Rolex plans new factory and 2,000 jobs in Switzerland

[Tudor 79180]

From swissinfo:

"The watchmaker hopes to build a new production site at Bulle in canton Fribourg, which should be inaugurated in 2029, Swiss public television, RTS, reportedExternal link on Monday.

The deal still needs to be finalised: the sale of two plots of land (100,000m2, the equivalent of ten football pitches) still requires the approval of the Bulle parliament.

Contacted by RTS, Rolex did not wish to comment until the deal is signed. However, the cantonal economics department told RTS that the signing is planned next month."

[minute_man]

Fwiw I can confirm having heard the same from Rolex central here

[beshannon]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=881807

[1William]

Saw this. Good news.

[GeorgeK]

https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/frib...-millions.html

[brandrea]

Sounds like they’re placing a big bet on the future of mechanical watches.

[amh]

That's 2000 polishing stations - they must feed the new CPO market somehow

[RyanJ]

Originally Posted by amh

That's 2000 polishing stations - they must feed the new CPO market somehow

I actually think you might be correct. I have no doubt that some of those people will be to work the CPO process.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by amh

That's 2000 polishing stations - they must feed the new CPO market somehow

Haha

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by amh

That's 2000 polishing stations - they must feed the new CPO market somehow

According to internal sources, they actually will be diamond experts because we need more blinged out Rolexes.

[trackingtime]

Originally Posted by amh

That's 2000 polishing stations - they must feed the new CPO market somehow

my first thoughts as well.
authentication
servicing
polishing
QC
printing of new documentations
logistics

[amh]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

According to internal sources, they actually will be diamond experts because we need more blinged out Rolexes.

That's even better!
- Rolex buys used DJ for $5000
- Adds diamond dial (their cost probably $200)
- Certifies it....

Sale price $15k

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by amh

That's 2000 polishing stations - they must feed the new CPO market somehow

+1 so good.

In all seriousness, the real cost is the movement right? Could just slap new SS case on all SS and TT watches as a quality refurbish. True win for consumer that doesn’t have to play Hermes style games.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

+1 so good.

In all seriousness, the real cost is the movement right? Could just slap new SS case on all SS and TT watches as a quality refurbish. True win for consumer that doesn’t have to play Hermes style games.

Well the main cost of any manufacturers is first the design then tooling up to make the movement parts.Once that's done the highly robotised factories like Rolex and other mass manufacturers can churn them out in the hundreds of thousands.

[TheVTCGuy]

How much do they pay?

[temporarychicken]

Scale up, just as the boom ends.

It'll be ready for the next one though, whenever that is...

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by Tudor 79180

From swissinfo:

"The watchmaker hopes to build a new production site at Bulle in canton Fribourg, which should be inaugurated in 2029, Swiss public television, RTS, reportedExternal link on Monday.

The deal still needs to be finalised: the sale of two plots of land (100,000m2, the equivalent of ten football pitches) still requires the approval of the Bulle parliament.

Contacted by RTS, Rolex did not wish to comment until the deal is signed. However, the cantonal economics department told RTS that the signing is planned next month."

I wonder if this is to produce more new watches ... or to increase service capacity to certify their new "used watches" business model?

[jlovda]

I probably won't care about wristwatches by then.

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by amh

That's 2000 polishing stations - they must feed the new CPO market somehow

Lol. If someone is waiting 5 years for Daytona, now the wait time is ….never.

I can see AD’s selling their new pieces as CPO. No more sports models at msrp.


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[jamesbondOO7]

The timing sounds a bit off.

[DD58]

Finally I can get my dream job!!!


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

It’s a long-term play, I don’t think Rolex is timing anything.

[ltmgeller]

Sounds good to me

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

It’s a long-term play, I don’t think Rolex is timing anything.

Right?

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Right?

Right. If we, a disparate and random group of enthusiasts could see that we were in a bubble then certainly Rolex with their corporate economists, lawyers and strategists could see it too. Not to mention the arc of investment of time and resources to build a factory: acquisition of property, design, revision, permitting, bidding and whatever other legions of unseen hurdles required to throw up a building in Switzerland. Building a factory to capitalize on a bubble is a classically American thing. Rolex doesn’t have a history of making rash decisions.

[tictoc1]

Don't assume that this factory means more just more mechanical watches.

Rolex is preparing for the future and I expect that there will be a large R&D department focused on addition of smart watches....and would also say look for a return of the Oysterquartz

[varun.ba001]

Doesn't matter

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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by varun.ba001

Doesn't matter

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Welcome to the forum.

[GeorgeK]

https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/frib...de-francs.html

[77T]

I think this is great for Rolex owners to be. But not as sure the neighbors will enjoy it…

From this:



To this:



Just my - why wouldn’t Rolex consider somewhere else in an existing industrial area?


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