Rolex Boutique: No men's watches

[GaryInDenver]

Hello. First time posting on the forum.

I just became interested in buying a Rolex watch. I never thought I would be interested in such a thing until I sat next to an airline pilot on a flight a few months ago who described to me how much he liked Rolex watches and how he owned a few. He explained some of the models and what he was looking to get. He had also explained how some of the models were tough to find on the retail market, and that you had to put yourself on a waiting list, while others would be otherwise available.

I thought it sounded too expensive and not something I would ever do.

Then a few months pass buy and I decided to look at the Rolex website to see what he was talking about.

And now I am hooked.

So I went into the local Rolex boutique only to see almost all of the displays empty except for about 3 ladies watches in the entire store. The gentleman I spoke to was very nice, but explained that they have no men's watches at all. Not even DJs or OPs. Nothing. I filled out a card giving my contact info and listed a few model numbers and options that I was interested in. And he was very kind in giving me a hard-covered book from Rolex that explained the company, it's locations, and described each model that Rolex has, all with beautiful photos throughout.

How can there be no inventory at all? I felt like I was in the Monty Python cheese shop sketch.

Is it this way at other ADs/boutiques?

Is Rolex going out of business?

[Bryan81]

Yes, that is how it is pretty much everywhere. Used to be that some men’s models were at least readily available and there were just a few that were hard to get. Over the past year it’s now to the point where all men’s models are in short supply.


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[Rrpdc]

No inventory worldwide at all ad’s for 2 years plus.

[GoingPlaces]

Welcome to TRF. Welcome to the new world of luxury watches. This is the unfortunate state of today's Rolex market. Try some of the trusted greys on TRF if you can't wait. Otherwise continue to build a relationship with your AD and maybe you get lucky.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum Gary

[enjoythemusic]

Welcome to TRF Gary, and love Denver. In the past few years, demand has far exceeded supply far more so than ever in the history of Rolex. With demand being so very high, it means few products are either not already reserved or the moment they are put in the display case they get sold rather quickly.

Be patient, read the informative Rolex book, and am sure you'll have a special timepiece you can enjoy for many years.

[47Fountain]

Go grey & never look back. Buy what you want & enjoy it now. Why get on a "list" hoping somebody will call in a few years to let you have the opportunity to buy a watch? You could be dead by then. Lol.

[ramenlover]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

Is Rolex going out of business?

This had me chuckling because it makes me realise how absurd this situation is from the perspective of someone who is just getting into the watch world.

Welcome to TRF and the world of watches. Hope you get your Rolex soon, but if not, you should explore other brands as well. It’s a labyrinth full of beautiful watches out there.

[teck21]

Rolex is cheap, that’s why it’s sold out everywhere.


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[Wcdhtwn]

Welcome.

Rolex is not going out of business, quite the opposite.

[uniqueMR]

Welcome to Rolex.
No watches are available. How may I help? :)

[brucethemanlee]

Welcome

Difficulty in buying certain models started about 5-6 years ago and inventory also started going down as more people became interested in Rolex and demand skyrocketed to where we are now

[Duey]

Gary,

The thing that no one has mentioned so far is the why. What has happened is that Rolex watches have become a commodity, like gold and silver, with a high and much faster rate of return on your investment. It's all about what you can't get your hands on in the store. Most of the people who are purchasing men's Rolex watches just turn around and sell them for a massive profit. These people will go to multiple AD's and put their names on multiple lists to get these watches and turn right around and sell them. They might hold on to one or two of them for awhile buts it's all about the money. A few weeks back a member here talked about how he loved the new Explorer and how it was the perfect watch for his son. And then he's posting it up for sale for almost double the price weeks later. It turns out he had gone to multiple AD's and asked for the same watch. And low and behold now he has 2 of the same model so he's flipping one of them for big bucks.

It's has now become a game of money rather than a love of watch's.

But welcome to TRF and enjoy

[Brian Page]

Welcome to TRF! Yes it's funny as others have said watching a new member wonder what the deal is with lack of inventory. Sadly it's true, and most of the folks around here have just come to accept the current situation. Start building that relationship and as others have said, if you can't wait for retail consider one of the trusted sellers here on the forum if you can handle the price. The grey price is now the new retail unfortunately with no signs of weakening. Also - lots of other brands to look at as well....

[Number16]

Hmmm. Does seem like an easy return on cash, need to build my bank roll again. Stupid wedding.

