Bucherer Waitlist for AD [How to play the game?]

[chicago888]

Just purchased my first Rolex (DJ 41 Rhodium). A week before that I put my name in for a sub (any sub). Does it increase my chance since I just got a DJ?

Also, any tip on how I can increase my chance of getting the watch within a year?
The sales agent that sold me the watch said it's out of her control. Is that true?

Thanks

[Callmepeshy]

I think it depends per AD. I recently purchased a DJ36 for my other half and was told it doesn’t help with the harder to get pieces. However my AD also works on how well they trust you to not be a flipper as they essentially get punished by Rolex if this happens. So I guess it helps indirectly in that the more pieces you buy, coupled with growing your relationship with them, will help you get more harder to get watches.

In terms of increasing your chances, my best advice is spend time building a good relationship. My SA I deal with and I are now friends outside of the ‘Rolex relationship’ as we share common interests which we spend a lot of time talking about rather than just being a one way thing.

[Tim Plains]

Buy non-Rolex stuff they sell, try building a personal relationship, luck.

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by chicago888

Just purchased my first Rolex (DJ 41 Rhodium). A week before that I put my name in for a sub (any sub). Does it increase my chance since I just got a DJ?

Also, any tip on how I can increase my chance of getting the watch within a year?
The sales agent that sold me the watch said it's out of her control. Is that true?

Thanks

Buy more watches you do not really need to get that sub? Idk man, enjoy wearing the first rolex you just bought and congrats. If the Rolex AD believes you are not a scalper/flipper then prob you can be allocated that sub within a year...

[mapalfa]

Why play the game?

How often do you fly? If it's a lot then get in the habit of asking every air-side dealer if they've got a sub in stock. Chances are that they don't run a wait list as there are so many people that come and go every day.

I'd been asking at every AD I passed for a good couple of years, then out of the blue we were stuck In Amsterdam due to a storm closing the airport. If we'd flown on the proper date I wouldn't have got lucky, but a day later and when I asked I was told they'd just had a delivery in and did I want a date or a non-date! Date please.

Even better they discounted (without me even asking) to allow for the difference between buying tax free and within the EU (pre-brexit completion in 2020). After paying a bit extra to Amex for the foreign currency transaction, but allowing for the nice lump of cashback, I saved about £1000 and didn't ever need to play the waiting list game

[SamArj]

Originally Posted by Callmepeshy

I think it depends per AD. I recently purchased a DJ36 for my other half and was told it doesn’t help with the harder to get pieces. However my AD also works on how well they trust you to not be a flipper as they essentially get punished by Rolex if this happens. So I guess it helps indirectly in that the more pieces you buy, coupled with growing your relationship with them, will help you get more harder to get watches.

In terms of increasing your chances, my best advice is spend time building a good relationship. My SA I deal with and I are now friends outside of the ‘Rolex relationship’ as we share common interests which we spend a lot of time talking about rather than just being a one way thing.

How do they get 'punished'?

[Snowballs]

Curious to know how they (AD) figure that out.

Sure a lot of brand new hard to find pieces in the grey market. They have to come from somewhere.

[Dro]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

Buy non-Rolex stuff they sell, try building a personal relationship, luck.

Basically this ↑ ↑ ↑.

TLDR: If your wife/girlfriend/mistress/etc. likes jewelry, buy these things from your Rolex SA, or go grey.

My story:
I began looking for a Rolex to celebrate a career milestone in Jan of 2022, right during the peak of hype. Went to 4 different AD's in my area. I was planning on buying some items for the wife anyway, so I bought pieces for her at 2 of the places hoping it would help. At the last place I visited, I had a great conversation with the SA, who took all of my information down. Didn't buy anything, and got the call for a DJ41 blue dial 4 months later.

Just for further context. My wife has always liked rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. We could never afford to buy real items. She would always buy cheap knockoff pieces from the chain stores, and was happy to wear them. She has kept ALL of them, and even bought a stand up jewelry box to sort and arrange all of her cheap pieces.

Fast forward to February of this year, it is time to buy for the wife's birthday/Valentine's day. I call the SA who sold me the DJ, and ask about a ring my wife had mentioned she would like from their catalog. We go to pick up and make sure the size fits. My wife has also recently done well at work, and while there, decides to buy herself some gold earing that are very similar to a fake pair that she has always liked and worn. All of these purchase go onto my account with the store. After my wife is done with all of her items, I ask to try on some Rolex's, and mention that I would be interested in a Starbucks Sub. A couple of days later the SA texts me asking to confirm which piece it was and I send her a snapshot of the reference page from the Rolex site.

