Can and Will Rolex ever be sold?

[Tangier11]

I know the story of Hans setting it up in a trust so that it can never be sold....however as we know things change and legal documents can be reversed. Think this will ever happen? I see the estimated value is $8-11B depending on what you read. Bezos and a handful of other folks could easily afford it. Thoughts?

[Speedfreek28]

I wouldn’t mind Rolex being open for investing. Maybe as a dividend, they give investors the “opportunity” to get a as model without the wait? Haha

[Dsmith1974]

I think Hans did a good job of future-proofing his company. I’d say unlikely to be rolled into the Swatch group any time soon.

[psv]

It is never being sold to a private profit-making company.

[nick_s_g]

Originally Posted by Tangier11

Bezos and a handful of other folks could easily afford it. Thoughts?

You don't honestly think Bezos would waste his time/money buying Rolex?

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by nick_s_g

You don't honestly think Bezos would waste his time/money buying Rolex?

He just lost half his wealth to his ex-wife. I think owning Rolex is a pink unicorn

[Tangier11]

Originally Posted by nick_s_g

You don't honestly think Bezos would waste his time/money buying Rolex?

Bezos was just an example of some of the individuals who could stroke a check for it.

Do you think it would be a waste of money??

[bezler]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

He just lost half his wealth to his ex-wife. I think owning Rolex is a pink unicorn

Forget Rolex. I just went to meet his ex-wife.

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[Robtayham]

If someone does buy it, they will do to it what Disney did to the Star Wars franchise. Focus on recouping their investment at the expense of the product.

They would make millions of Daytonas, and SS subs to make a quick profit. You gotta give the people what they’re asking for! And would lose the soul of Rolex the process.

Without a doubt, this would happen.

[omx5o]

There's an old saying that I think applies here. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[inadeje]

I would say that at one point the company will be taken public. IPO. It will depend on whether this was prohibited by Hans Wilsdorf in the company’s bylaws or mems&arts

[zaphod777]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

If someone does buy it, they will do to it what Disney did to the Star Wars franchise. Focus on recouping their investment at the expense of the product.

You really think Disney is doing an worse than what Lucas already did? I think Rogue One is one of the strongest movies in the series, including the originals.

Star Wars has such a cult following and now mainstream fan base there's really no pleasing everyone.

Also, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world of you could walk into an AD and buy the classic iconic models like a Sub, or an explorer.

[mstauqir]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

If someone does buy it, they will do to it what Disney did to the Star Wars franchise. Focus on recouping their investment at the expense of the product.

They would make millions of Daytonas, and SS subs to make a quick profit. You gotta give the people what they’re asking for! And would lose the soul of Rolex the process.

Without a doubt, this would happen.

Soul of the Rolex is in the grey market?

[CalSRQ1]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

If someone does buy it, they will do to it what Disney did to the Star Wars franchise. Focus on recouping their investment at the expense of the product.

They would make millions of Daytonas, and SS subs to make a quick profit. You gotta give the people what they’re asking for! And would lose the soul of Rolex the process.

Without a doubt, this would happen.

Honestly every other day when someone posts about the lack of supply I’m thankful this isn’t happening. At least the brand isn’t being cheapened through overproduction

[huncho]

Originally Posted by CalSRQ1

Honestly every other day when someone posts about the lack of supply I’m thankful this isn’t happening. At least the brand isn’t being cheapened through overproduction

would be interesting to see how many people would still want daytonas/blro's/etc if they were readily available with discounts

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by CalSRQ1

Honestly every other day when someone posts about the lack of supply I’m thankful this isn’t happening. At least the brand isn’t being cheapened through overproduction

Agreed!

[locutus49]

I heard Rolex and Patek were thinking of merging to corner the market on SS.

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by mstauqir

Soul of the Rolex is in the grey market?

Greys are parasites, serving a purpose, but definitely not the soul of Rolex.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Greys are parasites, serving a purpose, but definitely not the soul of Rolex.

parasites is a harsh word. everyone loved them when they gave better deals than ADs and had discounts on almost every SS model, now they're cashing in on the opportunities given and everyone hates them lol

[10klakes]

I hope it never happens. I’m guessing there are many mechanisms in place, to make sure it doesn’t- otherwise, it would have already.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Greys are parasites, serving a purpose, but definitely not the soul of Rolex.

