Question for Vanessa or Ironstark

[mailman]

When Craig and I were in a watch shop on Saturday we were lucky enough to come across an extremely knowledgeable sales girl. I mean she knew the differences in every model she had in stock. This included Breitling, IWC and Patek. She was very helpful and courteous also, letting us try on anything we wanted even though it was closing time.

My question to you two is this, she stated that since 2000 Rolex was doing some outsourcing of their manufacturing of parts to Hong Kong. I was under the impression that they made their movements in house. Any insight on this

[Jeelan]

about 4 months ago i purchased an Omega PO and got to speak to the owner and i happened to tell him that the SD was next on my list and he basically told me to be careful with Rolex as they had started outsourcing some of their work to "China" - i didnt pay much attention at the time because he WASNT the Rolex AD (infact he'd just become an Panerai AD and was trying to get me to look at Panerai as an alternative) so i put it down to rivalry between brands but seeing your post has brought it back and now i'm curious as to whether there is truth or not in this.

He also mentioned something about some of Rolex's die and press machines ending in China and now some VERY good fakes being produced. Again, dont know what weight to put on that.

Given the no. of ways industries are finding ways to cost cut - i wouldnt be surprised if some select work was being outsourced to cheaper labour markets - i dont know what the requirements are to label a product SWISS MADE but i'm fairly certain it doesnt have to 100% manufactured/assembled/packaged in Switzerland - there is probably a fair degree of leeway there.

cheers
Jeelan

[nko51]

I myself feel that, if die hard Rolex lovers find out some parts are outsourced, that would have a very profound affect on them, myself included.

[timelord]

.. when Rolex watches were sold in most watchmakers stores (as were other brands such as Omega and Longines), I was living in Adelaide - Australia at the time and happened to walk into GW Cox who also sold Rolex. I was next to a customer and could overhear him being attended to by the store watchmaker. He was telling them that his bracelet to their Rolex was being sent from their factory in Hong Kong being a 20 day wait. I recall he had a Datejust and had returned for the bracelet needing some attention but do not recall very clearly as it was some 20 years ago. If back then such an outsourcing was already occuring, then who is to say that the same is not occuring with most of the items we suspect that are still made in their traditional places of origin?

[timelord]

.. when Rolex watches were sold in most watchmakers stores (as were other brands such as Omega and Longines), I was living in Adelaide - Australia at the time and happened to walk into GW Cox who also sold Rolex. I was next to a customer and could overhear him being attended to by the store watchmaker. He was telling them that his bracelet to their Rolex was being sent from their factory in Hong Kong being a 20 day wait. I recall he had a Datejust and had returned for the bracelet needing some attention but do not recall very clearly as it was some 20 years ago. If back then such an outsourcing was already occuring, then who is to say that the same is not occuring with most of the items we suspect that are still made in their traditional places of origin?

[Tools]

The Dealers around here get their major components from New York and their replacement parts from Beverly Hills in California.

It doesn't mean that they are manufacturing anything there or that Rolex is outsourcing to Americans..

With a major Asian warehouse in Hong Kong, does it follow that they are "outsourcing" to the Chinese ?

[C.J.]

*

[Jeelan]

Originally Posted by Tools

The Dealers around here get their major components from New York and their replacement parts from Beverly Hills in California.

It doesn't mean that they are manufacturing anything there or that Rolex is outsourcing to Americans..

With a major Asian warehouse in Hong Kong, does it follow that they are "outsourcing" to the Chinese ?

Just because they happen to STORE the goods at a local regional warehouse doesnt mean they're outsourced

BUT if any part or component of a rolex is manufactured OUTSIDE of Switzerland then yes it could be construed as outsourcing - even if the facility manufactures exclusively for Rolex. This could be happening (if indeed it is true) for a number of reasons namely that operating costs (including but not limited to labour) are probably cheaper.

Outsourcing could also be related to either product OR service -

For an inhouse manufacturer, it doesnt have to be a large component either, it could something as simple as the screws that hold their bracelet together or the springbars. If these components are coming from another factory then it is an outsourced product.

here's an interesting article about how much percentage of the value of hte watch has to be of Swiss components/origin in order to wear the "SWISS MADE" label.

http://www.europastar.com/europastar...03607354cheers

or the following article -

http://www.greaterzuricharea.ch/cont...issmade_en.pdf

Page 2, second paragraph states

“Products are considered Swiss products if they are fundamentally local products or if they have
been completely manufactured in Switzerland. In the case of products that have been only
partly manufactured in Switzerland, the rule applies that the Swiss portion of the production cost
(including basic materials, semi-finished products, accessories, wages and production overhead
excluding distribution costs ) must be at least 50%. However, this 50% portion is not the sole
criterion for determining the Swiss origin of a product. The origin of the essential components
and the manufacturing process through which a product obtains its characteristic features, and
– in borderline or doubtful cases – the origin of the intellectual property embodied in the product
and the special circumstances in the respective industry must also be taken into due
consideration.”
Accordingly, there are two conditions that must be fulfilled for goods to be legally
labeled as being of Swiss origin:
• The Swiss portion of the production cost must be at least 50%.
• The most important part of the manufacturing process must have taken place in
Switzerland."


cheers
Jeelan

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I have a VERY interesting article on the topic "Rolex Outsourcing"!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

I have a VERY interesting article on the topic "Rolex Outsourcing"!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

It seems this guy has an agenda. I find it very difficult to believe Rolex has hundreds of names on Ebay in order to bid up the prices. Conspiracy theorist more likely.

