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[A.Sharp]

ps. What do you do when a watch sits in the display for two years? also are the watches on consignment from rolex?

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

ps. What do you do when a watch sits in the display for two years? also are the watches on consignment from rolex?

Apologies, didn't see this first time round. It's very rare for us to have a watch in stock that long, but when one does, the manager has a bigger incentive to move it on. Over here, an allocation of watches is offered to a dealership from Rolex on a monthly basis - the dealership chooses the ones that it needs, and then they are sent from Rolex. Certainly steel sports models are only available through the allocations, but other models can be special ordered as well if a client wanted a particular combination

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by A.Sharp

Random Serial? how do you feel? Sure, its ok now becuase it suggests 'NEW' for us. And sure it will make the watch hold more resale value later on. Not to mention it probably helps with watches that sit in the display case for a year or two. But what about in 5 years? how will you know what your buying?

I think the random serial system is a good thing. The old style case stamps are a pretty unreliable way to date the production of a watch with the exception of the strongest selling steel sports models. You can see it all the time on here, there's a fundamental misunderstanding of the whole system - an M serial does not, for example, signify a watch that was made in 2007, it signifies roughly when the case was stamped. Cases aren't immediately turned into watches after they've been stamped, and could well have been sitting on the shelf waiting for quite a period of time before being made into the finished product.

As far as Rolex is concerned, one of their watches is brand new until the moment a customer pays for it, and the warranty card is signed. With modern synthetic oils, a watch doesn't go off whilst sitting in the window - they tend to get moved around a fair bit as well, so it's not as if they'd be sitting there without running for extended periods of times. Certainly it might make things a bit more difficult for the second hand market if the warranty card goes missing, but the whole box and paperwork mantra has been drilled into people so much now, how many people actually sell without the original paperwork?

In any case, I'll be glad to see serial number hysteria die down a bit: I certainly won't miss the whole "will a V-serial or a M-serial be more valuable" nonsense. The dating system was a good idea for rough estimates, the problem is that people take it as gospel now instead

Hope this answers your question,

Chris

[padi56]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

I think the random serial system is a good thing. The old style case stamps are a pretty unreliable way to date the production of a watch with the exception of the strongest selling steel sports models. You can see it all the time on here, there's a fundamental misunderstanding of the whole system - an M serial does not, for example, signify a watch that was made in 2007, it signifies roughly when the case was stamped. Cases aren't immediately turned into watches after they've been stamped, and could well have been sitting on the shelf waiting for quite a period of time before being made into the finished product.

As far as Rolex is concerned, one of their watches is brand new until the moment a customer pays for it, and the warranty card is signed. With modern synthetic oils, a watch doesn't go off whilst sitting in the window - they tend to get moved around a fair bit as well, so it's not as if they'd be sitting there without running for extended periods of times. Certainly it might make things a bit more difficult for the second hand market if the warranty card goes missing, but the whole box and paperwork mantra has been drilled into people so much now, how many people actually sell without the original paperwork?

In any case, I'll be glad to see serial number hysteria die down a bit: I certainly won't miss the whole "will a V-serial or a M-serial be more valuable" nonsense. The dating system was a good idea for rough estimates, the problem is that people take it as gospel now instead

Hope this answers your question,

Chris

Amen to that one Chris the Internet today has made the importance of a case stamp more important than the watch and movement inside. With some now buying and paying more money for a case stamp, thinking that particular case stamp makes it a more valuable Rolex watch.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

As far as Rolex is concerned, one of their watches is brand new until the moment a customer pays for it, and the warranty card is signed. With modern synthetic oils, a watch doesn't go off whilst sitting in the window - they tend to get moved around a fair bit as well, so it's not as if they'd be sitting there without running for extended periods of times.

I'm sorry but I can't buy this reasoning. I especially don't understand your second sentence here, where you say that the modern oils the watch doesn't "age" while sitting, yet it's still good that they get moved around and don't sit without running for extended periods.

So... your logic dictates that the watch doesn't age whilst not running, nor while running, so long as it's in a dealer's possession. Yet, when I buy it, it magically starts aging and needs to be serviced in 5 year intervals.

I don't follow.

[NMS75]

Chris

What is the supply like for the new SS SubC? Not that I am looking to buy one right now but say I came in to you AD on Monday and told you I wanted to purchase one how long would I expect to have to wait for one to be available?

M

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by NMS75

Chris

What is the supply like for the new SS SubC? Not that I am looking to buy one right now but say I came in to you AD on Monday and told you I wanted to purchase one how long would I expect to have to wait for one to be available?

M

Supply for the Sub-C is very good, we've been getting two a month since launch. If you came to me tomorrow, I would say "here's the watch, congratulations!"

[RIWatcher]

how does Rolex determine what is vintage, is it a rolling time period like they use for antique cars?

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by RIWatcher

how does Rolex determine what is vintage, is it a rolling time period like they use for antique cars?

Could you clarify that a bit for me?

[Speed]

Chris...amazing how things differ across the Pond...or when compared to Asia.

When I was at Jack Road in Tokyo this past spring, the Black Dial SS Daytonas were at a $1,000 or more USD premium over white dials. I could have gotten a pristine M series White for $8,600 USD.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Speed

Chris...amazing how things differ across the Pond...or when compared to Asia.

When I was at Jack Road in Tokyo this past spring, the Black Dial SS Daytonas were at a $1,000 or more USD premium over white dials. I could have gotten a pristine M series White for $8,600 USD.

