I refuse to pay the premium to a flipper on what is supposedly a non LE piece.
Fully agree, while I have enormous respect for doctors, for their contribution to society and for their hard work.... the thread seemed to rub me the wrong way in that it unfairly blamed omega and their boutiques.
Omega is now playing the same games with production as Rolex
This is a tired line of venting.
These companies do what is best for the value of the company.
What is best for the value of the company is increasing the value of the brand.
Increasing the value of the brand involves creating brand demand, brand mystique, and brand exclusivity.
We don’t have to like it, but to keep venting about it amounts to venting “these companies keep wanting to make money, and it hurts my very last feeling.”
Apple watch’s are ubiquitous and can be purchased at a moment’s notice if you’re really needing a wristwatch...
Sounds kind of reasonable until this part "Omega according to Swiss laws is not able to invest the deposits or even get interest on the money"
So what is Omega supposed to do with the money from the deposits? If they put it in a bank they're going to earn interest. Are they going to put it all in $100 bills and lock the money in a vault?
T TexexNot sure if I am in the right thread but... I stopped by my OB today to have a link taken out of my wifes Seamaster and I asked about the Apollo 13 50th where I am 22nd on the list. The manager had some interesting things to say and I'll like to hear if you guys are hearing the same. First he said that my place in line is not a "Firm 22nd". If someone who is on the list below me has a better spend history they will skip me in line. He also said that anyone who has a deposit in will get one guaranteed and that almost everyone who does not have a deposit will not get one. Omega has told OBs that they will only make 5000 in the next 2 years and only 1200 will come to the US and ALL of those are already spoken for with a deposit. After that the will trickle out for big spenders only. He said the issue with the 45th limited edition was that some big spenders did not get one and they make a huge stink about it. Guys that spend 100K a year just on Omega (no idea how one could do this). So Omega decided that they will make this one a Limited Production so they can make very few to make it exclusive like the 45th but then make a few more on the back end to satisfy the big hitters. So basically limited like the last one but with the option to make a few more later on to keep the big spenders happy. He also said that all 1200 should be in the US by end of year so anyone with a deposit should have their watch by December 2021. He also said other than 1 or 2 huge ADs in NYC and LA, only OBs will ever get the watch, none for normal ADs. He also said that no sales associate has been paid commission and that Omega according to Swiss laws is not able to invest the deposits or even get interest on the money. Omega was not able to access the money until a sale is made. Finally I brought up that Omega might have chosen to not make this one limited edition so they can sell a ton. He said that I need to think bigger picture and that their goal is not to sell a ton of one watch but to be the hot talked about watch which would be fantastic marketing. A high tide raises all (Omega watches) buoys. He added that Omega could loose money on this watch (they won't) and it would still be a huge win for them with the publicity. He then politely offered to promptly give me my money back (I didn't ask for it) if I was unhappy with the process which I declined. Any of this sound familiar? Who know how much of it is accurate and how much is OB BS. Thoughts?
There are some interesting theories about the ethics in the luxury market.
Wrist watches that cost thousands of dollars are a luxury goods, there is nothing bad, fair or ethical about this business and the market around it.
There are only nice timepieces and there is interest about getting them.
Scarcity of offer, high demand and high costs are the key points of luxury. It’s understandable that somebody might not like the game, but you are not forced to play!
You can get a swatch instead of a Snoopy 50.
A Michael Kors bag instead of a Hermès birkin.
And a very fine Subaru instead of a Ferrari.
You can get them now, without a waiting list, a deposit, a relation with the dealer, and they will serve the function.
Luxury is not for everybody, and by definition is not ethical... because It is superfluous, pricey, and challenging to get.
T TexexHouston
