Quarterly financial updates from the publicly traded The Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) are a treasure trove of insight and information on market conditions, and last week’s investor call suggested there could be relief in sight for customers yearning for the hottest watches from the likes of Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe.
This data comes on top of reports from secondary market players including Chrono24 and Chronext, which have reported that prices have dropped by up to 24% for watches like the Rolex’s Rolex GMT Master II Batman, which could be another sign that the market is expecting shortages to ease.
The Batman has seen some ups and downs over the last twelve months and is off its highest price on Chrono24 by 24% at £12,900, although this is still well above its retail price.
During his investor call, Brian Duffy, CEO of WOSG, made a simple, but potentially important observation when he suggested that the Covid crisis has reduced demand this year faster than supply has dropped with watchmaking factories closed.
“Supply is always our biggest constraining factor,” Mr Duffy says. “But we are seeing a bigger impact on demand than on supply.”
He believes production will be down by around 25% across the luxury watch industry this year.
Even with a slight rebalancing between supply and demand, the hardest to find unicorn watches are certain to remain in short supply.
Mr Duffy says there has been no change to the group’s waiting lists for these watches. “We will not add anybody to waiting lists if we think they will have to wait more than three years. Waiting lists have not reduced this year,” he reveals.
WatchPro, Thanks for sending out the update on unicorn watches. WatchPro seems to get the information out to the public before any other publications. I could not get on a “list” in the USA, so I bought my GMT dream watch – Breitling Navitimer 8 Unitime – with no wait time and less expensive than the Rolex GMT. Phenomenal value and more functionality than the Rolex Master GMT II. I will consider buying Rolex again once AD’s stock the watch I want.
I brought a Breitling once, whilst waiting for my Rolex to arrive at the AD – I’ll never do that again ever! Breitling values drop quicker than a $2 hooker’s panties at the sight of a crisp twenty. I was offered $2K Part-Ex for a $6K watch less than 5 months later. My three steel Rolex however, have increased in value every year since purchase.
I don’t like Rolex watches. I like Breitlings watches. You got short changed. Never mind. You can wear your investment and people will admire the name Rolex.
On the bracelet clasp of the new Avenger seriesI don’t see “Manufaturé en Swiss”. Does that mean the bracelet is sourced / produced in Asia? If so, don’t ever buy Breitling again.
how is this prediction looking . Genius. Lucky you don’t make a living out of this,
Rob knocked another one out of the park. He’s been predicting an end to the shortage for years.