- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
The Rolex business model is dumb
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:25 pm
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:25 pm
I knew how it worked going in, but stopped by the Rolex dealer near me over the weekend. Told the sales associate I was looking for a submariner or GMT. As expected, they had none available, so she tried steering me to a datejust they did have available for $30k. Not even close to what I was asking for.
Ended up putting me on the waitlist for what I wanted with no estimated ETA and couldn't tell me where I was on the list for the ones I requested. I doubt I ever get the call and really don't want a Rolex after getting a taste of how it works.
I walked 2 blocks down and bought an Omega Seamaster instead. No wait, got exactly what I wanted, and it's a better looking watch.
I realized after that while wearing the rolex, I was enamored by the name and heritage. When I put on the Omega, I loved the watch.
You can't tell me that Rolex doesn't produce enough watches to meet the demand. I refuse to go grey market and pay the markup as well. The rolex business model has created the grey market. It wouldn't exist the way it does if they didn't play games with selling you the watch you want.
Ended up putting me on the waitlist for what I wanted with no estimated ETA and couldn't tell me where I was on the list for the ones I requested. I doubt I ever get the call and really don't want a Rolex after getting a taste of how it works.
I walked 2 blocks down and bought an Omega Seamaster instead. No wait, got exactly what I wanted, and it's a better looking watch.
I realized after that while wearing the rolex, I was enamored by the name and heritage. When I put on the Omega, I loved the watch.
You can't tell me that Rolex doesn't produce enough watches to meet the demand. I refuse to go grey market and pay the markup as well. The rolex business model has created the grey market. It wouldn't exist the way it does if they didn't play games with selling you the watch you want.
55
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:28 pm to pickle311
quote:
Ended up putting me on the waitlist for what I wanted with no estimated ETA and couldn't tell me where I was on the list for the ones I requested. I doubt I ever get the call and really don't want a Rolex after getting a taste of how it works.
I walked 2 blocks down and bought an Omega Seamaster instead.
Guess that's the difference between an Alpha and an Omega.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:28 pm to pickle311
My favorite scene in Easy Rider is at the beginning when they throw away their wristwatches
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:30 pm to pickle311
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:31 pm to pickle311
Pickle311 teaching Rolex how to do business
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:31 pm to pickle311
Sound butt hurt cause you didn’t get your Rolex. lol
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:35 pm to 225Tyga
quote:
Sound butt hurt cause you didn’t get your Rolex
Not at all, just kinda turned me off to the brand with how they do business. I'm quite happy with the purchase I made and I like it a lot better than what I was looking for from Rolex.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:39 pm to Kafka
quote:
My favorite scene in Easy Rider is at the beginning when they throw away their wristwatches
My favorite movie scene involving a Rolex is in the movie UHF. RJ Fletcher’s son gave his dad a non Rolex watch for Father’s Day.
At the end of the movie a bum buys himself a genuine Rolex watch after finding an Indian head penny one of the characters gave him, and tells RJ it is a genuine Rolex watch after get humiliated at the end.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:42 pm to pickle311
It's owned by a private foundation and doesn't have to answer to shareholders. Omega arguably are as good, and there are several brands that make objectively better watches. But nobody, not any company on earth, has the marketing prowess of Rolex. It's the most recognizable brand in the world, and nobody else is even close. Rolex has decided that artificial scarcity works for them,and it's hard to argue with success.
They've alienated a lot of watch nerds with their high handed tactics, but they couldn't care less about watch nerds. Their target market are the billions of people who don't know anything about watches but see Rolex as the ultimate status symbol.
You meet somebody wearing a JLC Reverso and you can be pretty sure of having an interesting discussion about the finer points of their watch. Meet somebody wearing a Rolex Submariner and they may not know what the bezel is for or how it works. They just bought it for the bling. A shame, and by no means are all Rolex owners like that, but enough are that it's noticeable.
They've alienated a lot of watch nerds with their high handed tactics, but they couldn't care less about watch nerds. Their target market are the billions of people who don't know anything about watches but see Rolex as the ultimate status symbol.
