What Rolex needs to do. Have an actual waitlist. I should be able go walk into an AD. Have them submit an order request, give me an accurate wait time directly from Rolex +/- 2 months. Take a 25% deposit and pay the rest on receipt.
@@petermartin9494 yes i always wondered why part of the business model is to force people to buy undesirable models in order to get the popular ones. why not just focus all the production resources on the desirable models? They shouldn't penalize their loyal customers for their poor design and marketing choices.
@@vinnyfranciswatches These super-clever CEOs never seem to understand that you cannot expand forever. How many millions of decent Swiss watches have The Chinese bought? How many who can afford to buy one, don't have one? Why would you expect the same 10 million people to buy multiple copies of the same "forever" watch every other year? And exactly what is their incentive to buy the usual suspects when 1) There is not a single steel Rolex to buy in the country 2) Richemont have increased their prices by as much as 45% in A YEAR 3) You can go into the Apple shop and spend considerably less to look extra trendy.
I used to dream of owning a Rolex. Now, I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole after watching the practises they've taken part in, and the complete lack of effort to get their product to real watch enthusiasts instead of flippers. I am now the very happy owner of a speedy 57 😁
I feel very similarly. Looking at basically any brand besides Rolex. At $6K, the OP is a great watch. At $8K the Submariner is great. Why would anyone pay $9K/$12K for the same watches secondary? As for debasing myself at an authorized dealer, forget it. Lastly, you nailed it with the customers Rolex decided to cater to, douchebag influencers essentially who know nothing about watches other than Rolex = Money.
That’s a nice piece. I don’t own an Omega currently, but if and when I do I’m very confident it’ll be the same piece - the original style, with the black sandwich dial and the broad arrow hands. Very nice.
Many millions of people feel the same way, including myself. Twenty five years ago I used to look in to jewelers window displays at Datejusts and think 'Wow! Imagine owning such a thing.' Now I have 2 Grand Seikos in my collection and no desire to prostrate myself before the altar of The Boardroom Trinket.
Yes, and Rolex offers 1,360 different configurations in the 2025 catalog and only 15 of them are popular. Use your common sense. If they made 1.4 million submariners, GMT Master IIs, and Daytonas, there would be no such thing as a waitlist and you might even be picking them up at a discount.
Usual non-sense response… Of the 1.4M (a figure you’ve made up but let’s go with it) consider then a subset in the hundreds of thousands that are the popular SS models. Then consider that there’s likely 10 fold more demand for these worldwide than supply. That’s why there’s a wait…
@@KeepingWatchUK there is no Rolex who can compete with a grand Seiko in finishing and movement and s more beautiful dials. A Rolex enthousiast is status driven, Bmw fan and a hollow shell Inside. They only want one thing : attention from others, to mask up there loss of empathy understanding of others. You find more interesting talk in a casio owner who loves the concept of time and understanding
There is no mechanical Grand Seiko that can compete with Rolex in terms of rate accuracy and build quality. Grand Seiko will put itself on Rolex's level when it learns to make competent bracelets
I can still remember when Rolex dealers would practically beg you to buy their watches…. Now, they’ve gotten so snooty it’s such a turn off. F the flippers
I put my name on the list for a Rolex in December…got the call today. I kinda like this new world. Dare I say… some pieces will enter the world of discount potentially.
Yep, white gold Yachtmaster. I've said I'm not ready this month. However, a few mins on other websites shows 8k savings versus new for a 2022 model. Peace of mind…8k is a lot to pay for that, when chrono offers checks, papers etc…
hmm yes, depends on your situation I guess but with all of these retail price increases, even the wealthiest of individual will now be thinking twice, that’s a huge gap
Waitlist? How long are we going to participate in this ridiculous kabuki theater? Where are the adults? There is no such thing as a waitlist. Never has been. There are only preferred customer lists. If you spend enough money or know the right people, you get your choice of Rolex. Otherwise, you are out of luck. Can we all come back to some semblance of reality? They say the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.
Just went to an AD in manchester. Loads of watches for sale including gmt bi metal rootbeer, smooth bezel datejusts etc. honestly you can see the same watches available in every rolex shop now. Rolex ADs can’t be super cocky anymore
3 years and I’m still waiting for a call for a SS Submariner without other purchases. The AD offered if I spend $5K on a watch that they have in stock then the Sub will be available right away! I declined and no calls ever since.
I think this is the same scenario in most countries. My AD said that I should put the more classic models, Datejust, Oyster Perpetual, etc, on request/waitlist, I did, but they didn't even have those in stock to sell me, so how does that work? It's been 9 months, and still no call.
Eh - anecdotally, i was just in a mall recently whuch has a number of jewelry stores, most of which sell mid-tier luxury watches as well as Rolexes. There were plenty of Breitling, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Omega, Longines, and the like, but their Rolex displays (which are on rhe outside windows to entice mall-goers to come inside) were ridiculously empty. I mean, where there's room to display say, 4 or 5 different watches on a display stand, they only have one - and it's often like a 28mm ladies' datejust. So, at least where i live, either demand still far outstrips supply, and the ADs can still play their "Silly peasant, Rolexes are for Kings!" games, or Rolex is deliberately trying to go out of business by refusing to even *display* their wares!
