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HiBoost · 16 October 2021, 04:01 AM

I went to an AD about 6 weeks ago where they had just implemented the "Rolex experience directive" to display exhibition models. These were all real watches, which were not for sale, that you could see and try on. They told me that they were only able to sell a model once they received another of the same kind, and that new arrival would then become the exhibition model.

I stopped by again this week to take a second look at a particular model and to my surprise the case was completely empty. "What happened?!" I asked. "Another directive from Rolex, they are trying to sort out the policy, it has been creating a lot of confusion. We have been asked to keep the watches in the safe for now."

Interesting. But ok, no problem. Would you mind bringing out the X and the Y so I could see them again? "Sure". Moments later one box arrives. "We no longer have the X but here is the Y".

So clearly this wasn't just a shift of the same set of watches from the case to the safe. Some have now been sold as well. The whole experience felt strange, and certainly would feed into a customer's "they have a ton of watches in the safe!!" conspiracy theories.

But have any of you experienced this same thing? An AD rolling out the exhibition models only to reverse that and go back to an empty case soon after? The weird thing was that it wasn't like the traditional "they're in the safe" thing we read about, because in those situations they'd never admit they are back there. The only people who know they are back there are the people who are allowed to buy. This was more like "we have exhibition watches that we are happy to bring out, but we don't want you to see them unless you ask for them". Odd...

K12123 · 16 October 2021, 04:09 AM

I don’t understand why ADs have to keep fabricating “Rolex policies”. One can deduce that these policies don’t exist as evidenced by the lack of uniformity across different ADs. We all understand how it works. If you spend enough, you are rewarded. I don’t see why many of them choose not to be forthcoming with that practice.

vh2k · 16 October 2021, 04:10 AM

Help us out. Small independent AD? One location? Suburbs? Small market?

HiBoost · 16 October 2021, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vh2k

Help us out. Small independent AD? One location? Suburbs? Small market?

Independent, one location, small market for sure. But perhaps the biggest of the small ones in this region? Hard to say on that...

Master_Grogu · 16 October 2021, 04:29 AM

Me going to Bucherer after the gym, looking like a regular hoe:

“Hi I’d like to try a model”

“All we have to try is here”

“Oh, you don’t have YM 40mm OF”

“Oh yes sorry we do in the back”

Yeah yeah yeah of course they will get the good stuff only if it’s profitable.

vh2k · 16 October 2021, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiBoost

Independent, one location, small market for sure. But perhaps the biggest of the small ones in this region? Hard to say on that...

Thanks for the info.

brandrea · 16 October 2021, 04:58 AM

I’ve not had any experience with this, but I’ve seen display models before at Basel events.

TheVTCGuy · 16 October 2021, 05:01 AM

I am predicting the future…. Soon, the real watches will be widely available, but the non-functioning display pieces will be very hard to get; fetching up to two or three times MSRP.

You heard it here first.

Wahlberg · 16 October 2021, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

“Oh, you don’t have YM 40mm OF”

Is the YM 40mm on OF popular, I thought not? I asked about it, nothing.

train-time · 16 October 2021, 05:22 AM

That's about the time I walk over to the Omega case!

Robf52 · 16 October 2021, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I am predicting the future…. Soon, the real watches will be widely available, but the non-functioning display pieces will be very hard to get; fetching up to two or three times MSRP.

You heard it here first.

Cigars&Watches · 16 October 2021, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I am predicting the future…. Soon, the real watches will be widely available, but the non-functioning display pieces will be very hard to get; fetching up to two or three times MSRP.

You heard it here first.

Master_Grogu · 16 October 2021, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Is the YM 40mm on OF popular, I thought not? I asked about it, nothing.

It’s very profitable for them, so they are happy to sell them. I’ve seen it many times, it’s priced above what I would pay and it moves way slower than the other models IMO.

I actually think this is one of the few non diamond Rolex you will lose money on resale, which makes it “unpopular”.

It’s good looking but more 20k good looking, not 26k good looking.

