stefs wrote: ↑Sun Aug 22, 2021 11:00 pm
Why do so many people talk about Rolex restricting supply? Where is the evidence of that?
Could it not be possible that they have continued to make the same very large numbers of watches every year but it is the demand that has increased and not the output from rolex that has been deliberately strangled?
Indeed Paul, but some folk would prefer to think nasty Rolex are reducing numbers of the models, that a few years ago were only generally of interest to a small proportion of their customer base.
More people deciding they want one, because they have noticed they won’t take a bath when selling, has gathered momentum over the past six years, reaching the current state over the last couple of years. Combine that with the Instagram and social media impact and it’s not difficult to understand.
People who have joined in purely to sell rather quickly, have increased. Grey dealers end up having to pay more, therefore they charge more and continue to test the boundaries of the market.
Rolex aren’t the only brand that has had an impact on.
Five years ago it was possible to find a PP Aquanaut in an AD window. Preowned prices were generally less than RRP. Now it is rather different.
Can’t get a Nautilus? Well get an AP Royal Oak. Again available in ADs. More decide they would like one, same story. Join a wait list, would sir like to buy a different AP as a start to their AP watch owners journey.
Ok can’t get an SS PP or AP RO. Let’s try that lovely VC overseas. Easily available, what colour dial would you like to try on? Excellent, I like that (off now to buy one from a grey dealer at a discount). Again no longer the case. The situation with VC happening in the past 12 months or so. For AP about 18 months before.
Have these other brands deliberately cut supply. No, it is rather simpler than that, more have decided they would like one.
Most rational people would shake their head in bemusement at the outpourings of people on watch forums, who can’t have what they want. Madness!
Particularly in the real world the average amount spent on a watch is less than about £200.
Neil