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5 January 2023, 12:41 AM | #1 |
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WOS Group "Bio" Models
Has anyone that's dealt with WOS Group had any joy being allocated "Bio" models recently?
Other terms used are Director pieces- talking about RG Olive Day Date / Meteorite GMT / Meteorite Daytona/ Platona / John Mayer etc. I've got a very good spend history with my store, however, relationship only seems to extend to my SA. As soon as I'm put forward for anything in terms of a director/ bio piece always get overlooked. What I can't work out is why there are so many of the models mentioned above on the grey market, unworn. We all know that we all know WOS is the largest AD in the UK - so it stands to reason the majority of pieces we see on the grey market are/should be from WOS group. I don't normally believe the stories of corrupt AD's, backhanders etc. It does make you wonder though how so many of these top models end up on the grey market. At this point I've told my SA that he's welcome to put me forward for Bio's but I really don't care anymore. They restricted everyone to 2 models per year, now the bubble has burst I bet that will be lifted and they'll let me buy as many Day Dates/ PM Sky Dwellers that are already sitting in my local AD's store! |
5 January 2023, 08:58 AM | #2 | |
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5 January 2023, 11:10 AM | #3 | |
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5 January 2023, 10:25 AM | #4 |
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I’m also interested in responses to this !!
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5 January 2023, 11:14 AM | #5 | |
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5 January 2023, 07:12 PM | #6 | |
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I was just interested to know if anybody in this forum has actually got one of these hard-to-acquire models from WOS, I really hope they have and gone to good homes. From my understanding, an Area Director will contact a handful of stores in the same region, tell them they have say green dial daytona, meteorite etc. available and if they would like to put any clients forward for them. The SA then selects a client to forward to Area Director who makes the final decision, so it has to go through two people. I don't really buy that they never see these models as WOS Group are the largest retailer in the UK. I don't understand how so many end up on the grey market - we've noticed more availability and allocations for first timers on certain steel models etc. Surely we should have a whole host of people picking up their green dial daytonas with sizeable spends? |
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5 January 2023, 10:53 PM | #7 | |
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I don't know anyone who has had one of those models from WOS, I suspect the RG DD is easier to get from them than the others however. My feeling is to get one of the others on your list, you will have to buy the world from them so why bother? I sense that is where you have got to with them too. JM Dayona now down to around £60k at reputable Greys in the UK. Go get one and if the prices go up over the next 2/3 years, you can sell it if you like without fear of corporal punishment from WOS! Good luck. |
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5 January 2023, 10:58 PM | #8 |
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Oh in addition to the above, WOS control around 50% of the new Rolexes that come into the UK. Therefore 50% of the new unworn ones at greys, will have come from WOS Head Office / staff or WOS customers who have immediately flipped. The former is more likely these days with all the vetting they do.
I personally have thought there are less of these on the market these days compared to the COVID years. |
7 January 2023, 04:36 AM | #9 | |
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Recently acquired the GMT Meteorite (Dec 22’) and the Omega 50th Anniversary Silver Snoopy (July 22’) from Mayors (part of WOS). I’ve been working with the same SA, and the same store, for longer than 10 years. Stellar experience! I have had to wait, but I have gotten the pieces that are on my registry. Never been asked to buy jewelry that I don’t want, or bundle anything; much less doing interviews…patience and established business relationship have paid off in my case. |
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7 January 2023, 04:57 AM | #10 | |
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That’s pretty cool, those two look great at least in photos (never seen either in person). I guess you gotta start somewhere, but a major point to consider is that the market and demand was totally different 10 years ago, and I would argue that starting and maintaining a relationship with a dealer is much harder as there are a lot more people trying/hoping to do the same thing now. |
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7 January 2023, 07:29 AM | #11 | |
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5 January 2023, 10:04 PM | #12 |
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"Bio" models?
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5 January 2023, 10:35 PM | #13 |
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Have to agree I sometimes wonder why some cannot post in simple English language.
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5 January 2023, 10:42 PM | #14 |
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OK... so i dont understand something....
WHY... if someone can spend THESE HUGE SUMS of money.... do they even care about getting a watch of their choice from an AD ? The grey dealers have whatever you want.... and you can afford to get it.... WHY would you bang your head against the wall at an AD and play their games? AND also... spending money on things you dont want.... just so they might offer you a a watch that you are after when THAT money could be spent at a grey dealer and you could have it RIGHT AWAY ! My AD's totally IGNORED me when i asked for a platinum DD with a meteorite dial. I said screw it.... and went grey ! AND... i have NO where NEAR the kind of money you guys have to spend ! So i dont get it. AND... what on earth is a ' BIO' model anyway ? Maybe i been living under a rock somewhere... dont have a clue what thats suppose to be. lol I am sorry... I just dont get it. |
5 January 2023, 10:43 PM | #15 |
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5 January 2023, 11:04 PM | #16 |
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5 January 2023, 11:18 PM | #17 |
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Wow. I'm just so glad I don't want anything from the current catalogue, so I don't have to prostrate myself to any salespeople.
