CONFIRMED news regarding the professional line

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Whatever’s going on, the grey market is insane. I’ve just been looking on Watchfinder and a two year old 116520 black dial with box and papers is up for £16,750 (US$ 23,750) and anyone willing to pay that needs their head looking at. A twelve year old black dial with no box and no papers is up for £10,250 (US$ 14,550].

A one month old 116500 is cheaper than the two year old 116520.

Someone talk me through that BS!

Banker's Bonus season and Cryptomaniacs on the loose.

[duggerdean]

Does this mean the ceramic Daytona becomes even more rare or do we think those production numbers stay the same? I'm considering just paying the premium now. I was told by my ad at least a year wait 2 months ago and I feel like this might add another year to that. There's only so much suffering I can endure.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by duggerdean

Does this mean the ceramic Daytona becomes even more rare or do we think those production numbers stay the same? I'm considering just paying the premium now. I was told by my ad at least a year wait 2 months ago and I feel like this might add another year to that. There's only so much suffering I can endure.

I’m on a waiting list too for the Daytona Ceramic too and not sure if I should just get my deposit back. I was told a year to a year and a half wait. Not sure how this will impact the wait?. The wait is already long enough!.

[rkim11]

I was at Edward Arthurs Jewelers in MD yesterday and their selection had noticeably dwindled. I said as much to the guy there and he had no answer. A few DJ 2s, a few more DJ 41s and a lot of DJ 36s. Plenty of ladies models but only 4 sports models. Then today I read this post..

[emkwan]

Originally Posted by sager

I agree with your point.

I enjoy your videos by the way. Keep it up.


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Hahahahaha thanks. New Rolex unboxing is coming Wednesday 😉

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by Tanner

"Buyers in the UK won't notice any difference in stock levels at ADs."

I havnt noticed any difference in central London Ads since I bought my first Rolex in 1997, 14060.

The popular sports models have always been hard to find in stock.


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This. Growing up in Italy, I recall always seeing a shortage of SS sports models, as early as the late 80s. Eventually drove to Switzerland in 1989 to buy my first Sub (5513) after well over a year spent calling numerous ADs all over Italy and getting the same response every time - sorry we don't have the watch you are looking for and do not know what Rolex will send next. Call back next month.

Not sure if this current drought has to do with certain markets taking up a large percentage of the 'professional' production and/or Rolex putting forth a new strategy, but I have been accustomed to Rolex SS sports models being hard to obtain, via AD, for a very long time.

[BristolCavendish]

Bottom line: If folks want to held hostage by Rolex SA so be it. There are more important things in life.

Why be slaves to a wristwatch?

[Switch]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Bottom line: If folks want to held hostage by Rolex SA so be it. There are more important things in life.

Why be slaves to a wristwatch?

When you are already a slave to time, might as well get something nice to see its progression

[jrs146]

I’m glad I pretty much have all the modern Rolex watches I really want. I’m still waiting for a black Daytona and a Blue SkyD but I’m okay waiting for a while. All these games do kind of turn me off.


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[oldman2005]

It might mean going forward SS sport watches are reserved for VIP customers just like the SS Daytona. I'm glad I've gotten all the SS watches I ever wanted. Got my Daytona Ceramic and SD43 last year, now it's might be impossible to do that!!!

Good luck guys! I'm sorry for the newbies who are getting no Rolex SS sport watches but there's much more to do in life than just hunting/begging/growing relationship at Rolex ADs for SS sport watches. I'm going mountain biking...

[GB-man]

This thread is hilarious

[fixinbones]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I can imagine how bad supply will be in Oz.

Or the UK!

[tomchicago]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Bottom line: If folks want to held hostage by Rolex SA so be it. There are more important things in life.

Why be slaves to a wristwatch?

Hear hear!

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by rahible

Didn't Rolex do this same thing in the late 80s / early 90s in order to create more exclusivity for the brand? I seem to remember reading that in one of the unauthorized rolex books I have, just have to find it.

iirc it is part of how they dealt with the quartz crisis.

[oldman2005]

Originally Posted by fixinbones

Or the UK!

From what I heard the UK is not affected as they're currently barely getting any SS watches, can't be worse LOL

[Dr.Brian]

That’s great news for Omega, IWC, JLC, Panerai, etc. Lots of companies would benefit!
The problem with limiting production across the board is that, obviously, things will be even harder to get. Last I checked Rolex isn’t Patek, Ferrari, etc. There are plenty of competitors that offer a similar product, often cheaper, often with a modest discount, that are readily available. That’s just going to drive many potential customers to the competition. I might wait for a Daytona, I would wait for a Nautilus, I would wait for my custom Ferrari, but I’m not waiting for a Submariner or a GMT!
If true, they should go all in and increase the price 50%, move upmarket, and deliver a better finished product.
Perhaps this is a move to consolidate ADs even more? Of course they could probably just not renew existing distribution contracts without cause already.
I just don’t see people hopping on Daytona like waiting lists for basic steel sports watches that you can get from numerous luxury brands with little to no wait.

[jph4387]

I just don’t get it that these would be for VIP customers. Isn’t buying these affordable (relative) SS sport watches what helps to make someone a VIP? Here, have a Sub after you buy a precious metal piece. Ridiculous.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by 77T

So, just leaving my nearby AD and they did not get a letter. But they did get a visit and meeting with their RUSA rep and Regional Mgr. This was just before Holidays.

