My sister and I wanted to buy a datejust for my nephew as his graduation present, no chance of it.
Rolex was meant to be a durable functional watch. One could work very hard to purchase a Rolex to mark an achievement in life. No more.
I don't believe in a conspiracy theory but if someone told me this was all planned, I would believe them. It is much better to have a 5 year waiting list rather than have lots of watches in the stores where they are being sold at a discounted price. And why fuel an already crazy market by suddenly discontinuing a popular model. There are lots of (not so popular) Rolex lines that have not changed for many years. Something has happened, someone has realised how to tap into the human psyche for their own benefit. I am not being paranoid...