Ask An Insider - Round 2

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by jot_

Great thread! As an Air King fan - how was it as a seller? I've heard that it's either a great seller... or a poor one. Kinda curious what the truth is!

In my experience, not a strong seller at all - you might be lucky to sell a couple in a year, they make up a small percentage. There isn't a huge amount of demand for non-date watches, you see a similar pattern with the standard Oyster Perpetual in its various sizes. It's a slightly awkward size for the modern wrist on the whole, most men think it's a bit too small, most women think it's a bit too big. That said, it does have a loyal following, and it does have one of the more interesting back stories - it tended to be worn by RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain

[tommyz24]

Was the no date sub a big seller? or they just always opted to spend a few more bucks and get the date sub?

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

In my experience, not a strong seller at all - you might be lucky to sell a couple in a year, they make up a small percentage. There isn't a huge amount of demand for non-date watches, you see a similar pattern with the standard Oyster Perpetual in its various sizes. It's a slightly awkward size for the modern wrist on the whole, most men think it's a bit too small, most women think it's a bit too big. That said, it does have a loyal following, and it does have one of the more interesting back stories - it tended to be worn by RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain

Think the air king came a few years after the Battle of Britain(1940)

Rolex introduced the air line to commemorate the airmen of WWII.

[CKL1213]

Hi Chris, does this situation happened before at your previous time in AD?

Me and my wife were buying a Rolex at our local AD and there was this young sales lady serving us and her service was terrific, we end up buying 2 Rolex at a time.

So the sales lady was sizing the Rolex for my wife and whereas another young sales guy was sizing mine.

However, when we left the AD and looking at the 2 invoices, we noticed that my wife invoice was under the sales lady name and mine invoice was under the sales guy name?

Isn't it the 2 invoices suppose to be under the sales lady name as she was the one who served us and closed the sales? She deserve and entitle to the commission.

I just feel unfair for the nice sales lady and the next day I called her up and she said it was authorized by the AD manager.

[terrywoods]

With the prices like they are I am struggling to justify the price tag on sub-c and thinking of a Black Bay instead do you rate them or should I go for broke and get the sub?

Do you know why tudor is no longer stocked in the UK and do you see it coming back?

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by Alpino

.

Hi Chris, I have heard that technical documentation for Rolex technicians no longer is printed on paper.

An online application is now available for them, on an Ipad or a PC, and they were asked to return all their (old) Rxx catalogs to gain access to this up-to-date documentation.

Here's my question. 1st do you confirm that ?

2nd if 1st is true, can you tell what is the most recent versions (years) of R8/R20/... before Rolex stopped to make them ?

Thx in advance

From what I saw at my Rolex Watchmaker friends, all the manuals are online .pdfs only accessible to Rolex certified watchmakers with parts accounts. Part ordering, schematics, service bulletins, etc are only accessed via the Internet. He had a fairly large flat screen to read them.

-Sheldon

[MovieGuy]

Originally Posted by CKL1213

Hi Chris, does this situation happened before at your previous time in AD?

Me and my wife were buying a Rolex at our local AD and there was this young sales lady serving us and her service was terrific, we end up buying 2 Rolex at a time.

So the sales lady was sizing the Rolex for my wife and whereas another young sales guy was sizing mine.

However, when we left the AD and looking at the 2 invoices, we noticed that my wife invoice was under the sales lady name and mine invoice was under the sales guy name?

Isn't it the 2 invoices suppose to be under the sales lady name as she was the one who served us and closed the sales? She deserve and entitle to the commission.

I just feel unfair for the nice sales lady and the next day I called her up and she said it was authorized by the AD manager.

That's more store policy than anything to do with Rolex. Perhaps the manger felt that a split sale was in order for some reason. Do you know if they for sure work on commission?

[lukecrossan]

Is there any way to retrieve paperwork or service history to a watch purchased with no papers etc?

Thanks in advance
Luke

[lukecrossan]

Double post

[DJJon]

Crazy question Chris, but how can a non-Rolex AD have a Rolex Parts Accoint?

I ask specifically because I want an old Rolex serviced inexpensively but do nt want aftermarket parts.

[rejj]

Hi Chris,
Were you involved in organising any VIP customer events in your AD? I'm curious how these things get arranged. Does Rolex HQ request that stores do this, or is it entirely up to each AD to decide if/when these events occur?

[Casey VP-26]

Just to mention about hang tag's.

