Rolex cancels corporate orders! Steel shortage!

[superpop]

If Rolex manages their supply chain the way they manage their AD network I would not be surprised if they are running low on raw materials. Incompetence abounds. I work for a major US manufacturer that uses more stainless in a week than Rolex uses in a year based on some simple assumptions and we have no problems sourcing a myriad of raw materials including stainless. I call BS.

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by 77T

I can’t wrap my head around an AD knowing this “steel story” first-hand. Their rep, or someone at NY RUSA HQ may have dropped an SS-bomb during a phone call as a possible cause. In other words a casual reference became a “reality” in that owners mind…

As for the truth behind the legend…

Some specialized stainless steel contracts have reportedly gone unfulfilled under force majeure here in US. Trade press - not CNN…

Primary cause is logistical - getting the some of the rarer materials into the foundries, and then the replacement specific tooling to make custom products.

As I’m sure you know the prices for rolled SS are spiking in US, EMEA and elsewhere. And Rolex doesn’t use rolled SS. It’s a specialized thick wall mid-case blank stamped, cut and then milled from custom stock.

As said in the website:
“That is why Rolex uses Oystersteel, a steel alloy specific to the brand. Oystersteel belongs to the 904L steel family…”

So they can’t even bid the spot market - if they want to stay with their proprietary alloy specs they need the blanks milled from the stock that their supplier has.

I’m going to hazard a guess that the blanks for 26, 31, 34mm cases aren’t the issue.

But 36, 39, 40, 41, 44 could be the issue.


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According to this article, Rolex only sources from a few trusted suppliers. I pull from this article is that the supplier cannot obtain the raw materials.

https://manufacturingglobal.com/smar...turing-process

[Eric-London]

I wasn't aware AD's could 'order' watches from Rolex.
They get what they're sent. Period. Including a bunch of tiny ladies pieces that sit around.

[007timer]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

As always where we get our information can differ greatly…. I did read some more recent articles stating the above as accurate…

And I added the waiver! My SA said! lol

LOL. Disclaimer is priceless.


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[JParm]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

I wasn't aware AD's could 'order' watches from Rolex.
They get what they're sent. Period. Including a bunch of tiny ladies pieces that sit around.

That's my understanding as well (at least over the last year)...but what do I know.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

I wasn't aware AD's could 'order' watches from Rolex.
They get what they're sent. Period. Including a bunch of tiny ladies pieces that sit around.

May be different in the USA Eric?

ADs there may be have been able to "order" (or more correctly put in a request to the distributor, Rolex USA INC)

But agreed, in the UK and Europe, AD's can't order from the Rolex distributor.

And would add with some confidence that Rolex ADs anywhere in the world cannot order direct from Rolex SA in Geneva. That is simply not how the Rolex distribution and sales structure works.

[992Guy]

My future RG meteorite Daytona bracelet was able to be ordered by AD in April. I was told it was their only allocation for such with a small deposit placed.

[jswing]

Originally Posted by rambo99

yes, rolex now need to start building relationships with suppliers to get 901 steel, buying Copper and plastic bottles that they don't want !

[Chewbacca]

Rolex owns their own steel mill, mountain and elf farms.

This is a bunch of used horse oats!!!!

It’s silicone they’re out of. No mainsprings!!!!

[OG1982]

Sounds to me like an AD piggybacking on a known global issue, because they don't want to sell you a watch!

[77T]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

According to this article, Rolex only sources from a few trusted suppliers. I pull from this article is that the supplier cannot obtain the raw materials.

https://manufacturingglobal.com/smar...turing-process

Yes, it’s the most likely cause - that is, if there is a true cause - for any alleged SS model production issue.

We will know in the Fall-Winter if no more SS appear.


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[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by 1968scode

My AD left me a cryptic message earlier this week: “Blue Horseshoe loves Anacott Steel.”

This thread should have been closed at the moment the mic dropped with this post.

