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Old 19 October 2021, 02:04 PM   #1
MRBolton
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How Will ADs Ever Have Stocked Cases Again?

Aside from exhibition/display models, how can an AD ever have even a 25% stocked case again? Short of a devastating recession, what would it realistically take?
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Old 19 October 2021, 02:06 PM   #2
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Sir, prepare for some flame and heat.

I don’t think they’ll be stocked for a very long time.
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Old 19 October 2021, 02:13 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MRBolton View Post
Aside from exhibition/display models, how can an AD ever have even a 25% stocked case again? Short of a devastating recession, what would it realistically take?
I mean if covid didn’t do it..
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Old 19 October 2021, 02:31 PM   #4
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Rolex to make 3M+ watches a year...not going to happen.
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Old 19 October 2021, 02:34 PM   #5
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Flame and heat......!!! For exhibition only - that's the way to get them 10% stocked.
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Old 19 October 2021, 03:14 PM   #6
grimps
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Rolex to make 3M+ watches a year...not going to happen.
Even if they did make more watches demand would swallow them up , id be surprised if they could make another 100k a year even if they wanted to
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Old 19 October 2021, 03:34 PM   #7
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The dealer showrooms will be reset and remodeled (on their dime) to much smaller display cases that will feature only select references. These will emulate or create a boutique experience, either as a separate entirely Rolex location or an addition to the AD location that will be separate from the rest of the store.

There will be an emphasis on private viewing / purchase areas and Rolexes are not to "sold" across the counter display like a set of brake pads at an autoparts store.

My source for this was an operations manager from an AD who ran a Q&A on TICTOK.

He was very open about how to acquire Rolex from an AD and videoed his store getting shipments from Rolex and unboxing them on camera. He suddenly took down all those videos and paused for awhile to "consult" with Rolex about the content.

He reappeared on TikTOK after about a week and answered a question from a follower about this topic. His store is currently undergoing a refit and he described what it entailed, which I detailed previously in this post.

12hrs or so after he made that video regarding the refit and merchandising strategy, his account was deleted from TicTok.

So, don't worry about display watches anymore as apparently that merchandising model is being phased out.

Stack em high and watch them fly is seemingly NOT the Rolex vision anymore, so the days of showcases FULL of Rolex are essentially over.
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Old 19 October 2021, 03:39 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
The dealer showrooms will be reset and remodeled (on their dime) to much smaller display cases that will feature only select references. These will emulate or create a boutique experience, either as a separate entirely Rolex location or an addition to the AD location that will be separate from the rest of the store.

There will be an emphasis on private viewing / purchase areas and Rolexes are not to "sold" across the counter display like a set of brake pads at an autoparts store.

My source for this was an operations manager from an AD who ran a Q&A on TICTOK.

He was very open about how to acquire Rolex from an AD and videoed his store getting shipments from Rolex and unboxing them on camera. He suddenly took down all those videos and paused for awhile to "consult" with Rolex about the content.

He reappeared on TikTOK after about a week and answered a question from a follower about this topic. His store is currently undergoing a refit and he described what it entailed, which I detailed previously in this post.

12hrs or so after he made that video regarding the refit and merchandising strategy, his account was deleted from TicTok.

So, don't worry about display watches anymore as apparently that merchandising model is being phased out.

Stack em high and watch them fly is seemingly NOT the Rolex vision anymore, so the days of showcases FULL of Rolex are essentially over.
This is the way
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Old 19 October 2021, 03:50 PM   #9
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How Will ADs Ever Have Stocked Cases Again?

I heard on a Podcast today that Rolex AD'S had watches on display that were only for display purposes. The hands didn't move, no movements and crowns didn't move.

UK based podcast.

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Old 19 October 2021, 03:53 PM   #10
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Rolex is a buy.

And hold.
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Old 19 October 2021, 05:15 PM   #11
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Crazy times
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Old 19 October 2021, 05:20 PM   #12
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It would presumably take Rolex making drastically more watches. With respect to the difficulty in obtaining most Rolex models through ADs and the pricing we see at secondary dealers, it suggests that for every new Rolex made that there are probably quite a few willing buyers for that watch.

