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Mack Bolan · 15 July 2014, 02:18 AM

I was in a brand new Swatch store, which was very colorful and cheery. The sales clerk noticed my Rolex and said "Swatch supplies Rolex with a lot of its "parts""..I asked her "Like what?" to which she replied "Im not sure"...So I wondering, Does Swatch supply Rolex with parts?

T. Ferguson · 15 July 2014, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mack Bolan

I was in a brand new Swatch store, which was very colorful and cheery. The sales clerk noticed my Rolex and said "Swatch supplies Rolex with a lot of its "parts""..I asked her "Like what?" to which she replied "Im not sure"...So I wondering, Does Swatch supply Rolex with parts?

I can't think of any besides the ETA movements used by Tudor. And I highly doubt it in the context of the store you were in, Swatch watches (and not Swatch Group). I mean, they weren't selling Omegas there, were they? I'm trying to think of one Rolex reference that comes on a neon yellow plastic band that may have come from the Swatch parts business, but I can't think of one.

RolexJNJ · 15 July 2014, 02:25 AM

This would surprise me! Rolex makes virtually everything in-house. The only parts that I think are outsourced are sapphire crystals and some of the dial hands?

Mack Bolan · 15 July 2014, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

I can't think of any besides the ETA movements used by Tudor. And I highly doubt it, especially in the context of the store you were in, Swatch watches (and not Swatch Group). I mean, they weren't selling Omegas there, were they?

No they weren't selling Omegas...Although she did mention that Swatch owns Omega...

tkerrmd · 15 July 2014, 02:28 AM

ETA movements for the Tudors and I think most others as well!

Mack Bolan · 15 July 2014, 02:29 AM

I think she might be overly sensitive when people come in with expensive watches..I myself dig all kinds of watches, thats why I was there...but she noticed the Rolex and she couldn't stop talking about it as if I was going to point out something like "Rolex is better than Swatch" which I would never do.

It was kinda of a funny exchange

T. Ferguson · 15 July 2014, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mack Bolan

No they weren't selling Omegas...Although she did mention that Swatch owns Omega...

Well, then maybe she was talking in terms of the Swatch Group then but still, the only thing I know of are the ETA based Tudors.

Kyu · 15 July 2014, 02:30 AM

Not sure either, I don't doubt it.
She said parts so maybe literally manufactures parts ?

I'm also interested in this little info

shirtguy · 15 July 2014, 02:32 AM

im beginning to think that most of us on this forum know more than the avg person working at a rolex boutique

WyoWatch · 15 July 2014, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirtguy

im beginning to think that most of us on this forum know more than the avg person working at a rolex boutique

We do.

WyoWatch · 15 July 2014, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mack Bolan

I was in a brand new Swatch store, which was very colorful and cheery. The sales clerk noticed my Rolex and said "Swatch supplies Rolex with a lot of its "parts""..I asked her "Like what?" to which she replied "Im not sure"...So I wondering, Does Swatch supply Rolex with parts?

Tudor yes, ETA movements. Rolex, no. Rolex makes pretty much if not everything in house. They even have their own foundries for metals.

jack81 · 15 July 2014, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyoWatch

Tudor yes, ETA movements. Rolex, no. Rolex makes pretty much if not everything in house. They even have their own foundries for metals.

Thanks for this

lig · 15 July 2014, 02:57 AM

I was in a Swatch store in Venice last week. Picked up a couple of Sistem 51s.

The clerk kindly offered to swap a few Swatches for my AP RO. Tough call - but I had to decline.

Tseg · 15 July 2014, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WyoWatch

Tudor yes, ETA movements. Rolex, no. Rolex makes pretty much if not everything in house. They even have their own foundries for metals.

...precious metals, not steel, just to be clear.

The Libertine · 15 July 2014, 03:33 AM

I can't even remember when I last saw a Swatch.....

ExplorerChris · 15 July 2014, 03:34 AM

I would guess that the young lady has no clue and she should either get the proper training from her superiors or educate herself before she says things.

T. Ferguson · 15 July 2014, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExplorerChris

I would guess that the young lady has no clue and she should either get the proper training from her superiors or educate herself before she says things.

Chris, I know what you mean, but does the boss really care? It's a Swatch store for gosh sakes. Her typical customer is the high school kid looking for a watch that goes with the outfit they just bought at A & F a few doors down.

I give the girl credit for even properly identifying a Rolex. And if her comment was indeed referring to the ETA based Tudors, that's really impressive.

I'm not trying to light up Swatch or anything, but the line is just a very different market. They're not competing against Rolex anymore than they are against their own higher end brands. All I'm really saying is I'd more expect an Omega salesman to know a little something about Rolex than this gal.

AK797 · 15 July 2014, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirtguy

im beginning to think that most of us on this forum know more than the avg person working at a rolex boutique

So do most of us off the forum.

louis redfoot · 15 July 2014, 05:32 AM

i have a simple swatch that i wear when travelling. $40, good watch for the price

Welshwatchman · 15 July 2014, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mack Bolan

I was in a brand new Swatch store, which was very colorful and cheery. The sales clerk noticed my Rolex and said "Swatch supplies Rolex with a lot of its "parts""..I asked her "Like what?" to which she replied "Im not sure"...So I wondering, Does Swatch supply Rolex with parts?

