My AD confirmed me as #1 on ze list
If the bezel is the same as the WG then its colours are a lot more delicate than in all these pictures.
My AD confirmed me as #1 on ze list
There's not a fixed number of Rolex watches produced because of some cosmological constant. They can choose to make more.
It's also not as easy as assuming that Rolex are selling everything and therefore have no incentive to change it - certainly it's nowhere near this bad in any other market, so if their strategists intended it to be like this, it'd probably be like this everywhere. The situation in the UK has arisen because Rolex have chosen not to respond to events that have impacted the UK luxury goods market in the short and medium term. They have not increased supply here, nor have they increased prices in our market. They are leaving money on the table to avoid appearing reactionary, which is a legitimate strategy, but it's become so bad that they are undoubtedly alienating an indeterminable number of prospective customers. It's hard to argue that that is ever a good idea in the long term. No brand's preeminence is unassailable.
You can walk into ADs in many parts of the world and find hulks and BLNRs, for example, in the case, at rrp.
For the sake of clarity, I'm not having a go at anyone other than Rolex HQ. I think they are scoring an own-goal right now in the UK market.
Last edited by Fisi; 22nd March 2018 at 18:47.
I travel extensively throughout Europe and where ever I go, Rolex is in short supply as the ADs have less in stock now than they had had for several years.
If you own a Rolex, you are sitting on an appreciating asset and that encourages them to buy more, hence the current sight of WISs scrambling over each other to place a reserve on the latest GMT.
Rolex are, and always have been, the Past Masters in the art of marketing. To be honest I just wish I could buy shares in them.
I don’t think that’s the case though - there’s a global shortage of these models (+ Daytona). And the shortage is what creates the demand that ensures they sell out each year. Why do they not increase production? Because as the watches become more easily available, they don’t sell as well - look at the Rolex models that are easy to get hold of.
What I’m surprised by is the fact they haven’t bumped the price up by more globally - that’s where they’re leaving $$$ on the table.
Cable is trading at 1.4100 today - it’s climbed back up the cliff it fell off after the brexit referendum so the pricing differential isn’t as significant as it was.
This used to be the case, however much less so recently. One of my very good friends with a strong buying history (multiple Rolex, Tudor, BP, etc) at his AD had to wait six months for a ND Sub. This occurred in the USA, outside of the major tourist destination cities. That's unheard of here.
My local AD as already closed the list
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There will absolutely come a time when things change, times get harder, the economy turns (whatever). All these silly waiting lists and ridiculous scenarios where you have to beg an AD to buy a watch and part with thousands will be put into perspective. People have long memories and these AD's and watch manufacturers will hopefully look back a be regretting there current policies. I won't have any sympathy ....
In the meantime......
I've just taken 'my' AD's family as hostages. They will be returned safely in exchange for a Pepsi GMT.
Interesting, was going to head into them tomorrow. Bought my 14060M from the oxford branch and 2 tudors from reading. Might call them first to see if I even qualify for the proper list before heading in. I can show I’ve still got them if it helps!
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I was waiting to be seen at one of the Newcastle AD’s this evening to put my name down for the Tudor GMT (I don’t think I like Rolex) and the assistants conversation went like this.
“Yes you can go on a list.....”
“No idea when....”
“You’ll need to come in in person I’m afraid....”
“You’d be number 37 and we may only get one every 3-4months.....”
“Yes I realise that could be 12 years.....”
OUCH!!
When she came to see to me I said “Basel Rolex Pepsi GMT?” And all she said was “All day!”
Joe
I’ve seen many sought after SS Rolex watches listed on Gumtree in the last few months said to have been purchased very recently from Goldsmiths, M&W etc or showing the guarantee card with the Aurum name. More often than not these were described as fully stickered and unsized/unworn. Their sales are certainly finding their way into the grey market. None have said the guarantee card has been withheld.
“A true tool watch” she says!
On a jubilee bracelet and likely to cost most buyers well over £7,000.
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Yes I am on the list so to speak. My AD said that its VIP customers then customers based on sales history and noting to do with first come first served. Doesn’t matter how quickly you called them. Assures me i will have one. We shall see.
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Well, to break down your post into the two specific parts....i) Another financial down turn/recession - Sure, that will of course happen as it is a natural order of things in, usually, a 10-12 year cycle. ii) Rolex AD's struggling to sell watches/Long waiting lists not existing/"hard to get watches" becoming freely available (paraphrasing your gist here) - No a chance in hell IMO.