Even if Rolex doubled production, I think it's possible we still might see empty cases (at least with respect to stainless models). The demand for them is just absolutely immense and I think growing markets in China and India could result in that demand increasing further.
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Old 19 October 2021, 09:25 PM   #13
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Probably not at ADs but the cases at grey dealers will be packed
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Old 19 October 2021, 09:51 PM   #14
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They won't but the safes in the back will be stacked to the hills
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Old 19 October 2021, 10:03 PM   #15
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I'm in 100 % agreement with Fleetlord, the Rolex "Shopping" experience we have known and loved, is no more.....

Another thread make me wonder, if an individual AD can "hold" onto incoming deliveries, until they have a display case filled with goodies. Not for sale of course.

Or are they each under direct order from corporate, to leave them practically empty???
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Old 19 October 2021, 10:19 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MRBolton View Post
Aside from exhibition/display models, how can an AD ever have even a 25% stocked case again? Short of a devastating recession, what would it realistically take?
People to stop buying
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Old 19 October 2021, 10:33 PM   #17
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They won’t and the fact that Rolex had to come up with exhibition models for their AD’s cases confirms Rolex says this is the new normal for their brand.
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Old 19 October 2021, 10:39 PM   #18
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They won’t and the fact that Rolex had to come up with exhibition models for their AD’s cases confirms Rolex says this is the new normal for their brand.
Exactly
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Old 19 October 2021, 11:04 PM   #19
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Even if they did make more watches demand would swallow them up , id be surprised if they could make another 100k a year even if they wanted to
They are in the middle of expanding their movement production facility in Biel/Bienne to increase production by around 25% but that's not even supposed to go online until 2023. That's such a small amount relative to the massive demand that I doubt we will even notice it.

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Old 19 October 2021, 11:11 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
The dealer showrooms will be reset and remodeled (on their dime) to much smaller display cases that will feature only select references. These will emulate or create a boutique experience, either as a separate entirely Rolex location or an addition to the AD location that will be separate from the rest of the store.

There will be an emphasis on private viewing / purchase areas and Rolexes are not to "sold" across the counter display like a set of brake pads at an autoparts store.

My source for this was an operations manager from an AD who ran a Q&A on TICTOK.

He was very open about how to acquire Rolex from an AD and videoed his store getting shipments from Rolex and unboxing them on camera. He suddenly took down all those videos and paused for awhile to "consult" with Rolex about the content.

He reappeared on TikTOK after about a week and answered a question from a follower about this topic. His store is currently undergoing a refit and he described what it entailed, which I detailed previously in this post.

12hrs or so after he made that video regarding the refit and merchandising strategy, his account was deleted from TicTok.

So, don't worry about display watches anymore as apparently that merchandising model is being phased out.

Stack em high and watch them fly is seemingly NOT the Rolex vision anymore, so the days of showcases FULL of Rolex are essentially over.
This does sound very plausible indeed - bit sad that it might go that way though!
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Old 19 October 2021, 11:14 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
The dealer showrooms will be reset and remodeled (on their dime) to much smaller display cases that will feature only select references. These will emulate or create a boutique experience, either as a separate entirely Rolex location or an addition to the AD location that will be separate from the rest of the store.

There will be an emphasis on private viewing / purchase areas and Rolexes are not to "sold" across the counter display like a set of brake pads at an autoparts store.
Everyone knows all the best brake pads are behind the counter -- not in the aisles. You have to ask for them.
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Old 19 October 2021, 11:37 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
The dealer showrooms will be reset and remodeled (on their dime) to much smaller display cases that will feature only select references. These will emulate or create a boutique experience, either as a separate entirely Rolex location or an addition to the AD location that will be separate from the rest of the store.

There will be an emphasis on private viewing / purchase areas and Rolexes are not to "sold" across the counter display like a set of brake pads at an autoparts store.

My source for this was an operations manager from an AD who ran a Q&A on TICTOK.

He was very open about how to acquire Rolex from an AD and videoed his store getting shipments from Rolex and unboxing them on camera. He suddenly took down all those videos and paused for awhile to "consult" with Rolex about the content.

