Getting a popular steel model at MSRP as a random customer?

[Chadridv]

Not likely but depends on where your located. Here on Long Island and in the NYC area you’d have zero chances.

[alonsowwss]

It’s looking very tough out there for people that are genuinely getting in to watches now. Gotta keep pushing until you find the right AD and hopefully you get your desired piece and start building your way up. It will take time but hopefully you get it sooner rather than later.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

[joli160]

No

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by WilsdorfNDavis

Outstanding.


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[waynorth]

It's not impossible. I waited seven days from inquiry to getting a Sub ND just before the new year: no previous purchases. That was here in Alaska though.

[SottoVoce]

Originally Posted by waynorth

It's not impossible. I waited seven days from inquiry to getting a Sub ND just before the new year: no previous purchases. That was here in Alaska though.

Good tip! Anchorage?

[waynorth]

Originally Posted by SottoVoce

Good tip! Anchorage?

Yes, there is only one AD in Alaska, and that's Ben Bridge in Anchorage. We talked for a while, and a couple of SA's told me about all the calls from around the world that they get. They also told me that they prefer to sell to locals only and will not ship watches out of state. So if you make it to Anchorage, grow your beard out and pop in wearing Carhartt's and a Patagonia flannel. LOL.

[subby718]

Originally Posted by WilsdorfNDavis

[king4aday]

Yes, it will be hard but not impossible. Go with a family owned AD in a smaller market if possible. Your chances will be higher. And btw, you need a lot of patience.

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[Belinus]

It seems to me that the answers vary greatly depending where you live. As far as I can tell, the USA ADs seem to give you a better chance than many other locations. When I go into an AD I always leave with a little hope but I have no idea how realistic that is.

[inadeje]

I would say that your odds are less than 1000 to 1. Unless of cause a market collapse brings unworn pieces down to retail or lower. When will that happen? Anyone’s guess.

[norcalctr]

I wouldn't be optimistic on the idea. There are a ton of ADs that I don't have a purchase history with, but I will always pop-in just to see what's there and never get offered anything decent.

[brandrea]

You never know. I agree chances are slim in this market, but you have little to lose. You’ll have more luck landing a Submariner than a GMT IMO

[Goin2drt]

Originally Posted by JDelage

Is it possible to get a steel Submariner or GMT at a Rolex AD at MSRP as a random, 1-purchase customer?

In other words, can one get such a piece by simply putting their name on a list & wait? Or is it a recipe for waiting forever for one's turn to come?

I would say in today's current environment it is basically impossible. You would have to know someone, have a connection, be able to bribe them, buy a lot of junk first.

Better off sadly just going gray.

Early on right before Covid I would say your chances were a little better but even then it was tough.

[Marantz2270]

Originally Posted by JDelage

Is it possible to get a steel Submariner or GMT at a Rolex AD at MSRP as a random, 1-purchase customer?

In other words, can one get such a piece by simply putting their name on a list & wait? Or is it a recipe for waiting forever for one's turn to come?

Walk into your AD, introduce yourself, tell them what you want, and stay in touch.

A lot is written on TRF about how hard it is to get a watch, with little written about the good experiences people have getting their first SS model. It happens. Don’t let this forum decide for you how hard the process will be or how long you’ll have to wait. I’m not saying this to speak negatively about the forum, I just think it’s good to get out there and have real conversations with an SA who can sell you a watch.

[Goin2drt]

Originally Posted by Marantz2270

Walk into your AD, introduce yourself, tell them what you want, and stay in touch.

A lot is written on TRF about how hard it is to get a watch, with little written about the good experiences people have getting their first SS model. It happens. Don’t let this forum decide for you how hard the process will be or how long you’ll have to wait. I’m not saying this to speak negatively about the forum, I just think it’s good to get out there and have real conversations with an SA who can sell you a watch.

Far enough however I speak from experience.

Pre Covid -
1. 7/2016 walked into an AD with zero buying history was actually on a cruise got a Hulk at MSRP.
2. 5/2017 walked into an AD locally in SoCal for the first time ever. After about an hour talking to the SA got FROM THE SAFE a JC DSSD at 5% below MSRP.
3. 12/19 walked into an AD on a cruise in a different country and after 30 minutes got a Bluesy FROM THE BACK at MSRP.

Since then NOTHING. I have been into maybe about 20 different ADs (15 or so US and 5 out of the country). First time walking in and zero buying history. The same thing that worked for the other 3, no luck at all. The market has changed. Grays and the spread between MSRP and "market price" is too great for any AD to give a first time buyer a chance.

My opinion from MY experience. It ain't happening for the OP.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by Goin2drt

Far enough however I speak from experience.

Pre Covid -
1. 7/2016 walked into an AD with zero buying history was actually on a cruise got a Hulk at MSRP.
2. 5/2017 walked into an AD locally in SoCal for the first time ever. After about an hour talking to the SA got FROM THE SAFE a JC DSSD at 5% below MSRP.
3. 12/19 walked into an AD on a cruise in a different country and after 30 minutes got a Bluesy FROM THE BACK at MSRP.

