How easy or difficult is it to get an ExpII white dial?

[Sunstreaker]

Lately I’ve started liking the ExpII. Very easy to read, nice size, fits well etc.

I know it’s popular, but not quite as popular as other sports models. On average, how long was your wait to get one or how difficult to acquire?

Thanks

[Navin Johnson]

I was offered the black dial after about 2 weeks but turned it down because I’m waiting for the white dial. It’s been about 6 months and I’m still waiting. From what I’ve been told the white dial is highly sought after and not so easy to get. I have hopes that I’ll get it by the end of the year.

[WatchTimes]

Call DavidSW he will have one to you this week.

[Sunstreaker]

Originally Posted by WatchTimes

Call DavidSW he will have one to you this week.

Well yes but I’m not sure Id want to pay much over retail for this, right?

[ol' Rex]

Originally Posted by Sunstreaker

Well yes but I’m not sure Id want to pay much over retail for this, right?

No sane person would. Nevertheless, many posters here advise everyone who asks to "go grey". A cynic might even suspect that a few of them are shills for grey dealers. Caveat emptor.

If you really want to know how difficult it is to get a particular model, it would probably be sensible to ask an authorized dealer in your area. I imagine that there are many factors that play a role, and that the answer won't be the same everywhere.

Good luck!

[rmwill]

I got my 226570 Polar from my AD shortly after the release. I wear it the most of all my watches. My SA says they get relatively few of both dial colors, but they are among the least demanded sports models, along with the Sea-Dweller and DeepSea. The grey premium is pretty small on them, and if you consider sales tax, its an even better deal.

[rmwill]

This strikes me as a great deal. New from the AD: $9,650+ 6% Tax = $10,229. Seller is pretty new but has refs and recent transactions.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ghlight=226570 = $10,500

[RTG]

I waited about 8 months. My AD says they only got one last year. They are not common lately. Might require a bit of patience, but it will happen! And worth the wait!

[GGGMT]

It was about 1 1/2 year wait for me. I bought gray, and then, when my name popped up, I sold the gray and bought the new. And one of the all-time favorites. GADA.


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[WilsdorfNDavis]

They're going for about $11.5-12K these days, about $1500 over retail once tax is added in.

[pa1113]

Originally Posted by rmwill

This strikes me as a great deal. New from the AD: $9,650+ 6% Tax = $10,229. Seller is pretty new but has refs and recent transactions.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ghlight=226570 = $10,500

It IS a great deal if it's all as described, etc. If you could be certain it's a can't miss. I paid $11,600 recently, grey, for a late 2022. It was worth the small premium over retail plus tax and I don't regret it one bit. As others have said, it's not as desired as some other sport models (should be IMO ) but it also doesn't show up as much. Expect a wait.


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[rmwill]

Exactly. I love mine for travel, along with my 40mm Polar 16570. They are under the radar and blend in all over the world. My GMTMII LN is a bit to visible for wearing on transit and at tourist hot spots, and Exp II has all the same travel functionality.

Originally Posted by pa1113

It IS a great deal if it's all as described, etc. If you could be certain it's a can't miss. I paid $11,600 recently, grey, for a late 2022. It was worth the small premium over retail plus tax and I don't regret it one bit. As others have said, it's not as desired as some other sport models (should be IMO ) but it also doesn't show up as much. Expect a wait.


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[Sunstreaker]

Yes when you factor in tax and the time savings the one listed for sale above is a good deal. Def worth considering.

I’m guessing it sounds like if I waited for my AD I’m looking at 1 year at least.

[THE_FOOT]

Lucky for me I wasn't even on the list for one, had a phone call from a friend saying their AD in Italy had one, would i ilke it ?and I snapped it up, this was early 2020, two weeks later my local AD offered me a black one, took that too!

[cdm765]

You can get that at retail without a long wait. I’d go that way as buying in an AD feels a bit nicer than it coming in the mail in my experience.

[Mr Ben]

I’m sure it depends on the area - I couldn’t even get on a list for an Exp II white or black dial - though the AD took my name for a sub. Still nothing a year later. I solved the problem by leaving my name down for the sub and buying the Exp II grey. Premium is minimal if you shop around.

Can’t believe how underrated they are - it’s really made me think about what else I’d buy because I am happy just grabbing this every morning whatever I’m doing. I got the black dial and I could even be convinced to make the polar my next watch and having both as I was torn between the two to start with. (Or maybe a 16570 polar before the prices get any sillier for a mint example.)

[Tri-Tip]

I got mine from OCRolexGuy for a bit less than MSRP (if I remember correctly) with no wait. Of course, that was in late 2014.

