Rolex has seven factories in Switzerland which make virtually all components of their watches. Many journalists/bloggers have written about their tours of these facilities - very interesting reading. I highly doubt that even a very small percentage of any Rolex is made in China.

 

Thanks

 

It's called a "Folex" and a few other names.

 

Article is not about fake Rolex watches.

 

My understanding is that Rolex just about manufactures all the parts in-house in Switzerland. Even the 904L steel is pressed in one of their factories in Switzerland.

 

Cool

 

yea rolex is the only company i think that makes the base metal themselves. they have a foundry for all their steel (thats why they're able to use 904L steel) and precious metals. then they stamp it in their own factories too. rolex is one of the most "in house" large scale watch makers.

 

yea rolex is the only company i think that makes the base metal themselves. they have a foundry for all their steel (thats why they're able to use 904L steel)

Well, that's simply not true - everybody can buy 904L steel.

Stainless Steel 904L is stocked by 31 North American distributors and produced by 27 large mills. Distributors will offer small quantity buys while mills will generally only sell large quantities, with delivery times anywhere from 10 to 50 weeks depending on size and form required

This material is stocked primarily in Flat Rolled Products by 11 distributors but is also available to a lesser extent in Tubular Products, Wire Products, Piping Components, Bar Products, and Structurals

And that's only for North America, you have many more distributors and mills in Europe and Asia.

 

Let me rephrase the title. First check this:

Does Rolex outsource 50% or some parts from China? or Does Rolex 100% manufacture in Switzerland?

Inside The Manufacture: Going Where Few Have Gone Before - Inside All Four Rolex Manufacturing Facilities - HODINKEE

 

Inside The Manufacture: Going Where Few Have Gone Before - Inside All Four Rolex Manufacturing Facilities - HODINKEE

Thanks for posting...very interesting look inside Rolex...

 

At their prices, they darn well better be making them in Switzerland.

 

They make everything in-house except for the dial and crystal I believe, or at least there are two major parts that they don't product in-house. I recall it being the dial and something else, but it may not be the crystal.

 

They definitely make a portion of their dials in house - they bought out Beyeler who were previously supplying them.

 

iPhones and all Apple products are made in China. I would not be surprised if omega and Rolex movements are assembled in China. IMO, Chinese are just as capable of making quality watches as any Swiss if the management keep the quality standards as high up as in Swiss.

 

I would not be surprised if omega and Rolex movements are assembled in China.

Neither Rolex nor Omega assembles their movements in China! That doesn't have anything to do with how capable the Chinese are, but with pride and credibility. Nobody wants a Chinese-made Omega or Rolex, it's that simple.

 

There are many Chinese companies produce top quality stuff and have their name on the fortune 500 list. If a watch company wants good quality stuff, then they better pay that price. There are lots of people here that like to attack Chinese. But to be fair, nobody forces swiss watch companies to sign contract with cheap factories, they try to be cheap themselves.
There are of course small factories that make homages, like Parnis. But so do companies from other countries, like steinhart. If there is a market, then there is a business.

 

Yes, but that has nothing to do with the original issue. The original issue is whether or not Rolex sources to China any parts, materials or labor. Not whether the Chinese can put out a quality product or what is the reason for the Chinese making cheap products. Nor has anyone attacked the Chinese on this thread.

 

There is no doubt that production out of China has significantly improved in quality over the years. In fact, China is more than capable of manufacturing top-notch products.

 

I certainly hope none of the parts in a Rolex watch are made in China.
For me, Rolex are a premium SWISS brand, not a nearly premium SWISS brand.
Somehow, having parts made in China would only devalue the brand in my eyes.

 

AMEN...If Rolex ever puts once iota of China in Rolex I will never buy one. Nothing against China, but overall they create many inferior products and I will not pay such a premium for a "100% swiss made product", IMHO. Others may disagree, but should this even happen I will move onto more reasonably priced brands, w/o so much concern then on country of origin. Reality is too, like it or not, should China be involved (or found to be) it will greatly affect the long term value of a Rolex.

 

If Rolex starts assembling the movements in China the new watch prices may stop increasing for the next several years without diminishing the profit margin for Rolex. And the current Rolex owners should be happy because the used market prices will soar for 100% Swiss made Rolexes.

 

did none of you read the link i posted???? stop making ignorant comments regarding business decisions and the capabilities of an entire country.... read the link.

 

Rolex is largely owned by a nonprofit foundation, whose beneficiaries include the people of the Swiss cantons in which Rolex is located. The corporate culture of Rolex is significantly devoted to the furtherance of Swiss watchmaking in general, and Rolex primacy specifically. Only Seiko compares in the degree of vertical integration within the company. The notion that Rolex would even think about outsourcing materials to an Asian producer is laughable. They are about as Swiss as the "Swiss made" appellation possibly could be.

 

This is interesting:

The cost of assembly may be taken into consideration when a certification procedure provided for by an international treaty guarantees that, owing to close industrial cooperation, the foreign and the Swiss component parts are of equivalent quality.

If the Chinese made parts are of an appropriate quality (for example made in a Chinese factory owned by the Swatch), all the parts can be made in China, and the cost of assembly can provide for the critical 60% of the value.

And the definition of the assembly is missing. Does it have to be completely assembled in Switzerland, or is it enought if the assembly is just finalised there - for example by installing the balance wheel and hairspring. Swiss made balance wheele + hairspring easily represent 60% of the otherwise Chinese made movement's value.

 

This is interesting:
If the Chinese made parts are of an appropriate quality (for example made in a Chinese factory owned by the Swatch), all the parts can be made in China, and the cost of assembly can provide for the critical 60% of the value.

And the definition of the assembly is missing. Does it have to be completely assembled in Switzerland, or is it enought if the assembly is just finalised there - for example by installing the balance wheel and hairspring. Swiss made balance wheele + hairspring easily represent 60% of the otherwise Chinese made movement's value.

The OP relates to Rolex outsourcing, which most agree is nonexistent. Swatch Group has been outsourcing to China for years, and even some Omega parts are sourced from there. Whether the average WIS on this forum would agree with that practice is irrelevant. The vast majority of Omega consumers really are unaware and/or uncaring.

 

When I saw this at work for the first time years ago I thought it was pretty funny.
I have to post it here now. Pic taken today.

 

I can't imagine Rolex ever sourcing parts from China. Could it happen? Sure. But Rolex is a luxury product that nobody really needs (like any other expensive watch brand) and its pricing is based on a lot of how shall we say? Intangibles? Brand history and reputation, along with that general belief that Swiss manufacturing of watches is superior to any other country. Whether such a belief is marketing hogwash (as many believe here on this forum), Rolex prices accordingly. Other than maybe the raw steel or the glass, I think Rolex sourcing from China would be disasterous for the company's reputation.

As for Omega... I would think they are aware of the (potential) damage of these stories of made in China Omega bracelets. Maybe its apocryphal, but if it did happen, I can't believe Omega would expand any further China sourcing - because of its desire to compete head-to-head with Rolex and move up the luxury market. All well and good for Swatch Group's lower cost members like Tissot and maybe Longines (poor Longines), but Omega? Bad idea.