Opinions Wanted

[MrMikee]

How long have you been waiting for? The air king isn’t really hard to get and more and more watches are being turned down.

I would wait..

[Scubastu]

Originally Posted by ChocBoyWonder

So the consensus is to go with my gut feeling and wait it out. Just the sings of an excited Noob with no patience. Trust when I say I know better.


You guys are Awesome! So much useful feedback and so quick with it!

Thanks for all the feedback. I will become a pledge member.

The other thing to consider is the actual buying experience of going into an AD and buying your watch brand new and untouched. After all you are buying a luxury item and should be treated as such nice glass of bubbles or drink of your choice, rather than just paying over the odds from the grey market and then your watch just arriving by post. Where is the fun in that.
I think things are changing I got the call for a TT Blue Sub after only 6 weeks and I had no spend history, this was with a smaller independent jewellers.

[ChocBoyWonder]

Originally Posted by MrMikee

How long have you been waiting for? The air king isn’t really hard to get and more and more watches are being turned down.

I would wait..

Not long at all. It's just been 4 weeks. I feel like I should wait a little longer and not pay above retail especially for an entry level piece.

Originally Posted by Scubastu

The other thing to consider is the actual buying experience of going into an AD and buying your watch brand new and untouched.

This is what I am after. I want to feel all the feels. It's a milestone gift to myself.

[Cigars&Watches]

Originally Posted by ChocBoyWonder

I'm on the waiting list at with w AD's patiently waiting for 'the call'. I have the option of getting a brand new AK for 3K above retail. As this will be my first Rolex, is it worth going with the later if my patience wears thin? I really want to build a relationship with an AD so my plan is to wait but one never knows. What do ya'll think?

I see your location is GTA, I'm assuming you are from the Toronto area. Canada is one of the toughest countries in the world to get Rolex watches. Many of the comments that "an airking is easy to get" are from people who do not live in Canada. They are difficult to get here and I can see the 3k premium on them in Canada...

Having said that an airking is a piece that you should probably get with some patience and follow up. My advice would be to visit as many AD's as possible and try your luck that way.

As a reference I have some mates waiting for some pieces that you think they should easily be able to get.

I agree with you about waiting for an AD especially if you want other pieces.

Feel free to PM me. Best of luck

[brandrea]

The OP is located in the GTA, the 6th largest metro in North America with about 7 ADs within shooting distance.

My advice is to buy the watch from a trusted seller here. Im surprised the delta is $3000 above retail on that model….

Good luck

EDIT: also check out canwatchco.com

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by sj24k

if you really want the watch, then go buy it now. if you're not in a rush, then wait. BUT i've never really been a "build relationship with an AD" kinda guy. over the years, i've had ADs go out of business, SAs leave for new jobs, and others try to convince me to buy things i have no interest in buying. it's a personal thing, but if an AD can't deliver something to me in my timeframe, and it's something I really "gotta have," then i just buy it from a trusted reseller.

i know many out there have built great relationships with ADs, enjoy that experience, will only buy at MSRP or below, etc. etc. but you just gotta do what feels right to you and works with your priorities.

good luck.

Very sound advice. In a perfect world everyone could buy a Rolex at retail given a reasonable wait time for most models. But we all know it certainly has not been that way in many years now. If you can afford it then do it. I’d try the trusted TRF sellers. Consider WatchBox as well. If it’s something you know you’ll keep then why not. As Brandrea said $3k seems steep for that model however. Maybe give it some time.

[Colorado_kid]

Me personally, I’d go back and visit with the AD and use your intuition to see if “the call” will actually come.
I’m close enough with a couple sales people at the AD to ask, “is it realistic I’m going to get this watch?” If they dance around it and give vague answers, you’ll probably never get it from them. They should be able to tell you roughly when you should expect it. My guess is an AK shouldn’t take too long.

[ChocBoyWonder]

Originally Posted by Colorado_kid

Me personally, I’d go back and visit with the AD and use your intuition to see if “the call” will actually come.

One of the Rolex locations the inquiry experience alone was something to take note of. I tried on 4 watches and put my name down for 2 of them. They were prepared to let me see them all. It seemed like they had any I wanted to see. It was great.

EDIT: The first Rolex location told me to expect an 8-9 month wait but that it was possible. The second more inviting location wouldn't even give me a guestimate, but that experience was still very pleasant and inviting.

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

As Brandrea said $3k seems steep for that model however. Maybe give it some time.

I think the 3K is taking advantage of the fact I want one and they have a brand new one unworn. I think for the AK I'm prepared to wait. For something else though, I would give in.

Originally Posted by brandrea

Im surprised the delta is $3000 above retail on that model….

Good luck

EDIT: also check out canwatchco.com

Thanks! I'll check them out. So 11K CAD is steep for an AK?

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

I see your location is GTA, I'm assuming you are from the Toronto area. Canada is one of the toughest countries in the world to get Rolex watches. Many of the comments that "an airking is easy to get" are from people who do not live in Canada. They are difficult to get here and I can see the 3k premium on them in Canada...

Having said that an airking is a piece that you should probably get with some patience and follow up. My advice would be to visit as many AD's as possible and try your luck that way.

As a reference I have some mates waiting for some pieces that you think they should easily be able to get.

I agree with you about waiting for an AD especially if you want other pieces.

Feel free to PM me. Best of luck

I have thought about that. I figured Toronto alone would not be an easy place to get the call from. This is the perfect place for them to 'play games' as people in the watch game I bet are playing along with them.

