ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

zeuloa · 28 July 2013, 01:04 AM

Yesterday I went to the only Rolex AD in Nicaragua, Gertsch & Molina to source some spring bars for my SD. Had a very interesting conversation with one of the owners, Alvaro Molina, regarding their history, new product, economy, where Rolex is going, etc.

His great uncle, Mr. Gertsch, came to Nicaragua from Switzerland in the early 1940s to work in the national brewery as an engineer. It seems that his wife, Mrs. Molina, was a savvy entrepreneur always looking for opportunities which led to them importing elevators and watches from Switzerland, and this is how Gertsch & Molina was born.

I believe they started with Omega (which now they don't sell anymore but the competition does), and then due to a leap of faith brought Rolex on board. It seems that sometime while traveling in Switzerland Mrs. Molina met Heiniger (I assume Andre) on a train, and one thing led to another and she agreed to be the Rolex Authorized Dealer for Nicaragua. I assume this was sometime in the late 40s or early 50s, when Omega was huge and Rolex was not well known on this side of the world.

Gertsch & Molina were a very successful business catering to the elite of Nicaragua since 1945, but in 2008 with the downturn in the economy they had to scale down and close one of their stores in the best mall in Managua. They kept open a small store in an older shopping center, where they no longer showcase Rolex. They have a Rolex certified watchmaker (are allowed to do warranty work and service with Rolex full 2 year warranty), and all Rolex sales are done by order only as they do not keep new inventory (sometimes they have used inventory on consignment). Alvaro mentioned things are getting better, and they hope to thrive again and have a nice Rolex display with good inventory like in days of past.

It seems their relationship with Rolex is very strong as he mentioned they have been very supportive through the hard times and not given the AD status to the competition (which sells Omega, Cartier, and Chopard) which have wanted it for some time now according to Alvaro.

Some things he mentioned that I'd like to share:

- He's seen a few concerns with the new models that Rolex is quick to solve even out of warranty. Mentioned the soldered clasps as an example. Also told me the story of a good customer that came in with a watch that was showing signs of rust-like discoloration on the side of the case. It happened that the Rolex rep was there and immediately sent a fax to Switzerland and a few days later a new case arrived and Rolex took care of it.

- Mentioned the Rolex offices in Venezuela, which were their distributors and training facilities, have moved to the Bahamas.

Sorry for the long post but I thought it was an interesting story about a family business and a strong relationship that has lasted through good and bad!

kilyung · 28 July 2013, 01:18 AM

Thanks for sharing!

rolex75216 · 28 July 2013, 01:20 AM

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

bde · 28 July 2013, 01:24 AM

Thanks for sharing!

NCD1979 · 28 July 2013, 10:23 AM

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

landroverking · 28 July 2013, 10:47 AM

Thanks great read.

77T · 28 July 2013, 12:21 PM

Rolex moving their CALA Ops to Bahamas is interesting...

sergio671980 · 28 July 2013, 12:54 PM

Thanks for sharing!!

Billywiz · 28 July 2013, 01:29 PM

Interesting...

samsmart · 28 July 2013, 01:37 PM

very cool, I hope they continue to increase their sales. Sounds like a cool place to visit.

Sous · 29 July 2013, 12:53 AM

I love these historical stories. Thank you for sharing, zeuloa

mjclark32 · 29 July 2013, 01:57 AM

Thanks for sharing

Check · 29 July 2013, 02:29 AM

Very interesting.

Thanks for sharing.

Sam Philip · 29 July 2013, 02:52 AM

Thanks for posting!

zeuloa · 29 July 2013, 02:54 AM

Thanks for the comments!

I'll try to meet the watchmaker when I pick up the spring bars and perhaps take a few pics.

MonBK · 29 July 2013, 03:01 AM

Thanks for sharing a wonderful story.

ppbskis · 29 July 2013, 03:55 AM

Interesting for sure. I liked it.

mrhy · 29 July 2013, 04:57 AM

Nice story

scottb2 · 29 July 2013, 04:57 AM

very cool story - thanks

Trouble15 · 29 July 2013, 05:03 AM

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

SUBversive · 29 July 2013, 05:13 AM

Nice story. Thx for sharing.

Urosfan · 29 July 2013, 06:08 AM

Thanks for sharing

KBM · 29 July 2013, 06:35 AM

Nice to see Rolex supporting their long time business partner, especially when times are rough, instead of simply turning to the easier and more obvious choice money-wise.

