My favorite AD just updated their showroom.

[HiDive]

My Rolex AD has upgraded and renewed their Rolex dealership. They have been a relatively small physically, but well established dealer here in Pittsburgh for a long time. But they have always been a favorite for me and I love to visit them and really like the people that work there. Last year I moved back here after 6 years living in Hawaii, and when I visited them for the first time after returning they had purchased the restaurant next door and were in the process of expanding into the new space. So, a couple of months ago I bought my wife a two tone ladies datejust 31mm. I returned today to see the new area of the store. In addition to Rolex they also have an area in the store for each of the major brands that they are carrying; Tudor, Grand Seiko, Nomos, Longines, Mont Blanc, Tissot, Tag and Luminox as well as a pre-owned section. It is a beautiful store and they are still expanding. The pictures show just a part of the Rolex area which has additional showcases, a private showing room and a view into the certified Rolex watchmaker's work area. They had a fair selection of models but many were marked for display only. I was the nicest Rolex display that I have seen. My wife and I used a gift certificate they had sent me to buy her a bracelet, since they did not have a Rolex that I am waiting on.

[Olive Drab]

Henne?

[HiDive]

Originally Posted by Olive Drab

Henne?

Yes, I was not sure if I should mention the name, but they are an exceptional dealer.

[Olive Drab]

Originally Posted by HiDive

Yes, I was not sure if I should mention the name, but they are an exceptional dealer.

They are. Kyle took care of me last year and I make sure to stop by when Im up that way which hasnt been since the remodel was complete.

[HiDive]

Originally Posted by Olive Drab

They are. Kyle took care of me last year and I make sure to stop by when Im up that way which hasnt been since the remodel was complete.

They are not finished, however I think the main watch are is complete for Rolex, Grand Seiko, TAG, Mont Blanc, etc. is done. Now they are moving on the remodel the jewelry area I think. It is quite an expansion, they bought they restaurant next door and have also expanded up to a second floor. The second floor is the Bridal jewelry area I believe (I did not go up there).

[996marty]

Looks very nice and I can appreciate the work that goes into making it look like that having done it for years

[Njkdog]

Originally Posted by 996marty

Looks very nice and I can appreciate the work that goes into making it look like that having done it for years

What was your job? If you don’t see this, I might PM you because I’m actually very interested.

Also, this looks almost exactly like my local A.D, except for that window.

[996marty]

Originally Posted by Njkdog

What was your job? If you don’t see this, I might PM you because I’m actually very interested.

Also, this looks almost exactly like my local A.D, except for that window.

Hi
Worked in the industry doing fit outs for major companies/clients

[Wrathchild]

Is that Henne isn’t it?
They have some of the nicest staff I have ever met.

[codecow]

So much space for so few watches!

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by codecow

So much space for so few watches!

It's the way forward.

Are they a chain or indy?

[johnk]

I stopped in Wednesday afternoon.

They have a certified Rolex watchmaker? That’s ...interesting...

.

[Equity]

Originally Posted by johnk

I stopped in Wednesday afternoon.

They have a certified Rolex watchmaker? That’s ...interesting...

.

Same with mine in RI. Watchmaker has a viewing window too for clients to watch.


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[Olive Drab]

There are no chains in Pittsburgh. One guy has 2 locations.

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

It's the way forward.

Are they a chain or indy?

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Olive Drab

There are no chains in Pittsburgh. One guy has 2 locations.

Then they have a chance of keeping their status for the long term.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Then they have a chance of keeping their status for the long term.

And even then Rolex could pull their franchise from them. It’s happening a lot in just this kind of scenario. Look at Orlando.

On a side note, I’m convinced Rolex has a side hustle of manufacturing display cases.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Mystro

And even then Rolex could pull their franchise from them. It’s happening a lot in just this kind of scenario. Look at Orlando.

On a side note, I’m convinced Rolex has a side hustle of manufacturing display cases.

Yeah, I was trying to be optimistic for them, but you're quite right.

[HiDive]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Then they have a chance of keeping their status for the long term.

Jared jewelers here used to carry Rolex and Omega but it has been years since that ended. They had a very short term clueless staff and still do. I think there are just 3 dealers here that carry Rolex and I think they are all either family owned or relatively small; Henne, Louis Anthony and Orr's.

