Rolex X Hermès

[hl0m4n]

although not news to us, glad other segments are taking notice:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...-products.html

[4 Aussies]

Great article, thank you, sounds like Rolex practices, right? My Wife loved checking out the bags. Scoring Birkins at MSRP is extremely tough, My Hermès SA has been good to me.

[SLWoodster]

When you say "has been good to me," what does that mean?

Could you describe your roadmap and spend to getting a birkin?

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Great article, thank you, sounds like Rolex practices, right? My Wife loved checking out the bags. Scoring Birkins at MSRP is extremely tough, My Hermès SA has been good to me.

[peticks]

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Great article, thank you, sounds like Rolex practices, right? My Wife loved checking out the bags. Scoring Birkins at MSRP is extremely tough, My Hermès SA has been good to me.

Hi, I just posted a thread about Hermes. Any chance you can refer your Hermes SA? Thanks!

[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by peticks

Hi, I just posted a thread about Hermes. Any chance you can refer your Hermes SA? Thanks!

Yeah pass on to me too. Need to get me some of those bad boys.

[taitun4life]

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Yeah pass on to me too. Need to get me some of those bad boys.

Bad boys? Thot they'd be called "Bad Girls"

[mini sub]

The outcome of this might have implications for certain Rolex dealers....

https://www.reuters.com/business/ret...es-2024-03-20/

[77T]

Historically, a significant percentage of lawsuits in the United States are settled prior to a court trial. Around 90-95% of civil cases are resolved through settlement or alternative dispute resolution methods.

Settlements have no applicability to any other parties. So it's difficult to predict this suit affecting Rolex.


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[Watchman001]

Good, hope Hermès loses and it is the beginning of the end for this crap.

[904VT]

I don’t think we need lawsuits, but I think their business will ultimately suffer as people move on. Even Rolex, doesn’t have that type of brand goodwill to constantly abuse/take for granted their customer base.

The Rolex buying experience has gotten exponentially worse. The salespeople at some of these shops act like high school kids getting back at their bullies in the only form of power they will likely ever have in their life, controlling Rolex Professional line allocation. Rolex is approaching the fatigue they had in late 5 digit time and pretty soon people will move on. For too long many have used Rolex like currency alternatives. That's a late market bubble right now. Rolex should've went upmarket instead of playing supply/demand games manufacturing artificial scarcity. Glad I have a Daytona and Submariner already because I won't be going back for any more.

[Marcjvr]

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

You should not paint all Rolex buyers with the same brush…..

Kat


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[Mathematoxic]

While I strongly disagree of the business practices of these luxury brands, I doubt the lawsuit will have any effect on them.
From the business perspective, It’s similar to “pay or spend more” for a faster and better “service”. Ie. skip the queue. Just like theme parks where you pay more for express queue. You get to the ride earlier than people who have queued longer than you. It’s an uphill battle to get anything positive out of it.
It’s better to boycott the brand than to file a lawsuit against them.

[Slimpee]

Americans: “We love capitalism! The free market is great! Businesses can serve whom they want when they want and charge what they want!”

Also Americans: “I have to buy 50 scarves to maybe get a Birkin?!? How dare you! I’m calling my lawyer!”

That said, price fixing/collusion, price tying, and other antitrust stuff that I’ve forgotten are illegal. Not sure if the Hermes suit has any legs but it’ll be interesting to follow.

[Sgooter]

Never imagined that a sexually transmitted disease would become such a highly sought-after fashion item.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

The… horror.

[HHIslander]

The class consists of two people who will likely drop after getting a free bag.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

That’s funny.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by 904VT

I don’t think we need lawsuits, but I think their business will ultimately suffer as people move on. Even Rolex, doesn’t have that type of brand goodwill to constantly abuse/take for granted their customer base.

The Rolex buying experience has gotten exponentially worse. The salespeople at some of these shops act like high school kids getting back at their bullies in the only form of power they will likely ever have in their life, controlling Rolex Professional line allocation. Rolex is approaching the fatigue they had in late 5 digit time and pretty soon people will move on. For too long many have used Rolex like currency alternatives. That's a late market bubble right now. Rolex should've went upmarket instead of playing supply/demand games manufacturing artificial scarcity. Glad I have a Daytona and Submariner already because I won't be going back for any more.

