Waiting to Purchase Your First Rolex, How Much Do You Spend on Other Brands Waiting

[superspectral]

So far I've spent $7,600 on new non-Rolex watches in just the time I've been waiting for an AD to get me a SS Datejust. If something would come in, I'd hand the AD my money. But so far, just crickets and money to other brands. No, and don't count Tudor. I know I could buy from the scalpers. But I'd rather my extra $7,600 ended up as watches in my collection. Not as in extra profit in someone's pocket. So how much have you spent?

[bp1000]

Got to admit this is perhaps the strangest question I’ve read on here.

Not sure how this is relevant but about £600 / $850 before my first “Rolex” purchase.

[kieselguhr]

Nada.

I just wait and eventually get called for what I want.

[turkeysub93]

What was the date of your first purchase?

If you've spent $7,600 on non-Rolex and it's been close to or over a year and still no DJ...well that is a big yikes...

[DC116710LN]

As recently as two months ago there were SS Datejusts in the display case of my local AD. Perhaps that's not universal or perhaps the availability has gotten worse, though.

To answer your question, I was fortunate enough to begin my collection with a Rolex at a time when they were readily available for purchase.

[novae500]

I’ve had to purchase several rolexes in gray market in mid 2000. Didn’t pay outrageous prices as you see the past 6 years to present. Lucked out recently and was able to purchase at AD and MSRP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TTbluesy]

Originally Posted by superspectral

So far I've spent $7,600 on new non-Rolex watches in just the time I've been waiting for an AD to get me a SS Datejust. If something would come in, I'd hand the AD my money. But so far, just crickets and money to other brands. No, and don't count Tudor. I know I could buy from the scalpers. But I'd rather my extra $7,600 ended up as watches in my collection. Not as in extra profit in someone's pocket. So how much have you spent?

I haven’t spent a penny on something I didn’t really want waiting for something else.

DateJusts really aren’t hard to get, AD or trusted grey.

I suspect you’re already getting scalped more than you know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nodzex]

I would lie if I’d say I haven’t spent any but I spent it on pieces that I actually liked and wanted.
Then I received a text from my AD. Therefore, I haven’t lost anything!

[TimeAZ]

Just wait for the watch you want. Patience is a virtue. AD's can't control what they receive. Supply is severely constrained during these difficult times, whereas demand is augmented to mania-like levels.

[accountank2000]

In the time that I've been on the list to get an F.P. Journe CB, I've spent more than its retail price on other brands, including an Oysterflex Daytona, quartz anniversary edition Grand Seiko, a Ming, a Garmin and a Casioak.

[nyc10ken]

Good topic but wait why can't we count Tudor? You can't have it both ways, shit on it all day when comparing it to Rolex but when it comes to building spend history not count it.

[Gab27]

0

I just bought my Sub. It wasn't from an AD so it was a bit more, but I didn't wish to purchase anything other than a Sub.

[huncho]

if you don't wanna wait just suck it up and go grey, i don't see the point in spending thousands (or 7k...) on other brands and watches i don't really want instead of just paying a premium for one i actually do want

[Pauln]

Originally Posted by huncho

if you don't wanna wait just suck it up and go grey, i don't see the point in spending thousands (or 7k...) on other brands and watches i don't really want instead of just paying a premium for one i actually do want

Right. I’m really not sure what the OP is complaining about. Wait for the one you want...or buy something you want at a gray. Lots of nice watches in the world.

[HogwldFLTR]

Only buy what you want to wear; anything else is waste unless the price is really right!!!

[superspectral]

Originally Posted by huncho

if you don't wanna wait just suck it up and go grey, i don't see the point in spending thousands (or 7k...) on other brands and watches i don't really want instead of just paying a premium for one i actually do want

The point is that every watch I bought was on my list of watches I want to collect. Say I have given myself a budget of $15,000 a year to build a collection. I prefer new. I would have bought the Rolex first. And maybe another Rolex second. But since it is taking 6-12 months to just get an OP at list, the other day watches I can buy without waiting are getting purchased first. Had the AD and or Rolex had more stock, they would have made money that now is in the hands of others. If I ever get the call, they will get the money then. On the other hand, if I’m strung along for years…maybe not.

[superspectral]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

Just wait for the watch you want. Patience is a virtue. AD's can't control what they receive. Supply is severely constrained during these difficult times, whereas demand is augmented to mania-like levels.

I agree, I’m waiting. But I’m finding there are a lot of nice watches I can get today - not just Rolex. If I eventually get what I want at retail I will have built my collection with more watches at fewer $ than if I was impatient and bought from a flipper. IMHO buying from flippers at more than retail is the worst of both worlds: I get a non luxury experience with some stress AND I have to pay more.

[oldman2005]

Time has changed, getting SS sport watches from AD is almost impossible nowaday unless you're their VIP customers, you can wait all you want ...

