Would you lose interest in Rolex if it was easily available?

[Calatrava r]

If they were easy to get i would add more. I love the design and feel of Rolex. Too bad so many current buyers are only buying for aftermarket appreciation.

[dtwer]

I think Kevin O'Leary says it best in this discussion. A very insightful discussion, by the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW5SP6--82M


He says for any watch brand that trades down in the secondary market is brand mismanagement. This I totally agree.

On the subject of buying a watch that loses 30% or 40% of value in a year in the secondary market, Kevin says "it makes you feel foolish, it's like you didn't do your homework."

I think right there he hits home on the psychology of why people pursue Rolex; it reinforces the notion that owning Rolex is a wise and well thought-out decision, as opposed to a foolish one. The psychology goes beyond just money, it validates the human nature of maximizing upside risks and minimizing downside risks. That's why we look up to and emulate winners, not losers. Rolex is an undoubted winner in the watch game.

So yes, I would say scarcity and rising value make people, myself included, want Rolex even more. Whether I have the time and attention span to play the AD game is, of course, a totally different matter. However if my AD presented me with a 126610LV at MSRP and a Omega Planet Ocean at 30% discount, I would take the 126610LV without a second thought.

[ndrs63]

Originally Posted by duquephart

"Precise" and "Rolex" should not appear in the same sentence. Great watches but precision is not among their fortes.

It is. Their chronometer internal certification goes beyond cosc requirements. It’s +/- 2sec/day. Let’s give them what is theirs. I have 3 Rolexes and are the most accurate watches I’ve had, except GS spring drives


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[Danny83]

I would not I have liked them when nobody was interested in them..2008-2107

[DJ2020]

To answer the OP's question, No. Not unless AD's started treating customers, well..... like customers. If available and a nice, respectful AD I would buy the few models I like as I did in the past.

[10klakes]

Posts by people saying they don’t buy Rolex anymore and are interested in other brands crack me up. You are on The ROLEX forum commenting and posting.

Even if watches were sitting in the case, buying a Rolex is still an achievement, and it’s still buying a timekeeping piece that will last a lifetime. Newcomers chasing equity, or trying to impress others with exclusivity will move on, but many enthusiasts will remain, and regular buyers (one and done) marking an occasion will still aspire and acquire Rolex.

The moment any particular models begin sitting in cases, is the moment the secondary prices will drop below MSRP. That will be a rude awakening for some, and many people won’t be interested at that point. It might not be Daytonas, but will be some models that were the last to dry up this past year or two.

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

Would you lose interest in Rolex if every model was easily available at the AD for msrp?

I probably would. As amazing as they look, the difficulty to get certain pieces is a big part of the attraction for me. I get bored with instant gratification.

Heck NO ... I've owned and loved Rolex since 1984.

[stewester]

I would still be interested but not as interested. Just being honest.

[asiparks]

Hilarious that some think Rolex was not a "luxury" brand, or wasn't the pinnacle aspirational watch for most, ( non WIS) people, when they were readily available.

My Rolex was a great watch when I bought it pre madness, it hasn't magically turned into a more luxurious watch in the years between as availability diminished and price doubled.

I'd quite like a CNHR, but I've been happy giving my money to other brands for watches that I like, regardless of their future speculative value...

Originally Posted by 10klakes

Posts by people saying they don’t buy Rolex anymore and are interested in other brands crack me up. You are on The ROLEX forum commenting and posting.

We are, we're posting on the Rolex forum about Rolex availability....doesn't seem like a massive disconnect. And I think most are hoping to buy Rolex again at some future point when there's less arsery involved...

[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by asiparks

Hilarious that some think Rolex was not a "luxury" brand, or wasn't the pinnacle aspirational watch for most, ( non WIS) people, when they were readily available.

My Rolex was a great watch when I bought it pre madness, it hasn't magically turned into a more luxurious watch in the years between as availability diminished and price doubled.

I'd quite like a CNHR, but I've been happy giving my money to other brands for watches that I like, regardless of their future speculative value...

+1 and well said.

[macrowatch]

I preferred the world where I wasted the time trying on everything before deciding what to buy as a milestone purchase rather than paying the game. Even if the cost was a secondary hair cut down the road, which by the way rarely happened because I had enough time with the pieces in front of me to make sure I wanted the watch.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by asiparks

Hilarious that some think Rolex was not a "luxury" brand, or wasn't the pinnacle aspirational watch for most, ( non WIS) people, when they were readily available.

My Rolex was a great watch when I bought it pre madness, it hasn't magically turned into a more luxurious watch in the years between as availability diminished and price doubled.

I'd quite like a CNHR, but I've been happy giving my money to other brands for watches that I like, regardless of their future speculative value...



We are, we're posting on the Rolex forum about Rolex availability....doesn't seem like a massive disconnect. And I think most are hoping to buy Rolex again at some future point when there's less arsery involved...

I agree. Very well said!

[Calborn]

I was interested in and went to buy my first Rolex before I ever knew about "availability."

So no, I wouldn't lose interest.

In general though, watches don't interest me anymore, but that's not a brand thing.

