VIP or nobody

[Rolexvin]

In today’s market, it is difficult to get a watch you want from an AD. There seems to be more availability, but long gone are the 20% discounts on PM models.

Have you ever been offered an exhibition piece? Do you consider this to be a special treatment (VIP)? Would you buy it if it is a model that you were looking for?

[Starhutch]

I consider an exhibition piece to be no different than being allocated one from the safe. Assuming it’s in great shape and like new condition. Would have no problem buying one if it’s a reference I want

[TheDogHouse]

Sure, I have no problem buying used watches. Especially one with a full warranty.

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by Rolexvin

In today’s market, it is difficult to get a watch you want from an AD. There seems to be more availability, but long gone are the 20% discounts on PM models.

Have you ever been offered an exhibition piece? Do you consider this to be a special treatment (VIP)? Would you buy it if it is a model that you were looking for?

I have been offered a watch that was not on my interest list, but appreciated the SA for that gesture.

Do not care for the VIP treatment, it is just a nice little trinket that is worn on the wrist, nothing special about that.

[tsekh]

My AD told me that they rotate their exhibition models to keep them fresh. I.e., they would order some more exhibition models every once in a while, and when they arrive, they would retire some existing pieces by selling them to clients.

All the exhibition pieces that I've tried on are basically in new condition, still have all the protective stickers on them. I knew they would be retiring all the Daytona exhibition pieces to make space for the new Daytonas, and I was able to buy one of the Daytonas (116509, WG blue dial) that had been on display for a few months from them. It came with full warranty and not a single scratch on it. If I didn't already knew that this was an exhibition piece, I wouldn't be able to find out myself.

[Calatrava r]

At some point all the exhibition watches will be sold as new watches to the public. My understanding from ADs is that many of these watches will be shipped back to Rolex and then reallocated to dealers with box and papers, so perhaps many ADs will not even know if a watch they just received in a shipment was ever an exhibition watch. As it should be. The watches are brand new. So what if they have been tried on by some customers. Virtually, all watches are.

[Gab27]

I'm no VIP but I would buy an exhibition piece no different than I would buy a new watch or a used watch. Even if it had cosmetic imperfections, I would still buy it. No differently than I would like it disclosed if a watch had been re-polished, I would like to be informed that it is an exhibition model, as I feel it should be disclosed to buyers.

[ExplorerI]

I’ve been offered an exhibition. Holding out for a different dial though so I passed. They most certainly rotate and sell them eventually.

[AJMarcus]

My AD, store manager, told me a long time ago they sell them as new when the time is right. He said Rolex must authorize it. I don’t think it’s a secret nor anything wrong with it. In the good old days, many Rolex such as Datejusts, TT Daytonas, and Explorers I&II often languished in dealer display cases with plenty of customers handling them before they were sold.

[brandrea]

I’d buy an exhibition model if offered to me, provided it passes the sniff test

[m j b]

Sure, but I'll expect a nice discount...

[ratty]

Originally Posted by Rolexvin

.....

Have you ever been offered an exhibition piece? Do you consider this to be a special treatment (VIP)? Would you buy it if it is a model that you were looking for?

I think of it like this.

Being offered an exhibition piece is like being offered a demonstrator car. I know that lots will disagree with this, but there you go!

The last time I bought a new Rolex I insisted that when I picked it up it would still be in it's 'coffin' box and would not have been tried on by anyone else. I'm paying for a new watch and I want a new watch, not a demonstrator. I certainly do not think that being offered ax exhibition piece makes you a VIP!

I do think that if you actually are a VIP, you will know you are a VIP and you will not be chasing exhibition pieced because will will be able to get a new one.

[ltmgeller]

This doesn't make sense to me. Before the craze, when watches were on display, you could try them on and buy them if you wanted. The only change with the display models is that you can't buy them.

[WatchTimes]

Discounts are history.....
Perhaps things will change down the road for some models but I am not holding my breath.

[Ichiran]

All my watches are exhibition piece. My AD will display every watch for a period of time until they go to the allocated customer. My AD will wrap the watch case with a cover for some protection though. I'm fine with paying MSRP for all my watches (I will not know whether those display watches are mine until my AD call me, and by then the watches will be off display).