Just called an AD in the Trafford Centre who I recently got a Deep Sea 50th from to see if I could get on a waiting list for a GMT Pepsi. Not possible as they have closed their list with 50 people and at 2 watches a year released to them would be 25 years!!!
I waited nearly two for my Deep Sea but imagine half the people at least on the list if you pulled one out wouldn't be interested.
Nothing I can do but it is madness.
Minor first world irritation.
I bet that if you were buying a Platinum Day / Date at the same time you'd suddenly find the waiting list shortening dramatically!
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I also believe this to be the case. I will never know as can’t afford a platinum anyway. LOL.Originally Posted by adg31
If any Watch is a “must have” it’s cheaper to buy grey at a premium than buy 30-50 k of watches you either don’t need or cant afford to get ‘the one’.
I remember when some golf clubs here were closed to new members in the 90’s and one had to wait for a member to die to get considered.
Actually, it's cheaper to if you to put your name down with a local AD and be patient. If it's a "must have" then it will be all the more pleasurable when you finally get it.
There seems to be little or no advantage with putting your name down on multiple lists either as the ADs prioritise local people over those living outside of the local postcode area.
In my humble opinion, anyone that does buy £30-£50k of watches that will almost certainly depreciate just to get their hands on a stainless steel sports watch needs their head examined. Likewise anyone who is so desperate for a particular watch that they are willing to pay a 32% premium just to get one immediately. There is/was a 2018 Sub date on Watchfinder going for £8250 if someone IS willing to pay the premium.
You mean more profit?
For whom? I’m not interested in selling mine at all.
The whole restricted supply / waiting list situation really doesn't sit well with me, saying that, Rolex are probably delighted with the outcome.
Half the reason people want those models is because of the cast iron (or stainless steel) residuals..... due in part because of their relative scarcity.
But a lot of people seem to be from this new ‘entitled’ generation who have come to believe they are entitled to anything that takes their fancy.
Awwww..... poor dears, not enough new Rolex to go around.
I visited an AD today, and was told there’s no such thing as restricted supply... Rolex have just introduced a 3rd shift in an effort to manufacture more watches.
He assured me, he doesn’t have a secret stash of desirable models sitting in the safe, waiting for high value clients to come in and buy..
They operate a list of favoured local clients, and if non of them want a particular model, it goes in the window.
Deep sea is no where near as desirable mate, it’s just the way these ads are, there all the same, build up a relationship and hope for the best, unfortunately people who are getting most of these watches are selling on for huge profits, it’s very frustrating but just the way it is!
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Understand it is the way it is. I won't loose any sleep over it.. Now at the time of life where I can afford some luxuries and will carry on looking for an original GMT Pepsi. The DEep Sea 50th was it was the year I turned 50 so sentimental, yeah surrendered the card but never going to sell it. Anyway its hard enough getting a Submariner! Ridiculous supply and demand issue.
Tell me about it, had an AD refuse me on a list when I want to spend £30k on a watch is really confusing to me, only looking at new Pepsi model? I have a 2002 one and would never sell it, probably best watch I have.
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Hi
I walked into my local AD on the off chance yesterday and asked if they had any SS Sports in stock ( no previous relationship and not on any waiting list either )....and this appeared on the counter along with a GMT:
I went and grabbed some lunch...
Best - Neil
A few points spring to my mind. None of which may be of interest.
Have you considered you may get a better response by doing a face to face request to be put on the list. Its easier to fob someone off over the phone than to refuse them in person. Plus if you take in some pictures of your other watches you would show you are a collector and not just a flipper looking to be listed.
Does it have to be the Rolex GMT pepsi, other pepsi's and makers of GMT are available, and for the money they are asking you could get plenty of GMT complications from both mid and high luxury tier makers. Secondhand Breitling's are half the price, while secondhand JLC's are in the ball park.
This madness will only stop when people start shopping with their feet.
Seems desperate to take in photos, how will they know they're yours anyway?
I'd just wear one of them, maybe mention any others (ask about servicing or something).
I couldnt agree more, the Tudor GMT is a superb reference and Ive not taken mine off since receiving it in June
Im not taking photos in! I just got my watch from them, knowing there would be a wait I thought get on early. Anyway I am in the market for the older one as I just think its a beautiful watch. Will keep an eye out I guess, seen a few on here but always too late.
You are competing with A LOT of big spenders at that goldsmiths.
By the way they have had 4 Pepsi’s so far
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Haha! I only want one!
Good point about competing, they did say they have a lot of Chinese tourists spending big money. But it was interesting that they suggested they wouldn't put someone on a list who was not local. All smoke and mirrors as far as I can see.
It’s amazing how they magically appear from the safe for people spending big but it’s all part of he game I guess!
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I’ve been trying to buy a new Sub Date for over a month can’t find an AD with one. Utter madness
Tenerife bud!!
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I just don't see it that way!
The guy in the AD told me until a watch is sold and the warranty registered, they can't ask Rolex for another.
It is my belief that they just want it out of the door as soon as possible, and if you happen to walk in at just the right moment it's yours.
You can be their best customer, but if you're on holiday for a fortnight, they are not going to wait.
As for "the list" it's just names on a piece of paper … you don't move up the order, if anything you just get forgotten about and slip down through lack of contact.
Steels sports watches are ‘allocation pieces’ and they already know how many they will get for the year so it’s not something they can order in.
As for watches the AD needs to ask for this is believable for watches such as Oysterflex Daytona’s as the shortage has even hit certain PM pieces.
