CONFIRMED news regarding the professional line

[jvd99]

Some on TRF suggest that the shortage is intentional by Rolex for a variety of speculative reasons, and a few say it is some kind of genius marketing master plan that is years ahead of its time. Nevertheless, when I walk into an AD and see an empty case, whether a WIS or just a curious potential customer off the street, it doesn’t look good. If Rolex wants to maintain its well earned reputation, have AD cases devoid of its best selling lines for years on end doesn’t seem like it would build the brand. To most people, it would appear Rolex doesn’t know what it’s doing or it’s an incompetent organization. Just my .02c

[Foxiness]

For people with $$$ and looking to buy on the spot. I would say Rolex is leaving money on the table

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by foxiness

for people with $$$ and looking to buy on the spot. I would say rolex is leaving money on the table

+1

[Rondineli]

Originally Posted by jvd99

Some on TRF suggest (...) If Rolex wants to maintain its well earned reputation, have AD cases devoid of its best selling lines for years on end doesn’t seem like it would build the brand. To most people, it would appear Rolex doesn’t know what it’s doing or it’s an incompetent organization. Just my .02c

^^^ this ^^^^


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[Rondineli]

It is really ridiculous and incompetence on the part of the new CEO.

Think about it folks, a regular guy/girl sees
the advertising on tv on your sport events, such as tennis tournament and F1. You go to the website, choose a couple of models. Google the Rolex store near you, then you get there and the have...

NOTHING TO CHOOSE FROM! On the days of overnight deliver and credit cards, there was close to nothing to chose from yesterday, at The Woodlands, in Houston, one of the richest zip codes in Texas.

Give me a break. This is just bad business, nothing more nothing less.

It has nothing to do with people that already have whatever on their wrist, wether they are an executive or your taxi can driver. This has to do with your current or new customers that want to buy your product.



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[eco8gator]

Why don't they just increase the price of the SS line?

Jack prices of the the "special ones" (Hulk, Batman, Pepsi, SD43, Daytona, Sky dweller, Yacht Master II...)...pretty much anything with bi color bezels, has a bezel color other than black or has controls in addition to a crown) them up to basic Aquanaut prices or a basic Royal Oak.

I bet this would keep the scalpers at bay and allow the people who really want the watch to have the chance to buy them.

If DavidSW can sell a Pepsi for 22k (with stickers...still trying to figure this out) why can't Rolex?

All these suppliers just need to accept that SST is as luxurious as Gold or Platinum...the only thing that matters is the brand.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Rondineli

It is really ridiculous and incompetence on the part of the new CEO.

Think about it folks, a regular guy/girl sees
the advertising on tv on your sport events, such as tennis tournament and F1. You go to the website, choose a couple of models. Google the Rolex store near you, then you get there and the have...

NOTHING TO CHOOSE FROM! On the days of overnight deliver and credit cards, there was close to nothing to chose from yesterday, at The Woodlands, in Houston, one of the richest zip codes in Texas.

Give me a break. This is just bad business, nothing more nothing less.

It has nothing to do with people that already have whatever on their wrist, wether they are an executive or your taxi can driver. This has to do with your current or new customers that want to buy your product.



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I also have no idea what this new CEO is trying to accomplish either? If he is fired or resigns within the next say 12 months it will be a telling sign.

[hensleyac]

SS AP 37mm Royal Oak list price is over $16,000 USD. Why Rolex doesn't raise their prices of all SS watches by like $2k - $4k each is beyond me.

My AD in Naples FL has 100% confirmed Rolex has told them they are getting fewer watches. As many of you know, they have installed new case inserts with about 1/3 of the watch slots so the viewer "hopefully" doesn't notice how many empty slots there are.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by hensleyac

SS AP 37mm Royal Oak list price is over $16,000 USD. Why Rolex doesn't raise their prices of all SS watches by like $2k - $4k each is beyond me.

My AD in Naples FL has 100% confirmed Rolex has told them they are getting fewer watches. As many of you know, they have installed new case inserts with about 1/3 of the watch slots so the viewer "hopefully" doesn't notice how many empty slots there are.