I love how Rolex says to come into store then register your interest aka they want to personally audit you to determine if you’re a one off purchase or a billionaire.
@@NPC123UH right, but you can buy a CErtified pre owned online and they could care less who you are. F the AD, still love Rolex just wish they would cut the scum AD’s out. I bought a Rolex almost 2 years ago, went on the bs waitlist for a steel sub. After dropping 16k on a watch you thing the pos would at least have the decency to reply back when I inquire. I stop in, acts like an a hole like his Shi… don’t stink. After bs with the guy, giving me some bull oh there is a 2 year wait and your about a year in, like what?? How dumb, it’s like they put these wait times on certain watches even if they have them, you still have to wait this amount of time? Well they had a ladies Datejust available, my wife wanted to try it on, all of a sudden, hey take a seat, can I get you a drink? After that , I will never go back Into that AD or ever reach back out to that guy. One and done. No thanks.
When you are a company like with a profit margin of 60-90% they have a lot of wiggle room to drop prices and still remain profitable. Their best decision would be to end waitlists. The rule of supply and demand still rules. Grey market is still alive for now.
Omega refuses to listen to their customers and haven’t put Tfit on the fly adjustment on their bracelets. Once they start, more people will buy those watches
@ well I was told by Jomas that I wouldn’t get the manufacturer warranty, I would only get a Jomas warranty for a year. So I decided to buy from an authorized dealer to get my Omega warranty for five years.
They should open boutiques like Breitling and Longines that actually sells watches not museum exhibits with staff twiddling their thumbs offering to sell them if you buy some trinkets. If they don’t change to this model they’ll seriously crash.
Because you are a nobody in their eyes. Have you bought lots of pricy merchandise (and, particularly, jewelry) from them over time? If not, then you ARE a nobody to them. They aren't making bank from selling watches at retail to one time purchasers. They make bank from jewelry customers and (at least until fairly recently) at way over retail to grey market flippers. You don't exist to them. If you did, you'd have your watch.
@ That's not going to work. The only thing AD's pay attention to is how much you spend on high margin items in their store. You could be on a thousand waitlists but unless they see they have pulled high margin sales out of you, you aren't going to be considered for a high demand, low allocation watch. You might just get a Datejust or OP that nobody else wants, but that's about it.
"it really does leave most watches now as under retail proposition if you go to buy them on the gray market." "Flippers are disappearing." I guess no one has told flippers in the USA about this, as it is business as usual as I see new production 12/24, nothing special, watches, being sold for 30% over SRP everywhere. Does he really believe that the supply of Rolex is going to dramatically increase in 2025? The competition for limited availability watches remains. Nothing has changed.
I’m not supporting inflated prices. To me these are people who don’t want the watches but scalp to increase the price. Too bad for me but is also to protect myself from fakes.
I think the slowing demand will precipitate a more severe downward spiral...once any of us proles can walk in to the dealer and buy a Rolex, they won't be nearly as desirable to us proles. Kind of a catch-22.
They should stop playing games, go to diamond district & there cases are full of watches in their coffins. Get serial number off them & remove the dealer for selling it to the grey market.
I don’t think we will get stability, prices will continue to fall and for many Rolex watches you will be able to get a discount at the AD for date just etc, just as before the pandemic
Bring back the times when you would expect a 20-30% discount at the AD. I never shop at ADs anymore because they all think people are paying full retail.
I just got a sea dweller yesterday and it was my first visit ever to Rolex store in Toronto, they were kinda ok with all my requests except for the Daytona & the GMT they expressed difficulty. But even the sub they said they can get it to me soonish if o want. Patek got me the annual calendar 5905 from the first visit also. I guess we will go back to pre 2020 soon when Rolex was selling in Costco 😀
I have been on a “list” and two AD’s for 8 months, nothing yet. The last AD I went into in Bristol had the watch I wanted on display, and a few others I would have considered, and wouldn’t sell me a single thing.
I actually went into a Rolex store once, and they had no watches to purchase right then and there, but I could order one and would have to wait a few months.
If Rolex wasn't run by dolts, they'd leave dealer pricing alone, triple their MSRP and allow dealers to price at their prerogative. BTW, Tag Heuer is not "doing very well". They are swimming in a fetid sea of mediocrity and customer disregard.
