Help with buying a Rolex from AD

[isolated1]

Hey Everyone! 1st post here. Super excited to join the forums.

Long story short, I've been saving a long time to purchase my first "real" watch in my collection. I have over 20+ watches so far with none of them costing more than $300 or so. After months of debating and a whole list of watches to go through, I've decided to purchase the Rolex OP 36mm white dial (ref 116000) over the Seamaster AT 38mm white/silver. I'm also thinking about the 34mm (ref 114200) but I doubt an AD will have both in stock at the same time for me to try it out.

Problem I along with many others are having is actually finding the watch. I've hit up all the ADs in my state and none of them have anything. One told me the waiting list is almost a year and there is no guarantee that I'll even get it at the end. I recently traveled to Texas, called up 4+ AD and one of them in a mall had the 36mm in white, exactly the one I want. However at that time, I thought I wanted the 39mm instead only to realize that the watch wears a lot larger due to white dial, bezel and lug to lug width. I have a flat 6" wrist and I've seen pictures of the 36mm and even 34mm on wrists much larger and it looks very good and classy.

At this point, I'm resorting to flying to Seattle or even another state (buddy passes from friend) to hopefully acquire this watch. I don't want to fly back to Texas though.

My question is will an Rolex AD help me find the watch if they don't have it in stock or will I have to call up every single AD? Also, will a Rolex AD reserve a watch for someone until they can pick it up locally? Obviously I'm willing to put down a down payment or even flat out paying for the entire watch upfront if need be. I was thinking of buying online but since this is my first real watch, I want it to be special with my name on the warranty card and having a peace of mind that the watch is 100% legit.

Thanks!

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by isolated1

I've decided to purchase the Rolex OP 36mm white dial (ref 116000) One told me the waiting list is almost a year and there is no guarantee that I'll even get it at the end.


My question is will an Rolex AD help me find the watch if they don't have it in stock or will I have to call up every single AD? Also, will a Rolex AD reserve a watch for someone until they can pick it up locally? Obviously I'm willing to put down a down payment or even flat out paying for the entire watch upfront if need be. I was thinking of buying online but since this is my first real watch, I want it to be special with my name on the warranty card and having a peace of mind that the watch is 100% legit.

Welcome to TRF!

If an AD tells you the wait time for an oyster perpetual is one year. Turn around, walk away, find an AD that wants your business.

Any AD can place an order for you if they don’t have stock. This is currently only applicable to their classic models.

If you ordered it and paid for it, they will typically hold it for you.

I understand the sentiment of wanting your name on the warranty card. Just be aware that for claiming warranty, as long as the card is untempered and the watch is within 5 years of having been sold from an AD the warranty will be processed. The name on the card doesn’t matter.

Additionally, there are multiple trusted sellers on the Rolex forums who have the very oyster perpetual you want for a significant amount less than purchasing one brand new + tax. Just do your homework and check the Who’s who section to verify if the seller is trusted.

[isolated1]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Welcome to TRF!

If an AD tells you the wait time for an oyster perpetual is one year. Turn around, walk away, find an AD that wants your business.

Any AD can place an order for you if they don’t have stock. This is currently only applicable to their classic models.

If you ordered it and paid for it, they will typically hold it for you.

I understand the sentiment of wanting your name on the warranty card. Just be aware that for claiming warranty, as long as the card is untempered and the watch is within 5 years of having been sold from an AD the warranty will be processed. The name on the card doesn’t matter.

Additionally, there are multiple trusted sellers on the Rolex forums who have the very oyster perpetual you want for a significant amount less than purchasing one brand new + tax. Just do your homework and check the Who’s who section to verify if the seller is trusted.

Thanks for the input! I failed to mention that the local AD here flat out refused to even put my name on the waiting list as she said "there was just too much people on it". I was so shocked as like you said, this is just the OP, not some super rare model.

Interestingly I've done some homework regarding the warranty thingy from Rolex. I've read many saying what you have said in that the warranty is mobile and travels with the watch, NOT the buyer. However, I've recently read elsewhere that this is a grey area and that Rolex reserves the right to refuse honoring the warranty if the watch has been resold or transferred to a third party etc, etc.

[Rjongco]

An op36 should not be that difficult to get


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[japenney]

If you found an OP36 at AD with a different dial they could probably send it to Rolex and have it swapped for free if you paid for the watch up front. Should be no charge for the dial swap if negotiated as part of the sale. I know they do it for dd40 sometimes.

[macrowatch]

Should not be hard to find. Some AD’s will ship. I’m sure one of the ones I know will do that once paid in full.