AD kinda scolded me!

[airchitect]

For Petes sake people. It's a bracelet and yes it is the one component that Rolex is a-ok with u changing, so wear what you want.....hell wear it on bailing twine if you want. My AD sells Everest straps and will swap it out for me in a heartbeat sans snide remarks...... I mean geez people!

[Aceldama]

Originally Posted by AK797

Your watch, your choice, always and everywhere.

Screw the haters. You bought it. You own it. Do what YOU want to do.

[subtona]

I would be most interested in the salesperson providing what I asked for.

Their opinion can be offered but there should be zero expectation on their part.

Once the item is paid for it is absolutely none of their business how it is used.

Think how absurd the world would be if everything came with manufacturers acceptable use policy (of which no such thing is a part of a rolex purchase)

Here is your steak it can only be cooked like this

Here is your car it can only be driven like this

Here is your chair you can only sit on it like this...

With the 10s or 100s of millions of Rolex sold I don't believe the brand image would suffer if the occasional customer wears the watch on a strap and I certainly do not think much of the salespersons opinion.

Not to mention that Rolex actually thinks it is a good idea as indicated by the yacht master on rubber.

Bottom line is Rolex doesn't make money from the third party strap.

[M111]

I think this is the stupidest thing I've ever read. I just got a brand new Rolex and will probably not remove the bracelet for a very long time simply because I don't want an accidental slip to scratch anything. That said, I have small wrists, and all bracelets have to be adjusted and are still very uncomfortable. I honestly think my new oyster bracelet is extremely uncomfortable because of how it is designed with the easy link and the extremely long clasp assembly. It makes it sit crooked on my wrist. If I wanted to install a leather a strap, that is my prerogative, and I would have a legitimate reason.

[Lefty-P]

I saw some pictures of a sub on vintage leather and thought it looked great!

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[dr3ws]

I like how my sub look on everest leather or occasional nato strap but just after a week or two I miss the bracelet badly and can't wait to put it back on bracelet

[Romeojk]

I've changed out the stock rims on my ride too...and the seatpost, seat, gooseneck, crank, cassette, and pedals but it's still a Felt bicycle. I still have the stock rims on my F150. And I still have the stock bracelet on my Sub no date.

Frankly, I haven't seen anything that looks better. Show me a nice thick black leather-type band and maybe I'll be a believer that there is something better.

I agree, do what you want to your watch.

I agree, the AD was just trying to be a good brand steward.

Now someone please make me a believer that there's a better band out there and I'm in!

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Rolex have spent a great deal of time, money and effort in promoting the excellence of their brand.

Imagine how they must feel when someone of dubious taste slaps a crocodile strap on it.

It is true that once someone has purchased a Rolex, they have the right to do whatever they want with it, but you cannot blame the salesperson from trying to protect the image of a brand that they sell to other customers in their shop. There are some people who Rolex would rather not have as customers.

Mick

Respectfully disagree with just about everything you said here.

I really think you're making a huge assumption that the AD was really concerned about the image of the Rolex brand. The sales person doesn't work for Rolex, and their job is to take care of the customers as their number one priority.

Furthermore, I really think you're stretching when you say Rolex would rather some people not have their watches. Have you not seen some of the Gaudy designs? There's a Rolex model for every taste out there. As much as I like Rolex, let's not mistake them for some sort of bespoke brand. They are cranking these things out in the tens of thousands and their objective is to sell every single one of them. This isn't a Ferrari where you have to apply and be approved to purchase one.

Rolex protects their image with quality, not how someone chooses to wear it.

[pigman08]

Originally Posted by hbk25

Yeah I got a dirty look and snicker from a salesperson at an AD asking me, "What did you do to your milgauss?" when she saw this NATO. Rubbed me the wrong way.

Then another time, different AD, they politely explained the "keep it oem" policy, and that regrettably they would not be able to make the swap, but sure, "take a look at our different straps that would fit."

And of course at "my" AD, they showed me some recommendations, sold, then swapped out the bracelet for me. No questions asked.

Proper answer to that question: "Whatever the hell I want... It is MY Milgauss"

[Wcdhtwn]

Maybe salesperson #1 thought at him altering his watch makes it more versatile and thus he won't need to buy another watch. What the OP posted that was said was stupid, but maybe the salesperson was trying a poorly thought out sales on tactic.

[Investr]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The first one was right. The second one just wants your money.

X2!!! I despise NATO straps. They make the watches look cheap! Sorry...

[Dr. Prunesquallor]

Originally Posted by hbk25

Yeah I got a dirty look and snicker from a salesperson at an AD asking me, "What did you do to your milgauss?" when she saw this NATO. Rubbed me the wrong way.

Then another time, different AD, they politely explained the "keep it oem" policy, and that regrettably they would not be able to make the swap, but sure, "take a look at our different straps that would fit."

And of course at "my" AD, they showed me some recommendations, sold, then swapped out the bracelet for me. No questions asked.

