Rolex Dealer closing down.

[ArtNouveau]

One of Houston's longest standing independent Rolex AD's is closing its doors for good, presumably after Christmas. Donoho's Jewellers in The Woodlands has been around since before I bought my first in 1984. I hadn't been there in years and being in the area Saturday dropped by to see the "Final Days" banners hanging. The store looked pretty picked over and all of the Rolex watches left, maybe 30, were in one case. Lots of Cellini, PM stuff, and diamond dialed DJ's. There was one YG Daytona-C on leather strap, no other sport models. I didn't ask but other watch brands were marked 15-20% off. They also carry Breitling, Tudor, Corum, Bell and Ross, and TAG. Don't know the story but I'm guessing the family just wanted to retire.
This leaves only one Mom and Pop, one chain store, and a couple of local mini-chains including the one that runs the Boutique. I kind of liked it when it at least seemed like there was competition.

[flyingtiger85]

Why wouldn't you ask if the Rolex's were discounted?

[doboy007]

I would get the YG DaytonaC if discounted 20%+ and slap an OysterFlex on it :)

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by flyingtiger85

Why wouldn't you ask if the Rolex's were discounted?

Nothing in the case I was interested in...sorry.

[Chewbacca]

too bad.

curious to see a mapping of where they're closing since 2010 to see if rolex is methodically going state-by-state or just as business needs require.

i sense rolex is doing the apple thing with grande single site destination brand engagement locales with internet buying and store pickup.

[NothingToSeeHere]

My buddy went by on my behalf a few weeks ago. They said the Rolexes were being transferred to other stores, and the guy had horrible discounts on Breitlings. I told my buddy to remind him that Breitlings can be had from 35-40% off at ADs if you search a little, but he said they were "flying off the shelves".

I remember when Bailey Banks & Biddle in the Galeria closed down, they have 60% off or so on average for Breitlings and many other brands.

[joerivers1961]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

One of Houston's longest standing independent Rolex AD's is closing its doors for good, presumably after Christmas. Donoho's Jewellers in The Woodlands has been around since before I bought my first in 1984. I hadn't been there in years and being in the area Saturday dropped by to see the "Final Days" banners hanging. The store looked pretty picked over and all of the Rolex watches left, maybe 30, were in one case. Lots of Cellini, PM stuff, and diamond dialed DJ's. There was one YG Daytona-C on leather strap, no other sport models. I didn't ask but other watch brands were marked 15-20% off. They also carry Breitling, Tudor, Corum, Bell and Ross, and TAG. Don't know the story but I'm guessing the family just wanted to retire.
This leaves only one Mom and Pop, one chain store, and a couple of local mini-chains including the one that runs the Boutique. I kind of liked it when it at least seemed like there was competition.

From what I understood the family retired years ago and had sold Donoho's to Diamond Cellar but kept the name. A company out of Ohio. Still sad to hear of business closing.

[AK797]

I think this will be the way Rolex operates now, they will decrease supply and thus the number of ADs, esp the smaller ones, to better control ADs and who they sell to, much like AP are doing. Generally we are going to see less watches and higher prices and a much tighter, more controlled market as the grey market has been making too much hay.