OT - Rolex watch market

[rwsaunders]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Is Rolex still very tight lipped about releasing the actual MSRP numbers?

Nope. Scroll through the website, configure the model of your choice and the retail numbers appear. In the BI link above, the retail price and appreciation of the specific Rolex models is tracked like the stock market.


https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watches/...-0002/material

[ntb1001]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Nice watch!

I'm starting to feel old now; and certainly out of touch with the watch market, which I was so immersed in years ago. I had no idea the new sea dweller had the red markings now and the magnifier! Quite a change up from the classics.



Is Rolex still very tight lipped about releasing the actual MSRP numbers?

So I take it, when you got the call from the AD, in the current environment, the deal is just go in and pay the msrp, no games these days?

Enjoy the timepiece!

Thanks Angry.

Rolex prices are pretty easy to find, if you look up the model on Rolex website, usually the MSRP is listed.
As a few others have noted, it’s been virtually impossible to buy any Rolex, especially stainless steel sports models at the AD unless you’re in the game with them making many high end purchases creating a purchase history. It seems it’s the flippers who are the ones getting them and then the grey market takes all the watches and some models increase 100% or more.
It’s correct that putting your name on a list is like waiting for the lottery, that why I was shocked at the AD that called me, I had only requested a watch end of April…and they’re probably the most prolific AD in Toronto. I’ve been on other AD lists for past couple of years and nothing.
BTW, the SeaDweller 43mm with red lettering is a 50 year anniversary model of the original.

My model MSRP in Canada is $15,200 plus taxes.


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[NHAero]

You're lucky to pick this up now! The skinny is that next year Rolex is going all electronic and hydro, there won't be mechanical models any more.

[tuxbailey]

Originally Posted by NHAero

You're lucky to pick this up now! The skinny is that next year Rolex is going all electronic and hydro, there won't be mechanical models any more.

No way. As in, this is hard to believe.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by tuxbailey

No way. As in, this is hard to believe.

Tubeless too.

[mstateglfr]

On a related note, the Timex Ironman watch market is just as strong as ever. And by that, I mean it continues to be weak and filled by Kohl's shoppers who are among the unwashed masses.

[Doug Fattic]

Watches are a popular subject on bicycle forums. Here is the mystery to me about high end watches and desirability. Functionally they don't keep better time than watches that cost a lot less. Certainly not as accurate as a GPS watch. They are just a decorative accessory that also keeps time. The mystery isn't why someone would pay a lot more for something that can do the same job a lot cheaper, it is why the very best hand made bicycles are not sought out the same way as expensive watches?

Off the top of my head I can think of 5 guys that build and paint to the highest quality. Another 5 or so that can make a beautiful frame but have someone else paint it. Most of the custom framebuilders I hear a lot about on Paceline do work like a Casio or even a Seiko. Decent but not supreme. I would think that those in the market for an upper end watch would also want the very nicest custom made frame instead of a Casio or Citizen equivalent.

I'm going to assume that buying an Apple watch would be like buying the latest carbon bike. But I would think those that like a mechanical watch would also like the most beautiful hand made lugged steel bike. They are rarer and harder to get. What am i missing here?

[JedB]

Originally Posted by sheepbleat

(Searches "Rolex 16710" on Chrono24)...

Huh. I think I'll wait for it to "soften" a bit more...

Congrats on the beautiful watch though.

Black bezel, Coke, or Pepsi?

[mstateglfr]

Originally Posted by Doug Fattic

Off the top of my head I can think of 5 guys that build and paint to the highest quality. Another 5 or so that can make a beautiful frame but have someone else paint it. Most of the custom framebuilders I hear a lot about on Paceline do work like a Casio or even a Seiko. Decent but not supreme. I would think that those in the market for an upper end watch would also want the very nicest custom made frame instead of a Casio or Citizen equivalent.

I bet it is difficult for those who dont build to know why you(and presumably others) view one builder as a Rolex type builder while another is a Casio or Citizen type builder.

I took Jeff Bock's frame class 4+ years ago and learned a ton. He is, to me, incredibly detailed and puts out a product that shows the time and effort involved.
At the same time, he doesnt do disc, doesnt fabricate a ton of frame bits, and doesnt manipulate tubes, so he is very much a niche builder at this point. When it seems most want bikes that are disc and electronic capable with unique fabricated features, is he a Rolex type builder?

