How can you actually buy a rolex?

[jkyrolex]

Is secondary market the only way to buy a rolex? I currently own two rolexes but have not bought one over ten years. Maybe a newbie q here but how are people getting anything from ADs?

[afmars]

Pretty straight forward, actually.

- Demonstrate that you are already a long time customer of the brand
- Know what you want and have a narrative of why you want that piece
- Be likeable
- Don’t act entitled
- Followup regularly but without being annoying or pushy
- Be patient
- making a small purchase of something else will help speed up the process, and for some ADs may be a requirement.

Good luck.

[jets]

If you have to ask then yes. Go grey.

[brandrea]

It’s a weird time to buy a Rolex from an AD. I’d pay your local AD a visit and have a chat to see if they are willing to sell you one.

[Calatrava r]

Visiting the Ad wearing your watch of ten years is a great start.

[Time Out]

My AD is only selling local. I am also thinking that there is only a select group of local buyers that are actually getting watches.. I, thankfully being one of them on the low end of the divvying but still getting pieces.

I only have a couple more references I would even consider at this point but it makes me feel for you guys who just want one nice piece to enjoy.

My advice. Express interest in a less hot piece like a Bluesy or base sub. Buy a little jewelry and make monthly attempts/contacts via phone or in person and eventually you'll succeed.

Asking for a LV Sub, GMT or Daytona right off the bat will get you nowhere 99% of the time.

[HJZS2K]

Originally Posted by afmars

Pretty straight forward, actually.

- Demonstrate that you are already a long time customer of the brand
- Know what you want and have a narrative of why you want that piece
- Be likeable
- Don’t act entitled
- Followup regularly but without being annoying or pushy
- Be patient
- making a small purchase of something else will help speed up the process, and for some ADs may be a requirement.

Good luck.

Reading this made me kind of feel like it's a job application lol. Aren't wrong but man how this hobby have developed.

[afmars]

Originally Posted by HJZS2K

Reading this made me kind of feel like it's a job application lol. Aren't wrong but man how this hobby have developed.

For sure! Only you can decide if it’s worth the time and hassle. If the answer is ‘no’, then the gray market awaits you :)

[stockae92]

You have to play their game. Simple as that.

There are always exceptions. You will hear stories like people just do walk-in and walk out with a Daytona. But thats rare.

[amh]

Originally Posted by afmars

Pretty straight forward, actually.

- Demonstrate that you are already a long time customer of the brand
- Know what you want and have a narrative of why you want that piece
- Be likeable
- Don’t act entitled
- Followup regularly but without being annoying or pushy
- Be patient
- making a small purchase of something else will help speed up the process, and for some ADs may be a requirement.

Good luck.

IME even that doesn't work. I think if one turns the "small purchase" into "$50k of jewelry" then the safe will open.

Course I'm willing to be proven wrong, thus I'll stick with your recipe!

[Crashblue]

Be an A customer, someone who is not only after the hot pieces be someone who buys a lot of jewellery, much higher margin than on watches, be someone who buys a lot of watch brands which get heavily discounted on the grey market...

Where I live we are talking at least mid 6 figure ($,€...) purchase history over the last couple of years.

[Barada7]

It’s tough.

Go grey: pay too much, instant gratification, but a nagging feeling that you should’ve been patient.

AD: maybe you never get the watch, retail price is great, but a nagging feeling you should’ve been less patient and just went grey.

[mfserge]

The best thing you can do is walk into an AD with supreme confidence that you know all about Rolex and the secondary market values and express your disdain for flippers. You’ll walk out with the Rolex of your choice. Guaranteed.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by jkyrolex

Is secondary market the only way to buy a rolex? I currently own two rolexes but have not bought one over ten years. Maybe a newbie q here but how are people getting anything from ADs?

Yes, there are Rolex for sale everywhere. From AD's? I no longer waste my time with them for Rolex.

