Has anyone here ever tried to become an ad?

[Ouro9999]

What are the rules to become an Rolex ad?

Enviado de meu SM-G955F usando o Tapatalk

[carruthersesq]

Lots of free cash to amass stock.

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by carruthersesq

Lots of free cash to amass stock.

I do not believe its only about cash.

Enviado de meu SM-G955F usando o Tapatalk

[GradyPhilpott]

I'm not well-enough informed to provide a solid answer, but in the years of dealing with my AD, I learned that it does indeed take much more than cash to amass stock.

Rolex will want to pretty much dictate nearly aspect of your business, which can be a costly affair in itself.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Ouro9999

What are the rules to become an Rolex ad?

Enviado de meu SM-G955F usando o Tapatalk

probably similar to some extent as buying a McDonalds franchise.

You are either an authorized seller of big macs or daytonas.

[harvey]

I got more professional references than any AD lol



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lecorsaire]

You need lots of capital to get up and running think $5-10m.You need to find a good location. Not necessarily next to the most expensive boutiques. Your store must also look upscale and represent the brand well. You also must be able to withstand several months of inventory not moving while you build up clientele.

You will have to take an assortment of watches: TT, YG, WG, RG, Platinum and lots of Datejusts and Lady Datejusts. It is not as easy as it looks!

You will also need to sell other major brands as well. You can’t survive selling just Rolex since that’s not what everyone is looking for.

I would say being a grey dealer is much easier. Perhaps you can start buying and selling watches to see if it’s something for you before you attempt taking it to the next level.

[MonsterSS]

hmm, I'd go in with someone to become an ad!!! :)

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by MonsterSS

hmm, I'd go in with someone to become an ad!!! :)

Yes! It will also be much easier if you go into this venture with a partner. The location must be in a relatively high income area. For example in NYC, there are a few ADs in the outer boros. One in Queens in Forest Hills next to Austin St. This is a wealthy Jewish neighborhood and the AD is right next to the subway station. A couple of others in Brooklyn are surrounded by relatively wealthy Russian neighborhoods in each direction.

2 other ADs are right by the WTC and Wall St. where there will always be traffic from bankers and brokers.

[77T]

The surest route is to buy a standalone, family-owned successful jeweler with an AD agreement and is already in good standing with all their suppliers. You will need Tudor, Omega, and other brands to diversify your risks and also meet a wide variety of tastes and price points.

“Becoming” an AD is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil opportunists. By that I mean starting from scratch is a formula with a 75% chance of failure and lost fortune.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[air_king]

Maybe even higher than 75% if starting from scratch.

[fishingbear]

I’d rather become a grey dealer as they seem to have better access to stainless steel sport references.

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

I’d rather become a grey dealer as they seem to have better access to stainless steel sport references.

Hahahaha

Enviado de meu SM-G955F usando o Tapatalk

[Ouro9999]

Originally Posted by lecorsaire

You need lots of capital to get up and running think $5-10m.You need to find a good location. Not necessarily next to the most expensive boutiques. Your store must also look upscale and represent the brand well. You also must be able to withstand several months of inventory not moving while you build up clientele.

You will have to take an assortment of watches: TT, YG, WG, RG, Platinum and lots of Datejusts and Lady Datejusts. It is not as easy as it looks!

You will also need to sell other major brands as well. You can’t survive selling just Rolex since that’s not what everyone is looking for.

I would say being a grey dealer is much easier. Perhaps you can start buying and selling watches to see if it’s something for you before you attempt taking it to the next level.

I believe Rolex now days only opens boutiques to sell only its Brand.

Enviado de meu SM-G955F usando o Tapatalk

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

I’d rather become a grey dealer as they seem to have better access to stainless steel sport references.

Greys have this access for two reasons: Connections with several ADs around the world. Just look at a lot of the papers these watches come with. Many greys are selling watches with the International papers instead of the American style.

Also greys buy watches from regular people who have bought them for retail. I don’t know what the spread is for each watch but let’s say for Daytona last year, I would guess most greys paid $15-15.5k for unworn black dials to sell for $17.5k and $16k for white dials to sell for $18-19k. As “rare” as these watches are most shops who didn’t have them told me they could source one in 3 days tops if I were willing to pay $18k so really it’s not so much that they’re rare. It’s that most are being bought by people with connections.

I spoke with a grey dealer last year who had a black DaytonaC on his wrist. He offered me it for $15.5k. Watch was basically in mint condition. He told me if he could buy a white one for that price he would keep it for himself.

Why didn’t I buy the damn thing for $15.5k? Because prices had been on a downward trend from what the first batch was selling for ($22k) and I had no way of knowing what would happen by the end of the year.

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by Ouro9999

I believe Rolex now days only opens boutiques to sell only its Brand.

Enviado de meu SM-G955F usando o Tapatalk

I guess but there are still much more ADs selling all of the brands than there are exclusive Rolex ADs. The best will offer at least AP, Patek, ALS, JLC, IWC, VC and others in addition to Rolex.