I'm a big believer in "to each their own", but IMHO the high polish of the Milgauss case and the strap are a bit at odds.

[Jack Bauer]

Originally Posted by Mick P

It may well be poor salesmanship but the salesperson was making a decent effort to protect the image of the brand. I very much doubt if Rolex really want people slapping a croc strap on a Submariner. It is somewhat infadig.

Regards

Mick

Yeah I don't see how a croc strap on a Sub doesn't cheapen the watch a little bit. Also reckon if I were going to defile a watch I'd pick a Michael Kors or one with less value. But it's all relative I'm sure to how significant your watch is to you.

That being said, gimmie a pair of genuine croc shoes or wallet any day of the week.

[BNABOD]

Kind of funny when an AD tells u what u can or not do w the watch u own.
Reminds me of not being allowed to put Parmesan cheese on linguine al fruitti di mare

[Javier2.0t]

Originally Posted by Mick P

If you can't see the problem then there is little more that can be said.

I think you might have had too much of that Kool-Aid.

AD's are selling rubber Everest straps. why shouldn't I be able to put any strap I like on my couple of thousand dollar watch? To protect the brands identity?

[AF_Rob]

I would understand if an AD wouldn't swap a strap, but if a customer buys the strap and walks out, that's different. I don't get why they would refuse a sale.

I've had ADs tell me they don't sell aftermarket straps because it takes from the featured brands merchandise. I can understand that.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by M111

I think this is the stupidest thing I've ever read. I just got a brand new Rolex and will probably not remove the bracelet for a very long time simply because I don't want an accidental slip to scratch anything. That said, I have small wrists, and all bracelets have to be adjusted and are still very uncomfortable. I honestly think my new oyster bracelet is extremely uncomfortable because of how it is designed with the easy link and the extremely long clasp assembly. It makes it sit crooked on my wrist. If I wanted to install a leather a strap, that is my prerogative, and I would have a legitimate reason.

Start a new thread with some pictures of your watch/wrist. It shouldn't be that uncomfortable if it's adjusted properly. My wrist is around 6.25 and my watches are all fine.

[GB-man]

Doesn't surprise me. Rolex is very controlling.

[douglasf13]

Rolex and/or the AD apparently forgets that there used to be an option to forgo the bracelet altogether with the Sub, and they'd instead give you a rubber Tropic strap.

What's the big deal with changing straps? I do it all the time. I mean, the guy in this video makes $10 million per year, and he collects vintage watches, yet he only uses the original strap on one of them.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ta...howie-kendrick

[hbk25]

Originally Posted by Dr. Prunesquallor

I'm a big believer in "to each their own", but IMHO the high polish of the Milgauss case and the strap are a bit at odds.

I'm kind of conflicted with this watch. The bracelet is perfect in terms of comfort (more so than the exp ii/oyster lock, which is either too tight, too loose, too something). But I can't seem to enjoy it due to the pcl's.

So yeah I'm experimenting. Nice thing is, watches are bought & paid for, so no one can stop me from this strap madness!

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I meant that the AD, a representative of Rolex, was right to stick to Rolex company policy.

agree

[Lordofrolex]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I meant that the AD, a representative of Rolex, was right to stick to Rolex company policy.

Well yeah I understand what your saying in terms of keeping policy.

[henry333]

Keep it original!

[Rock]

No law against it and it is your watch after all.
Personally not a fan of NATOs or leather on watches that came with bracelets.
The maker usually knows what looks right with what.
That said, the AD staff member is not there to be the arbiter of taste for customers and I find it hard to believe that Rolex cares whether you put a mismatched strap on your watch.

[fungo]

Original is boring. WG is too much bling to my liking. So switch it up to leather.

[VicLeChic]

LOL
This is preposterous. As if a watch you buy from Rolex still belongs to Rolex.

[regnant]

You don't hire or rent a watch from Rolex, it's your own watch but Rolex is very stringent when it comes to modifications. The woman was right in in regards to conforming with Rolex policy.
I find that such straps cheapen the watch but everyone is entitled to their opinion. I like to have polished center links as well lugs therefore I had my Air King polished.
I don't care what Rolex says about it or refuse to service the watch when it's due

[Barth]

LOL when you pay such kind of money for a watch, you don't want to be told what to do, or what not to do.

[Yousefsl]

Originally Posted by regnant

You don't hire or rent a watch from Rolex, it's your own watch but Rolex is very stringent when it comes to modifications. The woman was right in in regards to conforming with Rolex policy.
I find that such straps cheapen the watch but everyone is entitled to their opinion. I like to have polished center links as well lugs therefore I had my Air King polished.
I don't care what Rolex says about it or refuse to service the watch when it's due

Do you have a picture of your polished Air King? I'm interested in how that turned out.

[RICHARD_LEWIS]

C'mon - the first AD scolded you for asking for a diet coke as well!

Kidding!! :-D

As said previously - your watch, your choice!