Demand for Rolex hits unprecedented level

Posts
3,043
Likes
7,949
It will come as no surprise to anybody in the industry that, when asked to name a watch brand they would most like on their wrist, the majority named Rolex.
But the scale of the Rolex appeal should be deeply troubling to every other brand because, when 55% want a Rollie, that leaves hundreds of other watchmakers fighting for the other 45%.
A survey was carried out by Richemont’s Watchfinder & Co., which asked over 20,000 watch lovers, from over 140 countries, to name their dream watch.
Rolex dominated the responses, not only as a brand but also as the most popular watch with its Daytona chronograph, particularly the ref. 116506, the 50th anniversary Daytona model made in platinum (pictured top).

It has a retail price of £59,600, but is now routinely offered for three times that price on the secondary market.
Patek Philippe was the second most popular watch brand, accounting for 12.5% of the votes, and Omega came in third place with 6.7%.
Audemars Piguet scooped fourth place.

Disappointing to Richemont, since it ultimately funded the study, was the discovery that only A. Lange & Söhne from its stable made the top five. Breitling was at number six, and then Richemont’s Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier and IWC made up the rest of the top ten.

When it came to the most wanted watch model, six of the top ten were from Rolex. More than 16% of survey respondents named a Rolex Daytona as their number one pick. In second place was the Rolex Submariner with 12.4% of the votes.

Patek Philippe’s Nautilus came in third with 6.2%, followed by Rolex’s GMT-Master with 5.1% and Rolex Datejust at 4.9%. Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak crept into the top five with 3.9% listing the famous Gerald Genta designed watch. The rest of the top ten were:

Rolex Oyster Perpetual (3.7%)
Patek Philippe Complication (3.5%)
Rolex Day Date (3.5%)
Omega Speedmaster (3.3%)

Arjen Van de Vall, CEO of Watchfinder & Co., remarks: “Steel sports watches continue to stand the test of time so it was little surprise to see a Daytona at the top of this years ‘most wanted’ list. The platinum Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph, which proved to be the most wanted of all Daytona references, became an instant collectors piece when it was launched in 2013. Demand for this timepiece has continued to outweigh supply ever since and currently the watch is near on impossible to buy new.

“And this is where buying pre-owned really comes into its own; providing watch buyers with unprecedented access to those hard to get pieces – whether that’s a vintage or limited edition, a cult classic that has been discontinued or, of course, a current best seller that is impossible to access new due to impenetrable and lengthy waiting lists. The length and breadth of choice in the luxury watch sector has never been greater and each year more and more watch enthusiasts are recognising trusted pre-owned specialists as the best route to accessing more of this stock.”

Watchfinder’s survey also asked about behavioral issues when it comes to watch research and shopping. Interestingly, social media and influencers were less powerful than some may assume. Twice as many people first came across their dream watch on the wrist of someone they know rather than seeing it on the wrist of a celebrity or an influencer. 24% of people first discovered their dream watch in a physical boutique, 20% saw it in editorial and 16% discovered it whilst online shopping online.

The emotional impact of wearing a dream watch was enormous, with 93.8% of respondents believing that wearing their dream watch would positively impact their confidence.

One in three said wearing their dream watch would make them feel successful, wealthy and accomplished and almost one third said wearing their dream watch would make them feel more suave, sophisticated or elegant.

Only 25% of those surveyed selected their dream watch because they considered it a sound investment.

https://usa.watchpro.com/rolexs-power-and-influence-reach-terrifying-levels/
 
Posts
1,505
Likes
7,785
Right, but how many of those people can actually afford to buy what they say they want? I would love to have a vintage Ferrari in great condition (and some other things I haven't thought of yet) but absent a big lottery win it will never happen.
 
Posts
3,043
Likes
7,949
Right, but how many of those people can actually afford to buy what they say they want? I would love to have a vintage Ferrari in great condition (and some other things I haven't thought of yet) but absent a big lottery win it will never happen.

The survey was which watch brand they would like on their wrist, not which watch they could afford to buy.
 
Posts
1,505
Likes
7,785
Just pointing out the fallacy in the following statement: "But the scale of the Rolex appeal should be deeply troubling to every other brand because, when 55% want a Rollie, that leaves hundreds of other watchmakers fighting for the other 45%." If 55% want a Rolex and 1% (e.g.) can afford one that actually leaves 99% shopping elsewhere if they want a watch, so maybe not so troubling.
 