You meet somebody wearing a JLC Reverso and you can be pretty sure of having an interesting discussion about the finer points of their watch. Meet somebody wearing a Rolex Submariner and they may not know what the bezel is for or how it works. They just bought it for the bling. A shame, and by no means are all Rolex owners like that, but enough are that it's noticeable.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:49 pm to pickle311
It wasn't always like this. There was a time when you could walk into an AD and buy the one you wanted.
Congrats on your new Seamaster. Did you get the diver and what color dial?
And the good thing about Omega is they use their own in-house proprietary movement.
Congrats on your new Seamaster. Did you get the diver and what color dial?
And the good thing about Omega is they use their own in-house proprietary movement.
This post was edited on 8/24/26 at 10:52 pm
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:53 pm to pickle311
I never had a issue buying a Rolex
If the local dealer didn’t have what I wanted i purchased the desired watch from a reputable preowned dealer. Such as Bezel
If the local dealer didn’t have what I wanted i purchased the desired watch from a reputable preowned dealer. Such as Bezel
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:54 pm to Jim Rockford
I'll never own a Rolex personally because of this artificial scarcity and price inflation above retail (DeBeers pulled this shite and got is arse handed to it by lab created diamonds) . I find it to be bad form and I don't have to buy one. They also don't have to sell me one and probably wouldn't. So I've stuck with omega, Breitling, Fortis, JLC, and others that I absolutely love. If Rolex ever changes I'll probably try one. My wife owns a Rolex Explorer I in 36mm. She loves it. I don't hate Rolex, I hate that they've done this to their consumers
Posted on 8/24/26 at 10:57 pm to pickle311
Posted on 8/24/26 at 11:09 pm to pickle311
quote:
Not at all, just kinda turned me off to the brand with how they do business. I'm quite happy with the purchase I made and I like it a lot better than what I was looking for from Rolex.
I won’t spend the money for a Rolex so it’s never been and issue with me.
Plus I know the bullshite that goes with it. I’d much prefer to have a few other watches that I can walk in and buy. I’m not really a watch guy and my wife has bought me around half the watches I have.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 11:10 pm to pickle311
Weird, I have a Batman, 2 subs and a date just and had zero issues buying any of them. Congrats on the omega
Posted on 8/24/26 at 11:14 pm to pickle311
I remember some famous singer saying he went to a rolex store and they told him the same thing... then the next day he show up in a Bently and well dressed the next day and they sold him exactly what he wanted... they had it all along, but he didn't look like a customer they wanted
Posted on 8/24/26 at 11:16 pm to pickle311
Get yourself a nice G Shock. They never go out of style.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 11:39 pm to pickle311
I have been a watchmaking hobbiest for some time now and love Rolex for how well built they are and how easy they are to work on. With that being said, I would never pay that price for one. There are so many great watches out there for half of what a Rolex costs and can be bought our right without the bullshite games that are played by the Rolex ADs.
The Omega, Grand Seiko, Longines..etc are all amazing options and easily available. Yes, these brands have extremely high priced watches as well, but there are many options that are really nice that won't break the bank.
If I were to ever spend that type of money on a watch, I would honestly look at the RGM watch company 801-E. Every part of the RGM watches are handmade from the dial right down to the screws. That type of craftsmanship and quality is rare to find nowadays.
The Omega, Grand Seiko, Longines..etc are all amazing options and easily available. Yes, these brands have extremely high priced watches as well, but there are many options that are really nice that won't break the bank.
If I were to ever spend that type of money on a watch, I would honestly look at the RGM watch company 801-E. Every part of the RGM watches are handmade from the dial right down to the screws. That type of craftsmanship and quality is rare to find nowadays.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 11:42 pm to pickle311
Watches in this day and age are just expensive jewelry. The time is everywhere. If you can afford to spend a lot of money on a watch then good for you. For me the better watches are the ones that can monitor your health. Obviously I’m older than most on here and have no one I need to impress.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 11:45 pm to Tygerfan
Thanks for that. I had never heard of RGM. They make some interesting watches.
Page 1 of 9
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News