Rolex are the masters in managing demand/supply for their product and that just isn't going to change anytime soon, or ever. As they aren't a business they simply don't need to chase sales as traditional business does for revenue/market share etc.
I hear what your saying but it just doesn't make sense. Buyers and sellers create the market in which Rolex operates in.
So if you agree there will be a downturn which you rightly do, then demand for luxury goods will tank (always first to go). This means less people wanting to spend £6k on a watch. Those lists will become a distant memory and you'll even be able to get a discount on your Rolex purchase. I know its scary but it's true
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Indeed, I have seen the WG model in the flesh. I think we all perceive colour differently but the blue has certainly always looked very purple to my eye. When you see the BLNR it shows what a sharp blue looks like. Pics below show the pair in the same light.
Don’t think I’m colour blind, or maybe I am
Anyway, not a deal breaker for me just saying what I see.
Nice but I've never liked Jubilee bracelets...too much stretch over time and it can only take that bracelet. No Oyster which is a pity which would make a proper "tool watch" to quote the "bored" lady in video.
It is likely to cost best part of £8k (8,800sF =£6,500 plus VAT=£7,800).
You are absolutely correct - the pepsi bezel is made by putting the blue part over the red part...the effect is that under UV light the blue turns red and in sun light it has quite strong purple hues...not sure about that!
There is a video by Revolution on YouTube about the Rolex BW releases, the presenters are a bit annoying, but it shows/describes the "bubblegum" effect clearly
Economical movements are a given. "demand for luxury goods to tank" - that is not proven, but is just a perception/hope in this case. As someone that runs a business in this sector (Luxury goods/HNW) it's something I have seen up close for 12-13 years.
As for Rolex you seem to forget the clear market trajectory over many recent here.......how long ago was it that you could a) buy any Rolex Professional S/S watch out of the AD window display? b) How much did it cost? and c) Was a discount freely available on said product?
Even if the hallowed "waiting lists" are a figment of imagination that run to 20/50/100+?! people taking a watch like the GMT II Master Pepsi at £6,800 you can be assured that the AD's/Rolex will easily sell 2-4 units per year at full RRP and manage the supply through any economic downturn that may occur.
It's fine to hark back to times past (or cling onto the hope they return to your own benefit) but in this market what might have happened many years ago is not an automatic cycle to be repeated...which is kind of your assertion/hope.
Happy to be proven wrong and I'll take any bet on it too if you want?!?!
I agree; the BLRO has always looked more purple/pink than blue/red to me too. That’s why I would have preferred to see a coke bezel with the colour as defined as on an aluminium bezel.
Again, it wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me either but I’m not on any lists and quite happy with my 16710.
I can assure you I'm not hoping the economy tanks so I have a chance to buy a Rolex which is what you seem to be inferring lol
The point is a general one and you need to make a distinction between HNW individuals (who will only moderately adjust their spending in a downturn) and the average chap who simply wants to buy a Rolex and who would never consider it if his job was in danger due to a recession.
Demand for Rolex stainless steel models is not currently coming from HNW individuals. The queue of people filling out forms outside Canary Wharf WOS yesterday was not HNW people. Without the demand coming from the majority of average WIS, luxury goods demand tanks.
And yes i would bet on it happening. The issue is one of timescales
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Last edited by ataripower; 23rd March 2018 at 10:34.
Last edited by spuds; 23rd March 2018 at 10:28. Reason: typo....
Ooh, that could put a few people off! (I’m not into soccer btw)
Was trying to think of a more appropriate name than Pepsi... The Rolex ‘hammer’? Could be a good ribbing for an Arsenal supporter wearing one! Showing their true colours?
Be interesting if the sun light ever fades the ‘blue’ not sure ceramic does though?
Comedy gold there;
"average chap who simply wants to buy a Rolex" PMSL
Show me an "average chap" who wants/will/can afford/justify any new Rolex purchase for £7,000+ (or whatever) and I'll show you millions that don't even have a car worth that much and would never, ever entertain spending such a vast sum on any watch whatsoever.
We, as in watch fans, find ways to easily (in some cases) or with great hardship or financial savvy (again some cases) to purchase expensive watches that cost thousands of pounds to feed our hobby/interest. As for the people at WoS in Canary Wharf did you actually question (or know) their financial status to know what it was? I suspect not.