Posts
6,848
Likes
12,891
I dropped by the Omega Boutique in San Antonio yesterday. Next door is a large jewelry store that has Cartier, Tag, Tudor, Panerai and a few other lines with plenty of watches in the cases, even Tudor was well represented. There is an attached Rolex boutique to the store so on my way out of the jewelry store I passed the guard and went into the boutique. There must be 150 slots for Rolex watches in the cases and in the wall displays, there was not one single Rolex watch in the boutique, none, zero. I was tempted to ask the woman behind the counter what she did to pass the time but thought better of it. It's just plain weird.
Edited:
 
Posts
2,376
Likes
4,796
I was tempted to ask the woman behind the counter what she did to pass the time but thought better of it.
I think I’d have been inclined to ask the guard what it’s like having a job, with nothing to do…
 
Posts
6,848
Likes
12,891
I think I’d have been inclined to ask the guard what it’s like having a job, with nothing to do…
It reminded me of the Seinfeld episode when they provided the guard with a chair, might as well be comfortable. But the guard was actually sitting on a high stool so he looked ok. He was stationed between the main jewelry store and the Rolex boutique, so he had to be ready to spring into action if someone wanted to steal a Tag Heuer.
 
Posts
218
Likes
740
I think I’d have been inclined to ask the guard what it’s like having a job, with nothing to do…

None of it makes sense to me. If I lose my job for some reason I am definitely going to seek out work at a Rolex AD
 
Posts
489
Likes
2,017
boom bubble burst, but only at the secondary market
 
Posts
6,832
Likes
13,793
It will come as no surprise to anybody in the industry that, when asked to name a watch brand they would most like on their wrist, the majority named Rolex.
But the scale of the Rolex appeal should be deeply troubling to every other brand because, when 55% want a Rollie, that leaves hundreds of other watchmakers fighting for the other 45%.
A survey was carried out by Richemont’s Watchfinder & Co., which asked over 20,000 watch lovers, from over 140 countries, to name their dream watch.
Rolex dominated the responses, not only as a brand but also as the most popular watch with its Daytona chronograph, particularly the ref. 116506, the 50th anniversary Daytona model made in platinum (pictured top).

It has a retail price of £59,600, but is now routinely offered for three times that price on the secondary market.
Patek Philippe was the second most popular watch brand, accounting for 12.5% of the votes, and Omega came in third place with 6.7%.
Audemars Piguet scooped fourth place.

Disappointing to Richemont, since it ultimately funded the study, was the discovery that only A. Lange & Söhne from its stable made the top five. Breitling was at number six, and then Richemont’s Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier and IWC made up the rest of the top ten.

When it came to the most wanted watch model, six of the top ten were from Rolex. More than 16% of survey respondents named a Rolex Daytona as their number one pick. In second place was the Rolex Submariner with 12.4% of the votes.

Patek Philippe’s Nautilus came in third with 6.2%, followed by Rolex’s GMT-Master with 5.1% and Rolex Datejust at 4.9%. Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak crept into the top five with 3.9% listing the famous Gerald Genta designed watch. The rest of the top ten were:

Rolex Oyster Perpetual (3.7%)
Patek Philippe Complication (3.5%)
Rolex Day Date (3.5%)
Omega Speedmaster (3.3%)

Arjen Van de Vall, CEO of Watchfinder & Co., remarks: “Steel sports watches continue to stand the test of time so it was little surprise to see a Daytona at the top of this years ‘most wanted’ list. The platinum Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph, which proved to be the most wanted of all Daytona references, became an instant collectors piece when it was launched in 2013. Demand for this timepiece has continued to outweigh supply ever since and currently the watch is near on impossible to buy new.

“And this is where buying pre-owned really comes into its own; providing watch buyers with unprecedented access to those hard to get pieces – whether that’s a vintage or limited edition, a cult classic that has been discontinued or, of course, a current best seller that is impossible to access new due to impenetrable and lengthy waiting lists. The length and breadth of choice in the luxury watch sector has never been greater and each year more and more watch enthusiasts are recognising trusted pre-owned specialists as the best route to accessing more of this stock.”

Watchfinder’s survey also asked about behavioral issues when it comes to watch research and shopping. Interestingly, social media and influencers were less powerful than some may assume. Twice as many people first came across their dream watch on the wrist of someone they know rather than seeing it on the wrist of a celebrity or an influencer. 24% of people first discovered their dream watch in a physical boutique, 20% saw it in editorial and 16% discovered it whilst online shopping online.

