Zero Rolex inventory in Vegas
This isn’t news by any means. But since I am in Las Vegas this week for a conference for work I figured, why not try and see if I can find anything. I mean, it’s Vegas!! Any thing can happen.
Yesterday I visited 4 Rolex sellers (two ADs and two Botiques). In particular I told them I was looking for a 40mm Explorer 1 or a Date Sub. None had any inventory. But they were all very kind and took my info in case they could accommodate me before I leave on Friday.
What’s crazier is between this trip and my trip to Texas last week that’s 5 Rolex sellers I’ve visited who haven’t even seen the new 42mm titanium Yacht Master. The rep at the boutique next to Watches of Switzerland said she had only seen one in person and that was on the wrist of a customer. I asked and she confirmed, that customer owns nearly one of every other Rolex model as well so he gets priority on new releases.
I was finally able to try on the 40mm Explorer 1, and I hate to say, it fit like an absolute dream. Even better than the Sub Date. It’s a beautiful watch.
Given that Rolex shuts down for the last two weeks of December they are all less than hopeful that any new inventory will be arriving while I am here.
I have to say, this may have turned me off to Rolex completely. I had no expectations that I’d find anything, and I’m well aware of the state of things with the company. But the exercise of visiting 4 stores and hearing the same thing from all of them made me feel like I was in the world of make believe and wishful thinking. It’s not a good feeling as a customer. My AD back home has me on the list for a sub date and said maybe by the end of the year or early next year. But I feel pretty soured on the brand after visiting 4 sellers with zero inventory available.
That said, I did get to try on some Moser watches and man are the gorgeous. Maybe that’s what comes home with me from this trip. TBD.
Update: https://www.watchcrunch.com/BigIona/posts/so-here-s-the-thing-266434
Somewhat new to the collecting community, but pretty far down the rabbit hole already…
It really is quite a pathetic state of affairs. Maybe move into discontinued models on the used market If a Rolex is wanted.
lol what a bizarre company
lol what a bizarre company
not bizarre, veblen.
they can sell 3000 pound/dollar whatever watches for 10,000 or more
ramping up production makes them more available and so cheaper and less desirable.
the customers have brought this on themselves by believing all the hype and marketing.
sympathy none - there are plenty of great timepieces in store of you have rolex money to spend.
Let’s not pretend that when you get the call you aren’t going to get the Explorer 1 and post “Got the call!!!” like everyone else.
They make great watches that look and feel great. And that Explorer you will get one day. Is going to look amazing on your wrist.
Let’s not pretend that when you get the call you aren’t going to get the Explorer 1 and post “Got the call!!!” like everyone else.
They make great watches that look and feel great. And that Explorer you will get one day. Is going to look amazing on your wrist.
This is precisely why I don’t criticise them. Because I want the watch regardless of the drama surrounding it. Since I’ve got my Datejust in July, I have worn it every chance I get and don’t see that changing anytime soon.
I don’t want a Rolex for the hype or status or whatever other nonsense reason people claim, I just really like the watches.
Next on the list, a GMT II…
This is precisely why I don’t criticise them. Because I want the watch regardless of the drama surrounding it. Since I’ve got my Datejust in July, I have worn it every chance I get and don’t see that changing anytime soon.
I don’t want a Rolex for the hype or status or whatever other nonsense reason people claim, I just really like the watches.
Next on the list, a GMT II…
I’d venture to say criticizing the brand and the watches are 2 different topics.
This is precisely why I don’t criticise them. Because I want the watch regardless of the drama surrounding it. Since I’ve got my Datejust in July, I have worn it every chance I get and don’t see that changing anytime soon.
I don’t want a Rolex for the hype or status or whatever other nonsense reason people claim, I just really like the watches.
Next on the list, a GMT II…
I want the new two tone GMT II
I’d venture to say criticizing the brand and the watches are 2 different topics.
I’d agree with you but for countless posts and comments I’ve seen conflating the two here on WC.
“I will never buy a Rolex because of the AD” type thing.
I want the new two tone GMT II
I’ve had that in the wrist. It’s stunning. But I don’t wear gold so just steel for me will do!
