Trying to get a 116613LB from AD in the UK

[harbeartse]

Hi all, so i am trying to get my 1st Rolex (my first ever expensive watch actually) to celebrate me obtaining my masters degree. I have my eyes on the 116613LB, knowing that the GMT batgirl is impossible to get, yet the 116619LB is way over my budget. Figure 116613LB would still look very young and cool with a rubber strap on.

The problem is, i never anticipated that the 116613LB is so difficult to get nowadays around London's AD. Some wouldn't even let me 'register my interest'. I have registered my interest with Watches of Switzerland and nothing seemed to happen. Just want to ask here whether anyone know they local ADs have a 116613LB in stock to sell? I am willing to travel to anywhere of the country just to get it, makes it more special that i actually 'hunting' for it.

P.s. I really want to get it from the AD because i want to write my own 'story' with the watch, with my name on the card and i am quite sure i won't sell it. The grey market has a premium on it.

P.s. 2 Unfortunately, I only have a max budget of £11k, so i don't have extra to 'build a relationship' with the ADs in London, especially given how wealthy watch shoppers in London are, don't think my few thousand pounds are going to make any difference

[Zakalwe]

I think you should be able to get this watch. You may have to wait several months and it’ll probably take some effort but I think it’s doable.

Firstly, avoid central London AD’s. As you imply, you can’t compete with their customer mix of rich tourists and vastly wealthy locals.

Secondly, get on your bike and visit a few outer London/Home Counties AD’s (depending on where exactly you live) and make some enquiries and take it from there. There are still some salespeople and AD’s who will sell watches that aren’t Unobtanium like SS Subs and GMT’s to people who aren’t huge spenders. Being personable, appearing interested in watches and not acting like a flipper (i.e. by asking about Hulks and Pepsis) will help.

[VacherObsessive]

Originally Posted by harbeartse

Hi all, so i am trying to get my 1st Rolex (my first ever expensive watch actually) to celebrate me obtaining my masters degree. I have my eyes on the 116613LB, knowing that the GMT batgirl is impossible to get, yet the 116619LB is way over my budget. Figure 116613LB would still look very young and cool with a rubber strap on.

The problem is, i never anticipated that the 116613LB is so difficult to get nowadays around London's AD. Some wouldn't even let me 'register my interest'. I have registered my interest with Watches of Switzerland and nothing seemed to happen. Just want to ask here whether anyone know they local ADs have a 116613LB in stock to sell? I am willing to travel to anywhere of the country just to get it, makes it more special that i actually 'hunting' for it.

P.s. I really want to get it from the AD because i want to write my own 'story' with the watch, with my name on the card and i am quite sure i won't sell it. The grey market has a premium on it.

P.s. 2 Unfortunately, I only have a max budget of £11k, so i don't have extra to 'build a relationship' with the ADs in London, especially given how wealthy watch shoppers in London are, don't think my few thousand pounds are going to make any difference

Saw a 2016 model in Burlington arcade (Bond Street) today in the grey for £9k box papers and looked mint. Still 2 years of warrantee. This is £1k under retail

Unworn with stickers will be over retail, because it’s immediately available. however, what’s the point, seriously who cares. Once you take the damn stickers off you lose that premium instantly.

If you have to have a brand new AD piece then you can go outside of london to Brighton, the new watches of Switzerland there may allow you to go on the list. Also try the AD in Bath and in Chester and in Cheltenham. However, if you don’t put down a deposit, you’re not on the list. They are just paying you lip service if they take your name and no £££. All the stores now if they have a list that is available to take people on, they will take a deposit. Lists still available are TT sub, air king, EXP1 and DJ41. EXP2 recently closed on taking deposits. If the wait is more than a year they won’t take a deposit so you have to take the hint

I recon if you go out of london to the places I’ve said, there is a chance you can put down a 10-20% Deposit and it will be a six month wait

Personally, I’d get pre-owned minty from a solid bricks and mortar grey B&P for less than MSRP and get it immediately.

[VacherObsessive]

Double post

[Xtralarg]

When you get one dont put a rubber on it, the bracelet is beautiful. FYI I got one a few months back from an AD with no history. When you go in be polite, dress smart, know the product a little. Dont admit ever owing a Rolex and selling it, they don't like that these days.

The problem with hitting ADs too far from where you live is they like customers to be local. They usually ask if you are local, now I say yes. I know it's a BS game but unfortunately you have to play it if you want them to sell a desirable watch to you. Good luck.

[harbeartse]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I think you should be able to get this watch. You may have to wait several months and it’ll probably take some effort but I think it’s doable.

