CONFIRMED news regarding the professional line

[Andy355]

Have prices of the rare models moved up at all since this thread?

[bvolkmer]

Interesting read but to me there is little new information. For quite some time now SS Sports watches have been much scarcer in many places across the globe. My AD told me 9 months ago that Rolex were really pushing the ADs toward precious metal. So the letter basically reflects reality. Why I can only guess like others.

Bob

[tomchicago]

When Swatch Group complete their purchase of Rolex, the professional line will get a full retool.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by semi-ambivalent

Not true.

Once an AD has paid for the inventory it is theirs to do with as they please. It's probably law to boot. There might be stipulations to receiving inventory from Rolex but I can't speak to that because I do not know. The only way Rolex could really affect the grays is to mandate inventory buy-backs/returns from the ADs of non-performing watches, keeping those watches out of resellers' hands. A new Rolex watch then belongs either to Rolex or to an AD or to a purchaser. But that's the end of any control. Once Joe Blow buys a watch it's his to do with as he pleases; like selling it to a reseller.

He no longer is. Rolex want to stop flipping to greys and can do this quite easily. If we know how greys are getting all these watches Rolex most certainly can find out too and where they came from, they have legs, they don't need to sit in an office all day, squirming, no, their main pastime now is making ADs squirm.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by bvolkmer

My AD told me 9 months ago that Rolex were really pushing the ADs toward precious metal. So the letter basically reflects reality.

Not quite. The letter says production of all sports models of any metal - including TT and PM, as well as SS - is being scaled back. This is not consistent with the idea that Rolex is transitioning toward PM at the sacrifice of SS. It is also why the OP of the WUS thread is fallacious in citing the letter as evidence of his claim that the 114060 is going to be produced only in WG in the future. The information in the letter is not consistent with that move, either.

[bvolkmer]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Not quite. The letter says production of all sports models of any metal - including TT and PM, as well as SS - is being scaled back. This is not consistent with the idea that Rolex is transitioning toward PM at the sacrifice of SS. It is also why the OP of the WUS thread is fallacious in citing the letter as evidence of his claim that the 114060 is going to be produced only in WG in the future. The information in the letter is not consistent with that move, either.

I stand corrected. Been so long since I read the letter.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by bvolkmer

I stand corrected. Been so long since I read the letter.

No worries. 30 pages is enough to make anyone forget.

[STEELINOX]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sink, where have you been?

[OmegaManOnTheMoon]

Originally Posted by bvolkmer

I stand corrected. Been so long since I read the letter.

What letter?

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by OmegaManOnTheMoon

What letter?

[allen993]

Originally Posted by RolexNorth

Rolex isn't in it to make a buck.

Can't think of a more incorrect statement. Of course they're in it to make a buck... that's why ANY business is "in it". That's what makes them a business.

[jaisonline]

i also heard the same info as @GerardoG 's original post about the letter. while picking up a 116710 blnr gmt today, the local ad manager summed up the same info w/o mentioning "the letter".

summary of my visit today=
* reduced production across the board. also mentioned if folks thought buying popular models were hard in 2017, 2018 is worse.
* rolex does check watches sold on the internet by looking at serial #s (e.g. cases of theft).

[jasonsensation]

I need some advice.

I have the chance to buy the Black GMT today..but i also have a chance to put a deposit down on a Batman.

Knowing how they are cutting back on production volume - and knowing both watches are awesome - which would you do?

Or would you wait till after Basel




Jason, UK

[Naples09]

Originally Posted by jasonsensation

I need some advice.

I have the chance to buy the Black GMT today..but i also have a chance to put a deposit down on a Batman.

Knowing how they are cutting back on production volume - and knowing both watches are awesome - which would you do?

Or would you wait till after Basel




Jason, UK

Black GMT - not a fan of the BLNR.

[jasonsensation]

Naples, i think you're probably the only person i've ever seen say such a thing

And to be honest, the standard black GMT is just as nice (am i just waiting for something more prestigious, more value holding & more blue)

[Naples09]

Originally Posted by jasonsensation

Naples, i think you're probably the only person i've ever seen say such a thing

And to be honest, the standard black GMT is just as nice (am i just waiting for something more prestigious, more value holding & more blue)

I hear ya. To be fair - I've owned it for nearly 10 years and just love it. If they offered a red/blue in SS - then all bets off. But the blue/black does nothing for me. I'm one of the few that doesn't get the hype.

edit to add: I really like the green on the black GMT.

[jasonsensation]

Originally Posted by Naples09

I hear ya. To be fair - I've owned it for nearly 10 years and just love it. If they offered a red/blue in SS - then all bets off. But the blue/black does nothing for me. I'm one of the few that doesn't get the hype.

edit to add: I really like the green on the black GMT.

