Am I the only one who actually kind of likes this market?

[HiBoost]

I'm sure that sounds a bit crazy, but as I read the dozen daily "where are all the watches?" / "is it possible to bribe an AD?" / "will the hype ever subside?" posts on here, reddit, and pretty much any place which discusses Rolex, I have tried to imagine the world becoming what all these people seem to be wishing for. One where you walk into any AD and you walk out with whatever watch you want. That doesn't actually sound that great to me. It feels like it would take away some of the fun of the game.

This of course presumes you can, eventually, get some watches, with some patience. Which has been my experience over the last year. The AD came through for me for an anniversary and pulled off 2 special orders. But the watch I've been trying to get for my brother's 40th (in 10 days) probably isn't going to happen despite me working with 4 different ADs in 4 different cities. On the one hand, that sucks. On the other hand, I'll get it eventually, and when I do, I think it'll have more meaning to both me and to him given the effort it took to acquire.

Do any of you see this silver lining as well or am I just losing it? ;)

[ks58]

I don’t mind this market. I do wish the end user/buyer would get them instead of flippers though.

[Wuzagoodtime]

I actually was saying on another post I am liking the exclusivity of Rolex and hope it stays. The only thing they need to figure out is the new AD experience. They have to allow folks to see touch and feel and even try on dummy watches in store. Empty ADs are useless. SAs have nothing to do all day but turn confused new customers away that look at them like they're an idiot for having no watches.

Every time I am at an AD I see clearly capable buyers in Los Angeles walk in and get very confused by what is going on. SAs then frustratingly repeat the same spiel. It needs to be transparent that getting a Rolex is very very hard & exclusive and that is just the way it is... but have models out and a great AD experience for new consumers entering the market who could become long term loyalists.

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[GradyPhilpott]

As much as I appreciate Rolex watches, I just have a hard time understanding all the angst over not being able to get one at this time.

I won't be getting rid of any of mine, but if I just entered the watch hobby, I'd just adjust my plans accordingly, just as I'm doing right now.

So, while I'm not actually enjoying the current circumstances, it is an interesting social phenomenon to observe--amazing, actually.

I'll reserve further commentary, until this all plays out a bit more.

[iTreelex]

Don't care about the market at all but this facade of exclusivity due to grey market premiums are silly. There are thousands of gmt's, subs, daytonas, etc. out there.

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

…I have tried to imagine the world becoming what all these people seem to be wishing for. One where you walk into any AD and you walk out with whatever watch you want.

Most of us don’t have to imagine very hard to know what that looks like - it was like that less than ten years ago.

[henrylee]

I don’t mind either since I have the watches I want lol

[Glenmorangie77]

I think it's kind of fun, actually. Is it frustrating at times? Of course? But half the journey is the chase of the unobtainable. If we could all just walk into an AD and buy whatever we wanted or could afford, it certainly would lose some of its luster.

[Seddyspaghetti]

I don’t mind it. Makes things fun for me.

[sj24k]

i think it's great. i think the exclusivity and the hunt makes the hobby even more interesting and fun.

[calebb90]

Many people wouldn’t care to have them if they were easy to obtain.

It’s been fun for me to explore other brands that I otherwise wouldn’t have when Rolexes were readily available to satisfy my addiction.

[gerry100]

Fun to follow on this forum

[992Guy]

In a word “NO”. Only those without the Rolex’s they covet or the connections to get said Rolex’s should.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by 992Guy

In a word “NO”. Only those without the Rolex’s they covet or the connections to get said Rolex’s should.

As is said here frequently, you can have any Rolex in your hands literally tomorrow. Just not retail from an AD for most of us. And for those who can get retail from an AD they have paid for that as well.

[Pw92676]

It has dampened the fun of watch wearing and collecting. I am content with what I have but would certainly get more if watches were easier to come by.

[wcs2229]

As Yoda said to Luke,

"Patience you must have, my young padawan"

[992Guy]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

As is said here frequently, you can have any Rolex in your hands literally tomorrow. Just not retail from an AD for most of us. And for those who can get retail from an AD they have paid for that as well.

I just use charm, non financial influence and friendship and nothing more.

[Hillg2784]

I took me three months to get my first Rolex, a sub date. Up until me getting it I was frustrated but now that I have one I can see where the chase becomes fun.

Hope to get gmt and Daytona next.


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[Bozack90]

if I was in the market looking for one I would absolutely hate the current situation

there are other brands/items I was interested in which were also limited in distribution and all it did was make me forget about buying them and move over to something else I could get.

[acheronsgrief]

Definitely don’t mind it. I’m not in it for an investment but it definitely has let me feel a lot better justifying how expensive this hobby can be when I can at least not take a huge hit on something I enjoy. Hope it’s here to stay to be honest.

I would like to be able to experience the watches more though, I do agree that dummy models in ADs would be great.

[rvanno]

I basically have what I want, so the market is fine with me. My only dilemma is whether to trade up to a platinum piece. I am getting close, but would have to liquidate all my pieces to do this. At this point, i think I'll stay put as I don't want to part with my Sub and YG DD.

I don't think I'm a one watch kind of guy.

[ArtNouveau]

The market doesn’t matter much to me. My SA/AD have sold me the three watches I have asked for, and with some patience the next one will come in too. I only buy watches I will wear, I have no desire to buy every model out there.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by wcs2229

As Yoda said to Luke,

"Patience you must have, my young padawan"

Eh? did he ever say that to Luke?

And to answer the OP's question, no I don't like the current market insanity. I have been waiting for a while for two (modest) pieces that got discontinued. So no dice for me. I don't find the hunt fun at all. In fact I'm put off by it. Luckily I like several other brands. I'm more into watches than I am into Rolex.

Let me get this straight... you want a Rolex for your brother's 40th, and it's not going to happen (which sucks), but it will have more meaning if you have to wait for it? So not a special gift for his birthday on his birthday, but...someday. OK then.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by henrylee

i don’t mind either since i have the watches i want lol

+1

[Cigars&Watches]

I don’t mind the way things are. I don’t mind waiting my turn for the most precious pieces. Makes the hunt feel better, almost like you earned the watch not just because you have the funds for it. Also, love the exclusively the way things are frankly

[KeithP]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

Most of us don’t have to imagine very hard to know what that looks like - it was like that less than ten years ago.

[007timer]

There is a difference between the exclusivity feel and the complete lack of inventory. For someone who regularly bought a couple of watches a year and rotated through them, it’s extremely frustrating not being able to buy anything.

Those who can spend $200,000-$400,000 a year at Rolex get the priority of new incoming pieces. Spending $30-$50 a year is nothing when compared to others.


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[Dr. Robert]

I don’t like it. And I’m a Wilsdorf fanboy. Right now Rolex can kiss my caseback.

[scooba]

exclusivity ? you can go buy any model you want at any Grey Dealer you like . if thats exclusivity il be damned after buying Rolex Watches for 30 years I don't see them being exclusive every year they churn out more and by my guess work approx 20million more rolex have entered the market since i bought my first Rolex .

[pepe01]

It will be happy game if finally we get desired watch on time.

But for someome who want to buy Anniversary watch for his wife
and let's her have a good buying experience at a beautiful AD,
if they cannot get the desires watch at AD on time.

They have to buy with a lot mark-up price from gray markets
at other meeting points; Gas station, restaurant, watch repair shop, etc.
then bring a box of watch to surprise his wife at other places.

If they don't buy from gray markets, they have to buy other watches or other gifts.