Rolex Waiting List

Twocats

I still have my doubts on the 800k watches per year even if it equates roughly to 200 watches per employee overall.

T TheRealMe

I was hoping to visit London this past summer. Maybe try to get another “in demand” Rolex. Have you by any chance stepped into that store (I’m sure you guessed right on the store) recently and saw their inventory. With all the tourists gone are there steel professionals to be bought?

Foo2rama

Valuation does not mean profit....

rolex has untold billions sitting in the bank. They don’t pay taxes.

Foo2rama

Thier importer does... big difference. They are based in Switzerland and they pay no Swiss taxes.

Foo2rama

"The plain fact of the matter is Rolex is actually a series of companies headed up by Rolex S.A. And in fact, just to further complicate things, some of those companies own portions of each other. But basically they all funnel into Rolex S.A., which in turn, is wholly owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation. That foundation is recognized by the Swiss government as a charitable trust, and thus, pays no taxes."
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/rolex-non-profit.html
TLDR:
No one knows how much they have socked away as it appears they do not have that large of a charitable out flow. Someone a few years ago looked into it and came up with very very little in donations.

Foo2rama

"The plain fact of the matter is Rolex is actually a series of companies headed up by Rolex S.A. And in fact, just to further complicate things, some of those companies own portions of each other. But basically they all funnel into Rolex S.A., which in turn, is wholly owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation. That foundation is recognized by the Swiss government as a charitable trust, and thus, pays no taxes."
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/resources/rolex-non-profit.html
TLDR:
No one knows how much they have socked away as it appears they do not have that large of a charitable out flow. Someone a few years ago looked into it and came up with very very little in donations.

T TheRealMe

I was wondering how come I haven’t seen the Rolex name doing scholarships. Building hospitals, orphanages and the type. With all the money they make Rolex University?

How much charity does a foundation in Switzerland need to give every year to be classified as a charity?

Evitzee

Forget waiting lists at an AD, I wouldn't play that game. Either buy pre-owned or pay the market price for a new Rolex and have it on your wrist in a couple of days.

S Shay

Hello everyone,

I apologise I know this is a boring topic. But I would like your advice.

I went to a Rolex AD yesterday in London to register myself and the manager was very helpful and knowledgeable. He suggested that I go for an Airking or a Submariner and has taken my name for both and promised to do his best to get me one of them. He even said he will keep me updated every couple of weeks.

There is another AD who has asked me to come and see them mid September and they will register my interest for Air King with £1000 deposit but no chance to go on their submariner list.

I am reluctant to go to the second AD as firstly it requires a deposit, they will only consider an Airking and the waiting time is not guaranteed.

However I don’t know whether I am naive to believe the first AD. Can anyone who is in London share their experience or advise?

I have never bought a Rolex, so no prior relationship.

Many Thanks

Stripey

The Foundation may (probably does, but no one knows for certain) not pay taxes, because of its charitable status. I'd be very surprised if the Swiss SAs don't, given corporate income tax is levied at federal, cantonal and communal level, unless they are all unprofitable, which seems unlikely.

Legally, of course you are correct that the UK company is a separate entity, so it's not simply a big difference, it's an absolute difference in those terms.

However, the UK company is a wholly owned subsidiary, and in practical terms, that is £10 million less funneling back to Geneva. Any statement that states that Rolex pays no taxes depends on a conception of Rolex as solely the Foundation. No doubt some other members of the Rolex Group also pay corporate income taxes in their respective countries of incorporation.

That's before you consider sales taxes (which I don't think it fair to include, as in England VAT is paid by the consumer, not the company, although the company collects the tax on behalf of HMRC). However, I see that Switzerland also has employer taxes, and I assume that the Rolex entities incorporated in Switzerland have employees. So it is probably fair to infer that Rolex at least pays employer taxes in Switzerland.

Whilst disappearing down this rabbit hole, on a slightly different subject, it was interesting to note how little stock the UK company carries compared to its turnover. I suppose not surprising when you think about it.

E erray77

I would never put down money on a watch unless you hard a hard date for either a watch or a refund. No matter what they tell you there is no true wait list as many would love to believe. The more coveted pieces are going to go to repeat buyers and big spenders first.

E erray77

I would never put down money on a watch unless you hard a hard date for either a watch or a refund. No matter what they tell you there is no true wait list as many would love to believe. The more coveted pieces are going to go to repeat buyers and big spenders first.

S Shay

Forgive my ignorance, is it true that in some case the AD can order the watch? (see below YouTube video).