New Watch - factual AD experience...

[Lol-x]

I got my first Rolex from and AD in a decade.
It was a long wait but after I changed my preference from a SS Daytona to an SS Explorer, I finally got one!

EXPLORER-15-6-24.jpg

Overall it was a very pleasant experience.
I really like the large dial on the 40mm version.
The watch dial/hands are well proportioned and legibility is fantastic. The lume on the hands is excellent but the lume on the dial appears to only have approximately 50% the luminosity of the hands.

I was told that all factory stickers had to be removed as directed by Rolex.

I asked if I could have a bezel protector, unfortunately by direction of Rolex that is not permitted.

I asked if I could have the white hang tag, but Rolex has directed to no longer permit the customers to have the white hang tag.

I enquired as to whether I would be able to have the outer sleeve to keep the lid on the outer box secure but again Rolex has directed authorised dealers not to provide the outer sleeve to customers.

I had to produce photo identification which was photographed with the warranty card. I was concerned that this would be given to Rolex or some other third party. I was assured that the photograph would not be given to Rolex. Nevertheless, I felt that this was somewhat an invasion of privacy but I will just have to trust the AD on that one.

But on the plus side the watch is wearing great and I'm humbly grateful for being dained worthy to be a customer.

Its a little sad that Rolex seems to want to take away the little bits and bobs which were given without a second thought in days gone by, but such is the way of the world.

[Marcjvr]

Nice watch

It’s not Rolex insisting on all those petty rules it’s your AD (while trying to blame it on Rolex)

[Joearch]

Congratulations Steve on the Explorer. How is it that the proprietor of THE ROLEX FORUM could be treated in such a poor manner. They should be giving you the watches. I would wager TRF drives thousands of Rolex sales a year…..easily. Enjoy your Explorer

[Jackie Daytona]

Congratulations on the watch! Unfortunate the steps these days, but congrats on the watch none the less.

[Easy Rhino]

That is a classic Rolex and has enduring style and appeal. Congrats!

[EagleBear]

Congratulations Steve on a great addition, it is a bit sad when you really can’t get everything you actually seem to pay for. You should have just for fun, when asked for your ID said “Unfortunately by direction of Wife that is not longer permitted.” And just smile. :) lol that would have been priceless! A sweet timepiece you have there Steve, enjoy that beauty.

[brandrea]

Congratulations Steve, fantastic reference and I truly hope you enjoy it in the best of health

[Easy E]

Congratulations, very nice looking watch. They’re probably going to start asking for finger print cards soon….

[Yobber76]

Congratulations, Steve!!

[Pboned]

Congrats Steve!

[Littlelad2]

Congratulations on the new watch. You obviously have very good taste, as I picked up the same model on Monday.

I didn't get the stickers or the bezel protector ( I didn't even see those), but I did get everything else you mentioned. So, as someone said above, it might be an AD or a region thing. Someone else posted a similar experience to you in another thread, and I believe they were Canada based.

Sent from my SM-S926B using Tapatalk

[bluestreak]

I bought a Rolex a week ago and got all the things you mention. So it’s not Rolex insisting on these things.
Congrats on the watch. It looks good.

[Lol-x]

Thanks guys, I'll just focus on enjoying the watch to the maximum...

The watch is really all that counts.

[ZOOK]

Congratulations Steve. Fantastic watch.

[hartsy]

Beautiful watch, congrats!

[CarlOver]

Great watch. My experiences have been very different from yours. Enjoy the watch.

[Pepperjack]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

I bought a Rolex a week ago and got all the things you mention. So it’s not Rolex insisting on these things.

I don't deal with the sales side of the business at my store, so I'm not 100% familiar with every mandate from Rolex concerning what a customer is and is not supposed to receive. I am positive, however, that bezel protectors and stickers are not included in the purchase and are to be removed. I believe box sleeves and white tags are also not supposed to be given to the customer.

