"Walk-in" GMT Master II acquired in Tokyo - dreams do come true!

[TokyoJ]

Hey folks,

Posted a little while back about an interesting experience at a Tokyo Rolex Boutique that doesn't allow waitlisting or reservations for steel sports models.

In short: After being cheeky and telling one of the lovely women behind the counter that they should re-name the shop "The Datejust Store," she asked me to sit down and tell her what I wanted and why. I told her I was only really interested in a white Explorer II or a black and blue GMT Master II because of the importance of travel in my life. She took down my info and suggested I stop by in the mornings right at opening whenever I'm in the area. A month or so later, after stopping in 2-3 mornings a week, she told me to come in "Tuesday-Friday only" - so I adjusted my visits accordingly - but still no luck ~6 months into this routine.

After stopping by last Friday and coming out empty handed, I was ready to give up. I actually went and tried some Omegas on across the street, then proceeded to reserve a Grand Seiko 9F Quartz GMT Isetan LE (only 56 examples, releasing in November). Today was the deadline for paying the GS deposit, so I said "f**k it" and decided to swing by Rolex before pulling the trigger.

I arrived 10 minutes before opening and was second in line, and when the door opened my lovely sales rep was waiting for me. I asked her "so, is today my lucky day?" and she said *yes, come on upstairs.* My heart started racing, but she walked me over to the service desk instead of the sales area...

"Your Tudor GMT came back early, we just got it in half an hour ago!" she says... I had sent it in for service and was expecting it in another 2-3 weeks. That did make me happy, but my heart sank thinking that was the *only* good news.

"So, uh... get either of my sports models in today by chance?"

*Let me go check in the back* (with a wink) she replies.

Butterflies again.

She reappears, empty handed...

*So, do you have a few minutes? I'd love to show you a watch that also just arrived today.*

JACKPOT!

I had no idea what to expect, but I sit down around the corner in the sales area. She disappears into the back room and reappears, and then I see it - a Jubilee bracelet.

My heart is in full machine gun mode as she puts the tray down and turns it to reveal the Batman bezel.

I've already written you guys a book here, but this was really a dream come true for me. I came from the "wrong side of the tracks" and a pretty awful childhood, and I wanted to give up so many times - but didn't. I finally had my breakthrough a few years back, but this year in particular has put me in a place that the old me would have never been able to imagine. I had always dreamt of owning a Rolex, and a GMT Master II in particular, and I can't think of a better way to reward myself for hanging in there than the watch that is currently at home on my wrist. It's so, so much more than a watch to me.

Anyway, here's a wrist shot at the beautiful Hibiya Park in central Tokyo. Sending positive vibes to you and yours from the Big Onigiri.


-J

[bund]

Great story !!!! Congrats!!!

[garyk]

Worked out for you! Congrats!

[Fenrira]

That’s a great story. Now whenever you look at it, you’ll be reminded of the joy you felt on the day you picked it up. Wear it in good health!

[HL65]

Congrats and that is a great story!

[Rashid.bk]

Congrats, big time, but I would say your "walk-in" fortune was a bit anti-climactic as this was a six month ordeal of walk-ins. Still worth the wait, this is the new norm for buying a Rolex now.

[stylinleems]

Congrats .. what a great story to tie to the watch

[Jets_fan44]

Congrats, bro

[GaoKS]

Dreams do come true! Congrats

[Wahlberg]

Woohoo!!!! Nice one, enjoy!

So no Seiko?

[TokyoJ]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Woohoo!!!! Nice one, enjoy!

So no Seiko?

No GS! It was too much of an Explorer II homage anyway (though the dial is fantastic - see photo). I knew I would just get bored and want the real thing if I "settled" - though I do want a GS Hi-beat "Iwate" or "Peacock" GMT someday, and maybe one of the "double sapphire" divers.

[Sisyphus]

Very enjoyable story, thanks for sharing.

[1William]

Congratulations. Good story and a great watch.

[AJMarcus]

Congrats! What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing.

[Spartacus-1]

Great persistence- congrats!

[DC116710LN]

Wonderful! I remember your original post and I'm glad your persistence paid off. Wear in good health!

[ks58]

Great watch

[TimepieceRPP]

Huge congratulations!!!!

[Watcheroo]

Wonderful! Congrats!


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[Grapenut]

Great story and congrats!

[RolexSimon]

Congratulations. I really admire your love for watches and I'm delighted it's paid of for you. I work 20km from my AD so being there at opening for every day is unfortunately an impossibility. Whilst the "walk in and see what we have" seems fair (and fairly unique for AD experiences on TRF) - it's not fair for those who can't be there at 9am every morning. Still - I've learnt to believe there is no system that everyone is happy with. You're obviously not a flipper and therefore your ADs system has worked IMHO. Enjoy the watch and we look forward to many more photos of you both in happy places.

[NachoNeal]

You have some incredible perseverance and stick to itiveness.
Personally, I would never be able to swing by any shop two to three times a week for six months.
But you pulled it off!

[RealMadrid1988]

Congratulations! Great story and happy to hear how it worked out for you. Persistence pays off.

[RichM]

Great story and a great watch. Congratulations!

[WatchtraderNY]

Inspiring! Enjoy the watch, you deserve it!


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[Cadi1]

Big Congrats!

[Cigars&Watches]

Much congrats!!

[STEELINOX]

Congratulations, but, I want to see a picture of the "sales gal" ~ !

[samson66]

Persistence pays off! Big congrats - way to not give up!

[pbjelly]

Congratulations.