Anecdote about Buildouts

[ArtNouveau]

There’s been several threads lately where it’s been said that an AD has had their Rolex franchise pulled while they work on a brand required buildout. Most people including myself cast doubt on that as we had experienced dealers who kept their inventory going while construction was ongoing.
Well…my local AD just finished a major Reno just a couple days before Christmas, I had a tour a couple weeks ago. When I say major I am not exaggerating, they literally doubled the size of their store taking over the other half of a free standing building when the other tenant moved out. They did large scale buildouts for Rolex and Tudor and will also be adding Omega in its own section in the next few months.
My SA said they opted for the largest Rolex section offered other than having a separate door from the store. It literally takes up one entire wall starting with small display windows and a large walk around counter island. Further back is a seating area with more displays then a private presentation room. He says that with this upgrade their tier has risen requiring more exhibition watches and receiving more inventory. The Tudor section is also the biggest I’ve seen inside a store, its own open door room and some brand paraphernalia on display.
Now for the unsolicited information thrown out. Their Rolex rep told them the new rule for 2025 is no dealer status or watch deliveries to any AD with an ongoing buildout until they are finished.
Had they not scrambled to get into their new space before the new year, they would have been effectively cut off into they were. Believe what you want but the way this was presented to me, I totally believe this is the current RolexUSA policy.

[Duke Nukem]

Eiseman Jewels in Dallas is undergoing a major renovation in North Park mall and they are still receiving inventory and listed as an AD. They’re even in a temporary suite in the mall with plain sheet rock plastered up. Not a very clean presentation either and just a short distance away from the Dallas RSC.

I’m sorry but this is inaccurate and another one of “my AD said..” threads.

I can provide a list of other ADs currently undergoing renovations in the states next week, and that are still listed on the site as ADs and receiving inventory (business as usual).

I’m sure others will chime in beforehand with what’s going on with their local ADs undergoing construction that are still listed and selling inventory.

[ArtNouveau]

I didn’t post this to argue. My older AD had to move out when their suite flooded some years ago and they too worked from a temporary space elsewhere in the mall.
The AD described in my post was also in a temporary space 1/3 the size of their previous store and Rolex and Tudor had one small counter each. The renovation took almost six months.
All I can say is the SA told me that without me asking any questions. Weird “my AD said “ thing to make up just to make conversation especially when the cases were full.

[Amadd]

I can confirm OP post. Local Ad is going through major renovations and aren’t getting watches until March when they finish it.

Now when they open it they said they will have lots of inventory in for those waiting.


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[Aman08]

I know this store well. Visited in November and was told the exact same. They seemed excited to also be adding Omega. The build out was needed to stay in front of some of the Rolex demands for ADs. I spoke to a different AD and they said the same. They are going to be starting a build out and it all had to be approved by Rolex standards. The ads are truly at the mercy of Rolex. I wonder what the future holds for the smaller town ADs that have small Rolex area and no space for a buildout.

[SVH]

Thanks for sharing. interesting to hear confirmation from a number of people - the same story in several jurisdictions

[Dave O]

My AD is just starting their renovation. Construction won't be completed until late this year. They are moving to a temporary location, are still listed as a Rolex AD and to my knowledge are still be receiving Rolex watches.

[Bxtek]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Your local AD's redone spot sounds amazing! It seems that there are lots of AD's having renovations done recently and currently. Rolex seems to really want to change things up and give the customer a "next level" experience. I say that because each of these new renovations are truly impressive when completed.

With that said, my local AD has also just started a renovation. Their store was pretty impressive already, so I am excited to see what it's like when their done. During construction, they actually have temporarily moved to a new location a couple of blocks around the corner. I believe they will still be carrying Rolex during this time as well.

[Krash]

Mayors in Jacksonville lost AD status while undergoing a major renovation. So, it looks like some ADs do indeed lose their status temporarily. There must be some sort of criteria.


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[brandrea]

When my AD did an entirely new build out, they leased a brand new space for it while operating out of the existing space.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by brandrea

When my AD did an entirely new build out, they leased a brand new space for it while operating out of the existing space.

This is in one of those new wave “outdoor mall” type settings. Mix of higher end retail, restaurants, and some office space.

[hutch300]

So maybe all the great ADs who lost status will get it back?

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Your local AD's redone spot sounds amazing! It seems that there are lots of AD's having renovations done recently and currently. Rolex seems to really want to change things up and give the customer a "next level" experience. I say that because each of these new renovations are truly impressive when completed.

With that said, my local AD has also just started a renovation. Their store was pretty impressive already, so I am excited to see what it's like when their done. During construction, they actually have temporarily moved to a new location a couple of blocks around the corner. I believe they will still be carrying Rolex during this time as well.

We just might have the same AD.

[Rolexforthewin]

I just returned from an AD that I deal with and they are over doubling their store for the other side to be strictly private rooms for Rolex clients. They're still receiving watches. Build out is to be completed sometime around June 2025.