Dubai Watch Week: Allocation & Customization

patrick_y · 2023-11-17T07:34:30Z

Dubai Watch Week insights: How retailers allocate rare watches and a debate on customization. Patrick_y shares forum highlights.

patrick_y shares key insights from Dubai Watch Week's Horology Forum, focusing on how retailers allocate rare watches and a debate on watch customization. This post offers valuable perspectives for collectors navigating the luxury watch market and considering modifications.

From Dubai Watch Week - Day One!

Ever wonder how some retailers allocate those rare watches to their clients? Here's a quick glance at how they do it... There is more involved that wasn't explicitly mentioned (some brands ask their retailers to go even more in-depth and have quotas for new clients, and more). This presentation gives a great quick overview of the struggles and the psyche of retailers. I am constantly asked how dealers allocate watches to their customers, and I find that this discussion answers some of the typical questions one may have - definitely worth watching if you ponder this thought often!

What are your thoughts about customizing watches? And what about buying a watch and then having a "customizer" change out the dial? A funny debate ensues where the debaters agree way too much and disagree way too little - and even one debater is the client of another debater ensues. I find the unabashed Nick Foulkes to be the wrong person for this debate - he clearly agrees too much with his debate opponent. But, Foulkes' great explanations and quick wit are very entertaining. Enjoy!

Key Points from the Discussion

ArmisT questions whether Chopard's allocation perspective is representative of other brands, particularly Rolex, and expresses curiosity about independent brands' approaches.
patrick_y notes that Rolex management is typically reserved, while independent brands exhibit highly varied allocation strategies, with brands like MB&F, Urwerk, and Akrivia being particularly sought after.
patrick_y suggests that while the videos offer interesting perspectives, they don't contain groundbreaking information and can be consumed passively.

The Discussion

enjoythemusic

Nov 17, 2023

Thx for posting the videos / info!

Sfwatchlover

Nov 17, 2023

Thanks for the summary and recommendations.

I will check out these videos!

patrick_y

Nov 18, 2023

Enjoy!

I just keep them running in the background as I do other things. And you can hear some of these interesting perspectives. Don't need to watch the whole thing with your full attention - as there's nothing terribly ground breaking in either of these videos.

ArmisT

Nov 17, 2023

I’ve watched the first panel discussion so far and found it informative and insightful.

Good panel. I do wonder how reflective Chopard’s perspective is of other brands. Does anyone from Rolex leadership appear in any interviews or discussions? In parallel, I am curious about indie brand perspectives, but I realize that can differ dramatically based on the brand. Thanks for posting these.

patrick_y

Nov 17, 2023

Nobody from Rolex...

Rolex management is very coy and quiet. And Indy brands are exactly what you said - they vary dramatically. MB&F, Urwerk, Akrivia, all hot hot hot.

Dubai Watch Week: Allocation & Customization

Key Points from the Discussion

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