Is the SF Rolex store going to close?

[Bulldozer]

Originally Posted by codecow

Back in the day the window display for that store… they had like every reference. Leopard and rainbow Daytonas, meteorite, like pretty much everything all at the same time.

It was an age of innocence.

As a young middle aged man I wandered in and was amazed by the array of pieces they had. A quick walk away I remember seeing a Tiffany stamped 5119J sitting in the case unmolested. 5711 white dials sitting there unloved. 5712’s lonely and unloved.

These things are often cyclical. There will come a time when this happens again.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by Bulldozer

These things are often cyclical. There will come a time when this happens again.

I hope not because then all those watches I have at the bank will be worth significantly less.

I hope it goes the other way.

It was just cool to see everything in one place at the same time. Patek at HQ has all the current references when you go on their trip and that is a crazy experience.

As for the city, the first time I went (1996) I got out of BART at Embarcadero coming from Berkeley after having just come back from Philadelphia. I thought the city was so nice!

[Bozack90]

Originally Posted by codecow

I hope not because then all those watches I have at the bank will be worth significantly less.

I hope it goes the other way.

It was just cool to see everything in one place at the same time. Patek at HQ has all the current references when you go on their trip and that is a crazy experience.

As for the city, the first time I went (1996) I got out of BART at Embarcadero coming from Berkeley after having just come back from Philadelphia. I thought the city was so nice!

I can’t wait until there is more availability as it would mean I’d buy one again but sadly I fear that day would come long after I am gone at this point

[msu_1972]

Even if they did have any inventory, doubt we will get a chance to buy anything.

[FrontHeadlock]

I heard this is one of the last Rolex ADs that offers a discount (of the five-finger variety).

[richard371]

I’ve lived and worked in this city for 22 years now. It’s a love hate for me. They need to fix the homeless problem and restore law and order but I ask myself if that’s all fixed then the demand to live here would skyrocket along with prices. It’s a beautiful city with so much to do but has its issues. I don’t even wear my Rolex unless I have at least a light weight jacket on. On the subject of the big T at Westfield they came through and got me my 116500 white in 2017 but I can’t squeeze anything else. I’ve been trying to get an ss sub for years.I think Westfield is just changing owners if they find a buyer.

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by richard371

I’ve lived and worked in this city for 22 years now. It’s a love hate for me. They need to fix the homeless problem and restore law and order but I ask myself if that’s all fixed then the demand to live here would skyrocket along with prices. It’s a beautiful city with so much to do but has its issues. I don’t even wear my Rolex unless I have at least a light weight jacket on. On the subject of the big T at Westfield they came through and got me my 116500 white in 2017 but I can’t squeeze anything else. I’ve been trying to get an ss sub for years.I think Westfield is just changing owners if they find a buyer.

I probably got here about the same time as you (2000). I also cover my wrists when wearing a watch in most parts of San Francisco. I live atop a high hill in a residential section, so we only have car break-ins. No poop or tents - but they are only blocks away. I agree with your love-hate relationship with the city - same as me. I do have rent control that comes with parking and utilities, so I'm paying about half-price of what the landlord would charge if I were to move. And it's still significantly less than other major cities, I'm plowing that extra rent money into my retirement saving so I can wrap up this career in 5-8 years and buy a place somewhere else. With all the conventions, hotels, and anchor retailers leaving, the city is in a doom loop like Detroit was. The difference is this place will bounce back based solely on geographic location. I don't know when it will bottom out, but I hope it's now or very soon. It will be a slow rebuild, but I do believe it will reinvent itself. But the glory days that defined San Francisco are past.

[richard371]

Wow you just read my mind. Rent control here too in an amazing place with views in the Forest hill area. It would cost me more to live in say Mobile Alabama than here. Yes I'd like to move somewhere else for retirement but it will cost me way more so I'm stuck here lol. Can't afford to leave for better or worse. I just avoid down town when I can. Back on topic, I'm not sure who will buy Westfield mall lol but I won't miss it if it closes. I really hope they fix this city or do I?

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

I probably got here about the same time as you (2000). I also cover my wrists when wearing a watch in most parts of San Francisco. I live atop a high hill in a residential section, so we only have car break-ins. No poop or tents - but they are only blocks away. I agree with your love-hate relationship with the city - same as me. I do have rent control that comes with parking and utilities, so I'm paying about half-price of what the landlord would charge if I were to move. And it's still significantly less than other major cities, I'm plowing that extra rent money into my retirement saving so I can wrap up this career in 5-8 years and buy a place somewhere else. With all the conventions, hotels, and anchor retailers leaving, the city is in a doom loop like Detroit was. The difference is this place will bounce back based solely on geographic location. I don't know when it will bottom out, but I hope it's now or very soon. It will be a slow rebuild, but I do believe it will reinvent itself. But the glory days that defined San Francisco are past.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I moved away from San Francisco in spring of 1997 after fourteen years. It was a wonderful town to be young and mostly single and to ride a motorbike in. Went back for a visit in 2006 and it had already started to change. I’ve regularly followed the news there. If that AD was giving away their inventory I wouldn’t go back for that. Why soil my wonderful memories.

[codecow]

I used to like going to Waterbar and I’d go pretty often. The city made them get rid of valet parking because of the stupid bike lane on Embarcadero; I haven’t been back since then. I still have a $300 credit at Epic next door but I’m not parking over there and walking.

