Exhibition models. Is this a new low?

[Danny83]

I never knew the ADs got display only meteorites

[Coronette]

Just more A/D shenanigans over display models. Chicago or Paris doesn’t seem to matter. Rolex is starting to become a joke.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by Coronette

Just more A/D shenanigans over display models. Chicago or Paris doesn’t seem to matter.

Let it go. Making a scene or losing sleep over exhibition models is not going to get you a real watch any sooner.

[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by jb335

Interesting, I have never seen or heard of an AD having a meteorite Daytona as an exhibition model.

I'm talking about an actual exhibition piece and not the preview they did after Watches and Wonder last year for the new models.

Very common in many countries.

[HKP7M8]

When I picked up my BLNR they had exhibition models. I wasn't paying close attention since I was there on my own mission but there were SAs showing the exhibition models with gloved hands. May just be the policy at that store. I don't recall any customers handling the models.

[mile2424]

Dang sorry to hear about this and your experience. Seems very frustrating and what else is the purpose of exhibition models if you can’t try on. I know you’ve been jonesing for the 505 for a while now. Maybe this is the unfortunate or frustrating luck to turn the tides and bring the good karma your way. Fingers crossed for you. I want one as well!

[rom33]

An American in Paris…

Didn’t Oprah have trouble there also?

[RJM25R]

Originally Posted by RolexSimon

Seems to depend on country and how Rolex GMs are playing the game in their jurisdiction. Some have "blocked" movements that can't work without being re-modified back by Rolex, others have full working movements that the AD can sell when the next watch of the same kind comes in through the door. In others - AD only has to keep a certain number of "sports" or PM watches on display, so the Cermit can be sold when a black sub-date comes in for example. If you get on well with your AD - ask them what the deal really is?

That is pretty accurate except the “blocked” movement bit.

If you go to an event at your AD, the Rolex loan watches (that move from event to event) sometimes have a spacer movement (non functioning) but the store stock (exhibition models) are 100% functional watches. Each AD has to have a certain number of core models on display, and can’t sell until they have a replacement of a similar core model to go on display in its place…..

Car dealerships have a similar policy at the moment (I have worked for Mercedes-Benz in the UK for 6 years and we have a showroom full of cars that cannot be sold)

[DVR]

In Antwerp it is the same at Tensen. They have several display models but you can't try them on.
The lady was friendly and said they are all pre-sold and have to stay in the window until an other similar comes in and than the customers can pick them up. Since they are already sold they don't allow fittings.
They don't know me there so maybe for known customers they might act differently.

[lava flow]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

Let it go. Making a scene or losing sleep over exhibition models is not going to get you a real watch any sooner.

agree -said poster is making an issue about this on various threads

[lava flow]

Paris is well - Paris

i used to go there weekly for business meeting and got to understand the Parisienne mindset to a degree

Parisiennes consider themselves above all other French people and are accordingly detested by the rest of France

one of Europe's most beautiful/cultured cities but it has a very dark background in the suburbs - the Banlieues

these are almost Soviet era tower block estates occupied by North Africans/Central Africans from former French colonies

hot beds of crime and Islamic fundamentalism

virtual no go areas for police

[lava flow]

Paris is well - Paris

i used to go there weekly for business meetings and got to understand the Parisienne mindset to a degree

Parisiennes consider themselves above all other French people and are accordingly detested by the rest of France

one of Europe's most beautiful/cultured cities but it has a very dark underside in the suburbs - the Banlieues

these are almost Soviet era tower block estates occupied by North Africans/Central Africans from former French colonies

hot beds of crime and Islamic fundamentalism

no go areas for police unless they are full on SWAT etc - and then rioting starts

eating good food in Paris is a nightmare for non French speakers especially

the Michelin restaurants are as good as expected - its the wanabees that are a bloody nightmare - treat non French appallingly and pretend they do not speak English - and their sommeliers are even worse

my meetings were with Govt NGO's and they insisted on a two hour lunch with copious wine

[Flintstone]

Next time offer your first son—or left testicle.

[OrangeSport]

Can't see the issue. You're not buying it so you can't try it on. Why would they waste their time?

