What happens to Exhibition Only watches?

[BETRNSX]

I was wondering what ever happens to watches that are on display as exhibition only? I’m assuming they don’t get sold, certainly not as new? Maybe they hit the preowned market now that Rolex has that?

[Actor07]

I have heard on another thread that the AD may sell a particular Exhibition Model that has been on display for a certain number of months if there is sufficient inventory with a similar model. And the Exhibition Model would be sold as new at MSRP. If the Exhibition Model was around for a number of years, I don't believe it could technically be in the CPO pool since it was never owned.

[Amadd]

At this point all display pieces are live inventory. However AD can’t sell until they have similar model to replace it. Also not all inventory will be on display but same rules apply.


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[davek35]

Last week I spotted the classic 36mm DD, gold dial 128238. Exhibition only. As classic as they come. I mentioned it to the SA. I tried it on. I was told that it would be available in about a month when more inventory came in to replace it.

"Would you like me to contact you?"

I would have said yes 5 years ago (pre retirement). Beautiful watch, though.

[GGGMT]

They get sold


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[derklink]

I visit my AD about once a month and the inventory changes, so I assume they sell (just not to me, haha). Recently, the display case has gotten pretty full with a little bit of everything, including a white dial steel daytona, sprite, starbucks to name a few "hot" pieces.

[Calatrava r]

They are new and are sold as new. They now rotate out as new pieces come in so the required minimum for display is maintained. With the current market, some new Rolex buyers seem to forget, that at one time, all Rolex watches were "exhibition" watches as they sat in the cases until sold and were handled every day by lookers and prospective purchasers.

[sgt10p]

You'd buy a car from a show room that people had sat in so why not a watch?

[Jackie Daytona]

They are sold. My SA acquired and bought one where he works and wears it frequently.

[Henrimontgomery]

Many of them are fake with no caliber. Those I guess just get sent back to the mothership when they are discontinued.

[JSolution]

They display them for several weeks then give them to the owner is the understanding of where I shop

[brandrea]

They melt them down and turn them into jewelry





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[karleone]

They all get sold or they are already sold

[cdmorenot]

I'm not sure if this is true in every market but in my market and my AD (only one in the city) every exhibition piece has already been sold or will be sold. They're kept on display until they get a replacement on the next shipment or they can fill the empty display with something else.

I currently own two of these "exhibition" pieces.

[KatGirl]

When each AD gets his delivery, Rolex has already been paid in full for the inventory. Those watches are then owned by the AD, and every one of them will eventually be sold. By contract, each AD must keep a certain amount on display, at all times. That number is determined by the AD’s tier status. At my AD, they switch out display pieces every 3 months. At that time, the former display pieces go to clients who’ve been waiting for that model. So, same as it used to be back in the day, with a twist. The watches are fully stickered, until sold, so protected from harm. When you get “the call”, you have no way of knowing whether your watch has been on display, and tried on numerous times, before you go to collect it. You can ask, but likely won’t be given a straight answer. It’s also worth noting that the ADs don’t allow just anyone who wants to, to try on the watches. Potential customers are vetted first, before being allowed to touch the watches.

Kat


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[996marty]

They sell them

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by 996marty

They sell them

Yes, because they are not “exhibition only”, just used in that capacity for a short time. I own at least one.

Kat


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[Osmin]

And for the 10-20 exhibition pieces in the window are 100+ pieces in the vault

[Actor07]

Originally Posted by katgirl

yes, because they are not “exhibition only”, just used in that capacity for a short time. I own at least one.

Kat


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+1

[Actor07]

Originally Posted by sgt10p

You'd buy a car from a show room that people had sat in so why not a watch?

Exactly!!!!!!!!!

[jb335]

Originally Posted by Osmin

And for the 10-20 exhibition pieces in the window are 100+ pieces in the vault

lol, over a hundred watches sitting in the vault?! That’s probably over a million dollars in inventory. Why would they be sitting on so much at one time?


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

Many of them are fake with no caliber. Those I guess just get sent back to the mothership when they are discontinued.

Not for quite a while. Exhibition pieces are fully working watches that are put on display for a few months, then sold as new. No dummy watches anymore.

Kat


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[bucky17]

My AD recently told me that all of the exhibition pieces will be sold in the coming weeks. As they rotate their display case ~1 month, pieces that come off are already allocated to clients waiting. unless I am wrong, you should not be concerned of any scratches or wear as they are handled by AD and are completely sticked.

[richardlo]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

When each AD gets his delivery, Rolex has already been paid in full for the inventory. Those watches are then owned by the AD, and every one of them will eventually be sold. By contract, each AD must keep a certain amount on display, at all times. That number is determined by the AD’s tier status. At my AD, they switch out display pieces every 3 months. At that time, the former display pieces go to clients who’ve been waiting for that model. So, same as it used to be back in the day, with a twist. The watches are fully stickered, until sold, so protected from harm. When you get “the call”, you have no way of knowing whether your watch has been on display, and tried on numerous times, before you go to collect it. You can ask, but likely won’t be given a straight answer. It’s also worth noting that the ADs don’t allow just anyone who wants to, to try on the watches. Potential customers are vetted first, before being allowed to touch the watches.

Kat


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This explains a lot. Once went to an AD and they pulled a watch out of a styrofoam casing. I thought that was odd presentation but I guess they were implying it was never touched before me.

[BigPapiDoesItAgain]

I'm with Kat - believe this definitely to be the process including the Root Beer I got back in January and the GRNR my brother got last month. Both watches were pristine and fully stickered at delivery, but I'm pretty sure the CHNR I got was the one I tried on when I got a call to ask if I was interested in one. I wish I had looked at the SN enough to remember the first three characters or so to confirm this

[Schmed]

I was in my AD and looking at exhibition watches while buying my FXD Tudor. At the other counter, a salesperson was opening the packages that just came in. About 15 watches. I asked "oooh - what do you have there?" She says "oh... these are just exhibition watches"

Now.... I was born at night, but not last night. I think they are using "exhibition only" watches as a way to keep us all from begging. I think they are getting way more watches than they are letting us believe!

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by BigPapiDoesItAgain

I'm with Kat - believe this definitely to be the process including the Root Beer I got back in January and the GRNR my brother got last month. Both watches were pristine and fully stickered at delivery, but I'm pretty sure the CHNR I got was the one I tried on when I got a call to ask if I was interested in one. I wish I had looked at the SN enough to remember the first three characters or so to confirm this

I took a pic of myself trying on my Wimbledon in November, and bought it in February. I had a feeling it was the exact watch I had tried on. My pic was at such an angle, that I could read the serial number, and it WAS the same watch. Having said that, it was perfect. Also, I own the exact watch I initially loved. No harm, no foul!

Kat


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[Fleetlord]

I saw white and black dial SS Daytonas on display the other day at Mayors.

Now why those would be sitting in the case and not on a VVIP wrist, I have no idea.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

I saw white and black dial SS Daytonas on display the other day at Mayors.

Now why those would be sitting in the case and not on a VVIP wrist, I have no idea.

That’s wild. I’ve been in at least a dozen (probably double) different ADs all over the world since the exhibition models started and I have never seen a steel Daytona as an exhibition model. TT all the time and some PM but never a SS.


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

I saw white and black dial SS Daytonas on display the other day at Mayors.

Now why those would be sitting in the case and not on a VVIP wrist, I have no idea.

I guarantee that they already have specific owners, just waiting for them to complete their exhibition duties.

Kat


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