[IsItFridayYet]

Originally Posted by Colorado_kid

Me personally, I’d go back and visit with the AD and use your intuition to see if “the call” will actually come.
I’m close enough with a couple sales people at the AD to ask, “is it realistic I’m going to get this watch?” If they dance around it and give vague answers, you’ll probably never get it from them. They should be able to tell you roughly when you should expect it. My guess is an AK shouldn’t take too long.

I totally agree with this. Every time I revisited the various SAs I’ve chatted with in the past they never remember me. On my last visit I inquired about the Air King and asked if my chances were better since it’s not as popular, she responded like I asked a ridiculous question. I then texted another SA from another boutique whom I’ve chatted with and never got a response. Thats when I got fed up and contacted a grey dealer and got my watch within three days after initial contact. Remember I’ve been visiting my various local ADs since 2021.

I can understand wanting the “AD” treatment of buying new, but at this point (for me at least) it feels a little bit condescending that they CHOSE me. Am I supposed to feel special and grateful after mostly poor experiences? That’s just my personal experience. I can understand waiting when you’ve had great experiences with your SA.

I hope you get you AK in the near future.

[2thdock]

Does anyone think it would be bad form to tell the AD that you are considering going grey unless they see an end in site? I would appreciate honestly in this regard as opposed to sitting around for another year. New, unworn is still used from a grey dealer, correct? maybe a dumb question but If you resold it, can anyone tell how many owners a watch has? Are warranty cards "transferred" when you purchase pre-owned?

[HogwldFLTR]

AKs are one of the more accesible watches; I'd wait for new from the AD. When I went to an AD I'd embarrased they said they couldn't help with anything me but an AK. It took a few months but I got the first one that came in.

[Colorado_kid]

Originally Posted by 2thdock

Does anyone think it would be bad form to tell the AD that you are considering going grey unless they see an end in site? I would appreciate honestly in this regard as opposed to sitting around for another year.

IMO, I don’t think it’s bad form but I don’t think they’ll really care what you do or don’t do. Keep in mind they’ll sell every single allocated watch they get within minutes/hours/days from receiving.


I would simply ask, “is it reasonable to assume I’ll have XX watch within XX time?”

It’s always helped me to have a certain occasion I’m trying to hit (anniversary, birthday, birth of a child.. etc)

Just be honest with them and they’ll be honest back if they’re a good AD.


If I asked, when will I get a panda Daytona, of course they’ll chuckle but if I ask about a specific DJ or AK or OP, I’d expect a rough time frame.

And then text them every so often to check in.

If you absolutely can’t wait, and you’re will to pay a tad more, just save the time and effort and go grey.

All my best.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[faz]

Originally Posted by ChocBoyWonder

Not long at all. It's just been 4 weeks. I feel like I should wait a little longer and not pay above retail especially for an entry level piece.

This is what I am after. I want to feel all the feels. It's a milestone gift to myself.

I own the AK, it is a beautiful watch and under appreciated due to the quirky dial, so yes it is easier to acquire and definitely not worth $3k over MSRP.

Now as far as waiting for a long time and building a relationship, you can decide what is worth paying. Get the MSRP+Tax that you have to pay at an AD, then see if the extra money you have to pay to a grey dealer for the watch you want is worth it (to you) or not. For an Airking, for me, MSRP+Tax+ say 10% extra is worth going to a trusted dealer.

[ChocBoyWonder]

Originally Posted by IsItFridayYet

I totally agree with this. Every time I revisited the various SAs I’ve chatted with in the past they never remember me.

My worry is the ones I went to see didn't take me serious. I plan on going back in another month (2 months since initial visit) to say hi and see how things are going.

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

AKs are one of the more accesible watches; I'd wait for new from the AD. When I went to an AD I'd embarrased they said they couldn't help with anything me but an AK. It took a few months but I got the first one that came in.

This is my hope and my plan.

Originally Posted by Colorado_kid

IMO, I don’t think it’s bad form but I don’t think they’ll really care what you do or don’t do. Keep in mind they’ll sell every single allocated watch they get within minutes/hours/days from receiving.

I believe this. I honestly don't think they care. They will sell everything as fast as they want to. I want to make it so they want to care.

[Cmirand]

I think you should buy what you truly want and it is also good to establish a relationship with the AD.

[gerry100]

recent economic news suggests patience.

[Guppydriver]

The only extra I would pay to a gray is the tax I would be expected to pay had I bought it retail.

In my state, it's almost 8%, so I'd go gray for about 600 bucks over for a BNOB, otherwise, work your AD. They aren't that hard to get.

[NachoNeal]

I say wait too. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how soon you get the call.

[Eagles4133]

Wait till after new releases, etc. been a lot more incomings, especially since Rolex came
Back from their Christmas break.

[CedCraig]

$3k above retail? No way, for me at least. I got mine at retail in about six months with no prior spend. Love it, but would never pay over retail for one.

[mrlube1151001]

I am from the GTA. The only way to get from an A.D is to build a good relationship with S.A.Like any business there are good S.A and bad ones. If you connect with the Wright guy and follow up with them regularly you have a good chance.If you are planning to buy more in the long run A.D is the way to go

[Gearjockey]

Was offered brand new, full set unworn 126900 for $8900 USD private seller about 6 months ago. Wait it out or try harder.

[johnliley]

patiens virtus est

You can find a NIB AK just about anywhere for about retail. So I'd wait for the AD unless for some reason you need it now.

Enjoy the wait the watch will fell better when you strap it on the first time.

JL