MB&F M.A.D.1 Red Lottery Release

Key Points from the Discussion

• The M.A.D.1 RED lottery, while well-intentioned, faces the challenge of preventing immediate resales at inflated prices, a common issue with highly sought-after limited editions. MB&F might consider strategies like those used by luxury car manufacturers to ensure watches reach genuine enthusiasts.
• The current market sees many mechanical timepieces priced significantly above their production cost, a trend that raises questions about fair pricing versus 'market pricing' driven by speculative demand. This phenomenon is not unique to watches, as evidenced by similar challenges in the automotive industry.
• MB&F's demand significantly outstrips its supply, with 275 watches produced in 2021 against 400 orders. The original blue M.A.D.1 saw 450 pieces made, with thousands of requests, indicating immense public interest that the M.A.D.1 RED, likely a run of a couple hundred pieces, is intended to address.
• The issue of 'flipping' extends even to 'Friends and Associates' of the brand, who were initially curated for their loyalty but have, in some instances, opted for cash profit over retaining the timepiece, which reflects poorly on the brand's efforts to cultivate a dedicated collector base.
• One proposed solution to combat flipping and ensure the manufacturer benefits from high demand is to price the watches closer to their 'Fair Market Value,' even if that means a higher initial price point, rather than allowing secondary market resellers to capture the premium.
• A collector expressed happiness that MB&F is offering a 'public' version of the M.A.D.1, fulfilling a hope shared during a previous visit to the brand, thereby providing a broader opportunity for enthusiasts to own one.