A couple of months later, the SA calls me to let me know that she will be going out of town for a couple of weeks before mother's day in case there was anything I needed. I mention this to my wife, who lets me know there is another piece she wouldn't mind having. I call the SA a week before mother's day on a Friday afternoon to order the piece. During the transaction, I did not remind or mention anything about the Starbucks. The next morning, I get the text form the SA that they have a Sub LV for me if I want it. My wife got her gift a week early, and I got a really early Father's day green Sub.

The point of all this, build a relationship and if there is any reason to buy other items from your SA, do it. If not, you may have to go grey if you want it right away. Others may be able to get whatever they want without buying other things, I am not one of those lucky people. Luckily though, I have a wife who has happily worn fake pieces for many years, but is now in a position to upgrade her collection after all this time. So it is not a waste as they are things that she truly wants and cherishes.

Lastly, I will say that my SA is great, and I believe they fought to get me the Starbucks. Without going into too much detail, my wife and I do have something in common with the SA, so this helps our relationship with them. Will continue to pick up whatever the wife wants for special occasions from this SA. She has mentioned she wants a TT gold DJ36 for herself. Will see if I can get a Daytona in another year or two.

SA did mention though that they had to get permission from their manager to sell me the Starbucks. I believe that I reached a certain purchase limit once I bought the mother's day gift, and was allowed to buy the Sub LV. So to answer one of your questions, yes, it is up to their manager on who gets what pieces. If you take from the time I picked up my DJ41, to when I picked up my Sub LV, it was 9 months. I am always courteous, patient, polite, and have honest conversations during transactions without leaving my dignity at the door.

You have already established a sales history with the Rhodium DJ41, so you should be able to build on this. If you are not going to buy any other items, try dropping in every now and again wearing it, and mention to your SA that you are still interested in a Sub.

Good luck!

[burnthesehills]

I think the market is softening so you should be able to secure a Sub without playing any of these games or spending money on stuff you don’t want.

Check in with the sales associate every few months to express interest and remind them. Swing by the store wearing your DJ. Be patient and enjoy the watch you just bought.

[p78]

Went to two local ADs today to ask about the new two-tone GMT. At one of them, the the SA got visibly excited when she saw my well-worn sub and commented positively on the patina. The conversation became much more relaxed after that so I can imagine there is some truth to not looking like a watch flipper.

I asked her straight up if buying another watch would help me move up the list, she said that for regular watches like that (i.e. not Daytonas) it wouldn't make a difference. I think it depends from store to store.

[Auric Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by SamArj

How do they get 'punished'?

Annual allocations to the AD are cut significantly and desired references no longer come in. That includes any meteorites, professional references, etc. and being restricted to only classic watches.

Ever heard of ADs complaining they never get any meteorites or the like? This is the reason why. If your AD isn’t getting popular references, it isn’t a good sign long term.

Allocation reduction is simply the first step and if it continues then their license is at risk.

[UnderTheRadar]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I think the market is softening so you should be able to secure a Sub without playing any of these games or spending money on stuff you don’t want.

Check in with the sales associate every few months to express interest and remind them. Swing by the store wearing your DJ. Be patient and enjoy the watch you just bought.

I've been waiting for a Sub from a WoS store for about two years and still get the "don't know when or if they'll be able to source the reference" emails from them. Given up trying really and am on a list elsewhere.

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by Dro

Basically this ↑ ↑ ↑.

TLDR: If your wife/girlfriend/mistress/etc. likes jewelry, buy these things from your Rolex SA, or go grey.

My story:
I began looking for a Rolex to celebrate a career milestone in Jan of 2022, right during the peak of hype. Went to 4 different AD's in my area. I was planning on buying some items for the wife anyway, so I bought pieces for her at 2 of the places hoping it would help. At the last place I visited, I had a great conversation with the SA, who took all of my information down. Didn't buy anything, and got the call for a DJ41 blue dial 4 months later.

Just for further context. My wife has always liked rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. We could never afford to buy real items. She would always buy cheap knockoff pieces from the chain stores, and was happy to wear them. She has kept ALL of them, and even bought a stand up jewelry box to sort and arrange all of her cheap pieces.

