When you could buy a Rolex from an AD

You’ve got my grail there and you got it the way I would have wanted to get it! 😂 I don’t think we’ll ever see those days again and I seriously doubt I’ll ever own that basic Sub. The price they command now is utterly ridiculous. 

I think you are probably right,  it was in the shop and I managed to walk in and just buy it without any false waiting list. I'm a new Tudor fan now because I just can't get another Rolex without paying exorbitant prices from the grey market and it frustrates the life out of me!

Nope

I bought three Rolex from two ADs last year. Started shopping mid May, got my third one in mid November.

It will be nice when/if they are available in store again.

I have bought an Omega and  Tudor recently from a Rolex AD and so they agreed to add me to the "list" and have promised me a Datejust on a Jubilee with fluted bezel before Christmas. I asked for a Daytona and was informed my spend with them would have to be in excess of £100k......WTF!!!!!

It's a watch for god sake. Rolex are losing their desirability for me.

I'm not holding my breath for the Datejust, we will see!

Some think that you will indeed see those days again.. or at least, a return to Rolex selling at or near retail. One of the known YouTubers was just talking about this recently-- said that he never once saw a Rolex sell over retail when he worked at an AD (and personally had a half million in sales, If I remember correctly). He said that he thinks the watch market has entered a correction that is heading back to these more appropriate levels. It only makes sense. No business owner would purposely leave demand so much higher than supply that their customers are able to turn around and profit immediately upon purchase. I see the same thing in the car market. That has always been a depreciating asset class, but the last couple years has turned that on its head.. temporarily. 

My 2 cents, which may not be worth two pennies.

I say yes. We already see gray market prices dropping at this very moment and at some point in time the market will be saturated. It will take a long time for sure, maybe 10, maybe 20 years or longer, but if Rolex keeps producing at roughly 1 million pieces a year, this will definitely happen. There’s not many people who are into watches or into investing in jewelery and have the funds at the same time.

I sort of hope you are right because it frustrates me, but if it happens, it will cost collectors a fair amount in depreciation. 

Rolex are obviously iconic and great watches, but I would personally have a very hard time paying anything close to what they sell for. Between the market being flooded with highly passable fakes and the genuine pieces demanding a price so far above what seems reasonable.. it is just a really hard sell for me. Omega and Tudor, on the other hand, they are only slightly inflated and will have a much easier time holding my interest.  Don't give my opinion much weight, though. It is only an opinion, and a pretty uninformed one at that.  Editing to add-- I mention the fakes not because I would buy one instead, but because there are so many that I find it hard to feel confident that any Rolex I see on a wrist or for sale is genuine.

What’s been your secret to cutting past the “wishlist” ADs create / say they have?

It’s the AD and their entitled behavior  that‘s causing these problem, not the company. Rolex isn‘t blameless don’t get me wrong. They need to do more to get their ADs to change their customer approach. I’ve heard they are cutting dealers off in some circumstances.

DJs may take a few months but good odds you’ll get the call. 

I often see the Rolex on somebody's wrist and think mmm

I hope so, I did buy one from a grey dealer begrudgingly and want to get rid because of the polished centre links and that's why I want a Jubilee bracelet.

All I did was visit some ADs/boutiques in person that are within an eight hour drive from me.  I talked watches and registered my interests. Afterwards, I called/texted here and there. Two places out of eight came through. I had never visited any of those ADs/boutiques before and the only things I ever bought from them were those watches.

Knowing how I am, if I get back to those days, then I would want a 20% discount. 😂

A few months ago I was talking to a guest wearing a Sub and he said, "I got this way back when you could get the in a store, for a, you know, reasonable price."I was amazed then, I'm amazed now.

I posted last month on the poor level of customer service at three different London ADs and there were some interesting responses. I hope that the day will return when you can visit the shop and buy your desired watch there and then for a realistic price but I'm  not holding my breath for a Rolex!

Thanks for the reply!

Various market research sources (e.g., https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/watch-market) indicate that China/Asia is the largest watch market and fastest growing market. There are many nouveau riche with money to burn in China, and they are getting their first taste of Rolex and other luxury goods. 

Swiss watch factories were perhaps built for the US, Europe, and Japanese markets, with China as a footnote. 

Rolex and other Swiss brands will crash only if China's economy crashes or if they develop a taste for something else. As there are very very many Chinese people and they are fresh luxury buyers, I don't think the demand will go away any time soon. 

Who knows in 5, 10, or 50 years, as every hobby and fashion item goes up and down. 

i would rather buy something else the sky is the limit . their prices have gone batshit crazy.

With a dictator for life, closed off society, and reeducation camps in that country, I'd bet on that economy crashing in the coming decade or two.

Ha ha me too but 10% was the best I could get

That's why I'm moving towards Tudor now

I'm pretty sure it's not sustainable,  just how long will it take before people realise the watches aren't worth what they are paying.

Alas those days have passed.  Mostly it’s about where Rolex wants to position itself.  Partly it’s because every monied chav (complete with hooped Burberry* top) was sporting a bit of Rolex bling back in the day.

* And Burberry ended up a bit of a damaged brand in the UK.  

I'm too new in this wonderful distraction/hobby to be buying a Rolex. If I were ever to it would be an explorer. However I am much more tempted by Tudor. More reasonably priced ( depending on your view of affordable) and actually available!

I like your choices, don't know anything about the Reservoir though yet.