Rolex UK RIP

[Rolexroz]

Do not quote me on this subject, but, it would appear that Scotland and the North of England is about to lose most, if not all of it's AD's, allegedly.

Don't ask, because I will not tell you, but I heard from a very reliable source in Europe that Rolex in the UK have allegedly appointed an architect and surveyor to pick potential premises for ROLEX BOUTIQUES in Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, there may be others but they are too far south to bother me.

Only a few days ago they were in Glasgow and Edinburgh surveying sites in Buchanan Street in Glasgow and Princes Street and the streets in that general area in Edinburgh for the placement of future Rolex Boutiques, allegedly.

This is absolutely wonderful news for all Rolex lovers as we will get to see fantastic new stores crammed with the latest Rolex wares, all available at 0% discount.

It is also the end of Rolex available at discounts to all and sundry the minute they open up and the current Rolex AD's shut down.

But it probably spells the end for those few dealers who are within a stones throw of these stores....Laings in Glasgow and Edinburgh, another store in Edinburgh which is apparently shipping everything to a country a long long way away, allegedly. Walkers in Dundee, Cairncross in Perth...although they refuse to admit that Rolex will EVER leave them. Jamieson and Carrie in Aberdeen.

Although this will no doubt come as a bolt from the blue for the AD's in question it has been on the cards for several years now since the new BOSS of Rolex UK took over, allegedly.

It is just a bit unfortunate that all of the smaller stores have spent £££££ upgrading their shops to the Rolex blueprint, only to have Rolex pull the carpet from under their feet a matter of months later.....allegedly.

Did I say allegedly often enough to keep me out of court?????

I am genuinely sorry to have to put allegedly throughout my text, but having twice before been the scourge of Rolex UK and their solicitors, I have no desire whatsoever to be the subject of a court order.

I have it on good authority that the only store likely to survive, north of Manchester is St. Andrews home of golf, the Open etc etc etc.


Rolexroz

[wantonebad]

I remember you from New Turfers so I know you aren't pumping us with BS, it's quite a move if true, but I believe it is in keeping with the new direction Rolex is moving towards.

[GreatCircle]

If this is true I'm sure the rest of Europe will follow soon.
Thanks for sharing !

[bayerische]

Luckily I only buy from Greys.

[Silverfever]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Luckily I only buy from Greys.

If Rolex eliminates all the Ads and goes with a Corporate owned boutique only strategy there will no more greys.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Silverfever

When Rolex eliminates all the Ads and goes with a Corporate owned boutique only strategy there will no more greys.

How so? There will always be a secondary market and that would serve only to further intensify the brand and and its exclusivity.

[Touring]

Originally Posted by Onikage

How so? There will always be a secondary market and that would serve only to further intensify the brand and and its exclusivity.

Because if they phase out ADs, Rolex will then control the supply. No more AD backdoor dumping of stock or discounting. Pre-owned models will still be for sale, but I think brand new models sold on the grey market will become exceedingly rare.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Touring

Because if they phase out ADs, Rolex will then control the supply. No more AD backdoor dumping of stock or discounting. Pre-owned models will still be for sale, but I think brand new models sold on the grey market will become exceedingly rare.

I didn't think there was much "back door dumping" or AD discounting going on with new models but I suppose so. There will however still be the case of the serial flipper who sells a bnib within a week of purchase. I only buy pre owned so it doesn't really concern me too much. Roll on fancy boutiques with complementary champagne I say.

[GreatCircle]

Originally Posted by Onikage

How so? There will always be a secondary market and that would serve only to further intensify the brand and and its exclusivity.

This !
Grey market is nice to safe yourself a few bucks when buying new, but that's it.
For the rest the pretty big grey Rolex market doesn't do the brand much good.
You would lilke your watch to be a little exclusive right? And not for sale BNIB at some kind of vague (web)shop or used cardealer doing grey Rolex in the back on an industrial area.
Most of the trusted sellers here are good, honest and professional guys, let me emphasize that, but in the end a huge grey market for a luxury brand like Rolex is not good.

[travisb]

Makes sense.
We've all seen the slashing of ADs world wide.
Rolex and many other high end brands have been positioning to bring a heightened exclusivity to their line.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by GreatCircle

For the rest the pretty big grey Rolex market doesn't do the brand much good.
You would lilke your watch to be a little exclusive right?

This ship has sailed. I would guess that 9 out of every 10 luxury watches sold worldwide, say with a value over $5k, are Rolexes.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by Onikage

How so? There will always be a secondary market and that would serve only to further intensify the brand and and its exclusivity.

To some people, any watch reseller who isn't an AD is "gray." But by other definitions, a gray dealer is a non-AD who sells new product (which originally comes, presumably, from an AD). I'd expect Rolex boutiques would be less likely to sell in bulk to gray dealers than a regular AD would.

The secondhand market will always be alive and well, but that's different than gray imho.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Silverfever

If Rolex eliminates all the Ads and goes with a Corporate owned boutique only strategy there will no more greys.

