Anyone else go grey while they wait?

[yOyOYoo]

I’ve been waiting for about 9 months for the call/email on a 37mm Royal Oak silver dial 15450. Since then I’ve watched the market price move higher and higher. I’ve purchased and traded a few watches since then, but nothing has really scratched this itch of mine.

I finally decided to go grey on this 2021 piece from WatchBox. Just didn’t feel like waiting any longer for a call that may or may not ever come anytime soon. Going to take a break from adding another piece for a while!

[Defiant_Man11]

Very nice. Congrats!

[Zazzles]

I did precisely the same with the same watch. Been enjoying it greatly and glad I did it. Life is too short to wait and play these games, at least for a 'basic' piece. Something truly rare and special, sure I can wait years for that. But for your entry level reference, it's worth enjoying it now, even if it means a $8-10k premium.

[huncho]

i did the same but the premium was nowhere near as high so i can't say i would do it now, but there definitely is no worse feeling in his hobby than waiting for a watch from an AD while watching the price go up every day. so far it seems like the best time to buy these watches is yesterday lol. congrats, i'm sure you won't regret it

[Chadridv]

I decided to bite the bullet on a 15202 a year ago. Paid what I thought was an insane price but I had zero chances at an AD or boutique. To say I’m happy I didn’t wait is an understatement.

Congrats! Beautiful watch.

[HansGruber]

I did last year as well when the price for the 38mm panda was fairly reasonable grey ($37k). A month later I got the call.. Kept the new one since there were a few favors called in to make that happen. Made my money back on the flipped piece but in hindsight would have been nice to sit on it for a few months and make 20k.

[puckybadger]

Waiting for a watch that you'll never get from the AD makes zero sense

[Agustin_Nielsen]

Sorry, posted in wrong thread!

[johnying]

Some of the prices are ridiculous. I have been talking to an Italian dealer for a piece and a week ago it was 38k and suddenly he increases to 43k. I say on his website it says 38k and he says now I can charge 43k. Ridiculous. He's a known dealer as well. Plus watches. Though had mixed reviews.

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[Mainewatchman]

Nope, plenty of other great watches out there to enjoy that you don't have to pay the crazy prices for, plus there is no watch I want that bad!

[IS2000]

I have my name on this exact same watch at my local boutique. I’ll probably wait even with a slim chance of getting one.

[Famz_01]

I purchased my grey dial 15500st from a grey dealer and bought my 15500or from the boutique. For me I didn't want to wait and potentially never get the watch. By that time who knows what the future price of these watches would even be.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Famz_01

I purchased my grey dial 15500st from a grey dealer and bought my 15500or from the boutique. For me I didn't want to wait and potentially never get the watch. By that time who knows what the future price of these watches would even be.

makes sense - when did you get the 15500OR from the boutique ?

[CoveWatch]

Originally Posted by Famz_01

I purchased my grey dial 15500st from a grey dealer and bought my 15500or from the boutique. For me I didn't want to wait and potentially never get the watch. By that time who knows what the future price of these watches would even be.

I had the same feelings and recently did the same, albeit a Rolex piece and not AP.

[Famz_01]

Originally Posted by dauster

makes sense - when did you get the 15500OR from the boutique ?

I got the 15500 in rose feb 2020

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Famz_01

I got the 15500 in rose feb 2020

should have / would have/ could have - so much regret. should have bought it like you when I had the chance at retail - good for you.

[daveo5]

I’ve been buying ‘grey’ for more than 20-25 years with no regrets or problems. I’m not interested in having a “love affair” with any dealer for any watch. My opinion.


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[Abre]

Originally Posted by daveo5

I’ve been buying ‘grey’ for more than 20-25 years with no regrets or problems. I’m not interested in having a “love affair” with any dealer for any watch. My opinion.


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Same here



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[Reign]

I would generally agree with going grey even as late as 1.5 years ago. Lately though, the premiums are too massive and it’s easier to just look elsewhere instead of trying to swallow a $400k white ceramic QP.

Obviously some pieces are nearly impossible to buy from a boutique and come down to chance but there’s a $ threshold where even if you’re able to afford buying grey, it isn’t palatable.

Pretty insane times in watch land


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[supernova]

Wanted a 15500st about 1.5 years ago, told by AP house back then it would take 1 year+, 2 weeks later I acquired the piece via grey dealer with 10% premium. A few price increase later and the price I paid is now lower than MSRP.

As others have mentioned, life is too short to be waiting indefinitely, if you have the means without starving your family, then go for it!


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[chimp98]

Originally Posted by daveo5

I’ve been buying ‘grey’ for more than 20-25 years with no regrets or problems. I’m not interested in having a “love affair” with any dealer for any watch. My opinion.


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Couldn't agree more. It's more exhausting playing the AD game if you ask me. My opinion.

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[911AP]

Originally Posted by supernova

Wanted a 15500st about 1.5 years ago, told by AP house back then it would take 1 year+, 2 weeks later I acquired the piece via grey dealer with 10% premium. A few price increase later and the price I paid is now lower than MSRP.

As others have mentioned, life is too short to be waiting indefinitely, if you have the means without starving your family, then go for it!


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This was just luck on your part. If you went by the history of watch buying that wasn't in your favor. But now, due to crazy circumstances it happened to pan out. I doubt if you made that same decision today, 3 years from now it would have worked in your favor.

[impactplayer]

I bought my 15500 silver dial in January 2021 for $32,100. At the time, it was around $9k over list (including taxes), but now it's around half of that. And with Chrono24 prices topping $50k now, I'm glad I jumped in when I did.

[supersam80]

I bought my ROC on the grey market in 2019 for $24k usd

Very, very fortunate with the timing.