[Mifune]

OP... there are HUNDREDS and THOUSANDS of Mens sports pieces available... on the GREY market.

welcome to exploitation and opportunism.

[Dr Process]

Gary, welcome to the forum. Unfortunately, it’s a tough time to break into the hobby at the retail level. Look into the grey market. If you can stomach the market premium, enjoy your watch! If not, expect to wait (awhile) for the market to correct - though that’s certainly not guaranteed. My advice: pony up the dough for the piece you want on the secondary market and enjoy. You only live once. Cheers.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

Is Rolex going out of business?

Welcome aboard!

Everything they make sells and demand far exceeds supply. Definitely not going out of business. All businesses wish they were like Rolex.


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[sj24k]

market never stronger. rolex never stronger. great time to be an enthusiast with money and a good collection. bad time to be an enthusiast with limited funds and looking to get in.

same exact thing with virtually every other luxury good or service. if you think rolex is bad, go try and get a royal oak, nautilus, or aquanaut. same with high end cars (hell even with crappy cars), real estate, art, etc.

for the time being, that's the way of the world.

welcome to the forum and i wish you the best. my advice is to ignore it all, find the watch(es) you want from a trusted reseller, bite the bullet, get 'em and enjoy 'em.

[2loaded]

Welcome !

Duey is spot on..

[GaoKS]

Hyde Park or Williams in Denver? Welcome to the forum.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by teck21

Rolex is cheap, that’s why it’s sold out everywhere.


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Very true indeed.

WatchERIC mentions the "money is safe" side of Rolex here @ about 5:50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVPabnOh8Eo

.....while I know this sentiment is not generally accepted on TRF, the overall market and subsequently the general public see things much differently.

So factor in the still relatively low-key cost of Rolex watches compared to other high luxury goods (as you mentioned) with the AWESOME value retention that the brand enjoys, Rolex is a no brainer purchase...and the insatiable demand that has been whipped up illustrates this...

[RealMadrid1988]

Welcome to the forum!

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

I filled out a card giving my contact info and listed a few model numbers and options that I was interested in.

Let me guess: stainless steel Daytona, GMT and/or Submariner.

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by GaryInDenver

Is Rolex going out of business?

No, but it appears that way to the passersby who view the empty cases through the AD's window.
I saw a couple look through the window at the mall's Hyde Park store in our area, then turn and walk back in the direction from whence they came.
They could have gone in and found other brands. Whether they knew of or would have been interested in other brands remains to be seen.
Not a good look for Rolex for certain, and the 'empty display syndrome' is mostly the norm at all AD's.
Some folks are reporting that a few AD's now have 'display' models that you actually cannot purchase but can try on.
Still not a good look for Rolex is that regard, either. "Lookie but no Buyee!" That has to be a total aggravation for 'customers.'
Yet other brands populate the cases at Hyde Park and other mall stores. Tudor, Grand Seiko, Omega, Tissot, TAG, Cartier, Breitling, Hublot, G-Shock.
Plenty of stock from which to choose.

[garyk]

Welcome to the forum, great name you have!! Lol…

Here’s a shot from the Paris airport AD in fall of 2019 or as it was, the good old days pre pandemic…




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[Ensign]

Currently Authorized Dealers only sell to “private customers.” They keep a few less desirable models in their stores just to have something in the case. The sales associates may talk to you only to keep up their salesman skills.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by garyk

Welcome to the forum, great name you have!! Lol…

Here’s a shot from the Paris airport AD in fall of 2019 or as it was, the good old days pre pandemic…




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Also some Day Dates in the display window that same day in November. Definitely don’t see those much anymore…




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[garyk]

Originally Posted by Ensign

Currently Authorized Dealers only sell to “private customers.” They keep a few less desirable models in their stores just to have something in the case. The sales associates may talk to you only to keep up their salesman skills.

I had that exact experience just yesterday. My SA was busy so a young new SA came over and started talking about some of the Rolexes they don’t have, features etc. he looked dumbfounded by the little bit I knew about market conditions and the watches themselves. He was no doubt just trying to have the interaction. I tried to go easy on him lol!!

[992Guy]

This is from March 2019. Pictured in the case in background are 4 PM Daytona’s , including a Platona.

And yes I thought $68k plus discount was to much for a watch at that time. Little did I know it was better than money in bank!

[Hollie_Rollie]

Try another brand ….


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