Advice for buying first Rolex

[Jud1229]

Hi All, within the next year or so I hope to be buying my first Rolex however I can't help but feel a little nervous. I am currently on the waiting list at a few AD's in my hometown (Manchester) but I don't have much faith in getting one via them due to no previous purchase history. Aside from the AD's my other option I am debating at the moment is purchasing one from a few of my friends associates, I see them around from time to time and I know some of them are selling their watches. However, I would like to think I fully trust them but something inside tells me not to? I have heard of a few people in my area being sold fakes - I am relatively new to the watch game so was hoping to get some advice from all you guys on what are the main things I should be looking out for to spot a fake and also what you would do in my situation?