Fast forward to February of this year, it is time to buy for the wife's birthday/Valentine's day. I call the SA who sold me the DJ, and ask about a ring my wife had mentioned she would like from their catalog. We go to pick up and make sure the size fits. My wife has also recently done well at work, and while there, decides to buy herself some gold earing that are very similar to a fake pair that she has always liked and worn. All of these purchase go onto my account with the store. After my wife is done with all of her items, I ask to try on some Rolex's, and mention that I would be interested in a Starbucks Sub. A couple of days later the SA texts me asking to confirm which piece it was and I send her a snapshot of the reference page from the Rolex site.

A couple of months later, the SA calls me to let me know that she will be going out of town for a couple of weeks before mother's day in case there was anything I needed. I mention this to my wife, who lets me know there is another piece she wouldn't mind having. I call the SA a week before mother's day on a Friday afternoon to order the piece. During the transaction, I did not remind or mention anything about the Starbucks. The next morning, I get the text form the SA that they have a Sub LV for me if I want it. My wife got her gift a week early, and I got a really early Father's day green Sub.

The point of all this, build a relationship and if there is any reason to buy other items from your SA, do it. If not, you may have to go grey if you want it right away. Others may be able to get whatever they want without buying other things, I am not one of those lucky people. Luckily though, I have a wife who has happily worn fake pieces for many years, but is now in a position to upgrade her collection after all this time. So it is not a waste as they are things that she truly wants and cherishes.

Lastly, I will say that my SA is great, and I believe they fought to get me the Starbucks. Without going into too much detail, my wife and I do have something in common with the SA, so this helps our relationship with them. Will continue to pick up whatever the wife wants for special occasions from this SA. She has mentioned she wants a TT gold DJ36 for herself. Will see if I can get a Daytona in another year or two.

SA did mention though that they had to get permission from their manager to sell me the Starbucks. I believe that I reached a certain purchase limit once I bought the mother's day gift, and was allowed to buy the Sub LV. So to answer one of your questions, yes, it is up to their manager on who gets what pieces. If you take from the time I picked up my DJ41, to when I picked up my Sub LV, it was 9 months. I am always courteous, patient, polite, and have honest conversations during transactions without leaving my dignity at the door.

You have already established a sales history with the Rhodium DJ41, so you should be able to build on this. If you are not going to buy any other items, try dropping in every now and again wearing it, and mention to your SA that you are still interested in a Sub.

Good luck!

Excellent advice and very similar to my experience. I bought a few Rolex watches from my family owned AD before things got crazy in terms of demand. I had a respectable Rolex collection and while new things were coming out that I was interested in, I wasn't interested in waiting months or years. I decided to look into other brands. I bought several IWCs that I wanted (not to advance myself on any list) and when my wife wanted jewelry I would go to this AD even if it cost a hair more than perhaps somewhere else. I built a relationship and serviced/polished my watches with them. A year or so ago I decided I really wanted the BLRO in stainless steel. I went to my AD on a whim and asked to be placed on a list. I expected that I would be accomodated to some degree, but fully anticipated a several month or year wait. I got a call a week later that it was in. I know I cut the line. I know they did it because I built a relationship, but did so on my terms and not playing any games.

I think establishing relationships with family owned ADs tends to get you in better position. I think if you are honest and up front and show interest in all sorts of watches it sets you apart from the 100th person of the day to ask for a Daytona. It's always a bit of luck as well.

[Callmepeshy]

Originally Posted by Auric Goldfinger

Annual allocations to the AD are cut significantly and desired references no longer come in. That includes any meteorites, professional references, etc. and being restricted to only classic watches.

Ever heard of ADs complaining they never get any meteorites or the like? This is the reason why. If your AD isn’t getting popular references, it isn’t a good sign long term.

Allocation reduction is simply the first step and if it continues then their license is at risk.

Spot on.

