Dear Rolex: You are a Joke

[superdog]

Just a quick comment to clean up some confusion.

I don't want a Daytona. I had one. It is nice and I wore it for a while, but I did not love it.

My AD is amazing and took super care of me. I can't say enough good things about them.

My rant is specific to Rolex and their practices.

And again, a lot of great though provoking response. Even if one of them did get a little aggressive.

I learned a lot via this thread. Thanks,


And for me, a bit more food for thought. This thread highlights how I personally believe a company should operate. Most definitely a different perspective from the people in charge.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=531017

[JasonKrick]

Originally Posted by chiko323

Last week I was chatting with a Patek AD about the blue 5711 and was told that they get two per year and have a waiting list with 100 names on it. My math tells me that's a 50 year wait list .

Really?

I'm surprised. Whenever I am in SoCal and stop by a Patek dealer. Not only do a see a blue Nautalis. But I can tell the salesperson is itching to try and move any Patek.

When I got my Daytona. I asked the sales lady three times if she had one. Each time she said yes. I finally asked if I could see it. She begrudgingly said okay and went to the back to get it.

I rarely to never see a person browsing the Patek section. And I only saw one person in the Vegas Breuget store with me browsing. They may be considered luxurious. But I haven't seen them to be in a fevered and frenzied demand.

[dr35mm]

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.

This is exactly the reason why I prefer 5 digit Rolex. 100% agree with you

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Well Seth,

Don't bother replying - I won't see you anymore

:

Uh, are you saying he will be banned for disagreeing with Rolex policy in a polite, thoughtful way?

Could you explain yourself?

[nikesupremedunk]

Unfortunately lots of companies use this strategy to build hype. I know too well from my sneaker collecting days.

As long as they become more available in a couple years it's cool with me.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by kunlun

Uh, are you saying he will be banned for disagreeing with Rolex policy in a polite, thoughtful way?



Could you explain yourself?

Means it was a drive by - take pot shots and then add Seth to his ignore list.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by SMD

Means it was a drive by - take pot shots and then add Seth to his ignore list.

Thanks. I actually didn't understand that either.

I knew he made an aggressive comment, and I just figured he would not be coming back to the thread.

I didn't even know there was an ignore list. Learn something new everyday.

And personally, I feel the hit and run was cowardly at best.

I don't believe I said anything offensive. And it turned out to be a very nice forum discussion.

[SeaDweller50]

Originally Posted by AK797

It's going to get to the point where new buyers to Rolex in the UK and Aus will only see sports PMs in ADs and think no wonder this brand has such high status, they don't even bother making SS.

Very, very true. It's the impression whenever I look into an AD window nowadays. In fact I don't bother anymore. Perhaps there's a huge overstock of PM watches.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by kunlun

Uh, are you saying he will be banned for disagreeing with Rolex policy in a polite, thoughtful way?

Could you explain yourself?

And thanks for pointing out that the thread was written in a polite and thoughtful manner.

[AK797]

Just saw an auction for an Hermes Birkin, it was knocked down for £32K, and sold here because buyers want the bag but don't want to wait 5 years. I remember 20 years ago my girlfriend saying it was five years, so that waiting list hasn't changed in ages, makes the Daytona positively virginal.

[LuminousMaximus]

No matter what the Business Model Rolex has chosen, I applaud the fact that they are so successful...

[superdog]

Originally Posted by LuminousMaximus

No matter what the Business Model Rolex has chosen, I applaud the fact that they are so successful...

I can get on board with that.

I don't need to like them, to respect them.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by AK797

Just saw an auction for an Hermes Birkin, it was knocked down for £32K, and sold here because buyers want the bag but don't want to wait 5 years. I remember 20 years ago my girlfriend saying it was five years, so that waiting list hasn't changed in ages, makes the Daytona positively virginal.

that is crazy. but I guess if I could be doing something like these kings of luxury, I would want to as well.

[tuantuanbo]

I fully understand the opinion from OP.

But, look around and see the annual production of other brands. I think I want to understand the limited amount of Daytona C as well.

Easy guys...

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by superdog

I can get on board with that.

I don't need to like them, to respect them.

Here is the thing with the Daytona. Many, many people have been begging, pleading, and praying for a SS Daytona with Ceramic bezel. It comes out and people go crazy, which is causing the chaos. If they kept the SS model the same and gradually released ceramic bezels on PM models, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I still blame all of us, including myself, for helping fuel this craze.