[teck21]

Originally Posted by superspectral

I agree, I’m waiting. But I’m finding there are a lot of nice watches I can get today - not just Rolex. If I eventually get what I want at retail I will have built my collection with more watches at fewer $ than if I was impatient and bought from a flipper. IMHO buying from flippers at more than retail is the worst of both worlds: I get a non luxury experience with some stress AND I have to pay more.

Well said, people think they are ‘preserving their dignity’ buying Bnib from greys.

They are in fact getting their faces slapped even harder by the flipper who’s laughing at the fool who has just handed money to him for nothing at all. Zero value add, nada.

You shouldn’t have to spend to get a DJ though, unless it’s a really hot model you’re after.

Life’s too short to pass up on the fun and challenge of going the AD route.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Politiceaux]

I’m not following the reasoning here. SS datejusts in every conceivable configuration are available here and elsewhere online for just about retail price once tax is included. Perhaps $1k more.

[johnorpheus]

Originally Posted by superspectral

I agree, I’m waiting. But I’m finding there are a lot of nice watches I can get today - not just Rolex. If I eventually get what I want at retail I will have built my collection with more watches at fewer $ than if I was impatient and bought from a flipper. IMHO buying from flippers at more than retail is the worst of both worlds: I get a non luxury experience with some stress AND I have to pay more.

Agree with you on a lot of nice watches other than Rolex. I got the Rolex I wanted first, but since then I’ve added three watches from other brands I really love, and hard to argue with the fact those three combined were less than my one Rolex, which I got from an AD. As long as you love the watch, no shame in buying others while you’re waiting for a Rolex. There are many here who will tell you only a Rolex will do, but that’s mainly just hype. So many other great brands to explore.

[77T]

Originally Posted by superspectral

So far I've spent $7,600 on new non-Rolex watches in just the time I've been waiting for an AD to get me a SS Datejust. If something would come in, I'd hand the AD my money. But so far, just crickets and money to other brands. No, and don't count Tudor. I know I could buy from the scalpers. But I'd rather my extra $7,600 ended up as watches in my collection. Not as in extra profit in someone's pocket. So how much have you spent?

Avoid lowering your expectations.

Get a PP, an AP, IWC, JLC. Maybe a couple of each.

You should spend somewhere north of $250K over the next few years -


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[sond86]

I bought 3 watches that weren’t the top 3 on my must have wish list to get in position to get blro
But they grew on me in time!

[Rado63]

I feel it depends on how long you have been buying watches and what is significant to you. Problem in todays market, is that any reference that is hard to get from any manufacturer usually requires purchase history. If you haven't owned some watches then buy what's attainable at your price point and appeals to you. The pieces that are hard to get require purchase history and often long wait times.

[Haveapair]

Originally Posted by superspectral

So far I've spent $7,600 on new non-Rolex watches in just the time I've been waiting for an AD to get me a SS Datejust. If something would come in, I'd hand the AD my money. But so far, just crickets and money to other brands. No, and don't count Tudor. I know I could buy from the scalpers. But I'd rather my extra $7,600 ended up as watches in my collection. Not as in extra profit in someone's pocket. So how much have you spent?

Thing is, half that $7600 is gone forever. At least if you paid market for your datejust, you'd still have most of your money

[superspectral]

Originally Posted by Haveapair

Thing is, half that $7600 is gone forever. At least if you paid market for your datejust, you'd still have most of your money

I have no intention of selling. So whatever money I put in my watch collection is gone forever (from my point of view).

I have no problem with rare vintage pieces that are hard to find appreciating in value. Or if a watch was owned by a famous person.

And losing money on new isn't all bad from the point of view I might buy pieces I'm not sure I want new used at a lower price.

Paying 20-50% more to a scalper on a 2 month old watch, who is adding zero value, is galling. So I'm going to wait. And while I wait, I'll buy other brands I want in my collection.

[10XRolex]

Zero at two different AD's for a Pepsi and a ND Sub.

[ATLSFO]

The value the "scalper" adds is putting the watch you want, but can't obtain, in your hands more quickly. I'll pay a reasonable premium to get what I want without having to first create spend history with an AD. Time or money, pick your poison.

[grimps]

Originally Posted by superspectral

So far I've spent $7,600 on new non-Rolex watches in just the time I've been waiting for an AD to get me a SS Datejust. If something would come in, I'd hand the AD my money. But so far, just crickets and money to other brands. No, and don't count Tudor. I know I could buy from the scalpers. But I'd rather my extra $7,600 ended up as watches in my collection. Not as in extra profit in someone's pocket. So how much have you spent?

I walked into my local AD for the first time in 2009 and walked out with a black dial steel Daytona , they asked if I wanted black or white .

Things have changed a little since then

[PBJ1925]

Zero alternative spend waiting for my 1st Rolex.

Fast forward to 2021, I did buy a Tudor BB58 Blue while waiting on a JC DSSD and/or Vacheron Overseas Blue. The Tudor was fantastic, supremely comfortable, and I got enjoyment out of it before getting my JC DSSD. The BB58 at that point needed a new home as I landed a blue dial I was seeking. Luckily didn't take much of a hit since the BB58 was still relatively 'hot' for a Tudor.