[joa]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

Excellent advice and very similar to my experience. I bought a few Rolex watches from my family owned AD before things got crazy in terms of demand. I had a respectable Rolex collection and while new things were coming out that I was interested in, I wasn't interested in waiting months or years. I decided to look into other brands. I bought several IWCs that I wanted (not to advance myself on any list) and when my wife wanted jewelry I would go to this AD even if it cost a hair more than perhaps somewhere else. I built a relationship and serviced/polished my watches with them. A year or so ago I decided I really wanted the BLRO in stainless steel. I went to my AD on a whim and asked to be placed on a list. I expected that I would be accomodated to some degree, but fully anticipated a several month or year wait. I got a call a week later that it was in. I know I cut the line. I know they did it because I built a relationship, but did so on my terms and not playing any games.

I think establishing relationships with family owned ADs tends to get you in better position. I think if you are honest and up front and show interest in all sorts of watches it sets you apart from the 100th person of the day to ask for a Daytona. It's always a bit of luck as well.

besides, it sounds as you are easy going customer who doesn't make too big fuzz and drama out of it. i bet this is a big factor

[lamnyc]

You probably have to spend a lot more.

[S.Explorer]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I think the market is softening so you should be able to secure a Sub without playing any of these games or spending money on stuff you don’t want.

Check in with the sales associate every few months to express interest and remind them. Swing by the store wearing your DJ. Be patient and enjoy the watch you just bought.

Originally Posted by UnderTheRadar

I've been waiting for a Sub from a WoS store for about two years and still get the "don't know when or if they'll be able to source the reference" emails from them. Given up trying really and am on a list elsewhere.

Same here... Never been asked by WoS to buy other items but it's taking a long time for an Explorer. I am thinking about buying from a reseller later in the year It seems much easier in the US than the UK to buy from an AD.

[rmlovett1]

I personally, will not “play the game”

[JarheadJim]

I've been pretty fortunate and I seem to have a great AD. My first visit was for a Sub very late last year. I received the call about 6 weeks after my visit. I had just purchased a new motorcycle and told them I would pass on the Sub. I then went back in late April and inquired about a Sea Dweller and I got the call about 3 weeks later and picked up my current SD 43mm. I think it just depends from AD to AD.

[chiscott_29]

If you’re dealing with the Michigan Ave AD, there is no “game”. Work your way up the model line and be realistic and patient. For example, forget the Daytonas and GMTs as those are probably years away and they’ll just cause you frustration.

If you’re not willing to do that, buy on the secondary market and don’t make it a frustrating process or think your experience is going to be any different than the stories you see on this forum.

This is an AD where there aren’t going to be any shortcuts - It’s Chicago and there are thousands of customers and thousands more in line. But if you’re willing to be patient, this is an AD that s honest, transparent, and they care deeply about getting watches in the hands of collectors.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheWatchmen]

I’m personally in the camp of flat out refusing to play games and “build relationships” based on me handing over money.

Just buy grey and be done. Buying something you don’t want that costs thousands of dollars is ridiculous.

Your money not mine lol.

[ltmgeller]

In my experience, it’s based on purchase history and how many popular models they get you within a year. Cumulative spend helps a lot but it took me over a year to get my Daytona after the sky dweller. The SA has some leverage, they have to lobby their manager to get permission to sell you the watch. All the SAs are dipping into the same watch pool so having a SA on your side helps. Buying their other products helps quite a bit. If I need jewelry for a gift, I’ll pick something from the Bucherer line. They make nice jewelry and it increases my purchase history.

[Halifax Daytona UK]

Originally Posted by Dro

Basically this ↑ ↑ ↑.

TLDR: If your wife/girlfriend/mistress/etc. likes jewelry, buy these things from your Rolex SA, or go grey.

My story:
I began looking for a Rolex to celebrate a career milestone in Jan of 2022, right during the peak of hype. Went to 4 different AD's in my area. I was planning on buying some items for the wife anyway, so I bought pieces for her at 2 of the places hoping it would help. At the last place I visited, I had a great conversation with the SA, who took all of my information down. Didn't buy anything, and got the call for a DJ41 blue dial 4 months later.

Just for further context. My wife has always liked rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. We could never afford to buy real items. She would always buy cheap knockoff pieces from the chain stores, and was happy to wear them. She has kept ALL of them, and even bought a stand up jewelry box to sort and arrange all of her cheap pieces.

Fast forward to February of this year, it is time to buy for the wife's birthday/Valentine's day. I call the SA who sold me the DJ, and ask about a ring my wife had mentioned she would like from their catalog. We go to pick up and make sure the size fits. My wife has also recently done well at work, and while there, decides to buy herself some gold earing that are very similar to a fake pair that she has always liked and worn. All of these purchase go onto my account with the store. After my wife is done with all of her items, I ask to try on some Rolex's, and mention that I would be interested in a Starbucks Sub. A couple of days later the SA texts me asking to confirm which piece it was and I send her a snapshot of the reference page from the Rolex site.

