Biggest Rolex Store in US Has No Sports Models

[Canefan1]

Originally Posted by swish77

So, I walk into the massive Rolex boutique in NYC this afternoon, the one that’s in the same building that houses the U.S. Rolex headquarters .... and not one steel sports model was available, and only a couple of yellow gold models. No Subs of any sort, no Deep Seas, GMTs, no Explorers or IIs, and of course no Daytonas or the new SD. Nothing. Just hundreds of other models, such as DJs, DDs, and women’s watches.

Sales rep told me they won’t get any more until after Christmas. Not sure if that’s BS or not, but it seems insane that the stock at the biggest store/dealer in the U.S., which I believe is run by Wempe, doesn’t have any basic sports models heading into the holiday buying season. I knew this was going on in Europe, but I assumed you could still get a steel Sub, for example, with relative ease at a dealer. I assume it’s like this elsewhere across the U.S. Go figure.

Luxury Swiss in Miami. Don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned this. Take a flight and see for yourself.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Canefan1

Luxury Swiss in Miami. Don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned this. Take a flight and see for yourself.

If you have to take a flight to see a SS Rolex that says it all.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by AK797

If you have to take a flight to see a SS Rolex that says it all.

[Sarosh]

Originally Posted by AK797

If you have to take a flight to see a SS Rolex that says it all.

Haha Neil so true!

[ingoodtime]

I was at Mayors in Boca Raton at Town Center Mall. Their selection was fantastic. No shortage here except for my shortage of funds!

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by ingoodtime

I was at Mayors in Boca Raton at Town Center Mall. Their selection was fantastic. No shortage here except for my shortage of funds!

True dat!!!

[Canefan1]

Originally Posted by ingoodtime

I was at Mayors in Boca Raton at Town Center Mall. Their selection was fantastic. No shortage here except for my shortage of funds!

This is the case for all of S. Fla. SS right in the display cases.

[Wcdhtwn]

Houston has some but definitely running out.

[Porsche]

this store in NY?
(Mrs Porsche was in NY last month, took this pic but didn't go in and get me anything )

[Fleetlord]

SS Watches are in their vault for premium customers.

If the watches are in the display case they can't discriminate.

If they aren't in the case, then they can discriminate at will...

Buy a DD and see how fast the Sub comes out of the back if you want one...

Clearly not all dealers are doing this. The big chains in the SE are not holding most of the SS stock in vault.. The SS sub is 100% available and ready to go for a walk in (Boca reference above)

BLNR, SD43 and HULK are vaulted, but available.

Daytona and Skydweller are order only for top tier clients


Other dealers are taking Rolex advice and holding all SS stock for top tier clients or whales popping in.

If you visit an AD in the US with no SS stock, move on immediately. It's a sham.. The watches are out there, no reason to play their game.

[ckaynyc]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Watches are in the vault for premium customers.

If the watches are in the display case they can't discriminate.

If they aren't in the case, then they can discriminate at will...

Buy a DD and see how fast the Sub comes out of the back if you want one...

Huh? Wempe’s objective is to move units. Wempe/Rolex is in one of the most revered shopping districts in the World. They can sell Subs all day long. There’s no reason for them to hold it for a preferred customer. A Daytona? Yeah, but they are not holding back SS Subs/GMT/EXP in the vault.

[GB-man]

I have serious doubts that’s the largest Rolex store by volume. Stock is usually butt cheeks when I stop by.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by ckaynyc

Huh? Wempe’s objective is to move units. Wempe/Rolex is in one of the most revered shopping districts in the World. They can sell Subs all day long. There’s no reason for them to hold it for a preferred customer. A Daytona? Yeah, but they are not holding back SS Subs/GMT/EXP in the vault.

Nope...in the vault.

If this isn't the case, then why wouldn't ROLEX 100% make sure WEMPE had limitless SS Subs since they can sell SUBS all day long?

Why wouldn't this WEMPE NY location have all the stock and places like Boca Raton, FL have no stock since there is much less traffic?


