Are Today's Rolexes Overpriced?

[bdex75]

Yes.


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[Lexo1975]

Of course they are....
But the price is set by the market, if they are selling then the price is correct

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by semi-ambivalent

Rolex will never let Tudor deeply cannibalize Rolex sales. If you buy a Tudor Rolex will view it as an indicator of future sale of a Rolex of higher price. That's why they will never let Rolexes become nothing more than "fancier jewelry". That's a creation of the buying public (and Rolex detractors, but I'm no Pollyanna, Rolex *is* out to make money). Louis Vuitton handbags made of plastic are "fancier jewelry". Engineering the calibre 3255, when you already have some of the best movements in the business, is not.

Thank you for the graph. Also amply demonstrates the destruction of your dollar.

Yeah, what I meant by "Tudor is the new Rolex" is that, adjusting for inflation, Tudor watches are much more in line with what Rolex watches cost back in the 50s-60s-70s, when the watches were a bit pricey, but still purchased for actual use and abuse.

Now days, we see a lot of Rolex owners afraid to scratch their bezel.

p.s. even short term, the cost of the Sub nearly doubled from 2005 to 2015, which is pretty absurd. That watch doesn't even have the 3255, which isn't any better than an Omega Co-Axial, btw. Heck, even the new Tudor movements are really stable.

[rolexdream]

All marketing i don't yet own a Rolex but my partner has a ladies DJ and the quality and feel is the same as my Rado but costs more to buy and service

[SkyKing31]

Originally Posted by Switch

So what was it, disgust, dismay, distraught, defiance? Just give her a Dj to keep quiet



Well about that addiction, some TRF member collections and incoming posts beg to differ

Yeah .. My Rolex collection is certainly a very serious addiction

[HL65]

Yes but aren’t most and some far more than others.

[Dominik]

Overpriced? Sure.
Is it worth the money? Sure.
Its our passion!

[Why1504]

Do you just want something to tell the time? Use your phone. Free for the win.

Are you looking to make a fashion statement, love well done engineering, love to own items of historical significance, then most of those here believe we get good value for the money. Would we like to see the prices lower with better availability absolutely. But we keep buying.....

[wildcat465]

Well, it depends on the model and what you paid for it. In 2004, I purchased a WG DD with meteorite dial for about $23k. I see asking prices for used around what I purchased for 14 years ago. Rolex DDs seem to be a good value to me given that over time, you lose little to no value.

Folks who don't think that Rolex offers a good value, then they can always avoid them. I happen to enjoy wearing a DD...it's one of the best looking watches available
Yes, it's damn expensive, especially in Platinum. I don't worship my watch (it is just a watch) , but I like how it looks on my wrist. Life is short. Let's maximize it in a way that feels good.

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[nosignalbmwdriver]

Ohleeeeeeeee

[SpiritSoul]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

All things considered and taking into account that there are many outstanding watches in the -$5K range.

Some attribute the exorbitant pricing to Rolex SA's extensive and costly marketing program. Others say one is strictly paying for the name and visual recognition.

At one time, a Rolex was affordable (for those who really wanted one) by either being frugal or eliminating other miscellaneous/unnecessary expenditures. It's a seemingly different story today as $8-10K+ represents a bigger chunk of change even when accounting for current inflation and higher salaries/wages.

A co-worker bought his 1675 back in the mid-1970s while working at a minimum wage job (about $2.00/hour). It took him roughly six weeks + some overtime to accrue the necessary funds. Today at minimum wage (e.g. $5.50/Georgia to $11.50/Washington), it would take close to a year's wages (and that's not even allowing for basic living expenses).

Over the past few decades, Rolexes have become an 'elitist' commodity rather than a somewhat affordable high-end wristwatch that was once realistically and readily attainable by the masses.

Those days are over.

Due to hype and speculation because it is seen as something to invest in, yes!

These watches with certain features are meant to be used as a tool watch, i.e. GMT for travellers between two time zones, subs for diving and timing and Daytona to time and track travelled speed. Nowadays I bet most collectors have not even spent time studying these features and how they actually work.

[OG1982]

Overpriced in 2018, sure as hell overpriced in 2021!

