Stupid question #1 (of many, no doubt!)

[AndrewG]

Scanning through a few UK dealer's websites Rolex prices are frequently shown as greater than retail. Is this due to demand/availability?

[Lol-x]

Hi Andrew, I'm not sure which model/s you are referring to? You may find vintage models more expensive in some cases than current models e.g. Sea-Dweller and Submariner.
I don't think that authorised dealers advertise any prices on the internet. You need to be careful when buying over the internet, especially if you have not bought before.
Retail dealers are a good way to start off.

[dman]

If a website is showing prices, they are not an AD, grey market all the way. I don't believe Rolex allows AD to advertise online at all, at least that is true in the states.

And not a dumb question at all.

[AdamB]

Hi Andrew...I can guess where you're looking, and basically they are relying on people with little knowledge walking in, and believing:

1. There is a 1yr wait for a SS GMTII
2. 5yr wait for an LV and that they are limited in production
3. 2-3yrs for a SS Sub Date

Where as we know all the above is a lot of people don't, they are making a one off purchase, and so they pay over list.

Those in the know, join a forum, ask around, and pay below list or list for all the above

PM me if you're buying something, I can refer you to a London authorised dealer who will look after you.

[Nick Hacko]

Originally Posted by AdamB

Those in the know, join a forum, ask around, and pay below list or list for all the above

PM me if you're buying something, I can refer you to a London authorised dealer who will look after you.

Hi Adam -
don;t know much about situation in London but based on feedback
received from Japan and HK (from both AD and pre-owned dealers)
supply of GMT II and 16613 is actually restricted.
Possibly just an adjustment after Christmas oversupply.
In Japan pre-owned stock went up 5-10% due to 10-15% price increase in
February.

Even in HK LV is not rare but don't expect to see one in window.
Same with the 116520. 16610 are everywhere, but supply is "finely tuned"
and 5% discount is about as much as you can get on SS Sub in Sydney
and Melbourne.

Can you get 116520 in UK at list price and without having to wait?

[Spark]

Can you get 116520 in UK at list price and without having to wait?[/QUOTE]

Now Nick that is a stupid question
Well I guess in reality you can if you want to pay £1500-2000 GBP above list Grey market/eBay.
Most AD's won't even put you on the waiting list it is sooooooooo long.
I actually got laughed at about 3 years ago when I tried to get on the waiting list at one of the UK's largest Rolex AD's.
They were stating closed lists as wait was 5+ years.
I think it is a little better now, but not much.

Spark.

[AdamB]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Hi Adam -
don;t know much about situation in London but based on feedback
received from Japan and HK (from both AD and pre-owned dealers)
supply of GMT II and 16613 is actually restricted.

Hi Nick...We used to have a similar situation a few years ago, and there was a shortage of GMT's and TT Subs. But not for a good couple of years now. Both are sitting in pretty much every AD's window.

The one that is in short supply (apart from the obvious) is a 16610. That said, I wanted one last weekend, and after 20mins on the phone found an AD less than 20mins from my house with one in stock. Another store of the same chain had 5 mins earlier quoted a 3yr waiting list......you can see why people get confused

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Can you get 116520 in UK at list price and without having to wait?

Nope, from what I understand from all the forums I frequent, that is a worldwide phenomenon....

Loving your articles by the way, please keep them coming....

[AndrewG]

Interesting replies, thanks. The dealer I was referring to in London is advertising a five year old 114270 at very close to retail, for example, with several other models at up to £3k more.
Now, another question; the guarantee I have (I bought new from the dealer above) shows the stamp of another retailer situated in the departure lounge, Heathrow Airport. What gives?

[AdamB]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Interesting replies, thanks. The dealer I was referring to in London is advertising a five year old 114270 at very close to retail, for example, with several other models at up to £3k more.

The Explorer should be available at list or discounted, I would NEVER be paying almost list for a 5yr old example of that watch. Again, several years ago when it was madly popular to a Japanese personality wearing one there were premiums on it, but not for a long while.

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Now, another question; the guarantee I have (I bought new from the dealer above) shows the stamp of another retailer situated in the departure lounge, Heathrow Airport. What gives?

Your grey dealer may have either got a discount from the original supplying dealer, or perhaps someone has taken it out of the country, got the VAT back, then brought it back in, making it a heavily discounted watch, which the grey guy buys at say 10% below list...