I’m sure they do get stock, but it goes straight to allocations.
I was more shocked by the five staff in a completely empty showroom. I guess they’re selling more watches than ever so are still getting their commission and don’t care if they have to stand around and do virtually nothing all day.
Last edited by Jon Kenney; 8th April 2022 at 03:00.
It did. I saw it yesterday too. But it is display only despite having a price tag.
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Got to wonder what the point is! Imagine walking past the indie and thinking, I like the look of that, so you go in expecting to buy only to be told it’s not for sale, and furthermore we’re not willing to put you on a list for it because you’ve got no purchase history.
.
.
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But you have nothing to sell me!
I reckon that by now many ADs have got the hang of how best to “display” the exhibition only models:
- not in demand models in the exterior window display.
- slightly more in demand models on display inside, but as far from the door as possible.
- most in demand models in the private viewing area.
Best way to discourage folk from bothering the AD by asking to try stuff on that they have no chance whatsoever of getting.
Also provides the opportunity to home in on longstanding customers who were previously able to obtain the decent stuff and tell them they also now need to buy some tat for continued access to the in demand models they have just tried on.😀
I think certain models don't get exhibited. Only place I've been able to try on a WG Sub with the blue bezel is WF. Never seen a steel Daytona or a steel SkyDweller in the window either.
Tbh it made realise why people buy from WF -- once it was on my wrist I didn't want to take it back off again.
Knowing my card would decline made it easier.
Rolex shop in Geneva airport
Incredible selection including Steel Daytonas
That reminds me on another thing.
I was over in Geneva a few weeks ago and was amazed how helpful the staff were in the high end watch shops.
Never once did you get the feeling it was a chore.
The PP store is quite a place.
Rolex Explorer 1 36mm in the window at my local AD and I tried it on.
To my surprise the second hand started up and I explained I thought the display only watches were internally empty, but weighted up.
Oh no, exclaimed the gentleman from the shop - there are all working watches.
Or already sold/allocated.
I've been informed in writing that mine is tucked away in the safe awaiting collection. But I'm 6000 miles away, so I'm guessing they could do as they please with it.
If it's not fully stickered when it appears from the coffin box, I'll be pretty peeved to say the least.
My neighbour just received his first Rolex, a new black dial Explorer II, he's only been on the list around six months which I thought was quite good considering.
He tried on and enquired about a Daytona, they gave him a lot longer waiting time but said its quite possible which I found surprising with lots of the talk here saying they are impossible, maybe stock quotas are changing??
All part of the game...seems they are looking for new clients a lot more these days - give them something to get them started, give them some hope, then get them to buy a load of other stuff in order to work their way up to that unicorn...or maybe I am just cynical !
(Haven't seen many / any steel Daytona incoming posts on here for a long time, although perhaps the lucky ones keep quiet!?)
I had the most unpleasant AD experience of my life yesterday when I visited Goldsmiths in Reading. Had to deal with a thoroughly patronising whelp in a suit who told me that my "expression of interest" on the submariner and 2 past purchases mean nothing and that I have to build my credit up with him personally as my previous contact there left. Also got told that all new Tudors are expressions of interest, to which I laughed in his face (I tried all of the freely available 2022 releases on in Fraser Hart London last week). Safe to say I won't be going back there.
Just been into a shop to have a nose as my wife has dragged me shopping and every single Rolex, in the window and in the store, exhibition or otherwise, is ticking with the correct time and date.
Ok, so back from my hols.
Gatwick, north terminal - no Rolex at all as far as I could see.
Rome, didn't really get to see many watch shops - saw a Submariner Date on the coast near Rome at a local jewellery store for €10,500 (16610 with tritium lume).
Fiumicino airport - Rolex dealership. YM2; Explorer 36mm and gold Daytona all in the window and for exhibition only. I asked the assistant why they were not for sale. They are instructed by Rolex not to sell them and that was about it really. They had lady models there for sale in the shop, but no blokes stuff.
Exhibition models are stickered, so same process would apply of sticker removal in front of the customer.
Ah you are just down the road, Binfield here.
Was it Dale you had previous history with? (shortish chap with a full beard?). I had the same concern.
Go back and speak to one of the ladies there, I forget her name but she was brilliant when I was there a while back & looked at my history there previously and was happy I had the required spend. Their record only goes back a certain time frame, so there were other watches not on the system I mentioned.
Clearly that chap you dealt with is an utter tool. I assume she is still there, I was last in when they were in the temporary place opposite & was the first time I had seen the demo watches.
Lots of other stuff in shops has been tried on or looked at by other people, why should Rolex be different?
Does seem to matter who you deal with in Goldsmiths Reading. I’ve had very good experience there and also rubbish ones. There was this one chap that wouldn’t give me a discount on an Omega, which happened to be one of the more unpopular models. Bought it elsewhere for a nice price I’m the end.
No way. Here is an explanation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLB27j4vZnU
The only thing that will drive the demand for these watches down, is if there is no profit to be made in flipping them. As long as there is a healthy profit in it you will continue to have these factors:
1). AD’s or individuals working for the Ad’s selling to third parties that cut them in on their profits.
2). Production will remain low as the key brands love the demand and hype around their products and their prestige.
3). Social media hype drives newer people to the flipping game. This goes beyond the initial purchase and AD sale to a secondary flipping market too. You just have to see the scalpers on here buying and selling on EBay to see that demand.
Mappin & Webb in the Bentall Centre had the usual diamond & gold DJs in the window as well as a steel & gold Daytona and blue OP41 and a smaller OP too.
Not sure if they were exhibition pieces, didn't have the time to call in and ask (blame the mrs)
They had quite the selection of steel sports pieces inside on Sunday, all exhibition only of course. But if anyone nearby wants to try something they can’t buy on it might be worth a trip.
They had the Explorer in both Steel & Steel/ Gold, Explorer 2 black dial, 2 Subs (date & no date), GMT Master II & Batman and a Sea Dweller.
I have to say I've had similar experiences with Goldsmiths in Reading. I appreciate they are catering for a large area so probably have multiple requests each day they cannot fulfill and it gets tiring. But there is a way to deal with that which would keep potential customers onside and may see them purchase watches that are available.
I was scrolling bottom up through this thread for some pictures of Rolex in the window rather than comments. Lost interest. Will come back in a year.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Maybe this needs changing to the 'The empty Rolex display in the window'.....?
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........