Ask an Insider Thread

[The GMT Master]

Hey all,

Just thought I would extend an invitation for anyone to ask questions about any aspects of an AD. I've been in the trade for a few years now, and whilst I can't claim to know absolutely everything, I know enough to answer most questions. So, fire away, I look forward to answering your queries!

Chris

[MonBK]

What's the name and address of the shop?

[Colnago]

I already ask you questions anyway, Chris....an invitation to ask more...wow...seriously, nice gesture, there must be lots of folk who have questions....good on you and all the best for the coming season (not too many hangovers though eh?)

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Colnago

I already ask you questions anyway, Chris....an invitation to ask more...wow...seriously, nice gesture, there must be lots of folk who have questions....good on you and all the best for the coming season (not too many hangovers though eh?)

Cheers Bill, and the same to you too!

[Kanger]

Is the 60% of MSRP rate for ADs true, and that it's 58% if paid within 30 days. What percent of MSRP do ADs pay for other brands like Omega, TAG, Breitling, IWC, Jaeger, or any brand you have knowledge of. Thank you!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by kanger

Is the 60% of MSRP rate for ADs true, and that it's 58% if paid within 30 days. What percent of MSRP do ADs pay for other brands like Omega, TAG, Breitling, IWC, Jaeger, or any brand you have knowledge of. Thank you!

I'm just a lowly salesman, so I'm not involved with buying stock, but I do believe it is 60% of MRSP. Can't say about the extra discount being given for payment within a month, I'm afraid. Going on instore policies, the margins do seem to be tighter on Rolex compared to other brands we deal with (Omega, Chronoswiss, Raymond Weil). Sorry it isn't a complete answer, but hope it helps

[NMS75]

Is Rolex bringing out a new non-date version of the SubC.

If you can answer that one I will be impressed!

M

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by NMS75

Is Rolex bringing out a new non-date version of the SubC.

If you can answer that one I will be impressed!

M

Rolex are always very, very quiet on whether a new watch is coming out - the standard answer is wait 'til Basel. As for my personal opinion, I think some kind of update is desperately needed for the 14060m - even if it was just putting a solid link bracelet w/ Glidelock. It is one of the more difficult sports watches to sell at present

[NMS75]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Rolex are always very, very quiet on whether a new watch is coming out - the standard answer is wait 'til Basel. As for my personal opinion, I think some kind of update is desperately needed for the 14060m - even if it was just putting a solid link bracelet w/ Glidelock. It is one of the more difficult sports watches to sell at present

I hope they do a non-date SubC - would be a real shame IMHO if they didn't. I think it would be a popular watch if one was to be developed.

M

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by NMS75

I hope they do a non-date SubC - would be a real shame IMHO if they didn't. I think it would be a popular watch if one was to be developed.

M

Agreed. It would be a shame to let such an iconic watch fall by the wayside

[-Alberto-]

Originally Posted by NMS75

I hope they do a non-date SubC - would be a real shame IMHO if they didn't. I think it would be a popular watch if one was to be developed.

M

+1...

And GMT Master "pepsi" and "coke" as well...

[mactrack]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Rolex are always very, very quiet on whether a new watch is coming out - the standard answer is wait 'til Basel. As for my personal opinion, I think some kind of update is desperately needed for the 14060m - even if it was just putting a solid link bracelet w/ Glidelock. It is one of the more difficult sports watches to sell at present

Are you still able to order the 14060M for stock? As on another forum someone was advised by a UK AD, high street chain so could be nonsense/sales pitch, that no more could be obtained from Rolex UK.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

thanks for this!

what's the approximate breakdown between customers that know the brand and ask intelligent questions and customers that simply want a fancy watch without knowing much of anything?

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

A small group I would describe as WISes, we have one customer who's particularly knowledgable about a great deal of brands, I always really enjoy nattering with him. The broad majority have at least a basic knowledge of Rolex, but might not be up to speed with the more minor details - that's where I come in. Then a small number will have a Rolex simply because it's a Rolex, they're a bit more of a challenge to deal with as it's easy to overwhelm someone with information. As such, my sales pitch differs with different customers. For a breakdown of numbers, I'd probably say 10% WIS, 10% no knowledge, the rest basic to reasonably good knowledge

Thanks, Chris!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Thanks, Chris!