[khalifam]

DADVID SW DAVID SW DAVID SW

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[Chris]

Originally Posted by jkyrolex

Is secondary market the only way to buy a rolex? I currently own two rolexes but have not bought one over ten years. Maybe a newbie q here but how are people getting anything from ADs?

Its not the only way but if you want it now. Yes

[dwaine99]

Originally Posted by mfserge

The best thing you can do is walk into an AD with supreme confidence that you know all about Rolex and the secondary market values and express your disdain for flippers. You’ll walk out with the Rolex of your choice. Guaranteed.

We did this but had to wait two weeks for a Sub LV.

[Cigars&Watches]

Originally Posted by jkyrolex

Is secondary market the only way to buy a rolex? I currently own two rolexes but have not bought one over ten years. Maybe a newbie q here but how are people getting anything from ADs?

What reference are you looking at

[msu_1972]

It was over 20 yrs since I bought a Rolex so when I decided I wanted a modern Rolex, I went to my AD to talk to them. Build my relationship and show that I was a return customer. After 3 months I got the GMT BLNR. :)

Just be patient and work with your local AD. Don't pay that grey market price.

[nat]

Originally Posted by msu_1972

It was over 20 yrs since I bought a Rolex so when I decided I wanted a modern Rolex, I went to my AD to talk to them. Build my relationship and show that I was a return customer. After 3 months I got the GMT BLNR. :)

Just be patient and work with your local AD. Don't pay that grey market price.

For current models, this.

[Luisrm02]

I put my name on a proverbial list after meeting with a SA at a local AD 10 months ago. Periodically followed up maybe 3 times during that period so they would know I was still interested. Never purchased anything from them before but I did purchase a Pelagos after a couple months since that was another watch I’ve been eyeballing for years. Anyways at the 10 month mark I got a call. My SA telling me she had a nice surprise for me. The sub date which was exactly what I asked for. So no song and dance really, and the only thing I bought was the other watch I wanted and still own and love. For what it’s worth…

I was willing to be patient and was unwilling to pay a penny over retail.

[Luisrm02]

Originally Posted by khalifam

DADVID SW DAVID SW DAVID SW

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Modern date sub currently listed for 18k to 19.7k… feels extremely steep.

[173rdabn]

Throw one hell of a lot of money at a gray dealer. Unless, of course, you enjoy running around the mulberry bush.

[francoamerican]

Datejust secondary dealers all day long.

[dwaine99]

New Sub LV $10,600 from AD or Used Sub LV $23,000+ from Trusted Reseller usually with less warranty....

[JRell]

New clients get Rolex’s, you see it here often, as long as not a white dial Daytona. What Rolex do you want?

[train-time]

Originally Posted by jkyrolex

Is secondary market the only way to buy a rolex? I currently own two rolexes but have not bought one over ten years. Maybe a newbie q here but how are people getting anything from ADs?

Maryland is a tough market with only two ADs. If you travel regularly you may want to try to start up a relationship with an AD outside of the area.

[dwaine99]

Originally Posted by JRell

New clients get Rolex’s, you see it here often, as long as not a white dial Daytona. What Rolex do you want?

Visited the SA today and tried on a Display Daytona not for sale. Told her I'd love to have one in stainless.... she said they usually only get one steel white dial a year. I told her I'd like the opportunity to purchase the next white dial stainless. We will see how long it takes since I'm no longer a new client. SA said they have NO LIST, but have contact information on each potential customer with wants, anniversary and birthdays. Manager/owner makes decision on who gets what. She said their biggest concern is getting the watches to the collectors and keeping them out of the hands of flippers.

[joli160]

Here you can’t, only grey

[RyanJ]

If you do not already have a solid, existing relationship:

Buying from an AD is a crap shoot. It absolutely can happen but does depend on the model.

I received a DJ41 (I know not a super hot model) after visiting a brand new AD. I was looking to buy a DJ so that helped. No way I was getting anything else at that time.