Dear Rolex: You are a Joke

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Can't say I care about this trouble with the Daytona. A cyclops on a Sea Dweller bothers me much more.

Sit down, because I'm about to possibly blow your mind. Had you been on a watch forum like this around 50 years ago when the 1680 was introduced, you'd be talking about how you're bothered by a cyclops on a Submariner. The times, they are a changin' .

[SubSensei]

I have bought quite a few Rolexs from the same AD...I built a great relationship so I wait for nothing....its the only way to obtain the newest that come out.

It took years but it was worth it.

[Smarties]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Sit down, because I'm about to possibly blow your mind. Had you been on a watch forum like this around 50 years ago when the 1680 was introduced, you'd be talking about how you're bothered by a cyclops on a Submariner. The times, they are a changin' .

You're absolutely right since internet hadn't been invented until 30 years ago!

[iazrollie]

My AD has hooked me up with PP application pieces. Yet, this watch, he has yet to deliver to me, despite my request on Day one of Basel 2016.

[NLYogi]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Can't say I care about this trouble with the Daytona. A cyclops on a Sea Dweller bothers me much more.

Haha that made me laugh!

[Etschell]

pay 2-3 grand above msrp or wait 8 years. oh the humanity.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Can't say I care about this trouble with the Daytona. A cyclops on a Sea Dweller bothers me much more.

Agreed !

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by SubSensei

I have bought quite a few Rolexs from the same AD...I built a great relationship so I wait for nothing....its the only way to obtain the newest that come out.

It took years but it was worth it.

I've bought several from my local AD, but bought a Platona from someone else. Since then, I've been treated like sh!t. I expressed interest in the new Daytona, but they didn't even call when it came it so I could look at it. On top of that, they won't even save a copy of the Rolex magazines anymore. So, being a repeat customer means absolutely nothing to some AD's.

[droptopman]

WOW! This thread is getting some action. Tend to agree with you Seth. I am glad I am not a Daytona fan. I guess if I was I would have just given in and paid the premium from David or another seller.

Part of me thinks it is the Rolex way of getting back at us for not buying Daytona's for 30 years. If you discuss Rolex with WIS that have been around a while, you will hear that the Daytona was not a popular watch at all until the Zenith models came out. They literally could not discount them enough to get people to buy them. Totally fascinates me that it is the Daytona today that seems to be the most collectible. A good friend bought a Submariner back in 1972 and they "threw" in a Daytona for a $100, I believe list price at the time was 200+. That Daytona is worth about 50K today. I remember in 1990 a collector friend offered me a 6263 Big Red in mint condition for $1000...No one wanted Daytona's back then even through the early 90's.

I have tried 4 Daytona's over the years and they never stick around long so non issue for me. I do get the frustration of others that really want one, but also believe a company has a right to do whatever they want that they think is "best for business". People will vote with their voices and money.

[Vaxe]

I respect your opinion, but every luxury maker at the top has a specific product with demand that exceeds supply - look at the Porsche 991 GT3 and the latest Hermes birkin. I don't think it's just a marketing strategy, but rather, the mfg needs to allocate production to all models, and not just the hottest seller.

Originally Posted by superdog

OK, sorry...I know I am going to piss off some people off with this. I really don't mean to. And I am sorry, but where else am I going to make this comment? I genuinely hope someone from Rolex sees this, even though I am quite certain they could not care less.

I am out of state on business. And after my conference, a buddy and I decide to walk the strip. Of course we see a Rolex store and decide to browse. We meet a really excellent sales guy. He was not overly knowledgable about certain details, but he was polite, attentive and definitely good at what he does.

I finally see the new WG Daytona in blue, which is really an astonishing watch. Anyone out there wearing this watch.... Wow. It is incredible. And krioke, Rolex does blue exceptionally well.

We talk watches for a bit and of course we talk about the new Daytona C. So unless you have a prior sales experience with this AD you are not even on the list. It is not going to happen. Never, ever. If you have a prior sales experience with them, you are likely waiting 7 to 8 years.

OK, wait..what?

As Padi says, this is not a new watch. It is easy for them to make. They can fill the demand, sell a ton of watches and make ton of money...just like most businesses want to do.

They do this for their marketing machine. They do this to create the mystique. And I am sorry, but I just don't respect this. Be a watch company. Make great watches, make people happy selling them great watches.

