Rolex SS availability Australia

[hisairness]

I have been to a few AD's mainly in Sydney and called others interstate to try and purchase an Explorer 1 or Air King. Have been told by most that they don't take names and that the list is full. Several though have taken my details and promised to call if one comes available.

What is generally expected wait-time to be able to get one of these pieces? Not as in demand as the Submariner, Daytona or GMT so hoping it will be months not years!

Also probably doesn't help that I am don't have a purchase history with local ADs, so I'm sure they want to attend to their VIP clients first...

Have been told by mates that the Explorer I and Air King were previously available and sometimes on display (!!) several years back lol, so bad timing on my part!

Any thoughts? Is it better to go for the second hand option, rather than wait for an unspecified time for a call that may or may not arrive?

[ILuvSubs]

Welcome to TRF!

Yes, unfortunately there is a Rolex sports watch shortage at the moment and, as of 1 March, there was a price increase here in Australia (!).

I reckon you should hedge your bets. Try to put your name down on as many lists as you can. You may want to consider asking the ADs how many Explorer Is or Air Kings they receive each shipment and how many names are on the waiting lists for those models. Often, the people on the waiting lists forget they are on the list and when the AD calls they're not ready to buy, so you can sometimes move quickly up these lists.

In the meantime, you can keep an eye out for a secondhand Explorer I or Air King.

If you're in Sydney, there are a few grey dealers you should keep an eye on.
For example, Vintage Watch Co in the Strand Arcade (who sometimes get a secondhand Explorer I or Air King in) and The TimeKeeper Boutique (also in the Strand Arcade). You're going to pay over retail price if you go down this path.

Also, I would pay attention to how the exchange rate is performing, because if the exchange rate improves you may want to consider purchasing from o/s from one of the Trusted Sellers of TRF (such as DavidSW, Takuya, Bodybump, etc.) where these models are more readily available and who know how to look after Aussie buyers in terms of shipping, etc.

[mr_gray]

explorer 1 with Sydney Watch Exchange right now i think. check out the website.

if i were you i'd just buy it from davidsw. lots of people getting priority at Oz rolex AD over a new to them buyer who is after an explorer/airking (not trying to be rude, just accurate).

certainly these are the models you have a chance of getting relative to say 126710 or even a subC for that matter.

good luck with it. feel free to pm me if you want details on the davidSW deal.

[vtsyrlin]

IMHO don't bother putting your name on the list with any of the AD's.
Total waste of time unless you have connections and purchase history. Bite the bullet and buy from 2nd hand dealer or TRF. The premium on explorer or air king would be relatively small compared to more popular models.

[exador]

Originally Posted by mr_gray

If i were you i'd just buy it from davidsw.

You'll be paying a huge premium to get one from David.

In the case of the Air King:

https://davidsw.com/watches/rolex-wa...00-air-king-6/

$6075 USD = $8632 AUD + Freight $100 + GST $873 = $9605.
RRP in Australia is $8250 incl GST.

[Puffy]

AUD/USD is shot and not going to appreciate anytime soon

[atn_uk]

I recently tried AD’s in Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong (including airports) while on holiday. Most were very pleasant in telling me they had none, and almost never get any.

They all said that they felt like second class citizens, and seemed to think supply was better in the US and Europe.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by atn_uk

I recently tried AD’s in Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Hong Kong (including airports) while on holiday. Most were very pleasant in telling me they had none, and almost never get any.

They all said that they felt like second class citizens, and seemed to think supply was better in the US and Europe.

as an ex prison colony, those feelings probably run deep

[supersam80]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

as an ex prison colony, those feelings probably run deep

Ex?

[toneafficianado]

I agree with vysyrlin above with this. it's a pointless exercise to put your name on an AD list in Sydney. I have been told point blank from a few that I have bought from.
"no reliable Rolex supply for the forseeable future" or words to that effect.
Trusted Sellers can sell you a watch TODAY.
I really wonder whether the ADs will die out due to their empty stock cabinets leading to zero sales. Their rent would not be cheap.
A year or so ago there were always AirKings, Milgausses, Explorers 1 and 2 and YMs around and only Subs and GMTs and maybe Daytonas in steel were HARD to get.
It's no fun now to only be able to see PM Rolexes worth at least $30k AUD in stores.
I for one will never buy one of those.

[swatty]

Difficult to find SS Rolex, plenty of Tudor though

[Naked]

Originally Posted by exador

You'll be paying a huge premium to get one from David.

In the case of the Air King:

$6075 USD = $8632 AUD + Freight $100 + GST $873 = $9605.
RRP in Australia is $8250 incl GST.

I thought it was much worse than this, because customs duty needs to be paid on the import, not just GST. Or is that incorrect?

[exador]

Originally Posted by Naked

I thought it was much worse than this, because customs duty needs to be paid on the import, not just GST. Or is that incorrect?

No duty payable on watches, just GST on the goods + freight.

[t65tampa]

I feel bad for you. That sucks that a watch that is in almost every Rolex AD window is so hard to find down there. Good luck with your hunt and hope you don't have to wait too long to get what you are looking for.

[Navarino]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

as an ex prison colony, those feelings probably run deep

Ouch

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by exador

No duty payable on watches, just GST on the goods + freight.

Here in OZ we also pay a customs clearance fee for processing the paperwork.
Unless it's changed, it used to be $88 AUD. Which I assume equates to $80 + the 10% GST.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Carry The Interest

Ouch

Actually, for clarity we originally started out as a Penal colony.
The prisons actually came later and were built as required by the original convicts, but establishing the settlements with all the infrastructure were the priority with the emphasis on the word settlement.
Not all convicts were imprisoned as it were and the naughter individuals were flogged with the very naughtiest being imprisoned or even hanged to death as deemed necessary.

