Invicta Watch Sale total rip-off

[Mynki]

20 hours ago, miched said:

 

 

Passengers for the most part are looking for costume fashion bargains.  I use to attend some shopping seminars and watch seminars on board.   It is funny when people will ask where to get best prices on Swatch or other low cost watch as if there is going to be a big savings from one place to the other.  The difference can’t be more than a few dollars as the price isn’t much to begin with.

 

They are, I just wish the general public understood how fashion brands are charging way more than their product is worth because of the badge. For the same cost you can actually buy something worth owning which will last for many more years than a Fossil or Michael Kors toy etc. 

I did a few sales seminars too. What was most interesting for me was the sales techniques they employ more than the products they were promoting. Tanzanite is about to run out any second, yellow emeralds are the next big thing blah blah. Then there's the faux Fabergé jewellery they tout on Baltic itineraries complete with presentation on the real Peter Carl Fabergé ending with his long lost relative now reviving the brand and guess what, you can buy his stuff onboard..... Pretty tasteless really. 

 

20 hours ago, miched said:

 

When you buy buy a high end watch the dealers are limited to how much of a discount they can give without losing their distributorship.  The prices will be the same for the same model and chances are if you see the one you are looking for you better buy it because of the limited production.  

That's why I referred to the jewelers on Eclipse as being a little bit naughty. 

I've shopped in a well known AD in the Caribbean too as the tax free pricing was attractive before any negotiation took place. But I agree people should do a lot more research before making significant purchase. We've had excellent service in Little Switzerland in Aruba, better than the official brand boutiques just down the road. :) 

 

[DirtyDawg]

17 minutes ago, Mynki said:

They are, I just wish the general public understood how fashion brands are charging way more than their product is worth because of the badge. For the same cost you can actually buy something worth owning which will last for many more years than a Fossil or Michael Kors toy etc. 

 

 

Watch out what you wish for. Getting the general public to stop overpaying for fashion brands of all types (it's not just watches and hand bags) would put a serious dent in the world GDP. 😉

Edited July 7, 2019 by DirtyDawg

[TeeRick]

11 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

How many people actually buy watches these days? Your smartphone has the time, an alarm, a chronometer, and you can watch cat videos on it. No Rolex can do that! 😊

It is a generational thing.  Those of us who were brought up before cell phones wore and still wear watches.  Our kids do not wear them at all.

[bEwAbG]

That's why I'm a bit skeptical when people talk about buying these things as investments.  There may be a market for it now, but will there be enough of one in the future to justify the outlays?  I like to watch Antiques Roadshow, and for the last few years they've been running old episodes but then throw up a new estimate of the current value of any given item.  The most recent episode I saw was only 14 years ago.  Very interesting to see that old furniture that once was commanding as much as $75,000 is now only worth as much as $30,000 because of changes in the market.  That's still great if you inherit something that didn't cost the original owner that much, but there were buyers and dealers stocking up on this stuff at those inflated prices at one point, and now they basically cannot give it away because fewer people want old wood furniture anymore.  Same with Civil War stuff, anything for the Chinese market, old toys, and even paintings (which until just a year or two ago were going for quite a bit; incidentally something the on-board auctions always tout).

Edited July 7, 2019 by bEwAbG

[DYKWIA]

56 minutes ago, bEwAbG said:

That's why I'm a bit skeptical when people talk about buying these things as investments.  There may be a market for it now, but will there be enough of one in the future to justify the outlays?  I like to watch Antiques Roadshow, and for the last few years they've been running old episodes but then throw up a new estimate of the current value of any given item.  The most recent episode I saw was only 14 years ago.  Very interesting to see that old furniture that once was commanding as much as $75,000 is now only worth as much as $30,000 because of changes in the market.  That's still great if you inherit something that didn't cost the original owner that much, but there were buyers and dealers stocking up on this stuff at those inflated prices at one point, and now they basically cannot give it away because fewer people want old wood furniture anymore.  Same with Civil War stuff, anything for the Chinese market, old toys, and even paintings (which until just a year or two ago were going for quite a bit; incidentally something the on-board auctions always tout).

 

At the moment you can turn a quick profit on certain new steel Rolex watches (most noticeably the Daytona - but Submariner and GMT variants such as, Hulk, Kermit, and Batman also),  For the last couple of years there has been a worldwide shortage on these specific steel watches - very long waiting lists at Authorised Dealers (some believe the waiting lists are a myth and you could be on there for ever waiting for certain watches).  So if you can get one of these at list price you could make a quick profit by selling it on new. A steel Daytona has a list price of £9,550 but i've seen new ones selling for £20,000 

 

How long the bubble will last is anyone's guess.

