How do you identify a real Rolex AD?

[sherwin]

Originally Posted by rolexsweep

IMO i wouldn't buy watches in a area i know that are black/grey area of business, i dont want to name countries or organisations involved but i know for a fact that even if you buy of an official AD(like hourglass), they still F with your watch, for example they sell you a real rolex box papers, plastics you name it... but they change the movement with another movement.

thats quite a claim to say that a certain company screws with your watch, esp when they are a rolex AD. me thinks you should get your facts right before making such sensational claims.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Sose

Try working in the foreign disaster response arena. I have been in a plane within 3 hours of a disaster happening. Sometimes I have 24 hours - I count my lucky stars then.

Then use your sat phone to call home and have them look it up... When there's a will, there's a way.

[Sose]

Renato, valid point.

Everyone, the main point of my post was to try and find out if there's something that all ADs have that would prove them to be an AD. Does such "credential" exist?

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by Sose

Oh and if these places suffered a disaster that destroys their infrastructure (think, earthquake knocking cell towers, floods disrupting power to said towers) then I won't have access ofr a bit.

Granted, I'll be busy and won't be thinking of watches at all - but if and when I get downtime, and am close to an "AD", I'd like to know it's real without relying on technology.

I know it sounds extreme - and it is, but it has happened before. :/

[Ski Dweller]

The Rolex website has a dealer locator.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Sose

Renato, valid point.

Everyone, the main point of my post was to try and find out if there's something that all ADs have that would prove them to be an AD. Does such "credential" exist?

What part of YES are you having a hard time understanding?

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Sose

No I'm not the Rolex police and I do not buy high end watches often.

[Lion]

As already stated why not just check Rolex's website for confirmation. And if you can't then I doubt that particular store is going to have any amazingly cheap price!!!

[witch watch]

Originally Posted by MonBK

What part of YES are you having a hard time understanding?

Ok , ok so i think he gets this, but he has a valid point(even if it seems dumb) you talk of knowing they have proof that they are authorised yet can't say just what this proof actually is. Do you actually know what the proof is or are you just going to say check the website?

[Jocke]

Just ask if the No Date Sub still have lug holes, if he don't have a clue he is a genuine AD.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Just ask if the No Date Sub still have lug holes, if he don't have a clue he is a genuine AD.

Perfect!

[GED]

Originally Posted by TopNotchChach

Rolex.com

That's where I found my AD. There's a large chain that is an AD plus two other AD jewelers in my area-providing quite a selection.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by witch watch

Ok , ok so i think he gets this, but he has a valid point(even if it seems dumb) you talk of knowing they have proof that they are authorised yet can't say just what this proof actually is. Do you actually know what the proof is or are you just going to say check the website?

Of course he has a point with this question and I think I was the first to acknowledge it.

And yes I do know what the proof is.
They usually have signs all over the store saying "Authorized dealer" and certificates on the walls.
If you don't see any then just ask them.

[Andrés G]

Originally Posted by Sose

Oh and if these places suffered a disaster that destroys their infrastructure (think, earthquake knocking cell towers, floods disrupting power to said towers) then I won't have access ofr a bit.

Granted, I'll be busy and won't be thinking of watches at all - but if and when I get downtime, and am close to an "AD", I'd like to know it's real without relying on technology.

I know it sounds extreme - and it is, but it has happened before. :/

If the place has been flooded and the energy disrupted, my guess is that the store won´t be open.

[cheeky-m]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=156634

I think you need to ask the question here

[Expatbob]

Originally Posted by Ski Dweller

The Rolex website has a dealer locator.

I've only been able to check ADs in the UK via the website. How do I check for ADs in Hong Kong or China (where I'm based) for example? The website defaults to UK, and I can't see any option to change location - even trying to edit the web address doesn't work.

EDIT (AGAIN) - the worldwide presence, via the country drop down menu, page only shows Service Centres globally - click on "Buying a Rolex" and it goes back to UK. Can select country for service, but not for finding an AD??

[sub2004]

My humble 2 cents:

1. The gentleman who stated as a fact about Hour Glass is treading on thin ice. Hour Glass is one of the most respected AD's in Australia/Asia. The statement may be defamatory.

2. The OP: are you suggesting that you are willing to spend thousands of dollars on a rolex but not willing to pop into a net cafe and spend five bucks to go to the official website beforehand if you are not sure about dealer status?

3. If you are not sure about authorised dealer status, by all means try on the watches but just dont buy. Buying should be in 100% confidence.

4. If it helps, in my part of the world, only AD's have "tax free" status for overseas shoppers. Fakes, second hand used dealers don't get the coveted right to sell tax free here or to send a swiss watch to the airport duty fre lounge for pick-up.

[rolexsubdate]

If he gives you that "You can't even afford a g-shock" look, then it is a Rolex AD for sure...