[samuel019]

Originally Posted by Danny83

I never knew the ADs got display only meteorites

Yeah it was a first time for me as well Danny but here’s a few pics. Not the best because based upon being told no I didn’t know if taking a picture would get me launched from the store by security


Also to everyone that doesn’t see a problem? Ok fine. I’m a long time member here. I don’t make rant threads complaining about anything with Rolex and the current market, maybe a few replies at best, and all I’m saying is I’ve been in dozens of A D’s since the start of “exhibition models” and never been told no. Granted never traveling abroad.

Am I devastated? Nope. A tad disappointed? Sure. Just because there’s a looooooong story about me getting a 505/515 and here was one to at least try on.

But oh well. Is what it is. Learn something new everyday.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JSolution]

You’re not allowed to touch them or they them on at my AD either - but I don’t really buy there as you know I can’t deal with the years and years of waiting - for anything at all.

Have you considered going to the pre owned market for one? Maybe you have a piece you could trade into it? You could always sell it again when/if a new one comes along. I know you’ve been hunting a while .

[noshake]

I tried on exhibition models at my local AD and two others. That's what they're there for.

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by noshake

I tried on exhibition models at my local AD and two others. That's what they're there for.

Yes but many ADS don't seem to sell to foreigners so would have no interest in wasting time with them

[samuel019]

Originally Posted by JSolution

You’re not allowed to touch them or they them on at my AD either - but I don’t really buy there as you know I can’t deal with the years and years of waiting - for anything at all.

Have you considered going to the pre owned market for one? Maybe you have a piece you could trade into it? You could always sell it again when/if a new one comes along. I know you’ve been hunting a while .

Hey Jay,

Yes I've thought and thought about going Grey. Chatted with a few and had some offers. My problems are like most or some of us. I dont really have anything I want to let go atm. My SS, TT, and PM collection is pretty much where I want it to stay and then the pricing currently, only getting worse, is more than I want to spend. Paying 25-30k for certain SS pieces compared to MSRP is one thing but paying in the 70's and up on a 40k MSRP is another. At least for me anyway.

I'm still hoping that one of the 3 A D's I'm in contact with that I have a spend history/relationship gives me a call soon but just getting impatient. Is what it is........

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by samuel019

Hey Jay,

Yes I've thought and thought about going Grey. Chatted with a few and had some offers. My problems are like most or some of us. I dont really have anything I want to let go atm. My SS, TT, and PM collection is pretty much where I want it to stay and then the pricing currently, only getting worse, is more than I want to spend. Paying 25-30k for certain SS pieces compared to MSRP is one thing but paying in the 70's and up on a 40k MSRP is another. At least for me anyway.

I'm still hoping that one of the 3 A D's I'm in contact with that I have a spend history/relationship gives me a call soon but just getting impatient. Is what it is........

Yeah I get the pricing thing especially as in December a lot of these watches where 20-30 per cent less. I suggested a trade as that kinda offsets the price a bit, with your pieces going up In value at the same time. Let go of a two tone or sit tight I’m sure it will come to you is my advice :)

I’m hoping for one special piece from the AD but I’m pretty content now, actually looking to move a few out myself now.

[samuel019]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Yeah I get the pricing thing especially as in December a lot of these watches where 20-30 per cent less. I suggested a trade as that kinda offsets the price a bit, with your pieces going up In value at the same time. Let go of a two tone or sit tight I’m sure it will come to you is my advice :)

I’m hoping for one special piece from the AD but I’m pretty content now, actually looking to move a few out myself now.

True. I've got a few in SS that were bought at MSRP so theres money to be made but I just know that if I trade/sell one then go back to my A D for a second one I'm sure that will bring some attention.

The 2 A D's where I feel the most confident one is the mgr and 10 year relationship but as I've mentioned before he hit me up like 4 times last year and said "If I could would you" on various 505's/515's and I of course said YES but got nothing. He has switched up of late and stated my eyes are peeled. The other A D, I know the owner. He states "dont sweat it I got you". So both over a decade and both spend history.