I did not actually say that HNW individuals (my point here was understanding the luxury goods market/s and any consumer that engages with it - HNW or otherwise) are driving this market at all but people with a) the disposable income b) with the means/access to funds or c) extending themselves with a credit facility to purchase are doing so (WIS or not).........which means there is a broad spectrum of people buying the watches in a number of different ways.
What I suspect you might be alluding to (perhaps?) is people buying these watches that cannot really afford them and selling for instant gain? And yes some of those buyers must be in the market but I'd wager to no great degree at all. And yes if there is a recession people will moderate their spending but if you want real evidence you need only look to the worst financial downturn in 100 years from 2008-2012/2013............factually speaking in that time the sales of Rolex watches (and whilst we are here, many other high level luxury brands as well - LV/Gucci/PP etc - did not "tank" at all) did not decline/waiting lists still existed/people paid list price for their watch........and that was even the case as Rolex reduced their number of franchises to weed out the ones not on side so to speak.
Either way if you really think these watches (S/S Professional Rolex) will be, as you asserted earlier, freely available/without any wait lists and discounted I will take any bet you care to make.
Quote me happy on the bet/timescales and you have a deal!!!!
Have a good weekend
Again not quite factually correct.
I had more disposable income then ever before during the financial crises from 2008-2013 because interest rates were rock bottom and I was lucky enough to have a job. It was not a true recession in historical terms for that reason and anyone who had a mortgage (that was not fixed high) would have been in the same position. Try looking at the statistics for the recession in the early 90's. Suspect you will get a different view
I think this behaviour is awful. As a new Rolex customer you're allowed to buy the watches in the window that don't sell very well but only people the AD deem worthy can have new or in demand models. Terrible, elitist behaviour. I know the topic has been done to death here and I'm bored of it too but it just winds me up.
I'd much prefer to buy from here.
I paid £650 for my car from SC and it came with half a tank of diesel! I've put ~20000 miles on it and it's cost me fuel, one bulb and a pair of tyres.
It leaves me with the dilemma now of buying either a Pelagos, a Sea Dweller (if I can find a dealer who'll sell me one) or waiting for the new Seamaster (on which they've put the date in the wrong place).
I bought two SS sport Rolex around 2010, give or take a bit. An LV sub and a DSSD. On each there was no wait and I got a discount from retail.
Not being an economist I cannot comment upon any implications that may be drawn from this, if any.
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Never jumped at the prospect of a new release before. Had a quick look at the Rolex site on Wednesday at around 1pm and saw the new GMT.
Gave my local AD a call and was asked if I had purchased Rolex from them before and as others have said nothing happening over the phone.
I nipped in and was asked when and what Rolex I had purchased from them. I was then offered a card to complete with my details, that was taken into the back office.
Am I on the list, no idea! Do I expect to be in receipt of said watch at some point this year. No.
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Nice body swerve there.........sure, 2008-2012/3 was a cake walk and was not a recession at all......interest rates are not the only factor in any study of an economic period....
So, moving on...your bet, the specific terms and the stated timescales please. Thank you!
I do like Rolex and am lucky enough to have owned a few in the last couple years, but this behaviour of not being able to get on a list for whatever reason or being able to buy because they just never become available at rrp to mortals, is starting to switch me off from the brand i hate to say. Maybe keeping the warranty card and papers for the whole warranty period and you have to notify the holding AD of a change of ownership might deter the people who buy to sell at a profit because of any old excuse that its not for them, but market fprces prevail so its 3k more than i paid scenario.
Its just so disheartening and frustrating.
I can't see how this is the ADs fault. They're swamped with demand, they've a pitiful supply, and they're not allowed to vary the price.
Imagine you've been a loyal customer with them for years, and you go in to enquire about the new steel Scout Master II, and the manager says, "oh yeah we had one of those, but we sold it to this bloke who just happened to be passing when we put it in the window."
I think the strength of the feelings you would have then would eclipse the complaints seen on threads like these.
ADs and everyone else could save a whole lot of hassle by not maintaining lists.
Then, when new stock arrives put it in the window and let the first punter who sees it buy it.
The cost of hiring extra security for the stampede would probably be prohibitive
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I can’t agree with that. They are a business and will look after their regular customers first so in a way it is a loyalty thing. They would far rather sell to a long standing client who they know will wear and enjoy the watch than some random buyer who could be flipping it for all they know.