Wishful thinking in my humble opinion: way over 1 million new watches on the market every year, now just imagine a major worldwide economic downturn, which is definitely an option on the table, in the near futur. Sure for now the price of an unworn Daytona won't go any lower but what about two tone Datejust or a Yacht Master? To me it's totally possible to see prices going even lower, the competition being people losing their jobs or struggling to pay the bills and selling their watches when Rolex in the other hand is willing to increase production every year, dont forget about the new facility opening in 2029....
all very good point which i do discuss in previous videos, particularly the new production facility and its impact but i’m looking toward this year really in this video, there are of course many external economic influences which could tip the balance either way, ongoing conflicts, inflation etc
There are thousands of less expensive vintage pieces all o er rhe world that still look good today. If one loves watches that much but on a limited budget, this could be a geat option. Manufacturers need to figure out a way to inegrate modern tech with old school mechanis. Otherswise it get redundant and boring. Just look at the Cubitus😅
There are other very nice models out there from Rado, Mido, lower-end Grand Seiko 9f models that are wonderful and that anyone should be proud to own. I love my Rolexes, but also have a Grand Seiko 9F, Rado Golden Horse and two Mido Ocean Star Tributes and am happy with them all of them.
If you need to tell time, get a $10 watch at target. We mostly don't need to because we have our phones. The higher priced watches are frequently just Veblen goods to flex status. People don't buy a Rolex watch, they buy a Rolex. Not much difference between a Nautilus and a tennis bracelet. Well, you can wear an AP to the office. One can't conspicuously consume affordable. Expensive is *the* virtue for that segment. Watches are jewelry today. Thirty years ago, people used watches as a tool. A quartz Omega made sense. Today Garman and Apple watch are that space. An Omega quartz doesn't make sense. Swatch don't need or watch a cheap Omega.
The competition is I can go to a dealer and I know damn well I'm getting a genuine piece without question. I also get the brand new Rolex buying experience and get on the radar of Rolex if in the future I want a limited edition.
Thanks for the breakdown! I need some advice: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (mistake turkey blossom warfare blade until bachelor fall squeeze today flee guitar). How can I transfer them to Binance?
@@vinnyfranciswatches Can you point me in the right direction where the Datejust's are under retail. I am looking for a green, smooth bezel, 41mm with either bracelet option. They all seem to be at least $2K over retail. Thanks.
@ no, they are not, they have different meanings. If you flip a watch from an AD, it’s not new anymore. They removed the plastics and registered to you. It goes on the secondary market, even if it sells above retail. Grey market it’s new watches that come into the market new, but outside the usual channels. E.g. AD’s or the brand sell new watches to 3rd party dealers. Patek does that, likely some Rolex ADs.
@@adi-1933 I don't want to get in an argument with anyone, but I believe you are correct. The grey market has always been brand new, unused items sold by Non-Authorized Dealers that do not include a valid manufacturer's warranty. The Non-Authorized Dealers may offer a warranty but not with the OEM. This is also common in the photographic industry. Even though grey market and secondary market are different, in today's world, I think most people do use the terms interchangeably.
Watch brands created this environment……… let them rot. Another year of uninspiring new releases on the horizon and another group of enthusiasts moving on to pastures new. Luxury brands will be having fire sales going into 2026 due to consumers having to be smart with finances. We’re heading towards the next level of the economic crash (biblical in the U.K.) and the last thing on everyone’s minds is going to be time pieces. Casio are going to have a field day.
Would you be so kind to share direct links where I can get Rolex below retail price??? something tells me it just a nice theory maybe in future years, but definitely not right now
I wouldn't wear a Rolex if you gave it to me for free. Its not worth the risk to my well being all for a mass produced, sterile boring design, with unremarkable movements from a brand with exactly zero in-house heritage. It's not even a native Swiss brand. I dont think I can name a single thing that they legitimately invented or even innovated that wasn't already in use in pocket watches. And they didn't invent the "perpetual rotor" a British guy Harwood invented that and Fortis was the first to put it on a wristwatch. An Rolex didn't even invent the rotor that could wind in both directions that was Felsa. Rolex are just a glorified case and dial designer who royally blew the opportunity to put their watch on the moon because the U.S. government didn't disclose why they were commissioning a watch that could meet their strict standards. None of the 15 watch companies approached had any idea the watch was going to the moon's surface until they all watched it on TV. Rolex were too busy sponsoring tennis and golf tournaments while Omega was doing real horology work. If I'm going to be snuffed out for my watch let it at least be Breguet or Vacheron. Imagine being offed for a Rolex...how humiliating.
Good. Rolex is great. But so many other great watches out there. Fuck the consumerism and that sexy crown logo and ceramic bezel, get a Tudor, omega, grand seiko, iwc, etc instead of grossly overpaying for a second hand Rolex or being forced into buying 20k plus worth of undesired models to get a boost at your chance of getting a highly sought after sport model for retail price
Hey Vinny, I love your videos but in terms of under retail Rolex, you must be talking about Datejusts etc. and not GMT’s, Sub,s etc. Because if you are, contact me because I’ll take a Pepsi, Kermit, Daytona, etc. under retail right now from you 😉
Let me answer this for you. You have no idea because youve never owned one. If that's your mindset then you either can't afford one or you're salty that you cant get one. Own a modern sports steel Rolex first son, then you'll understand. Or if youre so well off and can't be bothered playing games, go buy haute horology like Lange or Gronefeld for $60k where you don't have to play these games. Other players in the $10k sports segment like Breitling, omega, IWC, all make bricks with dimensions that are completely off. Again, own a modern steel sports rolex and you'll understand. The AD experience is even worse with Patek and AP.
