Reason for shortage !

[iliketime]

not surprising, rolex has always been highly popular in Hong Kong

[beshannon]

I agree with the thread but clearly there is no shortage at all.

Where the stock is located is another matter entirely created by Rolex

[77T]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

That's what I was thinking, too, but the guy clearly mentions 'Easter' in the video, so that seemed odd. Hmmm....

The video footage could have been taken at anytime in the past. He’s doing a voiceover that could have been done the day he uploaded. The same way he sliced in the “secretly” recorded the convo with the grey dealer (which also could have been done anytime in the past).

The YT vlog is weak in any proof.


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[Geckobros]

Rolex is a brand that I admired when I was growing up. I became successful and marked special occasions with a purchase. I then began collecting Rolex.

Today — It’s the AD games, back door deals and the unwillingness of Rolex to change their purchasing model that has me rethinking what Rolex really stands for. The brand image certainly has changed over the years.

[ninjin]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

That's what I was thinking, too, but the guy clearly mentions 'Easter' in the video, so that seemed odd. Hmmm....

There is no lockdown in HK.

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by Nixshah

I dream of the day where I can walk into any local AD and walk out with my desired Rolex model.

What the OP posted is something we all have known or suspected for sometime; however, it never fails to get my blood boiling. Maybe in time, things will change.

I think that will happen this summer as AD's open and Rolex resumes shipments. At least on all but say the hottest 3-4 models.

Lots of economic dislocation coming around the world.

[Quamby]

The AD's and greys in Hongkong have had a rough time for the last three months. One of the games they are playing to get around the official 'no markup rule' is to sell via 'greys' on Facebook, instagram, and other social media platforms. I say 'greys' because sometimes these middlemen are not actually grey dealers but a friend/relative of an AD or of an AD sales manager. The 'grey' middleman will post on Facebook of what is available (and the marked-up price) and then bring the buyer to the AD where the buyer will pay the 'grey' middleman in cash (no credit cards accepted 90% of the time) on the spot once the watch is presented and everything checks out. The cash (the official Rolex AD price minus the mark-up) is then paid to the AD.

Depending on the real identity of the middleman, most of the mark-up is pocketed by the AD and only a little goes to the AD Manager and the 'grey' who facilitated the sale.

[bondtoys]

This has been going on for decades like that.

Many HK grey dealers had their watches from Europe - which is not possible now because there are no flights. So I guess that most HK greys now have HK market watches.
If Rolex HQ would really be interested in drying out the grey market, they could just ho there, buy some watches and pull AD Status from the AD on the certificate.

I‘ve been at HK greys and have seen hundreds of warranty cards from most major cities all over Europe ( he was seeking for a certain one and put the carton with the warranty cards on the table).

But I guess that pulling AD status from TSF would be even hard to swallow for Rolex.

[MariettaMike]

I'm shocked! Shocked, that this underhanded business is going on to such a prestigious brand. Would not be surprised that many Grey Dealers are former AD's gone rogue.

What's it about? $$$ Always.


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[atique]

Originally Posted by MariettaMike

I'm shocked! Shocked, that this underhanded business is going on to such a prestigious brand. Would not be surprised that many Grey Dealers are former AD's gone rogue.

What's it about? $$$ Always.


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It’s so sad
Even in Canada all the ADs do it.
They sell every watch to the grey marketeers
To name them it’s Rafi jewelers
They have never had a single SS model in there shop and all the grey marketeers have stacks


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[socalwatchcollector]

As a serious collector for close to 30 years I have said this too many times to count. Stop buying grey unless it's under MSRP. To buy basic, mass produced watches that are simply stainless steel with minimal complications for a premium is asinine.

[Fedpete]

This is some sort of new discovery?!


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[Ensign]

Remember like a year or two ago, a lot guys were all believing ADs when they said “Yeah, I’ll put you on my list” or “We only get a couple of those and they get snapped up as soon as we put them in the window.” lol

Then when some people said ADs were selling them out the black door, some were shaking their heads saying “No way, Rolex will pull their AD status.”

At least in Honkers the dealers will admit to selling to greys. AD Joe Blow in Hoboken is still pretending to put steel in the case.

ADs selling to greys hurts ordinary buyers like myself, but can’t ADs sell to whomever they choose - be it the VIP who picks up a couple DayDates with his Hulk or his brother who buys up all the steel for his grey market storefront.

[Amazing Lady]

Originally Posted by atique

It’s so sad
Even in Canada all the ADs do it.
They sell every watch to the grey marketeers
To name them it’s Rafi jewelers
They have never had a single SS model in there shop and all the grey marketeers have stacks


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I have bought 2 ss sports watches from them in the last year. Make that 3.

[davidgilmore]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[jamestucker]

As mentioned earlier by Lol-x this happens every where and once in a while Rolex "punish" an AD. Just check out the stainless steel sports stock at Blowers, almost all from the same AD

[Onikage]

Upmarket store, fancy decor, plush furniture, elephant sounds.. and all they have is a couple of Datejusts..