Tell me if I'm wrong. Naples in a upscale affluent part of Florida with tons of money there.

[Quamby]

Originally Posted by hensleyac

SS AP 37mm Royal Oak list price is over $16,000 USD. Why Rolex doesn't raise their prices of all SS watches by like $2k - $4k each is beyond me.

My AD in Naples FL has 100% confirmed Rolex has told them they are getting fewer watches. As many of you know, they have installed new case inserts with about 1/3 of the watch slots so the viewer "hopefully" doesn't notice how many empty slots there are.

I think Rolex is not raising prices because they probably know we are quite late in the current economic cycle and it will really hurt them when the global economy goes south.

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by MonsterSS

Rolex pays minimal (if any) taxes, since it is owned by a non-profit foundation...

I think you mean (for profit) charitable trust

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by hensleyac

SS AP 37mm Royal Oak list price is over $16,000 USD. Why Rolex doesn't raise their prices of all SS watches by like $2k - $4k each is beyond me.

Rolex sells way more watches than AP. It positions itself as accessible affluence to which the middle class can ascend. Maybe Rolex doesn't raise its SS prices because it realizes that a 30% price hike will have an effect on demand. I'm not stating that as fact. Just wondering myself.

[mattza]

Originally Posted by Rondineli

It is really ridiculous and incompetence on the part of the new CEO.

Think about it folks, a regular guy/girl sees
the advertising on tv on your sport events, such as tennis tournament and F1. You go to the website, choose a couple of models. Google the Rolex store near you, then you get there and the have...

NOTHING TO CHOOSE FROM! On the days of overnight deliver and credit cards, there was close to nothing to chose from yesterday, at The Woodlands, in Houston, one of the richest zip codes in Texas.

Give me a break. This is just bad business, nothing more nothing less.

It has nothing to do with people that already have whatever on their wrist, wether they are an executive or your taxi can driver. This has to do with your current or new customers that want to buy your product.



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The only thing that makes sense from a business perspective is they are trying to build up massive hype through exclusivity and will be flooding the market with supply soon to capture it.

Everyone wants "what they can't get" so maybe they're getting people stressed out, hyped, talking about it (as per the massive wait lists and people putting down deposits) then will start fulfilling them rapidly.

Then perhaps a price increase after

[mattza]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

No. Pretty much everyone wears the real thing in HK, even hairdressers and lowly store clerks. The guy who drives my building's shuttle bus wears a Sub, and it's not unusual at all. The other stuff is just for tourists.

How is everyone affording Rolexes there? Especially with low-paid jobs?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Rolex sells way more watches than AP. It positions itself as accessible affluence to which the middle class can ascend. Maybe Rolex doesn't raise its SS prices because it realizes that a 30% price hike will have an effect on demand. I'm not stating that as fact. Just wondering myself.

It depends upon the baseline price point.
If a market is regarded as already being inexpensive when compared to other markets selling the same product, then a 30% price hike in that market in combination with a somewhat lesser amount in the other markets will only dent the sales figures for a while, whilst bringing a degree of parity back to the overall market.

It happened back in 2001 with Rolex pricing.
Depending on the model, the price went up 25-30% overnight along with some upgrades to the watches and look at where we are now.
Alternately Rolex could start cranking prices up incrementally on models interspersed throughout the entire range.
No body will notice much and few will care.
It's not like we are entering into the realms of social injustice.

As long as i get all that i want before any future price shocks, then i'll be pretty happy

[Quamby]

Originally Posted by mattza

How is everyone affording Rolexes there? Especially with low-paid jobs?

I suppose if you want something bad enough, you'd find a way.

1) Buy second hand
2) Buy an entry model
3) Buy with a loan (not joking, but not something I advocate)
4) Pay in instalments (this used to be available on less popular models)

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by mattza

How is everyone affording Rolexes there? Especially with low-paid jobs?

Priorities.

Go into the Rolex Service Centre here any day of the week and you will see the place packed with regular people of all kinds. Office girls, students, housewives, old men with their retirement Datejusts, young entrepreneurs with their vintage pieces, etc, etc. It’s often standing room only unless you get there around opening time.

