Got my 116610LV yesterday... Waiting list Switzerland

[Frank997]

Hi All,

Been lurking around for sometime and joined today.

So, I have a small beginners collection of watches which Includes IWC, Breitling, Tag and Rolex. Bought my first Rolex GMT II master back in 2015 when one could just walk in from the street and buy one which I did. Added a few other watches to my collection and decided last year to get a Green Submariner.

Went to a different AD than my usual Rolex pusher in Bern, Switzerland, and they just laughed at me when I asked for the model (had not read up on waiting lists etc so had no idea really). I kindly asked if there was a list one could be added to and they said at first no, but then said they would exceptionally add my name but the waiting list would be anything around 3-5 years! Well, I told them that I did not even know if I was going to be in the country in 2 years time so I left.

Went back to my usual Rolex pusher, and asked to be signed up. As I have bought a lot from them earlier (both watches and jewellery) they took my details (passport copy and other ID's) after they checked my account with them. Was also offered a glass of champagne while doing the waiting list sign up. I was told it could be around a year or so before anything came in. This was back towards the end of January of this year.

Last week I then got a call and a mail from my usual AD and was told the watch had arrived. Bought it yesterday at the advertised price on Rolex' website (CHF 8'600) and left the premises with a big smile on my face.

Short of the long: The retailers decide who they want to sell to based on history (at least that was my impression) as they kept saying I was a valuable and appreciated customer. And tell you what, it works, I'll never go anywhere else for my watch or jewellery purchases going forward.

So, that was my experience with getting on a waiting list here in Switzerland at two different AD's. One with purchase history, one w/o.

Total wait: 5 months