The message was nearly identical to the letter Gerardo cited. (I did not quote that letter - just asked an open-ended question)

When they asked why, the two Rolex employees said that the factory’s backlog of custom orders had grown too large in some markets where sales had “gone through the roof”.

The bulk of these backlogged orders were in the Professional lineup. Not in DD or Cellini lineup.

So the decision was taken at HQ to adjust the fabrication rate of general stocking models in those markets downward to focus on increased fulfillment of the backlogged orders.

Yes, just the owners telling me a story perhaps - but I’ve known them for almost 10 years and they are straight shooters. I believe they are telling me what the reps told them. So you may doubt the reps I suppose. But they were told deliveries will slowly return to normal sometime in the late Spring.

This could explain why not all markets are getting the same message.

Just sharing in the spirit of community rather than rumors.


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What exactly does "custom orders" mean?

[Hamish]

Maybe the Futura is real

[Wools]

Originally Posted by Mystro

You are in for a eye opening with Rolex. There is so much more that will tick you off you with the Rolex ownership experience like how controlling the Rolex servicing is. Rolex confiscates any and all parts you had done to your watch while being serviced. They also will not touch any modified Rolex regardless how small it is, etc

I've been fortunate to discover TRF last year and have had the pleasure of being educated, entertained and stunned by the great community here, yourself included. So I've become aware of Rolex doing as you say above, along with changing faces and hands despite the owner and AD informing Rolex to only touch the internals.

Truth be told, I'm still so smitten with the idea of owning a Submariner Date (Or just a Sub if I'm brave enough to live without a date!) I will probably stay on the list and pick one up when this Summer arrives... As long as Rolex deem me suitable enough!

[BillA]

I don’t know if this is true or not, but earlier this week walked into Wempe in NYC which has to be one of the largest AD’s in the US, and their SS sport models were non-existent except for a Milgauss and Airking, that’s it. If you want a DJ, they have a gigantic selection.

But is there really a shortage, our trusted resellers have them. The Hulk is selling for msrp plus tax, but you would pay that if you walked in and out of the store with the watch.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

What exactly does "custom orders" mean?

When a customer wants a watch optioned in a way that isn’t in the standard stocking plan of the distribution channel. Like a special dial, or other legitimate options for a particular model.

In fact, Rolex doesn’t quote a completion interval and this can perplex customers. But Rolex also knows when they are falling behind in their fulfillment.


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[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by 77T

When a customer wants a watch optioned in a way that isn’t in the standard stocking plan of the distribution channel. Like a special dial, or other legitimate options for a particular model.

In fact, Rolex doesn’t quote a completion interval and this can perplex customers. But Rolex also knows when they are falling behind in their fulfillment.


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Never would imagine this slowing down normal production references? But you never know!

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Yes, this will happen if SS become even more scarce, but I don’t even care about any of that. A person should be able to walk into an AD and get what they want or be able to peruse a catalogue and order one ( or two.)

I almost want to say F&@% Rolex.

This is funny.
You haven't been around very long have you?

It's been the case for a couple of decades or more that it has been impossible to go into a Rolex dealer and peruse the catalogue and simply order in what you want if it wasn't in stock.

Wait lists have been around for a very, very long time now

[semi-ambivalent]

Originally Posted by gegarrenton

But who in their right mind thinks Rolex is unobtainable? They make almost a million watches a year.

If you noticed most of the angst expressed in this thread is over about seven versions among three models of watches. I'd bet if you told Mr. Wilsdorf that someday there would be a lot of people who owned six or a dozen of his watches he would have laughed in your face.

[77T]

One order wouldn’t. But when the mix of sales varies and a higher demand comes in for the custom orders - especially those with higher margin - it can throw the supply chain off kilter. Somethings require adjustment after a while to avoid cancelled orders, etc.


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[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by semi-ambivalent

If you noticed most of the angst expressed in this thread is over about seven versions among three models of watches. I'd bet if you told Mr. Wilsdorf that someday there would be a lot of people who owned six or a dozen of his watches he would have laughed in your face.

As a one-watch kinda guy, I can’t help but laugh about it a bit.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by Amiroo

I don't care if I have to be late for every meeting for the rest of my life. I am not wearing an Omega...

Really......what's so bad about them?

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Dirt

This is funny.
You haven't been around very long have you?

It's been the case for a couple of decades or more that it has been impossible to go into a Rolex dealer and peruse the catalogue and simply order in what you want if it wasn't in stock.

Wait lists have been around for a very, very long time now

I don’t know about that. Up until some time in 2017 you could get pretty much anything except the Daytona in the US. Last year I tried on the “rare” BLNR and Green Sub, white Explorer II, etc. I even thought of getting a White old style Daytona and made inquiries to the usual suspects. Prices are definitely on the rise, in the Grey market, and likely in the ADs soon as well. If they’re going to decrease production and bump their exclusivity, there’s no way they won’t bump the price, and possibly quite a bit. For the SS modes anyway.

[rossi46]

Originally Posted by jph4387

Here, have a Sub after you buy a precious metal piece. Ridiculous.

Well done, sir.

I hope Rolex is reading this, because if this is their plan ("Let them eat Datejusts") then they are going to lose market share.

Why the hell would anyone buy a more expensive watch they really don't want in order to be given the chance to buy a cheaper watch they do?! If Rolex starts to limit access to Subs and GMTs buyers WILL go elsewhere.

I don't know when Omega pee'd in Amiroo's Cheerios, but they make a great product and are close to overtaking Rolex in total sales. A stunt like this would make the Planet Ocean, which you can actually buy on the spot, tempting for a lot of people.