I'm all for buying the Black Ceramic later today. But the reason i'm having doubts is because i've actually found an AD willing to take a deposit on a Batman. Which i think ''probably'' gives you a much better chance of getting one, compared to the AD's not taking deposits

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by jasonsensation

Naples, i think you're probably the only person i've ever seen say such a thing

And to be honest, the standard black GMT is just as nice (am i just waiting for something more prestigious, more value holding & more blue)

A buddy and me got maybe the first delivery of the BLNR's shipped to Florida. Neither of us kept them very long. Another friend got one several weeks ago. To me they look odd. I prefer the all black.

[jasonsensation]

Originally Posted by Art 1

A buddy and me got maybe the first delivery of the BLNR's shipped to Florida. Neither of us kept them very long. Another friend got one several weeks ago. To me they look odd. I prefer the all black.

Yeah there does appear to be something more classic and ''classy'' with the standard black GMT, the blue makes it feel sporty and less expensive imo. but it will hold it's value more so heyho

[No SUBctitute]

I apologize if this has been asked, I have not read all 57,000 messages in this thread.

Why would Rolex decide to not sell SS professional models that sell well, but to still sell SS Datejusts and Oyster Perpetuals that seem to move more slowly? How does that make them more of a luxury brand?

Are Daytonas and Skydwellers sports watches? Don't Platinum Daytonas make Rolex a lot of money? Its hard to believe, Rolex will cut back on hot selling PM sports models.

So Rolex will sell Day-Dates, Datejusts, Oyster Perpetual, Pearlmasters, and Cellinis?

But stop selling Subs, Daytonas, Skydwellers, Yachtmasters, Air Kings, Explorers, GMT Master, Seadwellers, and Milgauss? Doesn't really pass the smell test. Even if they just drastically cut back, what sense does that make? They lose economies of scale. They already have all the equipment and materials to produce sports models, so why not produce to meet the market rather than having sports watch fans move to Omega and Breitling, among others?

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by allen993

Can't think of a more incorrect statement. Of course they're in it to make a buck... that's why ANY business is "in it". That's what makes them a business.

Some will probably chime in that Rolex is a foundation and not a business. But, even if Rolex isn't a "business," it still needs to generate as much money as possible to fund its charitable activities and to set itself up to perpetuate the existence of Rolex forever. I would think the trustees would still be trying to maximize profits. So, if the Rolex trustees are trying to maximize profits, then what are the theories on how such a move accomplishes this?

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Some will probably chime in that Rolex is a foundation and not a business. But, even if Rolex isn't a "business," it still needs to generate as much money as possible to fund its charitable activities and to set itself up to perpetuate the existence of Rolex forever. I would think the trustees would still be trying to maximize profits. So, if the Rolex trustees are trying to maximize profits, then what are the theories on how such a move accomplishes this?

Welplessee, first they want to cut production on the bread and butter lines - and jack up MSRP.

Then to make the Brand attractive again - or not - maybe they'll put in some incentive marketing like, "you only are a caretaker when you buy a ROLEX" (of this fine timepiece,) when you buy you can have the opty to buy something else in, say, two years, (two Basel cycles should allow time for R&D to institute some puny insignificance that allure somebody into the Brand 'again') and get all your money used for the first purchase towards the "new"...

Anotherwords, you buy "in", but ya buy in again and again and again; with incentives towards two tone pieces, all gold, etc...

Once the "Smart ROLEX" goes on line, we will see...

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by jasonsensation

I need some advice.

I have the chance to buy the Black GMT today..but i also have a chance to put a deposit down on a Batman.

Knowing how they are cutting back on production volume - and knowing both watches are awesome - which would you do?

Or would you wait till after Basel




Jason, UK

Both are lovely.
You could take the black and keep on list for BLNR.

You wouldn’t lose much if you sold a mint black steel GMT on arrival of BLNR

[GerardoG]

..almost 900 comments....anyone has seen Paul?

[REALROLEXAD]

No letter in today’s mail.
There is no such letter.

[Vaxe]

For the #1 household name for a watch, I think Rolex is too easy to come by and too good of a value - especially when ADs discount.

That said, I think part of the success is how such a well crafted watch can be purchased by anyone anywhere. Sure it’s pricey, but it’s not unattainable to the avaerage working person. It’s a interesting formula that I’m sure Rolex is looking at to balance exclusivity with sales, but going the way of Patek might not be such a good idea (20% hike on steel Nautilus and an even longer waiting list than the Daytona, etc). Rolex should be able to come up with something less snobby.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

..almost 900 comments....anyone has seen Paul?

Nope, I guess he licks his wounds.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Nope, I guess he licks his wounds.

[lightspire]

"As a side note, some discussions on forums indicate that there is a shortage of the Submariner and that the watch is almost impossible to find at retailers… If this is a reality, it might well indicate an imminent update." - Monochrome Watches