Still waiting since launch...? UK

[Andygmt2]

Originally Posted by stevek84

I know, I've sent them an email to put my point across and received a reply which tiptoed around the issues that I put across. Time will tell if they value me as a repeat customer or not i guess. If I'm not and I find others are still being jumped above me on the list I will certainly be letting it known. thanks for the good luck wishes, fingers crossed!!!!

No worries, your absolutely right. It can only go one of 2 ways if by letting it known - either they respect your note and continue to try their ‘best’ in sourcing, or they think ‘don’t need this crap, can sell to other potential walk ins’ etc.

[Andygmt2]

Originally Posted by BLNR Nairobi

It is far more than decent. That’s a pretty solid purchase portfolio.

The problem though is your location. I am not sure where in the UK you are at, but I know several European cities (eg London, Paris) where getting certain references is very hard. Not because the ADs do not receive them, but rather that there are many people with lots of disposable income competing with you.

For example, take London. The wealth concentration is quite immense, and considering a Daytona is relatively affordable AND has high demand, getting one from the AD would be difficult. Since there would be a line of people able to buy £350,000 watches seeking to buy a merely £9,000 watch!

Thus, while you have a pretty solid purchase history, you are likely in competition with people that on a single visit can drop several hundred thousand on Jewerly for themselves/their spouse. Which means they are likely to be higher up on the AD’s ‘allocation list’ (allocation list is definitely more accurate than ‘wait list’).

What to do then?

Well, if you travel a lot, I would recommend developing a relationship with an AD in a smaller city. Preferably outside Europe or Asia.

In an AD in Nairobi (unfortunately no longer there) my first visit I had a choice of a 116710BLNR, 116710LN, a Sub and a Sub Date. Not to mention all three versions of Milgaus.

Second visit there was a Daytona Black and a LVc (and apparently a Blue SkyDweller in the safe, although I never saw it).

Last visit there was a DSSD JC and a SS43.

That would be literally IMPOSSIBLE in London.

While in my primary city of Nairobi there are people with funds to buy watches and more, it is nowhere close to London where every street has a Ferrari in every driveway and a peacock in every pot! Where people keep apartments and midget submarines as pets.

And where a £9,000 watch is ridiculously affordable considering it’s popularity, and with a growing base of demand that can afford significantly more expensive time pieces.

My advice would be to develop a relationship with an AD in a less frenetic geography, or just to go and buy from the grey market (please ensure it’s genuine - one reason I always buy from an AD is I am too softhearted to ever risk grey. But I’m sure there are ‘trusted sellers’ who have too much to lose by being silly).

Or, and I mean it, go to your local AD and make him a friend. You’d be surprised how successful that can be. Good people do good things to good people, and if you and your AD can strike a rapport you may be surprised at how quickly a Daytona can show up.

But your purchase history, as good as it is, is unfortunately not at all special in many of the larger cities of Europe. Cities where it’s not just the local rich but also international rich that go there, with London being the capital city of the World (sorry New York).

Thanks for this mate, I completely agree with you and take on board your points. I have strong relationships with both small AD and large chains but it’s either no stock at all or some stock with ‘as you say’ bigger population.

Either way will just remain hopeful as the DaytonaC is not going to be discontinued anytime soon (we believe) lol.

[Moka-Tiger]

I sound like a broken record, but ADs are not the come all end all to buying watches. There are other options that are at least worth a look at to see what is available. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Life it too short to wait and fret and play the AD game. And I understand what it is like to try and compete with the ultra-super-wealthy money-bags in my town who plop down money for watches like they are buying goods at a $1 store.

I gave up bothering with ADs, after I found that I could buy used watches in excellent condition with excellent box and papers from trustworthy grays, and walk out of the store today with the watches that I want on my wrist. I was able to get the watches in my collection either under MSRP or even paying over sometimes, but they all have increased in price since I bought them, to where I am glad I bought yesterday than having continued to wait for tomorrow or never.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by SeaDweller50

AD’s should perhaps make their waiting lists transparent, so you can actually see yourself in the pecking order, and confirm that no one is jumping ahead of you.