@steelsteez6118 Own a Patek and you’ll realize that Rolex is nothing but a hype brand for fat little men making a last ditch attempt to attract a woman. The AD experience isn’t worse, you’re just too poor and greasy to be worth their time. Now be a good boy and go cry about it.
You’re a complete wall roll like fart in here in Canada is still strong and there’s a lot more people into the Watch market now for prices are still strong
yeah i definitely can't figure out how they pulled off expensive but not exclusive. it seems like most rolexes are in some display case or on ebay not on the wrists of actual enthusiasts.
Great to see this happening, why should customers have to beg an AD to sell them a watch? When we all know its just a preference list, reserved for their rich clients. Rolex stores are just a glorified museum.
ABSOfucingLUTELY!!!! Spring Dr., Zara polish and assemble parts and only 40,000 a year versus these robot conveyor belt 1.3million!!! bullshit 😂. Google sbga053 or 051
Treat your customers with contempt and you will lose them
What Rolex needs to do.
Have an actual waitlist. I should be able go walk into an AD. Have them submit an order request, give me an accurate wait time directly from Rolex +/- 2 months. Take a 25% deposit and pay the rest on receipt.
I agree - but then Rolex (and not the AD) is left with unpopular watches unsold
@@stevenbrown4060then they shouldn't be making the garbage watches and make pieces the market likes instead
@@stevenbrown4060then they will need to be discounted like every other shop in the world
Why is Rolex making unpopular watches?
@@petermartin9494 yes i always wondered why part of the business model is to force people to buy undesirable models in order to get the popular ones. why not just focus all the production resources on the desirable models? They shouldn't penalize their loyal customers for their poor design and marketing choices.
Not an ounce of sympathy from me.
What about a millimeter?
@@steelsteez6118
😂 41 to be exact
@@steelsteez6118 Nope.
Man…I bet that keeps them up at night
Rolex is a pretty undesirable watch. It’s mid at everything. Mid-Design, Mid-movement, High Prices. No point getting a Rolex
Watchmakers got too greedy with 2022 price increases and it’s biting them now
very true, not just 2022 though, every 6 months since!
@@vinnyfranciswatches These super-clever CEOs never seem to understand that you cannot expand forever. How many millions of decent Swiss watches have The Chinese bought? How many who can afford to buy one, don't have one? Why would you expect the same 10 million people to buy multiple copies of the same "forever" watch every other year? And exactly what is their incentive to buy the usual suspects when
1) There is not a single steel Rolex to buy in the country
2) Richemont have increased their prices by as much as 45% in A YEAR
3) You can go into the Apple shop and spend considerably less to look extra trendy.
I used to dream of owning a Rolex. Now, I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole after watching the practises they've taken part in, and the complete lack of effort to get their product to real watch enthusiasts instead of flippers.
I am now the very happy owner of a speedy 57 😁
Me too, I bought a seamaster professional
I feel very similarly. Looking at basically any brand besides Rolex. At $6K, the OP is a great watch. At $8K the Submariner is great. Why would anyone pay $9K/$12K for the same watches secondary? As for debasing myself at an authorized dealer, forget it. Lastly, you nailed it with the customers Rolex decided to cater to, douchebag influencers essentially who know nothing about watches other than Rolex = Money.
That’s a nice piece. I don’t own an Omega currently, but if and when I do I’m very confident it’ll be the same piece - the original style, with the black sandwich dial and the broad arrow hands. Very nice.
F the flippers
Many millions of people feel the same way, including myself. Twenty five years ago I used to look in to jewelers window displays at Datejusts and think 'Wow! Imagine owning such a thing.'
Now I have 2 Grand Seikos in my collection and no desire to prostrate myself before the altar of The Boardroom Trinket.
They make 1,4 million watches a year and still there is a watchlist! Amazing!
Yes, and Rolex offers 1,360 different configurations in the 2025 catalog and only 15 of them are popular. Use your common sense. If they made 1.4 million submariners, GMT Master IIs, and Daytonas, there would be no such thing as a waitlist and you might even be picking them up at a discount.
Usual non-sense response…
Of the 1.4M (a figure you’ve made up but let’s go with it) consider then a subset in the hundreds of thousands that are the popular SS models. Then consider that there’s likely 10 fold more demand for these worldwide than supply. That’s why there’s a wait…
@steelsteez6118 it was cynical 😉
@@KeepingWatchUK there is no Rolex who can compete with a grand Seiko in finishing and movement and s more beautiful dials. A Rolex enthousiast is status driven, Bmw fan and a hollow shell Inside. They only want one thing : attention from others, to mask up there loss of empathy understanding of others. You find more interesting talk in a casio owner who loves the concept of time and understanding
There is no mechanical Grand Seiko that can compete with Rolex in terms of rate accuracy and build quality. Grand Seiko will put itself on Rolex's level when it learns to make competent bracelets
I can still remember when Rolex dealers would practically beg you to buy their watches…. Now, they’ve gotten so snooty it’s such a turn off. F the flippers
We're far from hitting the bottom.