I have purchased many many new watches from AD's and have been told only one time that the store was going to keep the hang tags, at which time I told the store owner in that case you better keep the watch to go with the tags.

They replied, Here is your watch with your hang tags, sir. Thank You.

[Rolexwatch]

Does Rolex AD employees have any discount on a Rolex watch? A friend who owns 6 TOUS stores (TOUS are Rolex AD in Spain) showed me a beautifull platinum Date Just she said got with a 40 %! retail discount. I think 40% is a lot, is about half of the watch price. Even 40 % of the MSRP is a lot. She said she's entittled to that discount one a year.

Anyway, do you get big discounts? What watch are you wearing now? Thank you!

[phillips29]

Awesome that your taking your time out to do this :) good too see members contributing back to the forum :) all the best

[jot_]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

In my experience, not a strong seller at all - you might be lucky to sell a couple in a year, they make up a small percentage. There isn't a huge amount of demand for non-date watches, you see a similar pattern with the standard Oyster Perpetual in its various sizes. It's a slightly awkward size for the modern wrist on the whole, most men think it's a bit too small, most women think it's a bit too big. That said, it does have a loyal following, and it does have one of the more interesting back stories - it tended to be worn by RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain

Thanks for the reply! Only a couple per year... makes me think I should have pushed for a bigger discount purchasing mine! That's unfortunate that it's an unpopular seller though... oh well, more for me and my 6.0" wrist!

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by DJJon

Crazy question Chris, but how can a non-Rolex AD have a Rolex Parts Accoint?

I ask specifically because I want an old Rolex serviced inexpensively but do nt want aftermarket parts.

Not sure how it works everywhere but my independent does. He is Rolex certified and most of his business actually comes from AD's that use him as a less expensive/quicker turnaround alternative to RSC for service for their customers. I suppose the answer is if the watch maker has had certified training by Rolex and meets whatever other criteria are required (i.e. financial) they give him access to Rolex parts.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by tommyz24

Was the no date sub a big seller? or they just always opted to spend a few more bucks and get the date sub?

I'd say for every 3 Sub Dates sold, you'd sell a Sub

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Think the air king came a few years after the Battle of Britain(1940)

Rolex introduced the air line to commemorate the airmen of WWII.

Apologies Wes, you're absolutely right - Oysters were a favourite of British WWII pilots, and the Air King came as part of a line of commemorative watches

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by CKL1213

Hi Chris, does this situation happened before at your previous time in AD?

Me and my wife were buying a Rolex at our local AD and there was this young sales lady serving us and her service was terrific, we end up buying 2 Rolex at a time.

So the sales lady was sizing the Rolex for my wife and whereas another young sales guy was sizing mine.

However, when we left the AD and looking at the 2 invoices, we noticed that my wife invoice was under the sales lady name and mine invoice was under the sales guy name?

Isn't it the 2 invoices suppose to be under the sales lady name as she was the one who served us and closed the sales? She deserve and entitle to the commission.

I just feel unfair for the nice sales lady and the next day I called her up and she said it was authorized by the AD manager.

It might have been an issue if we had been on commission We tried to make sure that credit went to the person who did the majority of the legwork leading up to that sale. It's always a bit unfair if someone just happens to write out the receipt when someone's spent hours working on the sale. It boils down to the policy of each individual store, some may be more cut throat than others, the prospect of a big commission might drive some to play dirty

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by terrywoods

With the prices like they are I am struggling to justify the price tag on sub-c and thinking of a Black Bay instead do you rate them or should I go for broke and get the sub?

Do you know why tudor is no longer stocked in the UK and do you see it coming back?

If you want my advice, I'd skip the Black Bay and go for the Pelagos - that, in my opinion, is the watch the new Sub C should have been. It's a proper diver's watch through and through, the clasp is an incredible piece of engineering, the legibility is superb, and it's a bit of a bargain for the price it is. If you want to have something that is all in-house, then check out the new Omega Planet Ocean with their cal. 8500. That's probably the best mass-produced mechanical movement on the market right now, and the whole package is really, really nice. The Sub is not the no-brainer it once was

As for Tudor coming back into the UK, I think it will just be a matter of time - I will ask the question at Basel this year, I think with their range as impressive as it is, they would do well here. I believe they originally pulled out due to lack of interest

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by lukecrossan

Is there any way to retrieve paperwork or service history to a watch purchased with no papers etc?

