ROLEX and OMEGA under the same roof!!

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

How many of you out there have your Rolex ADs also stocking OMEGAs under the same roof?

My main AD here does, but there's another smaller AD out there who was quite categorically told to lose the OMEGA brand if he wanted to carry on with the ROLEX one.

How far is this true and can anyone confirm this? Do Rolex feel threatened by competition from OMEGA?

Your comments and thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks - JJ

[mike]

JJ, I've not heard this in my area. There are two large ADs here. One carries Rolex and Omega, one does not.
The one that carries only Rolex also carries Panerai and PP.
I have read reports on other forums about Omega threating to curtail support to ADs that do not carry other upscale brands--Rolex being mentioned. I have no idea if that's true or not though.

[C.J.]

My AD doesn't now, but they did a short time ago. When I asked why they dumped Omega, they just said they didn't move very well. There are a couple in the Casinos that stock both though

[Ravens35]

Most of the Rolex ADs out my way also carry Omega. I do know of a couple high end jewelers in my area (one which I do quite a bit of business with) who have stopped carrying Rolex due to their ridiculous inventory demands and strict discounting policy. One of those same jewelers turned down an opportunity to carry Panerai due to the huge up front investment and the lack of inventory to make a profit.

From what I've been told there is a tremendous amount of profit in Jewelery, but not so much in watches. Look at David Yurman pieces. My wife has developed quite the passion for his pieces. The problem is that it is all basically sterling silver with semi-precious stones, and it is priced through the roof. The most I have ever been able to get discounted on any new release Yurman piece is 15% and that is because I know someone in the business. Some of the older classic pieces I can get more, but most places are strictly MSRP.

[Spencer]

One of the larger watch retailers here in the states, TOURNEAU, (they suck $hit by the way) carries both Rolex and Omega.

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by Spencer

One of the larger watch retailers here in the states, TOURNEAU, (they suck $hit by the way) carries both Rolex and Omega.

Couldn't agree more But the tourneau here only sells used Rolex And yes, at ridiculous prices

[Spark]

Hi Guys,
I've heard Omega have dumped long standing AD's for no reason at all or at least treatened to, but nothing regarding Rolex.
Most AD's here in the UK carry at least one other top brand some of the large city centre dealers have the whole lot Rolex, Omega, Tag, Breitling, Vacheron, Audermars, Patek Etc.........

[roadcarver]

There's a place in TO called "LaSwiss" and they apparently stopped carrying Omega as well.

Buth they sell other watches including Rolex and Breitlings.

Originally Posted by Spark

Hi Guys,
I've heard Omega have dumped long standing AD's for no reason at all or at least treatened to, but nothing regarding Rolex.
Most AD's here in the UK carry at least one other top brand some of the large city centre dealers have the whole lot Rolex, Omega, Tag, Breitling, Vacheron, Audermars, Patek Etc.........

Originally Posted by roadcarver

There's a place in TO called "LaSwiss" and they apparently stopped carrying Omega as well.

Buth they sell other watches including Rolex and Breitlings.

I think you will find that La Swiss is not a Rolex AD any longer, although they may have some stock left from when they were an AD.

[gforce]

My AD here in LAs Vegas carries both. I was looking at them the other day.

[Ravens35]

One thing that bothers me about Omega is that they are carried in some pretty cheesy national chain stores. Another thing that really bothers me is the fact that they have pretty much bought their way into the James Bond Franchise. I was hoping to see Bond sporting another Rolex in the upcoming "Casino Royale", but I saw an Omega poster the other day with the new guy sporting a Seamaster.

[karwath]

I recently wanted to look at some Omega watches and found that the two Omega ADs in my city that I knew about (one of which is also a Rolex AD), both no longer carry Omega, and that there is now not a single Omega AD in my city w/pop. of 1 million+.

I asked one of the former ADs what happened, and they said they had "service" issues.

I suspect that atleast one of the reasons might be that Omega is being sold via so many on-line discounters it does not make sense to be an AD for Omega since most of the time the customer might shop your store to look at, handle the watches, but buy on-line for less especially gray market items, and then you as the AD get to be the guy who explains why there is no warranty for the Omega watch, etc.

[Islander]

Yes, my local AD on the Island stocks both, but with much better choice of Rolex (and much better turn-over of stock it seems).

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by karwath

I recently wanted to look at some Omega watches and found that the two Omega ADs in my city that I knew about (one of which is also a Rolex AD), both no longer carry Omega, and that there is now not a single Omega AD in my city w/pop. of 1 million+.

I asked one of the former ADs what happened, and they said they had "service" issues.

I suspect that atleast one of the reasons might be that Omega is being sold via so many on-line discounters it does not make sense to be an AD for Omega since most of the time the customer might shop your store to look at, handle the watches, but buy on-line for less especially gray market items, and then you as the AD get to be the guy who explains why there is no warranty for the Omega watch, etc.

Good post, Karwath. Yes, Omega watches can be had at fabulous discounts from reliable sellers on line.

On the plus side, OMEGAs (IMHO) are not as much replicated as Rolex....so you're safer off buying an OMEGA on line. Chances of getting a fake are not as common as with Rolex.

Just my thought.

JJ

[topher]

My AD sells Rolex and some other upscale brands, but no Omega.

[gforce]

whats wrong with Omega?

I wanted to buy my Smut101 artist one as a present cause his nickname is "Omega"
is it a bad watch?

[Otis]

Originally Posted by gforce

whats wrong with Omega?

