Rolex USA holding back for rest of 2017?

[sampelligrino]

I take everything I hear with a grain of salt (two grains when it comes to guessing what Rolex is up to), but I'll chime in as well that the ADs I've talked with have also said for some reason many of the popular SS models as of late are coming in less frequently when they get their recurring shipments.

As for why is speculation, maybe scarcity marketing, maybe gearing up for holiday season, maybe gearing up for the larger "2018", maybe reducing supply to keep demand red hot, who knows!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by DeeTee

rolex is holding back
they are keeping the masses hungry for the holiday season

Well then our holiday has lasted over a year. This sounds more like a cover story put out to mask some deeper production issue, sort of like before on the Cyclops but maybe now on a more critical aspect of the watch.

[ronricks]

People keep saying subs are scarce and the trusted sellers have raised prices. Local AD had 2 sub dates, 2 sub no dates and one LV in the case this morning. I asked about the production issue and they laughed. Food for thought.

[clpotter]

Originally Posted by ronricks

People keep saying subs are scarce and the trusted sellers have raised prices. Local AD had 2 sub dates, 2 sub no dates and one LV in the case this morning. I asked about the production issue and they laughed. Food for thought.

Was the AD Mayors in Buckhead?

[WS9D]

Production issues....hmmmmm....maybe we can be hopeful that they stopped production while they swap out the machines that will make the next generation of bada.$ Rolex??? that would be awesome but probably not the case. If only

[henrylee]

Rolex knows supply and demand best.

[dardeca]

I went into the largest Rolex AD in Dallas today and was amazed at how low their stock was...particularly for professional models. Talked to the store manager and he hasn't heard anything from his rep regarding it being more difficult to get watches from Rolex currently. That being said, they clearly had a significant void in their stock.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by clpotter

Was the AD Mayors in Buckhead?

Yep

[Boothroyd]

Seems like AD puffery to me. While an AD may be short of stock at any one time, I doubt Rolex has created an artificial shortage of professional models in the US.

[jrs146]

Wherever it is... gray prices are higher than ever... all I know is I've bought a 116500, 116610 LV, 116710 LN in the last month from the same AD at less than gray prices. AD's are still getting watches. Rolex is not bleeding them dry. Maybe inventory is down less than it's been in the past buyback I doubt it's a "trick" that Rolex is playing.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Did the cat poop pile post need a follow up?

I thought it was as clear as talking through were the sun don't shine?

Just because you have a ton of posts doesn't mean you can post a pile of cat poop and it be clear to all. See posts by meganfo and padi. Much better than yours. The tone of your initial post was unclear at best and jerky at worst.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by padi56

Afraid today many ADs talk through where the sun dont shine .

LOL. Thats what I was thinking! :-)

[affalterbach]

I absolutely believe this. Rolex already exceeded their sales goals for 2017. It's not unusual for Rolex to slow shipments towards the end of the year. Seems like the slowdown is coming early this year. I think stainless sports models are going to get scare between now and the holiday season. Just my opinion, only time will tell...

[Fmnunes2803]

I bought a 114060 from my local AD a few weeks ago and I was told by the store manager that it would take them months to get another one in stock.


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[asiparks]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Rolex not sending watches to US and/or an AD receiving very low distribution would make me want a Rolex even more, not go running to another brand that is on hand and easy to get.

Perhaps, I just answered my own question. Maybe it's one of those "let me take your info and if by some miracle we get the watch, I'll call you!". Mean while the watch is sitting in the safe the whole time.

Indeed, denial makes desire greater; but from the salesman's point of view, he just wants to sell you a watch. To stop you looking at another AD, he'll spin a story that it's a global supply problem, you won't find one anywhere....but hey, they have some nice Omegas, or IWC's that sir might like to try on instead....

[rossi46]

I heard almost the exact same thing from an AD in Tyson's Corner in VA (very high-end shopping mall). 9 times out of 10 I completely disregard anything a salesman says, but I'm inclined to almost believe it.

The guy wasn't trying to sell me anything. In fact, he turned down my request to get on the Daytona C list, and openly admitted that nothing he had available to sell would interest me.

Strange times for a prospective Rolex customer these days...

[RAM75]

I think the people in Rolex marketing taught HBO how to release their popular series.

[Preeble]

I heard the same thing from my trusted AD this weekend (very large watch dealer). I wasn't there shopping for a Rolex, but when I asked about his inventory, he indicated that he had just met with his Rolex rep and was told that he would not be getting any additional watches in this year. He mentioned that Rolex wanted to slow down the supply as demand has been very high recently.