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6 January 2023, 12:36 AM | #18 | |||
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Plus I'm not about to drop 95k on a meteorite daytona Quote:
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6 January 2023, 02:46 AM | #19 | |
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Even though I have a good relationship with my AD, built up over around 30 years, I still hate the whole VIP/purchase history/preferential treatment nonsense. I get the need for a waiting list all the time demand outstrips supply, but AD's should simply work down the list, irrespective of who is on it.
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6 January 2023, 01:23 PM | #20 |
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Can't speak for everyone but I do like to collect a few different models. The way I have always looked at a relationship with an AD is give and take. I've only purchased models I've wanted whilst building a collection; if I get thrown a great piece at retail it somewhat helps justify the crazy amounts of money we put into this hobby.
Plus I'm not about to drop 95k on a meteorite daytona lol Sorry... STILL dont get it. 95K ? BIG deal ! who cares about 95K when you are spending hundreds of thousands on watches. Thats chump change. BUT...If you happen to like the chase, the relationship and the process of buying from an AD..... well.... I guess i understand THAT. But to me.... its not about anything except the watch. I did my turn with the AD's... I waited....NOW... I'm done waiting. Life is short.... I want it sooner than later. Good luck to you. i hope you dont have to wait too long for whatever it is you are after. |
6 January 2023, 02:17 AM | #21 | |
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Those that allow ADs to put them thru these interviews are insane! You are spending money to be vetted lol. That’s the reason why ADs have the audacity to keep coming up with funny ideas to milk consumers. When this crazy market dies off, I guess consumers should request to interview the store manager before buying anything. And never say never. |
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6 January 2023, 02:23 AM | #22 | |
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That said, you ain't walking into the boutique here and buying a watch without first making an appointment with the SA. At least here at this Boutique. Not saying I like it, but it is what it is I guess. Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk |
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6 January 2023, 02:35 AM | #23 | |
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I think making an appointment is ok though. Cheers |
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6 January 2023, 02:25 AM | #24 | |
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I get that to a degree, with WOS they’ve created this bullshit sales tactic to then sell a large chunk off to flippers or dealers themselves. They’ve compounded the problem with the 2 watches a year rule. Effectively blocking people buying more than 2 models then asking them to come and buy as many as you can afford now the market has gone. Grey is the way forward (just not for the meteorite Daytona ) |
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6 January 2023, 02:41 AM | #25 | |
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5 January 2023, 11:16 PM | #26 | |
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However, it's one descriptor I won't personally be using any time soon though! It's right up there with "Cookie Monster" on the cringe-making terminology scale.
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5 January 2023, 10:57 PM | #27 |
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I have no idea what a "bio" is supposed to be?
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6 January 2023, 11:09 PM | #28 |
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I get why so many people in recent years here have said they are turned off from the brand because of stuff like this, or being laughed at when they ask about obtaining one of the highly sought after models.
Since only answer for people without a spend history (or in some cases people who do have a spend history) is to wait and hope…or pony up the cash and buy one on the grey market, the real decision is whether or not you’re willing to play the game that now exists because of the crazy demand. I personally am not, I can’t stand the blank stares and am simply not willing to kiss a sales associates behind for the possible chance at the pleasure of handing them 10-20k for a wrist watch. If I had the cash and wanted something bad enough, I would just buy from the grey market and be done with it. At least my conscience would be clear even if my wallet takes a hit. |
7 January 2023, 12:23 AM | #29 |
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I've Had One
In answer to the OP, I've had a bio piece from WoS. The piece took around 8 months after my bio went in, and even my SA was surprised at how quick I got it. In addition, I'm not a whale, and my spend INCLUDING the bio piece is less than £100k over a period of c.8yrs. I think the fact that my first purchase from WoS was many years ago may have helped as it presumably indicates a long term passion for watches rather than someone who may just be attracted by the recent hype / investment phenomena.
Additionally, I've never purchased watches I don't want, and I've even turned some opportunities down (which again may help as my SA knows I'm not a flipper otherwise I would've just bought everything offered). There also seems to be a lot of anger around being 'interviewed' to purchase a watch. It's not an interview and it's not an interrogation. It's simply arranging a time to go into a boutique, chat about watches over a cup of coffee, try on some pieces and generally engage in what I assume is our collective passion for watches. Quite frankly I'm more than happy to chat about watches, brands, luxury market, etc., until the cows come home but it seems some people are offended by the notion. Post the chat your SA has more information about you to present in your bio which only helps when there are likely several bios going in for each piece. I'd also add that I think the whole process gives the SA comfort that they are putting forward a client that they have tried to learn more about in order to ensure they are not a flipper, as despite what people on here may think, my understanding is that it is a SA's worst nightmare if a bio piece gets allocated to a client who turns out to be a flipper. Lastly I would add that since I got my bio piece around 2yrs ago I've not been offered anything else, not even an OP41 which has been on my list for some time. Perhaps that is coincidence, I don't know, but I'm incredibly happy with my bio piece so I'm not going to complain. Good luck to the OP. |
9 January 2023, 12:55 AM | #30 | |
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