Do compaines Customize Rolex's?

[wardman]

Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi Custom Ceramic Blue Dial 116710

I had never searched the combo and this came up.

[EddyG]

Do you mean the 126719BLRO (White Gold)

- https://www.rolex.com/watches/gmt-ma...blro-0003.html

[Cookie88888]

IIRC - if you customise anything on a rolex then rolex would not touch it under warranty.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Cookie88888

IIRC - if you customise anything on a rolex then rolex would not touch it under warranty.

Not exactly; they just will return it to standard configuration!!!

[inadeje]

Rolex provides watches to Artisans de Geneve and advocates their operations. All customized Rolex.

[Likestheshiny]

As noted, there's definitely a stock factory BLRO, although it's white gold not steel. And, yeah, a bunch of companies do custom Rolex work. You'll find a bunch of them just by Googling "custom Rolex." A lot of it is just bejeweling watches, but there are also much more elaborate operations involving meaningful new or modified parts.

[wardman]

So something like this is "kind of" real : https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/gmt-m...09434.htm#gref Sorry if not allowed to post this. But it is the watch I want Rolex to make.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Rolex provides watches to Artisans de Geneve and advocates their operations. All customized Rolex.

Really?
Then why do they have these disclaimers on their website?

"Artisans De Genève is an artisan workshop that does not manufacture or sell watches. Mastering both the aesthetic and technical know-how of fine watchmaking, we are attentive to the needs of demanding owners of timepieces who wish to personalize their watches. Our interventions are always carried out in strict compliance with the watchmaking histories and codes of the brands that have sold the watches that are entrusted to us for personalization. Our services include substantial modifications which are handcrafted. We are neither associated nor affiliated with any watchmaking group. We carry out our work in complete independence and have no direct or indirect relationship with the brands on whose products we work. The brands mentioned on our website are for reference purposes only. Artisans De Genève guarantees the quality of the work and interventions carried out on behalf of its clients on their watches. However, any responsibility towards the owner of the transformed watch and/or third parties is specifically excluded for any use other than for personal and private use by the owner."

"Our priority is to guarantee the proper functioning of the pieces that leave our workshops. The warranty of the original manufacturer is void due to our interventions. We replace it with our own 5 year international warranty."

[77T]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Rolex provides watches to Artisans de Geneve and advocates their operations. All customized Rolex.

Where did you get that opinion?

None of it is true.


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[socalwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Rolex provides watches to Artisans de Geneve and advocates their operations. All customized Rolex.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Rolex provides watches to Artisans de Geneve and advocates their operations. All customized Rolex.

What’s artisans de Geneve?


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[wardman]

still contimplating myself. Straight GMTII with original bracelet. Would the ceramic bezel fit? Wonder if they are coloring or ordering it separately.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Rolex provides watches to Artisans de Geneve and advocates their operations. All customized Rolex.

This is not true and before you post in future make sure of your facts.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by 77T

Where did you get that opinion?

None of it is true.


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My opinion is derived from the legal premise of tacit approval. Under copyright law, when a company turns a blind eye to another’s activities relating specifically to protected trademarks, its deemed as a tacit approval of the underlying activity that is associated. Artisans de Geneve are a bespoke and very well known Rolex customizer, based in Switzerland, and just a stones throw away from Rolex themselves. If any case against customizers was an easy legal outcome for Rolex it would be one in the jurisdiction they are incorporated and their patents/TM originate. On the flip-side, we have this seemingly identical activity in California https://www.pomelowatches.com/featur...acalifornienne on which Rolex frowned. So, while I have no proof that there is an agreement between Artisans de Geneve and Rolex, I conclude that there is at least a gentleman’s pact and tacit agreement, which under the eyes of the law, tacit approval is identical to a formal agreement.

[1665fan]

Rolex are not supposed to be customized....

