Rolex will no longer have an official Rolex affiliate in South Africa, but the brand says it is not leaving the country altogether.
Rolex Watch Company (South Africa) (Proprietary) Ltd opened in 1948 in the centre of Johannesburg and relocated to Sandton in 1997.
“However, local markets and conjuncture have evolved and no longer warrant the presence of an official Rolex affiliate,” said the company.
“The brand will, therefore, close its Sandton office in June 2024 but remains strongly committed to the development of the South African market.”
The announcement of the brand’s “exit” from South Africa came amidst several high-profile international companies leaving South Africa.
Shell is selling its downstream business in South Africa, which includes its petrol stations, French bank BNP Paribas is no longer functioning as a bank in South Africa, while Anglo American plans to spin off Anglo American Platinum.
However, Rolex will continue to provide after-sales service in South Africa.
Starting July 1st 2024, the brand’s partner, The Vault, will take over and centralize all maintenance and servicing activities for the country’s other Official Rolex Retailers.
The Rolex Authorized Service Center will continue operating at the same headquarters in Johannesburg.
Rolex will remain active through its Official Retailer network, and in 2025, the brand will roll out a series of projects across the country.
A 200 sqm boutique will also open in Sandton City, Johannesburg, in Q2 2025 with partner SHEMER.
In addition, official retailer and long time partner Charles Greig will overhaul its store in Hyde Park to include a new 65 sqm Rolex shop-in-shop, which will also open in Q2 2025.
Charles Greig and Van Deijl Jewellers will also steel Rolexes at the Victoria & Alfred
Waterfront and the Tyger Valley Shopping Centers in Cape Town, respectively.
Rolex will also spread its retail footprint to Durban, where The Vault will operate a 60 sqm corner in Umhlanga Arch.
“Importantly, 2025 will see the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned (RCPO) program introduced in South Africa,” said the group.
“Launched in 2022, the RCPO program offers the opportunity to buy genuine second-hand Rolex watches guaranteed by the brand. These watches benefit from the quality criteria inherent to all Rolex products and the full know-how and professionalism of the brand’s worldwide network of experts.”
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