 

Other watches I'd be less certain of turning a profit on them.  Most steel Rolex watches hold their value very well - pay £4000 for one today and you will prbably be able to sell it for £4000 in 10 years.  Not many things you can do that with these days.

[coolio]

21 hours ago, coolio said:

The bags that are sold on Celebrity ships  Brand Name.. Furla for example,some are made in CHINA and the real ones made in either Italy or France. The China ones are priced a lot cheaper than the  ones made in China

If you know anything about leather you will immediately see the difference

 

oops .  Meant to say The China ones are priced a lot cheaper than the  ones made in Italy or France

[1025cruise]

I grew up with a watch. I have a smartphone, but like just looking at my wrist for the time versus pulling out a phone. Granted, I now have a smartwatch....

[hrhdhd]

14 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

How many people actually buy watches these days? Your smartphone has the time, an alarm, a chronometer, and you can watch cat videos on it. No Rolex can do that! 😊

 

I just bought one on Friday. 😁 I don't use my phone much; actually, I often leave the house without it, but I'll never leave without a watch.

[Mynki]

14 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

How many people actually buy watches these days? Your smartphone has the time, an alarm, a chronometer, and you can watch cat videos on it. No Rolex can do that! 😊

 

New watch micro brands appear all the time.

 

Smart watches and smart phones are unlikely to put a dent in luxury watch sales. They don't compete in the same market at all. Smart watches are affecting sales of entry level watches though. 

As DYKWIA has already pointed out, some stainless steel sports Rolex models are proven to hold their value really well. How long is it before your smartphone or smart watch is out of date? 

[Guindalf]

IF you know what you're buying, some things CAN be of value. However, as has been said many times, you MUST know what you're buying. I never buy anything on a ship because although they are duty and tax free, they are not profit free, and that's where they make their money. People (dumbly) think that just because the tax is not being charged, they are getting a bargain, but everything is compared to the mythical 'MSRP', which is never the actual sale price.

 

A recent TV show had examples of criminally seized goods being sold at auction under the 'Proceeds of Crime Act' in the UK, where anything obtained using criminal money can be sold off to help victims and other worthwhile causes.

 

Three Patak Philipe watches were sold off for a total of 106,000UKP (about $140,000). In fact, one of them was all scratched but had a retail price of 36kUKP and sold for 45k (due to a six year waiting list to buy one!).

 

Another good example is soda. Sam's Club sells 24-can cases of Coke for around $8, whereas it is often on sale at the local grocery score for as little as four 12-can cases for $11.

 

If I have non-refundable OBC to spare, I may use it on a ship, but otherwise I'll buy on-shore or locally.

Edited July 7, 2019 by Guindalf

[Seville2Cabo]

I've been wearing watches for over 50 years.   My Zorro watch still runs, although I don't wear it.  Bought my first high end watch 22 years ago and try to buy a new one every few years.  I do not buy them for investments or to sell them in the future.  I buy them because I wear them and love watches.  Watches are a very personal thing - I have certain tastes as do others.  People love AP, not me.  

I would never buy a watch on the ship as they really don't have much selection or brands I'm interested in and I don't think the deals are very good.  I have bought a watch in Diamonds international (all AD's) and I have been present when 3 others we were traveling with bought watches at DI.  All good deals and no issues.  My son-in-law bought a Chronomat at DI in Cozumel for a few hundred above Gray market, way more that 10% discount. (I  was checking on the internet).  He got a good deal as it was an older model (still new watch) that they really wanted to sell.  He went wanting to buy his first good watch, but did not have a specific watch he wanted - worked out great.  So no problems for me with DI, as long as they are a AD for that brand.

I usually fall in love with a specific watch, then the hunt is on to find it.  I bought an UN at DI and got about a 10% discount.  The best place to buy or look at watches, IMO, is Vegas.  Every brand in multiple stores and great selection.  They do discount about the same and will not charge sales tax (they mail the box to avoid charging tax). 