I guess I'm just a negative Nellie/Nancy that I'll believe when I see it because of the near misses and people can say anything. Plus for some reason this 505/515 has been the hardest to acquire. Which is odd because I've gotten Explorers, 41 Sub, 126715, and others of late from my A D with little to no problem. Even passed on a few but they knew I was gonna pass because it was just another variation of a model I already own. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something But its still only February. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve that I put into play just this week. So the saga continues

Btw I hope you get whatever this special piece is. You know that.

[PA Zu]

Another YMMV post, but I have been to several ADs here in the states and there have been no issues with trying exhibition pieces on. The AD I was at this weekend (not my normal one) indicated they are all real watches but said they have a lot of extra tags and stuff on them, which I noted did make it a little bit of a pain for her to get them ready for me to try on. Thankfully, she was more than happy to let me try on whatever I wanted, so it was a fun time to check out a bunch of models I've only ever seen online. Sorry the OP didn't get to have the same experience.

[chris242]

Originally Posted by huncho

This!!!

Doesn’t surprise me one bit!

However, every AD I’ve visited on my recent vacation in Florida let me try on anything I wanted to..

[noshake]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

Yes but many ADS don't seem to sell to foreigners so would have no interest in wasting time with them

Trying them on in person gives you a feel for the fit on your wrist. For instance, I like the Ceramic Oysterflex more then the TT. Also Ceramic bezel makes a huge difference. Online pics can only show you so much.

[RolexPD]

The last time I bothered going into the Rolex boutique on the Champs was back in 2015, when ADs had real watches in their cases to sell. Even back then, they wouldn’t let me try on watches and seemed completely disinterested in dealing with me (a tourist) at all.

This attitude, however, did not apply to the tourists who were buying five or six watches at a time.

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by noshake

Trying them on in person gives you a feel for the fit on your wrist. For instance, I like the Ceramic Oysterflex more then the TT. Also Ceramic bezel makes a huge difference. Online pics can only show you so much.

Of course, but if they don't aren't going to sell to you what is the point (for them)?

[Submaster1675]

n Paris, it depends on the shop, some refuse to let you try on the expo models, while others are happy to do so...

[favre12rodgers]

Originally Posted by samuel019

Ok TRF please help me out with some of your experiences when it comes to exhibition models. So long story short this has nothing to do with A D’s having exhibition models and what they are for but has anyone ever been refused to see and try them on??

As the story goes my wife and I were traveling abroad, Paris and while there I was told no that I couldn’t see/try any on. This was at Dubail on the Champs Elysees which I’m pretty sure is a boutique. They had pretty much every model imaginable. Multiple Meteorite Daytona’s etc. Full RG and OF. The one I asked to see was a diamond dial 116505. Wasn’t even asking about the “infamous” Meteorite version.

If some of my fellow TRF members follow some of my posts you’ll know I’m desperately trying to check my last box before leaving Rolex, a 116505, so I wanted to try one on for the first time in my life. Told flat out just no. Not to mention I was wearing a Rolex. So we just left. Not much else we could do.

Sorry for the long story that was supposed to be short but I am/was just flabbergasted. Never ever experienced being told no when looking to try something on. So after that experience I didn’t even bother asking at another A D or boutique. Maybe I should’ve but at that point I was like F it. I just know that this is the whole point of “exhibition models”. Normally Gotta make for long days as an SA there.

Agreed, it's the dealer's right to say no. However, it's also your right to leave a crappy review for the dealer online.....that's what I would do.

[RedGlasses]

Originally Posted by Coronette

Just more A/D shenanigans over display models. Chicago or Paris doesn’t seem to matter. Rolex is starting to become a joke.

i was in the same AD, being french, and treated the same way. Not possible to try anything and yes they had a meteorite daytona.

Rolex is a F joke right now, next thing : are they going to make you pay the entrance of their museum stores?

It was nice to look at THE meteorite daytona, but no try, no hope to buy, unless you are mbappe, so pissed.

Adios Rolex, it was nice meeting you 20 years ago.

[watchwatcher]

I think it's going to vary geographically.

I was at my AD a few weeks ago and tried on every exhibition model they had in the case. (It had been a while lol)