No problem

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by mactrack

Are you still able to order the 14060M for stock? As on another forum someone was advised by a UK AD, high street chain so could be nonsense/sales pitch, that no more could be obtained from Rolex UK.

We received one on last month's allocation, but not on the allocation that arrived today - but that's not necessarily an indicator that you can't get hold of one anymore. We never have been offered one a month with the 14060M, it tends to be one every 2 to 3 months. So I will tentatively say yes, they are still available

[mactrack]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

We received one on last month's allocation, but not on the allocation that arrived today - but that's not necessarily an indicator that you can't get hold of one anymore. We never have been offered one a month with the 14060M, it tends to be one every 2 to 3 months. So I will tentatively say yes, they are still available

Thanks for that although it sounds like you get what you are given by Rolex UK rather than ordering specific watches?

One other question can those lovely Rolex marketing goodies, paperweights wallets etc., be obtained by ordinary customers?

[Aventura]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Rolex are always very, very quiet on whether a new watch is coming out - the standard answer is wait 'til Basel. As for my personal opinion, I think some kind of update is desperately needed for the 14060m - even if it was just putting a solid link bracelet w/ Glidelock. It is one of the more difficult sports watches to sell at present

I would buy a 14060 M from an AD if I he makes me a 20% discount. It is evident that Rolex have to update this watch and should be why is not selling this model. Besides people prefer this model with Date.

[A.I.]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Rolex are always very, very quiet on whether a new watch is coming out - the standard answer is wait 'til Basel. As for my personal opinion, I think some kind of update is desperately needed for the 14060m - even if it was just putting a solid link bracelet w/ Glidelock. It is one of the more difficult sports watches to sell at present

Hi Chris,

Well we all should know the answer to this one by now but my questions are:

Is the old model still one of the more difficult to sell?

How long do you think we will continue to see the older model in the UK?

Has a price been set for the new model? I've read here that sub £5K is likely.

Realistically what price do you think the older model should be selling at now the new model is on route?

On a personal note which would you choose old v new model?

Thanks for taking the time and keep up the great work on this excellent thread.

[KZZN]

Hi;

Thanks very much for the opportunity to ask a question. One fairly straightforward one from myself: are the gents' Cellini Quartz and Cellini Classic models still in production, or are they dis-continued ? I see they're not listed on the Rolex site, but of course that's not a 100% guarantee of anything. My health's not so good these days, so I've not had the opportunity to go in to town lately and have a look at the latest Cellini catalogue at my AD.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by KZZN

Hi;

Thanks very much for the opportunity to ask a question. One fairly straightforward one from myself: are the gents' Cellini Quartz and Cellini Classic models still in production, or are they dis-continued ? I see they're not listed on the Rolex site, but of course that's not a 100% guarantee of anything. My health's not so good these days, so I've not had the opportunity to go in to town lately and have a look at the latest Cellini catalogue at my AD.

Hey,

No problem at all I will have to double check the Master Catalogue - I think the Quartz may have been discontinued, but I believe the Classic is still readily available. I'll look as soon as possible

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by A.I.

Hi Chris,

Well we all should know the answer to this one by now but my questions are:

1)Is the old model still one of the more difficult to sell?

2)How long do you think we will continue to see the older model in the UK?

3)Has a price been set for the new model? I've read here that sub £5K is likely.

4)Realistically what price do you think the older model should be selling at now the new model is on route?

5)On a personal note which would you choose old v new model?

Thanks for taking the time and keep up the great work on this excellent thread.

Hey,

Some good questions here, I've numbered them for ease

1) It's less popular than some sports models, but its been holding its own quite recently. I think the price point has proved to be quite attractive in the past few months

2) Indications suggest we should be seeing the first of the new Subs come in June/July time, so I expect to see deliveries of the 14060M continue until the Autumn, potentially. Obviously, they will remain in windows depending on the size of the AD for longer after that - it may be that the odd one is still knocking around by Christmas time

3) The price I've seen is £4970 (that's inclusive of 20% VAT for our overseas friends)

4) I think there will be two schools of thought (at least for ADs). The first being that supply is going to be limited and finite, and therefore there shouldn't be any movement on full RRP. The second school of thought is that existing stock needs to be moved in anticipation of the new model, so some may be looking to do a good deal. As for the grey market, well, time will tell!