I put my name on the list for a Rolex in December…got the call today. I kinda like this new world. Dare I say… some pieces will enter the world of discount potentially.
wow congrats!, may i be nosy and ask which one?
Yep, white gold Yachtmaster. I've said I'm not ready this month. However, a few mins on other websites shows 8k savings versus new for a 2022 model. Peace of mind…8k is a lot to pay for that, when chrono offers checks, papers etc…
Which Rolex reference?
hmm yes, depends on your situation I guess but with all of these retail price increases, even the wealthiest of individual will now be thinking twice, that’s a huge gap
@@vinnyfranciswatchestotally agree.
There is no waitlist in China.
Every grandma and Philippino house maid has a Rolex.
Ralex
hey man that's racist.
Yes they have $50 rolex
@@Rainy_Day12234
That's racist man
@@chrislim7976 and funny AF !! 😂
Waitlist? How long are we going to participate in this ridiculous kabuki theater? Where are the adults? There is no such thing as a waitlist. Never has been.
There are only preferred customer lists. If you spend enough money or know the right people, you get your choice of Rolex.
Otherwise, you are out of luck. Can we all come back to some semblance of reality?
They say the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.
‘implied waitlists’
BS: Park City-Las Vegas-Tampa--“exhibition only”. That’s the reality
Chickens coming home to roost. Those would-be customers that were shunned not so long ago may be the saviour of WOS.
Just went to an AD in manchester. Loads of watches for sale including gmt bi metal rootbeer, smooth bezel datejusts etc. honestly you can see the same watches available in every rolex shop now.
Rolex ADs can’t be super cocky anymore
3 years and I’m still waiting for a call for a SS Submariner without other purchases. The AD offered if I spend $5K on a watch that they have in stock then the Sub will be available right away! I declined and no calls ever since.
I think this is the same scenario in most countries. My AD said that I should put the more classic models, Datejust, Oyster Perpetual, etc, on request/waitlist, I did, but they didn't even have those in stock to sell me, so how does that work? It's been 9 months, and still no call.
Eh - anecdotally, i was just in a mall recently whuch has a number of jewelry stores, most of which sell mid-tier luxury watches as well as Rolexes.
There were plenty of Breitling, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Omega, Longines, and the like, but their Rolex displays (which are on rhe outside windows to entice mall-goers to come inside) were ridiculously empty.
I mean, where there's room to display say, 4 or 5 different watches on a display stand, they only have one - and it's often like a 28mm ladies' datejust.
So, at least where i live, either demand still far outstrips supply, and the ADs can still play their "Silly peasant, Rolexes are for Kings!" games, or Rolex is deliberately trying to go out of business by refusing to even *display* their wares!
I love how Rolex says to come into store then register your interest aka they want to personally audit you to determine if you’re a one off purchase or a billionaire.
yep, still happens! forget going into a store wearing shorts and a t shirt
@@NPC123UH right, but you can buy a CErtified pre owned online and they could care less who you are. F the AD, still love Rolex just wish they would cut the scum AD’s out. I bought a Rolex almost 2 years ago, went on the bs waitlist for a steel sub. After dropping 16k on a watch you thing the pos would at least have the decency to reply back when I inquire. I stop in, acts like an a hole like his Shi… don’t stink. After bs with the guy, giving me some bull oh there is a 2 year wait and your about a year in, like what?? How dumb, it’s like they put these wait times on certain watches even if they have them, you still have to wait this amount of time? Well they had a ladies Datejust available, my wife wanted to try it on, all of a sudden, hey take a seat, can I get you a drink? After that , I will never go back
Into that AD or ever reach back out to that guy. One and done. No thanks.
When you are a company like with a profit margin of 60-90% they have a lot of wiggle room to drop prices and still remain profitable. Their best decision would be to end waitlists. The rule of supply and demand still rules. Grey market is still alive for now.
Every new Rolex I bought between 2002 and 2014 was from an AD and was discounted 20-30% under RRP
It will be a good year for genuine buyers with a few spare quid. Haggle hard is my advice.
always always haggle, you have nothing to lose
I’m sure Jagmeet Singh will buy some when he gets his pension!
No, that grifter and human piece of filth is most likely wearing a Patek. Yet another Indian making trouble in the West and NOT needed.
Waitlist is still long for many steel models and gray market prices are above retail for these watches
to much drama with Rolex, I prefer OMEGA 🔥
Just can’t get a manufacturer warranty on the grey market.
usually all manufacturer warranty is not attached to the original buyer, it’s a warranty on the watch and redeemable by anyone internationally
Omega refuses to listen to their customers and haven’t put Tfit on the fly adjustment on their bracelets. Once they start, more people will buy those watches
@ well I was told by Jomas that I wouldn’t get the manufacturer warranty, I would only get a Jomas warranty for a year. So I decided to buy from an authorized dealer to get my Omega warranty for five years.