Watchdog · 29 July 2013, 08:00 AM

Interesting:)

28 July 2013, 01:04 AM	#1
zeuloa "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Jose Location: Here Watch: SEA-DWELLER Posts: 2,232	Interesting story: AD in Nicaragua... Yesterday I went to the only Rolex AD in Nicaragua, Gertsch & Molina to source some spring bars for my SD. Had a very interesting conversation with one of the owners, Alvaro Molina, regarding their history, new product, economy, where Rolex is going, etc. His great uncle, Mr. Gertsch, came to Nicaragua from Switzerland in the early 1940s to work in the national brewery as an engineer. It seems that his wife, Mrs. Molina, was a savvy entrepreneur always looking for opportunities which led to them importing elevators and watches from Switzerland, and this is how Gertsch & Molina was born. I believe they started with Omega (which now they don't sell anymore but the competition does), and then due to a leap of faith brought Rolex on board. It seems that sometime while traveling in Switzerland Mrs. Molina met Heiniger (I assume Andre) on a train, and one thing led to another and she agreed to be the Rolex Authorized Dealer for Nicaragua. I assume this was sometime in the late 40s or early 50s, when Omega was huge and Rolex was not well known on this side of the world. Gertsch & Molina were a very successful business catering to the elite of Nicaragua since 1945, but in 2008 with the downturn in the economy they had to scale down and close one of their stores in the best mall in Managua. They kept open a small store in an older shopping center, where they no longer showcase Rolex. They have a Rolex certified watchmaker (are allowed to do warranty work and service with Rolex full 2 year warranty), and all Rolex sales are done by order only as they do not keep new inventory (sometimes they have used inventory on consignment). Alvaro mentioned things are getting better, and they hope to thrive again and have a nice Rolex display with good inventory like in days of past. It seems their relationship with Rolex is very strong as he mentioned they have been very supportive through the hard times and not given the AD status to the competition (which sells Omega, Cartier, and Chopard) which have wanted it for some time now according to Alvaro. Some things he mentioned that I'd like to share: - He's seen a few concerns with the new models that Rolex is quick to solve even out of warranty. Mentioned the soldered clasps as an example. Also told me the story of a good customer that came in with a watch that was showing signs of rust-like discoloration on the side of the case. It happened that the Rolex rep was there and immediately sent a fax to Switzerland and a few days later a new case arrived and Rolex took care of it. - Mentioned the Rolex offices in Venezuela, which were their distributors and training facilities, have moved to the Bahamas. Sorry for the long post but I thought it was an interesting story about a family business and a strong relationship that has lasted through good and bad!

28 July 2013, 12:21 PM	#7
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,017	Rolex moving their CALA Ops to Bahamas is interesting... __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

28 July 2013, 12:54 PM	#8
sergio671980 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Real Name: Sergio Location: florida Watch: 114060 Posts: 301	Thanks for sharing!! __________________

29 July 2013, 01:57 AM	#12
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Thanks for sharing __________________

28 July 2013, 01:18 AM	#2
kilyung 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,940	Thanks for sharing!

28 July 2013, 01:20 AM	#3
rolex75216 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: United States Posts: 2,008	Great story. Thanks for sharing.

28 July 2013, 01:24 AM	#4
bde "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Real Name: Brad Location: Indiana Watch: -aholics anonymous Posts: 1,589	Thanks for sharing!

28 July 2013, 10:23 AM	#5
NCD1979 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,044	Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

28 July 2013, 10:47 AM	#6
landroverking "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Jay Location: TEXAS Watch: Daytona Posts: 7,648	Thanks great read.

28 July 2013, 01:29 PM	#9
Billywiz Banned Join Date: May 2013 Real Name: John Location: Florida Watch: YG President Posts: 2,090	Interesting...

28 July 2013, 01:37 PM	#10
samsmart "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: sam Location: Dallas, TX Watch: Me Tint Posts: 3,777	very cool, I hope they continue to increase their sales. Sounds like a cool place to visit.

29 July 2013, 12:53 AM	#11
Sous "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Real Name: Paul Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 307	I love these historical stories. Thank you for sharing, zeuloa

29 July 2013, 02:29 AM	#13
Check 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Matt Vera Location: So Cal Watch: Explorer (124270) Posts: 314	Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

29 July 2013, 02:52 AM	#14
Sam Philip Banned Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK Posts: 4,345	Thanks for posting!

29 July 2013, 02:54 AM	#15
zeuloa "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Jose Location: Here Watch: SEA-DWELLER Posts: 2,232	Thanks for the comments! I'll try to meet the watchmaker when I pick up the spring bars and perhaps take a few pics.

29 July 2013, 03:01 AM	#16
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,279	Thanks for sharing a wonderful story.

29 July 2013, 03:55 AM	#17
ppbskis "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pt. Pl. Beach, NJ Posts: 302	Interesting for sure. I liked it.

29 July 2013, 04:57 AM	#18
mrhy "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: new york Watch: Pepsi GMT Posts: 2,383	Nice story

29 July 2013, 04:57 AM	#19
scottb2 Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 651	very cool story - thanks

29 July 2013, 05:03 AM	#20
Trouble15 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Real Name: Steve Location: USA Watch: A few Posts: 8,884	Good info. Thanks for sharing.

29 July 2013, 05:13 AM	#21
SUBversive Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: ri Watch: Sun Dial Posts: 14,346	Nice story. Thx for sharing.

29 July 2013, 06:08 AM	#22
Urosfan "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NYC Watch: Me now Posts: 19,372	Thanks for sharing

29 July 2013, 06:35 AM	#23
KBM 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: K. Location: 780 Posts: 10,460	Nice to see Rolex supporting their long time business partner, especially when times are rough, instead of simply turning to the easier and more obvious choice money-wise.

29 July 2013, 08:00 AM	#24
Watchdog "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Junkyard Dog Location: The Doghouse Watch: I can't tell time Posts: 6,822	Interesting:)

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