Exhibition model for sale: what would you do?

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by TC94

As someone else posted in another thread a few days ago, all Rolexes were in display cases several years ago. When you wanted one, you bought what had been shown to others an unknown number of times.

Why would an exhibition model be any different?

I bought my first 2 right out of the display cases in 2016. I’d buy one now whether it was in the safe or in the display.

This. Rolex were bought out of the case not so long ago. Of course I’d take one if it was what I was waiting for.

[westsideclock]

I agree that it was common to buy out of the case in years past, however, most of those were stickered. I remember the days of being able to get a stickered watch to walk out of the store with. The issues with display watches now is that I believe they are destickered. As the OP posted, if you are getting a display watch that has been on display 8-12 months, it is possible I may have some scratches. That said, I would take it.

[ColoradoTime]

I think it depends on the reference and how hard it is to get.

[MRBolton]

Depends on the model. If it’s one that trades above MSRP in the condition it’s in, then yes, I’d take it.

[csaltphoto]

It will have more wear in one day on your wrist than however long it was a display model.

[Chiboy]

I’d buy it if they first agree to polish the living crap out of it to make sure there aren’t any slight nicks on it!

[jb335]

Lol, I’d buy it and I would feel nostalgic. Like buying a Rolex five years ago, when they sat in cases.


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[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Starhutch

Buy it

+1


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[brandrea]

I’d buy it, assuming condition is like new

[travisb]

Buy it at MSRP.

[DoricSpiker]

Inspect it and if I was happy I would buy it. You are delusional if you think your Rolex hasn't been handled and tried on by others before you get it.

[1William]

I would buy the watch as long as there is no damage or issues. I would ask for a discount but in the end if all is right I would just pay msrp.

[Ollie1982]

Would you buy a car, which was a demonstrator from your local garage with miles on the clock but at full price, as a new vehicle? No, I would not either.

But this is Rolex, and they have done a wonderful job in conditioning us WIS / status symbol seekers that normal fair practice and simple common sense does not apply.

On a forum where people have gone to purchase their new Rolex, and during sizing had the watch damaged and are advised to take it and not complain, as the watch will pick up plenty more 'battle scars', I'm not really surprised by the replies in this thread.

I’m sure Hans is laughing from the grave!

[Old Expat Beast]

The only time that I have bought anything from a Rolex/Tudor AD was in 2014 in Tuscany, Italy, when I noticed a Tudor Heritage Ranger in a small window display in Arezzo. I was happy to buy that watch, which for a few days had been part of the local scenery and it meant much more for me to buy that piece than one that had been pulled out of a safe in some sterile Hong Kong shopping mall.

[TheVTCGuy]

That’s an interesting question but as some have pointed out, it is no different from other Rolex watches that sat in display cases, they were constantly handed out and tried on by customers. Yes, that was a long time ago, but those watches were fine. I WOULD ask for a discount, what do you have to lose? However if the answer was no, and it was MSRP, sure, go get it!

[honuswagner13]

I thought they had no movements in them.

[bullies]

Assuming it was something I wanted as long as it looks like it wasn't beaten up etc I'd be fine buying it. Would try for a discount playfully... "Discounted floor model? Haha no? Ok, I'll just take the cc points and cry. Thanks"

[dannyp]

There are two issues, as I see it:

1. Purely psychological. Buying “exhibition model” somehow feels different than buying “out of the case” despite then literally being the same thing.

2. Amount of potential wear. In the “olden days” inventory turned over and no single watch say that long. Or, if they did sit, it was due to lack of interest and few were sampling. Today, everyone wants to try them and a single display unit is being used to satisfy that requirement. So there might be more wear than before.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Ollie1982

Would you buy a car, which was a demonstrator from your local garage with miles on the clock but at full price, as a new vehicle? No, I would not either.

But this is Rolex, and they have done a wonderful job in conditioning us WIS / status symbol seekers that normal fair practice and simple common sense does not apply.

On a forum where people have gone to purchase their new Rolex, and during sizing had the watch damaged and are advised to take it and not complain, as the watch will pick up plenty more 'battle scars', I'm not really surprised by the replies in this thread.