I know it will impact, my post was satirical at best.

[dysondiver]

sounds believable ,, but i hope not , i dont think uk , certainly northern ireland is ready for tha boutique experience yet ,,,,, im not.

[kilyung]

It's a direction I expect to see continue wolrdwide over the coming years.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by kilyung

It's a direction I expect to see continue wolrdwide over the coming years.

So hurry up and get your Platona Mike!

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

So hurry up and get your Platona Mike!

[yld2rob]

Originally Posted by kilyung

It's a direction I expect to see continue wolrdwide over the coming years.

X2. I totally agree with Mike. I think we will see this happen around the globe.

[Gundam]

All those independent ADs that have spent a lot of money at their behest on 'Rolex room' refurbishment - I wonder if they will be compensated their expenses by Rolex?

Also I wonder if this would include the Aurum Holdings retailers ie Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb? Or would it likely operate Rolex boutiques on their behalf?

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Rolexroz

Do not quote me on this subject, but, it would appear that Scotland and the North of England is about to lose most, if not all of it's AD's, allegedly.

Don't ask, because I will not tell you, but I heard from a very reliable source in Europe that Rolex in the UK have allegedly appointed an architect and surveyor to pick potential premises for ROLEX BOUTIQUES in Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, there may be others but they are too far south to bother me.

Only a few days ago they were in Glasgow and Edinburgh surveying sites in Buchanan Street in Glasgow and Princes Street and the streets in that general area in Edinburgh for the placement of future Rolex Boutiques, allegedly.

This is absolutely wonderful news for all Rolex lovers as we will get to see fantastic new stores crammed with the latest Rolex wares, all available at 0% discount.

It is also the end of Rolex available at discounts to all and sundry the minute they open up and the current Rolex AD's shut down.

But it probably spells the end for those few dealers who are within a stones throw of these stores....Laings in Glasgow and Edinburgh, another store in Edinburgh which is apparently shipping everything to a country a long long way away, allegedly. Walkers in Dundee, Cairncross in Perth...although they refuse to admit that Rolex will EVER leave them. Jamieson and Carrie in Aberdeen.

Although this will no doubt come as a bolt from the blue for the AD's in question it has been on the cards for several years now since the new BOSS of Rolex UK took over, allegedly.

It is just a bit unfortunate that all of the smaller stores have spent £££££ upgrading their shops to the Rolex blueprint, only to have Rolex pull the carpet from under their feet a matter of months later.....allegedly.

Did I say allegedly often enough to keep me out of court?????

I am genuinely sorry to have to put allegedly throughout my text, but having twice before been the scourge of Rolex UK and their solicitors, I have no desire whatsoever to be the subject of a court order.

I have it on good authority that the only store likely to survive, north of Manchester is St. Andrews home of golf, the Open etc etc etc.


Rolexroz

LOL May I ask what the problem/s was/were? Informative post. I think a few of us were anticipating this move sooner or later. I live in the Northwest and though they can privately source Rolexes and have a giant parts brochure my local AD lost its Rolex display section 2-3 years ago.

[beshannon]

Sounds good to me!

Those who want their values to go up should be happy that there will be no more discounting and price increases will drag all prices higher!

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Sounds good to me!

Those who want their values to go up should be happy that there will be no more discounting and price increases will drag all prices higher!

[GoodThings]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Sounds good to me!

Those who want their values to go up should be happy that there will be no more discounting and price increases will drag all prices higher!

What about those of us who want to buy?

[Silverfever]

Originally Posted by GoodThings

What about those of us who want to buy?

Better to buy now from an independent AD who is willing to discount because the Rolex owned boutique will probably only give you an umbrella. This is the route that Omega is taking. I'm interested in a particular DeVille model but it is a Boutique only exclusive therefore no discount and I refuse to pay full MSRP on an Omega... Not even a Rolex for that matter.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by GoodThings

What about those of us who want to buy?

Save up more money! Rolex has no problem selling watches.

[GoodThings]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Save up more money! Rolex has no problem selling watches.

It's not good for future buyers.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by GoodThings

It's not good for future buyers.

Oh well!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by GoodThings

It's not good for future buyers.

Grey sellers don't only source from UK. Mostly from Southern Europe, in fact (allegedly), so there'll be trusted sellers with cheap NIBs around for some time to come. Also, Rolex Boutiques and ADs co-exist quite happily in Hong Kong (for example); in fact ADs run the Boutiques for Rolex.

[KBM]

That just means more business to our trusted sellers here on TRF. Allegedly.

[Silverfever]

Originally Posted by kauebm

That just means more business to our trusted sellers here on TRF. Allegedly.

Where do you think the trusted sellers are buying their BNIB rolexes from?
The independent AD or Rolex directly? If there are no more independent ADs and only corporate owned Rolex boutiques there will be no longer any trusted sellers.