[brandrea]

I’m really digging this reference lately ….

[CedCraig]

If you are patient, then give your AD (or get on several lists) a chance.

Buying grey is certainly an option but note that there is a risk that if you buy a watch with time left on the warranty, Rolex may not honor that warranty. Greys often polish beat up watches so they can sell them LNIB and they open up the watch to verify authenticity. Both of those activities may void the warranty. And given the problems with the 32xx movements you really want a full 5 year warranty.

[rick lee]

I've been on the list for about five mos. I also want a Pepsi GMT, told the SA I can't afford both, but will pounce on the first one I can get. Not going grey, just don't need it, but I want it. I have bought one Rolex from her for Mrs. Lee. So not much spend history. SBut she knows I'm a watch nerd and not a rich guy or a flipper. Not sure if that counts for anything.

[Starhutch]

While I would never say this is under the radar it does surprise me it doesn’t get the same attention as the GMT and Sub. Obviously the larger size does play into it but man it’s a beautiful reference. Easily could rock this one daily

[SlashRothstein]

Originally Posted by CedCraig

If you are patient, then give your AD (or get on several lists) a chance.

Buying grey is certainly an option but note that there is a risk that if you buy a watch with time left on the warranty, Rolex may not honor that warranty. Greys often polish beat up watches so they can sell them LNIB and they open up the watch to verify authenticity. Both of those activities may void the warranty. And given the problems with the 32xx movements you really want a full 5 year warranty.

Bought a DJ from DavidSW and just had it serviced @ RSC under warranty. Honored the warranty without issue.

[2loaded]

...at least start the thread with a "my AD said". Asking a bunch of strangers about watch availability seems futile. I personally would not buy a used current production watch over the cost of retail.
A fellow collector received his Polar in under 6mo (We visit the same AD)
Happy Hunting !

[MTdweller]

Like others have said going grey gets you the watch now at a premium (at least in today’s market). Depends on how patient you can be. Also, what is more valuable to you - your money or your time?

I bought grey a few years ago from DavidSW and the experience was top notch. Best of luck!

[Mr Ben]

In an environment of high inflation/ long wait-lists, remember that buying grey today could be cheaper than buying retail at the end of a long wait! That’s how I justified a small premium on this model if you need some man-maths to help you speed things up.

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by ol' Rex

No sane person would. Nevertheless, many posters here advise everyone who asks to "go grey". A cynic might even suspect that a few of them are shills for grey dealers. Caveat emptor.

If you really want to know how difficult it is to get a particular model, it would probably be sensible to ask an authorized dealer in your area. I imagine that there are many factors that play a role, and that the answer won't be the same everywhere.

Good luck!

Fully agree, the number of « people » saying go grey now enjoy your watch pay our good friend DavidOCguyGrey will provide impeccable service, is suspicious.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by Mr Ben

In an environment of high inflation/ long wait-lists, remember that buying grey today could be cheaper than buying retail at the end of a long wait! That’s how I justified a small premium on this model if you need some man-maths to help you speed things up.

This is a great point and it it surprises me how it doesn't come up more often.

The developed world maybe staring at higher inflation for several more years. It would give Rolex great cover to be more aggressive with annual price increases, and honestly some other watchmakers have been even more aggressive recently.

A couple of years of price increases and that grey price you just paid on a Sub or Exp II might not seem so bad, and you got to enjoy the watch the whole time as well.

[SS Oyster]

My wife got mine for Xmas 2021 (50th Anniversary). I think she waited a few months, but even she got it, the AD said it was not something they get a lot of each year.


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[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

Fully agree, the number of « people » saying go grey now enjoy your watch pay our good friend DavidOCguyGrey will provide impeccable service, is suspicious.

Except it appear every single person on this thread "shilling" for grey has a longer history here on this forum than you and especially the guy you are responding to.

Nothing against new users of course. But it's kind of silly to call established posters who are just relaying positive experiences with grey market dealers "suspicious" or "shills".

[Toproll85]

Depends on your person and relationship with the AD, depends on the AD in question versus Rolex (the more less sought after or expensive pieces they sell gold, diamonds and so on, the more sought after pieces they get), the geolocation (with a large retailer it is sometimes more complicated than with a smaller, more family-oriented one, contrary to what everyone might think) and many other factors.
The problem is that there are so many variables !

It's impossible for anyone to tell a wait time.

Yes the Explorer II Polar is a harder model to get than the black dial version, but it's also not the most sought after professional model at the same time.

You have to put yourself on the list and tell yourself that there will be months to go, nothing miraculous in the equation.
I can tell you how long it took me to receive mine, but it won't mean anything to you as just explained...