5) I've never been a big fan of the 14060M - I can see the appeal of the clean face, but the bracelet is a big turn-off, especially compared to other dive watches on the market. If I wanted a vintage style diver, I think I would probably go the whole hog and pick up a 5513. The 114060 has the sublime Glidelock clasp (probably my favourite clasp on any watch right now), and I do like the look and feel of the ceramic bezel. However, if I were to expand the question to what current dive watch would I choose, I'm personally besotted with the new cal. 8500 Planet Ocean - in my opinion, it's the best value luxury diver on the market right now, and it's a sharp looker too

Hope this helps,

Chris

[A.I.]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hey,


5) I've never been a big fan of the 14060M - I can see the appeal of the clean face, but the bracelet is a big turn-off, especially compared to other dive watches on the market. If I wanted a vintage style diver, I think I would probably go the whole hog and pick up a 5513. The 114060 has the sublime Glidelock clasp (probably my favourite clasp on any watch right now), and I do like the look and feel of the ceramic bezel. However, if I were to expand the question to what current dive watch would I choose, I'm personally besotted with the new cal. 8500 Planet Ocean - in my opinion, it's the best value luxury diver on the market right now, and it's a sharp looker too

Hope this helps,

Chris

Thanks for the detailed answer Chris.

For the benefit of brevity - "That's exactly what I was thinking".........

.......but as much as I like the 8500, and I really do, it sits really too high up on my wrist and I have been eying up a few different Rollies for a while now.

I'm pretty sure at the moment it's going to be the new 114060..........






........or the new Explorer1

[KZZN]

Hi;

Thanks very much to both of you for your help ! It's good to know exactly what's still available and what's not.

One more question for Chris, if I may: what impact, if any, do you feel the new Omega Constellation Day-Date will have on Rolex Day-Date sales ?

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by KZZN

Hi;

Thanks very much to both of you for your help ! It's good to know exactly what's still available and what's not.

One more question for Chris, if I may: what impact, if any, do you feel the new Omega Constellation Day-Date will have on Rolex Day-Date sales ?

Frankly, I think it'll have little to no impact on Rolex Day-Date sales - I think there is a very specific market for a Day-Date, and the vast majority would choose the Rolex. It's the definitive model

Chris

[Bisquitlips]

Here's one Chris.

How often does an AD actually get audited by Rolex? Is it a regular timed audit, or random.

I would think that Rolex would never audit an AD unless they had suspicions that warranted it, but thus the question.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Here's one Chris.

How often does an AD actually get audited by Rolex? Is it a regular timed audit, or random.

I would think that Rolex would never audit an AD unless they had suspicions that warranted it, but thus the question.

That's a good question Richard. As far as I'm aware, we haven't been formally audited by Rolex - we get regular visits from a sales rep, so I would presume they'd be given updates by us. I suppose they could keep tags on us as well with regards to how many watches we take on allocations too, so hopefully we haven't been drawing any negative attention to ourselves! We get looked after well by Rolex, so we make sure we play by their rules

[chrisshank]

I know that ADs need to make a profit and am totally for that, but what kind of discount would you consider to be generous and reasonable for the SubC LV or other SS models. Also for the TT GMTIIC?

Thanks so much for providing us with this opportunity!

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by chrisshank

I know that ADs need to make a profit and am totally for that, but what kind of discount would you consider to be generous and reasonable for the SubC LV or other SS models. Also for the TT GMTIIC?

Thanks so much for providing us with this opportunity!

Chris

I'm getting into risky territory here! If possible, we avoid discounting watches, but if pushed, there is room for manouvre. For SS sports models, between 5-10% depending on the model/how long it's been in stock etc, for TT, a little more. There certainly isn't as much of a push to give massive discounts as there is in the US, but that might well be down to cultural differences

[NMS75]

Can Rolex ADs deal with Tudor watches or does Rolex treat the two brands completely separately in terms of who they allow to sell them?

M

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by NMS75

Can Rolex ADs deal with Tudor watches or does Rolex treat the two brands completely separately in terms of who they allow to sell them?

M

Officially, Tudor isn't sold in this country. In special circumstances, Tudors can be ordered from Rolex head office, but it is very rare. I know we've asked for a Tudor Heritage Chrono, but no sight or sound yet. I believe there are plans to reintroduce the brand into the country at some point in the future, it would make most sense if Rolex ADs with a proven track record were given first choice