There is no reason the AD would BS me about not getting anything new in, so I believed him.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Tonight at the local AD, a salesman told me . . . . . It didn't really make sense to me. Thoughts?

I agree

[Danex]

There really seems to be less inventory at ADs and prices in the classifieds look higher too. So either demand has increased or supply has decreased.
The story from ADs is that Rolex has choked supply. Likely they don't really know why, so they make up stories or their rep gives them a story.
Another member mentions a possible production issue. I wonder if production has slowed down due to issues related transitioning into the 32xx series movement? The 32xx series has considerable advances in accuracy and power reserve and I imagine Rolex may want to roll it out into other models sooner than later. This transition may be the cause of the supply glitch and Rolex would like to keep that a secret.
That's my theory.

[Devildog]

My take on this is that Rolex is struggling to keep up with global demand, and finally, this is hitting the US.

Every production facility has a maximum output, even if it has infinite supply.

I don't believe its due to a technical "problem" with the watches themselves, but Rolex may well be experiencing raw material supply restrictions or simply that their production facilities cannot keep up.

Available financial records show Rolex has been experiencing year on year growth (before the price increase) Global sales have increased as markets are constantly expanding -

It may just be as simple as Rolex being unable to keep up with worldwide demand.

[watchwatcher]

While it may or may not be true...I still wouldn't be in a hurry to accept whatever a salesman told me. Just sayin'.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Tonight at the local AD, a salesman told me that they were having a very hard time getting the most popular models because Rolex USA was choosing not to send them. He said that Rolex USA has already made its sales goals for the year and was now slowing sales and preparing for an even bigger 2018. It didn't really make sense to me. Thoughts?

My thoughts? There may actually be a scintilla of truth to the statement; however, the ADs reasoning is likely more conjecture than authority. Expect it is likely a supply & demand issue versus a result of Rolex business model.

[Wcdhtwn]

My AD said they are holding back in preparation for the big holiday sale: 20% off and free financing. The only thing that they are still debating is the BOGO promotion.

[Old Geezer]

Every time I have visited an AD over the last 12 months, they try to sell me something other than what I am inquiring about. Same stories...doesn't seem to matter what I ask about, it's always the same stories: Rolex curtailing production, it will be discontinued, waiting list, blah, blah, blah. Rolex could be a getting a lot more of my money but they apparently have enough and don't mind me spending it on other brand watches and toys.

[NeoXerxes]

Originally Posted by Danex

There really seems to be less inventory at ADs and prices in the classifieds look higher too. So either demand has increased or supply has decreased.
The story from ADs is that Rolex has choked supply. Likely they don't really know why, so they make up stories or their rep gives them a story.
Another member mentions a possible production issue. I wonder if production has slowed down due to issues related transitioning into the 32xx series movement? The 32xx series has considerable advances in accuracy and power reserve and I imagine Rolex may want to roll it out into other models sooner than later. This transition may be the cause of the supply glitch and Rolex would like to keep that a secret.
That's my theory.

I know that this is pure speculation, but that makes sense to me since one would expect that additional transition to the 32xx series movements would impact production. I'm on a wait list with money down for a couple of models, including a ceramic Daytona, and I am told that my place in line remains the same but the wait will be longer than expected since shipments have slowed significantly.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

Every time I have visited an AD over the last 12 months, they try to sell me something other than what I am inquiring about. Same stories...doesn't seem to matter what I ask about, it's always the same stories: Rolex curtailing production, it will be discontinued, waiting list, blah, blah, blah. Rolex could be a getting a lot more of my money but they apparently have enough and don't mind me spending it on other brand watches and toys.

Like

[AK797]

While demand does seem to be rising, most ADs I talk to say the problem is not higher demand but lower supply than before, esp at smaller ADs, and none of the reasons "officially given" are convincing to me. And when it starts to impact a market like the US I don't think the issue is completely within their control any more.

[SpeedyTuomas]

Well, he is merely a salesman so what does he know? Seems that popular Rolex models are hard to get everywhere at the moment.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by AK797

While demand does seem to be rising, most ADs I talk to say the problem is not higher demand but lower supply than before, esp at smaller ADs, and none of the reasons "officially given" are convincing to me. And when it starts to impact a market like the US I don't think the issue is completely within their control any more.

Nice points Neil.

I wouldn't be surprised if there could be production line issues. At least with more popular models.

The 4130 is an expensive movement to include at the MSRP

The 3235 models seem to be in lower production, even though it's very early

Bi-Color Ceramic Bezels are tougher to come by

4161 is an expensive movement to produce, as is 9001


To me it sure seems, like Rolex is positioning up market and for a price increase, perhaps brand evolution higher up market.