Dear fellow EF users and Rolex/lovers...

On a recent trip back "home" we had a couple of friends ask us to visit the Rolex factory and purchase a watch on their behalf, as apparently there is some b-stock inventory (or otherwise) with discounts that are favorable.

Searching online, and in the EF forums, I came up with nothing... So thinking this all just a hoax... Or not?

In any case, amongst the hundreds and thousands of watch stores in CH, which are typically more competitive on pricing for Rolex?

Thank you

I have never heard of that, and considering the measures Rolex takes to protect their brand image it would seriously surprise me if it was true. A watchmaker friend of mine toured the plant when he was in school and was struck by the fact that cases that failed the final waterproof test were spit out and crushed automatically. Like a Tom and Jerry cartoon. Rolex systematically hunts down anyone using their name without authorization, and is very very picky about who is allowed to work on their watches and what parts they may buy- for example any case parts or dials must be sent back (and authenticated) before they will sell a replacement (to an authorized and inspected watchmaker). Serious business. They have no need to kick scratch-and-dent models out the back door, so to speak, they are flush with cash and business is booming.

It's a hoax

Rolex seconds? Ones that jump minutes 17-21? No....

I bought my Relox from just outside the factory (just 'round the corner, in fact), and it was considerably cheaper.

They actually have a cheaper line named Tudor.

You can buy it at any Bucherer

Rolex inside, Tudor design

According to the Rolex web site it states they only sell watches via authorized dealers and no online sales. No mention specifically of factory sales but from what I've found online the factory isn't even open to the public anyway.

sources:

http://www.rolex.com/en#/legal

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=67309

Actually, that's backwards. Rolex design, ETA (part of Swatch group) inside. Older Tudors sometimes had Fleurier movements that were quite heavily modified with Rolex parts, some late-early ones used modified ETA. Not sure of what's done to the current movements, pretty sure they aren't 'off the shelf' ETA but certainly not Rolex.

That's what I figured and was astonished myself to hear from colleagues back home... But heck, at least I asked and now know.

Hehe, kudos on the humor around this... Thanks everyone! :-)

Most watch factories here allow their workers 1 watch at a good discount per year for self, family and friends. I believe it is the only legal discount. All my family in UK bought watches through my dad on this scheme when he was still working for Jaeger Lecoultre.

Do want!

Too late Porsch - dad retired in 77, and died 2 years ago (aged 96) - bless his cotton socks.

I was offered a family discount on a Parmigiani a couple of years ago - but as I did not win the lottery and live on a UK pension in £s, I had to decline.

Yes,normally you can have a watch a year for family or "Friend" - it depends on the value of the watches , and on the numbers that the factoy make per year and also reasonable behaviour by the member of staff - woe betide anyone selling on for a profit.............