This is how my the story of my first Rolex begins

[normalboywatches]

Hi there,

I am a long time lurker, first time poster.

This is how my story has started on my journey to getting my first Rolex.

I fell in love with the new Sea Dweller when released last year, and have been saving since to add one to my (small..!) collection of watches (Panerai Luminor Marina and Tudor Black Bay steel). I prefer it to the sub for its more toolish looks, the fully graduated bezel and the increased size-as I plan to own this watch well into old age with failing eyes and fattening wrists no doubt the extra 3mm will be a godsend.

After no luck with trying to get on a list for it from any of the big name dealers in London (often either being laughed out of store, hung up on or looked at like I was dirt on the bottom of their shoe for even enquiring about it) I had all but given up and had started to look at the new Breitlings instead. One evening I was scrolling Facebook, and an advert came up on my newsfeed for a small jewellers I had never heard of. A few emails and 2 days later I was sat in their central London store with their Rolex guy having a great chat with him about watches, life and everything in-between. I told him about my love of watches which I think I inherited from my Grandad, and about my awful experiences with the big name dealers so far. He had no attitude or judgement, and just seemed genuinely interested in me as a person. I told him about how I planned to keep the watch for the rest of my life, and he said he was very glad to hear it.

I walked out of the store having been put on the list, and promised no longer than a 5 month wait. I know one could probably say a 5 month wait is too long, and that I should take my business elsewhere. However I have no purchase history or indeed relationship with this dealer except what was formed during our 20 min chat, and I am in no doubt that this model is still in scarce supply. So I am happy to wait the 5 months (I am of course hoping it is shorter however!).

While it remains to be seen if the 5 month max wait comes true, I had no reason to not believe him. So I guess this story is a story of hope winning out just when I had almost given it all up. There can be an unpleasant attitude and a judgement from dealers and employees about them about selling Rolex's (or rather whom not to sell to) and it can be very hurtful indeed. I would be being disingenuous if I said it hadn't soured my first foray into the world of Rolex, an experience which should be exciting and exhilarating. Lucky for me my chance encounter with the small dealer rescued this.

So what did I learn from this story? I learned that the big high street names aren't the be all and end all, and that they don't deserve my hard earned cash. I learned that smaller family owned AD's are going to get it all from now on.

And good on them.