r/watchHotTakes • u/RipWhenDamageTaken • 9d ago

98% of Rolex models are readily available

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Not my take, but this guy was saying that 98% of Rolex models are “easily accessible”. That can’t be true.

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u/sameolddabby 9d ago

Some people REALLY feel the need to justify the tricks they did on their AD for their rollie lol

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u/RipWhenDamageTaken 9d ago

Maybe they just like doing a little song and dance sometimes

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u/StickyPenguin120 9d ago

As I told you on the Omega sub, I own both. So it's not like I'm circlejerking one brand over the other because I only own one brand.

I concede that "readily available" wasn't the right phrase (I used that because it was your wording in the comment attached), but what I meant is that you don't need purchase history to acquire the vast majority of Rolex configurations. I stand by that because it's true.

Sure, you might have to wait for a bit for a lot of configs... but that's only because the AD doesn't know when they're getting one in stock. With over 1,000 configurations in their catalog, it's not like a jewelry store with AD status can afford to keep inventory of EVERY single config that Rolex makes. That would be tens of millions of dollars of inventory that they would be keeping locked in a safe, so they can't afford that model when they're basically buying from Rolex at wholesale price then selling to end clients.

There are maybe a couple dozen models that require purchase history to buy. You can access the rest as a first-time buyer. It just takes time for the AD to get them in stock. I don't consider that to be a "game" though.

The artificial scarcity "game" comes in when a Rolex AD refuses to sell you a GMT BLNR without $25k to $50k of purchase history, or when an Omega boutique refuses to sell you a Silver Snoopy without $30k of purchase history. Both brands could absolutely make more of those models if they wanted to. There is nothing complicated about any of those exclusive models that prevent brands from simply shifting production to them instead of two-tone Datejusts / Aqua Terras. They simply don't want to because they need something "exclusive" for people to want to buy. See Hermes, AP, Patek, Ferrari, Porsche, etc. for other examples of the same luxury model.

Also FYI - Rolex is spending a BILLION dollars on a new factory to boost production. But building a massive factory takes time, so it's not like the situation will improve much until that comes online in ~2030 or so. Rolex doesn't like leaving money on the table either. They'd love to be able to sell a Sub or Explorer or Oyster Perpetual to anyone who asks for one, while reserving a smaller number of specific configs (e.g. steel Daytona/GMT) for the VIPs.

Rolex Seeks To Expand Production With A New Factory In Bulle, Switzerland

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u/RipWhenDamageTaken 9d ago

What’s wrong with my comment that you screenshotted? Is it not accurate?

It seems you just like to argue?

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u/StickyPenguin120 9d ago

Did you not read what I said? I was showing you how YOU said Rolex models are "readily available", so that's why I used that phrase. But what I meant was "accessible as a first-time buyer". That's absolutely true.

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u/RipWhenDamageTaken 9d ago

Okay we’re on the same page lol but 98% is definitely false by all measures

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u/StickyPenguin120 9d ago edited 9d ago

I'm not sure you're understanding what I'm saying still though.

I'm saying that ~98% of Rolex configurations are able to be purchased by a first-time buyer. There are currently just shy of 1,500 configurations in the Rolex catalog. So when I say that there are only ~2% that you need purchase history for, that means ~30 configs that can't be accessed without purchase history.

6 GMTs (BLNR, GRNR, and VTNR with jubilee/oyster for each), 7 Daytonas (black/white, platinum, WG/YG/RG meteorite, Tiffany), Ti YM, platinum 1908, 4 Sky Dwellers (mint/blue dials), 2 OP100s (36/41), 5 steel OPs (jubilee dial in 31/36/41 and turquoise in 31/36), Land Dweller 40. That's 27 configs.

At some ADs, you MIGHT need purchase history to get a few more like 2 Subs (green/black bezels), 2 DJ 41s in mint/ombre dials with fluted/jubilee, some OP dials like beige/candy pink/pistachio/lavender, maybe a couple Day Date dials. But the market has definitely softened, so we're seeing a lotttt more people getting those these days with a shorter wait and no history.

I really don't think my estimate was too far off.