RolexSimon · 16 October 2021, 08:59 AM

They have to keep a certain number in their inventory in some countries. Doesn't have to be the same watches all the time - so when they get a new delivery, some of the previous inventory can be released to waiting list VIPs. Fits with your experience. Shame they're not on display though - seems to defeat the point.

pepe01 · 16 October 2021, 06:28 PM

Today, i just visited AD.
It has a lot of watches for exhibition. It is better to have watch to show than empty case. Now it has GMT, Sub, Airking, OP, and Explorer I two tone, etc.

BUT...... it has no Explorer I SS

Staff seem more happy when they have watches for customers to see and try.
However, i don't try them because i don't interested in other models at all.

16 October 2021, 04:01 AM	#1
HiBoost "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,494	This exhibit is closed I went to an AD about 6 weeks ago where they had just implemented the "Rolex experience directive" to display exhibition models. These were all real watches, which were not for sale, that you could see and try on. They told me that they were only able to sell a model once they received another of the same kind, and that new arrival would then become the exhibition model. I stopped by again this week to take a second look at a particular model and to my surprise the case was completely empty. "What happened?!" I asked. "Another directive from Rolex, they are trying to sort out the policy, it has been creating a lot of confusion. We have been asked to keep the watches in the safe for now." Interesting. But ok, no problem. Would you mind bringing out the X and the Y so I could see them again? "Sure". Moments later one box arrives. "We no longer have the X but here is the Y". So clearly this wasn't just a shift of the same set of watches from the case to the safe. Some have now been sold as well. The whole experience felt strange, and certainly would feed into a customer's "they have a ton of watches in the safe!!" conspiracy theories. But have any of you experienced this same thing? An AD rolling out the exhibition models only to reverse that and go back to an empty case soon after? The weird thing was that it wasn't like the traditional "they're in the safe" thing we read about, because in those situations they'd never admit they are back there. The only people who know they are back there are the people who are allowed to buy. This was more like "we have exhibition watches that we are happy to bring out, but we don't want you to see them unless you ask for them". Odd...

16 October 2021, 04:09 AM	#2
K12123 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: United States Posts: 260	I don’t understand why ADs have to keep fabricating “Rolex policies”. One can deduce that these policies don’t exist as evidenced by the lack of uniformity across different ADs. We all understand how it works. If you spend enough, you are rewarded. I don’t see why many of them choose not to be forthcoming with that practice.

16 October 2021, 04:10 AM	#3
vh2k "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: USA Posts: 3,017	Help us out. Small independent AD? One location? Suburbs? Small market?

16 October 2021, 04:29 AM	#5
Master_Grogu Banned Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Tokyo Posts: 969	Me going to Bucherer after the gym, looking like a regular hoe: “Hi I’d like to try a model” “All we have to try is here” “Oh, you don’t have YM 40mm OF” “Oh yes sorry we do in the back” Yeah yeah yeah of course they will get the good stuff only if it’s profitable.

16 October 2021, 04:58 AM	#7
brandrea 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 73,673	I’ve not had any experience with this, but I’ve seen display models before at Basel events.

16 October 2021, 05:01 AM	#8
TheVTCGuy Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: San Diego Watch: 126619LB Posts: 21,540	I am predicting the future…. Soon, the real watches will be widely available, but the non-functioning display pieces will be very hard to get; fetching up to two or three times MSRP. You heard it here first.

16 October 2021, 05:22 AM	#10
train-time "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maryland, USA Watch: All gone! Posts: 4,000	That's about the time I walk over to the Omega case!

16 October 2021, 08:59 AM	#14
RolexSimon "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,347	They have to keep a certain number in their inventory in some countries. Doesn't have to be the same watches all the time - so when they get a new delivery, some of the previous inventory can be released to waiting list VIPs. Fits with your experience. Shame they're not on display though - seems to defeat the point.

16 October 2021, 06:28 PM	#15
pepe01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Thailand Posts: 21	Today, i just visited AD. It has a lot of watches for exhibition. It is better to have watch to show than empty case. Now it has GMT, Sub, Airking, OP, and Explorer I two tone, etc. BUT...... it has no Explorer I SS Staff seem more happy when they have watches for customers to see and try. However, i don't try them because i don't interested in other models at all.

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