The different experiences can come down to a few things. Rolex makes and updates a lot of policies and has difficulty communicating them effectively to every store. That store then has to communicate those to the managers and sales associates. Those employees then have to choose to implement those policies. I can say from experience that some employees don't understand the policies and behave under the policies as they understand them. Employees can also disagree with the policies and behave accordingly. Whatever Rolex wants to insist on, a sales associate will have the opportunity to disobey.

[Bazil]

Only thing I’d say is such a shame you couldn’t have got a Daytona, you have however got a lovely watch so congratulations for that ..
I got no little bits n bobs when I picked my 126519 up, cut backs I assume, had asked for a magazine or book but nothing doing..
You certainly waited long enough .. enjoy ..

[john18inch]

Very nice piece, congratulations! Yeah, I asked if I could keep all the stickers too when I bought a DJ a few weeks ago, said it was a graduation gift, but AD said they had to remove all the stickers except for the case back. But I did the bezel cover, white little hangtag, and everything else plus a brown Rolex glove and catalog.

[watchwatcher]

Great watch. Congrats!

[RichM]

Very nice! Congratulations Steve.

[rmagoo57]

Congrats on your new Explorer!

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Nice watch

It’s not Rolex insisting on all those petty rules it’s your AD (while trying to blame it on Rolex)

Congratulations that’s a very nice model for sure. I got the tt not long ago.

That’s right. I’ve purchased several recently and all those items were included.

[Tools]

Good looking watch.

Hard to believe that "Rolex" dictates that Dealers cannot provide throw-away packing materials.

[JRell]

Congrats - might be the most perfect straightforward watch out there.
So clean.

[JRell]

Per the AD directions:

I was told that all factory stickers had to be removed as directed by Rolex. Yes this is a thing.

I asked if I could have a bezel protector, unfortunately by direction of Rolex that is not permitted. This is not a Rolex thing, no reason they didn’t give it to you.

I asked if I could have the white hang tag, but Rolex has directed to no longer permit the customers to have the white hang tag. This is not a thing, they should have given it to you.

I enquired as to whether I would be able to have the outer sleeve to keep the lid on the outer box secure but again Rolex has directed authorised dealers not to provide the outer sleeve to customers. This is the worst one! No way they shouldn’t have given it to you.

It sounds like the AD is selling the extras online.

[Gearjockey]

That’s a nice watch!

I can’t believe they scrOOd you out of a FULL SET by not including white tag! Could be devaluing your watch by hundreds if not K’s...

JK

[www777]

What does the AD do with your picture and drivers license info?

[DVR]

Originally Posted by JRell

Per the AD directions:

I was told that all factory stickers had to be removed as directed by Rolex. Yes this is a thing.

I asked if I could have a bezel protector, unfortunately by direction of Rolex that is not permitted. This is not a Rolex thing, no reason they didn’t give it to you.

I asked if I could have the white hang tag, but Rolex has directed to no longer permit the customers to have the white hang tag. This is not a thing, they should have given it to you.

I enquired as to whether I would be able to have the outer sleeve to keep the lid on the outer box secure but again Rolex has directed authorised dealers not to provide the outer sleeve to customers. This is the worst one! No way they shouldn’t have given it to you.

It sounds like the AD is selling the extras online.

I have a very pleasant relationship with my AD, been a loyal customer since 1999. What the OP describes is in fact Rolex policy.
Frankly, who cares, it's about the watch, not some stickers or cardboard.

Steve, enjoy the watch

[JRell]

Originally Posted by DVR

I have a very pleasant relationship with my AD, been a loyal customer since 1999. What the OP describes is in fact Rolex policy.
Frankly, who cares, it's about the watch, not some stickers or cardboard.

Steve, enjoy the watch

I have bought 14 modern Rolex’s from 3 different dealers, never heard of that. Just got one last week. I wouldn’t like it one bit, I bought the watch I should get everything included. OP I wouldn’t let it ruin your experience, but you offered the info and was suggesting it is strange, other than the stickers. Maybe for some reason it is different in the states? Who knows.