I have moved on. After 50 years of brand loyalty I have become fatigued with the Rolex business model. Rather than just walk away, I am actively boycotting Rolex and telling friends and acquaintances that the brand has lost its way. The watches they manufacture aren’t worth the hassle to obtain them.

I’ll keep the watches I have, but my Rolex AD can pound sand if they expect me to drop another penny in their store.

[BraveBold]

Not my legal opinion (and not legal advice) but the suit will almost certainly fail.

I doubt they’ll even settle.

[enjoythemusic]

Rolex and dealers have been VERY fair, at least WoS / Mayors. SO imho this is definitely not a Rolex thing.

On the other hand, wonder how this will affect Richemont brands such as A. Lange & Sohne, as we know they did force package deals on their clients.

[Watchman001]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I have moved on. After 50 years of brand loyalty I have become fatigued with the Rolex business model. Rather than just walk away, I am actively boycotting Rolex and telling friends and acquaintances that the brand has lost its way. The watches they manufacture aren’t worth the hassle to obtain them.

I’ll keep the watches I have, but my Rolex AD can pound sand if they expect me to drop another penny in their store.

Totally agree. Big hassles and watches also losing their classic lines and becoming too plump for my taste. Would much rather have a 5 digit for a still somewhat reasonable price with no wait.

[Watchman001]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Rolex and dealers have been VERY fair, at least WoS / Mayors. SO imho this is definitely not a Rolex thing.

On the other hand, wonder how this will affect Richemont brands such as A. Lange & Sohne, as we know they did force package deals on their clients.

Yeah right. Wonder what your spend is on jewelry and other watch brands for such “fair” treatment.

[mini sub]

Originally Posted by Watchman001

Totally agree. Big hassles and watches also losing their classic lines and becoming too plump for my taste. Would much rather have a 5 digit for a still somewhat reasonable price with no wait.

Absolutely with you on this. Fat colourful shiny watches have attracted likewise.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Watchman001

Yeah right. Wonder what your spend is on jewelry and other watch brands for such “fair” treatment.

Not much, actually, though yes I love MANY brands. Get what we, wife and i, love. Should we not get other brands and goodies ??? Also have been a (relative) longtimer, plus sure they know am a true enthusiast. Nick loves the M.A.D.1 green and i wore it when seeing him recently, and there's the C1 Bel Canto (he wants the first-release blue dial). Am happy to lend 'em to him to wear if he wants. There's more, tho as you can see it's more 'personal' than just ____ .

If you're thinking cold-hearted 'by the numbers' for corporate, My wife and i are a 'sure thing' long, loooooong term. Smart companies do value long-term loyalty. We appreciate quality brands and service.

Look, fads come and go, where were many of you back in the 1990s? Am very grateful that horology (like vinyl LPs / turntables, and wait until you delve into reel-to-reel recordings and rare NOS vacuum tubes) are now 'hot', and hope increased production meeting modern demand can return to historic norms of supply/demand PROVIDED after-sales service remains appropriate for luxury goods.
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Plus my wife is really wonderful and fun to be around, loves our visits to Mayors / WoS. You should see the way she lights up a room. Frankly, they prob look fwd to seeing her more than me.

BTW if you've never been to the Wynn Vegas WoS store, do it.

Relax, have a delicious tropical drink

wristscan_7242851.jpg

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I have moved on. After 50 years of brand loyalty I have become fatigued with the Rolex business model. Rather than just walk away, I am actively boycotting Rolex and telling friends and acquaintances that the brand has lost its way. The watches they manufacture aren’t worth the hassle to obtain them.

I’ll keep the watches I have, but my Rolex AD can pound sand if they expect me to drop another penny in their store.

Originally Posted by Watchman001

Totally agree. Big hassles and watches also losing their classic lines and becoming too plump for my taste. Would much rather have a 5 digit for a still somewhat reasonable price with no wait.

Agree. I want watches to be part of my life, I don’t want my life to be about worrying how to purchase a watch. Some say go grey, those prices are all over the place too. Rolex should’ve just increased SS Professional model prices by 50% over 2016 thru 2019 to appropriately adjust to demand. They knew the demand was there long term to sustain those price levels. The reality is, they like selling a lot of Date Just models. They really don’t care about reselling, in fact they probably encourage it. They only really care about true grey market dealers that take watches across sales zones skipping dealer networks.