[77T]

Originally Posted by inadeje

My opinion is derived from the legal premise of tacit approval. Under copyright law, when a company turns a blind eye to another’s activities relating specifically to protected trademarks, its deemed as a tacit approval of the underlying activity that is associated. Artisans de Geneve are a bespoke and very well known Rolex customizer, based in Switzerland, and just a stones throw away from Rolex themselves. If any case against customizers was an easy legal outcome for Rolex it would be one in the jurisdiction they are incorporated and their patents/TM originate. On the flip-side, we have this seemingly identical activity in California https://www.pomelowatches.com/featur...acalifornienne on which Rolex frowned. So, while I have no proof that there is an agreement between Artisans de Geneve and Rolex, I conclude that there is at least a gentleman’s pact and tacit agreement, which under the eyes of the law, tacit approval is identical to a formal agreement.

OK I now understand what you meant.

While it is possible in a theoretical sense, it doesn’t mean Rolex is supplying the customizers.

The reason Rolex doesn’t act on customizers is their own - but I don’t believe they would prevail since nobody could reasonable presume the custom watch was made by Rolex. The World Court might. One to one conclusion in EU, but US courts may come to a different decision. Thus the disparity in action.

On the other hand, Rolex will sue fakers anywhere when they can. That’s because the intent is to make the buyer confuse the replica with the genuine object.




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[Likestheshiny]

My opinion is derived from the legal premise of tacit approval.

If you know enough about the law to write this paragraph, then you know that it's disingenuous to not distinguish between "tacit" approval and formally granting approval, and that neither in a legal sense is comparable to "advocates."

It feels a but like you painted yourself into a corner and grabbed at something to justify your position.

[Alan111]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Rolex are not supposed to be customized....

Here we go.....

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

If you know enough about the law to write this paragraph, then you know that it's disingenuous to not distinguish between "tacit" approval and formally granting approval, and that neither in a legal sense is comparable to "advocates."

It feels a but like you painted yourself into a corner and grabbed at something to justify your position.

Semantics that a jury may reasonably overlook. It couldn’t reasonably be pleaded that Rolex has/had no knowledge of Artisans de Geneve nor that their timepieces are the very foundation of the company’s business. Geographic proximity, notorious brand advocates who are equally as famous as those used by Rolex, widespread Swiss and international marketing, etc. etc. Yeah, I’ve got paint all over the place here

[Likestheshiny]

Semantics that a jury may reasonably overlook. It couldn’t reasonably be pleaded that Rolex has/had no knowledge of Artisans de Geneve nor that their timepieces are the very foundation of the company’s business. Geographic proximity, notorious brand advocates who are equally as famous as those used by Rolex, widespread Swiss and international marketing, etc. etc. Yeah, I’ve got paint all over the place here

Interesting that you went in the direction of a jury. That suggests to me that you're aware of the weakness with the legal argument you made.

In the U.S., at least, Rolex is in no legal position to stop customizers as long as they don't represent the modified watches as coming straight from Rolex. The absence of ineffective legal action is not the same as advocating for something. No judge would make that connection. Would a jury? Frankly, I see a jury as even less likely to buy it, given how far that strains the layman usage of "advocate."

But, if you want to argue that that a jury would conclude Rolex is "advocating" for a specific off-brand customizer because Rolex hasn't used its non-existent legal ability to stop them -- well, I suppose I can't tell you that it's impossible. Strikes me as bogglingly unlikely, though.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

Interesting that you went in the direction of a jury. That suggests to me that you're aware of the weakness with the legal argument you made.

In the U.S., at least, Rolex is in no legal position to stop customizers as long as they don't represent the modified watches as coming straight from Rolex. The absence of ineffective legal action is not the same as advocating for something. No judge would make that connection. Would a jury? Frankly, I see a jury as even less likely to buy it, given how far that strains the layman usage of "advocate."

But, if you want to argue that that a jury would conclude Rolex is "advocating" for a specific off-brand customizer because Rolex hasn't used its non-existent legal ability to stop them -- well, I suppose I can't tell you that it's impossible. Strikes me as bogglingly unlikely, though.

Touché

[jonzm]

The warranty is something to consider while trying to customize Rolex.

[Big Green]

I can verify this with certainty - my company (finance industry) gifts a sub when you hit 1B in sales. This takes anywhere from 8-12 years. Last year, with the shortage, you had the option of picking a non-sub model due to lack of availability, but it had to be engraved with the company logo to prevent flipping.

This year they went grey... prices if you wanted anything but the sub were atrocious.