[javier]

It is a fugazi !!!
Matthew Mc Conaughey. Wolf of Wall Street

[Daveclock]

In 1984

14060 was £1375
16610 was £1870
16600 was £2035
16700 was £1815

and 16520 £2620 (and they were still for VIPs then!)

2021 Prices when looked at in similar timeframe will no doubt look.......

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

No doubt this is true in a broad sense, although I went with a Rolex over a number of other, similarly priced brands because of its blend of function, appearance and quality. I held off for a long time because of the perception a lot of people have with the brand. To me, Rolex is an outstanding watch manufacturer, even if the price does reflect a brand premium; but to most people close to me, it's ROLEX, and I was hesitant to invite the judgment that would incur. Case in point, nine months after I started wearing my SubC, my girlfriend finally noticed it for what it was. Although she never batted an eye at my Omegas or Breitlings, when she got close enough to see the printing on the dial, she almost shouted, "Is that a ROLEX!!!???" It was not an exclamation of joy.

Maybe upgrade the girlfriend?

[wrxdev]

Overpriced with respect to MSRP and rightly priced per market forces

[suux88]

not overpriced

case in point on value using submariner as example

find me another watch that parallels submariner
quality, looks, warranty, feel, finish, 904, clasp, glidelock etc... for the price

[afjag256]

Are we talking MSRP or secondary market? The secondary market prices will only last as long as the social media types can keep hyping the whole conspicuous consumption lifestyle. After that crowd moves on their will be a crash because even the customers that wanted them to quietly mark a major life event won’t want to go near one.

[kegan]

20 years ago cases full of subs, gmts collected dust in shops. I bought a16710 for 3500$ had my choice of any bezel color. Preowned they were available for 30% off. In a free market that’s what overpriced looks like. In other words when you see that again Rolex is overpriced. That being said I can easily afford more Rolexes but I will never buy another
because to me they are hideously overpriced.

[mk2jag]

Originally Posted by Watch This

I sincerely hope you didn't run into your former English teacher.

Haha, well said!

[Jack T]

Why should Rolex price it’s watches to be affordable to the masses, to those on minimum wage? Should Mercedes do the same thing? Cartier with its diamonds; Louis Vuitton? How about real estate? Cohiba’s ??
Next, let’s talk about equalizing salaries

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by suux88

not overpriced

case in point on value using submariner as example

find me another watch that parallels submariner
quality, looks, warranty, feel, finish, 904, clasp, glidelock etc... for the price

Tudor pelagos/BB or omega Seamaster

There is no way a sub is twice the watch those are price wise. But the Sub does say Rolex on it and everyone wants a Rolex

[mic6]

Buy any overpriced Rolex today. It will be a bargaIn tomorrow.

[Robf52]

Overpriced compared to what? If you compare msrp versus grey market, then no. The perceived market value is above msrp. The buying public that generally currently put a premium on Rolex as a brand are speaking with their dollars. The market determines what is, not what should be.

[Roddypeepa]

20 years ago a ‘Bond’ seamaster 300m was £1050 in the uk. Equivalent today is 4450 (asking price!). They’re all at it, not just Rolex - watches have outstripped inflation for 50years. But yes, they are waaay overpriced (at least if you take value retention out of the argument) but while people will pay it that’s not changing. This 2018 discussion is even more stark now with the hype madness.


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[thenewrick]

Prices should go up and production go up until they see a slowdown of demand; especially on the entry level pieces

[plyon7627]

I bought my Rolex because after looking around, all the other watch brands seemed to be copying Rolex. Yet when looking at the design, the Rolex seems to be smoother more fluid and well thought out. It also felt 1000 times better on the wrist and in its construction. I looked at an Ebel $800 and a Rolex Sub $1200 in 1992, and the Ebel while still beautiful can't be given away today and the Sub is worth ten times more. I decided to not make that mistake again. Yes its a status symbol, but I bought it because I wanted the original not the copy.

[Harry-57]

Of course they are overpriced. It's a luxury market. No exclusivity, no point. Rolex knows how it works.

[173rdabn]

List price is fine. Gray markup is unconscionable.

[zengineer]

We must be bored, reviving a 3 year old thread started by a banned user.

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