Firstly, avoid central London AD’s. As you imply, you can’t compete with their customer mix of rich tourists and vastly wealthy locals.

Secondly, get on your bike and visit a few outer London/Home Counties AD’s (depending on where exactly you live) and make some enquiries and take it from there. There are still some salespeople and AD’s who will sell watches that aren’t Unobtanium like SS Subs and GMT’s to people who aren’t huge spenders. Being personable, appearing interested in watches and not acting like a flipper (i.e. by asking about Hulks and Pepsis) will help.

Thanks, Zakalwe! I will definitely visit the outer London stores in this coming few months! I will dress smart and talk politely to them to leave a good impression!

[harbeartse]

Originally Posted by VacherObsessive

Saw a 2016 model in Burlington arcade (Bond Street) today in the grey for £9k box papers and looked mint. Still 2 years of warrantee. This is £1k under retail

Unworn with stickers will be over retail, because it’s immediately available. however, what’s the point, seriously who cares. Once you take the damn stickers off you lose that premium instantly.

If you have to have a brand new AD piece then you can go outside of london to Brighton, the new watches of Switzerland there may allow you to go on the list. Also try the AD in Bath and in Chester and in Cheltenham. However, if you don’t put down a deposit, you’re not on the list. They are just paying you lip service if they take your name and no £££. All the stores now if they have a list that is available to take people on, they will take a deposit. Lists still available are TT sub, air king, EXP1 and DJ41. EXP2 recently closed on taking deposits. If the wait is more than a year they won’t take a deposit so you have to take the hint

I recon if you go out of london to the places I’ve said, there is a chance you can put down a 10-20% Deposit and it will be a six month wait

Personally, I’d get pre-owned minty from a solid bricks and mortar grey B&P for less than MSRP and get it immediately.

Ah i see thanks for the advice and insights. Didn't know that deposit is the key. Haven't been to Bath and Cheltenham, a very good excuse to visit actually

[In-Cog-Neeto]

FWIW, I was looking for the same and was told 8month wait time on these

I think it’s like most models. Hit and miss. But i think much easier to get than most

Anyway, got mine after a couple months from that AD

[peterpl]

Ive been saying this for ages now. The Bluesy is getting fairly hard to get now. I've been trying to source one locally in AU for ages now for a friend.

NO AD will take names at all. They havent had one in over 6 months and I've talked to every single AD in entire of Australia.

Same thing is happening in the UK and even in parts of Asia its getting hard.

[kuuttingg]

To the OP, please update us when you are able to purchase the timepiece. Post pics when you get the chance. I love to hear success stories. Good luck!

[Rocket launcher]

You will get this watch from an AD in the UK within 6 months that is what I was told 2 weeks ago ....
They are available....superb watch
As said try a dealer outside of London

[WatchLurv]

Call all the ADs around the country and inquire. Only way. You may get lucky and you may get ADs hanging up on you after the "sorry it's not in stock".

[Xtralarg]

Originally Posted by peterpl

Ive been saying this for ages now. The Bluesy is getting fairly hard to get now. I've been trying to source one locally in AU for ages now for a friend.

NO AD will take names at all. They havent had one in over 6 months and I've talked to every single AD in entire of Australia.

Same thing is happening in the UK and even in parts of Asia its getting hard.

I have to agree, even though I managed to get one just by walking in cold I think I was lucky that day. And to be honest it's the watch that I now wear 90% of the time. The rest of my collection look boring after wearing the LB.

[Rolex_Bob]

Originally Posted by peterpl

Ive been saying this for ages now. The Bluesy is getting fairly hard to get now. I've been trying to source one locally in AU for ages now for a friend.

NO AD will take names at all. They havent had one in over 6 months and I've talked to every single AD in entire of Australia.

Same thing is happening in the UK and even in parts of Asia its getting hard.

It took me 8 months to get one in Sydney and that was after spending a fair bit of money with an AD.
It's one of those watches that people just think it's easy to get because all the obvious ones are so hard. It's not until you really try that you realize the difficulty.

[andrewjb88]

Seen a few of these in stock, Dublin high street and Rome airport recently just phone about a few AD's.

[harbeartse]

Originally Posted by Xtralarg

When you get one dont put a rubber on it, the bracelet is beautiful. FYI I got one a few months back from an AD with no history. When you go in be polite, dress smart, know the product a little. Dont admit ever owing a Rolex and selling it, they don't like that these days.

The problem with hitting ADs too far from where you live is they like customers to be local. They usually ask if you are local, now I say yes. I know it's a BS game but unfortunately you have to play it if you want them to sell a desirable watch to you. Good luck.

