Is this ‘Proof’ Rolex are deliberately withholding stock ???

[Swiss Mad!]

So yesterday (Friday 6th September 2019) I was in town, had a spare couple of hours before my next appointment and decided to take the opportunity to pop into my local AD (as you do) just for a catch up and in an attempt to ‘maintain the relationship’ as everyone keeps telling me is the way to go if you want to keep on your AD’s radar and continue to be considered for the hard to get references as & when they become available.

Anyhow, what happened while I was in there both amazed, delighted & shocked me all at he same time.

Just to explain, I have purchased 3 pieces previously from this AD, a black Sub Date LN, a TT yellow gold ‘Bluesey’ LB & my most recent purchase back in March 2019, a TT RG GMT CHNR.

Due to this, I know the Manager & some of the staff reasonably well and they always make me feel welcome whenever I go in there.

So, to cut to the chase, I’m sat chatting with the sales manager over a cup of tea, explaining which watches I’m thinking of adding over the next coupe of years to my small collection, which would be an SD43 & a JC DBlue.

I also tell him that due to the rarity of both these pieces I’ve never actually seen either of them in the flesh only in pictures or videos on the internet, so although I love the idea of it, I am a bit nervous about the JC DBlue due to its large proportions etc.

As I’m explaining all this to him he says “Wait there” and goes into the back.

He then comes out with 2 little plastic coffins and puts them on the tray in front of us. “We had a delivery yesterday & these are waiting for customers to collect, but you might be interested in having a look” he says.

Boy, he wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t believe it - an actual JC DBlue & SD43 just sat there on the table right in front of me - my 2 grail watches - I was shocked!

He wouldn’t let me try them on out of respect for the prospective new owners obviously & that’s fair enough, but he did let me hold them and take a couple of pics on my phone while they were in my hand.

As I am sure you will appreciate as fellow watch enthusiasts, what a great thrill that was for me to be so up close to these 2 amazing pieces and to actually hold them - amazing for me at least.

Anyway, that’s not the most interesting part.

It wasn’t until I left the shop & was back home just chilling out & thinking about the days events that I was scrolling through the pics I had taken on my phone and I noticed something quite amazing.

The SD43 had a Mk1 dial - i.e no crown at 6 o’clock & a straight stick ‘1’ on the 1220m text.

I couldn’t believe it & had to look twice, three times to make sure.

Yep, there it is, plain as day, a Mk1 dial SD43 that should have only been available between Basel 2017 & Basel 2018 delivered to a UK AD in September 2019!

How could this happen? Have the factory in Switzerland suddenly found an old batch of dials from 2017 they’d forgotten about or is it undeniable proof that Rolex are deliberately holding watches back & drip feeding them to the AD’s ???

I’ve attached a few pics taken yesterday (6th) that back up what I’m telling you.

Thanks for reading, what do you think ?





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[BenzBen]

I’ve wondered this as well. How some ADs will get the old Batman 116710 BLNR well after the release of the Batgirl.


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[Paulr1980]

I don’t think it really proves anything. You just got lucky walking in when they had a delivery and the sales associate was kind enough to let you have a look.

I’d say this is because of the relationship you have.

Either way it proves two things, supply of professional watches is there and you have a good relationship with your AD.

[Paulr1980]

Also aren’t Rolex known for oddities in supply?

[Luther89]

Originally Posted by Paulr1980

I don’t think it really proves anything. You just got lucky walking in when they had a delivery and the sales associate was kind enough to let you have a look.

I’d say this is because of the relationship you have.

Either way it proves two things, supply of professional watches is there and you have a good relationship with your AD.

You clearly haven’t read the post properly

[petay993]

I wouldn't be happy if they were my 10k watches being handled by who knows how many people prior to collection.

Bezel alignment on the JC giving me a headache.

SD43 buyer got lucky with the Anniversary dial although if not a WIS they might complain they have been allocated old stock!

[Seibei]

I knew it!

[Adha3881]

I purchased the same SD in July from goldsmith. Still being delivered to ADs, although not at the same pace as 17/18

[ancientmariner]

Perhaps they were not ‘delivered yesterday’

[MrPear]

I really like seeing this kind of topic, sadly there is enough evidence to prove that ADs all over the planet are indeed holding stock in safes to both generate demand and sell their lesser DJ's, DD's and jewellery.

I love my AD very much for allowing me to purchase what are deemed as rarities (although, let's face it, they are not) however, I know they are lying through their back teeth when it comes to the Professional range.