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by Doug Fattic

They are just a decorative accessory that also keeps time. ?

This is of course something that has been hashed out hundreds of times on internet discussion forums of all sorts over the years, but to many watch enthusiasts, a good mechanical watch is so much more than a decorative accessory. When you step back and really think about it, and how an automatic mechanical movement works, it's actually mindblowingly impressive that such a complex machine can be produced to such tight tolerances and all fit inside a reasonably small case. The movement does it's job day after day, year after year with no input required other than routine movement, and does the job whether in subfreezing temperatures, scorching desert heat or 100' under water.

How COOL is that?

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by Doug Fattic

Watches are a popular subject on bicycle forums. Here is the mystery to me about high end watches and desirability. Functionally they don't keep better time than watches that cost a lot less. Certainly not as accurate as a GPS watch. They are just a decorative accessory that also keeps time. The mystery isn't why someone would pay a lot more for something that can do the same job a lot cheaper, it is why the very best hand made bicycles are not sought out the same way as expensive watches?

Off the top of my head I can think of 5 guys that build and paint to the highest quality. Another 5 or so that can make a beautiful frame but have someone else paint it. Most of the custom framebuilders I hear a lot about on Paceline do work like a Casio or even a Seiko. Decent but not supreme. I would think that those in the market for an upper end watch would also want the very nicest custom made frame instead of a Casio or Citizen equivalent.

I'm going to assume that buying an Apple watch would be like buying the latest carbon bike. But I would think those that like a mechanical watch would also like the most beautiful hand made lugged steel bike. They are rarer and harder to get. What am i missing here?

I'm not a watch fancier, but the cost differential between a very serviceable watch like my Timex Expedition digital watch at $50 retail and a $15K Rolex is way larger than, say, a decent Trek or Specialized 105 series road bike and the highest end custom. And the digital watch does the same job as the Rolex, whereas one can argue that more money into a custom bike buys (potentially) better fit and that higher end components deliver better function (acknowledging that the curve flattens here, but most of us would rather have a $2K set of wheels than a $300 wheelset, and might notice the difference.)

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

This is of course something that has been hashed out hundreds of times on internet discussion forums of all sorts over the years, but to many watch enthusiasts, a good mechanical watch is so much more than a decorative accessory. When you step back and really think about it, and how an automatic mechanical movement works, it's actually mindblowingly impressive that such a complex machine can be produced to such tight tolerances and all fit inside a reasonably small case. The movement does it's job day after day, year after year with no input required other than routine movement, and does the job whether in subfreezing temperatures, scorching desert heat or 100' under water.

How COOL is that?

It's COOL, but is it delivering more function than the good quality digital watch? Does it alter one's experience of checking the time? (Whereas, riding a great bike does alter my experience...)

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

This is of course something that has been hashed out hundreds of times on internet discussion forums of all sorts over the years, but to many watch enthusiasts, a good mechanical watch is so much more than a decorative accessory. When you step back and really think about it, and how a solar powered radio synchronized quartz movement works, it's actually mindblowingly impressive that such a complex machine can be produced to such tight tolerances and all fit inside a reasonably small case. The movement does it's job day after day, year after year with no input required other than an hour or two of light everyday, and does the job whether in subfreezing temperatures, scorching desert heat or 100' under water. And on top of that, it costs less, requires less maintenance, and is far more accurate than any mechanical movement.

How COOL is that?

There, I fixed it for you.

[earlfoss]

They are things of beauty that people buy for their own reasons. I own a black bezel GMT that isn't as accurate as my G Shock, but I love it and wear it every day.

[ntb1001]

I love watches. I purchase a Rolex because I admire it for what it is, not that it tells time better or worse than a Casio or Timex.
It’s functional jewelry. A silver ring does the same job as a 18k band with huge diamond, but people get what they like.
I have 3 big expensive vices, Bikes(including Campagnolo parts)Watches, Camera equipment.
There are much cheaper, functionality equivalent alternatives, but I buy what I enjoy. Just personal decisions.


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