Rolex Vault

[illiguy]

I was amazed to see John Mayer's collection (part deux). I am also amazed to see collections of guys like Eric Ku and John Goldberger.

Question: Does anyone know or speculate that Rolex has a vault at their Geneva HQ where they have an untouched model (or multiples) of every watch they've ever produced.

I've often thought of how many "safe queen" 5517 MilSubs, 6263 Daytonas, etc. could be in the archives.

[R G]

Yes. They will have untouched models stored away.

[believelandcle]

I'd doubt it. I would be shocked if there is a blue chairman Daytona sitting in a vault somewhere that they didn't release.

What's the point really? It's not like one day they'll just release them for sale for millions. As a company, they would lose so much respect from collectors.

[blada4life]

Originally Posted by illiguy

I was amazed to see John Mayer's collection (part deux). I am also amazed to see collections of guys like Eric Ku and John Goldberger.

Question: Does anyone know or speculate that Rolex has a vault at their Geneva HQ where they have an untouched model (or multiples) of every watch they've ever produced.

I've often thought of how many "safe queen" 5517 MilSubs, 6263 Daytonas, etc. could be in the archives.

i dont think so because not long ago they promoted the old milgauss on their IG and if you look close you can tell its a worn example... just in good shape. i have a feeling back then they would just make watches and sell them off, or not store them as carefully as now.

[ArtNouveau]

Car companies usually keep milestone projects after they’re done but usually for a museum down the road sometime. Unless Rolex has or plans to have a museum I can’t see much use for keeping them.

[brandrea]

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they’d have at least one example of each reference in safe storage.

[Zakalwe]

If they do they dare not let the public become aware otherwise they’d end up getting hundreds of phone calls a day from TRF members asking to join the waiting list

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

Car companies usually keep milestone projects after they’re done but usually for a museum down the road sometime. Unless Rolex has or plans to have a museum I can’t see much use for keeping them.

Rolex has a private 'museum' at the factory which is not accessible to visitors or most employees...

Rolex's equivalent of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

[R G]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Rolex has a private 'museum' at the factory which is not accessible to visitors or most employees...

Rolex's equivalent of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Why anyone would think they wouldn’t keep some stock back I do not know.

Omega and Patek do the same.

[Dr Watches]

Much more likely that they’re buying special watches at auction.

[Molnboman]

Am quite sure they keep a manufacturing standard example of every model they have made. They must have a standard to compare all previous and current production against. Unthinkable otherwise imho.

[tie219]

Exactly, I'd be more surprised if they didn't

[Snow-Dweller]

Of course they do. We’re talking about a multi billion dollar company here. One that doesn’t even have to answer to shareholders. Does it have a few million bucks worth of old models put away?....bien sur.

[simbal]

If these manufacturers keep every model, why would company like Patek buy back certain models at auctions? Just wondering.


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[nektar]

Originally Posted by Snow-Dweller

Of course they do. We’re talking about a multi billion dollar company here. One that doesn’t even have to answer to shareholders. Does it have a few million bucks worth of old models put away?....bien sur.

Is there any reason not to have such a stock? Nope..

[RJRJRJ]

I'm sure they do, right next to the Paul Newman Paul Newman.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by simbal

If these manufacturers keep every model, why would company like Patek buy back certain models at auctions? Just wondering.


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Correct me if I'm wrong, we typically see brands buying much older versions? my guess would be that they started keeping stock at some point and they buy whatever was before that point. I would love to think Rolex is sitting on PN's or mil subs but for some reason, it doesn't seem very likely. I would think they started at some point, i wonder when that point was.

[clock]

I believe Rolex has a huge vault stock full of steel professional models. And this explains the shortage.

[Grandcrew]

My mother still has my report cards from grade school. Rolex still has as least one example of every reference.

[MinMay]

yah..the 18 mil Daytona I believe is in their possession now.

[blada4life]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

Correct me if I'm wrong, we typically see brands buying much older versions? my guess would be that they started keeping stock at some point and they buy whatever was before that point. I would love to think Rolex is sitting on PN's or mil subs but for some reason, it doesn't seem very likely. I would think they started at some point, i wonder when that point was.

im thinking the same thing. i've seen promo shots from them of older models and they always look slightly used.... if they had every watch it would look untouched. Also, back in the 60s-80s, there were plenty of random models issued that have a slight variation and were custom and made in sets of like 10 (see John Mayer Daytonas with the pulsation dial and arabic logos). I doubt Rolex kept an example, especially back then.

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by simbal

If these manufacturers keep every model, why would company like Patek buy back certain models at auctions? Just wondering.


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Different company's have had different ownership over the years with the exception of AP (still owned and controlled by their respective family). They also had different strategies and ways of operating.

Patek as example is celebrating 180 years (1839) while the Stern family purchased the company in 1932. There is about 100 years of history and watches (although less produced) not under current management/ownership.

Watches were literally tools, like a phone or modern day app, there was no need to keep it. Once it was sold, its gone. They were suppose to be worn until it was broken. Patek in the past typically made a hand full or not even a hand full of various models and often exclusively for royalty (who often wanted a unique piece). They wouldn't have the means to make one to keep as well (why keep it when you can sell it to support a living).

I'm sure this applies to vintage Rolex. The true vintage models were not well kept, but you can bet all the modern variations have been saved in a vault somewhere.

[Ftech1]

I'm sure they do. If automotive manufacturers do it. I'm sure watch makers do as well.

[Newrolexguy]

It’s called a prototype

[Ballzzz]

Originally Posted by Newrolexguy

It’s called a prototype

Bingo