Because, WEMPE WANTS people to buy higher margin pieces and slow movers that wouldn't sell if a Sub was in the case...

Remember most people aren't WIS...so they will buy whatever ROLEX the AD shows them...and in that particular NY, location regardless of the cost.

Why sell Subs when they can sell PM....ALL DAY LONG. Subs are lower margin, puny ticket.

Rolex has suggested dealers do this. There is a memo floating around.

There is zero reason to even bother with this...just go to another dealer that doesn't handle stock this way.

[SpeedyTuomas]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Nope...in the vault.

If this isn't the case, then why wouldn't ROLEX 100% make sure WEMPE had limitless SS Subs since they can sell SUBS all day long?

Why wouldn't this WEMPE NY location have all the stock and places like Boca Raton, FL have no stock since there is much less traffic?


Because, WEMPE WANTS people to buy higher margin pieces and slow movers that wouldn't sell if a Sub was in the case...

Remember most people aren't WIS...so they will buy whatever ROLEX the AD shows them...and in that particular NY, location regardless of the cost.

Why sell Subs when they can sell PM....ALL DAY LONG. Subs are lower margin, puny ticket.

Rolex has suggested dealers do this. There is a memo floating around.

There is zero reason to even bother with this...just go to another dealer that doesn't handle stock this way.

I'm sorry but this is just nonsense in my opinion. May I see the memo you are talking about?

I have bought six Rolexes from my two ADs and both are in fact out of stock and have not received as many SS models as before. Just a year ago both had Subs and GMTs in the store. Also, if you are in the market for a SS model and have a SS model budget, it would not be feasible to try to sell a PM model to this client, no? It's like trying to sell an SUV model to a guy who is looking for a Mini Cooper.

[michaelodonnell123]

Originally Posted by SpeedyTuomas

I'm sorry but this is just nonsense in my opinion.

Instead of saying "this is just nonsense", why don't you provide an accurate answer to his question?

"If this isn't the case, then why wouldn't ROLEX 100% make sure WEMPE had limitless SS Subs since they can sell SUBS all day long?"...

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Nope...in the vault.

If this isn't the case, then why wouldn't ROLEX 100% make sure WEMPE had limitless SS Subs since they can sell SUBS all day long?

Why wouldn't this WEMPE NY location have all the stock and places like Boca Raton, FL have no stock since there is much less traffic?


Because, WEMPE WANTS people to buy higher margin pieces and slow movers that wouldn't sell if a Sub was in the case...

Remember most people aren't WIS...so they will buy whatever ROLEX the AD shows them...and in that particular NY, location regardless of the cost.

Why sell Subs when they can sell PM....ALL DAY LONG. Subs are lower margin, puny ticket.

Rolex has suggested dealers do this. There is a memo floating around.

There is zero reason to even bother with this...just go to another dealer that doesn't handle stock this way.

I'm a so-called VIP at the Wempe stores in NYC, including the Rolex boutique and the other location a couple blocks uptown on 5th Avenue. I'm a longtime New Yorker and have bought quite a few watches from them through the decades. If they had any Subs or other sports models, they would have shown them to me, whether from the display case or some secret vault in the back of the store. And they once did indeed pull out of the back a Daytona-C that was for other customer, just so I could see it.

Anyway, you hear too many of these stories at high-volume dealers for it to be a marketing ploy. I just think that Rolex is having trouble keeping up with demand worldwide for their best-selling sports models.

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by ckaynyc

Huh? Wempe’s objective is to move units. Wempe/Rolex is in one of the most revered shopping districts in the World. They can sell Subs all day long. There’s no reason for them to hold it for a preferred customer. A Daytona? Yeah, but they are not holding back SS Subs/GMT/EXP in the vault.