I think Omega and especially Grand Seiko are putting out some interesting alternatives in the luxury sports watch space. I think Rolex is stuck in this weird space where they’re tying to be AP Jr instead of Rolex. Imo being Rolex would be focusing on the SS Professional line where most buyers really want to purchase and then doing more innovative launches at the higher end and more frequently. Double Split Chrono, Minute Repeater, Perpetual Calendar options pushing boundaries. Instead it’s painfully obvious they care most about selling $25k to $40k watches almost exclusively. Which ultimately ends up with some pretty boring watches for the majority of buyers.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Not much, actually, though yes I love MANY brands. Get what we, wife and i, love. Should we not get other brands and goodies ??? Also have been a (relative) longtimer, plus sure they know am a true enthusiast. Nick loves the M.A.D.1 green and i wore it when seeing him, and there's the C1 Bel Canto (he wants the first-release blue dial). Am happy to lend 'em to him to wear if he wants. There's more, tho as you can see it's more 'personal' than just ____ .

If you're thinking cold-hearted 'by the numbers' for corporate, My wife and i are a 'sure thing' long, loooooong term. Smart companies do value long-term loyalty. We appreciate quality brands and service.

Look, fads come and go, where were many of you back in the 1990s? Am very grateful that horology (like vinyl LPs / turntables, and wait until you delve into reel-to-reel recordings and rare NOS vacuum tubes) are now 'hot', and hope increased production meeting modern demand can return to historic norms of supply/demand PROVIDED after-sales service remains appropriate for luxury goods.
.
.
.

Plus my wife is really wonderful and fun to be around, loves our visits to Mayors / WoS. You should see the way she lights up a room. Frankly, they prob look fwd to seeing her more than me.

BTW if you've never been to the Wynn Vegas store, do it.

I think it’s kind of a divisive issue, the whole jumping the line thing, but it’s a different world. Early 2000 you could go into a store and buy things like Rolex. The AD was happy to sell to you and everything was fine.

Everything changed for various reasons. Personally if I was still buying watches, I may pay a premium or suck up to jump to the top of the list to get what I wanted but certainly not anymore. I think it’s kind of demeaning, but such is life. It also depends on your resources if you’d buy some lesser watch to get the one you want.

Now I see the whole purse/watch chasers-thing as fashion victims more than I see them as elite movers and shakers. You paid what????

Reminds me of the movie The Magic Christian…..what nasty hoops can you get people to jump through and humiliate themselves to get what they think they want/have to have.

But that’s just me. I also think it’s age related…..circle of life stuff. The world changes, and you also change, not necessarily in sync.

[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I have moved on. After 50 years of brand loyalty I have become fatigued with the Rolex business model. Rather than just walk away, I am actively boycotting Rolex and telling friends and acquaintances that the brand has lost its way. The watches they manufacture aren’t worth the hassle to obtain them.

I’ll keep the watches I have, but my Rolex AD can pound sand if they expect me to drop another penny in their store.

Agree, it’s toxic and I ain’t going to sell my soul to anyone.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I think it’s kind of a divisive issue, the whole jumping the line thing, but it’s a different world. Early 2000 you could go into a store and buy things like Rolex. The AD was happy to sell to you and everything was fine.

Totally agree, and the 1990s Asian financial crisis made for easier availability. Remember when if one NYC / LA / Germany / etc store didn't have it, they ask for you to wait, enjoy some champagne / soda, as their runner is bringing it from another location in 15 minutes (usually took 20 to 30 minutes, but it arrived).

Now I see the whole purse/watch chasers-thing as fashion victims more than I see them as elite movers and shakers. You paid what????

The way today's (broad) society consumes 'luxury goods and services' has increased at a mind-boggling rate in the past handful of years; this has been nothing short of breathtaking imho. Some sectors have 'done better' than others, though they've also become a liability in various ways too.

Years ago rode subways in various parts of the world wearing a Patek 3970er or the new 5035rg. Would still do, yet long sleeves and with far more attention to my surroundings, and even then...

Never saw that movie.

The world changes, you also change, not necessarily in sync.

We live in interesting times.

(With a bit of emotional reminiscing) i do miss the 'old days', we all seemed to have more time. My relationship with ADs was more personal. David at H. Stern NYC (older location) always had a welcoming smile and time to chat about horology, family, and worldly places. Sure there were fewer of us, imho it felt more like we were... family.

Maybe I'm just an old romantic. I love passionate romance.