Parasites?

I sometimes am guilty of pining for the old days. But I have no illusions as to what would happen to a hobby millions have come to love. And an industry that was on it's last leg just a short time ago, would die.

Without trusted resellers there would be no reliable and safe secondary market for the average person.

Watch collecting as a hobby would cease to exist in the form we have come to know it in the last decade. Demand for high end watches would plummet. The great houses would cease to exist. Hodinkee would run its final publication. And this forum would disappear.

Then we could all join the apple forum to discuss our Apple Watch. Wouldn't that be grand.

[GoingPlaces]

Never happen. Rolex is set up as a foundation.

[Ruddiger]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

If someone does buy it, they will do to it what Disney did to the Star Wars franchise. Focus on recouping their investment at the expense of the product.

They would make millions of Daytonas, and SS subs to make a quick profit. You gotta give the people what they’re asking for! And would lose the soul of Rolex the process.

Without a doubt, this would happen.

Howdy,

So well said. Someday in film school the story of how Disney destroyed the greatest intellectual property in cinematic history will be required reading.

Take care,

Ruddiger

[jsausley]

Tiffany JUST sold (today) for $16.9 bn to LVMH.

I think Rolex is worth SIGNIFICANTLY more than Tiffany.

That $11 bn valuation may be accurate based off of sales figures but the name alone is incredibly valuable. I'd say the Rolex name is one of the most valuable names in the world.

As for the question at hand -- everything is for sale, at the right price. But it would take a LOT for that to happen with Rolex.

Originally Posted by Ruddiger

Howdy,

So well said. Someday in film school the story of how Disney destroyed the greatest intellectual property in cinematic history will be required reading.

Take care,

Ruddiger

To change gears, I think Disney is doing well with Star Wars. Most kids, which is the primary market for Star Wars, love the newer movies. They're eating it up. Sorry if Star Wars fanboys didn't like it.

We'll see where Jon Favreau takes the franchise now that he is the primary creative director. Judging from how good The Mandalorian (which he wrote, produced and directed) is being received so far I expect it to work out very well.

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Greys are parasites, serving a purpose, but definitely not the soul of Rolex.

Spoken like you have zero clue what greys are. "Greys" more than just serve a purpose, they exist in all industries across the world. They are the small business of the watch industry who doesn't carry an authorised re-seller tag.

Right now many are upset as prices are trading well above MSRP on Rolex, but have they have zero issues when the grey saves them thousands on any other watch brand or Rolex of the past.

A Rolex is still a Rolex. Everything about the company is still embedded in the physical watch you buy. No soul is lost. You are just experiencing the definition of capitalism where you have to pay more to get it (since your purchasing power is lower than someone else at the same store).

___

On the valuation of Rolex. With the Tiffany sale, I can see Rolex being worth quite a bit more but I don't think they will sell.

[TswaneNguni]

Its a trust with clear trust instructions laid down by Wilsdorf .

[JParm]

Originally Posted by nick_s_g

You don't honestly think Bezos would waste his time/money buying Rolex?

How would buying a strong asset like Rolex be a waste of money? It is consistently ranked as one of the most valuable brands, and its good have been highly coveted since its inception.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by nick_s_g

You don't honestly think Bezos would waste his time/money buying Rolex?

No. Most of Bezos' wealth is tied up in stock/equities. If he's going to buy Rolex, he'd have to do it through Amazon, and I highly doubt he could convince the Amazon board to play along.

[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by Ruddiger

Howdy,

So well said. Someday in film school the story of how Disney destroyed the greatest intellectual property in cinematic history will be required reading.

Take care,

Ruddiger

+1

Rolex would become the watch equivalent of BMW

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by huncho

parasites is a harsh word. everyone loved them when they gave better deals than ADs and had discounts on almost every SS model, now they're cashing in on the opportunities given and everyone hates them lol

There’s nothing wrong with parasites. They serve a needed purpose. But to pretend Greys’ existence isn’t dependent on living off of the inefficiencies of the Rolex market; as well as, benefitting from those inefficiencies at the expense of Rolex, is to deny what greys are doing. They bring stability to the market place. That’s a good thing, but doesn’t change their role.