@ I agree with that, I’d like a micro adjustment on my Aqua Terra. I do have my eye on the new Speedmaster with the white dial.
@@JohnnyBeans-w9k Omega will never listen to their customers
They should open boutiques like Breitling and Longines that actually sells watches not museum exhibits with staff twiddling their thumbs offering to sell them if you buy some trinkets. If they don’t change to this model they’ll seriously crash.
I see no such thing, all of the waitlists are extensive in the USA, I have been on one for 2 years and my AD still treats me like I'm a nobody
Stop paying the game, and it will stop to exist.
Because you don't exist.
Because you are a nobody in their eyes. Have you bought lots of pricy merchandise (and, particularly, jewelry) from them over time? If not, then you ARE a nobody to them. They aren't making bank from selling watches at retail to one time purchasers. They make bank from jewelry customers and (at least until fairly recently) at way over retail to grey market flippers. You don't exist to them. If you did, you'd have your watch.
You need to be on at least 5 AD waitlists. Being loyal to one store is insane.
@ That's not going to work. The only thing AD's pay attention to is how much you spend on high margin items in their store. You could be on a thousand waitlists but unless they see they have pulled high margin sales out of you, you aren't going to be considered for a high demand, low allocation watch. You might just get a Datejust or OP that nobody else wants, but that's about it.
"it really does leave most watches now as under retail proposition if you go to buy them on the gray market." "Flippers are disappearing." I guess no one has told flippers in the USA about this, as it is business as usual as I see new production 12/24, nothing special, watches, being sold for 30% over SRP everywhere. Does he really believe that the supply of Rolex is going to dramatically increase in 2025? The competition for limited availability watches remains. Nothing has changed.
If you can afford a Rolex you can afford the grey market premium……buy the watch you want on the day…..
I’m not supporting inflated prices. To me these are people who don’t want the watches but scalp to increase the price. Too bad for me but is also to protect myself from fakes.
I think the slowing demand will precipitate a more severe downward spiral...once any of us proles can walk in to the dealer and buy a Rolex, they won't be nearly as desirable to us proles. Kind of a catch-22.
Grand Seiko 9f quartz is the real deal
They should stop playing games, go to diamond district & there cases are full of watches in their coffins.
Get serial number off them & remove the dealer for selling it to the grey market.
I don’t think we will get stability, prices will continue to fall and for many Rolex watches you will be able to get a discount at the AD for date just etc, just as before the pandemic
Bring back the times when you would expect a 20-30% discount at the AD. I never shop at ADs anymore because they all think people are paying full retail.
I just got a sea dweller yesterday and it was my first visit ever to Rolex store in Toronto, they were kinda ok with all my requests except for the Daytona & the GMT they expressed difficulty. But even the sub they said they can get it to me soonish if o want.
Patek got me the annual calendar 5905 from the first visit also.
I guess we will go back to pre 2020 soon when Rolex was selling in Costco 😀
I have been on a “list” and two AD’s for 8 months, nothing yet. The last AD I went into in Bristol had the watch I wanted on display, and a few others I would have considered, and wouldn’t sell me a single thing.
I was ready to buy one a few months back and was put on a wait list. I then changed my mind and looking at omega speed/seamasters now
Good choice! go for the new speedy white dial, damn that’s sexy
@ Yeah the AD i go to doesn't have it. Won't hurt to go there in person to ask for it tho
Go for an aqua terra 😁
What’s stopping you from buying the omega? Still subconsciously waiting on the call?
@@mz8393 Bought a SBGC275G Grand Seiko xD
Rolex are more common that Toyota Corolla. They've had 4 years to build a second factory if the scarcity is real, which I don't believe it is.
3:38 retail prices of most Rolex models are cheaper, aren’t they?
Was always gonna happen and the only ones that will hold there money will be the hard to get one (Daytona etc)
agreed!
@ it’s funny now that the shits hit the fan all the “watch experts” have disappeared again.
Thank goodness... NORMALITY!!
Still waiting on “The Call”.
I'm so looking forward to a Patek or AP collab with Casio! 😂
I actually went into a Rolex store once, and they had no watches to purchase right then and there, but I could order one and would have to wait a few months.
in my humble opinion only people that would buy a quartz luxury watch is strictly because they want the name
Still waiting for my Pepsi GMT since April 2021. Still the same nonsense “for display only not for sale”.
Greed is Rolex’s downfall. Welcome to your depression.
This year's pricing announcement has come at the worst time for Rolex .
Best time for the savvy buyer 😉
There enough unworn watches out there but the grey market dealers want to low ball you
Roles waiting list is bullshit and is coming back to bite them, Seiko beats then hands down period at a fraction of the cost.
If Rolex wasn't run by dolts, they'd leave dealer pricing alone, triple their MSRP and allow dealers to price at their prerogative.
