Manufacturing Costs of Rolex

[TARDIS]

Rolex are never going to be cheaper, that's for damn sure!

[santaclaus2100]

Well, we basically know what Rolex may or may not make, in terms of profits.

No one would know the exact figures.

But IMHO, I think it is a good thing that the profits go back to Charitable causes.

Originally Posted by trashboss

Gee i didnt know Omega, Tag etc, used 490L SS in their watches like the 16610.
A tool maker friend of mine estimated that his shop would charge somewhere around $10,000 (USA baby!) to make a prototype of equal strength and quality and it wouldnt look anywhere near as nice as the real thing - and that was just for the shell with no motor or crystal.

Well of course making a one-off is more expensive. And if I was getting parts made for me, I'd find another shop! That sounds very expensive to make a relatively simple case......

And BTW it's 904L....

[langejl]

Its all the same for lux products. My wife's Coach purse probably doesn't cost much more for them to make than the fake Coach purses.

[Mr. K]

It was mentioned it is about $150 to get a watch chronometer certified. Is that actual end price for Rolex or any manufacturer to get a watch certified?

[nko51]

The rule of thirds applies with most things manufactured, marketed, and dealer sold, which means that a $5175 retail price on a SS Sub date, Rolex actually received about $1293.75, from that they have to subtract all their material and labor costs, what's left is profit usually around 7%. The reason why Rolex's cost so much is because to many hands are in the same pocket, as with most other items in this world.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Mr. K

It was mentioned it is about $150 to get a watch chronometer certified. Is that actual end price for Rolex or any manufacturer to get a watch certified?

Well the test now costs a bit more, but the COSC test is little more now than a pure marketing ploy.


Quote from watchbore.
We don’t use COSC to tell us how good our movements are," said a source deep inside the Rolex Wilsdorf foundation. "We test them ourselves". "All we want is the chronometer certification,it’s for marketing."

[langejl]

I think a perfect example would be a painting. A painting that sells for a few million didn't cost the painter a few million to make. Probably a few bucks and time. Its all about supply and deman....bottom line.

[astcell]

They say the human body, if melted down, has chemicals and metals worth about $43. It is all in the assembly.

[Lane from s.c.]

Originally Posted by langejl

I think a perfect example would be a painting. A painting that sells for a few million didn't cost the painter a few million to make. Probably a few bucks and time. Its all about supply and deman....bottom line.

Good analogy.

Some things just cost more pure and simple. I just bought a Ohlins race suspension for by bmw sport bike its $1600. Its the highest price system out there and there are many reasons for that. One is, about half their employes are engineers, that cost money. 2 Their product rocks. I n my business I try to take customers on plant tours. The first comment I get; now I know why your products are priced where they are. And, wow I had no Idea that much went into a entrance mat.

Lane

[Welshwatchman]

I was told that the reason my Rolex was so expensive is that it was one of the very select watches handmade by Roger Federa's mother, in the GMT section.

[oldman2005]

I worked in engineering manufacturing once, we had something called BOM (bill of material) which just accounts for the cost of all the parts, just to give an example one of the part we (a very well known establish company just like Rolex) sold for 700 bucks, the BOM was little bit more than 20 bucks!

My guess for Submariner is the part cost would be less than 400 bucks, Rolex saved quite a bit by making their own parts If anyone knows of Doxa SUB diver watch is being sold for $1500, an former insider mentioned the cost for the watch was $200....And check this out: the dial for that watch cost only 10 cents!

[ohlins]

ah yes....i had full ohlins suspension (front forks and rear shocks) on my yamaha yzf-r1 as well.....they rock...!

[Lane from s.c.]

If you want to see something that out of line. Look at DVD`s they cost .35-.40 cents to make and they sell for 20 dollars. Or really crazy, software, I have a disk right here on the table that I paid $5000.00 for and it cost less than a dollar to make. It a dakota collectables embroidery disk. So rolex does not look so bad to me.

[Lane from s.c.]

Originally Posted by ohlins

ah yes....i had full ohlins suspension (front forks and rear shocks) on my yamaha yzf-r1 as well.....they rock...!

I saw your call sign on another post and almost asked you about. Ohlins makes some good stuff for sure. I also have ohlins forks and shock and damper on my MX bike a gasgas 300. Love their stuff!!

Ride safe,
Lane

[mikey]

Padi, how do we know we are getting the best matierials and workmanship when we pay all that money for a Rolex? I mean other companies are selling great watches that could equally last a lifetime and they don't use 904L stainless steel.

[BondandBigM]

Originally Posted by mikey

Padi, how do we know we are getting the best matierials and workmanship when we pay all that money for a Rolex? I mean other companies are selling great watches that could equally last a lifetime and they don't use 904L stainless steel.

Are all stainless Rolex's including the bracelets made from 904L ??????

[BondandBigM]

Originally Posted by mikey

Padi, how do we know we are getting the best matierials

I could help you with that but you would need to send me a Rolex and all you would get back is an invoice but you will get confirmation of material quality

First up a bit of chemical analysis, I sugest 12 elements, non destructive but will mark the surfaces.

Micro Harness again will mark the surface

A bit of work under the microscope fairly safe

ASTM G48 Pitting Corrosion Test could do it some damage, basically soaked in ferric chloride for 24hrs @ 30'C then checked for pitting and weight loss.

Then into the 25 tonner and that will definately finish it off !!!!!

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by BondandBigM

I could help you with that but you would need to send me a Rolex and all you would get back is an invoice but you will get confirmation of material quality