Trip to AD today--reduction of AD network/return of Tudor to US

[airchitect]

Makes my decision to buy now even easier. New or used, still confused? One of my locals had a situation with the company for taking care of customers a hair too much. I hope they don't take any more heat. It's a great toy store. Rolex, Breitling, Pani, Patek, and the list goes on......thanks for the info brother!

[sond86]

Yikes doesn't sound good :(

Well at least I'm satisfied with my collection and have some good repertoire with dealers who have made store improvements and hopefully will be AD well into the future.

Days of preowned $$ 6k SS subs/exp/gmt, 7k DJII, 9k TT sub, 10k Daytona, 16k day dates

May become $$ 8k, 9k, 12k, 20k respectively

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Tiger Woods has signed with Rolex but isn't yet being used (new Tudor ambassador in US?). Note he was wearing a Rolex yesterday at tournament.

Thought I should post, for what it's worth.

I think they are using him because on the website there is a Congrats Tiger page. He and Fed were the only ambassadors to be shown the Sky Dweller (to my knowledge). I've been told expect a lot of Tiger Rolex commercials during the Masters. I don't know that to be gospel but considering its the biggest golf tournament in the world I would think Rolex will pull out all the stops advertising during the broadcast. He has been wearing Rolex since way before Rolex signed him. He was wearing a DSSD the second Tag dropped him. Its been his watch of choice for the past few years. TY for the info. Good post.

[77T]

Big inventories are in the past because the local/state tax load for AD's can be heavy. Slow inventory turnover AD's are in the past because Rolex needs more revenue quicker.

IMHO, shake out and consolidation will continue + Rolex direct boutiques will increase.

[InTime]

does kobe have a watch sponsor? the east knows kobe like jordan in the west.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by InTime

does kobe have a watch sponsor? the east knows kobe like jordan in the west.

No clue but Hublot is really taking over signing a ton of NBA player. Most of the NBA players style doesn't really "fit" mainstream America.

[sond86]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Just spent an more than an hour with my AD in an empty shop on a Monday afternoon. A couple of points worth mentioning.

He expected the number of AD's in US to drop from over 600 today to around 400 in the next 18-24 months. Margins getting thinner now on all models for US dealers--discounting tougher. Investment up for remaining dealers for higher premium Rolex display area in future.

Expected the new DJII Steel to be priced like current DJII Steel and Gold fluted, with the S&G getting a price increase. So new DJ Steel probably $8K.

Tudor back in US within 12 months is his strong opinion. Tiger Woods has signed with Rolex but isn't yet being used (new Tudor ambassador in US?). Note he was wearing a Rolex yesterday at tournament.

The MPLS dealers had Rolex CEO in for visit in the last 3 months. Dealers got 24 notice that he was en route. Cracking down on AD's.

Thought I should post, for what it's worth.

I wonder if dealers have any hint They may lose their ad status?

Do they just get a letter?

Get an opportunity to upgrade displays remodel store increase rolex inventory, dedicate more floorspace etc before decision is made?

[DG123]

Rolex is eliminitating retail dealers who carry small inventory.
Rolex is expecting current (and future) dealers to carry large inventory.
There is no "Rolex direct boutique". Rolex boutiques are owned and operated by independent retailers. If a dealer wants to do business, Rolex company encurages that dealer to open a boutique.

Originally Posted by 77T

Big inventories are in the past because the local/state tax load for AD's can be heavy. Slow inventory turnover AD's are in the past because Rolex needs more revenue quicker.

IMHO, shake out and consolidation will continue + Rolex direct boutiques will increase.

[azguy]

Does anyone have any idea how Rolex would announce the Tudor's coming back to the states....

[coralhound]

Originally Posted by azguy

Does anyone have any idea how Rolex would announce the Tudor's coming back to the states....

X2 that would be very interesting marketing enterance to watch!

[Boothroyd]

Thanks for waking up this thread. The AD I spoke did comment on news of Tudor's return to US. He was emphatic. To paraphrase: The way it works is, they send us a registered letter with the dates they will go "live" in market, and requirements. Certain AD's, mine included, have been given an "indication" that they will be allowed to carry the line.

My read is that a subset of high volume Rolex dealers in US will be allowed to sell.

And I fully expect to find out about it in this forum...one of you will be at an AD the day they get the letter, and you will post that, "TUDOR IS BACK IN THE US". That's how we will hear about it.