[Mynki]

5 minutes ago, Guindalf said:

IF you know what you're buying, some things CAN be of value. However, as has been said many times, you MUST know what you're buying. I never buy anything on a ship because although they are duty and tax free, they are not profit free, and that's where they make their money. People (dumbly) think that just because the tax is not being charged, they are getting a bargain, but everything is compared to the mythical 'MSRP', which is never the actual sale price.

 

 

Maybe I should stop buying groceries from the supermarket as they're also not profit free.......

 

On a serious note, I'd be very wary of anything exclusive to a cruise line. That's almost guaranteed to be poor value. 

But for the record certain manufacturers who have global pricing structures in place can be cheaper in tax free ports. I think your post clouds that a little. When the onboard 'shopping advisors' peddle tax free diamonds in the Caribbean they're telling the truth. They just don't tell you that the prices are high before deducting tax. Walk into any Diamonds International store anywhere, look at a solitaire and ask the store manager how his prices compare to someone like Blue Nile or James Allen etc and watch his smile disappear quickly.... 

[yorky]

2 hours ago, DYKWIA said:

 

At the moment you can turn a quick profit on certain new steel Rolex watches (most noticeably the Daytona - but Submariner and GMT variants such as, Hulk, Kermit, and Batman also),  For the last couple of years there has been a worldwide shortage on these specific steel watches - very long waiting lists at Authorised Dealers (some believe the waiting lists are a myth and you could be on there for ever waiting for certain watches).  So if you can get one of these at list price you could make a quick profit by selling it on new. A steel Daytona has a list price of £9,550 but i've seen new ones selling for £20,000 

 

How long the bubble will last is anyone's guess.

 

Other watches I'd be less certain of turning a profit on them.  Most steel Rolex watches hold their value very well - pay £4000 for one today and you will prbably be able to sell it for £4000 in 10 years.  Not many things you can do that with these days.

Watches are not something you should purchase as an investment, 95% of them including top brands go down in value, you may break close to even on one or two more desirable models. I've got A few better quality watches but purchased them to wear and enjoy. Better investments out there than watches.

[DirtyDawg]

4 hours ago, DYKWIA said:

 

At the moment you can turn a quick profit on certain new steel Rolex watches (most noticeably the Daytona - but Submariner and GMT variants such as, Hulk, Kermit, and Batman also),  For the last couple of years there has been a worldwide shortage on these specific steel watches - very long waiting lists at Authorised Dealers (some believe the waiting lists are a myth and you could be on there for ever waiting for certain watches).  So if you can get one of these at list price you could make a quick profit by selling it on new. A steel Daytona has a list price of £9,550 but i've seen new ones selling for £20,000 

 

How long the bubble will last is anyone's guess.

 

Other watches I'd be less certain of turning a profit on them.  Most steel Rolex watches hold their value very well - pay £4000 for one today and you will prbably be able to sell it for £4000 in 10 years.  Not many things you can do that with these days.

 

I used to sell Rolex's  and Tudors years ago in the late seventies when I was in University. WOW! $20,000 pounds is $25K USD and people are paying that for a steel watch? They always had great mechanicals but that price is mind blowing!  Someone's done an excellent marketing job at the company. I could have  bought one at wholesale back in the day and generated a nice ROI but then I couldn't have finished University and the ROI on my University degree would still be a lot higher than on a Rolex. 

 

And for $25K does it play Swiss cat videos at least?

 

Quick story about a Rolex. The district manager of the Jewellery store was given an 18kt gold Rolex day-timer (I think it was that model). He was an avid golfer, and played as often as he could but he would never take the Rolex off when he played. Each time it skipped ahead at least one day during the round. 

Edited July 7, 2019 by DirtyDawg

[DYKWIA]

1 hour ago, DirtyDawg said:

 

I used to sell Rolex's  and Tudors years ago in the late seventies when I was in University. WOW! $20,000 pounds is $25K USD and people are paying that for a steel watch? They always had great mechanicals but that price is mind blowing!  Someone's done an excellent marketing job at the company. I could have  bought one at wholesale back in the day and generated a nice ROI but then I couldn't have finished University and the ROI on my University degree would still be a lot higher than on a Rolex. 

 

....

 

Currently for sale in the UK

[DirtyDawg]

13 minutes ago, DYKWIA said:

 

Currently for sale in the UK

 

And they'll finance it at 9.9% APR!

 

A fool and his money.......

[Seville2Cabo]

36 minutes ago, DYKWIA said:

 

Currently for sale in the UK

The crazy thing is they have the B@lls to actually list the "retail" price.  After these posts, I decided to see what my 8 year old 2 tone blue faced Sub was worth.  Wow!  I guess I have to increase the insurance amount.