[kwingy]

I have a lot of Rolexes - maybe 20 in my lifetime. A lot have come and gone. I've got a solid collection now and I'll be honest and say given how hard it is to get even one makes me appreciate them more. If everyone had one and it was easy to get, I wouldn't be as interested. Just saying.

[boogiebot]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

Would you lose interest in Rolex if every model was easily available at the AD for msrp?

I probably would. As amazing as they look, the difficulty to get certain pieces is a big part of the attraction for me. I get bored with instant gratification.

Do you get bored of hanging out with really beautiful women, driving really nice cars or eating at top notch restaurants? Personally I don’t. If I ever got bored of these things I would bring a person who doesn’t get the opportunity to do this stuff with me. I don’t think I’d ever get bored if Rolex was easy to acquire, I’d simply share my enjoyment with other people.


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[bmrk]

I have a strong attraction to the brand so big NO i would not lose interest

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by kwingy

I have a lot of Rolexes - maybe 20 in my lifetime. A lot have come and gone. I've got a solid collection now and I'll be honest and say given how hard it is to get even one makes me appreciate them more. If everyone had one and it was easy to get, I wouldn't be as interested. Just saying.

I mean no disrespect and I am not trying to nitpick or ruffle any feathers.

I am just legitimately curious - if you have had 20 over your lifetime it's very likely that most of these were purchased when it was easy to get one. A customer just had to have the money to be able to buy it.

So with that in mind, why did you buy 20 of them if, as you say, you would not be interested in them today if they were easy to get? It's literally contradicting what you wrote in the first part of your post.

Is that really what you meant to write?

[JC316]

Originally Posted by kwingy

I have a lot of Rolexes - maybe 20 in my lifetime. A lot have come and gone. I've got a solid collection now and I'll be honest and say given how hard it is to get even one makes me appreciate them more. If everyone had one and it was easy to get, I wouldn't be as interested. Just saying.

The 20 that you bought over your lifetime. You purchased before or after 2015? How many do you own now?

[1665fan]

I might have 1-2 if they were easy to get and lost value……certainly would never have a collection of them……and that’s probably true for most people….

[Bruno007]

I would not lose interest. I wanted one even when they were readily available. Unfortunately for me the hype started about the same time i could finally afford one. I have been lucky to acquire two new models at retail in the last two years.

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[DoctorA]

I’m actually losing interest in rolex because of lack of availability!!

[Seddyspaghetti]

Originally Posted by boogiebot

Do you get bored of hanging out with really beautiful women, driving really nice cars or eating at top notch restaurants? Personally I don’t. If I ever got bored of these things I would bring a person who doesn’t get the opportunity to do this stuff with me. I don’t think I’d ever get bored if Rolex was easy to acquire, I’d simply share my enjoyment with other people.


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Actually yes! Lol call me weird. I need some sort of connection to something to be interested enough to keep it. (As beautiful as that thing may be)

I agree with the sharing enjoyment part also

[hambone1983]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The shortage, or whatever folks want to call it, and resulting prices of new and used/vintage made me lose interest and move to other brands. I sold quite a lot of my Rolex collection, and the ones I still have get very little wrist time, as I genuinely prefer my other watches now.

if I may ask, which other brands have caught your eye?

[GB-man]

Hell no I’d celebrate. My first several Rolex were purchased at a discount and sold at a loss. Much better times.

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by fnfiveseven

I beg to differ. I'm assuming you're talking about time keeping here but my Sub which I have worn for over a year straight when it was my only watch has been absolutely bullet proof in time keeping. Same goes for my GMT which I wore for half a year.
A Daytona is currently my daily for about 4 months now and all I can say is so far so good.

Agreed. I wore my Yachtmaster daily for 20 years and timekeeping was never an issue. Rolex makes a robust and accurate watch.

There may be many “hype” things about a Rolex…but COSC certification is a real thing.


As to the original question, Rolex marketed itself with “a crown for every achievement.” I got my first Rolex to commemorate a significant milestone. Others here have as well. It’s been unfortunate to read so many stories here of people wanting a Rolex to celebrate a well-earned achievement, whether personal or at work, but can’t get one. I understand the one or two “hot” releases, but across-the-board? That’s tough.

[Krash]

No


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[Rocky Hockey]

I’d like to say ‘no’ but I know the answer is YES.

In the early 2000s I stopped in an AD in Las Vegas. They were fully stocked. I remember thinking ‘a green submariner, how odd’. I was probably in a better financial position then than I am now. Or, at least, more willing to spend money. Here’s the kicker… I walked out with a 34mm two tone OP Date.

I know I’ve succumbed to the hype.


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[GaoKS]

I've been a enthusiast my entire adult life. Such as luck would have it, financially, Rolex didn't become a reality within my reach until right about the same time they became impossible to find. I remember being offered a sub at a 5% discount in the Houston Galleria, a BLNR in Shanghai and a stainless Daytona with VAT refund in the UK in the 2012-2015 years but the logical/disciplined side of me turned them down. Oh how I wish I hadn't.

In short, No. As a matter of fact, as others have echoed, the difficulty is turning me off to the brand. My Omega collection has grown.

[Token74]

No.


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[temporarychicken]

Rolex is no longer a retail brand.

It's an investment class.

When it comes back to earth (and one day it will) the ADs will have no retail business at all, and hence no business at all.