GraY Market Thoughts

[dc7240]

I Have been on the Rolex AD List for 3 years, No Luck. In September I rented a 24 ft. Pontoon on Mississippi. The young man working there had 36 Explorer with Rubber B. I asked him which AD did he go to. Turns out he used a Gray Market Guy in Maple Grove, MN. Next thing you know I put down money on my first ever Rolex (Blue and Gold Sub = Bluesy). It is a Father Son shop, way better treatment than AD. He even let me put it on lay away. Everything checks out, it is genuine. Also, have full box, papers etc. etc. Now a month later my AD is offering me the Wimbledon (Steel Gold, Fluted bezel, Slate Gray Green Roman) and green OP 41 ( Which I accepted ). Weird, how that works. It took me going Gray to start the ball rolling. By the way, I purchased the Bluesy $3,000.00 less than what is retail price. Has anyone else had a Gray Market experience that worked out better than the AD?

Mark
Minnesota

[alphadweller]

Congrats on your TT blue Sub and OP41.

Last time I bought from grey, I got a new piece stickered at 33% off retail. That was my reason for going grey back then (2015). These days though, if I can't get what I really want from an AD, then I'd consider grey again, at the right price.

[Wingman244]

Originally Posted by dc7240

Has anyone else had a Gray Market experience that worked out better than the AD?

Mark
Minnesota

LOL... Well since I have purchased probably 4 grey market Rolex watches this year and every single time I go into my AD to try on the watch and say - "can I buy it" and they smile and say "We can put you on the list".

And they never call... Been on the list for various references for 4 years.

The greys are great. Special shout out to DavidSW, Nashville watch. I even bought a Grand Seiko from Jomashop this year. Find the watch, pay, get it next day - they answer all your questions promptly and are super attentive.

Just in at my AD this Tuesday - put it on and said "WOW! Can I buy?" I asked. "We can put you on a waitlist" they smiled. Called Chase at Nashville Watch - They had a NOS (new old stock) Root Beer, I had the watch yesterday, slight premium over retail price.

[10splaya]

Originally Posted by wingman244

lol... Well since i have purchased probably 4 grey market rolex watches this year and every single time i go into my ad to try on the watch and say - "can i buy it" and they smile and say "we can put you on the list".

And they never call... Been on the list for various references for 4 years.

The greys are great. Special shout out to davidsw, nashville watch. I even bought a grand seiko from jomashop this year. Find the watch, pay, get it next day - they answer all your questions promptly and are super attentive.

Just in at my ad this tuesday - put it on and said "wow! Can i buy?" i asked. "we can put you on a waitlist" they smiled. Called chase at nashville watch - they had a nos root beer, i had the watch yesterday, slight premium over retail price.

bingo!

[Calatrava r]

If a model you want is trading on the secondary market for retail or less, I would go there first over an AD. Being put on some list for years makes no sense to me for most Rolex models.

[bigheart]

Originally Posted by Wingman244

LOL... Well since I have purchased probably 4 grey market Rolex watches this year and every single time I go into my AD to try on the watch and say - "can I buy it" and they smile and say "We can put you on the list".

And they never call... Been on the list for various references for 4 years.

The greys are great. Special shout out to DavidSW, Nashville watch. I even bought a Grand Seiko from Jomashop this year. Find the watch, pay, get it next day - they answer all your questions promptly and are super attentive.

Just in at my AD this Tuesday - put it on and said "WOW! Can I buy?" I asked. "We can put you on a waitlist" they smiled. Called Chase at Nashville Watch - They had a NOS (new old stock) Root Beer, I had the watch yesterday, slight premium over retail price.

Yes absolutely. I get on the list, multiple AD, never hear a thing. So now I just email Takuya and if he's got it in stock I have it the next day. If he's got to locate it he will keep working until he does. Costs more but it seems it's either that or no watch for me.

[rmlovett1]

Congrats on the new ones!

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by Wingman244

LOL... Well since I have purchased probably 4 grey market Rolex watches this year and every single time I go into my AD to try on the watch and say - "can I buy it" and they smile and say "We can put you on the list".

And they never call... Been on the list for various references for 4 years.

The greys are great. Special shout out to DavidSW, Nashville watch. I even bought a Grand Seiko from Jomashop this year. Find the watch, pay, get it next day - they answer all your questions promptly and are super attentive.

Just in at my AD this Tuesday - put it on and said "WOW! Can I buy?" I asked. "We can put you on a waitlist" they smiled. Called Chase at Nashville Watch - They had a NOS (new old stock) Root Beer, I had the watch yesterday, slight premium over retail price.

That’s the way to go. Good Root beer


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[996marty]

Congratulations on your recent purchases

[1William]

Congratulations. The secondary market is the way to go for some watches. I am a huge fan of our Trusted Sellers.

[Gearjockey]

Originally Posted by dc7240

I Have been on the Rolex AD List for 3 years, No Luck. In September I rented a 24 ft. Pontoon on Mississippi. The young man working there had 36 Explorer with Rubber B. I asked him which AD did he go to. Turns out he used a Gray Market Guy in Maple Grove, MN. Next thing you know I put down money on my first ever Rolex (Blue and Gold Sub = Bluesy). It is a Father Son shop, way better treatment than AD. He even let me put it on lay away. Everything checks out, it is genuine. Also, have full box, papers etc. etc. Now a month later my AD is offering me the Wimbledon (Steel Gold, Fluted bezel, Slate Gray Green Roman) and green OP 41 ( Which I accepted ). Weird, how that works. It took me going Gray to start the ball rolling. By the way, I purchased the Bluesy $3,000.00 less than what is retail price. Has anyone else had a Gray Market experience that worked out better than the AD?

Mark
Minnesota

I don’t see the problem with name dropping the dealer if you had a great experience, which is perfectly fine to do (the reticence is very Minnesotan).

His name is Ryan from Crown jewelry and time. Knowledgable, fair and great to work with.

[metallic]

Going AD is great, but these days you have to be extremely patient, be very lucky, or be a whale. Certain watches you will never get. I think it averages out with a grey... pay a premium for steel, discount for PM, discount for used non Rolex/PP/AP, and no patience needed.

[brandrea]

Congratulations OP.

There’s a price for anything and a WIS can justified just about anything

[metallic]

I think watches and concert/sporting event tickets are very similar. Unless you have an inside connection, you are not getting first five rows to a popular act without paying a premium. If you want to see the Carolina Panthers (insert any other crappy team here), you can get a big discount off of face value going grey.