[Pete G]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

I have a VERY interesting article on the topic "Rolex Outsourcing"!

Bo, no offense, but that article is a total joke. I'm certainly not an apologist for Rolex, and I know very little about their business, but one thing I know for certain is this article wasn't written by any journalist.

The author is a piss-poor writer with no credibility... unobjective, no sources cited, writes in first-person.

This is somebody with a bone to chew... nothing more, IMO.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

I have a VERY interesting article on the topic "Rolex Outsourcing"!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Bo, I've read that raving lunatic's rantings before. Why would you post that drivel here again?

[Letsgodiving]

Bo, I think you make a good point. It just goes to show the lengths people with an axe to grind will go.

[ROLEXAHOLIC]

"Rolex higher-ups run several watch-related forums, posting messages under fake names so they can praise Rolex watches and again lend the appearance that many watch aficionados really love these junk watches."

The above is a quote from the article that Bo submitted!!
Could it be true ? Our beloved TRF may be an undercover operation, Steve(Lol-X) and the MOD SQUAD may actually be Special agents for ROLEX "under fake names" - Have they been exposed? Has the plot been foiled?

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by FLACGC

"Rolex higher-ups run several watch-related forums, posting messages under fake names so they can praise Rolex watches and again lend the appearance that many watch aficionados really love these junk watches."

The above is a quote from the article that Bo submitted!!
Could it be true ? Our beloved TRF may be an undercover operation, Steve(Lol-X) and the MOD SQUAD may actually be Special agents for ROLEX "under fake names" - Have they been exposed? Has the plot been foiled?

That explains a lot!

[bayhillrolex]

Originally Posted by FLACGC

"Rolex higher-ups run several watch-related forums, posting messages under fake names so they can praise Rolex watches and again lend the appearance that many watch aficionados really love these junk watches."

The above is a quote from the article that Bo submitted!!
Could it be true ? Our beloved TRF may be an undercover operation, Steve(Lol-X) and the MOD SQUAD may actually be Special agents for ROLEX "under fake names" - Have they been exposed? Has the plot been foiled?

Padi56 is really Patrick Heiniger ????

[SobeSVT]

Originally Posted by FLACGC

"Rolex higher-ups run several watch-related forums, posting messages under fake names so they can praise Rolex watches and again lend the appearance that many watch aficionados really love these junk watches."

The above is a quote from the article that Bo submitted!!
Could it be true ? Our beloved TRF may be an undercover operation, Steve(Lol-X) and the MOD SQUAD may actually be Special agents for ROLEX "under fake names" - Have they been exposed? Has the plot been foiled?

But, . . . I swear to God its not me. I am an honest member of this forum and would never, ever, ever try to manipulate members it to becoming Rolex buying drones. This is lame and there is no expedite way to make me believe this. I repeat, I would never, ever, ever try to manipulate members of TRF into becoming Rolex buying drones. This is lame and there is no expedite way to make me believe this, not matter how great evidence is presented since the good ol' folks at Rolex have more important things to take care of these days.

[davor]

Originally Posted by SobeSVT

But, . . . I swear to God its not me. I am an honest member of this forum and would never, ever, ever try to manipulate members it to becoming Rolex buying drones. This is lame and there is no expedite way to make me believe this. I repeat, I would never, ever, ever try to manipulate members of TRF into becoming Rolex buying drones. This is lame and there is no expedite way to make me believe this, not matter how great evidence is presented since the good ol' folks at Rolex have more important things to take care of these days.

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by SobeSVT

But, . . . I swear to God its not me. I am an honest member of this forum and would never, ever, ever try to manipulate members it to becoming Rolex buying drones. This is lame and there is no expedite way to make me believe this. I repeat, I would never, ever, ever try to manipulate members of TRF into becoming Rolex buying drones. This is lame and there is no expedite way to make me believe this, not matter how great evidence is presented since the good ol' folks at Rolex have more important things to take care of these days.

I'm hooookkeeedd....lemme goooo!!!!

[frostie]

Originally Posted by SobeSVT

But, . . . I swear to God its not me. I am an honest member of this forum and would never, ever, ever try to manipulate members it to becoming Rolex buying drones. This is lame and there is no expedite way to make me believe this. I repeat, I would never, ever, ever try to manipulate members of TRF into becoming Rolex buying drones. This is lame and there is no expedite way to make me believe this, not matter how great evidence is presented since the good ol' folks at Rolex have more important things to take care of these days.

[SSD]