Geographic location plays a very big part, cultural differences really affect what's popular. It's another fascinating aspect of watches and watch collecting

[hhh007]

Does Rolex have any official policy regarding their AD's selling pre-owned Rolex watches or selling/installing individual dials or other cosmetic parts to the public? I used to see many years ago that some AD's had showcases just for pre-owned and showcases filled with various dials and bracelets they would sell and install on an exchange basis, and I never see that anymore.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by hhh007

Does Rolex have any official policy regarding their AD's selling pre-owned Rolex watches or selling/installing individual dials or other cosmetic parts to the public? I used to see many years ago that some AD's had showcases just for pre-owned and showcases filled with various dials and bracelets they would sell and install on an exchange basis, and I never see that anymore.

Rolex are happy to allow ADs to sell pre-owned watches, just as long as they are displayed seperately from the new Rolexes (i.e. not in the same cabinet, or using Rolex display material). As for parts, Rolex UK are a little bit more open with their parts policy, but for dials, it is strictly on an exchange basis. It's very much a grey area for other parts, though, and not something I'm that well versed on, I'm afraid

[mmmmp]

Wonderful thread! My question is: Why does the Turn-O-Graph seem to be unpopular. I've worn an AK, Dj and a Sub for years, but the new TOG was 'love at first sight'. Any ideas or opinions? Thanks, Mark.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by mmmmp

Wonderful thread! My question is: Why does the Turn-O-Graph seem to be unpopular. I've worn an AK, Dj and a Sub for years, but the new TOG was 'love at first sight'. Any ideas or opinions? Thanks, Mark.

Another good question. It's hard to say for sure, but my suspicion is that people see it as caught between two roles - it doesn't know if it's a dress watch or a sports watch. With certain watches, there is always going to be just a niche following, and the TOG is one of them, unfortunately. It's certainly one I find difficult to sell personally

[Speed]

Real sporting of you to start this thread Chris!!!

Hope you get a break soon

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Speed

Real sporting of you to start this thread Chris!!!

Hope you get a break soon

Agreed Bill.......

But I'm thinking Chris is starting to say to himself right now, "What have I done??":thumbsu p:

You are a good guy Chris!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by sleddog

Agreed Bill.......

But I'm thinking Chris is starting to say to himself right now, "What have I done??":thumbsu p:

You are a good guy Chris!

Cheers Rob, but I honestly don't mind, the quality of questions have been really great! Just glad to be doing my bit for the forum

[FinbarSaunders]

Hi Chris,
Great thread, thanks for all the great info.

My Qs are:
- What is availability like on the new SubC-lv? Have you had any deliveries, and if so, do they go straight to 'waiting list' customers?
- Or have you had any to put in the shop window?
- Have you discounted any SubC-lv's? Or is it always RRP? :-)

Cheers!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by FinbarSaunders

Hi Chris,
Great thread, thanks for all the great info.

My Qs are:
- What is availability like on the new SubC-lv? Have you had any deliveries, and if so, do they go straight to 'waiting list' customers?
- Or have you had any to put in the shop window?
- Have you discounted any SubC-lv's? Or is it always RRP? :-)

Cheers!

Hi Phil,

Availability has been decent on the LV, we received one on our allocation yesterday. We've cleared our waiting list, so it is sitting in the window, waiting to find a good home. As for discount, I don't know on that one, as I wasn't about when the last couple were sold

[FinbarSaunders]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hi Phil,

Availability has been decent on the LV, we received one on our allocation yesterday. We've cleared our waiting list, so it is sitting in the window, waiting to find a good home. As for discount, I don't know on that one, as I wasn't about when the last couple were sold

Oooh, I know somewhere where there would be a good home....

(/Rummages down the back of the sofa for some coins/.... I'm sure the kids will be fine with not getting any Christmas presents this year... ).

[mmmmp]

Thanks Chris. I also have done a few Q & A sessions in my field (feature film colour correction) and it's always rewarding to give insight into areas the general public or devotees simply cannot find solid infomation. Best for the new year mate.

[STEELINOX]

How often do you run into the "WIS-buyer" ? How long does it take to notice that the person standing in front of you is a WIS; about how many questions does it take (that they ask) and how many does it take for you to find out (that you ask to come to the "aha, your a WIS" moment)??

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

How often do you run into the "WIS-buyer" ? How long does it take to notice that the person standing in front of you is a WIS; about how many questions does it take (that they ask) and how many does it take for you to find out (that you ask to come to the "aha, your a WIS" moment)??

As I said in an earlier post, maybe 10% are what I'd describe as a WIS-buyer. I can normally tell within a few minutes - you can pick up on their knowledge from the kinds of questions they ask. It's hard to describ, but I guess I must have developed WIS-dar

[Tank102]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

As I said in an earlier post, maybe 10% are what I'd describe as a WIS-buyer. I can normally tell within a few minutes - you can pick up on their knowledge from the kinds of questions they ask. It's hard to describ, but I guess I must have developed WIS-dar

What is a WIS buyer?

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Tank102

What is a WIS buyer?

WIS stands for watch idiot savant - basically, people like us It's basically the really, really serious collectors

[joejeweler]

Hehehe,....and here i thought i had figured out a "WIS" buyer was a
"Well Informed Serious" buyer.

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

WIS stands for watch idiot savant - basically, people like us It's basically the really, really serious collectors

[Lucy Diamond]

Just wanted to add my note of thanks to the OP.....really enjoyed hearing what you have had to say.

[Tank102]

Originally Posted by Lucy Diamond

Just wanted to add my note of thanks to the OP.....really enjoyed hearing what you have had to say.

X2. It is fun to see viewpoints from the other side of the counter.

[toph]

is it still snowing where you are?;)

P.S i followed ypu on twitter about a month ago. and you followed me back.. @tophstewart incase you are wondering?