I’d agree with you but for countless posts and comments I’ve seen conflating the two here on WC.
“I will never buy a Rolex because of the AD” type thing.
I believe it’s gotten so bad though that they are one in the same because the AD is the only place you can get a new one at retail. So I think there’s plenty of blame to go around for ADs and Rolex business model. I’d say for many that don’t want to play purchase history games at an AD, the better route is to purchase second hand at this point. Like I don’t 3 want watches and 9 months of waiting to buy a submariner.
not bizarre, veblen.
they can sell 3000 pound/dollar whatever watches for 10,000 or more
ramping up production makes them more available and so cheaper and less desirable.
the customers have brought this on themselves by believing all the hype and marketing.
sympathy none - there are plenty of great timepieces in store of you have rolex money to spend.
Not sure I follow your argument, but let’s have a go:
1 - person A likes watch Z
2 - millions of other people also like watch Z
3 - watch Z is therefore hard to buy
4 - person A is frustrated by the wait time
Ipso facto - person A is to blame for the wait time and popularity of watch Z!!!?
Rotundus - it’s OK for you to just say “I don’t like Rolex”. It’s totally acceptable, much easier, less weirdly aggressive, and more logically coherent.
Never had to buy watches I didn't want and yes I had to wait. It wasn't like the earth stopped spinning and life sucked during the months before the AD reached out with an Explorer. I rarely thought about it and had plenty of other opportunities to be grateful without letting a first world problem wreck my sense of well being. I'm currently waiting for a no date Sub and feel zero sense of frustration. In the meantime I'm crushing on Bulgari.
Never had to buy watches I didn't want and yes I had to wait. It wasn't like the earth stopped spinning and life sucked during the months before the AD reached out with an Explorer. I rarely thought about it and had plenty of other opportunities to be grateful without letting a first world problem wreck my sense of well being. I'm currently waiting for a no date Sub and feel zero sense of frustration. In the meantime I'm crushing on Bulgari.
it’s not difficult to get an air king or an explorer. My point is if somebody just wants a GMT master, it will be hard to do without a purchase history.
Never had to buy watches I didn't want and yes I had to wait. It wasn't like the earth stopped spinning and life sucked during the months before the AD reached out with an Explorer. I rarely thought about it and had plenty of other opportunities to be grateful without letting a first world problem wreck my sense of well being. I'm currently waiting for a no date Sub and feel zero sense of frustration. In the meantime I'm crushing on Bulgari.
Don’t disagree. Just saying on a trip like this in a city designed for the luxury shopping experience it’s a sad experience to hit 4 stores and have nothing available.
I believe it’s gotten so bad though that they are one in the same because the AD is the only place you can get a new one at retail. So I think there’s plenty of blame to go around for ADs and Rolex business model. I’d say for many that don’t want to play purchase history games at an AD, the better route is to purchase second hand at this point. Like I don’t 3 want watches and 9 months of waiting to buy a submariner.
Personally I would never pay above retail for anything. Saying that I’ve built my purchase history (which is still relatively small) organically. Never been pressured to buy anything and bought at my own pace and will.
The reason I can’t jump on the AD bashing bandwagon is because the person I’ve dealt with since day one has been brilliant. From the first time I walked into the store, he got me a Rolex OP within 3 weeks with £0 spend. Since then our ‘relationship’ has developed and I enjoy every visit to my AD.
In an area similar to where I live (not a tourist city) that totally makes sense. But I’d heard rumors that because the Vegas strip serves non-locals as their primary demographic that the chances would be higher if walking in and finding one. Maybe it’s true and I just had bad timing, or maybe it’s not true. Seems impossible to know the truth as a consumer.
It depends on the person you're chatting with but my rep told me the reason why she sold it to me and it was exactly as I described haha
I honestly don’t understand the whole “I’m on the waitlist” thing. There are plenty of grey market dealers that sell most of the Rolex models at roughly retail price, some under, some a little over. Personally, I could care less where it comes from as long as it is 100% . Thats not even getting into the mint pre-owned market. If I have Rolex money to spend, I’m not waiting on some AD to grace me with a watch after a two year wait. Just my dos centavos.
