Noticing AD's now carrying a greater selection of Exhibition watches

[Ferrari-F430]

I've been through several AD's lately, and I've noticed that several of them now have a pretty big selection of Rolex Exhibition pieces! One even had two Bruce Wayne's marked "exhibition" for some reason, not sure why they would have 2 of the exact same watch to try

Gone are the days where I'm walking in and only finding 3 watches in the case with no GMT's/Subs to try... anyone else noticing this in the last 3-6 months?

I mean, I love being able to stop in and visit these wonderful pieces, but I'm still sickened to be sitting at 18 months on a wait list with no hope in sight. Oh well, at least I have a reason to stop in and say "hi" and gently ask how I sit on the list.

[Rolexatlast]

Yes. Same here in the UK - and a distinct lack of ‘Exhibition Only’ labels, which make me wonder if some/most are available (with a nominal wait to suggest scarcity)

[TikTok]

2 PM Daytonas in the window, no exhibition only label anywhere near them.

[travisb]

Over the weekend, my local Mayors had just about every high demand SS piece on exhibition.
Both new Daytonas, BLRO and VTNR on both bracelets, 3 different SS Skydwellers, all SS Subs and many others. All of the cases and window were full.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by travisb

Over the weekend, my local Mayors had just about every high demand SS piece on exhibition.
Both new Daytonas, BLRO and VTNR on both bracelets, 3 different SS Skydwellers, all SS Subs and many others. All of the cases and window were full.

That’s fantastic Travis

Can the general public just pop in for a visit or is it by appointment only?

[SunkenSub]

The cases might be full but is anything for sale or are wait times less than we’re all used to recently?

[Bazil]

Nice to know … hopefully Pepsi soon ..

[911991]

The Rolex AD nearest to me also shares space with an Omega AD, I went to have a band swapped on my Omega, and decided to check with the Rolex AD if I was still on the list for a dream watch LOL! They had pretty much all the models on display with Exhibition name tags below each watch.

[TruthBalance]

Local AD had a fair share of SS models on Exhibition Only. This is another reason why I’ve lost interest in the brand. What is the purpose of the Exhibition Only? It’s not like you can see a wanted watch and order it. I’m truly at a loss on this one.

[Roddypeepa]

Yes I’ve noticed this as well. Compared with a few months ago there are loads more. Though it’s still probably be better if they actually sold these models and stopped the BS for the routine watches.


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[Portofino2023]

Have heard twice that AD's now have to have 15 watches on display at all times. Don't know if that is true-but it matches up with what I'm seeing of late.

[MRBolton]

The reason there are more is because ADs are now using inventory that's for sale or sold as exhibition. Instead of keeping the watches they're selling in the back, they may as well put it out on display to generate more interest and beef up the look of their cases. It's not at all uncommon for an AD to either sell, take deposit on, or guarantee a watch to a customer after a display period (e.g. 4-6 weeks).

Some pieces are marked on exhibition, but for the right customer, they will either sell it on the spot or shortly thereafter. "Exhibition" is a polite way of saying "not for you," either for now or ever.

[996marty]

Even more watches for people to be told …..sorry nothings for sale

[BriansRolex]

Lots to look at but nothing to buy

[PaulMiami]

Looks like inventory is building up in the distribution channel. And we’ve all read production is up and increasing. If this is anything like other markets, it takes the stairs on the way up, and the elevator on the way down..

[Ferrari-F430]

"Look at all these fabulous watches you can't buy"!!

[nickyvu]

Originally Posted by TruthBalance

Local AD had a fair share of SS models on Exhibition Only. This is another reason why I’ve lost interest in the brand. What is the purpose of the Exhibition Only? It’s not like you can see a wanted watch and order it. I’m truly at a loss on this one.

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[Seddyspaghetti]

Cool

[Oystersteel92]

Was just in Vegas and came away disappointed. Nothing on display I couldn't have seen at my own local AD. Bucherer and the boutique at Caesars.

Wanted to see both the Deepsea 18K and Deepsea Challenge but alas...

Was told at the boutique that they had a list 2,000 customers deep, no pun intended, on the 18K Deepsea.

[travisb]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s fantastic Travis

Can the general public just pop in for a visit or is it by appointment only?

Walk ins are welcome.
Even though they're not available, it at least gives you a chance to try them on and see them first hand to help decide what's best for you.

[sampelligrino]

Can't believe the days of pre-COVID were real with AD displays loaded with models to sell, from Subs to GMTs and PM Daytonas... now we are thrilled just when they have the models to display! Ha

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by travisb

Walk ins are welcome.
Even though they're not available, it at least gives you a chance to try them on and see them first hand to help decide what's best for you.

That’s great to hear.


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[Rolexatlast]

Agreed. It was crazy to have to put your name down for a X-year waiting list for a watch that you may never have seen. Having samples are much better.

Also, the cynic inside me thinks this may also hide the lack of waiting lists for some models, without having a For Sale display

[Big J]

Yes I noticed this on my trip to southern Nevada in late June. There a quite a bit more display references in the cases than the previous time I was there two years earlier.

[PaulMiami]

In a normal market for retail products there shouldn’t be any additional demand from speculators that flip the product for a premium. All that profit should accrue to the manufacturer and the retailer.

These speculators greatly exaggerate real demand. As the Rolex market gets back into balance, as it is gradually doing, the flippers will begin to loose money on most of their purchases and they will quickly head for the hills.

[Mgf8462]

My AD told me they have to have every model on hand at all times (usually in the safe in the back + whatever they have on exhibition) and then sell them once they get additional inventory of the same watch.

[James84]

Market has TANKED a fair amount. AD are not selling a lot of pieces, but the few high demands left (Daytona steel, GMT) are still being leveraged by AD behind the scenes.

They are going to have to pivot on the smoke & mirrors strategy of exhibition only. Something has to give soon, they can’t keep all that stock in the back forever playing the fib games of nothing is available in attempts to create “illusionary hype”. People are not biting like they use too.

Although they are still at the mercy of certain Rolex rules, which are constantly changing based on market conditions and demand, volume etc…

Se we shall see, but not looking good for greedy corporate people obsessed with profits. And looking GREAT for the true watch enthusiasts. :)

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by Oystersteel92

Was just in Vegas and came away disappointed. Nothing on display I couldn't have seen at my own local AD. Bucherer and the boutique at Caesars.

Wanted to see both the Deepsea 18K and Deepsea Challenge but alas...

Was told at the boutique that they had a list 2,000 customers deep, no pun intended, on the 18K Deepsea.

There is no way they have a real list of 2,000 customers for an 18k deep sea. It’s going to be a terrible watch to try and flip and it would be hard to find 2,000 that could even wear that thing. If the regular deep sea isn’t popular, the gold version at 54k isn’t going to be popular. I would be shocked if they had 200 people that would really buy it, even in Vegas.


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[4reRlxGuy]

Originally Posted by Mgf8462

My AD told me they have to have every model on hand at all times (usually in the safe in the back + whatever they have on exhibition) and then sell them once they get additional inventory of the same watch.

This

I've heard the same for ADs like Gearys and Polachecks that have high net worth clients who have to have it when they need it.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by 4reRlxGuy

This

I've heard the same for ADs like Gearys and Polachecks that have high net worth clients who have to have it when they need it.

Smart idea if they get the volume of watches they need to do it.


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