This weekend – I took a special trip around the Bay Area. A special trip that I can do only when I am by myself at home.
THAT IS A QUICK TRIP AROUND ROLEX AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN THE BAY AREA.
Ever since I stumbled upon a yacht-master by sheer luck, I have been meaning to go on weekends and this weekend was it.
I left home around 10am and spent whole day going around different ADs – and not just Rolex ADs but also other AD, so that I can have a better view of Rolex market in the midst of overall luxury watch market.
Below are my findings from the trip- hope it helps your watch buying decisions!
FIRST – ROLEX SHORTAGE IS ONLY GETTING WORSE DUE TO UPCOMING HOLIDAYS
There is pretty much no watch at all that you can buy – that is including relatively less popular Lady Datejust. Christmas season is coming up – and people are buying Rolex watches like crazy. Honestly, I don’t blame them – wouldn’t you want to get your mother / wife a Rolex?
SECOND – ROLEX IS NOW UP THERE WITH PATEK PHILLIPPE AND VACHERON CONSTANTIN
I went to non-ROLEX ADs as well. Wow things are simply so different. The atmosphere feels different. The one that I went to actually carried Omega and Zenith – both of which are very expensive and prestigious watch houses. However, they are not the best jewelers in their respective neighborhoods (those are Rolex and Patek dealers). Omega had once competed with Rolex on prestige but it feels like they are completely behind Rolex and even Tudor.
THIRD – TUDOR IS RISING (ABOVE OMEGA)
Tudor really benefits from having a good powerful big brother. In Rolex ADs, Tudor is there with Patek and VC even though more expensive brands like Omega or Zenith are not. Prestige by association is clearly at play here. People that ship at Rolex, Patek, or VC see Tudor right next to those brands- they don’t see Omega or others.
Tudor has great designs that are inspired by vintage Rolex watches- so you are not really competing. Tudor is more complementary to Rolex collection.
FOURTH – I AM BULLISH ON ROLEX!
Thank God that I got a Rolex whose value is rising.
I will keep hunting for more Rolex.
I am not going to flip because I see the value compounding more time with highly positive risk/reward at current level.
This is the end of Rolex current market report!
Hope you enjoyed it!
