No subs in London?!!

[zaydans]

So I'm traveling to the U.K. next week and figure I might pick me up a sub or an airking what with the exchange rates being low and reclaiming the sales tax, so I call a well known central London store to confirm prices and they tell me they don't have any in stock and there are waiting lists. Same for the airking? They tell me these models are scarce and I'd be lucky to find one. It's not even like they are special or limited editions. So if Rolex are producing x hundreds of thousands of pieces every year then where the hell are they all going?!!!

[Etschell]

I'm not trying to be rude but you've been here two years and you don't know SS sports models are hard to get in the UK? It's pretty easy to ascertain.

[Stevec14]

Yep. I know Canary Wharf watches of Switzerland had an air king when I passed on Tuesday. Other than that, ring around a few. May be worth a bell to someone like goldsmiths. If they know you are serious, they may 'find' one at one of their over branches for you....

[cda555]

Originally Posted by zaydans

what with the exchange rates being low and reclaiming the sales tax...where the hell are they all going?!!!

You answered your own question. You aren't the only person who had this revelation.

[texasmade]

Are PM sports watches readily available like the Platona, the WG Pepsi GMT, or even two tone sport watches?

[jabbawock545]

Not many of anything anywhere. Just look at the prices on watchfinder that people are paying.


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[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Are PM sports watches readily available like the Platona, the WG Pepsi GMT, or even two tone sport watches?

Yes PM is far more readily available. my local AD has had a BLRO in the window for at least 3 weeks and sitting next to it a few days ago was a Platona.........no SS sports as usual

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Are PM sports watches readily available like the Platona, the WG Pepsi GMT, or even two tone sport watches?

Plenty of wg gmt's knocking about.

[Rolexman17]

This AD case picture recently taken would confirm you are not at a UK AD store

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by texasmade

Are PM sports watches readily available like the Platona, the WG Pepsi GMT, or even two tone sport watches?

Loads of tt subs, gmt, Daytonas also. Just a lack of ss models....

[brandrea]

You might get lucky at the airport as a few members here have.

Edit : we're talking about watches here

[Maxy]

I'm not from UK.. can I know the reason of this shortage? Do they sell off very fast or AD get very few pieces than say US or other countries?

[Clasper]

Nice BLNR or Deepsea to pick up there

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Etschell

I'm not trying to be rude but you've been here two years and you don't know SS sports models are hard to get in the UK? It's pretty easy to ascertain.

Spot on

[zaydans]

I've read a few comments here and there stating short supply but didn't realize it was that bad as I've never bought from there before. The guy on the phone was most polite but his tone was like I'd called and asked to buy a dodo bird.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I'm not from UK.. can I know the reason of this shortage? Do they sell off very fast or AD get very few pieces than say US or other countries?

look at the sticky on rolex prices around the world... Find the US prices and then add your local sales tax (probably around 8%) which isn't included in the price. Then look up the UK prices and convert the UK prices into dollars and subtract 20% as the tax is included in the price already...

A sub costs (retail) about $9230 in the US including tax a sub in the UK costs £6250 including tax. Without tax its £5000, which is $6211

Rolex is on sale for tourists

[zaydans]

I'm also surprised because I went to an AD in NJ last week and apart from the Daytona and BLNR they had every model in stock for immediate purchase.

[Shaky]

What SS sports models are in short supply in the UK ??

Who says this and since when ??

[kaiserphoenix]

Exchange rate, Vat Refund. Exchange Rate, Vat Refund. Repeat in your head.

Sorry I don't wanna be rude but the GBP has dropped approx 20% VS the USD. Furthermore as a tourist you get 16.6% back on the retail price. This equates to massive undervaluation of UK prices for tourists. You are not the only one that reached this "news".

There are tonnes of tourists from all over the world in London, its very hard to buy a SS Rolex such as the Sub, GMT etc. Just the way it is.

You may have more luck outside of London though however.

[DandyAnt]

Yes, major shortage. There are virtually no SS sports models in London ADs nowadays. Maybe the odd Milguass and generally lots of TT and PM available.

As a comparison in 2014-2015 you could get every SS sports model straight from the display cabinet inc hulk and BLNR (bar the Daytona).

Your best bet in London if you want an immediate purchase is to buy from a reputable reseller (plenty in London) and pay the £500+ premium.


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[FK77]

Seen Air King, Milgauss and Explorer II on display at David M Robinson Canary Wharf (for example). Other than that hard to find any SS models in London.

[zaydans]

I'm in London for a week so I'll look around to see what I can find, probably try airport as a last resort. Worse case I come back empty handed and go buy from local AD the next day, lol!! Could be worse.

[Seaotter]

Originally Posted by Rolexman17

Attachment 843524


This AD case picture recently taken would confirm you are not at a UK AD store

Is this in de UK ? New Explorer 39 mm and the very rare a highly saught after collectors item the Sea-Dweller 4000 116600 👍 only three years in production 😳👀😍😝

[AK797]

You know how you think London is the place to buy? Well since June so have half the world hence we are now out of stock and Rolex aren't keen to resupply us fast either.

As you save on the dollar/pound and get the VAT back you can still do well even by paying premiums from Watchfinder or another dealer in London.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

look at the sticky on rolex prices around the world... Find the US prices and then add your local sales tax (probably around 8%) which isn't included in the price. Then look up the UK prices and convert the UK prices into dollars and subtract 20% as the tax is included in the price already...

A sub costs (retail) about $9230 in the US including tax a sub in the UK costs £6250 including tax. Without tax its £5000, which is $6211

Rolex is on sale for tourists

Thanks for that explanation.

[zaydans]

Hadn't planned the U.K. trip to be honest so it's more about timing than anything else i.e. trip + spare cash = new Rolex (or not, perhaps). Will definitely shop around to see what is out there, might end up with something completely different!!

[wuyangkid]

Originally Posted by Seaotter

Is this in de UK ? New Explorer 39 mm and the very rare a highly saught after collectors item the Sea-Dweller 4000 116600 👍 only three years in production 😳👀😍😝
Attachment 843641

Which AD is this?

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[WatchOut4It]

Yeah ... rough market in the U.K. for finding stainless steel models. If you were looking for a 214270 I could help you out -- I have one on hold that I no longer need. But the forex makes it better for me to buy and resell than take a hit on the refund of my deposit. Crazy times to be dabbling in cross-border watch shopping. ;-) Good luck with your sub hunt -- you may luck out if you're persistent.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Shaky

What SS sports models are in short supply in the UK ??

Who says this and since when ??

Really????

D-Blue, BLNR and Daytona SS Ceramic are extremely hard.
SS Sub, SS GMT, Air-King and Exp 39 are tough to get but not as hard as ones above.

If this surprises you, give me a few UK ad names who currently have them in stock....

[your desired user na]

Originally Posted by FK77

Seen Air King, Milgauss and Explorer II on display at David M Robinson Canary Wharf (for example). Other than that hard to find any SS models in London.

Interesting; those were exactly the 3 SS models the Rugby AD had.