I wanted to buy my Smut101 artist one as a present cause his nickname is "Omega"
is it a bad watch?

Sweet jesus no!
They are not considered as prestigious as rolex and others, but still make a damn fine watch IMO. Some of their pieces have a lot of history behind them too.

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by Otis

Sweet jesus no!
They are not considered as prestigious as rolex and others, but still make a damn fine watch IMO. Some of their pieces have a lot of history behind them too.

Hell yeah It really is a great watch

[mike]

Originally Posted by gforce

whats wrong with Omega?

I wanted to buy my Smut101 artist one as a present cause his nickname is "Omega"
is it a bad watch?

Not hardly. This models been around the block.

[kakalika]

My AD stocks Omega as well.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by gforce

whats wrong with Omega?

I wanted to buy my Smut101 artist one as a present cause his nickname is "Omega"
is it a bad watch?

Nothing wrong with Omegas, Gabe. They just don't have the cachet and prestige of Rolex or some other high end brands. But the quality of the watches is excellent. You wouldn't go wrong getting him an Omega.

[TARDIS]

Hey JJ,
There is a big AD in Surfers Paradise and he sells Rolex, Omega, Breitling, GP, and PP all in the same shop! I watched the girl one morning putting all the display watches in the windows. It took her about 20 minutes! They have a LOT of stock in display cabinets inside as well. No Jewellery, just watches.

They have electronic security, CCTV and a large uniformed guy posted near the door.

They are on of several stores using the same name in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney as well as HK.

I can't see either Rolex or Omega here getting fussy about wanting the place for themselves. There's just not the market here. This shops main customers are Asian tourists, a few local silvertails and the occasional WIS. The shop opposite specializes in ONLY Cartier watches and other Cartier stuff.

Steve

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by TARDIS

I watched the girl one morning putting all the display watches in the windows. It took her about 20 minutes!

You lucky bugger, Steve!! 20 minutes of cleavage ogling!!

[amanda]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

You lucky bugger, Steve!! 20 minutes of cleavage ogling!!

Pervert

[TARDIS]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

You lucky bugger, Steve!! 20 minutes of cleavage ogling!!

No JJ, she wasn't like that. I think she was a back-up for the security guy

Anyone thinking of stealing from that shop ...FUGHEDDABOUDITT!

Steve

[gforce]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Nothing wrong with Omegas, Gabe. They just don't have the cachet and prestige of Rolex or some other high end brands. But the quality of the watches is excellent. You wouldn't go wrong getting him an Omega.

Cool, thanx. i was worried for a second. Im sure he'll like a Omega watch..

cause i sure as hell cant afford to give him a Rolex..

[haakon59]

I have not seen this in my area (Seattle, WA) and there are at least 3 larger dealers here that carry both brands (and other smaller stores as well). However, I have recently heard that Omega is being more selective about their dealers. My impression is that they are eliminating dealers who are giving big discounts but this is hearsay, so you'll have to treat it as such. But I have heard of a small number of Omega dealers losing their Omega dealership here in the U.S. Omega management was interviewed in one of the watch magazines a few months ago (InSync maybe?) and they said they were keen on beating Rolex in number of watches produced (and presumable sold) this year especially in the US market. Also, they are moving towards having most of their lines use a co-axial movement and they seem to be raising prices on those around $800-$1000. They might start policing pricing by their AD's to try and raise the prestige level of Omega to that of Rolex. They also said they were going to boost advertising in the US. So I think Omega is making their move this year.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by haakon59

I have not seen this in my area (Seattle, WA) and there are at least 3 larger dealers here that carry both brands (and other smaller stores as well). However, I have recently heard that Omega is being more selective about their dealers. My impression is that they are eliminating dealers who are giving big discounts but this is hearsay, so you'll have to treat it as such. But I have heard of a small number of Omega dealers losing their Omega dealership here in the U.S. Omega management was interviewed in one of the watch magazines a few months ago (InSync maybe?) and they said they were keen on beating Rolex in number of watches produced (and presumable sold) this year especially in the US market. Also, they are moving towards having most of their lines use a co-axial movement and they seem to be raising prices on those around $800-$1000. They might start policing pricing by their AD's to try and raise the prestige level of Omega to that of Rolex. They also said they were going to boost advertising in the US. So I think Omega is making their move this year.

Very interesting as well as intriguing post, Haakon!!

OMEGA might find competing with Rolex real tough if they raise their prices to Rolex levels. Given the choice between a pricey Omega and a Rolex in the same price range, the automatic choice would be Rolex.

The massive discounts offered by brands like OMEGA, TAG, Breitling, Oris and such are tempting to the "middle-class" group of buyers who would shy away from very high prices and little discounts offered by Rolex.

While Rolex still sells, you must remember that the medium-priced range out there sells like hell....and, in all fairness, they do make damn good watches with top class, very dependable and accurate ETA movements.

So really, at the end of the day, there are those who are prepared to pay top dollar for brands like Rolex and Panerai......but, at the same time, there are quite a few out there who would be more than content with owning a reputed brand like the ones I've mentioned above and still be happy in the knowledge that they have on their wrist one of the finest Swiss timepieces with a name that is recognised world-wide.

JJ

[Rodentman]

One local AD has both, another AD had Omega but dropped the line a few years ago.

[Launch Mini]

My AD does not carry Omega, but he local mall has an Omega dealer. The store is pretty pathetic. I went in wearing one of My Panerai's, the sales lady asks to look at it and had no idea about the company