If it shows us anything.
Criminality can be almost anything, including stealing a loaf of bread. It was actually the repeat offense that qualified one for deportation.

Now look at us.
We may not have an abundance of new SS Rolex watches on display at retail prices.
But people from all over the world are consciously busting a gut or risking their lives along with those of their families in order to get here and make a new start in life "in the land of plenty" of anything except Rolex watches

[Alexexec]

Yes the struggle is real. I am of the impression that ADs down under do get desirable stock more than they'll ever indicate or admit however it's likely presold or sells so lightning fast to their regulars or the right time right place big spenders that it doesn't even make it to their display cabinets

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Alexexec

Yes the struggle is real. I am of the impression that ADs down under do get desirable stock more than they'll ever indicate or admit however it's likely presold or sells so lightning fast to their regulars or the right time right place big spenders that it doesn't even make it to their display cabinets

Agreed.
It's a case of supply and demand at the leaner end of the spectrum.
It's virtually been this way for many many years now to varying degrees for any SS professional model.

[hisairness]

Wow - thanks for the replies didn’t expect this much !

I think I’ll just keep trying for a new one for a few more months - I’m after an explorer I or air king and most ppl have told be there is a chance (though small) that I’ll be able to pick it up sooner or later. The ADs also sort of gave this hint when I made it clear I was after these models. If I was going for a sub, Daytona or GMT then I’d be in trouble hahaha
Anyway , will re-evaluate in few months time - if no luck still then will go for second hand/grey option or an oyester perpetual/date just which they all seem to have.

[ILuvSubs]

Good luck! I just saw there is a '96 36mm Explorer I (no box or papers) in stock at Vintage Watch Co on their website. Otherwise, try your luck with the ADs and see how you go.

Originally Posted by hisairness

Wow - thanks for the replies didn’t expect this much !

I think I’ll just keep trying for a new one for a few more months - I’m after an explorer I or air king and most ppl have told be there is a chance (though small) that I’ll be able to pick it up sooner or later. The ADs also sort of gave this hint when I made it clear I was after these models. If I was going for a sub, Daytona or GMT then I’d be in trouble hahaha
Anyway , will re-evaluate in few months time - if no luck still then will go for second hand/grey option or an oyester perpetual/date just which they all seem to have.

[a4b5]

Originally Posted by hisairness

Wow - thanks for the replies didn’t expect this much !

I think I’ll just keep trying for a new one for a few more months - I’m after an explorer I or air king and most ppl have told be there is a chance (though small) that I’ll be able to pick it up sooner or later. The ADs also sort of gave this hint when I made it clear I was after these models. If I was going for a sub, Daytona or GMT then I’d be in trouble hahaha
Anyway , will re-evaluate in few months time - if no luck still then will go for second hand/grey option or an oyester perpetual/date just which they all seem to have.

Go to Indonesia. It just 3 hours flight from Australia. Some of Rolex AD in Jakarta have them in their display. I think they’re not sell well here.

[bmwboris]

What is the sticker price for say an Air King in Indonesia (INR)?

Just wanting to compare the price after conversion to AUD etc

PS- Flight time to Denpasar is around 6hrs and Jakarta is over 7hrs. I wish it was only 3hrs LOL

[Bobbyjoon11]

I had some luck in 2016, and 2017, much to my surprise, but I imagine the SS shortage has only gotten worse in Australia over the last year or two. I would visit the AD's in person whenever you find it convenient, sometimes they have a piece and are willing to sell it to the next person who inquires, worth a try.

[NWNL]

Wow so strange! Just walked into our local AD last Saturday to buy a DJ and they had both the Airking and Explorer in stock.... Weird roles would supply down under so badly

[Lord Hectic]

The AD's are nasty here, one in particularly was condescending in tone and flat out said no lists on any SS model. I go to Turkey and Italy multiple times a year and always try my luck and build a relationship there. Funnily enough each time i go i end up coming back with an Omega assortment. I hope Rolex's strategy changes soon, it does get off putting.

[hisairness]

Originally Posted by a4b5

Go to Indonesia. It just 3 hours flight from Australia. Some of Rolex AD in Jakarta have them in their display. I think they’re not sell well here.

Haha yes I might think about planning a trip to Bali and Jakarta if I don't get any luck from the local AD's over the coming few months!

I even thought flying to NZ, but the Auckland dealers refused to even take my details unlike the local Australian ones.

[SkyJuice]

Originally Posted by vtsyrlin

imho don't bother putting your name on the list with any of the ad's.
Total waste of time unless you have connections and purchase history. Bite the bullet and buy from 2nd hand dealer or trf.

+1

[a4b5]

Originally Posted by bmwboris

What is the sticker price for say an Air King in Indonesia (INR)?

Just wanting to compare the price after conversion to AUD etc

PS- Flight time to Denpasar is around 6hrs and Jakarta is over 7hrs. I wish it was only 3hrs LOL

Last time i check Air King was around USD 6200 and Explorer 1 USD 6700.
I bought Exp 1 on mid 2018 at Rolex AD Plaza Senayan Jakarta and they give me 8% discount although i never buy from them before

[jezza17]

Quite frankly, do yourself a favour and forget about any stainless steel rolex sports models in Sydney and anywhere else in Australia for that matter.