The emotional impact of wearing a dream watch was enormous, with 93.8% of respondents believing that wearing their dream watch would positively impact their confidence.

One in three said wearing their dream watch would make them feel successful, wealthy and accomplished and almost one third said wearing their dream watch would make them feel more suave, sophisticated or elegant.

Only 25% of those surveyed selected their dream watch because they considered it a sound investment.

https://usa.watchpro.com/rolexs-power-and-influence-reach-terrifying-levels/
Still, five of the top ten are Richemont. Now look not only for desirability but availability. How many people that desire a Rolex or a Patek can get one? or afford one? combine that with the volume of production and availability of the other Richemont brands and they're doing ok. I would not complain.

Who makes more money, Daniel Boloud restaurants or McDonalds? nobody "desires" McDonalds. But everyone eats it.
Edited:
 
Posts
6,832
Likes
13,793
I should add. Richemont is not McDonalds, just trying to make a point.
 
Posts
3,717
Likes
35,975
Who makes more money, Daniel Boloud restaurants or McDonalds? nobody "desires" McDonalds. But everyone eats it.

And in the same vein, who makes more money Invicta, Guess, Micheal Kors, Fossil or Rolex? I would be surprised if it was the latter.
 
Posts
3,979
Likes
8,987
And in the same vein, who makes more money Invicta, Guess, Micheal Kors, Fossil or Rolex? I would be surprised if it was the latter.

Unclear the relevance, unless we’re all agreeing that present income is the relevant metric?

Because of your list, in 100 years from now, I’m guessing Rolex has the best shot of still existing.


I should add. Richemont is not McDonalds, just trying to make a point.

In your analogy, Richemont should hope it’s McDonalds, rather than Red Lobster.

But I’m afraid McDonalds are smartwatches in this analogy.
 
Posts
6,832
Likes
13,793
And in the same vein, who makes more money Invicta, Guess, Micheal Kors, Fossil or Rolex? I would be surprised if it was the latter.
I wouldn’t either. Not the point though.
Edited:
 
Posts
3,717
Likes
35,975
Unclear the relevance, unless we’re all agreeing that present income is the relevant metric?

Because of your list, in 100 years from now, I’m guessing Rolex has the best shot of still existing.




In your analogy, Richemont should hope it’s McDonalds, rather than Red Lobster.

But I’m afraid McDonalds are smartwatches in this analogy.

The income metric points to peoples buying decisions and whilst this may not be a determiner of quality or satisfying desire it does point to the desirability of cheap of their day type of watches being high in desirability with huge uptake to the masses.
 
Posts
3,979
Likes
8,987
The income metric points to peoples buying decisions and whilst this may not be a determiner of quality or satisfying desire it does point to the desirability of cheap of their day type of watches being high in desirability with huge uptake to the masses.

Sure, which is an interesting thing to think about but not, I suspect, what the author of the OP’s copied piece was driving at when explicitly discussing the prerogatives of buyers’ desires (which topic of desires you explicitly set aside), and those desires being considered by competing luxury watch brands.

In any event, do you have any data to suggest how many Fossil, Guess, etc., watches are being sold and for any significant net profit? Because based on industry analyses I’ve seen the past few years, those are precisely the category of watch seeing their sales plummet against competition from smart watches, while luxury mechanical uptake is meanwhile holding or gaining ground. Why? Probably because, for various reasons, a Fossil/smartwatch is not directly competing with a luxury mechanical.

Which brings me back again, to thinking that looking at present “uptake” by gross number in snapshot is maybe interesting, life-of-company uptake seems an at least equally interesting/relevant metric. Rolex (and brands like Rolex) have had a long time on the books, and may have a long time left on the books.

Fossil? Prescient name.
 
Posts
2,707
Likes
17,390
I guess as long as there are none to buy then other manufacturers have nothing to worry about...
 
Posts
16,709
Likes
47,266
From above survey


The emotional impact of wearing a dream watch was enormous, with 93.8% of respondents believing that wearing their dream watch would positively impact their confidence.

One in three said wearing their dream watch would make them feel successful, wealthy and accomplished and almost one third said wearing their dream watch would make them feel more suave, sophisticated or elegant.

Really…… it’s a watch…..

Wear a dream watch fishing I’m not more confident, sophisticated or suave. Probably would still take the piss for my decky being out the front at 4:10 instead of 4:00 am