[perpetual]

This is very true. I read somewhere that even heavy metal bands are having to cut back due to these unprecedented shortages.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by 1968scode

My AD left me a cryptic message earlier this week: “Blue Horseshoe loves Anacott Steel.”

Absolutely the best comment of the day! What a nugget to pull out of the hat!
Ironically, I just watched that movie again recently.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Tanalasta

I thought Rolex made their own steel….


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My make just the gold alloys I believe.

[HTXdev14]

Originally Posted by Madman37

Let’s see if this steel shortage or no order policy impacts DavidSW.

I was thinking the exact same thing! I’m glad I’m not the only one that uses his site as a barometer for pricing.

[rolexalias]

Miners are now HODLing steel

[teck21]

Originally Posted by rolexalias

Miners are now HODLing steel

Miners can’t hold steel, they mine the iron ore, nickel etc that go into the production of steel.


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[TomLou]

Originally Posted by superpop

If Rolex manages their supply chain the way they manage their AD network I would not be surprised if they are running low on raw materials. Incompetence abounds. I work for a major US manufacturer that uses more stainless in a week than Rolex uses in a year based on some simple assumptions and we have no problems sourcing a myriad of raw materials including stainless. I call BS.

…I like the phrase you use….”incompetence abounds”…it reflects so accurately the company my grandfather, my father and me chose for the supply of our timepieces. Unfortunately since Dufour was made CEO ? My father knew that there will be problems with Rolex. Dufour tried to eradicate “grey dealers” by ordering the removal of all protective stickers (lol) - and look what is going on today, everyone with a little bit of money became a grey dealer, chasing $500 from a $20,000 flip that has a retail value of $9.000, - I am glad Mercedes does not operate like that.

[Zoomerang]

Originally Posted by duquephart

News flash: Owners are liars too.

LOL! This.. OP thinks because the owner is spelling some BS, he is getting straight info from Rolex..

[McinRolex]

Originally Posted by Ollie1982

Sounds to me like an AD piggybacking on a known global issue, because they don't want to sell you a watch!

Exactly.
Many ADs will straight up make up the story "Global shortage blah blah" "Go to downtown ADs, you'll see bare care blah blah" "Global this global that blah blah". Just another BS they tell you so they don't have to sell you a watch.

[kizerman]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

I wasn't aware AD's could 'order' watches from Rolex.
They get what they're sent. Period. Including a bunch of tiny ladies pieces that sit around.

In the US you can still order certain pieces as an individual buyer but what the OP is referring to is the corporate orders, where AD's can still order large amounts of popular models. For instance, my AD orders 41 OP's for a corporate customer at like 30 pieces at a time and Rolex was still actively filling these orders until I guess just recently.

[JRell]

So the greys want us to think…

[gerry100]

Let your AD scrap your car and issue
Credit towards a Sub

[Xerxes77]

There is people who have 10 SS hot model and people who wait on waiting list years for one piece….that's the cruel reality

[DonRickles]

Originally Posted by kizerman

In the US you can still order certain pieces as an individual buyer but what the OP is referring to is the corporate orders, where AD's can still order large amounts of popular models. For instance, my AD orders 41 OP's for a corporate customer at like 30 pieces at a time and Rolex was still actively filling these orders until I guess just recently.

^^^^

thankx....

Any hockey puck understands there's not just one cause to what we're seeing here.....

[Seddyspaghetti]

Originally Posted by duquephart

news flash: Owners are liars too.

+1

[mountainjogger]

How much steel does Rolex use. They're not making skyscrapers.

[Krash]

There is a global shortage of steel. That’s not a crazy conspiracy theory or anything. It’s a fact. The price of steel has also tripled. So it is plausible.


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[rominvicta]

That is a creative imagination! Since a couple of months Rolex does not accept any kind of order from AD. Neither SS nor PM. And it has nothing to do with SS shortage. Simply Rolex started to work only on the yearly plan they have for the particular AD, and as far as demand outstrips supply, sometimes they cut short even their own annual plans.