My local AD is getting out of the Rolex business

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by RolexNinja7

It is my understanding that Jewelers would drop everything and anything to become a Rolex AD. Its like getting a brand where customers beg you to take their money and have waitlists that span years :)

Yes, but in order to have an AD, you must buy whatever Rolex drops off. Ladies, DJ, DD, TT this and that ... with only a limited number of SS professional series, so you get stuck with inventory each month that just builds month after month ....


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[kingSubTT]

Originally Posted by Handey0465

Stopped by today to see what they had in inventory....

They had a sign stating 25% off Rolex's. They said they will no longer carry the brand....

They had about 10 Datejusts and 1 Blue Submariner (116619LB)

So, the 116619LB had a sticker of $36850, so with 25% off would have been $27637+tax....

Good deal but out of my price range still....

With sales tax, it will still be cheaper to get it from trusted seller. Same warranty.

[jps3b]

Originally Posted by kingSubTT

With sales tax, it will still be cheaper to get it from trusted seller. Same warranty.

You’re right. I paid 26,000 out the door for my Smurf from Patrick ( OCWATCHGUY) in February 2017. I peeled the stickers off myself. Crazy how much you save from a trusted seller here on TRF. Down side is that you build no relationship with an AD to get the elusive stainless steel pieces.



Sorry OP, I tried to leave my arm out of the picture but the watch was attached to it

[Rolex addict]

I'm in SC and just checked the Rolex website. No one has been taken off yet. Still the same AD's.

[hitman23]

you guys don't like hairy arms?

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by hitman23

you guys don't like hairy arms?

My arms are shaved.

[s_haverford]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

My arms are shaved.

are your arms shaved for aerodynamic reasons?

[StuartG]

Originally Posted by Handey0465

Stopped by today to see what they had in inventory....

They had a sign stating 25% off Rolex's. They said they will no longer carry the brand....

I don’t see where he stands to lose much. He can’t sell what he can’t stock, and now he won’t have to deal with Rolex customers.

[Peter99]

My local AD gave up the Rolex dealership because they were expected to stock the range whereas they wanted to be selective.
Rolex said no and that was the finish!
Great shame, as their Rolex window was the Malls magnet for fantasist’s, like me!
But I did start the ball rolling there with a datejust for my Wife and then an Exp 39mm for myself and they did sell me the Rolex screwdriver 2100!

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by Peter99

My local AD gave up the Rolex dealership because they were expected to stock the range whereas they wanted to be selective.
Rolex said no and that was the finish!
Great shame, as their Rolex window was the Malls magnet for fantasist’s, like me!
But I did start the ball rolling there with a datejust for my Wife and then an Exp 39mm for myself and they did sell me the Rolex screwdriver 2100!

And this is part of why so many grey dealers get the good watches. They also buy the slow movers.

[ArtNouveau]

I believe some smaller dealers have left the brand over demands for new “boutique style build out” and forced increased inventory.
I do think though we’ll see more small market stores in the US dropped this year.

[polisci]

Rolex is no longer listed on Smithworks website.

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by polisci

Rolex is no longer listed on Smithworks website.

You're right. It's gone. I just talked to my buddy who works about 1 mile from there and he didn't know anything about it. Very interesting.

[Rrpdc]

Dealer in Columbia md lost their Rolex dealer license too but hardly anything left but 20 or so ladies and 36 mm dj. They did have a tt dj 41 with Roman slate Wimbledon though. Nice dial but not a tt fan myself.

[shapa]

Most of the Rolex ADs I visited, had mainly empty shelves. Can't even find a decent selection of men's DJs anymore. Not sure how they can pay their rent/stay in business if Rolex watches are their main source of income.

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by shapa

Most of the Rolex ADs I visited, had mainly empty shelves. Can't even find a decent selection of men's DJs anymore. Not sure how they can pay their rent/stay in business if Rolex watches are their main source of income.

No jewelry store should count on one line as their main source of income. Even Rolex. Jewelry like rings, bracelets, etc should be a significant part of their income. It's highly profitable.

[Art 1]

I don't blame them.

[Kiddodoc]

My AD also lost their Rolex dealership and they don't have anything of interest but it saddens me because I had bought 9 watches from them so I have lost my AD connection! Oh well, at least my collection is about done.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by kiddodoc

My AD also lost their Rolex dealership and they don't have anything of interest but it saddens me because I had bought 9 watches from them so I have lost my AD connection! Oh well, at least my collection is about done.

Sounds familiar. The pressure on some of these dealers can be phenomenal!

[Headshrinker]

There was a Rolex AD on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida. I could not believe that they were not selling the Rolex brand anymore. It is a very wealthy area, where other shops sell Patek and AP. I loved window shopping there, but they didn’t really negotiate with their pricing.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by Headshrinker

There was a Rolex AD on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida. I could not believe that they were not selling the Rolex brand anymore. It is a very wealthy area, where other shops sell Patek and AP. I loved window shopping there, but they didn’t really negotiate with their pricing.

Which place was this? I was there in March and don't remember seeing any place?

[Dyim]

Originally Posted by oldman2005

See if you can grab that AD Rolex wall clock for cheap and hang it it your home office. Beside that maybe the AD didn't sell enough DJs...

I am pretty sure they are supposed to return that if they close up shop, assuming they follow the rules.

My AD told me they have to destroy old Rolex displays (when they have new ones) and show Rolex evidence of such destruction.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Headshrinker

There was a Rolex AD on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida. I could not believe that they were not selling the Rolex brand anymore. It is a very wealthy area, where other shops sell Patek and AP. I loved window shopping there, but they didn’t really negotiate with their pricing.

Armels. Been there many times. We go to Lido or Longboat several times a year. I was really surprised they no longer carried Rolex. They had to sell a lot of them.

[casadecamporolex]

Originally Posted by Art 1

Armels. Been there many times. We go to Lido or Longboat several times a year. I was really surprised they no longer carried Rolex. They had to sell a lot of them.

Based on just a quick observation, I’d say they wish they still sold Rolex watches.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Based on just a quick observation, I’d say they wish they still sold Rolex watches.

Yes it's not the same in there.

[ugasbiggestfan]

Not Pawleys. Christopher’s here just expanded their Rolex section.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by ugasbiggestfan

Not Pawleys. Christopher’s here just expanded their Rolex section.

I will have to take a drive down route 17 and see their selection, and new store front.

[Watch This]

Not uncommon. AD's with decades worth of relationships with Rolex fall by the wayside. I know of one such AD in West Palm Beach, Florida whose relationship with Rolex dated back to the 1930's. No longer.

We love their watches but the company has some ruthless business practices.

[casadecamporolex]

Originally Posted by Watch This

Not uncommon. AD's with decades worth of relationships with Rolex fall by the wayside. I know of one such AD in West Palm Beach, Florida whose relationship with Rolex dated back to the 1930's. No longer.

We love their watches but the company has some ruthless business practices.

In order to sit at the adults table, you need very strong financials. And then. the issue of spotless ethical business practices becomes another sort.
I’ve heard of only one new AD opening in the USA last year.

[CDNWatchNut]

what a shame...I would rather buy from a small relaxed mom and pop jeweller than some fancy and pretentious store, as I’m sure many a wis would...but I suppose wis types are not the main demographic that Rolex is marketing to.