[prk154]

Henne has been great to me over the last couple years, especially Kyle (sales) and Paul (watchmaker).

I've also had very good experiences at Orr's. I guess having two reputable ADs in one mid-sized city is a good problem to have.

[mrlube1151001]

If you want to be in the CPO programme you need to have certified watch maker in house I think.

[Chaucer1787]

My AD also just redid their Rolex side of the store. When picking up my latest I was looking at the work because I, too, have an architectural millwork business and do a lot of this sort of thing.

The funny part is, I’m always amazed at how Rolex seems to design everything based on more “fluff” and less watch display. I designed and am finishing an entire local jewelry store (not Rolex AD but they do carry a bunch of brands and are primarily a watch dealer) and they wanted as much display space as possible. Almost every watch in their inventory is out on display in the cases we did.


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[IFlyPlanes]

Local one in SoCal just got an overhaul as well. Rolex basically got their own wing.

[Chris_512]

Mine did the same thing. Moved to a new location and there’s an entire wing devoted to Rolex. It’s beautiful but why devote so much space to something you have no inventory to sell?


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[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by Chris_512

Mine did the same thing. Moved to a new location and there’s an entire wing devoted to Rolex. It’s beautiful but why devote so much space to something you have no inventory to sell?


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Looks nice, good for marketing/advertising, and creates an allure of exclusivity and rarity.

When you see 100 Omega watches jam packed in a 4 ft long case, all side by side in there overflowing the case, vs 10 Rolex watches in a 6 ft long case with 6 of them being “exhibition only”. What feeling to do you get?

That Omega case you’re thinking, I can buy anytime. Give me a discount so there’s an incentive to buy now.

That Rolex case, they offer you something and you think it’s super exclusive and you better buy it now or you’ll forever miss the chance to buy again.

[Chaucer1787]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

Looks nice, good for marketing/advertising, and creates an allure of exclusivity and rarity.

When you see 100 Omega watches jam packed in a 4 ft long case, all side by side in there overflowing the case, vs 10 Rolex watches in a 6 ft long case with 6 of them being “exhibition only”. What feeling to do you get?

That Omega case you’re thinking, I can buy anytime. Give me a discount so there’s an incentive to buy now.

That Rolex case, they offer you something and you think it’s super exclusive and you better buy it now or you’ll forever miss the chance to buy again.

+1. In all honesty, when I was making display cases for that jewelry store I wanted so desperately to convince the owner not to pack the cases with every watch in their inventory. It just doesn’t look good. I’m no marketer but do understand what Rolex is doing with their new look.


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[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

Looks nice, good for marketing/advertising, and creates an allure of exclusivity and rarity.

When you see 100 Omega watches jam packed in a 4 ft long case, all side by side in there overflowing the case, vs 10 Rolex watches in a 6 ft long case with 6 of them being “exhibition only”. What feeling to do you get?

That Omega case you’re thinking, I can buy anytime. Give me a discount so there’s an incentive to buy now.

That Rolex case, they offer you something and you think it’s super exclusive and you better buy it now or you’ll forever miss the chance to buy again.

Billion % right

This is a very simple concept in luxury good. Why Omega AD can't understand that...IDK

It's probably because there are sooooo many Omega references they feel they have to show everything in order have any chance of selling it.

[HiDive]

The trouble I have seen with both Omega and Breitling in my last 2 purchases from each of them is that they have some models that only sell in their boutiques and are not given to any AD's. I hope that Rolex does not go this route, although the more I think about it this may be the end of watch buying for me, so who cares.

[HiDive]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Billion % right

This is a very simple concept in luxury good. Why Omega AD can't understand that...IDK

It's probably because there are sooooo many Omega references they feel they have to show everything in order have any chance of selling it.

There is an Omega place in the Ala Moana mall in Honolulu, which is very nice. There used to be an Omega Boutique in Pittsburgh but it went away. The dealer I showed in my original post dropped Omega.

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by Chris_512

Mine did the same thing. Moved to a new location and there’s an entire wing devoted to Rolex. It’s beautiful but why devote so much space to something you have no inventory to sell?

Remember, you are buying an experience. The watch is an accessory. LOL

[MONTANTK]

That’s gotta be Henne! I was there earlier this year and I love it there. I’ll never forget the stockpile they had in the cases after COVID in 2021