[mobster600]

Excellent video. Thanks for making it. It really helps solidify how bad the Rolex market has become.

[hamachikanashiro]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

That's what I was thinking, too, but the guy clearly mentions 'Easter' in the video, so that seemed odd. Hmmm....

its during the virus now.
HKG is not locked down.
i too went grey rolex window shopping over easter

[hamachikanashiro]

Originally Posted by 77T

The video footage could have been taken at anytime in the past. He’s doing a voiceover that could have been done the day he uploaded. The same way he sliced in the “secretly” recorded the convo with the grey dealer (which also could have been done anytime in the past).

The YT vlog is weak in any proof.


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huh? the video footage is real.

funny too i was at that grey shop 2 weeks ago. in fact the same voice tried to talkt to me (think hes the only one who can seak english in that shop) when i was browsing.

[77T]

Originally Posted by hamachikanashiro

huh? the video footage is real.



funny too i was at that grey shop 2 weeks ago. in fact the same voice tried to talkt to me (think hes the only one who can seak english in that shop) when i was browsing.

Of course it’s real video. But there is no way to know if it was taken in the claimed timeframe - could have been video shot months earlier and dubbed with the voice over.

I’m skeptical that’s all - the whole purpose of the YT rant was to get clicks. He has unearthed nothing new or consequential.


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[snowvapor]

the narrator mentioned a certain reputable trusted seller here on TRF lol

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[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by hamachikanashiro

Also does this happen in Singapore (I heard that all steel sport models there need to be approved / whatsapp images to Rolex HQ?)

Yes, for sure it happens in Singapore also. Extent is hard to say. Not sure what you mean by “need to be approved”.


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[Yess]

Originally Posted by Highlatitude

My experience of Rolex shopping in HK is that a large proportion of the stock being sold as new comes with a European AD’s warranty card. Lots of ADs think that if it is shipped abroad it’s less likely to be traced back to them. The reality is that any time Rolex want to, they can trawl through the greys and see who is supplying them. Rolex just don’t care enough to do it. This is the reason that Rolex have taken a huge drop in reputation. People are tired of their not caring about customers and they are completely tired of the ADs and their attitude.

Buying a Rolex is the opposite of a luxury experience, it is often seedy and humiliating.

Not sure about the "huge drop in reputation" - from what demographic?

Not being able to walk in and buy an item does one thing: raises the exclusivity of the item in the eyes of the general luxury brand buyer. It drives up reputation, it doesn't diminish it.

[hamachikanashiro]

Originally Posted by 77T

Of course it’s real video. But there is no way to know if it was taken in the claimed timeframe - could have been video shot months earlier and dubbed with the voice over.

I’m skeptical that’s all - the whole purpose of the YT rant was to get clicks. He has unearthed nothing new or consequential.


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fwiw, i was at the Grey Shop featured 2 weeks ago:
1. yes that was how the window display looked like (i didn't know those boxes were the original coffins) - plenty of watches in the display cabinet in that format
2. i recognise the voice in the video. he sounded like the only young guy who could speak english in the shop (reason being there was an old guy but he handed me off to the young guy once he found out we were english speakers)


that's the fact pattern above.

i dont know if the cards were from dickson, ctf because i did not ask.

obviously don't know if it was really that shop that bought up all the SS stock new too.

[hamachikanashiro]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

Yes, for sure it happens in Singapore also. Extent is hard to say. Not sure what you mean by “need to be approved”.


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heard that you need to be "approved" by Rolex HQ before they can sell you a hot SS piece (i.e. AD needs to write into HQ with your profile etc).

[SkyJuice]

Yes, this is a pandemic issue.

[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by hamachikanashiro

heard that you need to be "approved" by Rolex HQ before they can sell you a hot SS piece (i.e. AD needs to write into HQ with your profile etc).

I’ve never heard of that. Been offered a few hot pieces which I didn’t want but have not been asked to do Pre register. So while the AD’s have my profile but that’s for their purposes only, not to share with Rolex.

Where did you hear that?


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[Lol-x]

Yeah, I think Rolex HQ has got better things to do and individually vet every prospective purchaser of a desirable SS model. Its otherwise not logistically possible.

[Muzikman]

Originally Posted by Dr H A

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pnpdMSaFW5A

Thanks for posting this. There’s lot of malpractices going as we all kinda knew... how on earth can there be shortage of basic SS models from a mass production company. And the way they openly sell it displayed in window, with the factory plastic boxes, doesn’t look like it’s going to be changed. Rolex also maybe overlooks. Coz it’s only concern is to make more money... and without their know how, doubt all this can function also. They just choose to deny and overlook!
And so only way to get the hot SS pieces is to club it along with a PM or lots of DJs! Sigh.
Or buy it from grey dealer.. easier way. And HK is a hot spot for hard to get watches it seems!