Thanks in advance
Luke

Nope, unfortunately not

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by DJJon

Crazy question Chris, but how can a non-Rolex AD have a Rolex Parts Accoint?

I ask specifically because I want an old Rolex serviced inexpensively but do nt want aftermarket parts.

The parts account goes with the watchmaker, so as long as they are fully trained and meet Rolex's criteria when it comes to workshop equipment, they will be able to get hold of parts without any problems. Just be aware that on some older models parts can be scarce

[JohnFM]

Chris,

At the risk of further inundating you with questions, I was wondering if Rolex is open to making small, incremental changes to watches (e.g., Basel 2013!) or if they tend to leave models essentially unchanged until a complete redesign is in order.

For example, the Explorer redesign included a bigger case (39mm), new bracelet, white gold (unpainted) numerals, and several other features. Concerns have been expressed that the minute hand is slightly short. Does Rolex have a history of making small design changes, such as lengthening a minute hand, or does it tend to leave well enough alone until the model is completely redesigned.

Thanks.
John

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by rejj

Hi Chris,
Were you involved in organising any VIP customer events in your AD? I'm curious how these things get arranged. Does Rolex HQ request that stores do this, or is it entirely up to each AD to decide if/when these events occur?

We hadn't held any in my time there - I know a few ideas were discussed, one was to try and get the display models of the Basel releases to whip up some interest. It's down to the AD to organise these events, and Rolex may be able to help out by getting some pieces on appro etc. I don't believe Rolex ever requested us to hold a specific event

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Rolexwatch

Does Rolex AD employees have any discount on a Rolex watch? A friend who owns 6 TOUS stores (TOUS are Rolex AD in Spain) showed me a beautifull platinum Date Just she said got with a 40 %! retail discount. I think 40% is a lot, is about half of the watch price. Even 40 % of the MSRP is a lot. She said she's entittled to that discount one a year.

Anyway, do you get big discounts? What watch are you wearing now? Thank you!

I have heard this was possible, but it wasn't an option for me at the time. I don't know the discount rate, and I don't know the restrictions on it

At this very moment, I'm wearing a Speedmaster Pro, but I also have a Datejust in my collection, plus various other weird and wonderful pieces. The collection is currently 6 strong

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by JohnFM

Chris,

At the risk of further inundating you with questions, I was wondering if Rolex is open to making small, incremental changes to watches (e.g., Basel 2013!) or if they tend to leave models essentially unchanged until a complete redesign is in order.

For example, the Explorer redesign included a bigger case (39mm), new bracelet, white gold (unpainted) numerals, and several other features. Concerns have been expressed that the minute hand is slightly short. Does Rolex have a history of making small design changes, such as lengthening a minute hand, or does it tend to leave well enough alone until the model is completely redesigned.

Thanks.
John

Hi John,

Rolex are always making slight changes, they just don't talk about it - there are some slightly revised clasps floating around, and you do get some folks obsessing over minor changes to the dial fonts. If you ask me, if it isn't anything significant, it isn't worth worrying about - if a serious cosmetic or mechanical change is made, then there will be a change in designation. See, for example, the previous Sub - it started out life as the 14060 when it was running the cal. 3000, when it was updated to the cal. 3130, it became the 14060M. As for the Explorer minute hand, I think it's an issue that has been blown out of proportion - in reality, the hand length is far less noticeable than when it is blown up on a large picture. I'd check it out in the flesh if you haven't already

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Here's something a little bit different - I'm going to be going to the Basel show, and I will have the opportunity to speak to Rolex there. What questions would you like me to ask them?

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Here's something a little bit different - I'm going to be going to the Basel show, and I will have the opportunity to speak to Rolex there. What questions would you like me to ask them?

Is it safe to shower with my Rolex on? We NEED a definitive answer.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Is it safe to shower with my Rolex on? We NEED a definitive answer.

That might get me chucked off the stand

[spysonic]

Hi Chris,

Much appreciate you doing this Q&A!

If I purchased a Rolex second hand and it still has another 1.5 years under warranty and I have all the paperwork - how does one go about sending the watch to Rolex if something happens during the remainder of the warranty period?

Also, if I need to get the watch adjusted / re-sized, can I just go to any AD and ask them to make the adjustments as long as I'm willing to pay the service fee. I.E: Does the AD care if I tell them I purchased a pre-owned watch from a friend or does it have to be an 'authorized' purchase?

Thanks in advance