She's technically correct in so far as Rolex manufacture Tudor watches which contain a movement made by ETA, owned by Swatch Group.

Swatch watches are fun. Should have bought a couple.

HogwldFLTR · 15 July 2014, 05:44 AM

I'm pretty certain that the ETA movements sold to Tudor represent a lot of business for both Swatch and Rolex. That would be a major account/supplier relationship.

Sparkiem · 15 July 2014, 05:47 AM

I went into a Swatch store in nice airport last week wearing a GMT, and was surprised at how knowledgeable the sales staff were about automatic movements - i was looking at their new sistem 51 auto movement

MILGAUSS88 · 15 July 2014, 07:46 AM

I believe they make hairsprings for many high end watch companies. I read an article in either IW or Watchtime, about Philippe Stern (Patek Philippe) visiting Nick Hayek (Swatch) to confirm that he would still get hairspings (or other parts?), when Hayek announced he would no longer sell parts on the open market.

15 July 2014, 02:18 AM	#1
Mack Bolan Banned Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Anywhere but here Watch: Submariner Posts: 259	Swatch Watches and Rolex I was in a brand new Swatch store, which was very colorful and cheery. The sales clerk noticed my Rolex and said "Swatch supplies Rolex with a lot of its "parts""..I asked her "Like what?" to which she replied "Im not sure"...So I wondering, Does Swatch supply Rolex with parts?

15 July 2014, 03:34 AM	#16
ExplorerChris "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Real Name: Chris Location: Ontario, Canada Watch: Explorer II 16550 Posts: 1,401	I would guess that the young lady has no clue and she should either get the proper training from her superiors or educate herself before she says things. __________________ There's a crown for every achievement A Watch Is Just A Watch A Rolex Is A Timepiece

15 July 2014, 05:44 AM	#21
HogwldFLTR 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Lee Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48 Watch: Too many to list! Posts: 33,693	I'm pretty certain that the ETA movements sold to Tudor represent a lot of business for both Swatch and Rolex. That would be a major account/supplier relationship. __________________ Troglodyte in residence! https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=808599

15 July 2014, 02:25 AM	#3
RolexJNJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: Chicago Posts: 5,036	This would surprise me! Rolex makes virtually everything in-house. The only parts that I think are outsourced are sapphire crystals and some of the dial hands?

15 July 2014, 02:28 AM	#5
tkerrmd "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Tom Location: In a race car! Watch: ME RACE PORSCHES Posts: 24,123	ETA movements for the Tudors and I think most others as well!

15 July 2014, 02:29 AM	#6
Mack Bolan Banned Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Anywhere but here Watch: Submariner Posts: 259	I think she might be overly sensitive when people come in with expensive watches..I myself dig all kinds of watches, thats why I was there...but she noticed the Rolex and she couldn't stop talking about it as if I was going to point out something like "Rolex is better than Swatch" which I would never do. It was kinda of a funny exchange

15 July 2014, 02:30 AM	#8
Kyu "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: yes.. it's Kyu Location: Los Angeles Watch: Rolex 116759SANR Posts: 1,499	Not sure either, I don't doubt it. She said parts so maybe literally manufactures parts ? I'm also interested in this little info

15 July 2014, 02:32 AM	#9
shirtguy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: ny Watch: sub-c Date Posts: 1,322	im beginning to think that most of us on this forum know more than the avg person working at a rolex boutique

15 July 2014, 02:57 AM	#13
lig "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PacNW Watch: Enthusiast Posts: 2,611	I was in a Swatch store in Venice last week. Picked up a couple of Sistem 51s. The clerk kindly offered to swap a few Swatches for my AP RO. Tough call - but I had to decline.

15 July 2014, 03:33 AM	#15
The Libertine Banned Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: Mike Location: BOS Watch: 16710;14060;214270 Posts: 6,375	I can't even remember when I last saw a Swatch.....

15 July 2014, 05:32 AM	#19
louis redfoot Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Real Name: jc Location: southern cal Watch: datejust sodalite Posts: 249	i have a simple swatch that i wear when travelling. $40, good watch for the price

15 July 2014, 05:47 AM	#22
Sparkiem "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: South Africa Watch: DRSD Posts: 8	I went into a Swatch store in nice airport last week wearing a GMT, and was surprised at how knowledgeable the sales staff were about automatic movements - i was looking at their new sistem 51 auto movement

15 July 2014, 07:46 AM	#23
MILGAUSS88 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: mississippi river Posts: 3,192	I believe they make hairsprings for many high end watch companies. I read an article in either IW or Watchtime, about Philippe Stern (Patek Philippe) visiting Nick Hayek (Swatch) to confirm that he would still get hairspings (or other parts?), when Hayek announced he would no longer sell parts on the open market.

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