[Krash]

These types of threads ruin TRF. Too much speculation, conspiracy theories, hearsay, ridiculous statements, incorrect information, and utter bullshit.


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[Why1504]

Originally Posted by Krash

These types of threads ruin TRF. Too much speculation, conspiracy theories, hearsay, ridiculous statements, incorrect information, and utter bullshit.


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IMO there’s more than just TRF that is getting ruined due to supply.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Why1504

IMO there’s more than just TRF that is getting ruined due to supply.

You’re feelings? Also, are you sure it’s not demand. If there were no demand, there would be plenty of supply.


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[037]

Originally Posted by Krash

You’re feelings? Also, are you sure it’s not demand. If there were no demand, there would be plenty of supply.

I bet dollars to doughnuts it's demand and nothing else. I can't see the logic in purposefully cutting supply, despite how many hypotheses have been proposed. But, the conspiracies sure are entertaining.

[siempreko]

Originally Posted by 037

I bet dollars to doughnuts it's demand and nothing else. I can't see the logic in purposefully cutting supply, despite how many hypotheses have been proposed. But, the conspiracies sure are entertaining.

Agreed!


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[33JS]

Originally Posted by Krash

These types of threads ruin TRF. Too much speculation, conspiracy theories, hearsay, ridiculous statements, incorrect information, and utter bullshit.


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They're better than the: Can I wear my Sub in the shower? What Rolex should I buy? etc

[Krash]

Originally Posted by 037

I bet dollars to doughnuts it's demand and nothing else. I can't see the logic in purposefully cutting supply, despite how many hypotheses have been proposed. But, the conspiracies sure are entertaining.

Exactly.


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[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Krash

Exactly.


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Limiting supply is a common Veblen good practice. Whether Rolex is now limiting supply even more is what we don’t know.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Limiting supply is a common Veblen good practice. Whether Rolex is now limiting supply even more is what we don’t know.

That only applies if Rolex increases prices. Rolex doesn’t benefit if gray dealers can sell a SS Ceramic Daytona for $18K. So the Veblen argument makes very little sense here.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by mattza

How is everyone affording Rolexes there? Especially with low-paid jobs?

They save their money and sometimes have two or three jobs,just like my Father did a Welsh coal miner way back in the 1980s.And why do you think that everyone in Hong Kong has low paid jobs.And even those with low paid jobs if they really want to own a Rolex they would work hard and save to buy one Rolex watches are not only for the rich.But some today think by owning a Rolex somehow exalts them to a higher level which in my book is complete boswellocks.

[mattza]

Originally Posted by padi56

They save their money and sometimes have two or three jobs,just like my Father did a Welsh coal miner way back in the 1980s.And why do you think that everyone in Hong Kong has low paid jobs.And even those with low paid jobs if they really want to own a Rolex they would work hard and save to buy one Rolex watches are not only for the rich.But some today think by owning a Rolex somehow exalts them to a higher level which in my book is complete boswellocks.

I never said everyone has low-paid jobs in Hong Kong, he said that even people with low-paid jobs all own Rolexes there (bus drivers, low level store clerks, etc).

Nothing wrong with that, I was just curious as why that is prevalant in HK

I guess its just priorities. If I was not making much money my priority would not be to go out and buy a $10,000 luxury item

[mattza]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Priorities.

Go into the Rolex Service Centre here any day of the week and you will see the place packed with regular people of all kinds. Office girls, students, housewives, old men with their retirement Datejusts, young entrepreneurs with their vintage pieces, etc, etc. It’s often standing room only unless you get there around opening time.

Interesting, thanks

[AK797]

Originally Posted by 037

I bet dollars to doughnuts it's demand and nothing else. I can't see the logic in purposefully cutting supply, despite how many hypotheses have been proposed. But, the conspiracies sure are entertaining.

It is, LVc price action since Aug gives empirical evidence, demand surges on disco rumours and supply doesn't change at all, then when rumours prove false in Mar the new price is now set and doesn't fall as you'd expect with a normal good. Same with the BLNR.