A Canadian Idiot's guide to buying a Rolex ?

[Kerwi]

Good Day everyone,

I am sure this topic has been discussed ad nauseam however my search has turned up dry.

I am a month away from my military retirement and I thought it would be an opportune time to treat myself to my first Rolex. (Don't let my account age fool you. I made this account very ambitiously in 2011)

The obstacles that stand in the way seem a little daunting because I do have PTSD and am no longer the sweetest and most outgoing person, specially in public.

I have called one AD in Toronto who told me to come in to try on a watch for the exhibition program but made it very clear that they do not have any watches for sale.

I live a little outside of Toronto (Prince Edward County) and as much as i'd love to just drive 4 hours to look at a watch I've known i wanted since 2011 it isn't really feasible to just get told that i can't put money down for one or have a chance at purchasing it.

A lot of the information here is geared at someone capable of going into multiple AD's and building rapport and those aren't things I'm going to become good at.

So i guess my question is.

Is there a point in further pursuing this ?

Or is the idea of purchasing a new Rolex in 2022 just too complicated for an idiot's guide ?

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Kerwi

Good Day everyone,

I am sure this topic has been discussed ad nauseam however my search has turned up dry.

I am a month away from my military retirement and I thought it would be an opportune time to treat myself to my first Rolex. (Don't let my account age fool you. I made this account very ambitiously in 2011)

The obstacles that stand in the way seem a little daunting because I do have PTSD and am no longer the sweetest and most outgoing person, specially in public.

I have called one AD in Toronto who told me to come in to try on a watch for the exhibition program but made it very clear that they do not have any watches for sale.

I live a little outside of Toronto (Prince Edward County) and as much as i'd love to just drive 4 hours to look at a watch I've known i wanted since 2011 it isn't really feasible to just get told that i can't put money down for one or have a chance at purchasing it.

A lot of the information here is geared at someone capable of going into multiple AD's and building rapport and those aren't things I'm going to become good at.

So i guess my question is.

Is there a point in further pursuing this ?

Or is the idea of purchasing a new Rolex in 2022 just too complicated for an idiot's guide ?

Which model exactly are you looking to buy, that is key information as some are more obtainable than others. You have a good story and the right authorised dealer might take a warming to that.

[Kerwi]

A GMT Master II Pepsi.
I've set aside for a SS but could stretch for a WG

[jets]

Yes what model. I’m in the other side of Lake Ontario


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[Roger Lococco]

Your best chance would be to get into Chinese money laundering and look to establish a “relationship” with an AD across a large volume of purchases.


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[comanndr]

if you know what you want
then it will be less stressful to go grey(not economically of course)

[Kerwi]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

Your best chance would be to get into Chinese money laundering and look to establish a “relationship” with an AD across a large volume of purchases.


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Does it have to be Chinese ?
Could i just do regular money laundering ?
Would my current GE suffice ?

[fitnesstrainer]

Contact DavidSW or Takuya Watches. They are trusted sellers on this forum. I've done business with them multiple times and both are absolutely great. I was hesitant to go to the secondary market because of the prices, but as someone who has a very lengthy purchase history with my AD and still waited 20 months for a SD43 (to no avail), it was a no-brainer for me at that point. Pay a little over premium and be wearing the watch you want in 48-72 hours OR continue to play this idiotic AD waitlist game and wait for months or even years. No thanks, life is too short (speaking as a fellow retiree).

[waterking]

Contact Martha or Patrick at OCWatchGuy and don't let the PTSD stop you from getting the watch you want. OCWatch will be able to handle "anything" you may/may not dish out.
Goodluck.

[Cambo]

First, thank you for your service! It’s never too early to start building a relationship with an AD but don't expect big things right away. If you can’t wait then a grey market dealer (as suggested David SW) may be the way to go.

[Cigars&Watches]

Originally Posted by Kerwi

A GMT Master II Pepsi.
I've set aside for a SS but could stretch for a WG

Unfortunately you want one of the hardest models to get from an AD. You would most likely need some sort of spend, previous purchase, referral, all of the above to get this piece.. if you can't attend and smooze an AD then your best bet is the grey (at a hefty premium for that model).

[Angi]

I’m from Toronto. Maybe I can help. What model are you after? Or like what 3 models would you consider?


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[Cambo]

Originally Posted by waterking

Contact Martha or Patrick at OCWatchGuy and don't let the PTSD stop you from getting the watch you want. OCWatch will be able to handle "anything" you may/may not dish out.
Goodluck.

I also got my BLRO fro OCWatch……flawless transaction

[alex.cicollo]

Hopefully there’s a Canadian AD here that reads this. Thank you for your service!

[thenewrick]

Best bet is going into your local AD and talking to them about your situation and what you want and see what they tell you.

If it’s very inconvenient and you really don’t want to, you can buy them online from a used jewelry vendor and it’ll be delivered to you, but it can cost anywhere from 10% to 500% more expensive.

Often ADs require an in person meeting to talk and find out what you want. Then they will want you to show in up person again when your watch comes in to purchase. They should be able to tell you all about it.

