Waiting fatigue

[poker]

I have been a fan of Rolex long before I could afford one.

I finally managed to acquire the GMT II in 2011. However, my attempts and checks to buy the DaytonaC and GMT Jubilee have not been successful.

Initially, I was hopeful, and hopeful but after so many years, I am not longer optimistic and getting tired of waiting.

I just could not bring myself to pay exhorbitant prices/markup to buy from the grey dealers.

I am just wondering if someone else out there (in here) who feel the same way as I do.

[Hollie_Rollie]

A lot of similar folks in your shoes. Time to build a passion for other brands! There’s plenty of fish in the sea

[Gert]

Have you thought about the possibility that you maybe don’t want it/them bad enough? That you’re not ready for it yet, or maybe not trying hard enough? Don’t get me wrong, I’m with you not against you. I feel what you mean and yes I, like you, would never settle paying crazy prices going grey - but if you really want it, you WILL get it. maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day. Don’t give up and try harder. Good luck!

[travisb]

Many are in the same situation as you.

[poker]

Originally Posted by Gert

Have you thought about the possibility that you maybe don’t want it/them bad enough? That you’re not ready for it yet, or maybe not trying hard enough? Don’t get me wrong, I’m with you not against you. I feel what you mean and yes I, like you, would never settle paying crazy prices going grey - but if you really want it, you WILL get it. maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day. Don’t give up and try harder. Good luck!

I do want it actually quite badly. I even imagine which child will get the Daytona and Jubilee IF I get to have it. My wife suggested that I seek help
I am not a flipper and buy to wear them.

[poker]

Exploring other brands too, I alternate with an existing Panerai and now considering IWC Pilot chrono series.

[Rori]

Originally Posted by poker

I have been a fan of Rolex long before I could afford one.

I finally managed to acquire the GMT II in 2011. However, my attempts and checks to buy the DaytonaC and GMT Jubilee have not been successful.

Initially, I was hopeful, and hopeful but after so many years, I am not longer optimistic and getting tired of waiting.

I just could not bring myself to pay exhorbitant prices/markup to buy from the grey dealers.

I am just wondering if someone else out there (in here) who feel the same way as I do.

At the end of the day, these are mass produced watches that are made unattainable by greedy AD managers. The models you want are not as difficult to get as one would think, it’s only a matter of where you’re located and by what type of AD managers you’re surrounded.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[plusonejiayi]

I am definitely in the same camp as you. That is why i pulled trigger on grey on two rolex pieces that i really like.

Before doing that, i tried my best to think rationally about whether rolex will do something to change the current situation. My conclusion is unlikely. When looking at high end luxury brands that i know of, it seems that this is the new trend. Patek nautilus/aquanaut is more egregious than Rolex. AP is playing the same game. Hermes is doing the exact same thing with their bags. If you want a birkin/kelly you had better buy a bunch of the other stuffs offered in their store. LV is holding the supply for their most classic/cheapest MSRP design bags. The only exception i can find is Chanel. The strategy of Chanel is just to raise their price a LOT every year in order to keep the secondary market price stable. I feel that strategy is running into problems now.

Within Rolex, the tudor blue bay 58 has a waitlist really raised an alarm for me. There was an argument that rolex was limiting production on sub so that they can sell their tudors better and making tudor a well supplied entry level luxury watch. That thesis no longer holds. I also read an article stating last time rolex mentioned a sports model in its own social media is when it releases GMT jubilee. They are really not trying to promote their sports model any more. Only the datejust and maybe daydate. If the plan is to ramp up production at some point for the sports model, I would think some promotes of sports model remain appropriate.

In the rolex eco chain, customers who buy one or two stainless watches to wear are certainly complaining because of the buying experience. The biggest customers though probably are either happy with it (the grey dealers are probably the biggest customers) or ok with it (big money spender get to have more exclusive ss watches). I do not know any AD owner personally. My guess is ADs are ok with it too. They get to sell some of their higher mark up jewelries or other less desirable higher margin watches at MSRP by being an AD (very similar to Hermes).

Those are my two cents. Things can certainly change. But I am afraid trend is not our friend.

[LJubel328]

You've been waiting since 2011??

[poker]

Originally Posted by LJubel328

You've been waiting since 2011??

Daytona since 2016 or 2017
Jubilee since 2018

[poker]

Originally Posted by Rori

At the end of the day, these are mass produced watches that are made unattainable by greedy AD managers. The models you want are not as difficult to get as one would think, it’s only a matter of where you’re located and by what type of AD managers you’re surrounded.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Located in Dubai. Used to be easy to get a lot of Rolex models including popular ones except for Daytona SS. GMTs and Subs including Hulk are easy to get.

