Worth while to pop into some smaller AD's? Upcoming Roadtrip from Florida To Tennesse

[coralfarmer84]

I have a vacation/roadtrip this summer and was thinking about stopping into a smaller AD or two along the way. I know common sense answers are who knows what they will have in stock but I wanted to know if anyone has been too or would recommend a smaller one that has been along my route (where I could actually buy something!) I will be traveling from southwest florida to Gatlinburg Tennessee. The route is mostly I75 in northern florida, macon georgia, and then potentially drive up to knoxville if its worth it. If any of these AD's are worth a stop I'd appreciate the feedback. Not sure if these are the smaller market AD's people talk about. I'm looking to potentially buy a Rose Gold piece of some sort (probably Rose Daytona) and try and work in one of the harder to acquire SS models as well. Only asking because I only really care or have time to stop by 1 or 2 if they are pretty directly on my route, and hoping to catch lightning in a bottle to really put the cherry on top of the vacation

[envuks]

You may want to reach out to LawrenceB. He’s a trusted seller on this board who’s located in Tampa. While not an AD, Lawrence has great inventory and is right on your way. You’d def save on the pm piece, likely not so much on the SS piece

[ArtNouveau]

There's not nearly as many small town dealers as there used to be but I think it would be worth stopping into a couple. In general, they get less inventory but also have a smaller market to sell to. I think your idea of bundling might just find yourself a deal.

[coralfarmer84]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

There's not nearly as many small town dealers as there used to be but I think it would be worth stopping into a couple. In general, they get less inventory but also have a smaller market to sell to. I think your idea of bundling might just find yourself a deal.

I know what you mean, according to the rolex website only 3-4 options along my route. I just don't know if they are actually smaller dealers or still getting purged by bigger markets 2-3 hours away from them.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by coralfarmer84

I know what you mean, according to the rolex website only 3-4 options along my route. I just don't know if they are actually smaller dealers or still getting purged by bigger markets 2-3 hours away from them.

They are,People are searching high and low for SS Pieces.

[Jack T]

Check the website for dealers along the way, call ahead and ask “if you have such and such, I’m ready to buy, will you sell?” Might be a fun experience.

[ArtNouveau]

I'm still a believer that a face to face customer has a better chance of an honest answer than you would get with a phone call.

[coralfarmer84]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I'm still a believer that a face to face customer has a better chance of an honest answer than you would get with a phone call.

Agree completely. Thats why I'm not going to even bother calling because I know the answer.

[JWC76]

I would recommend checking the smaller ADs. Small town dealer is who I bought my SubC from last month. They both a GMT and SubC. I passed on the standard GMT. Just didn’t connect with it. They even offered me a discount on ithe GMT. Great experience working with the smaller AD on this purchase. This was in Michigan. The ADs around me are large and just don’t have the same feel.

[The Libertine]

If the AD is not too far out of the way, why not? You might just strike gold (or SS).

[Jason71]

Kimball’s Jewelers in Knoxville is a very nice mom and pop AD. The last time was in there selection was sparse, (a couple months ago) but you never know. They are very nice. I would recommend stopping.

https://kimballsjewelers.com

I actually discussed the option of buying my Platinum Daytona from them and spoke FTF with the owner. He did offer a pretty reasonable discount, but it just couldn’t touch DavidSW. I would buy a Rolex from them if the right thing came my way

[wristmatic]

always worth trying out. i scored a few batman and hulk that way ;)

[coralfarmer84]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Kimball’s Jewelers in Knoxville is a very nice mom and pop AD. The last time was in there selection was sparse, (a couple months ago) but you never know. They are very nice. I would recommend stopping.

https://kimballsjewelers.com

I actually discussed the option of buying my Platinum Daytona from them and spoke FTF with the owner. He did offer a pretty reasonable discount, but it just couldn’t touch DavidSW. I would buy a Rolex from them if the right thing came my way

This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Thanks Jason, gives real insight as to what to expect

[Uppersouth]

Brown & Company’s Roswell, GA location is a nice place with occasional special pieces in inventory. It’s really all about timing with any of them. Harold Freeman in Belleair Bluffs, Florida (near Tampa) is another good one. Both of these stores are also Patek dealers.

[coralfarmer84]

Originally Posted by Uppersouth

Brown & Company’s Roswell, GA location is a nice place with occasional special pieces in inventory. It’s really all about timing with any of them. Harold Freeman in Belleair Bluffs, Florida (near Tampa) is another good one. Both of these stores are also Patek dealers.

Thank you! That’s along the way and I would have avoided both assuming they were too close to big cities to even bother.