Yes, i guess i will just have to lie 'friendly'.

[andrewjb88]

Any luck?

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by harbeartse

knowing that the GMT batgirl is impossible to get

The what?

You should be able to get a TT Submariner relatively easily.

[harbeartse]

Originally Posted by andrewjb88

Any luck?

No luck so far :( Some told me to come back next year and some said the waiting list is full and feel like none have taken me seriously so far. There's one AD in Scotland that accepts deposits, but I am not available to travel to Scotland just yet. My current best chance is to maintain a good relationship with a sales in Canary Wharf's AD (by dropping emails and dropping by the stores to say hello).


One of the family jewellery stores near the South kind of pisses me off to be very honest. I went in, dressed smart, greeted politely and spoke knowledgeably about the model I want, and she told me that only people with a customer account can be on the waiting list for a Bluesy. I shared my genuine difficulty with her, saying that I want to build a customer relationship with you, but for my first watch, I only have a maximum of £10k ish budget as a fresh masters graduate. She kept on harding-selling me to purchase some of their diamonds which I can't even afford in order to open a customer account.

Since 116613LB is my favourite watch and the only watch I want. I don't want to (nor can I afford) to spend half of my savings on something that I don't like. Maybe it is asking for too much to buy a brand new SS or TT from an AD nowadays. Very sorry for the negative emotions, hope some of you can understand my frustration!

p.s. I will travel to HK during October, they have great greys in HK. If I don't hear back by Oct, I will go grey.

[harbeartse]

Originally Posted by Rolex_Bob

It took me 8 months to get one in Sydney and that was after spending a fair bit of money with an AD.
It's one of those watches that people just think it's easy to get because all the obvious ones are so hard. It's not until you really try that you realize the difficulty.

Totally understand. Congrats bro. Looks amazing from the picture!

[harbeartse]

Originally Posted by WatchLurv

Call all the ADs around the country and inquire. Only way. You may get lucky and you may get ADs hanging up on you after the "sorry it's not in stock".

Haha, I am feeling numb now to rejections. I still say goodbye and have a nice day every day. Faith in good karma.

[harbeartse]

Originally Posted by VacherObsessive

Saw a 2016 model in Burlington arcade (Bond Street) today in the grey for £9k box papers and looked mint. Still 2 years of warrantee. This is £1k under retail

Unworn with stickers will be over retail, because it’s immediately available. however, what’s the point, seriously who cares. Once you take the damn stickers off you lose that premium instantly.

If you have to have a brand new AD piece then you can go outside of london to Brighton, the new watches of Switzerland there may allow you to go on the list. Also try the AD in Bath and in Chester and in Cheltenham. However, if you don’t put down a deposit, you’re not on the list. They are just paying you lip service if they take your name and no £££. All the stores now if they have a list that is available to take people on, they will take a deposit. Lists still available are TT sub, air king, EXP1 and DJ41. EXP2 recently closed on taking deposits. If the wait is more than a year they won’t take a deposit so you have to take the hint

I recon if you go out of london to the places I’ve said, there is a chance you can put down a 10-20% Deposit and it will be a six month wait

Personally, I’d get pre-owned minty from a solid bricks and mortar grey B&P for less than MSRP and get it immediately.

I will take a look. Thanks a lot bro!

[harbeartse]

Originally Posted by In-Cog-Neeto

FWIW, I was looking for the same and was told 8month wait time on these

I think it’s like most models. Hit and miss. But i think much easier to get than most

Anyway, got mine after a couple months from that AD

Congrats bro! Feeling happy for you!

[teck21]

Originally Posted by harbeartse

No luck so far :( Some told me to come back next year and some said the waiting list is full and feel like none have taken me seriously so far. There's one AD in Scotland that accepts deposits, but I am not available to travel to Scotland just yet. My current best chance is to maintain a good relationship with a sales in Canary Wharf's AD (by dropping emails and dropping by the stores to say hello).





One of the family jewellery stores near the South kind of pisses me off to be very honest. I went in, dressed smart, greeted politely and spoke knowledgeably about the model I want, and she told me that only people with a customer account can be on the waiting list for a Bluesy. I shared my genuine difficulty with her, saying that I want to build a customer relationship with you, but for my first watch, I only have a maximum of £10k ish budget as a fresh masters graduate. She kept on harding-selling me to purchase some of their diamonds which I can't even afford in order to open a customer account.



