New huge Rolex boutique to open in downtown Toronto

[buffetwarren]

New massive store to flaunt empty display cases to the masses

https://retail-insider.com/retail-in...et-in-toronto/

[OttawaSteve]

Does this make sense to anybody?

[JoseR]

[inadeje]

Shame at least Cole Haan had shoes actually for sale

[GenevaFan]

The title made it sound like Rolex was opening a stand alone Rolex owned boutique which would make the common person to think here is the beginning of the end to independent AD's.

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[Lesnerelli23]

I love watches, I always have. I love the design aspect as well as the precision mechanics of the movements, I always thought of Rolex as the leader in combining the two. I have a modern Sub and a Vintage OP, I’d love an Exp36 and a DJ someday but I HATE the game that it’s turned into…. I see a post like this and picture 1800sqft of glass cases and green wall art with absolutely NO watches. SA’s sizing me up the second I enter (which with my wheelchair doesn’t usually bode well for me) and it is heartbreaking for us who actually love the hobby!

I went to an Omega Boutique this past weekend and the experience was fantastic! Which is a shame really because those who buy gray Rolex are totally missing part of the experience. It’s a luxury watch without the luxury buying experience.

It just sucks…. Thus ends my time on the soapbox! I love the brand, I love the aesthetics and quality but this whole thing….. just sucks!

[TomLou]

Great….A new 1.850 sq. feet space for a Rolex boutique in Toronto
I bet Rolex watches on display will command at least a dedicated 230 sq feet per watch
Plenty room to enjoy them.

[amanbra]

this is a good thing, happened in aus and worked out great for me. Think about it, a store that can only sell Rolex. The SAs there only get commissions if they sell a watch and it has to be a Rolex... Now on top of that if they have strict rules around how they have to share the watches around and single customers buying like 10 subs in a year like mine you'll get a few pieces each year. It's great.

[DaveTheWatchGuy]

I stopped by Royal De Versailes today….it was a ghost town. Empty cases, 2 bored sales people looking at their phones. There’s really no need for this new flagship store.


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[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by OttawaSteve

Does this make sense to anybody?

It’s a great opportunity for Chinese money laundering


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[amanbra]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

I stopped by Royal De Versailes today….it was a ghost town. Empty cases, 2 bored sales people looking at their phones. There’s really no need for this new flagship store.


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From what I can tell, if AUS is anything to go by, the boutique like this will get more allocation because it's a huge space that can only sell Rolex, honestly this can be used to your favour guys...

i went from a 126655 and 126200 from a smaller AD that sold me nothing else because they only got scraps to a 126000 124270, 126613, 228206 and 116500 in 1 year... from the Rolex only boutiques...

[DaveTheWatchGuy]

Originally Posted by amanbra

From what I can tell, if AUS is anything to go by, the boutique like this will get more allocation because it's a huge space that can only sell Rolex, honestly this can be used to your favour guys...



i went from a 126655 and 126200 from a smaller AD that sold me nothing else because they only got scraps to a 126000 124270, 126613, 228206 and 116500 in 1 year... from the Rolex only boutiques...

That’s a good point, which I’m sure will benefit some Royal de Versailes customers.




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[lis]

I was in Heathrow today and in Terminal 2 there’s a small, actually tiny dedicated Rolex shop with three salespeople and only one 28 mm watch with diamonds for sale. Everything else was exhibition only. I couldn’t figure out why they needed three salespeople.

[DRS Enabled]

RDV has really gone barren in the last little while. A year ago there was always at least some Cellinis, Ladies DJs, the occasional DJ 36s around. Recently it seems like cases are just completely empty.

[GB-man]

Back in my day RDV has everything from AP jumbos to LVcs in the cases. I tell you it was something.

[denmanproject]

They just fully renovated one of the big Rolex AD’s in my city, all new fancy display cases, zero watches in them

[Moondoggy]

The only conclusion I can come to is, Rolex are hedging their bets, knowing that the hype will not last forever and the old days will come back.

