Do the exhibition watches have working movements in them?

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Osmin

Sure, Rolex produces thousands and thousands „exhibition watches“ instead of producing real ones. And then what? They are send back & forth from the ADs to Rolex? All watches here are real, despite the sign “exhibition“. It’s only to prevent they typical walk in „can I buy the watch from the window“ guys

Originally Posted by Phwtch1

That's a lot of money spent for watches that won't be sold eventually.
Anyways, it's a big brand already so that won't mean much.

I've always figured that the non-working ones are eventually sent back, made working, and:

1. Are made available at cost to Rolex employees
2. Are distributed as CPO stock

Another theory I had, that makes sense but there's been no evidence of, is that these are made working, then donated to the Wilsdorf foundation to be sold on secondary market.