[dcvelo]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

Isn't this the same as what Ferrari does? They produce only so many. Very difficult to buy one new without a long long wait and paying a premium over MSRP.

I'm not saying I approve of this, but this is what creates their image.

Yup, I couldn't wait for La Ferrari model, so I went ahead and bought a Prius Hybrid, nice car, and no wait!!

[sensui]

@ superdog/Seth Great thread. Like you said, brings in a lot of perspective and one of the more fruitful ones lately. I learned a lot too from different perspectives regarding the Daytona release and Rolex's marketing practices.

[emersm]

Originally Posted by superdog

Umm, a watch enthusiasts rant?

I"m not sure.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by sensui

@ superdog/Seth Great thread. Like you said, brings in a lot of perspective and one of the more fruitful ones lately. I learned a lot too from different perspectives regarding the Daytona release and Rolex's marketing practices.

Thanks Sensui!!

[tkerrmd]

Seth you are the real deal and I smell what you are cooking

[HL65]

Originally Posted by sensui

@ superdog/Seth Great thread. Like you said, brings in a lot of perspective and one of the more fruitful ones lately. I learned a lot too from different perspectives regarding the Daytona release and Rolex's marketing practices.

I understand people's frustration around the wait lists and premiums of 116500's. However this is nothing new when it comes to the Daytona. Clearly people remember the long waits and premiums with the 16520's. In fact it traded at a premium in high demand until the 116520 was released. Then the 116520 came out and did the same thing for much of it's run with the exception of the last few years when it softened up and supply was there. So this is nothing new as far as I am concerned. Sure it stinks that everyone who wants one can't have it yet. That's life though and for me has always added to the allure of the Daytona. So history has repeated itself and here we are again.

To say Rolex is a joke to me is a bit of a joke. To be unhappy with them that is fine but they are anything but a joke. They make a great dependable, high quality watch that has attracted many of us for decade upon decade. Clearly they are where there are because they are a well run company that makes great watches. So in the end if people don't like it that's ok and lots of great options out there.

[pd999]

Originally Posted by superdog

Sorry to anyone I offend. Rant over.

Good discussion. Rolex is very successful at what they do; that's all that matters in the end to them

[Iflylo]

What Ken said..

In 1992 I tried to buy a Daytona was told by my AD "years to wait". So I bought a Thunderbird. Anyway, chalk it up to the Daytona mystique.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by HL65

I understand people's frustration around the wait lists and premiums of 116500's. However this is nothing new when it comes to the Daytona. Clearly people remember the long waits and premiums with the 16520's. In fact it traded at a premium in high demand until the 116520 was released. Then the 116520 came out and did the same thing for much of it's run with the exception of the last few years when it softened up and supply was there. So this is nothing new as far as I am concerned. Sure it stinks that everyone who wants one can't have it yet. That's life though and for me has always added to the allure of the Daytona. So history has repeated itself and here we are again.

To say Rolex is a joke to me is a bit of a joke. To be unhappy with them that is fine but they are anything but a joke. They make a great dependable, high quality watch that has attracted many of us for decade upon decade. Clearly they are where there are because they are a well run company that makes great watches. So in the end if people don't like it that's ok and lots of great options out there.

No offense intended my friend.

I do believe that I did show my respect of the business acumen. I just don't appreciate this type of practice.

Porsche, Ford, Birkin or any of them. I get it. I understand it. I just don't like it.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Seth you are the real deal and I smell what you are cooking

Thanks Tom. Means a lot!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by superdog

No offense intended my friend.

I do believe that I did show my respect of the business acumen. I just don't appreciate this type of practice.

Porsche, Ford, Birkin or any of them. I get it. I understand it. I just don't like it.

No offense taken Seth. I get that people don't like it but again it has been the case with every Daytona with exclusion of the 4 digits which were slow sellers amazingly enough.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by HL65

No offense taken Seth. I get that people don't like it but again it has been the case with every Daytona with exclusion of the 4 digits which were slow sellers amazingly enough.

Well, I'd like to get my hand on one of those.

[MAG2017]

this is what makes them unique and valuable, if they were readily abundantly available their value would decrease DESPITE the premium pricing

[kultschar]

Funnily enough I cant get on a list for a Ceramic Daytona but can (and am) for a blue 5711. Therefore I will stick to my 116520 as I'm also sick of these games and disillusioned by Rolex at the moment. Im happy to take a step back from the brand for now, and in a way the whole fiasco has kind of done me a favour exploring other watches.

[Davvan]

7-8 years :) .....the reference will be discontinued far sooner then that....