[blufinz52]

Thank you for your service, and you're not an idiot. Best of luck acquiring the watch you're looking for.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Kerwi

A GMT Master II Pepsi.
I've set aside for a SS but could stretch for a WG

Based on that information, I would go white gold on the secondary market without hesitation. I’ve been collecting/owning Rolexes for my whole adult life. The white gold Pepsi (with black dial) was my most recent purchase and I absolutely love it, and I’ve owned lots of watches. This also makes more sense because, if you were to buy stainless you’re paying 3 times retail. With the white gold you can get one for ten per cent maybe 20 per cent over tops. There’s a lot more value in it from that perspective.

[edisonstar23]

Hey I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an idiot if I was in your shoes and as a matter of fact I would consider myself brave for serving my country. Now, as many mentioned you are after one of the most hyped models and thank God you are not after a Daytona lol.


You have 2 options:

(1) Gray Market: expect to pay around 30k . But you will get it within a week at most.

(2) Write an email to your local AD and explain your situation with some sort of proof to show them that you are not bluffing. Then follow up with a call! You will be surprised how empathetic people can be with a little background information. When you call your AD tell them you have an interest in the Pepsi. But I will suggest you also considering other options that are more attainable like a sub date.


Best of luck!

[mg18]

It's worth a shot, but it's super unlikely to get a steel BLRO without a purchase history and almost impossible without at least going to the AD in person. My AD told me that everyone has a story prepared justifying their reason to get a watch these days, so they have heard almost everything. I would not get my hopes up. I really hope things change in the years ahead.

You may have a better shot at WG.

Wishing you luck and I truly hope you get it!

[77T]

A) There is no such thing as a Canadian Idiot. Just idiots in general and those in Canada are a bit more articulate and polite. You aren’t one judging from the way you posed your question.

B) The best bet is an oligarch who wants to do a kind deed in getting a ticket to heaven - and then buys you the SS GMT II as a gift (for which you reimburse that kindly oligarch).


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[brandrea]

OP, first off, welcome to the forum and thank you for your service.

I’d follow Jays advice and go gray on the WG. The premium on the SS is ridiculous, and if you can’t source it at the AD level it’s not worth it IMHO

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Based on that information, I would go white gold on the secondary market without hesitation. I’ve been collecting/owning Rolexes for my whole adult life. The white gold Pepsi (with black dial) was my most recent purchase and I absolutely love it, and I’ve owned lots of watches. This also makes more sense because, if you were to buy stainless you’re paying 3 times retail. With the white gold you can get one for ten per cent maybe 20 per cent over tops. There’s a lot more value in it from that perspective.

[scottyg]

FWIW, my AD called me one day and said he had some exhibition models and I "should swing by" check them out. So, I did and walked away with nothing but some nice conversation. Within about three weeks, he called and said he had a pepsi for me. I'm not sure if it was a way for him to gauge my honest interest, or get me in his shop, or what, but that's how it went for me.

Caveat: I'm in US.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by edisonstar23

Hey I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an idiot if I was in your shoes and as a matter of fact I would consider myself brave for serving my country. Now, as many mentioned you are after one of the most hyped models and thank God you are not after a Daytona lol.


You have 2 options:

(1) Gray Market: expect to pay around 30k . But you will get it within a week at most.

(2) Write an email to your local AD and explain your situation with some sort of proof to show them that you are not bluffing. Then follow up with a call! You will be surprised how empathetic people can be with a little background information. When you call your AD tell them you have an interest in the Pepsi. But I will suggest you also considering other options that are more attainable like a sub date.


Best of luck!

I think (2) is really great advice!

[bosch88]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

Your best chance would be to get into Chinese money laundering and look to establish a “relationship” with an AD across a large volume of purchases.


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Racist much? Could have made your point without naming a Nationality...

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by bosch88

Racist much? Could have made your point without naming a Nationality...

Uh, Canada has a huge Chinese money laundering problem. This is pretty well known. The money laundering is coming from China - therefore it is Chinese money laundering. It started with real estate and luxury cars. And now a target is luxury watches. This is also well known.

Here is one of hundreds of articles you can find on the broader issue of Chinese money laundering in Canada.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...d-chinese-cash


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[bestwatch1]

Go to the gray market.

[BNA/LION]

Thank You for your service!

The hunt is hard but so rewarding when you find or the watch finds you.

I wish you the best of luck in your hunt!

[ABChop]

If you buy from the US you will have to pay all the duties and taxes….which are substantial.
You can find a duty calculator here:
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-v...t-cal-eng.html

[ABChop]

For example on DavidSW right now
Rolex 126710BLRO GMT Master II For $33k usd right now.
=$41300 cad +7700 taxes and duties for Ontario
Total $49,000 CAD ($39150 USD)….plus shipping most likely.
Go on Chrono24 and try and source one from Canada….cheapest option is pay msrp at a dealer obviously….good luck.
I just took a look and….
There are currently 2 in Canada on Chrono24 for $41,200 CAD.