A couple of months later, the SA calls me to let me know that she will be going out of town for a couple of weeks before mother's day in case there was anything I needed. I mention this to my wife, who lets me know there is another piece she wouldn't mind having. I call the SA a week before mother's day on a Friday afternoon to order the piece. During the transaction, I did not remind or mention anything about the Starbucks. The next morning, I get the text form the SA that they have a Sub LV for me if I want it. My wife got her gift a week early, and I got a really early Father's day green Sub.

The point of all this, build a relationship and if there is any reason to buy other items from your SA, do it. If not, you may have to go grey if you want it right away. Others may be able to get whatever they want without buying other things, I am not one of those lucky people. Luckily though, I have a wife who has happily worn fake pieces for many years, but is now in a position to upgrade her collection after all this time. So it is not a waste as they are things that she truly wants and cherishes.

Lastly, I will say that my SA is great, and I believe they fought to get me the Starbucks. Without going into too much detail, my wife and I do have something in common with the SA, so this helps our relationship with them. Will continue to pick up whatever the wife wants for special occasions from this SA. She has mentioned she wants a TT gold DJ36 for herself. Will see if I can get a Daytona in another year or two.

SA did mention though that they had to get permission from their manager to sell me the Starbucks. I believe that I reached a certain purchase limit once I bought the mother's day gift, and was allowed to buy the Sub LV. So to answer one of your questions, yes, it is up to their manager on who gets what pieces. If you take from the time I picked up my DJ41, to when I picked up my Sub LV, it was 9 months. I am always courteous, patient, polite, and have honest conversations during transactions without leaving my dignity at the door.

You have already established a sales history with the Rhodium DJ41, so you should be able to build on this. If you are not going to buy any other items, try dropping in every now and again wearing it, and mention to your SA that you are still interested in a Sub.

Good luck!

Well done in getting your watch, but I can’t buy other stuff from an AD knowing that they are overpriced by approx 70% ,

[Time-Immemorial]

In my experience it all depends on the store. If they carry other brands, jewelry etc and if your SA exclusively sells one brand or multiple within said store. If it’s a big enough place like a Bucherer they might exclusively be a Rolex SA within the shop. So buying pieces throughout the store might not help you out in the same way as it could in a family owned smaller shop. Obviously it builds your client profile but it’s not necessarily attracting the attention of your SA.

Be clear about what you want and try not to be too pushy or annoying - these are regular people that are dealing with really long client lists and I’m sure a lot of those clients are really pushy and annoying. Plus I’m sure there can be real clamoring to get inventory between each SA. That’s my take anyway.

When I walked in to a shop in NY and expressed interest in a specific model I knew it was a long shot and I told the SA that I knew as much. They took my information but I was realistic about it. A couple weeks later they asked to confirm my interest and a month later they called me to say my watch came in. I asked why they would bother picking me for the watch and they said “because you were nice, you knew what you wanted and you were realistic about it”.

Throw your name in the hat for a Sub or whatever else you are serious about and then just go enjoy your DJ. They clearly like you ! Just give it a bit of time.

[Calatrava r]

I would also tell to just enjoy the watch you just got. Wear it often into the store and politely express your interest in a Sub. Requesting another watch right after one was just sold to you does not bide well with most ADs. They want to place watches with people who want a particular watch and not just looking for the next one.

[tekops]

Your get bumped further down the list since you already got an allotment. The trick is get someone you know that never purchased a Rolex.

[chicago888]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

In my experience, it’s based on purchase history and how many popular models they get you within a year. Cumulative spend helps a lot but it took me over a year to get my Daytona after the sky dweller. The SA has some leverage, they have to lobby their manager to get permission to sell you the watch. All the SAs are dipping into the same watch pool so having a SA on your side helps. Buying their other products helps quite a bit. If I need jewelry for a gift, I’ll pick something from the Bucherer line. They make nice jewelry and it increases my purchase history.

This Torneau Bucherer only sells Rolex. I would be happy to purchase Jewelry and other watches. Will it count if I purchase online from Torneau?