[waterking]

At some point they will have watches. There will be availability but it will be much like Ferrari. Stopping by to visit, drop off some donuts or cash cards, etc. will no longer get you the item. You will spend money, earn your spot in the buying order and then get the opportunity to acquire.
It will be both expensive and difficult to buy a Rolex. Anyone can buy an Apple watch and that is why they build millions of them. It will, over a period of time, become very special to own a Rolex...especially a new one.

[nosignalbmwdriver]

Royal de V will only sell to those who spend a lot on their other watch brands… can’t imagine this will be any better especially in that area

[Cigars&Watches]

I guess theoretically there should be a lot more watches allocated to Toronto but will they all go to RDV pre-existing VIPS.. time will tell..

[Tim Plains]

Will this negatively affect other Toronto ADs?

Operated by RDV sounds like a bad idea for anyone who's not an existing VIP there. "You want a GMT? Spend $30,000 at the other store and come back."

[Panader]

I love that all the Toronto people are revealing themselves!

Hopefully this means more watches will flow to RDV.

I like the idea of the Rolex only store as it takes the pressure off to buy diamonds and other brands.

[swish77]

I've bought several Rolexes from Versailles, the AD that will operate the new boutique. They're top-notch and I never had to buy other brands to get a Rolex, including a white Daytona-C. Not sure what kind of stock they'll get nowadays, but it's a very well run AD.

[loftycomfort]

This means nothing.

Raffi SQ1 is already Rolex only. Same with Raffi Yorkdale (plus Tudor), and La Difference in Markham. They all have empty display cases, why should this new RdV store be any different?

What’s worth your attention is what will RdV do with the new freed up real estate in the existing store after Rolex leaves. Will they bring in some cool indie brands?

[classicalthunder]

honest question - upon opening up, like minute 1, will they have items for sale in the cases for people to purchase?

can't imagine that they could rely on the the ole 'spending history' if its a new boutique and only sells Rolex...

[Chewbacca]

Rolex and RdV have millions of reasons invested to put in 100% into this ambassadorship location. They’ll have stock but whether it’s for sale is the real question.

There’s no room for embarrassment at that zip code in a major NA city.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by TomLou

Great….A new 1.850 sq. feet space for a Rolex boutique in Toronto
I bet Rolex watches on display will command at least a dedicated 230 sq feet per watch
Plenty room to enjoy them.

Why do people think that empty cases mean these Rolex stores are not selling any watches? Pretty sure Rolex know what they are doing and wouldn't be opening massive stores if they were losing money.

The watches sell long before they make the window display, failing that they sit out the back somewhere safe waiting for the next VIP to walk through the door.

[buffetwarren]

Originally Posted by loftycomfort

This means nothing.

Raffi SQ1 is already Rolex only. Same with Raffi Yorkdale (plus Tudor), and La Difference in Markham. They all have empty display cases, why should this new RdV store be any different?

What’s worth your attention is what will RdV do with the new freed up real estate in the existing store after Rolex leaves. Will they bring in some cool indie brands?

This is my main concern. Raffi and La Difference are Rolex/Tudor only and they are all empty. RDV is in a way more prestigious/competitive neighbourhood so why should we expect their inventory to be accessible?

Also, I've been to RDV a number of times and it is a feeding frenzy at the Rolex counter. They get tons of in-person and phone enquiries each hour and customers often get upset when they learn about the lack of availability. A common question is "I cant get the watch even if I become a VIP customer?". In that neighbourhood people expect to be able to pay for access and they cant comprehend why they cant do the same to get a Rolex.

[Geckobros]

Originally Posted by Ollie1982

Why do people think that empty cases mean these Rolex stores are not selling any watches? Pretty sure Rolex know what they are doing and wouldn't be opening massive stores if they were losing money.

The watches sell long before they make the window display, failing that they sit out the back somewhere safe waiting for the next VIP to walk through the door.

Probably referring to the "need" of a bunch of space for watches that aren't displayed.

[Plai]

I remember the old days when RDV and La Difference were within 100m of each other on Bloor St. La Difference store was not much larger than my wife's walk in closet, they only had stool seating because the store was so narrow!