What sucks is that Rolex will not do a thing about this.

I genuinely despise what is happening with a brand I have adored since I was a child.

[VintageVagabound]

Rolex is not limiting supplies it’s just that demand has exceeded production. The dealers are withholding watches to bundle them with other watches. This is capitalism and people want what they can’t have and stores react accordingly. Maybe in a non capitalist society every person would get their government issued submariner and be on their way :)

[Muxi]

You outed the guy’s serial.

[Greg 59]

I think what you have highlighted is very poignant. A few months ago I acquired a GMT BLRO mk1. Although the date on the warranty would suggest it should be a mk2 when checked by a couple of dealers and placed next to a similar aged BLRO it quite obviously is different. I'm now far more excepting of the reason why this might be. Cheers

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[harvey]

Which did you prefer out of the two?

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by Muxi

You outed the guy’s serial.

#Fail

[TempoKing]

I am glad you saw them in the flesh.
Personally I lost my interest in the Rolex sport models...because
I never wait in line
I don’t like most ADs
I want a discount for a product that has an unethically high price
...and some other reasons too complicated for you to hear
...as they are unimportant to most

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by Paulr1980

I don’t think it really proves anything. You just got lucky walking in when they had a delivery and the sales associate was kind enough to let you have a look.

I’d say this is because of the relationship you have.

Either way it proves two things, supply of professional watches is there and you have a good relationship with your AD.

Please don’t misunderstand me.

I wasn’t commenting on the general availability of SS pieces, I was highlighting the fact that an old stock watch had only just appeared at an AD some 18months or so after it had been officially discontinued.

Hence the suggestion Rolex were deliberately withholding stock.

Cheers




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[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by harvey

Which did you prefer out of the two?

Ask me which one is my favourite child...lol

Both gorgeous in the flesh & both on the ‘want list’

Impossible to say which I preferred. I like them both equally but for different reasons.


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[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by Muxi

You outed the guy’s serial.

I doubt very much the Chinese counterfeit factories will be reading this... lol


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[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by TempoKing

I am glad you saw them in the flesh.
Personally I lost my interest in the Rolex sport models...because
I never wait in line
I don’t like most ADs
I want a discount for a product that has an unethically high price
...and some other reasons too complicated for you to hear
...as they are unimportant to most

Not at all - we all have our own codes by which we live, all your reasons are valid & I respect your resolve in standing by them.

tbh honest I totally agree with you on most of your points, apart from I’m still obsessed with Rolex sports models


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[Rocket_Man]

I'm sure the future owner of that SD43 will be pleased that you posted his serial number on the internet.

[Mlioon]

I don’t think it’s Rolex holding the stock, I think it’s that specific AD. And who knows if those 2 pieces are actually sold. I have a very close friend who is an AD, and he told me Rolex produced 5-7% more watches year over year. Just my 2 sense

[AK797]

I think Rolex was in the Grassy Knoll as well...

[Doktor]

Hey, you know what is interesting? The Mk1 serial you posted is a higher number than my Mk2 serial.

[stylinleems]

The first two characters are blurred by the way the picture has been taken, I think the purchaser will be good.

[ronricks]

All this tells us is the Mark I dial stuff is nonsense. It’s pure internet fantasy and hype for people trying to make their mass produced modern Rolex ‘rare’.

[Brew]

What does "officially discontinued" mean? Does Rolex publish this list?

[Doktor]

Yeah.. I don't see any added value in the "old" dial. They simply updated it so 126600 and 126603 have the same and perhaps the Mk1 is just a factory stock they need to get rid of.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by ronricks

All this tells us is the Mark I dial stuff is nonsense. It’s pure internet fantasy and hype for people trying to make their mass produced modern Rolex ‘rare’.

That’s my take as well. Rolex probably has mass quantities of the first dial sitting around and it’s probably random when a box of 1000 gets pulled out to use.

[Rosex]

I have an SD43 waiting for me at an AD, he is under strict instructions not to show it to anyone or even take it out of the coffin, I will collect it in a few weeks. I can assure you that he will respect my wish. P.S he has been holding the watch for me for a few months and its locked away. Excited to see if its an MK1 or Mk2, a bit like is it a boy or girl, I don't want to know until I collect so have not asked. According to my AD they not getting many SD43's anymore, he says the flow on them has slowed substantially since the initial release.