Athens AD

[GoingPlaces]

My cousin sent me this picture form the Rolex Boutique in Athens on Saturday. He said the store next door told him they shut the doors due to lack of inventory. This has not been verified, only speculated but interesting nonetheless.

[illiguy]

A picture says a 1,000 words.

[SlideRacker]

Couldn’t even cover the rent. Sad

[grymg]

Interesting, no inventory because they sold it all or because Rolex is not sending them as much compared to year's past?

[calh22a]

Interesting that an actual boutique would be hurting. I would imagine dedicated Rolex boutiques get more inventory than an AD.

[Podmornica]

Yeah, it would be great to finally break down whether the ADs are not receiving any inventory or they sell it out instantly. It's a major difference. I can't figure why would they close the doors of the shop if it's the latter case.

[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by grymg

Interesting, no inventory because they sold it all or because Rolex is not sending them as much compared to year's past?

I have no idea. All I know is what the neighbor retailer said, which was they did not have enough inventory. Will they re-open? No clue.

I know so many people keep saying that Rolex is winning and this is all masterful marketing but I can't imagine this is what Rolex really wants for their brand. No one wins here.

[ltmgeller]

From the AD's I spoke with, they said they get the same allotment of pieces, they just fly off the shelves.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

Yeah, it would be great to finally break down whether the ADs are not receiving any inventory or they sell it out instantly. It's a major difference. I can't figure why would they close the doors of the shop if it's the latter case.

IMO they are selling more than ever IE turnover is up. The fact that its next to impossible to get certain watches increases the demand for others.

An explorer II was never hard to get, as soon as the brand got really hot those sell too and quick.

The demand is insane and i think people misinterpret the empty shelves with the idea that they didn't get any watches. The sheer number available on the secondary market disputes this. Everyone lines up to buy watches at an artificially low retail price when the market price is much higher

SS inventory gathered dust a couple of years ago. Thats not good for AD's. Not sold out inventory, thats good. As to that specific AD, who knows. The greek economy isn't great

[lawrence1]

Originally Posted by calh22a

Interesting that an actual boutique would be hurting. I would imagine dedicated Rolex boutiques get more inventory than an AD.

it's Greece, and there are several ADs in and around Athens. Not sure if there is enough demand to support that kind of a presence in this low inventory environment.

[Loevhagen]

Let's see:

The store besides the Rolex AD in the OP photo has the following address:

Valaoritou 5, Athina 106 71, Hellas

Let's see if there is an official Rolex AD at adjecent address using the Store Locator on www.rolex.com.

Result: Yes -> https://www.rolex.com/rolex-dealers/...lexdealers.com

So - meybe the AD just had a greek siesta when the picture was taken.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

Let's see:

The store besides the Rolex AD in the OP photo has the following address:

Valaoritou 5, Athina 106 71, Hellas

Let's see if there is an official Rolex AD at adjecent address using the Store Locator on www.rolex.com.

Result: Yes -> https://www.rolex.com/rolex-dealers/...lexdealers.com

So - meybe the AD just had a greek siesta when the picture was taken.

it was lunch time on the clock

[faimag]

Are you sure they are not closed for summer vacation? Most typically close for a few weeks in August. Even the boutiques close!

[Mr.Rolex1]

By appointment only?

[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by faimag

Are you sure they are not closed for summer vacation? Most typically close for a few weeks in August. Even the boutiques close!

I was there last summer in August and they were open. August is their busy season, there are other watch stores in the same area. All open. Went in and spoke with the manager who was very nice and informative. She was of course discussing the lack of sports models and how she was waiting on a Daytona for herself to buy since the release.

Again, I don't know for sure what the story is just that the neighbor stated they closed due to lack of inventory. To that point, I have spoken to US AD's who have told me that they are getting as much if not more than ever. It's just that the demand is too great.

[joshua.pearl3]

Many Rolex ADs kept their doors shut last week in Athens.
August in general in Greece is a dead month (especially around the 15th). You can't even find doctors in the hospitals.
My father who owns a business there gave everybody 3 weeks off. Not only to the factory workers but also to the telephone operators!
Locals are on hols (away from Athens) so what's the point in keeping the shop open? Interestingly one of the largest dealers in Athens was telling me he has signed a contract apparently with Rolex that doesn't allow him to sell to foreigners (no idea if he was lying). Assuming he was not, what's the point in having your shop open when all your clients are away and you can't sell to tourists?

[Navarino]

Originally Posted by joshua.pearl3

Many Rolex ADs kept their doors shut last week in Athens.
August in general in Greece is a dead month (especially around the 15th). You can't even find doctors in the hospitals.
My father who owns a business there gave everybody 3 weeks off. Not only to the factory workers but also to the telephone operators!
Locals are on hols (away from Athens) so what's the point in keeping the shop open? Interestingly one of the largest dealers in Athens was telling me he has signed a contract apparently with Rolex that doesn't allow him to sell to foreigners (no idea if he was lying). Assuming he was not, what's the point in having your shop open when all your clients are away and you can't sell to tourists?

Agree with this and can say this is accurate about the "dead period". Local shops tend to slow down a lot in the back half of August in central Athens. The biggest wave of tourism has already happened for the summer and this time is typical for locals to go on holiday/leave the city.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Carry The Interest

Agree with this and can say this is accurate about the "dead period". Local shops tend to slow down a lot in the back half of August in central Athens. The biggest wave of tourism has already happened for the summer and this time is typical for locals to go on holiday/leave the city.

i was there in may one year and it was hot... cant imagine people wanting to walk around the city in august

[dtwer]

Originally Posted by joshua.pearl3

Many Rolex ADs kept their doors shut last week in Athens.
August in general in Greece is a dead month (especially around the 15th). You can't even find doctors in the hospitals.
My father who owns a business there gave everybody 3 weeks off. Not only to the factory workers but also to the telephone operators!
Locals are on hols (away from Athens) so what's the point in keeping the shop open? Interestingly one of the largest dealers in Athens was telling me he has signed a contract apparently with Rolex that doesn't allow him to sell to foreigners (no idea if he was lying). Assuming he was not, what's the point in having your shop open when all your clients are away and you can't sell to tourists?

Alas, the devil is indeed in the details. Good info!