The sales/business model of Rolex is most off-putting to me...

If you walk into an AD, there are certain models which they will not sell to you even if they have one in stock and unspoken for... I know of someone who went into the Las Vegas Tourneau because he found out they had a ceramic steel Daytona in store, in stock, unsold and uncommitted. The clerk told him outright that they would not sell it to him. So he said, "how many Rolex watches do I need to buy for you to sell me the steel ceramic Daytona?" He was told four. So he proceeded to buy four Submariners (intending to give away three and keep one for himself). And then, as promised, Tourneau sold him that steel ceramic Daytona.

To me, this is so repulsive. I do not mind, nor care, that the guy had the resources to buy the requisite four Rolex watches needed to pass the Rolex/dealer "threshold" to "qualify" to purchase a Daytona. The fact that Rolex/dealers play this game with customers, as a requisite for access to available, unspoken for watches, is repugnant.

If Rolex is King, I do not want to be a subject of such tyranny...

Why is it so difficult to find a steel men’s sports Rolex in AD’s currently?

By: jonrus : January 8th, 2018-02:55

Is the production lower, or the sales so high that there seems to be no stock in various AD’s.

two things...i think....

By: Baron - Mr Red : January 8th, 2018-03:38

......first, I believe Rolex have been in a process of limiting supply in order to have many of their models "seen" as difficult to get. I think that is definitely happening. This has naturally led to a number of models showing secondary market premiums. ...

And they did it very effectively [nt]

By: Arie - Mr Orange : January 8th, 2018-06:40

Thank you for your insight

By: jonrus : January 8th, 2018-03:46

I think that knowing my AD is probably the best hope to get an allocation, since walk ins are probably a thing of the past for certain models.

You can still walk in and walk out with a great deal its just down to luck. I've had a timepiece on reserve where the dealer took a 100% deposit (not Rolex but one of its competitors)

By: Rogi : January 8th, 2018-18:10

and I never got the watch, just the run around which lost me as a customer, called my local Rolex AD all disappointed and I was able to purchase a very desirable Rolex model about 2-3 years ago. It all depends on three things: how specific you would like ...

Your last paragraph is so true! [nt]

By: amanico : January 9th, 2018-00:42

Agree this is similar in Singapore

By: Prodyutb : January 8th, 2018-04:25

ADs have essentially run out of sports models here

I did also hear that story , they stop deliver steel watches to ADs from november till aprox late this month .

By: Watchonthewrist : January 8th, 2018-04:38

probably they will also increase the listprice a bit this month ( at least thats what i hear )

Nothing new under the sun. Rolex did that in the very early 2000's, late Nineties.

By: amanico : January 8th, 2018-04:43

At that time, it was super though to buy a GMT MASTER, Yachtmaster, Explorer II, Seadweller, and of course Daytona. I think Baron nailed it... Best, Nicolas

Rolex

By: pmh6000 : January 8th, 2018-06:03

My AD told me a price increase is coming that may have something to due with the limited supply.

honestly, i don't think thats it at all as they have been doing this strategy for 18+ months already [nt]

By: Baron - Mr Red : January 8th, 2018-06:46

The sales/business model of Rolex is most off-putting to me...

By: remarque : January 8th, 2018-11:54

It’s the AD that is the problem...

By: jonrus : January 8th, 2018-17:11

I doubt that Rolex has such policy. But Tourneau salesmen are paid with commissions..hence such sales tactics .

Wow. That is a disgrace!

By: Costa (aka Connie) : January 8th, 2018-18:56

I have never liked Tourneau. Will never buy from them.

Part of the challenge for the ADs these days is the policy that they CANNOT sell at

By: kesharoo : January 8th, 2018-19:09

premium prices. Previously you can walk in a Rolex AD in South East Asia, pay premium for a desired model and walk out. Now the ADs would rather sell via third to enjoy a bigger profit or keep the sports model for special clients. You just can't win, unle...

Don’t agree with their strategy either..

By: ClockOnWrist : January 9th, 2018-06:45

A few months back I was looking for a couple of rolexes as well and faced the same problem. Happen to travel to Japan and found a dealer and this is what they have on display...mix of new and used.. ...

I guess the days of discounts are over...

By: jonrus : January 10th, 2018-08:40

There’s really no difference between AD’s, since the only benefit is availability.