VPI's new "Vanquish" Ultra High-End turntable is a STUNNER!

First of all it's a ClearAudio rip-off.

Second of all, it's market is probably close to 20 well-healed audiophiles that are willing to pay up for the brand.

Third, it makes little sense to most of us.

+1 slaw

Okay...the Vanquish looks much better here:

https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=Awr9Hr7h375d8WwAUxOKnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTIzbGo4Z2s5BHNlY...

Looks like it doesn't have the latest arm.

No contrasting,trendy color anodizing or the ridiculous stand. Still have to resolve the silly blue light issue though... I would be one of those guys figuring out how to disconnect them. As mentioned earlier, put a linear tracker with integrated pump and retail the thing for under $10K. Now, let's talk.  

Yeah, I'm dreaming.

And it doesn't even have a self leveling pendulum :(

Like Rolex, maker of the world's finest $800 dive watch, which they somehow manage to sell for $8k,

I hope you know more about audio than about fine timepieces. Granted, 10K (the actual starting price of Rolex's after sales tax) is high, but the quality of materials, finish, and the built-in-house movement set them apart from all but their very finest competitors. No $800 divers watch with a mechanical movement is master chronometer certified. 
Your analogy breaks down in another key area-Rolexes, alone with PP and the AP Royal Oak, hold their value and even sell for more than original MSRP often. Try that with just about any piece of current production audio equipment known to mankind (note my emphasis on the words "current production" to exclude the likes of the Vendetta Research phono stage or the Thorens TD124, Garrard 301, etc).