Watches - another OCD problem
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There's a piece at aBlogToWatch about how some of the Swiss companies are restricting supply.
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/why-some-watches-rolex-patek-philippe-impossible-retail/
I wonder if there's less of a masterplan at play than Ariel Adams is suggesting. I'm wondering if (say) Rolex have cut back on production as they tool up for their new movements.
I also suspect that some of these shortages are exaggerated. I've heard a few anecdotes of people placing an order, being told it'll be eighteen months, only for the piece to arrive within a matter of weeks.
I'm surprised that dealers get sent a box of watches each month, rather than having any choice in what they carry. That seems a really stupid way to run a business.
Also, if a buyer can't get their chosen piece, there's a good chance they might buy something more readily available instead. I think that there's got to be a more careful balancing act between supply and demand than the article suggests.
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Should arrive tomorrow Tag Heuer Aquaracer 300m WAB2010.BA0804
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I'm surprised that dealers get sent a box of watches each month, rather than having any choice in what they carry. That seems a really stupid way to run a business.
I read that part of the article to my wife and said the same thing. She just shrugged and said that it's common in luxury goods (like the expensive purses she craves).
Still seems stupid to me, but I'm no expert and they are, so it must make sense at some level.
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The fact that the store managers don't know what they get doesn't mean that it's random, much less stupid. The makers know exactly what they're doing. They're monitoring prices on retail and pre-owned sites. They are trying to maximize long term profits. You see that kind of shenanigans in many luxury markets, including luxury cars like Ferrari. (Not to mention the luxury art market, not to mention the luxury contemporary art market, not to mention the luxury contemporary Chinese art market….)
Without knowing in details what those watchmakers are trying to do, it's clear that constraining the stainless market gives them an opportunity to upsell a higher margin (precious metal, complications,...) product to wealthy customers who are in a hurry.
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Nice Aquaracer ^^^
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Nice Aquaracer ^^^
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Thanks. just received it today. Got to get another link put in strap though.
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@JDelage I think that Rolex's policy is stupid because it doesn't allow the retailer to adjust their inventory to match demand, rather it's a case that they're landed with a bunch of inventory that they can't shift.
However, Richemont probably take the prize for stupid.
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Recent pickup. Always wanted a vintage Seamaster. It’s so small compared to my other watches. It needs a better watch strap.
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New shell cordovan strap
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More substantial strap from m Jack Foster. Horween English Tan Dublin. The watch doesn’t feel as small now.
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Nice watch @summ3rhays !
My little Tender watch is 36 mm, which I'm guessing is about the same size as the Seamaster, and I adjusted to it after a few days. I think that you'll get used to it pretty quickly.
On the guilty pleasure front, I got to see a Bell & Ross Burning Skull. I know that it's an ETA base movement dressed up in an engraved case, but I liked it.
A bronze version has been released in China and Hong Kong.
However, were I to go that way, I'd get the just announced Laughing Skull, which has an in-house movement, and a moving jaw.
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Sasaki Kojirō in the foreground about to have his skull fatally bashed in by a bokken fashioned out of an oar on the boat ride to the site of the duel by a tardy Miyamoto Musashi. (If I recall the details of this duel, or one legendary telling of it, correctly.)
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This Submariner sold for a million dollars.
It belonged to a painter, as in decorator, rather than a famous artist. It's missing its original strap, and the bezel was pulled off to stop it getting it gummed up with paint!
I don't get it. At all. There are people with far more money than sense.
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I don't get it. At all. There are people with far more money than sense.
Let's figure out how to take advantage of one to relieve them of the other
