re: Rolex issues statement on watch shortage

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Our current production cannot meet the existing demand in an exhaustive way, at least not without reducing the quality of our watches – something we refuse to do as the quality of our products must never be compromised

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Hmmm...they crank out about a million pieces per year in usual times.

Exactly. Every other watch I have owned has lost value over time. (less than 10yrs). Some are worse than others. Just recently my Panerai have gone up.

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Why is that funny?

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Because they are clamoring to pay more and get less.

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Because they are clamoring to pay more and get less.

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But so will everybody else if they decide to sell. I will add that I would not be buying at theses grey prices right now.

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Good think I’m fully stocked. I’ve got several I haven’t even worn yet.

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Picking up a 126610LN at AD tomorrow morning. Asked for it 3 weeks ago.

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Funny part is these people paying the markup on these Rolexs can get a nicer and less common timepiece by lesser known manufacturer by the general public. But because Rolex is #1 recognizable brand, they opt for that route.

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Most of the people complaining on the internet are at least loosely part of the "watch community" and they all are aware of what is out there that doesn't have a crown on the dial.

Those people generally fall into 3 subsets:

1. People that have owned Rolex on and off through the years, like them and are miffed they can't easily get another new one because they never built up the juice at one dealer to get one quickly now.

2. People who have reached the 3rd level of Rolex appreciation* either due to the intense focus on Rolex for the last five years and genuinely want to buy a new Rolex for the first time.

3. People who are still on the 2nd level of Rolex appreciation and are just looking for something else to bitch about regarding a brand they don't really like anyway and would not buy if they could buy at retail today.

IMO there are just too many brands to get wrapped up in one. It is also hard to forgo the iconic styling and modern quality that Rolex is known for.


* Forbes The explanation of the 3 levels of Rolex appreciation explained by my favorite watch journalist Jack Forster.

I will say I can't get too caught up in pitchforks for Rolex since my accumulation was built on the back of ridiculous appreciation in the vintage Rolex market and the current fervor in the market just adds to the paper value of a chunk of my accumulation.

Also in the end basically no one notices what is on your wrist unless they are a watch geek. If someone is worried about advertising their wealth they are much better off buying a nice house in the right zipcode, driving an expensive car or wearing expensive clothes. Even people that recognize Rolex tend to have little idea of their actual cost evidenced by my polling for friends and family to satisfy my curiosity. Most people think they cost significantly less than they do.

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The shortage is spreading to other brands. Speedmasters are waitlisted at most Omega ADs.

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Yep. Have the bug on this one right now, and I think I'm going to go pre-owned to scratch the itch for the time being.

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Just recently my Panerai have gone up.

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There was a period that the Panerai fakes were so good that it actually hurt their secondary market value.

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Getting less of what? I guess I don't look at most luxury items as investments. Good for people who do and who are able to profit. If I decide to purchase a luxury item, it's because I want it and have decided that the cost is "worth" it to me.

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People are paying 2-3 times retail for Rolex when they could own a AP, PP, and AL&S. The general public knows little of the those 3, but are opting for the Rolex. No doubt Rolex has outstanding quality, but there are better timepieces that can be had for what some are paying.