Unfortunately by the time Jubilee SS was launched, the 'good and easy' days were over. I submitted my name to the AD shortly after the Jubilee was launched and with regular follow ups. They always say, VVIP customers will get the first right of refusal.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by poker

I have been a fan of Rolex long before I could afford one.

I finally managed to acquire the GMT II in 2011. However, my attempts and checks to buy the DaytonaC and GMT Jubilee have not been successful.

Initially, I was hopeful, and hopeful but after so many years, I am not longer optimistic and getting tired of waiting.

I just could not bring myself to pay exhorbitant prices/markup to buy from the grey dealers.

I am just wondering if someone else out there (in here) who feel the same way as I do.

Short answer no not a fan of the modern Daytona or any of the ceramic models.But one of the main reasons today Rolex may seem in short supply they are no longer seen as watches by many, now seen as little more than $$$$££££. Hence the crazy high prices greys charge and while there are those willing to pay these crazy prices the Rolex saga will continue.

[Calatrava r]

As said, these watches are around and ADs receive them, not many, but they do receive them. Your challenge is to create a relationship with an AD who will sell you one or both. There is a lot to be said for buying grey now and simply moving on with your life with no more angst and worry. There is no premium if you end up buying stuff from a jewelry store you do not want just to get into their good graces for an allocation at MSRP.

[JohnnyM]

Originally Posted by poker

I have been a fan of Rolex long before I could afford one.

I finally managed to acquire the GMT II in 2011. However, my attempts and checks to buy the DaytonaC and GMT Jubilee have not been successful.

Initially, I was hopeful, and hopeful but after so many years, I am not longer optimistic and getting tired of waiting.

I just could not bring myself to pay exhorbitant prices/markup to buy from the grey dealers.

I am just wondering if someone else out there (in here) who feel the same way as I do.

You must consider the GMT a 17k watch and the Daytona a 22k watch. Sorry that is what they cost, save the few that can get them cheaper at retail. MAYBE one day you will get lucky with a retail GMT, but Daytona is a dream.

[kbutler1]

Just cruise the posts here, every day there is 1+ new posts about people being upset they can't buy their luxury item.

Couple options: go grey (sounds like you don't), enjoy the hunt and be patient, or move to another brand that is more accessible.

Not sure what else can be done, just how it is and has been for a while.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by poker

Daytona since 2016 or 2017
Jubilee since 2018

Have you been spending since being on the list? Otherwise your wait will likely be infinite

[S.Explorer]

Come late 2020 / 2021 and the collapse of the world economy will reset how ADs operate.

[garyk]

Love love love my newer Daytona and Ceramic models. The ceramic bezels are amazing. It has been frustrating waiting for a JM 116508 Daytona for a long time so I recently broke down and bought a TT Bluesy Submariner from a grey. Chrono 24 was a great buying experience!!

[bp1000]

Yes waiting for what you want is a pain.

I had a string of bad luck.

AD I was with retired, sons didn’t want to continue, it was shut down. Buying history and loyalty reset.

At that point I’d purchased a fair few pieces, nothing else I wanted or needed until 2016, queue all the new Daytona’s.

So I pick my nearest AD and try and start a relationship with them. Made a few purchases and showed interest and kept popping in.

I had been on their pre ceramic Daytona list for 1 year. New Daytona comes out, 2 weeks after release I ring up and inquire how far away I am. They tell me, despite my patience on the previous model they aren’t maintaining position as it’s a new model.

Absolutely shocking, didn’t even bother to ring and tell me.

22 deep at this point. Every time I go in I’m treated like an idiot.

3 years wasted with this awful AD.

Find a new one, nearby. Best I’ve dealt with. Bought several watches since, they always come through, support my hobby and passion, are honest with me and take the time to listen etc

The previous process was bitter but it’s all in the AD and sadly a history does help for most of the key pieces.

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by poker

I have been a fan of Rolex long before I could afford one.

I finally managed to acquire the GMT II in 2011. However, my attempts and checks to buy the DaytonaC and GMT Jubilee have not been successful.

Initially, I was hopeful, and hopeful but after so many years, I am not longer optimistic and getting tired of waiting.

I just could not bring myself to pay exhorbitant prices/markup to buy from the grey dealers.

I am just wondering if someone else out there (in here) who feel the same way as I do.

Yes, I sure do! I will have nothing to do with grey dealers, nor will I play the silly AD games. Just my opinion! Having said that, there are thousands of excellent watches out there from other companies that you can actually buy! I'm waiting for a new watch from a German company, and it should be here next week. Don't yet know if I´ll have the nerve to post about it here...!!

