Solid!

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Buy an Omega, they don’t play these “you have to develop a relationship with your AD and become part of the Rolex family before we’ll let you buy a watch” bullshit games.

I concur. I have two plus James Bond wears one.

quote:

Originally posted by JR78:

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Buy an Omega, they don’t play these “you have to develop a relationship with your AD and become part of the Rolex family before we’ll let you buy a watch” bullshit games.

I concur. I have two plus James Bond wears one.

The original James Bond watch was a Rolex. First noted in the 2nd novel Live and Let Die, and in the first movie Dr. No.

I don't think Omega has the demand that allows their ADS to play the game. Rolex makes a million watches per year and some models still sell on the gray market for double the new retail price. I don't think any AD likes missing out on that money. It's a pretty good sales job when you are guaranteed to make a sale just by calling down your wait list. I'm out there rubbing two sticks together by comparison.

quote:

Originally posted by Angus the Kid:
Good grief. I finally figured it out!


Here it is:

Very nice! You got it at MSRP right?

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
You got it at MSRP right?

Yes

quote:

Originally posted by JR78:

I have two plus James Bond wears one.

0-0

I faced a similar issue when I was trying to buy a Rolex. After visiting several retailers and getting the same response, I decided to explore other options. I found some of the best replica watches available and ended up purchasing a replica Rolex Submariner. The quality and craftsmanship were impressive, and it looks very close to the real thing. It’s been a great alternative while I continue to look for an authentic Rolex.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rcpylon,

I'm interested in buying a cool watch but have a limited budget. I'm looking for something stylish and high-quality without breaking the bank. Any suggestions for great watches that are affordable?

If you're looking for a stylish and high-quality watch on a budget, I'd recommend considering some well-regarded brands that offer great value for money. Brands like Seiko, Citizen, and Orient are known for their craftsmanship and affordability. They provide a range of watches that look great and are durable without costing a fortune.

Additionally, if you're open to exploring alternatives, I found a site that specializes in high-quality replica watches. These watches often mimic the design of luxury brands but at a fraction of the price. This could be a great option if you're looking for something that stands out but still fits within your budget. You might want to check out here for some impressive options that could match your style and budget perfectly.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mac_220,

quote:

Originally posted by rcpylon:
I faced a similar issue when I was trying to buy a Rolex. After visiting several retailers and getting the same response, I decided to explore other options. I found some of the best replica watches available and ended up purchasing a replica Rolex Submariner. The quality and craftsmanship were impressive, and it looks very close to the real thing. It’s been a great alternative while I continue to look for an authentic Rolex.

Fakes are trash.

^ +1 for Fakes are Trash.

quote:

Originally posted by Phelen_Kell:
I'm interested in buying a cool watch but have a limited budget. I'm looking for something stylish and high-quality without breaking the bank. Any suggestions for great watches that are affordable?

Phoibos is a highly spoken of brand. They start around $330 or so but they also have sales.

https://phoiboswatch.com/

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
Those ADs are full of shit. They probably have a stack of Rolexes on hand. Yes, they're playing games like Smudge said.

They don't have them. Rolex markets this way. They allocate watches in dribs and drabs, and the ADs sell them to the customers who they have ongoing relationships with or those on waiting lists.

It is a crap marketing strategy, but they don't have a stack of them in the back room.

Rolex could easily ramp up production, but they believe this creates demand and keeps prices high. Whether it is better to create artificially high prices or sell more watches is an open question, but this is the method Rolex has chosen.

And they can't sell the displays. Rolex won't let them, and they enforce their dealer agreement strictly.

I hear the backlog is diminishing, but last time I was in a Rolex AD, about six months ago, they had no sport watches to sell. They had a few Cellinis on hand only.

Even used prices are crazy. I have a plain Explorer, which I got on the gray market some years ago, and it sells used for twice-ish what I paid for it new.

What do they do with the displays?

I don't know when it's going online, but Rolex recently built a huge new production facility.

I was recently in Switzerland and Germany and went to plenty of Rolex ADs. Nothing available, of course, and they won't let you on a waitlist without a local address. Double whammy is that that also means they won't give you paperwork for the VAT refund because they expect the watch to remain in the country.

The exhibition pieces are real working watches and they do get permission to sell them eventually. But the most desirable models go to the best customers. I knew I'd never get a Pepsi GMT from an AD, so I bit the bullet and went gray. Buy once, cry once.

quote:

Originally posted by Phelen_Kell:
I'm interested in buying a cool watch but have a limited budget. I'm looking for something stylish and high-quality without breaking the bank. Any suggestions for great watches that are affordable?

What style of watch are you looking for? Dress watch, Dive watch, basic every day watch. Also are you looking for Quartz or mechanical/automatic?
There are a lot of great watches out there you say you have a limited budget, about how much are you looking to spend.
I have never purchased anything for them however I have heard good thing about Long Island watches, have you looked at his web site to get ideas?

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
I don't know when it's going online, but Rolex recently built a huge new production facility.

I was recently in Switzerland and Germany and went to plenty of Rolex ADs. Nothing available, of course, and they won't let you on a waitlist without a local address. Double whammy is that that also means they won't give you paperwork for the VAT refund because they expect the watch to remain in the country.

The exhibition pieces are real working watches and they do get permission to sell them eventually. But the most desirable models go to the best customers. I knew I'd never get a Pepsi GMT from an AD, so I bit the bullet and went gray. Buy once, cry once.

I didn't know about the new factory.

https://robbreport.com/style/w...actories-1234817627/

The new factory is underway but this report says it won't be producing watches until 2029. It also says Rolex has built other production facilities to come on-line sooner which are expected to be in production by 2025. So, it seems as if this isn't entirely a marketing strategy, but a genuine increase in demand that they could not meet. Rolex is famously secretive, though, and is not publicly traded. They never allow much reporting or photography in the factory claiming their methods and logistics processes are proprietary and confidential.

Rolex. Marketing scheme sucks. But it works for them. Good for them.

quote:

Originally posted by rock185:
I've enjoyed this discussion. I like watches, but admit I don't know the intricate details of various movements, etc. Years ago, one of our informal shooting group was an engineer who wore a Submariner. He said he paid $600.00 for it, but as I said this was years ago. I finally bought one in '87, and have worn it practically every day since. Yes, I know it's likely a $3.00 Chinese quartz watch is more precise, and other's favorite XYZ brand has a finer movement. OK, I get it, but still don't regret buying the Rolex.

FWIW, I was in a Rolex jeweler a couple years ago. I don't know if they were actually for sale, but they had only a very few Rolex on display. I asked the sales guy what a new Sub would cost. IIRC, he said $8000.00 and 5 years wait. I figured a new Sub would be rather expensive, but didn't know there would be a wait, much less 5 years???

I've been watching a few of his videos. Very educational about something I know very little.

Rescued Explorer