Do I respect their watches? Yes, they make incredible watches. But this type of sales gimmick just turns me off. Big time. And they have gone from the "tool watch" company to the shiny "look at me" watch company.

I really do mostly love what they put out. And much of what they have has a great redeeming quality to it. But I am just not on board with this.

And yes yes yes...I know, if I don't like it, I should not buy it. Ok, I won't, and I can get one if I want one. It is a forum about Rolex watches and I am making a comment. If you want to respond in kind, great, it is a forum and I will respect and appreciate your opinion.

Sorry to anyone I offend. Rant over.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Sit down, because I'm about to possibly blow your mind. Had you been on a watch forum like this around 50 years ago when the 1680 was introduced, you'd be talking about how you're bothered by a cyclops on a Submariner. The times, they are a changin' .

Funny but not even remotely true, Jake. As you know the Rolex Submariner became available in 1954 without date, and in 1966 the 1680 was released with date function and cyclops. So twelve years later a new complication was added and the cyclops came with the package. When we talk about the SD, they decided to add a cyclops 50 years later, with the single purpose of bumping sales. IMHO you can't compare both cases sorry.

[ap1]

I can't seem to purchase Apple AirPods either

[Boothroyd]

I remember my AD pulling a Daytona out of the safe to show me a few years ago. I didn't realize it was such an honor for him to offer me the chance to buy one. Luckily, not my cup of tea.

I get the frustration, but for that model, would simply go to Trusted Resellers once the market hype dies down. They always seem to have one available, at least in the past.

[sco]

I get it, and I understand why Rolex does what they do. I don't like it either though. Luckily for me I guess, I 'm not a Daytona guy whatsoever...

[larsr]

Rolex, like all luxury manufacturers, are first, and foremost, brand marketers; and, second, albeit a close second, a manufacturer. To not understand this, is to not understand the Daytona issue.

Are Rolex carrying it to an extreme with decade long waitlists? Probably, but they will always air on the side of undersupply key "brand" watches, of which Daytona is Rolex's preeminent in this regard.

[Investr]

Oh Im in TOTAL agreement here! Ive been put off by Rolex for some time now with its their way or the highway mentality. I recently wanted to do a dial change (along with service) on an older model (116518) and Rolex told me to do another specialty dial, you have to swap a specialty dial. OK then. I was looking to swap a Tahitian MOP (which Rolex says is a specialty dial) for a white panda. They will not allow that switch, but would "allow" me to swap to champagne or white only, pay about $2000 for svc and dial swap, AND keep my specialty dial. I told them to K.M.A.!!! I really don't care for Rolex as a company one bit, but I love their watches and I LOVE my AD along with the boutique I shop occasionally. As far as the Daytona fiasco, I was lucky to get mine very early BUT I agree it is BS!! I want to like a brand more than Rolex, but I don't as of yet....

[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by Showcall

WTF did they expect you to engrave the back? and engrave what exactly? Are you guys going to Rolex Centres or AD's?

I don't know if they still do it but in the states, a large multi state AD named Ben Bridge made you engrave all SS Daytona or they wouldn't let you buy it. Ridiculous arrogance on their part. I know it ticket a lot of people off, including me.

You could engrave anything you wanted. Initials, dates etc.

[LuminousMaximus]

I can't comment since, Rolex has me under their spell...

[ap1]

^^^

[masterserg]

So many awesome watches and other (way nicer) brands that will treat you a hell of a lot better. I like the Daytona but they can gently store it where the sun don't shine for all I care.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

I hear ya Seth. I waited almost a year for one, and then when my number came up and I was about to hand over my credit card, they told me I had to engrave the back in order to leave with it. This disgusted me and made me lose my taste for the watch completely. No thanks Rolex, I'll get a new 60th Anniv Speedmaster instead.

I still love Rolex and happily wear them, and I get why they hype it like that, but it's just not a game I want to play.

still in shock over the "engraving" thing!

[brucethemanlee]

It seems the cost/benefit analysis has been done and Rolex is willing to accept some angry consumers, some consumers leaving the brand, and some lost sales vs. increasing/maintaining the mystique and exclusivity of Rolex.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Rolex does not need money nor are they beholden to shareholders so they are able to do stuff like this.

The laws of supply and demand

This is the "game"

...and Rolex is milking it and has been for years. That's the careful brand equity that they built. Always higher demand and cachet for something that you can't get.

[Chewbacca]

i don't understand this thread.

