Allocating a Black Dial Sky Dweller

[Nm26]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone on the forum had insight to the difficultly in purchasing a black dial sky dweller professional model. I know the blue dial is a unicorn and tough to get without a long purchase history. I myself have some purchase history with the local ad and have been offered a gmt Batman in the past and a few other models but never a sky dweller. I really have became really interested in this watch and love it’s complication. Does anyone have insight to how long the wait might be for this watch. Thanks everyone

[aparker973]

I'm sure you'll hear a number of different accounts, and they will vary in magnitude depending on the facts, circumstances, and luck.

For the black specifically, I know of 3 people who got them from 3 different ADs. Two waited a good year or so for any color and finally got black. They were decent customers (20-40k annual spend between watches and jewelry). Third one never asked for a SkyD at all but was probably a 75-100k annual spend and the AD just randomly asked him one day. Of course he said yes then walked to 47th Street shortly after...

Edit: when I said annual spend I mean that amount for multiple years (i.e., 25k per year for at least a few years)

[RealMadrid1988]

Originally Posted by aparker973

Third one never asked for a SkyD at all but was probably a 75-100k annual spend and the AD just randomly asked him one day. Of course he said yes then walked to 47th Street shortly after...

Classy.

[TswaneNguni]

2019,3 months .Was lucky .

[Milibrk@]

just purchase a few ladies watches and you will get an incoming in 1 week.

[scombs263]

The Blue is definitely a unicorn, but solid SS Black and White are no walk in the park. From what I understand, ADs may only get a handful of all three colors. A lot of factors come into play on getting them, but I would think Subs and GMTs are way more plentiful at ADs.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Nm26

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone on the forum had insight to the difficultly in purchasing a black dial sky dweller professional model. I know the blue dial is a unicorn and tough to get without a long purchase history. I myself have some purchase history with the local ad and have been offered a gmt Batman in the past and a few other models but never a sky dweller. I really have became really interested in this watch and love it’s complication. Does anyone have insight to how long the wait might be for this watch. Thanks everyone

What’s your annual purchase history like?

[ninjin]

I got my black dial in April 2019 after 3weeks. Nothing at Basel appealed to me that year so decided to go for the SkyD. Spoke to the AD about it and the AD said it is rare and maybe 12months. That was perfect for me... Little did I know 3 weeks later I would be wearing one!

[JodyHighroller]

SkyD is a classic series reference, not a professional. No such thing as professional sports watch with a fluted bezel in the Rolex catalog.

First step would be to inquire with the AD you have purchase history and go from there. Keep in mind SkyDs are produced much less frequency due to the complicated movement. Many ADs say they receive more DaytonaCs a month than SkyDs.

[redhead4rolex]

What Rolex ISNT difficult to get these days is the real question! Even some DJ references are getting difficult to obtain...

Be persistent OP, establish a relationship with your SA!

[Harry-57]

My UK perspective may not be useful but I'll chip in anyway.

My AD receives a minimum annual allocation of 1 black SS, 1 white SS, 2 blue SS. In 2019 this is what they got. In 2020 they got one more of each - a bumper year!

Technically the blue is twice as available as the black and white SS. But demand skews this to hell and makes the blue seem like the more rare watch. I wanted a black one. My AD could not assist. I went grey.

A year later I got a TT white one from my AD. I visited the store the day after a consignment came in. They get about one TT a year. This makes the TT considerably more rare than the SS models but again, demand skews the picture considerably. The TT ones are actually better value in material terms, and easier to get although they actually deserve the Unicorn status more.

[spikep]

I feel very fortunate to get one. My AD (large city) mentioned they don’t get many as “only 5 watchmakers at Rolex” make the movement. Honestly all of the colors white, black, blue seem hard to come by.

[Jack T]

Anything that anyone says on here is purely anecdotal; your chances are totally random. Use your best judgment and good luck.