BTW, Tag Heuer is not "doing very well". They are swimming in a fetid sea of mediocrity and customer disregard.
Overpriced is an understatement
I haven't seen any price drops on anything
We have not seen the bottom. Wait till you see what the economy does in late 25 early 26.
The day Rolex calls me and begs me to buy their watches and apologizes for their greed and waitlists is the day I’ll consider one of their watches.
Market is fine.
Wishful thinking in my humble opinion: way over 1 million new watches on the market every year, now just imagine a major worldwide economic downturn, which is definitely an option on the table, in the near futur. Sure for now the price of an unworn Daytona won't go any lower but what about two tone Datejust or a Yacht Master? To me it's totally possible to see prices going even lower, the competition being people losing their jobs or struggling to pay the bills and selling their watches when Rolex in the other hand is willing to increase production every year, dont forget about the new facility opening in 2029....
all very good point which i do discuss in previous videos, particularly the new production facility and its impact but i’m looking toward this year really in this video, there are of course many external economic influences which could tip the balance either way, ongoing conflicts, inflation etc
its true, I see Rolex AD's in china post daily their watches they want to sell.
There are thousands of less expensive vintage pieces all o er rhe world that still look good today. If one loves watches that much but on a limited budget, this could be a geat option. Manufacturers need to figure out a way to inegrate modern tech with old school mechanis. Otherswise it get redundant and boring. Just look at the Cubitus😅
couldn’t agree more!
There are other very nice models out there from Rado, Mido, lower-end Grand Seiko 9f models that are wonderful and that anyone should be proud to own. I love my Rolexes, but also have a Grand Seiko 9F, Rado Golden Horse and two Mido Ocean Star Tributes and am happy with them all of them.
If you need to tell time, get a $10 watch at target. We mostly don't need to because we have our phones. The higher priced watches are frequently just Veblen goods to flex status. People don't buy a Rolex watch, they buy a Rolex. Not much difference between a Nautilus and a tennis bracelet. Well, you can wear an AP to the office. One can't conspicuously consume affordable. Expensive is *the* virtue for that segment. Watches are jewelry today. Thirty years ago, people used watches as a tool. A quartz Omega made sense. Today Garman and Apple watch are that space. An Omega quartz doesn't make sense. Swatch don't need or watch a cheap Omega.
The competition is I can go to a dealer and I know damn well I'm getting a genuine piece without question. I also get the brand new Rolex buying experience and get on the radar of Rolex if in the future I want a limited edition.
Thanks for the breakdown! I need some advice: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (mistake turkey blossom warfare blade until bachelor fall squeeze today flee guitar). How can I transfer them to Binance?
quartz is quartz
Thanks Vinny. What you wearing today?
No problem, and on the wrist is a Swiss Army Victorinox INOX in titanium, known as the swiss g-shock having undergone 130 stress tests😉
All that guff to buy a watch brand that nobody cares about on your wrist….
What Rolexes are under retail?
Most datejust, pretty much all day-dates, yachtmasters, most two tone watches, women’s pieces, Gold daytonas, gold GMts etc
@ but none of the popular watches. Ie, stainless steel submariners or GMTs?
The Pepsi in white gold with blue dial, 126719BLRO, seriously under retail!
@@vinnyfranciswatches Can you point me in the right direction where the Datejust's are under retail. I am looking for a green, smooth bezel, 41mm with either bracelet option. They all seem to be at least $2K over retail. Thanks.
I think you mix the “grey market” with the “secondary market”. The grey market deals only with unworn pieces, by definition.
they’re used interchangeably and as such have become one of the same in this context
@ no, they are not, they have different meanings. If you flip a watch from an AD, it’s not new anymore. They removed the plastics and registered to you. It goes on the secondary market, even if it sells above retail. Grey market it’s new watches that come into the market new, but outside the usual channels. E.g. AD’s or the brand sell new watches to 3rd party dealers. Patek does that, likely some Rolex ADs.
@@adi-1933 Making up definitions doesn't help anyone.
@ ok, you win. Grey market and secondary market are the same thing.
@@adi-1933 I don't want to get in an argument with anyone, but I believe you are correct. The grey market has always been brand new, unused items sold by Non-Authorized Dealers that do not include a valid manufacturer's warranty. The Non-Authorized Dealers may offer a warranty but not with the OEM. This is also common in the photographic industry. Even though grey market and secondary market are different, in today's world, I think most people do use the terms interchangeably.
Bro, your table is so shaky
Watch brands created this environment……… let them rot. Another year of uninspiring new releases on the horizon and another group of enthusiasts moving on to pastures new. Luxury brands will be having fire sales going into 2026 due to consumers having to be smart with finances. We’re heading towards the next level of the economic crash (biblical in the U.K.) and the last thing on everyone’s minds is going to be time pieces. Casio are going to have a field day.
Name me one problem the west faces that doesn't blame China 😂
The Watch Market Is Dead
You didn’t know?
But I am still waiting 😂I mean seriously I don’t want to buy other junk to buy a Rolex. Is simple as that.
