[imagesource:gencraftai]

In the wealthy world, exclusivity is the name of the game.

If you can get your hands on something too easily, then it immediately goes down a few rungs on the ladder of worth. For this reason, even the wealthy can’t just buy anything.

Certain privileges require more than money and sometimes, who you’re connected to matters more than your bank account.

We’re delving into some of the things that are hard to do/ acquire even if you’re considered rich.

Like gaining a membership at Augusta National Golf Club:

The Masters, hosted at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, stands as the pinnacle of golfing events, eagerly awaited by enthusiasts worldwide. Wealthy aficionados of the sport make a pilgrimage to Georgia every April for this illustrious tournament.

However, membership to this exclusive club is shrouded in secrecy, limited to approximately 300 individuals. It’s not a matter of simply applying and paying; membership is strictly invitation-based, with vacancies only arising upon the departure or death of current members.

According to a 2015 Bloomberg report, notable billionaires such as Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Stanley Druckenmiller were counted among its esteemed members.

Obtaining a Residence in This Co-op Building in New York City

Nestled in a cul-de-sac overlooking the East River of New York, stands a nearly centenarian structure where residents’ privacy reigns supreme, under the watchful eye of a stringent board overseeing applications.

The 26-floor art-deco marvel known as River House is renowned as one of the most coveted addresses in New York City.

“The River House, with its old world charm, is one of the most famously discreet buildings in the city,” its description on StreetEasy reads. “It is a tradition among staff and apartment owners to be protective of the building’s privacy.”

Being a cooperative building, or co-op, residents collectively possess ownership of the building and distribute responsibilities among themselves. Among these duties is the crucial role of reviewing and deciding on applicants vying for an apartment within the premises.

The likes of Richard Nixon, Joan Crawford, and Diane Keaton had all been rejected from the space, while Uma Thurman and Henry Kissinger managed to secure a spot.

Getting your hands through the handles of a new Hermès Birkin bag

The Hermès Birkin bag – which depending on the size, colour, and material, can cost five to six figures – is a status symbol among the fashionable wealthy.

However, don’t anticipate strolling into a department store and simply walking out with one. According to Hermès experts, a potential buyer must peruse the brand’s other offerings for a certain period before being presented with the opportunity to purchase a Birkin bag.

According to the experts, there isn’t a specific spending threshold you must reach before receiving notification that a Birkin bag is ready for purchase. It largely hinges on patience, waiting for a bag that aligns with your preferences to become available and considering its demand.

Reserving a table at Rao’s in New York City

To the average American, eating at Rao’s is most likely to happen by buying the family-owned Italian restaurant’s jars of pasta sauce from grocery stores. While there is a handful of restaurants scattered through major cities in the US, with its original location in New York City, it is one of the toughest reservations to secure.

A phone call to the restaurant is likely to lead to a message explaining that Rao’s is completely booked for the rest of 2024. Interestingly, it’s not because it’s some star-studded hot spot but because there are only 10 tables.

These few spots are further compromised by the fact that they belong to people whom Rao’s co-owner Frank Pellegrino Jr. considers family. Delish reported that these guests were assigned “table rights” on specific nights and that their standing reservations were passed from generation to generation.

Individuals possessing table rights can lend their tables to friends for an evening or contribute them to charity auctions. The New York Times disclosed last year that certain eager diners were willing to bid hundreds of dollars on third-party reservation apps in order to secure such reservations.

Snapping up a Cartier Cheich watch

Forbes reported that Cartier crafted only four unique editions of the Cheich watch, with one fetching a record-breaking $1.1 million at auction in 2022.

Originally conceived in the 1980s, it served as a prize for conquering the Cartier challenge—winning two consecutive 6,200-mile Paris-Dakar races. Motorcycle racer Gaston Rahier achieved this feat in 1984 and 1985, making him the sole victor.

According to a 2022 Sotheby’s listing, the timepiece has since remained “enveloped in mystery.” One of the four models is considered lost, while the other two reside within Cartier’s collection. Production of the watch ceased in 1986.

[source:businessinsider]