The 6 Most Overhyped Watches On The Market Today

Unfortunately for people who actually love men’s watches, a handful of new models from two brands in particular have become nothing more than flippable, money-churning assets.  No longer are buyers acquiring a brand for its technical prowess, craftsmanship or even to bolster their image. Now, it’s an ‘investment’. 

While the investment angle isn’t entirely new (once reserved for connoisseurs of vintage Rolex), it has become a motivator for anyone who can access the products at recommended retail price (RRP). Naturally, this has left general watch fans (as well as existing Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe owners and enthusiasts) with a very sour taste in their mouths, damaging the brands and disenchanting clients. 

Here’s some insight from @Patekaholic about the current state of the industry. 

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The increase in prices for many of the steel sport model watches, have risen to unimaginable prices. The increase could have not come from a sudden interest in watches, nor cheap financing backed by a low interest rate environment or economic boom as some pundits have tried to justify it. In my opinion, the increase was deliberate. Backed and fueled by a thirst of current and incoming newbie watch dealers to the market, created a domino effect of who could house more watches and sit on the biggest inventories. This has created interest from those non-watch people as I now hear my barber talking to other patrons in his shop about his interest in a Rolex Pepsi, completely oblivious to why he likes it, his interest is mainly of an “investment” kind. Hence, I personally think an asset class has been born, a new, easy to access, under the radar, tax avoiding, ease of moving funds asset class is now in it’s infancy. As more and more people buy into this idea of watches being a new asset class that they need to invest in as the likes of Mr. O’leary start yapping on YouTube about their “watch portfolios” you will see waves of interests come. However as we all know, those who lived market crashes (oil, stocks, bonds etc), what goes up will come down, at least eventually. A dip, a correction, a slowdown, call it whatever is healthy for markets.. It stabilizes prices and allow for new price equilibriums to be born. This is necessary What we fail to recognize is that importance that suppliers play, remember if all interest for Pateks move towards Nautiluses this is bad news for Patek Philippe and their inability to sell more calatrava, comps and grand comps will not go without major internal restrategizing. Authorized dealers now combining sales of “hot” items with boat anchors is exactly what is happening and what every Geneva manufacturer fears, this at the end of the day is brand tarnishing. Patek Philippe is not Nautilus My message to every dealer commenting negatively, you have never paid me to promote you or offered a discount hence you don’t have the right to tell me what to say or don’t. I will remain an honest voice and I break my balls or word for nobody, JZ out

A post shared by Jasem Al Zeraei (@patekaholic) on Jul 17, 2019 at 10:19pm PDT

What will it take to end the madness? Firstly, some supply, and secondly, a bit of originality. 

FFS people, you don’t have to buy a steel sports watch from one of only three brands. Rolex is the P.E. Nation of watches, and just like how every millennial woman in Australia can’t work out in anything except it, every bloke with a new interest in watches and a spare $20k has to be seen with a Rolex. 

It’s bonkers. Furthermore, if you’re paying double the RRP for a watch that everyone else in Australia has, you’re a flog. No ifs or buts about it. 

Don’t believe me? Jump on the Australian Buy, Swap & Sell Group and feast your eyes on the constant barrage of flipping with the gratuitous “suddenly looking to free up some cash” comment despite the seller having purchased the thing last week. 

Here are the 6 most overhyped and overrated watches on the market today.  

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 15500ST

Gone are the days when you could pick up a Royal Oak under $20k – makes me wish I copped the Navy Boutique Edition for $22k. Their 15400 update, almost topples $30k at RRP but flippers will charge you around $36k if you want one tomorrow.

RRP: AU$28,400
Expect to pay: Circa AU$36k

Rolex Submariner Ref. 116610LV (Hulk)

The ‘Hulk’ is essentially Malibu Stacy in a new hat and the guy who wears one is quick to inform you how much of an aficionado he is compared to the chump in the standard Submariner, even though he paid double for the pleasure of telling you. 

RRP: AU$12,000
Expect to pay: Circa AU$22k

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLRO (Batman)

At least the Batman GMT has some additional functionality over the Hulk. Rumour was Rolex were to discontinue it, but they’d be fools to stop producing the watch that started all this madness, so they just released a new one on a Jubilee bracelet! Old or new, you’re coughing up close to double and despite being one of the hardest watches in the world to get, every second bloke in Sydney is sporting one. 

RRP: AU$12,250
Expect to pay: Circa AU$22k

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLRO (Pepsi GMT)

We have Baselworld 2018 to thank for the peak of this obscenity, with the introduction of the Pepsi GMT in steel. When this thing launched, people were listing them on Rolex Forums and on AWBSS for close to AU$40k (more than a second hand white gold GMT) and people were stupid enough to buy them. Lol. 

RRP: AU$12,250
Expect to pay: Circa AU$28k

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116500LN (Ceramic Daytona)

The Ceramic bezel Cosmograph Daytona launched at Baselworld in 2016 and while it was a hit, it didn’t really blow up until 2018. Today people are selling their kidneys to pay not only double RRP for it, but also more for the steel than it costs to buy the Yellow Gold Ref.116518LN. 

RRP: AU$16,450
Expect to pay: Circa AU$36k

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A

The most overhyped watch in the world today is without doubt the Nautilus 5711. 

I’m not sure who sent the memo to every actor, rapper and male fashion influencer on the planet that this was the only timepiece that could actually inflate egos but it has been so effective that Patek even managed to increase their prices 20% overnight. Fortunately, it didn’t matter to anyone because no one could buy it at RRP anyway. 

This egregious flipping example from the Facebook Marketplace confirms just how overhyped the 5711 is (from a notable enthusiast who can’t spell the brand name) and how out of control the situation is if the bloke manages to sell it. 

RRP: AU$39,000 (Doesn’t matter)
Expect to pay: AU$60-$128k!

Honourable Mentions

Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Ref. 15202

Final Thought

I don’t dislike AP, Rolex or Patek, in fact I’ve been a fan of all three brands since I discovered a passion for watches 15 or so years ago. All I’m attempting to point out here is that collecting Rolex today is a far cry from what it was a decade ago. It’s not about intricacies between references, transitional models and chamfers so sharp I could use them to slit my wrists over the current state of the game, it’s now about how much money you can make off their products. And that to me is a damn shame. 

RELATED: The Fascinating History Of Rolex

RELATED: Rolex Reissues The ‘Pepsi’ GMT-Master II From 1955

Feature Image: Xupes.com