My SS Sub hunt is finally over...

[FQ01]

"My SS Sub hunt is finally over" or "How to acquire a Rolex ND Sub for a 21% discount to a retail price"

I've read a lot of interesting stories on this forum, so I thought I'd share mine too=)

Unlike many others, when I developed an interest in watches, I had no intention of buying a Rolex, because "everyone around seem to be wearing one"... A couple of Panerai's later, I started to appreciate Rolex craftsmanship, attention to details and historical importance. Once my anniversary birthday happened this year, so it was the right time to pull the trigger for a first Rolex. I decided that it will either be a Submariner (114060) or a GMT Master II. And since we're in the middle of a total madness regarding GMT Master II models BLRO/BLNR, end of production for LN, jubilee bracelets, etc... I decided to go for 114060 Sub...

Little did I know, that unlike normal watch brands, you can not go to an AD and order one. So the hunt began. On every business trip I would visit an AD and ask for a SS Sub. This is a real quest... I've been in multiple ADs in New York, Chicago, London, Switzerland and Stockholm... no luck... I almost started to feel like I will not be getting my grail watch this year, but I was due to a surprise!

Last week I've travelled to Budapest for a very close friend's wedding. I was supposed to be giving a speech and officiate the wedding. After spending the morning hanging out with the groom and helping with the preparations, I had 4 hours before the official ceremony and went back to the hotel. Next door to the hotel was a Rolex AD, so I decided to come by and following my usual routine have a chat with a sales rep about how impossible it is to get a SS Sub.

I walked into the AD while having my Panerai PAM590 on, and started a conversation on how I visited 7+ Rolex ADs around the world looking for a Sub ND or GMT Master, and since I don't believe in walk in offers on Batman or Pepsi, maybe they had a ND?=) We had a laugh about it, the sales guy asked me where I was from and whether I was in Budapest for business or as a tourist. When I told him that I'm here for a friend's wedding and that I was looking for a ND Sub as an anniversary present for myself, the sales guy asked me to wait for a minute, since he had to talk to a senior manager. Several minutes later he comes back with a 114060 Sub! He told me that since it was really a super special occasion, they decided to offer me my grail watch and I had 5 hours before the store close to decide... On top of that, VAT in Hungary is 21% and I can claim it back for an effective 21% discount to RRP! I told him that I need 20 min to get back to my hotel room, take the credit card and a passport.

We settled the transaction in EUR, I received an official travel pouch as a bonus with a couple of boxes of chocolate for my wife, a VAT refund service by Rolex (unlike GlobalBlue that charges a commission, this Rolex AD offers a full VAT refund via a direct wire transfer to my bank account), and since I had to stamp the papers at the customs at the airport, they also offered me a first class fast lane assistance service at the airport.

Stickers were removed in front of me and the bracelet was sized. I was asked if I wanted my warranty card to be filled with my name on it (sure!), and once it was filled I received the watch, warranty card, box & papers. I heard about stupid stories on how they mail the card 1-6months later, so I was super happy to receive everything in full + bonuses, coupled with a fantastic service!

The wedding ceremony went fantastic, and on top of being my anniversary year, I received my grail watch the same day my best friend got married!