Rolex VIP Factory Tour

[eltonbalch]

There is no upside in this for Rolex that I can see.

They (apparently) currently sell everything they make, they are notoriously secretive and (likely) wouldn’t want sophisticated Watch nerds “watching” what they do and they would be undercutting their own distribution network by selling desirable pieces factory direct. They would also mostly be attracting super fans who already are purchasers and have cultivated AD relationships.

Now, that said, moving forward with an inquiry is a good first step. Most good ideas involve thinking outside of the box and as I have often told my children if you don’t ask, the answer is always no. You never know; this might be a great PR move since they are taking a beating for their current supply difficulties.

Good luck!

[SlideRacker]

I will immediately buy shares in Swiss International Airlines stock. But, OTOH, the stock would have already made it's move on the news.

[Tomas Eriksson]

I like the overall concept but the pricing is off. Try again at x5 the price. And for -xxx for the price of the purchase of a watch... Not with rolex. I might work for Panerai?

[Ssunnylee24]

No instagram posts would kill the deal.

[Greenwich Mean Time]

I wonder how long the wait list would be.

If that would ever happen, I'd do it. It would be the trip of a lifetime.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Greenwich Mean Time

I wonder how long the wait list would be.

[toolr]

I see most of the benefits listed as reasons Rolex would not be interested in such a plan.

[watchmaker]

Rolex already give tours to VIPs. For free.

Hate to break it to you but spending $2500-3000 on a ticket doesn’t make someone a VIP.

It’s a nice idea though.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Rolex already give tours to VIPs. For free.

Hate to break it to you but spending $2500-3000 on a ticket doesn’t make someone a VIP.

It’s a nice idea though.

And they give tours to watchmakers who are there for training

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by SearChart

And they give tours to watchmakers who are there for training

With a delicious lunch in their rooftop restaurant

[r_afficionado]

I would go on this tour. Maybe take a few family members. 3 months after Baselworld... sign me up!

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[Fat_ninja]

I surmise this be like being in the Matrix

[multimedia]

*Increase Brand awareness

Not sure Rolex actually need more brand awareness though :) They are the envy of most brands when it comes to marketing done brilliantly.

Cheers,
Joe

[Rocket launcher]

What parallel universe is this
Not this one

[watchmework]

I wouldn't do it and I'd be surprised if Rolex goes for it...good luck though

[RyanJ]

If you are actually a real VIP to Rolex, they would already give you a tour. Tours do actually happen.

[greengold]

Originally Posted by inadeje

So, my background is marketing, at some long ago point in my professional history. Switzerland derives massive national revenue from the tourism dollar influx. Factory tours are available from just about all of the Luxury Brands, especially car manufacturers like Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini. Brands like Montblanc, Cartier, etc. Most offer within their tours collecting a car, item or product. Car manufacturers even sell cars that you can you drive around Europe for x months, and then deliver to a German/Dutch port for pre-arranged shipping back home, with all registration formalities in your home country handled.

Proposal for Rolex

In a deal with the Swiss Tourism Bureau, Rolex starts a Rolex VIP Factory Tour. The cost is $2500 and, includes two nights of accommodation near the factory and, VIP dining 1 night. Guided tour includes all phases of watch production through specially installed external windows along external a tour corridor. A Rolex history museum section with iconic watches on display. A special Rolex VIP Concierge tour is $3500 which includes trying on any 5 Rolex of your (pre-decided when booking) choice. You would then be allowed to by One (1) of those watches, through a special VIP concierge at a special factory flagship boutique on-site. $2500 would be refunded against the eventual purchase.

Benefits

*Increase Brand awareness
*Watch Geeks like us get fast track access to a piece we want
*Rolex increases its historical info. preservation
*Swiss Tourism congratulates Rolex for spearheading tourism development
*Swiss towns and cities near the factory get increased tourism revenue
*Rolex manages to massacre grays through an ingenious win/win proposal
*Rolex covers tour refund against purchase at MSRP from money saved not given to AD 30-40%
*Concierge participants get a special Card linked to their home AD for priority invites and presentations
*Any other upsides you guys can think of?

Now TRF members, would any of you sign up for such a tour? I may talk to a friend at a multinational called RevoluVIP to approach Rolex to put something like this together.

You would be a wonderful Fiction Writer

[inadeje]

[QUOTE=greengold;9749686]You would be a wonderful Fiction Writer[/QUOTE


We can all dream

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by inadeje

We can all dream

Yes. And I believe the perfect reply to that is: DREAM ON!

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[Mr.Rolex1]

I would rather buy more watches

[jb335]

Yep, BMW does this with European Delivery.


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[Lemieux66]

Visitors would just buy a Daytona for the small extra (refunded?) fee, then flip it for mega bucks profit like they do right now. The waiting list for factory tours would be full of greys and flippers. No better for getting desirable watches than right now.

[Quamby]

I think most of us would leave disappointed if these plebe factory tours are offered.

Nothing hi tech about making Rolexes, it'd be more worthwhile to Watch "how things are made" videos on YouTube.

[Overwound]

Originally Posted by Quamby

I think most of us would leave disappointed if these plebe factory tours are offered.

Nothing hi tech about making Rolexes, it'd be more worthwhile to Watch "how things are made" videos on YouTube.

If Rolex showed the world how it's all done I don't believe people would leave being disappointed. Other brands would visit and leave with great ideas. I know they aren't hand finished for decorative purposes but they are finished well in ways and in places that are beneficial for excellent time keeping and durability. No rough unfinished surfaces like the Walt Odets pics showed years ago.

Here are two good articles about Rolex that I found interesting and helps support my appreciation of their products.

Inside Rolex: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/inside-rolex

10 Things Every Rolex Owner Should Know: https://www.businessinsider.com/10-t...ld-know-2015-1

[TswaneNguni]

Mystique is a huge part of the magic .

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Mystique is a huge part of the magic .

Yes, I think so too. Which is why it'd be highly unlikely that Rolex would open its doors to the public.

[Fleegle]

I'd buy a ticket. Sign me up.

[ponder252]

I would gladly and happily pay $3,500. I would want to be the first one on the flight over. Everyone has to Dream!


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[123Blueface]

OP, you’ll never recover the time you lost creating this thread.
Or us reading it.

The part that caught me was “brand awareness”.
I think Rolex has that one locked up pretty good.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

OP, you’ll never recover the time you lost creating this thread.
Or us reading it.

The part that caught me was “brand awareness”.
I think Rolex has that one locked up pretty good.

I find the proposal/concept thought provoking and, seemingly, other TRF members do (replies). However, I appreciate your opinion and viewpoints.