Is Rolex rewriting the rules of the luxury watch game?

What the closure of key Rolex hubs means for watch owners

By Triston Brewer Published May 14, 2025

Rolex Land Dweller set — Super Niche / The Manual

In a strategic move that could reshape the luxury watch industry, Rolex is reportedly taking decisive action to consolidate its control over distribution and after-sales service. According to Jing Daily, the brand is reportedly shuttering third-party service centers, particularly in key markets like China, in a likely bid to strengthen its grip on every aspect of its timepieces’ life cycle. This bold decision comes at a pivotal moment, as pre-owned Rolex prices soften after years of explosive growth—raising questions about the future of secondary market dynamics.

The closure of independent service hubs would suggest more than just a logistical shift—it would indicate an intent to rewrite the rules of luxury watch ownership. A pivot toward in-house servicing would mean Rolex would have direct influence on pricing, authenticity, and even the resale value of its watches. This realignment could have far-reaching consequences, from squeezing out grey market dealers to reshaping how collectors buy, sell, and maintain their prized timepieces.

Recommended Videos

‘Super hubs’ may be the future of the industry

‘Super hubs’ would operate as megastores through the combination of retail sales, service, and certified pre-owned sales. The blueprint would involve one-stop Rolex destinations with consumers informed of trade-in programs. Refurbished watches, which are brand-certified, could be available alongside new releases, giving Rolex direct control over pricing and scarcity while sidelining grey market dealers.

What the move could mean for collectors

One area of the industry that would be most affected is the pre-owned market as Rolex-certified CPO programs could result in devalued independent dealers. Service speed will continue to be an issue that must be addressed – will in-house repairs be quicker, or will centralization create bottlenecks in execution? Price manipulation is also a risk that must be factored into the equation, as this reset could artificially stabilize or inflate secondary markets.

Triston Brewer is a journalist, creative director, fashionisto, and jetsetting digital bon vivant. Brace yourself!

Topics

Watches

Fashion & Style

Brunello Cucinelli’s new summer campaign includes the ultimate luxury travel bag

Brunello Cucinelli launches new summer travel bag

man holding travel bag

Whether it’s time to fly or you’re headed on a road trip, it’s time to get outside because travel season has begun. Between the many European sights and the local staycations to visit, there’s no shortage of ideas for a great summer vacation. However, before you head out of town, you’ll want to ensure your packing is handled. And while brands like Away have excellent options for carry-ons and suitcases, a travel bag can easily do the trick for shorter vacations that don’t require as much. Besides saving space and removing the need to lug a suitcase around the airport, travel bags are the perfect way to find all your belongings without a struggle. And now, thanks to Brunello Cucinelli’s new “High Summer” campaign, you can rock the ultimate luxury travel bag to add sophistication to your summer plans.

Time to set sail with the Summer Boston bag

Fashion & Style

H. Moser & Cie. unleashes pioneer spiced aqua collection in turquoise and orange

Color revolution: H. Moser's pioneer spiced aqua collection breaks haute horlogerie conventions

H Moser Pioneer Aqua Collection

H. Moser & Cie. defies traditional haute horlogerie discretion with the Pioneer Spiced Aqua Collection, featuring three steel timepieces in audacious turquoise and orange colorway. Priced from $16,900 to $93,500, these models reject tribute themes and partnerships, existing as pure wearable art designed to electrify wrists through chromatic energy.
"In a place where quiet behavior often appears as a good trait, H. Moser & Cie. picks the boldness of color instead." The collection channels tropical waters and glowing sunsets through high-contrast pairing that breaks through rather than blends in, celebrating expressive horology over muted conventions.
The entry-level Pioneer Centre Seconds Spiced Aqua ($16,900) showcases minimalist design with maximum impact through turquoise fumé dial and orange Super-LumiNova leaf-shaped hands. The HMC 201 automatic caliber delivers three-day power reserve within 42.8mm steel case, available with white rubber strap or black DLC treatment with orange strap alternative.
The Pioneer Tourbillon Spiced Aqua ($59,500) inverts the color scheme with radiant orange fumé dial and turquoise details, featuring luminescent flange that glows like neon at dusk. The HMC 805 automatic manufacture caliber incorporates double hairspring and one-minute flying tourbillon, representing exceptional engineering in constant levitation state.
The flagship Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Spiced Aqua ($93,500) achieves sculptural presence through fully skeletonized HMC 811 caliber with domed orange sub-dial floating above the mechanism. Turquoise Globolight inserts illuminate indices and hands while the cylindrical hairspring tourbillon creates hypnotizing mechanical theater visible through transparent architecture.
All models feature 12 ATM water resistance, demonstrating versatility for land and underwater adventures. The steel cases incorporate slightly domed sapphire crystals, screw-in crowns with engraved "M," and see-through case backs revealing manufacture movement finishing including anthracite PVD treatments and Moser double stripes.
Design philosophy emphasizes bold color applications through concept versions eliminating logos and indices on certain models, allowing pure chromatic expression. The contrasting luminescent materials—orange on turquoise or turquoise on orange—create vibrant pairings that challenge conventional luxury watch aesthetics.
Each timepiece represents different technical temperament unified by singular chromatic energy, proving H. Moser & Cie's commitment to leading trends rather than following them. The collection transforms haute horlogerie into fearless, technical, and unmistakably alive expression that makes heads turn faster than tourbillon rotations.
Available with interchangeable rubber straps or steel bracelets, the Spiced Aqua models adapt to daily mood variations while maintaining their audacious character across all wearing scenarios.
Check out this link for more information: H. Moser & Cie. official website.

Fashion & Style

Citizen launches ATTESA blue universe collection with duratect dlc blue coating

Citizen's ATTESA blue universe collection features innovative surface hardening

Citizen ATTESA blye

Citizen adds two special Blue Universe models to its ATTESA collection. The watches feature a dark blue coating on their bezels and the center links of their bracelets, achieved through an advanced surface hardening method inspired by the colors of the stars. One model is priced at $1,080 and the other at $2,437.
The deep blue color is created using thin film interference, similar to the effect seen on soap bubbles. This coating is not only visually striking but also highly durable, measuring 1,000-1,400HV on the Vickers scale—much harder than standard stainless steel, which is around 200HV. Advanced titanium processing creates a clear contrast between the brushed octagonal bezel and the smooth case lines, with the case and bracelet connecting seamlessly for a clean, professional look.
Both models have black dials with sparkling specks that mimic stars in a quiet night sky. Simple silver-colored hour markers and hands ensure easy readability while maintaining the collection’s celestial theme.

The CC4106-74E, priced at $2,437, is limited to 2,000 pieces and features the F950 caliber with Satellite Wave GPS. This movement maintains an accuracy of ±5 seconds per month without a signal and offers a five-year power reserve on a full charge. Additional features include world time, a 1/20 second stopwatch (up to 24 hours), light level indication, power reserve display, and a perpetual calendar running to 2100.