I’ve had great experiences too. I’m just pointing out that many others that’s not the case.
I think part of it is that people aren’t willing to accept the reality of the situation and act shocked when they aren’t offered the watch they want immediately.
Some ADs don’t entertain every walk-in but if I put myself in their shoes, there’s only so much I can do in a day and once in a while a customer might not get the best version of me. It happens in every workplace.
I honestly don’t understand the whole “I’m on the waitlist” thing. There are plenty of grey market dealers that sell most of the Rolex models at roughly retail price, some under, some a little over. Personally, I could care less where it comes from as long as it is 100% . Thats not even getting into the mint pre-owned market. If I have Rolex money to spend, I’m not waiting on some AD to grace me with a watch after a two year wait. Just my dos centavos.
I agree. Problem is some of the models aren’t the same as retail price. 8k premium is not a little over it’s a lot over.
Not sure I follow your argument, but let’s have a go:
1 - person A likes watch Z
2 - millions of other people also like watch Z
3 - watch Z is therefore hard to buy
4 - person A is frustrated by the wait time
Ipso facto - person A is to blame for the wait time and popularity of watch Z!!!?
Rotundus - it’s OK for you to just say “I don’t like Rolex”. It’s totally acceptable, much easier, less weirdly aggressive, and more logically coherent.
are you suggesting the market is in a stable state, because I don't think it is.
re 3: millions of people don't like watch Z. many people like that others can't buy watch Z due to a perfect alignment of (un)fortunate events causing boredom, shortages and cheap cash and as a consequence money can, or rather could, be made with a quick flip of watch Z.
re 4: now that it has become evident (I would say at least) that this state is not sustainable, person A is frustrated that it is taking so long to get back to equilibrium as watch Z is still being traded back and forth between people who don't like it one bit. the best example is perhaps the palm dial datejust. 80% of listings on chrono24 are unworn...
maybe I just don't get what you are saying because I'm not even sure if agree or disagree with Rotundus 😮 too many big words
IMO Las Vegas is literally the worst place to attempt to get a new Rolex from an AD (any AD in LV). They cater only to big spending clientele who fly in from all over the world to drop loads of cash in the casinos on a regular basis and walk-ins won’t get a second look. Believe me I’ve tried.
You’d have better luck dropping into a locally-owned AD in a smaller town outside of the big cities.
You do realize the explorers are trading not far off from retail? What you would pay at an AD, including tax, is likely what you can get from a grey dealer if you pay cash/wire. Problem solved.
Let’s not pretend that when you get the call you aren’t going to get the Explorer 1 and post “Got the call!!!” like everyone else.
They make great watches that look and feel great. And that Explorer you will get one day. Is going to look amazing on your wrist.
Funniest thing happened today….
Funniest thing happened today….
Oh damn. It’s happening!!! It’s a great watch my man. It really is
Oh damn. It’s happening!!! It’s a great watch my man. It really is
It happened. Picked it up about an hour ago. Really surprised the AD here texted me that he had one available. They got one this week and like 3 people had to pass on it because they couldn’t collect within 24 hours. Guess Lady Luck was on my side after all.
And yes, it’s beautiful.
Photos!!! We want photos!!! And you have to do the Post man. You have to. And no one will blame you!!!
Photos!!! We want photos!!! And you have to do the Post man. You have to. And no one will blame you!!!
Here she is.
And I will do a post 😁
Here she is.
And I will do a post 😁
Perfecto
We should do a DMV meet up
Perfecto
We should do a DMV meet up
That would be awesome!
If you want the watch, buy it however or whenever you can. If not, no harm or foul.
I have two Rolex pieces that were gifts, if I were to buy mine (currently on the joke of a list thing), but honestly I’ll probably browse the pre owned market when I decide it’s time. One of them is a PT DD, so we’ll see how that he pricing is whenever I decide. Funny it has nothing to do with it being a Rolex, just I really like that watch, I he look and color combo. Plus the way it feels