[Mynki]

Before everyone rushes out to their local Rolex AD to buy an SS Daytona, just bear in mind that there is a world of difference between listing a watch for sale on a specialist sales website with over 100% markup and actually selling it at that price!

As for listing the retail price, that's not the seller it's a 'feature' of that site based on the manufacturers part number. 

It is true that some Rolex stainless steel sports models will sell at a premium if unworn advertised on here but in reality it's not for that much more. If you want to do your own research bookmark these adverts and see how long they take to sell. If it were that easy I'd not be on Cruise Critic. I'd be sailing around the globe in my own private yacht by now. :)

[weregoingcruising]

A good deal is a state of mind.

[yorky]

27 minutes ago, Mynki said:

Before everyone rushes out to their local Rolex AD to buy an SS Daytona, just bear in mind that there is a world of difference between listing a watch for sale on a specialist sales website with over 100% markup and actually selling it at that price!

As for listing the retail price, that's not the seller it's a 'feature' of that site based on the manufacturers part number. 

It is true that some Rolex stainless steel sports models will sell at a premium if unworn advertised on here but in reality it's not for that much more. If you want to do your own research bookmark these adverts and see how long they take to sell. If it were that easy I'd not be on Cruise Critic. I'd be sailing around the globe in my own private yacht by now. 🙂

Spot on, people would also be shocked if they knew the mark up on luxury watches. 

[DirtyDawg]

30 minutes ago, weregoingcruising said:

A good deal is a state of mind.

 

Isn't that what the CEO of Quaker Oats said when they bought Snapple back in 1994?😀

(Google it)

[miched]

I like watches as I appreciate the craftsmanship and working mechanism.  The finishes on the high end watches is outstanding and for them to  maintain the accuracy that they do is amazing.  I am a mechanic and engineer and that is whyI am fascinated by a mechanical watch.

 

Time is the greatest invention of all time.  Without it nothing would be possible.  Time is the distance between two points.  Our time is based on the earth rotating around the sun and the rotation of the earth and then it is subdivided into years, months, days hours, minutes and seconds.  That is why there is no real time in “outer space”.    Someone from another planet would not have the same time as we do.

 

Navigation is based time along with computers, electricity, TVs, engines and etc.  everything  is based on it.  Even love.  

 

That is why I love watches and buy them.  Here is the one I want

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

Edited July 7, 2019 by miched

[grandgeezer]

A couple of years ago, in Cozumel, a street vendor tried to sell me a new Rolex for $300. It had to be real, the sandwich bag it was in, said "Rolex" written in magic marker.

[markeb]

5 hours ago, Mynki said:

Before everyone rushes out to their local Rolex AD to buy an SS Daytona, just bear in mind that there is a world of difference between listing a watch for sale on a specialist sales website with over 100% markup and actually selling it at that price!

As for listing the retail price, that's not the seller it's a 'feature' of that site based on the manufacturers part number. 

It is true that some Rolex stainless steel sports models will sell at a premium if unworn advertised on here but in reality it's not for that much more. If you want to do your own research bookmark these adverts and see how long they take to sell. If it were that easy I'd not be on Cruise Critic. I'd be sailing around the globe in my own private yacht by now. 🙂

 

True in general, but unfortunately SS Rolex "professional" series watches ARE selling for well over retail. Maybe not that much, but enough. The current scarcity clearly helps, and hopefully it won't last much longer!  I need to get my 12 year old GMT II appraised for insurance!

[markeb]

2 hours ago, miched said:

I like watches as I appreciate the craftsmanship and working mechanism.  The finishes on the high end watches is outstanding and for them to  maintain the accuracy that they do is amazing.  I am a mechanic and engineer and that is whyI am fascinated by a mechanical watch.

 

Time is the greatest invention of all time.  Without it nothing would be possible.  Time is the distance between two points.  Our time is based on the earth rotating around the sun and the rotation of the earth and then it is subdivided into years, months, days hours, minutes and seconds.  That is why there is no real time in “outer space”.    Someone from another planet would not have the same time as we do.

 

Navigation is based time along with computers, electricity, TVs, engines and etc.  everything  is based on it.  Even love.  

 

That is why I love watches and buy them.  Here is the one I want

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

At least you're not trying to find a SS 5711...