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If they really want to sell them, put them in the window.
I don’t agree with any of this. They are not going to sell a Daytona or Pepsi to some random chap that wanders in because their best customer is in Benidorm for a week!
In the main the majority of SS professional watches are spoken for months in advance. Good long term clients will in the main be a priority as they’ve got a track record for spending, then it will be people on ‘the list’ if of course that list exists at all. There will also be a third group who offer to buy X amount as well to get the watch they want.
The last time I saw a so called ‘hard to get’ watch in a window was in Truro July last year. It rarely gets that far now.
My AD assured me they’d had two and I was next to get one , went in a few weeks ago and they’ve had four now but I’m still waiting.
Make of that what you will , personally I think it’s pretty poor customer relations with a long standing customer.
Yup it’s not an ideal situation but these things happen all the time. My AD doesn’t even have a list yet and won’t accept deposits for the Pepsi.
I can’t complain though as I put my name down for a black sky dweller a month and half ago which I received it yesterday. I was 4th on the list and I doubt they’ve received 4 since then especially as I was quoted a December delivery date.
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Those list are nothing more than a joke
Lists are a myth
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Pretty much mate.
Not at all AD’s..
Mine said I’d get the second SD50, as far as I’m aware I got the second SD50. They actually called me up when the first one came in to see if I’d like to take a look, which I did.. They wouldn’t sell it to me as the first on the list had confirmed he’d be collecting within a day or so...
They then said I’d get the second GMT Pepsi, as far as I’m aware I got the 2nd Pepsi...
Did the first on the list offer you (2nd on the list) his watch for a small drink of let's say ….. 4 grand?
Nope.... but I’ve been in to the AD this morning, and I was mistaken I got the 3rd GMT...👍😜Did the first on the list offer you (2nd on the list) his watch for a small drink of let's say ….. 4 grand?
What's Lacazette thinking?
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i agree with fezz if I wanted a Rolex sub but bought an omega instead because I didn't want to wait I would always be reminded it wasn't a sub and would never be totally happy with it but that's just me cos only a subs a sub
2-3 weeks ago I went into my AD and enquired about how long they thought it would be before I would get to the top of the list for a Submariner date. I was advised that it would probably be the spring before one came up and I made plans accordingly.
Imagine my surprise when last Wednesday I had the call! I picked it up yesterday. The AD said that they prioritise people on the list that lived in the local postcode area. I think it's probably the same for other ADs. So, if you've got your name on several lists then I'm not sure it will make much difference.
They kept the papers and stickers (I have a photocopy), which I will get in a year's time. That doesn't bother me as I was told about this when I got the call.
Something I'm struggling to understand; if the list are just made up then why would they refuse to add people? Plus a four year wait is basically the same as saying "sod off, we don't want your business and you'll never get one".
Simple, to create and reinforce the perception of scarcity in key markets!
In this way you end up with your customers clamouring to pay full retail for your products so that they can then boast to their friends on social media about how they have managed to get the latest hard to obtain model from their wonderful AD thanks to their special relationship!
My guess is that there will be less margin on the stainless steel sports models than bimetal or precious metal versions. These stainless steel sports models already have a long established following in the market which they can increase further by more actively using our brand ambassadors to promote thus creating still greater demand.
They can then reduce availability which will serve to create more noise in the market which in turn helps to drive the ultimate perceived desirability of a product - which is what selling luxury goods is all about. If everyone can have one it is, by definition, no longer a luxury product. As such, prices will come under pressure which ultimately erodes margins.
However, my guess would be that they are also trying to drive traffic to the bimetal Rolex equivalents which coincidentally seem to have maintained much better availability throughout - along with their higher price point.
This looks like near perfect marketing strategy to my eyes!
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Last edited by adg31; 20th August 2018 at 10:47.
Fair point. I wonder if the longer game is for them to increase production and have a massive year of sales, or to push the prices up toward Patek/AP territory.
Maybe this is just a pump to get people into the PM models but gold/TT watches don't seem to be fashionable at the moment.
A lot of speculation on the reason behind the SS professional shortage, either through higher demand or Rolex management manipulation. One of the reasons speculated on is to drive buyers into the Rolex PM range and the higher margins that gives back to AD’s and Rolex, only time and hard figures would be able to back that claim up but with residuals( always seems to be factor for Rolex buyers right now) on the SS range giving a profit or a least a break even on certain models, the same cannot be said of the PM models were buyers will certainly take a hit. Sales of PM models might be good for Rolex and the AD but for buyers they will never be as attractive as the SS range if value retention is important to your purchase choice.
It's like Hermes Birkin Handbags, except for men and unlike the handbags, the parts are fully machine made. For some, scarcity will be an attraction I suppose, and I'm not deluded enough to think that Rolex is alone in doing this, but for me, it's too obvious.
It reeks of a bunch of brand management executives carefully crafting a scarcity to optimize margins, rather than some kind of authentic reason for a limited production. Which is a shame because they're lovely watches.
I agree; my perception is that the Rolex of today is made by managers as opposed to watch enthusiasts giving them a rather clinical soulless feeling.
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Last edited by adg31; 20th August 2018 at 11:58.
I tend to agree with klockodile.
It is something I've never done and something I'll never do in the future either.
What a palava. Has everyone lost all perspective? Or gone mad?
It’s just a steel watch, a mass produced, machined watch from a mid tier manufacturer, that is all.
True but it doesn’t make me want them less!
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