wearing the same GMT 16710 thru thousands of flying hours, many combat missions, a 14 month deployment to Afghanistan would've meant more to me than my new BLRO. And now as a commercial airline pilot what would be better than to have that 16710 strapped to my wrist?!

[Big Tex Rolex]

I guess I do because I try to acquire hard to obtain pieces, and once I do, I don’t wear them (often).

I do the same with wine.

So I guess the joy for me is learning about the watch, seeking it, acquiring it.

[tagesol]

I do enjoy the hunt honestly. I enjoy the anticipation, the suspense, the conversations with friends about what piece to get next, and the call or email from the AD when it finally arrives, but it time wasting in most cases.

[Harry-57]

If Rolex were easier to obtain I wouldn't necessarily own more of them but I would certainly have got then faster.

When it comes to how I live my life, what I spend my disposable income on, the things I like, I don't care what other people want or think. That's their business and it has nothing to do with me. If I want something that everybody else wants, it will take longer and might cost more. Waiting longer and paying more is not an achievement in of itself. But it's sometimes a necessity on the way to the final objective.

[4rnold]

I like the hunt for Rare out of print books or the one vintage sub or gmt that really makes you dream, or the old porsche 911 in that vintage condition with a rare nice color sheme,...

But going on the unfair hunt for a mass produced modern Rolex?

[Vince_76]

Absolutely not. I’m not getting on my knees and pandering SAs for a watch

[Spartacus]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

The real hunt is vintage Rolex……

Agreed. There is no “hunt” when the market is full of modern Rolex watches.
You can get whatever modern model you want instantly.

[JKPA]

In some way, yes. Certainly for more affordable pieces - finding something you like at a great price is exciting.

For the Rolexes, it was certainly very exciting when the call finally came and I picked up the watch. I suspect "The next call" will also be exciting when it comes, if it comes, because there will be some anticipation in waiting. Hitting "buy now" on something is not quite the same feeling of satisfaction IMHO

[Beto737]

I enjoyed the hunt when I caught stuff every once in a while. Lately I’ve caught nothing, nada, zilch..not enjoyable.

[Bmats]

Nope; I’d rather just try on the piece and decide whether to buy it. I don’t even feel like it’s a hunt. It’s just a wait.

At least now there are exhibition pieces so you can try the piece on. When I got my 124060, it was a leap of faith as to whether I’d actually really like it. I do, but not as much as I thought I would.

[DBCooper07]

I enjoy the hunt now... The first one was NO fun. After the first one it's way more fun and AD's honestly treat you different.

[WatchGuy1966]

I don't enjoy the waiting, but I enjoy the owning.