[phraxos5]

I stopped in one time in a small town ad and they had a sd43 so I bought it! I would say if you are looking for the ghosts call each town along the way every ad and see what they have. These towns are Where the ss models are maybe not ssd though.

[Tombstone]

With what Rolex has done a sub or any SS just sitting in an AD case is not too likely. Even small ADs have people calling daily thinking because they are small a SS is more likely to be there. The allotments Rolex provides are slim at best. Some have had only 3 SS since February. Simply put they are not there. Most of my friends have struck it rich in resort towns in Mexico, almost anything SS is there, if your brave.

[Why1504]

Although I ended up buying the watch before they called me the AD in Chattanooga TN called me back when they got in a Skydweller. I wouldn’t scratch them off the list. They seemed to be a good store.

[jsausley]

Originally Posted by coralfarmer84

I have a vacation/roadtrip this summer and was thinking about stopping into a smaller AD or two along the way. I know common sense answers are who knows what they will have in stock but I wanted to know if anyone has been too or would recommend a smaller one that has been along my route (where I could actually buy something!) I will be traveling from southwest florida to Gatlinburg Tennessee. The route is mostly I75 in northern florida, macon georgia, and then potentially drive up to knoxville if its worth it. If any of these AD's are worth a stop I'd appreciate the feedback. Not sure if these are the smaller market AD's people talk about. I'm looking to potentially buy a Rose Gold piece of some sort (probably Rose Daytona) and try and work in one of the harder to acquire SS models as well. Only asking because I only really care or have time to stop by 1 or 2 if they are pretty directly on my route, and hoping to catch lightning in a bottle to really put the cherry on top of the vacation

I can definitely tell you that all of the dealers in NC (at least Winston Salem, Greensboro, Durham and Raleigh) don't have any sports models in stock, unfortunately!

[coralfarmer84]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Keep it coming guys.

[phraxos5]

brown n co in ga has a vip/high roller list a mile long if you don't play for the hawks, braves, or run a record label, forget it. but they will talk to you, and they do not have a non-vip non high roller list. I'm telling you go to Christophers fine jewelry in Pawleys island sc. great folks there and they will sell to you if you are not a scalper. Christopher is an amazing person and gemologist/RAD

[Dwight K Schrute]

I just got mine ss sub date from reed jeweler at macon, GA. they also have a gmt, some tt subs and YMs on display. well probably will be gone by the time you get there. lol.

[Uppersouth]

Originally Posted by phraxos5

brown n co in ga has a vip/high roller list a mile long if you don't play for the hawks, braves, or run a record label, forget it. but they will talk to you, and they do not have a non-vip non high roller list. I'm telling you go to Christophers fine jewelry in Pawleys island sc. great folks there and they will sell to you if you are not a scalper. Christopher is an amazing person and gemologist/RAD

I walked in to Brown & Co., from out of state and was offered a Blue Sky Dweller out of the safe. Lists aren’t often followed. It pays to start up a respectful conversation and you never know what will appear.

[coralfarmer84]

All good info. Thanks everyone

[Radix]

Like mentioned above, the AD in Knoxville is Kimball's Jewelers. I drop by or call every so often. They are sparse right now. Not even a Submariner in the case. I highly recommend dropping by. The place has nice ambience. The salesperson I recommend is Caleb. He is such a breath of fresh air compared to what many might consider to be a stereotypical Rolex salesperson.

[1WatchDawg]

Brown & Co. has two locations in the Atlanta Area. One in Roswell and also in Buckhead. It's family owned and they will treat you well. There is also a Mayors in Lenox Square mall. Swiss watch Expo is also nearby.

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by coralfarmer84

I have a vacation/roadtrip this summer and was thinking about stopping into a smaller AD or two along the way. I know common sense answers are who knows what they will have in stock but I wanted to know if anyone has been too or would recommend a smaller one that has been along my route (where I could actually buy something!) I will be traveling from southwest florida to Gatlinburg Tennessee. The route is mostly I75 in northern florida, macon georgia, and then potentially drive up to knoxville if its worth it. If any of these AD's are worth a stop I'd appreciate the feedback. Not sure if these are the smaller market AD's people talk about. I'm looking to potentially buy a Rose Gold piece of some sort (probably Rose Daytona) and try and work in one of the harder to acquire SS models as well. Only asking because I only really care or have time to stop by 1 or 2 if they are pretty directly on my route, and hoping to catch lightning in a bottle to really put the cherry on top of the vacation

It never hurts to stop in and inquire but don’t get your hopes up. The hot pieces will most certainly be held in the safe for locals and VIPs. I even had a AD in Michigan refuse to sell me a datejust sitting in the case because I didn’t have a Michigan driver’s license.
Good luck