[R_Rated]

Easy to justify a Vacheron Overseas Chrono with the market value of a Daytona for example.... just sayin' :)

[Chester01]

Enjoy the ride and enjoy other brands too. It took me 14 years to get a SS Daytona back in 2014 and found out it was not for me after a couple years. Part of the hobby is not just in the acquisition, it’s the hunt, the research, talking with others in the hobby too. There are great 5 digit references, and other vintage Rolex pieces and many other great watch brands. Don’t just sit there waiting by the phone, branch out a bit and build memories with the watches you have.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by R_Rated

Easy to justify a Vacheron Overseas Chrono with the market value of a Daytona for example.... just sayin' :)

It’s a more legible watch, and the better watch as well.

[Sandpit]

Originally Posted by poker

Located in Dubai. Used to be easy to get a lot of Rolex models including popular ones except for Daytona SS. GMTs and Subs including Hulk are easy to get.

Unfortunately by the time Jubilee SS was launched, the 'good and easy' days were over. I submitted my name to the AD shortly after the Jubilee was launched and with regular follow ups. They always say, VVIP customers will get the first right of refusal.

Dubai here also and I definitely feel your pain.

I ordered a Sub Date 18 months ago and was told, at the time, it would take max 6 months. I then ordered a blue DJ41 in February this year and was told 3 months - still waiting.

The frustration is the lack of communication or clarity from the big AD here.

Meanwhile, the local greys and classifieds are flooded with overpriced pieces being flipped.

I’m diverting my attention to try and get something over in the UK instead. They’re useless here and have zero interest.

[Chewbacca]

Good for you OP.

It would be hard to look at a watch every day with pride and enjoyment if it felt like you had to pay a 50% tax just to participate.

Instead, try used to get into Rolex. Scratch the itch. Then try other brands to get into watches.

[Wine4Golf]

I too am tired of these AD games. Got on a list with a new AD 4 years ago as I moved from NYC to California. Have bought a couple watches & tons of jewelry for my wife and nothing but empty promises. I should have never let go of my NYC AD. My buddy that maintained his relationship with them has gotten two Daytona’s from them in the last 5 years. Hurts to say it but I may just abandon this 4 year relationship to start a relationship elsewhere. Some of these ADs are playing customers for fools.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by poker

I have been a fan of Rolex long before I could afford one.

I finally managed to acquire the GMT II in 2011. However, my attempts and checks to buy the DaytonaC and GMT Jubilee have not been successful.

Initially, I was hopeful, and hopeful but after so many years, I am not longer optimistic and getting tired of waiting.

I just could not bring myself to pay exhorbitant prices/markup to buy from the grey dealers.

I am just wondering if someone else out there (in here) who feel the same way as I do.

I spoke to my AD and he says the same. People who don't even own any Rolex or who rarely buys Rolex enters store and asks for Daytona and only want that and nothing else. We have hundreds of SKUs and we can't be providing everyone the same watch model, it is just not possible. The hype has overtaken common sense. Why do everyone wants the hottest model? There are so many models to choose from.

My suggestion is to look for other models or even other brands. Waiting for just 1 or 2 models is no way fun!

[SAlNlDllvllAlNl]

The fact of the matter is we the consumer are in control of this market (for the most part), but the sad truth is we the consumer can't practice self control in this overly inflated market on SS models. So the cycle of "I want this at retail, but can't get it will continue on and on and on until WE the consumer can get it together."

I've been watching this vicious cycle for 6 years and it has been just getting worse even in a recession.

Blame our community, not the AD or the grey dealers. They are just capitalizing on our "bad" decisions of paying market value. I'm glad you're not willing to pay the inflated price. I'm with you! We just need more people with the same mindset. Only then you'll see the change. Until then, I wish you luck my friend and if that doesn't work...Like others have said there are many fish in this sea.

[macrowatch]

If you can afford it, get a PM version of either. You'll be surprised by how quickly the SS version shows up after. At that point, you might actually prefer and enjoy the PM version more. No doubt a more expensive route, but also a more enjoyable route than waiting with nothing IMO.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by BIGAAPL

I too am tired of these AD games

I want to add a point about AD silly games.

Imagine you are an AD and you have business to run. You get 5 Daytonas and you have 500 customers. What would you do? Just hand over the 5 Daytonas to first 5 random users who enter the store (which they do every minute and ask for Daytona) and close your shop in 1 year with no other sales?

Folks are too oblivious to the real market!