Trying to buy my first Rolex from a UK AD

[scott-f84]

Hi,

I have been a member here for a few years but this is my first post and unfortunately it's a bit of a moan....

I have been saving for a while and I have finally got myself into a position where I have the money for the Submariner I have been promising myself for years.

After doing some reading on here I was expecting to have to wait a few months due to the apparent shortage of SS sports models. However, when I visited one of my local AD's (they are all part of the Watches of Switzerland group in my area) and after some pretty shocking customer service, I was told it would be a 2-year wait. I then asked if it would be possible to register my interest and they took my details.

While they were taking my details I was asked about my purchase history (I don't have any as this is a first time purchase) and it was subtly suggested that "while I'm waiting" I might like to buy a model that's in less demand, for example, an Air King or an Explorer. I would have expected this if I was after a Hulk, BLNR or a Daytona but are Submariners really this difficult to get now?

I'm not sure what to do now. I have dismissed going down the grey route as I'm unwilling to pay the £2-3k premium that is being asked and with this being a first time purchase I would really like to have my name on the warranty card etc. I don't mind having to wait to buy from an AD but am I likely to ever get a call?

I'd be interested to hear if there are any UK based members who have recently had any success with WoS group AD's with first time Sub/SS sports purchases and if you were successful, how long did you have to wait?

I have also toyed with the idea of purchasing an Omega Speedmaster through them (a watch I was planning to buy in a few years after buying the Sub and saving again) to create a recent purchase history but this would obviously put me in a position where I could get the call but not have the cash after spending almost £4k on the speedy.