Surprising Incoming!

[MRBolton]

I had an almost unbelievable stroke of luck on my 1-year wedding anniversary trip. On March 7, I called ahead to the ADs to introduce myself on the off chance I could get lucky. I told them I wasn’t a flipper and would be happy to wear my Pepsi in as some “proof,” which sounds lame, but hear me out! I told them that I really wanted any configuration SS Sub, but would absolutely love the green. They told me there was a decent chance of getting a black bezel Sub date.

I told them how it would be so special to be able to get that specific watch there and make memories with it snorkeling and exploring. I was still begging my local AD for one, as they got me a Pepsi in 2019 and an Explorer in February 2022, but I hadn't got the impression that they're calling me for a SS Daytona or even a Sub anytime soon.

Over the next couple months, I called a few times to check in with the ADs. Also called and made conversation to ask some “local” questions (restaurant recommendations, snorkel spots, etc…). I showed one whom I got the email of my groom’s cake that some people made fun of me for on here; it was a a cake of my Pepsi with the time and date set to the ceremony of the wedding. My main AD contact, the store manager, seemed to really like it and was impressed! He could tell I was a massive fan of the brand.

Fast forward to late May, just a bit before my June trip, and I was getting antsy because I was told late April/early May that I had an "80% chance" of getting one and an "over 50%" chance from another AD there—just depended on what they got around the time I was there. I was so surprised to get such strong indications, having never even met them in person yet.
I was getting mixed signals from them closer to time in the form of not getting a return call or email reply. I was getting discouraged as I had my hopes so high and thought perhaps the past couple months were cruel politeness. In reality, they were probably just busy.

I wish I had quit worrying because just over a week before my trip, I got a text from that one AD’s store manager to come by during my visit and something has come in for me.
After thanking him profusely, I asked if it was green or black bezel—or ND Sub, telling him that I’d be happy with any.
He joked around with me at first before telling me it was the green! I was astonished! Just felt too good to be true! Part of me wondered if I was going to show up and get forced to bundle it with another less-desirable watch or some other expensive piece of ladies' jewelry.
That was on Memorial Day. The watch arrived the following Friday, and he called me for payment on Saturday. Picked it up the following week, last Wednesday. Seamless transaction and super friendly staff; I couldn't have been more pleased.

On my list of "reasonable" grail pieces, a white dial Daytona is on top, but this is my number two, and it does NOT disappoint; it's a spectacular watch.

I have never purchased from this AD, and it seemed more important to them that pieces go to the "right" customer rather than the one with the highest spend history in most cases, although they do greatly value longstanding relationships. I think part of it for me was luck that a local perhaps hadn't requested one. I was advised that they only get about one Sub LV per month, and since I was told originally to expect a black Sub Date, I wonder if this one was the only Sub that came in during the timeframe that I'd be there. Whatever it was, I'm not complaining!

Here are some pictures from throughout the trip! https://imgur.com/a/qjJcVje

[Jay2101]

Nice!! Congrats!!

[Giovannibravo]

Submariners are my personal fav. I use the bezel every day for timing things.

Cool story. Wear it in good health my friend.

[ltmgeller]

Congrats!

[skipstar]

Congrats

[arcampado]

Congrats

[synrrgy]

Congratulations! That LV is awesome.

[Atmwireless]

Congratulations

[cfidentification]

Nice. It would seem as though the tides are turning, even as some continue to deny such that one could acquire a highly coveted timepiece directly from the AD.

[JayHantz]

Congratulations on the LV, absolutely stunning!

[noshame]

Congrats on the LV - great story! Now, Mr. Bolton, is there any chance you could wear that beauty above your wrist bone?! I think it would look, and FEEL, so much better there!

[stark1]

Congrats and thanks for sharing your story. It's always nice to read about someone else's memorable experience.

[Pattul]

This is awesome to hear. Congrats!

[rmlovett1]

Congratulations!

[Turbo Racer]

Congrats!

[rfs]

Congrats!

[Seddyspaghetti]

Congrats

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by noshame

Congrats on the LV - great story! Now, Mr. Bolton, is there any chance you could wear that beauty above your wrist bone?! I think it would look, and FEEL, so much better there!

I used to like it tighter fitting like that, but as my wrist has grown from weight gain, I like wearing it somewhat loosely; it will go past my wrist bone usually if I lift my arm up.
I had a little back and forth at the AD on sizing and got it exactly where I liked it in the middle of the glidelock.

Thanks for the suggestion, however! I read stuff here all the time I never thought of, so I really do appreciate the heads-up.

[MRBolton]

Thank you, everyone! The Sub is so much more of a practical every day piece than the GMT for me, and the addition of the date and timing bezel make me wonder how much I like my Explorer now.
So glad I got the green! The black I’d like to have eventually, too, but the green just pops in a great way. Looks better in real life in my opinion.

[fistwatches]

Nice story. Congrats