Exactly. Last time I went to Wempe inquiring about a white Daytona after I was placed on the list, the lady asked me if I had green Sub. I was wearing the BLNR so they know immediately what other watches someone would be interested in. I turned it down but if she asked me that's because they had one in stock for sure just not on display. They had some SS sports models: 116710LN, Sub Date, Yachtmaster I & II but that was about it. I overheard another salesman with a customer telling him that even if they had 10 BLNRs per day, they would all be gone in a flash. The demand for the popular models is still very very strong even at retail.

I actually love Wempe. IMO they are one of the finest ADs period. If you build a relationship with them, they will hook you up. Their service is excellent as well compared to Tourneau. I wouldn't even bother with them. London Jewelers in the new WTC mall is another good AD. They will do their best to source a watch for you. Unlike Wempe they told me to forget about getting a DaytonaC from them as soon as I mentioned it while Wempe told me it would be a several year long wait. But that's the case at nearly every AD around the world right now.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Daytona and Skydweller are order only for top tier clients

AD told me this week that Rolex wants SS Daytonas only to go to good, repeat Rolex customers. ?

[bluebeamer]

same thing in singapore. all the ADs have no stocks and grey dealers are taking the opportunity to charge much higher than list price for even a simple black dial sub. crazy!

[stainlesssteve]

I was at the Rolex store at the Wynn on Friday. They claim to be the largest volume dealer in the US. They're completely out of SS sport models. Said they won't be receiving any more until next year.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by stainlesssteve

I was at the Rolex store at the Wynn on Friday. They claim to be the largest volume dealer in the US. They're completely out of SS sport models. Said they won't be receiving any more until next year.

I wonder if Rolex holds back SS before Christmas since Christmas is the Rolex-buying season, therefore its easier to push non-SS on people who want any Rolex and are willing to settle for a non-SS model. And, when they do pull out the SS models next year, they sell themselves.

[dardeca]

Originally Posted by stainlesssteve

I was at the Rolex store at the Wynn on Friday. They claim to be the largest volume dealer in the US. They're completely out of SS sport models. Said they won't be receiving any more until next year.

Same thing I've heard from the 4-5 AD's in Dallas that I frequent. I'm a good customer at all of them, so I have no doubt they are telling the truth.

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by dardeca

Same thing I've heard from the 4-5 AD's in Dallas that I frequent. I'm a good customer at all of them, so I have no doubt they are telling the truth.

This has been known for about two months know. It's not possible that everyone all over the world is lying. Except for the odd black dial Milgauss, polar explorer and SS DJ41s, trying to find new SS Rolex models is pretty much a waste of time until next year.

[sensui]

Hmm I was at Royal Maui in fashion valley two weeks ago and visited Ben Bridges also..not stocked at all..slim picking.

[BreezyMan]

Originally Posted by sensui

Hmm I was at Royal Maui in fashion valley two weeks ago and visited Ben Bridges also..not stocked at all..slim picking.

Go up north to the Escondido location and find Tal they got some ss sport models in stock

[OxfordSD]

Originally Posted by sensui

Hmm I was at Royal Maui in fashion valley two weeks ago and visited Ben Bridges also..not stocked at all..slim picking.

Strange, you must have just missed a shipment as I was also there a few weeks back looking at the Milgauss, Submariner, and the Speedy. The only one they didn’t have in stock was the speedy and told me they could bring one in from their Escondido store by the following day.

[faz]

As of last Saturday a few SS sport on display at nearby AD here in SF bay area. I saw GMT, SubC, SubC date, and a bunch of PMs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[beshannon]

My wife and I are trying to buy a car right now.

The dealer has several hundred 2018 models in stock but not the one we want.

Must be a shortage, conspiracy or other tin foil hat reason.

And I was at a local AD this past weekend and they had several Explorers as well as a SD in stock that I could see.

[SlowhandBuzz]

JCATT is correct, Atlanta has pretty decent options including spotting a Hulk, BLNR and SD43 in the cases around town recently.

I also saw a few around Charlotte last week.

[cm10005]

Went to a large AD in Long Island, NY on Monday and not one Submariner or Seadweller. Lots of women's watches though