Daytona via jewelry spend ($30k)

[Vince_76]

Hi all,

Before even posting this, I felt a type of way. Watches and ADs have become so transactional, instead of the love of the craft and horology. But here we are and I still want to grow my collection. So before I get flamed - “don’t hate the player hate the game”.

Anyways, have an occasion coming up for my wife and will be spending ~$30k on some fine jewelry. There’s a local jeweler that I’ve recently been talking to (and a Rolex AD). I’m wondering to myself “hey, if I can get a watch while I’m at it why not”.

Is $30k in diamonds/jewelry enough to be seriously considered a Daytona (or bundled)? Unfortunately wife isn’t huge on watches so not an option there.

If it is possible, I of course wouldn’t approach the conversation with a transactional tone. Instead, it would be more along the lines of “ we have a special occasion coming up, and I’d love to commemorate it with a watch as well” with a wink and a nod type thing lol.

Crazy times - wish we weren’t even in a position to post this but here we are

[Mystro]

$30k isn’t nearly enough from what others have spent and still no ss Daytona. The issue is even if you spend $130k in jewelry, there is no guarantee you will get chosen for a SS Daytona.

[jb335]

I only work with a Rolex boutique so no first hand-experience with a store that also sells jewelry (or other watch brands) but I suspect $30k in jewelry is nowhere near enough to get you on the dance floor for a SS Daytona.


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[JC316]

Nobody here will be able to answer your question. Why not ask your SA directly?

[pendlepants]

Originally Posted by JC316

Nobody here will be able to answer your question. Why not ask your SA directly?

this is the right approach. there aren't any hard and fast rules with an AD and allotment — it depends on availability and the AD's own policies. I think that showing interest + willingness to bundle ought to be a strong enough position, but be prepared to play hard ball a bit — if they waffle, they should know that you've got other options re: the jewelry and they aren't guaranteed a sale without some consideration.

[996marty]

Just go grey

[BraveBold]

Market dependent.

Wealth in the area, consumer spending patterns (indiscriminate spending), competition, etc. So you won’t have “one” answer. Also, how is the AD doing at the moment… and how much credibility is there for additional spend from you.

[nick800]

I spent over $100k on watches, including PM, and decided to go grey

[Geo1980]

Went in a not that rich area, the AD was very clear, 5k spending for a sub, 10k for a sprite (he had both in stock). I guess if you are in a place where the list is much longer, that may be very different

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[Easy E]

For sure, you will need to ask that specifically to your SA. My bet is that is not enough to get you there, but the Gretzky rule is in effect here - you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

[Potawatomi]

I was able to get a SS Daytona back in 2020 with only a previous purchase of an all green submariner. Give it a shot

[Carguy87]

If you’re buying the jewelry anyways and the pricing is similar, nothing wrong with building AD spend at the same time, and if they can allocate you a watch you want (maybe not an SS Daytona, but something you’d like to add) then I say go for it!

I wouldn’t, however, spend the $30k at the AD if it doesn’t get you what you want for your better half first and foremost just in hopes of getting thrown an allocation of an SS Daytona.

[DC116710LN]

It's highly dependent on your market and the associate you work with. It's worth having a conversation

[windingmybusiness]

They may just happen to have a 116 in the safe for an occasion such as this…

Don’t know til you ask.

[Fleetlord]

Not enough, but it's a start.

[Rollei35]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Crazy times - wish we weren’t even in a position to post this but here we are

You can actually contribute to this by not heeding AD’s need. Just walk in asking for what you like and walk away if they don’t have what you want.
This is pretty much I do.

If everyone did this, we wouldn’t be in today’s position and ADs would be much more humble.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by Rollei35

You can actually contribute to this by not heeding AD’s need. Just walk in asking for what you like and walk away if they don’t have what you want.
This is pretty much I do.

If everyone did this, we wouldn’t be in today’s position and ADs would be much more humble.

Of course. I did this a few weeks ago and he sounds amenable, but still waiting obviously.

Also refuse to buy pieces I don’t like.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by Geo1980

Went in a not that rich area, the AD was very clear, 5k spending for a sub, 10k for a sprite (he had both in stock). I guess if you are in a place where the list is much longer, that may be very different

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Interesting. Was this in the states or the EU?

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

I was able to get a SS Daytona back in 2020 with only a previous purchase of an all green submariner. Give it a shot

Interesting. Any other details that might be helpful?