I’m sure Hans is laughing from the grave!

The analogy isn’t the same at all. People aren’t taking these watches out the door. The more apt comparison would be to the model that sits on the showroom floor that people look at or occasionally sit in.
And the car analogy only works if we know what car we are talking about. Toyota Camry? Get me a brand new one or get me a discount. F-150 Lightning, RAV4 Prime, Ferrari? I’ll take what I can get so I don’t have to wait a year or more.

[Ollie1982]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

The analogy isn’t the same at all. People aren’t taking these watches out the door. The more apt comparison would be to the model that sits on the showroom floor that people look at or occasionally sit in.
And the car analogy only works if we know what car we are talking about. Toyota Camry? Get me a brand new one or get me a discount. F-150 Lightning, RAV4 Prime, Ferrari? I’ll take what I can get so I don’t have to wait a year or more.

May not be the same for you, but it works for me


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[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Ollie1982

May not be the same for you, but it works for me


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Great. But you projected on everyone buying a Rolex saying we are all rubes and using an inappropriate analogy to make your point. Because you have some axe to grind.

[Rolexatlast]

Apart from honesty of the SA in another thread, I suspect buyers ‘getting the call’ would never know if their new watch has come direct from the factory, or via a few weeks/months in a case

[Ollie1982]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

Great. But you projected on everyone buying a Rolex saying we are all rubes and using an inappropriate analogy to make your point. Because you have some axe to grind.

Inappropriate analogy? Have a word buttercup… you do realise that these things can be subjective? Fine, you don’t relate, that’s all good. We all don’t all have to get along.

If I have an axe to grind then I better start grinding at home, as I’ve bought a few myself.


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[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by Ollie1982

Would you buy a car, which was a demonstrator from your local garage with miles on the clock but at full price, as a new vehicle? No, I would not either.

But this is Rolex, and they have done a wonderful job in conditioning us WIS / status symbol seekers that normal fair practice and simple common sense does not apply.

On a forum where people have gone to purchase their new Rolex, and during sizing had the watch damaged and are advised to take it and not complain, as the watch will pick up plenty more 'battle scars', I'm not really surprised by the replies in this thread.

I’m sure Hans is laughing from the grave!

This analogy seems more appropriate for buying NIB from a grey dealer

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Ollie1982

Inappropriate analogy? Have a word buttercup… you do realise that these things can be subjective? Fine, you don’t relate, that’s all good. We all don’t all have to get along.

If I have an axe to grind then I better start grinding at home, as I’ve bought a few myself.


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It’s definitely an inapt analogy.
That’s the problem with society. People stay stupid/wrong stuff all the time and then say “it’s subjective” or “it’s my opinion.”

Lol, no. You’re just wrong

[Ollie1982]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

It’s definitely an inapt analogy.
That’s the problem with society. People stay stupid/wrong stuff all the time and then say “it’s subjective” or “it’s my opinion.”

Lol, no. You’re just wrong

I couldn’t care less is you like my analogy or not, find it inapt or even about your opinions regarding society. I’m here to talk watches, and not the musings of strangers on the internet.

Have you tried Facebook? I bet you’d love it


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[rmwill]

The one I was offered recently was not working while on display because the watchmaker removed the ratchet that holds power to the main spring. The watch could be set and reset but no power to move the hands.

Originally Posted by TC94

Yes they do. I’m not sure when the policy changed, but the exhibition models are now fully functioning models. I visited a new AD last week, and he emphasized this point.

[cv5]

It all depends but in will buy it if you ask me.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Ollie1982

I couldn’t care less is you like my analogy or not, find it inapt or even about your opinions regarding society. I’m here to talk watches, and not the musings of strangers on the internet.

Have you tried Facebook? I bet you’d love it


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If you truly didn’t care what people thought, you wouldn’t bother putting your thoughts on a public Internet forum. But convince yourself of whatever you like. Seem to be good at it.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I’m in the minority, but I would not buy it


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I agree with you. I wouldn't buy it either. For what you're paying MSRP, I'd want it to be new.