Since then NOTHING. I have been into maybe about 20 different ADs (15 or so US and 5 out of the country). First time walking in and zero buying history. The same thing that worked for the other 3, no luck at all. The market has changed. Grays and the spread between MSRP and "market price" is too great for any AD to give a first time buyer a chance.

My opinion from MY experience. It ain't happening for the OP.

Your #3 is the only one somewhat unusual. Most folks here believe the tough days of buying Rolex started around the end of 2017. I tried on a BLNR out of the case at Geary’s Beverly Hills early that year.
Your Bluesy was pretty lucky but in general tutones are still a little easier to get than SS.
You are 100% correct though that things have gotten worse since. A first timer getting an Explorer II like the OP wants, while not impossible will definitely require some luck.

[seosub]

Becoming very rare to go this route - Id say almost impossible for sports models. Ill give you an example..

I was put on list for a sub by someone else a couple of years ago - end of 2019. Never went to the AD. About a year before that there was a sub at an AD in Michigan sitting in the case that I tried on. Forgot that I even told my friend to put me on the list. At that time you could be on multiple lists if you wanted as well. Got the sub in a couple of months, if that - went picked it up which was my first time visiting that AD.

FF to today - same AD who I've now got to know personally (owner not sales associate) is not even taking names for sports models. I tried introducing a friend who is a whale (I am not) - AD didnt even care to take a name down. To be fair the AD has no way of knowing the potential customer but I did make them aware of the friends existing watch collection which is sizeable with some incredible pieces. The guy just wanted to add a sub - again AD didnt even take a name. For regular customers, one list per person - they wont even entertain you asking for multiple watches. And this is by far the most transparent AD I know - even a few months ago he had blue dial DJs sitting in the case, he had the new TT Expl I in the case, as well as a few of the colored dials (albeit smaller sizes).

Unless you get especially lucky, I dont think its happening...

[SubMillennial]

My first purchase was a new Sub, it took half a year of waiting but as long as you're local and they trust you won't flip it, you can get one

[Decoy12]

I think it’s possible at a smaller AD in a smaller market but you’ll have to prove you’re not a flipper somehow. I just posted about my experience with very little spend history and only known to the store for a year but I think I was able to convince them I’m not flipping watches. My SA did say that he gets 20-30 calls/emails a day from people asking about rolex lists and when he asks what models they are looking for many say they don’t care and will rattle off the most desirable models. He said those people will never get a watch from him.


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[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by JDelage

Is it possible to get a steel Submariner or GMT at a Rolex AD at MSRP as a random, 1-purchase customer?

In other words, can one get such a piece by simply putting their name on a list & wait? Or is it a recipe for waiting forever for one's turn to come?

I’ll let YOU answer the question…

You walk in to AD and ask for a Sub.

Another first timer walks in that same day and asks for a Sub.

As time goes by, you patiently wait and maybe even go in to AD for a chat every once in a while.

During that same time, the other first timer goes in a chat and every once in a while buys some relatively inexpensive items/jewelry/other watch(es) — but clearly not whale category.

Finally a new Sub comes into the AD that is not already spoken for by a VIP client (whale). Who is the AD going to call … you or the other first timer?


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[VG10]

It happened to me last month. Walked into a boutique and asked for a submariner, almost fell off my chair when the SA came out with it. Just pure luck I guess.

[Booth9999]

As a note of optimism, I was able to walk into my AD two weeks ago and walk out with a sea dweller 43 on my wrist. Couldn’t believe it and felt like I won the lottery. My advisor said they are implementing a new technique for Rolex in there store; which is 1 new model per customer per year, no list for customers, and walk-in is the only way to get them. If they are out they are for sale except for the obligatory display models. I just left after getting a adjustment on the watch and the have a white faced yacht-master II in there waiting for some one. I hope this keeps the dream alive. This is the AD in Palm Desert if anyone wants to go get it.

[Flintstone]

Sometimes a hungry squirrel finds a nut. Keep your nose to the ground.

[Tim Plains]

Anything is possible but highly, highly unlikely.

[Kyle3130]

Definitely possible. I did it. Called an AD I had never bought anything from the day the new Submariner was released (31 Aug 2020). Told them I REALLY wanted one. Thought I would never get the call so I didn’t think too much of it but 9 months later (21 Jun 2021) they called me to say it was ready to pick up.

[BillA]

We have seen this post before.
Same answers.
Yes it is possible, people have posted that they walked in and scored.
Good luck.

[Danny83]

Its like going to the Casino and wining 10k it might

[Cigars&Watches]

Put it this way if you were the owner or SA would you give a sub to a walk in first timer that will not come back for repeat business? Definitely NOT. It’s bad business. You save those subs for existing clients that will spend in the future at your AD. The more you spend the better the watch. SA’s work on commission. why would they sell to you when the can make an Existing customer happy who has previous spend with the store and provided you with commissions in the past and future…

First timers may get a DD,DJ,TT, LADIES and “lesser” models to build or “deserve” the sub as a walk in and then a sub perhaps. There are simply too many customers out there right now.

Having said that would I be walking into a few ADs and trying. Hell ya!! There’s always a shot.