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.

[CoveWatch]

Thanks for sharing your story.. I hope you get your SD much sooner! The hunt is a large part of the fun of owning these watches sometimes and it creates a good story to tell. Good luck!

[watchmework]

The wait is worth it OP, I can promise you that. Hope it comes very soon for you. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

[normalboywatches]

Looks fantastic on your wrist. May I ask what your wrist size is? Mine is exactly 7 1/4 inches so I am very much hoping it looks as good on mine as it does on yours. May I also ask if you find it wears too high, at 15mm thick it is not an unsubstantial height!

[Yobber76]

I hope you get your watch, and I agree with your thinking.
I had been a jewelry customer of a major chain in the Chicago area, (CD Peacock) and when I started looking for a Submariner Ceramic in January, I was treated like a nobody. They wouldn't even put me on a list with a deposit.
A few weeks later I discovered a family chain (Razny) that treated me with respect and interest from the start. I happened to walk in the store the day after they had received 1 SubC and 1 Sub Date and let me choose and buy the one I wanted (SubC). This was Feb. 1, SS sports models were already in tight supply.
I've stopped in the store monthly, and let them know I was interested in a BLNR a few weeks ago. We set up a time for me to come in and put down a deposit, and as I arrived they had received one from Rolex and let me buy it on the spot. To me that is old fashioned service where they respect people that walk in the door, while taking care of returning customers. I advise that you keep in touch with your AD by going in the store every 4-6 weeks if you can, show an interest in the people. After my initial purchase I gave them a great review on Yelp. After the BLNR I gave them a great review on Google. They appreciate this it helps their business, and I appreciated their service. I have told them they are my store, and they are. I would repay their service with my business. And I would refer them to others. Good luck.

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Welcome to TRF!

Hope it shows up soon for ya!

[watchmework]

Originally Posted by normalboywatches

Looks fantastic on your wrist. May I ask what your wrist size is? Mine is exactly 7 1/4 inches so I am very much hoping it looks as good on mine as it does on yours. May I also ask if you find it wears too high, at 15mm thick it is not an unsubstantial height!

I have the same size wrist as you, mine is pretty flat as well. I don’t think it wears too high at all. The bracelet does an exceptional job of balancing out the weight so you don’t even feel it. I’ve never had an issue with the watch fitting under a dress shirt either. Honestly, I had a sub before this and I always thought it was too thin for me. I find the heft of the SD43 to be perfect and give me just the right amount of wrist presence

[Nikrnic]

That's a nice story. Everyone should be treated with respect regardless if they make a sale or not otherwise they shouldn't be in the people business. Early Congrats on your SD I'll bet you get it sooner than 5 months

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