[Aphid]

I was kind of shocked when I walked into the local Rolex boutique to inquire about the SD43 and was told that I would need to buy two watches to even be allowed to purchase it. I personally will never set foot in that Rolex boutique again. I don't think I am included in Rolex's business model and they seem fine with that. It will be interesting to see if this strategy pays off with subsequent generations of children who, grew up without wearing a watch at all. I think this kind of strategy has the potential to alienate a wide range of potential new customers while, catering primarily to "high rollers" who, might not be able to support the company in the long run.

[mementomori1983]

I've learned not to get myself worked up by matters that are determined by free-market forces.

[AlexDimi]

Rolex is a luxury brand for mass market buyers.

These guys they have manage to position their products for target customers who are willing to save more than 2 years to buy their dream watch.
On the other hand is much easier for an end user to buy a Rolex with 15K comparing to an AP or PP for 25K.

If you want a brand new model for yourself is not a problem to pay today MSRP+margin and get it. History proves that most cheap way to buy a Rolex is to buy asap.

If you want to invest on watches means you have already buy some in order to recognise the hype of Daytona C or any other model therefore soon you will have one.

If you want to invest on MSRP and hot models obviously you should be an AD.

[tomnevers]

I have already said in previous posts that the Daytona 500 is my next Rolex. I am frustrated with the limited availability and I'm not going to purchase another Rolex in lieu of the white dial Daytona. I agree with OP - not a fan of Rolex's strategy here and definitely turned me off on the brand. It's the one Rolex I want and they made a decision they don't want to sell it to me. So I will go elsewhere. Doesn't really bother me too much as I am more of an aficionado rather than a collector. I see something I like; that's what I want to buy. But I'm not going to consider buying a Datejust or Sub when I really want a steel Daytona.


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[GreatCircle]

I do travel a lot and have seen quit a number of AD's worldwide. Everytime I walk into an new unknown Rolex AD I ask myself how on earth it's possible just ONE (big...) factory in the world can stock all these shops! We all know the pictures of rows of (mostly) ladies in white coats sitting on a workbench assembling Rolex watches. We also know it's probably BS it takes a year to make a Rolex. But still.......
The average 4130 movement isn't something you would call lowtech and easy to produce (by hand or machine!) and since the finish quality of movements, cases, and dials with Rolex is so high , for me it is not that hard to imagine they simply CAN'T make the numbers of DaytonaC's we all would want them to make......

[sensui]

Originally Posted by Aphid

I was kind of shocked when I walked into the local Rolex boutique to inquire about the SD43 and was told that I would need to buy two watches to even be allowed to purchase it. I personally will never set foot in that Rolex boutique again. I don't think I am included in Rolex's business model and they seem fine with that. It will be interesting to see if this strategy pays off with subsequent generations of children who, grew up without wearing a watch at all. I think this kind of strategy has the potential to alienate a wide range of potential new customers while, catering primarily to "high rollers" who, might not be able to support the company in the long run.

When I read stuff like this from guys in Canada, UK, Asia.....I am so damn glad I am in the US being a Rolex fan. This is terrible practice indeed and if an AD said that to me I would lol in their face. Wouldn't be angry....that's ridiculous to the point of being funny.

And yeah, the universal truth of Rolex ADs/boutiques vs other brands is apparent to me also like others mentioned......I have always been treated with respect and waited on @ Omega Boutiques that I frequent.....the Rolex ADs usually act like they're giving me charity when I buy a watch.....I actually get treated far better by trusted sellers here normally. There are some exceptions but I've been to about 8 Rolex ADs across the world and the attitude seems consistent.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

It seems the cost/benefit analysis has been done and Rolex is willing to accept some angry consumers, some consumers leaving the brand, and some lost sales vs. increasing/maintaining the mystique and exclusivity of Rolex.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Rolex does not need money nor are they beholden to shareholders so they are able to do stuff like this.

The laws of supply and demand

This is the "game"

...and Rolex is milking it and has been for years. That's the careful brand equity that they built. Always higher demand and cachet for something that you can't get.

Would agree.....Rolex appear to have no problem in accepting the fact that some customers will leave them and go elsewhere, to demonstrate their distaste at the way in which they run their operation. They seem to be able to easily offset such loss by their broader success. They also seem to have adopted a similar attitude and approach to the ADs that they dropped, often at very short notice and with little if any real explanation! They definitely appear to have an unusual way of operating though it still seems to work for them.