Great article. Rolex will always be Rolex. If you have had the privilege of visiting their operations one can certainly understand why. One can obviously criticize any company even if in my opinion they do most things right. They have built a fantastic company and brand. They make great watches. But what they will never do is increase their production to meet demand.
Very simply put the harder it is to obtain something the more you want it. There are many great watch companies. But only one Rolex.
Fantastic read Tony as usual. Thank you so much for putting that level of quality into your newsletter. Thank you. (and not commenting further on the Rolex shortage topic which has been discussed ad libidum... )
The fact is Rolex output is almost twice that of Omega (1st and 2nd on the list) and they still can’t keep up with demand. You will find most of Omega’s catalog available for purchase at any AD. Greedy Rolex AD’s are to blame.
Face facts, most people want them because they have seen reports of vintage or limited editions going for premium second hand, and they want to jump on the band wagon and now everyone wants one and the supply is the same but waiting lists increases. I’ve managed to get three over the last 2 years DJ,Sub and GMT II, all from AD. I am definitely keeping the Sub and the DJ but I'm unsure about the GMT so may sell to fund something Other than A Rolex
That’s fine. I’ve owned three Rolex’s , and aside from their brand appeal, they are honestly an average watch. I have found my Seiko, Tag and Hamilton to outperform my Rolex watches. I, for one , am done spending money on a watch that does not perform to expectations, and am happy to spend less on a superior product.
Buying a Rolex, or trying to buy a Rolex is the worst retail experience available. Dealers who are dismissive and in some cases downright rude, no product available to view and a pretence that you are going to be added to some mystical waiting list. However don’t expect to ever hear from then again, Rolex and their dealer network are undeserving of anyone’s business.
ADs are to blame, but Rolex could easily sanction any practices it seems unfair to customers. They are supposed to be retailers, not wholesalers selling year after year to volume buyers who flip the watches with a 50% mark up. If the consumer is really the audience, why not impose a limit of one watch per year per buyer? This would cool down the secondary market and give us shlubs a chance to own one of these watches at a more reasonable price point. (Don’t worry, Rolex, you’re still King and your reputation will remain intact.)
I agree that the ADs are partly (mostly?) to blame. They play games with the power they have, and are complicit in feeding the grey market. It needs to be cleaned up.
Rolex - a new synonym for Veblen
Great article. Rolex will always be Rolex. If you have had the privilege of visiting their operations one can certainly understand why. One can obviously criticize any company even if in my opinion they do most things right. They have built a fantastic company and brand. They make great watches. But what they will never do is increase their production to meet demand.
Very simply put the harder it is to obtain something the more you want it. There are many great watch companies. But only one Rolex.
Fantastic read Tony as usual. Thank you so much for putting that level of quality into your newsletter. Thank you. (and not commenting further on the Rolex shortage topic which has been discussed ad libidum... )
I just want a Rollie, Rollie, Rollie with a dab of ranch.
The fact is Rolex output is almost twice that of Omega (1st and 2nd on the list) and they still can’t keep up with demand. You will find most of Omega’s catalog available for purchase at any AD. Greedy Rolex AD’s are to blame.
Face facts, most people want them because they have seen reports of vintage or limited editions going for premium second hand, and they want to jump on the band wagon and now everyone wants one and the supply is the same but waiting lists increases. I’ve managed to get three over the last 2 years DJ,Sub and GMT II, all from AD. I am definitely keeping the Sub and the DJ but I'm unsure about the GMT so may sell to fund something Other than A Rolex
That’s fine. I’ve owned three Rolex’s , and aside from their brand appeal, they are honestly an average watch. I have found my Seiko, Tag and Hamilton to outperform my Rolex watches. I, for one , am done spending money on a watch that does not perform to expectations, and am happy to spend less on a superior product.
I have three also and the time keeping is exceptional, couldn’t imagine anything not Quartz and this price point to compete
Buying a Rolex, or trying to buy a Rolex is the worst retail experience available. Dealers who are dismissive and in some cases downright rude, no product available to view and a pretence that you are going to be added to some mystical waiting list. However don’t expect to ever hear from then again, Rolex and their dealer network are undeserving of anyone’s business.
Well some manage to buy them, there are a lot that end up for sale on Chrono24 etc
ADs are to blame, but Rolex could easily sanction any practices it seems unfair to customers. They are supposed to be retailers, not wholesalers selling year after year to volume buyers who flip the watches with a 50% mark up. If the consumer is really the audience, why not impose a limit of one watch per year per buyer? This would cool down the secondary market and give us shlubs a chance to own one of these watches at a more reasonable price point. (Don’t worry, Rolex, you’re still King and your reputation will remain intact.)
I agree that the ADs are partly (mostly?) to blame. They play games with the power they have, and are complicit in feeding the grey market. It needs to be cleaned up.