He reappeared on TikTOK after about a week and answered a question from a follower about this topic. His store is currently undergoing a refit and he described what it entailed, which I detailed previously in this post.

12hrs or so after he made that video regarding the refit and merchandising strategy, his account was deleted from TicTok.

So, don't worry about display watches anymore as apparently that merchandising model is being phased out.

Stack em high and watch them fly is seemingly NOT the Rolex vision anymore, so the days of showcases FULL of Rolex are essentially over.
My local AD has already had their makeover, maybe more to come I don;t know

But instead of six sections in each cabinet with watches in each of these removable inserts, alternating sections now have other/descriptive inserts so cutting down on empty watch slots. I was told it was mandated from Rolex (who knows)

Effectively cutting down on viewable stock by 50% but no empty spaces now
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Old 19 October 2021, 11:40 PM   #23
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I really hope not.

Exclusivity and limited supply is part of what makes my watches more meaningful to me. If they were easy to acquire, this hobby would be a lot less enjoyable.


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Old 19 October 2021, 11:42 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
The dealer showrooms will be reset and remodeled (on their dime) to much smaller display cases that will feature only select references …

There will be an emphasis on private viewing / purchase areas and Rolexes …

So, don't worry about display watches anymore as apparently that merchandising model is being phased out.
My AD is going through the latest Rolex mandated remodel right now … I’m anxious to see what it’ll look like, but I’m guessing there will be less display case and more waiting area
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Old 19 October 2021, 11:43 PM   #25
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Whats the allure of a 'Rolex' if it is loses its exclusivity?
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Old 19 October 2021, 11:44 PM   #26
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the only way will be if the economy gets so bad people stop buying or they increase their production or a combination of the two .... so I wouldn't hold my breath
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Old 19 October 2021, 11:47 PM   #27
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My magic 8 ball says, "no". Grey dealers will have your dream watch, usually in stock.
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Old 19 October 2021, 11:49 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
The dealer showrooms will be reset and remodeled (on their dime) to much smaller display cases that will feature only select references. These will emulate or create a boutique experience, either as a separate entirely Rolex location or an addition to the AD location that will be separate from the rest of the store.

There will be an emphasis on private viewing / purchase areas and Rolexes are not to "sold" across the counter display like a set of brake pads at an autoparts store.

My source for this was an operations manager from an AD who ran a Q&A on TICTOK.

He was very open about how to acquire Rolex from an AD and videoed his store getting shipments from Rolex and unboxing them on camera. He suddenly took down all those videos and paused for awhile to "consult" with Rolex about the content.

He reappeared on TikTOK after about a week and answered a question from a follower about this topic. His store is currently undergoing a refit and he described what it entailed, which I detailed previously in this post.

12hrs or so after he made that video regarding the refit and merchandising strategy, his account was deleted from TicTok.

So, don't worry about display watches anymore as apparently that merchandising model is being phased out.

Stack em high and watch them fly is seemingly NOT the Rolex vision anymore, so the days of showcases FULL of Rolex are essentially over.
That’s the guy in Providence, right?

In any event, the only brand new Rolex watches I’ve seen in an AD are display models that aren’t for sale; they are there just for the public to try on.
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Old 20 October 2021, 12:12 AM   #29
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A devastating recession
Production levels returning to normal.

Economy returning to normal.

Government ending massive financial support and fiscal stimulus.

Bill for massive financial support and fiscal stimulus arrives.

Devastating recession, hopefully not. Not required but that would be a hard brake on the Rolex frenzy.

But will you still want to buy that Rolex, when you can just buy it without jumping through hoops? And you can't flip it for profit. Will you still be able to afford it?
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Old 20 October 2021, 12:50 AM   #30
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Production levels returning to normal.

Economy returning to normal.

Government ending massive financial support and fiscal stimulus.

Bill for massive financial support and fiscal stimulus arrives.

Devastating recession, hopefully not. Not required but that would be a hard brake on the Rolex frenzy.

But will you still want to buy that Rolex, when you can just buy it without jumping through hoops? And you can't flip it for profit. Will you still be able to afford it?
nobody wants what they can easily buy at any time

a decade ago, I was finding rolex for 20-25% off list price in Asia. dealers were fully stocked.
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