That'd be nice wouldn't it!

Personally I would like to see Rolex and the AD network implement a "build slot" approach. In other words, all AD's round the globe would be linked to a central database at Rolex HQ, and when you put you name down for a watch at an AD, you'd go into the central database simply in chronological order. The database software could very easily then allocate a build slot based on how many of a certain model they produce each week, and how many people are ahead of you, to give you a pretty decent window of when it'll be available.

TBH I think in many cases it's the uncertainty that irritates people more than the actual lead time. On a personal level, if I went in and put my name down for something and the AD said, "OK, the system says your watch will be available between 3 years 2 months and 3 years 6 months", I'd go away reasonably happy, knowing that I didn't have to think about it for another 3 years (or I could chose not to wait and buy something else instead).

It would still keep rolex's air of "exclusivity and mystery", but also keep customers on-side and reasonably happy. Yes it'd stop whales and "VIPs" jumping the queue, but that's just AD shenanigans anyway - Rolex doesn't care who buys their watches.

I'm just not sure why this isn't an option in today's digital world.

[Cigars&Watches]

Originally Posted by Manamana

Depends what are the 6 pieces you got. If they were all steel sports in demand models then that won't help you much, even if only 4 were top in demand steel Rolex the AD would think he made right by you especially in London. Would you mind telling us what the 8 were.

[warren G.]

Originally Posted by Driver8

I'm just not sure why this isn't an option in today's digital world.

I strongly believe Rolex can do it.

But I think the real answer is = they don't need to do it. As flawed and annoying the current system is; Rolex is selling out their watches anyway. F**** welcoming new generation of collectors right?!

[dukie748]

The AD's don't keep 'lists' per se, they just have a bunch of random names and numbers written down to whom they choose to sell to on an ad hoc basis - in reality, whichever client has the most future potential gets the watch.

[calebb90]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

4 years ago a friend of mine bought a SS ceramic Daytona for £14,000 from Watch Finder.

At the time I told him he was mad....

Now he never fails to remind me of that conversation at every given opportunity!




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My friends told me I was crazy when I paid $10k over retail for a 5711a a few years ago too.....fast forward 12 months a friend paid 65k for one and everyone really thought he’d lost his mind.

They don’t say much to either of us these days. Wonder why...

Life is short. Buy the damn watch.


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[IamJacky]

Technically it is my 4th year on the list for the 116500LN; but I could not wait and just bought it from grey back in 2017, thinking I would sell the grey one if I ever "get the call". I'm pretty sure the ADs never really kept my information and I don't think I will ever get one from them.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Andygmt2

Thanks all for your kind responses and comments. I’d say 8 pieces which includes 2 PMs is pretty decent but some may say differently.
In some respects I guess it’s a case of pot luck with a DaytonaC - everyone’s AD experience is different but it’s just annoying when an AD states we will deliver, to ‘we can’t guarantee’ it makes you think...

All the best to you all in your journeys !

That’s decent history overall, however that averages out at 2 watches a year, which won’t cut it (in most ADs) for a steel Daytona

[Vivalas]

Originally Posted by Andygmt2

Thanks all for your kind responses and comments. I’d say 8 pieces which includes 2 PMs is pretty decent but some may say differently.
In some respects I guess it’s a case of pot luck with a DaytonaC - everyone’s AD experience is different but it’s just annoying when an AD states we will deliver, to ‘we can’t guarantee’ it makes you think...

All the best to you all in your journeys !

I’d say that’s pretty good purchase history and the time you’ve waiting is a while. I’d have a polite word and remind them of your spend. Good luck

[Jonah10]

Sounds like you need a new AD, that’s too much patience.


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[fleabag]

Been waiting since Nov 2017 from Pragnells at Stratford upon Avon .... no phone call & nothing even though I’ve kept it touch as it’s at least a five hour drive from me in the sticks...
Prob too busy shifting stock out of the back door ....


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