Glad I don’t have to drive to the city anymore and deal with schizophrenia wackos.

[richard371]

I used to go for their $1 oysters as its near work but so small and briny. Try Woodhouse happy hour all day Tuesdays on Church and Market $1.25 Oydters with inflation but awesome.

Originally Posted by codecow

I used to like going to Waterbar and I’d go pretty often. The city made them get rid of valet parking because of the stupid bike lane on Embarcadero; I haven’t been back since then. I still have a $300 credit at Epic next door but I’m not parking over there and walking.

Glad I don’t have to drive to the city anymore and deal with schizophrenia wackos.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by richard371

I used to go for their $1 oysters as its near work but so small and briny. Try Woodhouse happy hour all day Tuesdays on Church and Market $1.25 Oydters with inflation but awesome.

These days I make the extra drive and go to Hog Island in Larkspur. Still have to go through the city on 19th but due to the amount of people the safety in numbers factor is fairly high.

[WatchGuy1966]

We've probably crossed paths at some point.

Woodhouse is great - they started with $1 oysters back in about 2010. I used to frequent the one on Fillmore X Pine/Bush.

Had 3 dozen on a date back about this time 2010. Both of us got violently ill. I called the manager to let him know and I figured he'd simply dismiss me. But he asked what we ate for dinner and what/where else that day. I really thought that would be the end of it. But he called the next day and sincerely apologized and said he's required to report this to the city health dept. Evidently, there were many people across the city that got bad oysters at a few places. He was very kind about it. You know, in life sh*t happens, but what matters is how it is handled. How he handled it impressed me. About 5 months later during the Oyster safe months, I called back and joked "is it safe to go back in?" He was really grateful he had not lost a customer and had $36 gift certificate waiting for me. He had looked up my bill and realized I'd ordered 3 doz. I was impressed and was a patron for many years. I think I'll go back and get their lobster roll.

Originally Posted by richard371

I used to go for their $1 oysters as its near work but so small and briny. Try Woodhouse happy hour all day Tuesdays on Church and Market $1.25 Oydters with inflation but awesome.

[Time-Immemorial]

I was just at that Torneau last week - they had very little on display. But I popped in there two months ago and they had four or five PM and TT pieces for sale and some were pretty nice if I remember correctly. DJ etc.

If they close Torneau will just absorb the inventory.

It’s a shame what has happened to parts of that city.

[Jawnz]

I regret not going to the two stores in Burlingame when I was in town last week.


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[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Jawnz

I regret not going to the two stores in Burlingame when I was in town last week.


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Topper's and Kern's?

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by ducatiti

Topper's and Kern's?

Both. I was in the block of Kerns but just got too busy.

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by Jawnz

Both. I was in the block of Kerns but just got too busy.

Oh I thought there was another Rolex Ad I didn't know about. Whew :)

[derek001]

I’m very doubtful of it.

[ducatiti]

I didn't even know they had a Rolex boutique downtown @ Westfield. I thought the only one was in San Jose.

...let's not even talk how ghetto Bart is now lol.

[JSCP]

Forget availability for everyone. I’m a VIP I-think, yet I don’t get what I want immediately.

This is here to stay, will not change for now on. Every now and then, there will be first timers that get offered a Rolex, or Patek, but in hundreds.

[VerticalClutch]

Originally Posted by JSCP

I’m a VIP I-think, yet I don’t get what I want immediately.

This is something I don't think most people understand. This is hard to explain without sounding like a jerk, but there are folks who spend a hundred k a year in AD's and don't get what they want.

There are guys who will take their jet to go pick up a piece when they get a call and they still don't get what they want.

I'm sorry, but when I know whales aren't getting what they want, when they want it, I refuse to believe the AD has a safe stuffed with inventory in the back.

Unless you're a whale and know other whales, you assume the whales get what they want, but you'd be mistaken.

[codecow]

The new Topper’s in Burlingame is OFF THE CHAIN.

I love it. Still need my green dial Breitling chrono.

[franklee168]

Just curious where all these posters that bad mouth San Francisco live? It must be pretty fantastic.

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by franklee168

Just curious where all these posters that bad mouth San Francisco live? It must be pretty fantastic.

I lived in SF for many years. Fled last year. Best decision I could make.

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by franklee168

Just curious where all these posters that bad mouth San Francisco live? It must be pretty fantastic.

I have relatives who moved out of the Bay Area out of state, and all say that they miss seeing body of water around :) They only appreciated the SF Bay Area once they left.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by franklee168

Just curious where all these posters that bad mouth San Francisco live? It must be pretty fantastic.

It’s funny, when I lived in San Francisco I worked at the BMW motorcycle dealership. We would get a lot of transplants as customers and often they would say how great it was where they came from while complaining about life in The City. I used to love saying, “Well you left there to come here, didn’t you?!”

Now I’m in a small mountain town outside of Denver. Fantastic indeed.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Now I’m in a small mountain town outside of Denver. Fantastic indeed.

Is my room ready?

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Is my room ready?

Working on it!

[SDGT3]

Originally Posted by franklee168

Just curious where all these posters that bad mouth San Francisco live? It must be pretty fantastic.

Sounds to me that if there were no rent control in SF, there would be a whole lot less people there.