Is Seattle down to 1 Rolex AD?

[mjwalter80]

This must have been very recent. I was at Goldfarb a day or two before Christmas to get my wife's Reverso serviced and they still had a full Rolex display with quite a few impressive display pieces. It is sad that they lost their AD status as I quite enjoyed working with them.

On a similar note, I was told by a salesperson at Porcellos (jeweler and second had watch seller down the street) that Ben Bridge will also be losing AD status and that there is a Rolex boutique slated to join the Bravern (in that area with LV, Hermes, Prada, Omega, etc). I could see the Bellevue and Lynnwood BB going away but downtown Seattle just built a brand new space that is quite nice. Even if though open a boutique in Bellevue, I would think the Seattle BB store would keep AD status.

[AlyRba]

I have been thinking through it and I feel only 3 Rolex locations in WA may be too less. Even Oregon has 4 ADs.

So I feel only Ben Bridge Bellevue and Alvin Goldfarb will be replaced by Rolex boutique in Bellevue. The other 3 Ben Bridge locations in Seattle, Lynnwood, and Tukwilla will continue to be Rolex ADs for some time.

If Rolex criteria is to be next to other high end brands like Hermes and LV, only Bravern Bellevue in the greater Seattle area makes sense for them. But it means only having 1 boutique for whole of Seattle.

[GABRIEL C.]

I received an email from AG Jewelers on February 3rd confirming Rolex is opening a stand-alone boutique under Bucherer. They wrote:

"A new year brings many changes; I am writing to tell you of a vendor transition at Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler. As of the first of the year, we will no longer be an Official Rolex Jeweler. To that end we will not be able to fulfill the many outstanding requests for Rolex timepieces.

It has been a fantastic seven-decade relationship; one I have fully appreciated. Rolex has been making adjustments to their retail network for many years. Their focus on the Seattle/Bellevue market intensified in 2024, and while we were afforded the opportunity to explore participating in these changes, we mutually decided to end our business relationship. Our understanding is Rolex will be opening a stand-alone boutique under their company owned store, Bucherer, in the future.

Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler continues to carry wonderful watch brands (Breitling, Jaeger LeCoultre, Panerai, Oris, and Tudor) as well as a fantastic collection of jewelry and gems, as well as designers including Roberto Coin and Mikimoto. We will continue to be available to service your timepieces through Rolex as well.

We look forward to being of service.

Steven Goldfarb"

[GABRIEL C.]

I received an email from AG Jewelers on February 3rd confirming Rolex is opening a stand-alone boutique under Bucherer. They wrote:

"A new year brings many changes; I am writing to tell you of a vendor transition at Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler. As of the first of the year, we will no longer be an Official Rolex Jeweler. To that end we will not be able to fulfill the many outstanding requests for Rolex timepieces.

It has been a fantastic seven-decade relationship; one I have fully appreciated. Rolex has been making adjustments to their retail network for many years. Their focus on the Seattle/Bellevue market intensified in 2024, and while we were afforded the opportunity to explore participating in these changes, we mutually decided to end our business relationship. Our understanding is Rolex will be opening a stand-alone boutique under their company owned store, Bucherer, in the future.

Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler continues to carry wonderful watch brands (Breitling, Jaeger LeCoultre, Panerai, Oris, and Tudor) as well as a fantastic collection of jewelry and gems, as well as designers including Roberto Coin and Mikimoto. We will continue to be available to service your timepieces through Rolex as well.

We look forward to being of service.

Steven Goldfarb"

[DaytonaAlan]

I would certainly be traumatized if the Lynnwood Ben Bridge lost Rolex before they did me the massive favor of selling me the Submariner I have been patiently waiting on since 2021. The bottle of vintage wine and box of chocolates I have sitting here waiting to present to my SA to express my thanks and lifelong undying gratitude for blessing me with the opportunity to give them $10,000 is not going to eat and drink itself.

[Texex]

My guess is once Bucherer opens in Bellevue Ben Bridge will loose Rolex in their Bellevue, Lynnwood and Southcenter locations leaving them with only the Flagship store in Seattle selling the brand.

[hutch300]

Originally Posted by Texex

My guess is once Bucherer opens in Bellevue Ben Bridge will loose Rolex in their Bellevue, Lynnwood and Southcenter locations leaving them with only the Flagship store in Seattle selling the brand.

My expectation as well.

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by Texex

My guess is once Bucherer opens in Bellevue Ben Bridge will loose Rolex in their Bellevue, Lynnwood and Southcenter locations leaving them with only the Flagship store in Seattle selling the brand.

My understanding is unlike Bellevue Ben Bridge, staff at Lynnwood and South Center have not been told that they will no longer carry Rolex brand at the end of the year. If they were also losing Rolex, the staff would know, just like Ben Bridge Bellevue staff. So my assumption is that they are safe, at least till now.

Feel if both Lynnwood and South Center locations end the year keeping their Rolex franchise, they will keep it for few more years.

Also, it wouldn’t make sense to have only two point of sales in the whole of WA if Rolex decides to close Ben Bridge Lynnwood and South Center locations. That’s too few for WA. Even Oregon has 4 ADs right now.

Let’s see how the year ends.

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by njlam

Seems strange with all the tech money in Seattle.

Seattle's leadership has ruined the city. Rolex doesn't like to be in places of chaos - don't blame them.