[Scunner]

Ask politely to use the vendors phone, phone Rolex UK and ask for confirmation? I have used an AD's phone to check against the STOLEN/LOST Register. If they are an AD they won't bat an eyelid at you conducting checks.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Sose

. . .
Everyone, the main point of my post was to try and find out if there's something that all ADs have that would prove them to be an AD. Does such "credential" exist?

I suppose that if a shady operation intended to deceive a potential buyer they would have counterfeit "credentials" and Rolex displays as well...

Fraud is a crime though, whether it's impersonating a valid licensed Trademark product vendor or any other crime...

I can't really imagine such a place being in business for very long except in the most corrupt of locales........

[snowbird]

Originally Posted by Expatbob

I've only been able to check ADs in the UK via the website. How do I check for ADs in Hong Kong or China (where I'm based) for example? The website defaults to UK, and I can't see any option to change location - even trying to edit the web address doesn't work.

EDIT (AGAIN) - the worldwide presence, via the country drop down menu, page only shows Service Centres globally - click on "Buying a Rolex" and it goes back to UK. Can select country for service, but not for finding an AD??

You are correct - rolex. com only allows you to look for ADs in your country. And if you're connecting via VPN with an IP address in your home country, you can't check for ADs even if you are currently in the country you want to search . . . rolex.com will still only show ADs in your home country. If you're connecting via a UK IP address for example, it will only show UK ADs even if you are actually in Hong Kong. You have to use a local connection e.g. at the hotel business center, not your computer and VPN.

They don't make it easy to find ADs outside your home country!

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by padi56

have you any proof on that above statement or is it just hearsay or internet talk.?????

x2

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by rolexsweep

IMO i wouldn't buy watches in a area i know that are black/grey area of business, i dont want to name countries or organisations involved but i know for a fact that even if you buy of an official AD(like hourglass), they still F with your watch, for example they sell you a real rolex box papers, plastics you name it... but they change the movement with another movement.

This is the dumbest statement I came across TRF. Hourglass wouldn't even need be bothered with swapping out movements and replacing it with something else. Thats too much for their reputation to be at stake.

[redwolfoz]

Originally Posted by rolexsweep

IMO i wouldn't buy watches in a area i know that are black/grey area of business, i dont want to name countries or organisations involved but i know for a fact that even if you buy of an official AD(like hourglass), they still F with your watch, for example they sell you a real rolex box papers, plastics you name it... but they change the movement with another movement.

I'm curious to know what went on here.

I have noticed a massive drop in service since they did the store refit, but have no idea if they're under new ownership. The staff certainly don't look the same.

My first visit to the Sydney Hour Glass store I spoke to a polite knowledgeable salesman. Very pleasant to deal with, knew his stuff.

My last visit the salesman was a very cure Asian girl who was as dumb as a post and knew nothing about anything in the store. I'd asked for a specific item and she cheerfully showed me something completely different. On top of that I was shadowed by a second sales guy. No idea if he was watching me or the dumb girl, but he was really hovery and annoying.

Underwhelmed by the experience, but it was nothing like the rude arseholes around the corner at Swiss Concept. I received a follow up call from one of their salesmen who not only outright lied, but screamed abuse at me. Nice way of doing business.

[kkwn98]

Originally Posted by Atomant

This is the dumbest statement I came across TRF. Hourglass wouldn't even need be bothered with swapping out movements and replacing it with something else. Thats too much for their reputation to be at stake.

It's not just dumb. It's downright idiotic. Absent proof, statements like that are libellous and actionable.

[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by rolexsweep

IMO i wouldn't buy watches in a area i know that are black/grey area of business, i dont want to name countries or organisations involved but i know for a fact that even if you buy of an official AD(like hourglass), they still F with your watch, for example they sell you a real rolex box papers, plastics you name it... but they change the movement with another movement.

I do not get it
Why would they want to change the movement with another movement .?..

[SWIMPRUF]

I think Rolex website has the list of AD's.

[Expatbob]

Originally Posted by snowbird

You are correct - rolex. com only allows you to look for ADs in your country. And if you're connecting via VPN with an IP address in your home country, you can't check for ADs even if you are currently in the country you want to search . . . rolex.com will still only show ADs in your home country. If you're connecting via a UK IP address for example, it will only show UK ADs even if you are actually in Hong Kong. You have to use a local connection e.g. at the hotel business center, not your computer and VPN.

They don't make it easy to find ADs outside your home country!

Thanks! That answers that - just wanted to check I was being stoopid with all this talk about just checking the website for a list of ADs... Not very helpful, but guess I know why they do it...

[casadecamporolex]

There is no official document that comes from Rolex stating an "Official Retail Jeweler" status.
If you are that worried, ask to see an invoice from Rolex sent to this dealer. Only an AD could produce such a document.

[oldman2005]

Originally Posted by rolexsweep

I i know for a fact that even if you buy of an official AD(like hourglass), they still F with your watch, for example they sell you a real rolex box papers, plastics you name it... but they change the movement with another movement.

I hope you're intelligent enough to have fact to back up your claim, you have just opened yourself up to possible law suite from Rolex or the AD. Care to share your evidences?