Would you be so kind to share direct links where I can get Rolex below retail price??? something tells me it just a nice theory maybe in future years, but definitely not right now
The grey market, most non hyped models now trading at or below retail, which is about 95% of its entire range.
@ I understand I’m not asking about submariner or GMT 2 at least share the links where I can get explorer below retail price thank you
@@romankavrelishvili8678 looking for Explorer 2 myself and no way im getting one below retail currently.
No way have you reached the bottom.
Go where you are treated best.
I wouldn't wear a Rolex if you gave it to me for free. Its not worth the risk to my well being all for a mass produced, sterile boring design, with unremarkable movements from a brand with exactly zero in-house heritage. It's not even a native Swiss brand. I dont think I can name a single thing that they legitimately invented or even innovated that wasn't already in use in pocket watches. And they didn't invent the "perpetual rotor" a British guy Harwood invented that and Fortis was the first to put it on a wristwatch. An Rolex didn't even invent the rotor that could wind in both directions that was Felsa.
Rolex are just a glorified case and dial designer who royally blew the opportunity to put their watch on the moon because the U.S. government didn't disclose why they were commissioning a watch that could meet their strict standards. None of the 15 watch companies approached had any idea the watch was going to the moon's surface until they all watched it on TV. Rolex were too busy sponsoring tennis and golf tournaments while Omega was doing real horology work. If I'm going to be snuffed out for my watch let it at least be Breguet or Vacheron. Imagine being offed for a Rolex...how humiliating.
Ok
@mz8393 👍
F AD, i went and got the exact full packege I wanted on the day for a retail 2 weeks ago. S FL
awesome congrats!
Good. Rolex is great. But so many other great watches out there. Fuck the consumerism and that sexy crown logo and ceramic bezel, get a Tudor, omega, grand seiko, iwc, etc instead of grossly overpaying for a second hand Rolex or being forced into buying 20k plus worth of undesired models to get a boost at your chance of getting a highly sought after sport model for retail price
Hey Vinny, I love your videos but in terms of under retail Rolex, you must be talking about Datejusts etc. and not GMT’s, Sub,s etc. Because if you are, contact me because I’ll take a Pepsi, Kermit, Daytona, etc. under retail right now from you 😉
I have no idea why anyone would buy a Rolex?Is it purely to show off😮
they’re beautifully made though! plenty of under the radar rolex picks too for those who don’t want to be showy, the explorer is best for this i think
The 31xx series movements were reliable workhorses. Jury's out on the 32, but not very promising
Let me answer this for you. You have no idea because youve never owned one. If that's your mindset then you either can't afford one or you're salty that you cant get one. Own a modern sports steel Rolex first son, then you'll understand. Or if youre so well off and can't be bothered playing games, go buy haute horology like Lange or Gronefeld for $60k where you don't have to play these games. Other players in the $10k sports segment like Breitling, omega, IWC, all make bricks with dimensions that are completely off. Again, own a modern steel sports rolex and you'll understand. The AD experience is even worse with Patek and AP.
@steelsteez6118
Own a Patek and you’ll realize that Rolex is nothing but a hype brand for fat little men making a last ditch attempt to attract a woman.
The AD experience isn’t worse, you’re just too poor and greasy to be worth their time. Now be a good boy and go cry about it.
@@vinnyfranciswatches
Exactly! It’s why I bought an Explorer 40. It is beautifully made and very few people would recognise it
Vinny knows watches!
thanks! hope you’re well mate
Save your money and buy a China super clone. Nobody will know the difference.
I’m still waiting on Daytona and Pepsi. I did get the call for Starbucks submariner after ten months and two other Rolex purchases later.
I have 7 rolex all from my AD including sub, batgirl and Pepsi yet I'm still waiting on the panda daytona, into my 5th year now
From an AD’s POV, offering you a panda is basically giving you 20k free money. Doubt how many of the Daytonas are being sold to an actual buyer.
You’re a complete wall roll like fart in here in Canada is still strong and there’s a lot more people into the Watch market now for prices are still strong
Does this response smell? Asking for a friend. You couldn’t give me one of these watches.
Hope so, went to buy my 1st rolex at an AD today and was told 6-12 months for the datejust I want.
👍
Overpriced watches
yeah i definitely can't figure out how they pulled off expensive but not exclusive. it seems like most rolexes are in some display case or on ebay not on the wrists of actual enthusiasts.
Great to see this happening, why should customers have to beg an AD to sell them a watch? When we all know its just a preference list, reserved for their rich clients. Rolex stores are just a glorified museum.
When crypto explodes again so will the watch market.
i’m interested to see what happens with crypto on Trump’s return and will it impact the watch market again?
I was wondering the same thing
Don’t want Rolex and their waitlists. Like Grand Seiko.
ABSOfucingLUTELY!!!!
Spring Dr., Zara polish and assemble parts and only 40,000 a year versus these robot conveyor belt 1.3million!!! bullshit 😂. Google sbga053 or 051
🤮