Originally Posted by Carguy87

If you’re buying the jewelry anyways and the pricing is similar, nothing wrong with building AD spend at the same time, and if they can allocate you a watch you want (maybe not an SS Daytona, but something you’d like to add) then I say go for it!

I wouldn’t, however, spend the $30k at the AD if it doesn’t get you what you want for your better half first and foremost just in hopes of getting thrown an allocation of an SS Daytona.

100% agree. I’m not going to buy pieces I don’t want or spend money that I otherwise did not have an intention on spending. That was my thought, if I’m spending the money anyway, would rather have it go towards building a relationship with an AD

Originally Posted by windingmybusiness

They may just happen to have a 116 in the safe for an occasion such as this…

Don’t know til you ask.

Yep… crazy how the game works nowadays

[descartes]

The thing is you could probably get something at least twice as nice and valuable for your $30k at somewhere else rather than paying full freight at a retail jeweler.


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[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by descartes

The thing is you could probably get something at least twice as nice and valuable for your $30k at somewhere else rather than paying full freight at a retail jeweler.


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That was my other question. I’d only even consider it if:

Jewelery at AD + MSRP Daytona < similar jewelery elsewhere + Daytona market value

This might not even work in that regard

[amh]

You can get the same diamond ring at Costco for 3k that would be 15k at the AD. Not lab grown either. ADs really know how to leverage those budget SS Rolex models.

Better off just buying Grey. Market prices already have all variables baked in. It is a better deal than all the "relationship" spend at the AD.

[physicist]

Man, you’re best off keeping it all in your pocket right now. Don’t play the game.

[ArtNouveau]

As others have said, no hard and fast rules. I had previously bought a BLNR and BLRO for around $18K total before getting my 116500 from my AD in 2019. Having known my SA since ‘97 helped too I’m sure.

[georgew]

Originally Posted by Carguy87

If you’re buying the jewelry anyways and the pricing is similar, nothing wrong with building AD spend at the same time, and if they can allocate you a watch you want (maybe not an SS Daytona, but something you’d like to add) then I say go for it!

I wouldn’t, however, spend the $30k at the AD if it doesn’t get you what you want for your better half first and foremost just in hopes of getting thrown an allocation of an SS Daytona.

this. And I think it is unlikely that $30k is enough in the vast majority of markets to score the most sought-after watch (SS daytona). but as other said, you don;t know until you ask.

[Akacoke]

Originally Posted by amh

You can get the same diamond ring at Costco for 3k that would be 15k at the AD. Not lab grown either. ADs really know how to leverage those budget SS Rolex models.

Better off just buying Grey. Market prices already have all variables baked in. It is a better deal than all the "relationship" spend at the AD.

X2

[4reRlxGuy]

In Socal not even in the ballpark.

[norcalgt3]

No.

[Pinchy]

pretty much no.

It's not really about the total money it's more about other factors. We'll it's also the money, $30K would be the lowest spend history I've heard getting a ss panda or even black. But with no real history and no prior rolex, it's just not gonna fly. And to boot, no actual relationship to speak of, I'd say don't waste your money.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Hi all,

Before even posting this, I felt a type of way. Watches and ADs have become so transactional, instead of the love of the craft and horology. But here we are and I still want to grow my collection. So before I get flamed - “don’t hate the player hate the game”.

Anyways, have an occasion coming up for my wife and will be spending ~$30k on some fine jewelry. There’s a local jeweler that I’ve recently been talking to (and a Rolex AD). I’m wondering to myself “hey, if I can get a watch while I’m at it why not”.

Is $30k in diamonds/jewelry enough to be seriously considered a Daytona (or bundled)? Unfortunately wife isn’t huge on watches so not an option there.

If it is possible, I of course wouldn’t approach the conversation with a transactional tone. Instead, it would be more along the lines of “ we have a special occasion coming up, and I’d love to commemorate it with a watch as well” with a wink and a nod type thing lol.

Crazy times - wish we weren’t even in a position to post this but here we are

Sorry but anyone willing to spend $30 on jewelry just to get a Daytona must have more money than sense, this is whats wrong with this hobby today.If everyone stopped playing these AD games them perhaps we could get back to normality.

[Gent675]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

So before I get flamed - “don’t hate the player hate the game”.

This. This is what people don’t understand.

I’d recommend shopping around your 30k jewelry spend at every possible local AD that carries Rolex. Don’t commit until you get decently positive feedback from one of them.

For all the people suggesting go grey: maybe he doesn’t want to go grey. Some people would just prefer to buy from the AD. Call it trust issues.