A.D.s No Longer Retaining Watchmakers?

[Glenmorangie77]

I needed a minor bracelet part for my 2016 Explorer and went to two area authorized dealers for assistance. Both said they could order it but when they went to do so, Rolex told them they wouldn't allow the sale because they didn't have a certified watchmaker on premises.

Both these dealers used to have watchmakers on site but no longer do. I'm assuming business certainly has been good enough the last few years that letting go of a watchmaker wasn't necessarily financially driven. Any ideas on why this might be happening? Anyone seeing it as a trend?

[Tim Plains]

Staff shortage maybe? Practically every retail store near me has a help wanted sign in the window.

[JSolution]

My AD have told me sometime ago that they are being required to have a certified Rolex watch maker in house. Hasn’t happened yet but they do already have two watch makers in there.