Since 116613LB is my favourite watch and the only watch I want. I don't want to (nor can I afford) to spend half of my savings on something that I don't like. Maybe it is asking for too much to buy a brand new SS or TT from an AD nowadays. Very sorry for the negative emotions, hope some of you can understand my frustration!



p.s. I will travel to HK during October, they have great greys in HK. If I don't hear back by Oct, I will go grey.

The 116613LB is something that sells below retail on the secondary market.

If you aren’t attempting to build a relationship or have some fixation on buying first hand, it would make sense to just get it on the resale market now.

[Woody]

You might want to have a look at watches.co.uk. They have a pre-owned example from 2012 on their website - price is 10,195GBP - they are located in Chiswick (I think) so might be worth paying a visit to their shop. If all else fails then send me a PM and I will link you up with my friendly AD. Good luck.

[VacherObsessive]

Originally Posted by harbeartse

No luck so far :( Some told me to come back next year and some said the waiting list is full and feel like none have taken me seriously so far. There's one AD in Scotland that accepts deposits, but I am not available to travel to Scotland just yet. My current best chance is to maintain a good relationship with a sales in Canary Wharf's AD (by dropping emails and dropping by the stores to say hello).


One of the family jewellery stores near the South kind of pisses me off to be very honest. I went in, dressed smart, greeted politely and spoke knowledgeably about the model I want, and she told me that only people with a customer account can be on the waiting list for a Bluesy. I shared my genuine difficulty with her, saying that I want to build a customer relationship with you, but for my first watch, I only have a maximum of £10k ish budget as a fresh masters graduate. She kept on harding-selling me to purchase some of their diamonds which I can't even afford in order to open a customer account.

Since 116613LB is my favourite watch and the only watch I want. I don't want to (nor can I afford) to spend half of my savings on something that I don't like. Maybe it is asking for too much to buy a brand new SS or TT from an AD nowadays. Very sorry for the negative emotions, hope some of you can understand my frustration!

p.s. I will travel to HK during October, they have great greys in HK. If I don't hear back by Oct, I will go grey.

Honestly it’s a small premium to go grey for a minty example, even in london. Don’t bother with HK you might get stung as a newbie

In all fairness your post is a bit whiney; you are not taking the hint that you have literally missed the boat yet you’re expecting to get a free ride.

No one owes you anything and there is a premium on the grey market for a reason, as people like you have no entitlement to buy at MSRP with no relationship. There is a queue for this piece and you can’t jump it for free

Being blunt my advice is the same as before; stop dicking about, man up and buy the bluesy pre-owned and enjoy life with your new watch. There was a ceramic 2017 in Bond Street for £8999 box and papers; happy days. Brand new stickers one there about £11k if you’re that bothered. Personally I’d keep the £2k and go for the 2017

[Lgear080]

Come to Florida on vacation... they’re avail here

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

The what?

You should be able to get a TT Submariner relatively easily.

,, it’s an awful nickname,

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by jaySL350

,, it’s an awful nickname,

TOTALLY awful. Childish and off-putting as all of them are.

It is all my AD can do to keep himself in check when people come in spouting nickname after nickname at him all day long. Drives him nuts what with the huge flow of traffic at their shop (2nd largest sales in the Southwest U.S.)

So glad I am not an AD.

[Luke@TRF]

Originally Posted by harbeartse

No luck so far :( Some told me to come back next year and some said the waiting list is full and feel like none have taken me seriously so far. There's one AD in Scotland that accepts deposits, but I am not available to travel to Scotland just yet. My current best chance is to maintain a good relationship with a sales in Canary Wharf's AD (by dropping emails and dropping by the stores to say hello).


One of the family jewellery stores near the South kind of pisses me off to be very honest. I went in, dressed smart, greeted politely and spoke knowledgeably about the model I want, and she told me that only people with a customer account can be on the waiting list for a Bluesy. I shared my genuine difficulty with her, saying that I want to build a customer relationship with you, but for my first watch, I only have a maximum of £10k ish budget as a fresh masters graduate. She kept on harding-selling me to purchase some of their diamonds which I can't even afford in order to open a customer account.

Since 116613LB is my favourite watch and the only watch I want. I don't want to (nor can I afford) to spend half of my savings on something that I don't like. Maybe it is asking for too much to buy a brand new SS or TT from an AD nowadays. Very sorry for the negative emotions, hope some of you can understand my frustration!

p.s. I will travel to HK during October, they have great greys in HK. If I don't hear back by Oct, I will go grey.

The store down south has a M in its name i'm guessing. Been there before , left contact details etc and even agreed to put down a deposit for a 116518 but never been able to make any tangible progress with the SA lady. In the end bought from grey with little over the listing price. BNIB with my own name on the paper.

talking about AD experience when buying watch?