NYC AD Thread- Today's Experiences

[HankScorpio]

I enjoyed reading your write up. Thanks for sharing.

[swexlin]

Originally Posted by Polyesterpig

My bet is your is your first AD call will be from Tourneau Bucherer.

This. I had a similar experience with Bucherer in King of Prussia (PA) mall last month. Large store. Walk in, no purchase history. Very nice SA, showed me around, including the preowned section.

Registered my interest in a TT SD43 (which I had been waiting on from my primary AD) and the YM Rhodium. She said up to 2 years! Anway, long story short, my primary AD came through with the SD not long after.

Then...about 4 weeks later, the SA at Bucherer called, and offered me the SD! I turned it down of course (and explained why). I asked her to still keep my in mind for the YM.

I think you may get your Sub sooner than you think.

[inadeje]

Hi OP, thanks for your detailed story.

What I’m finding with new watch (Rolex) aficionados such as yourself is that they’re stuck in a time of outdated information. Basically, they’re reading threads or gaining knowledge from 12-18 months ago which is outdated and no longer valid.

The watch market as a whole and the Rolex market in general has experienced a seismic change over the past 6 or so months, barely recognizable to the previous couple of years. Namely, the disparity between retail and grey pricing is vanishing or seriously reduced, and may soon be at parity on certain variants like the sub you seek.

Be sure you’re studying contemporary grey pricing here https://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

You’re possibly not considering tax, hassle, wait time and current (this week) pricing which is affecting your decision making. Ensure you’re up to speed because paying a few k more for a sticker clad BNIB sub right now will probably make some sense. Or you could wait for parity which could occur as we approach summer. Your call.

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by swexlin

This. I had a similar experience with Bucherer in King of Prussia (PA) mall last month. Large store. Walk in, no purchase history. Very nice SA, showed me around, including the preowned section.

Registered my interest in a TT SD43 (which I had been waiting on from my primary AD) and the YM Rhodium. She said up to 2 years! Anway, long story short, my primary AD came through with the SD not long after.

Then...about 4 weeks later, the SA at Bucherer called, and offered me the SD! I turned it down of course (and explained why). I asked her to still keep my in mind for the YM.

I think you may get your Sub sooner than you think.

Thanks and definitely have my fingers crossed! One of the things I am noticing from the forum is that, with the watch market softening a bit, there seems to be huge variation regionally between success for new customers. I appreciate Philly/King of Prussia is still a major and quite affluent market, but it seems like New York and suburbs have got to be about the worst place in the country (or even world) to try to get a watch from an AD.

Other members have suggested reaching out to small market ADs, but I am hesitant to think this will really work… “hi, I’m NYC2023, I live in New York City, have never been to your city, and would like to be allocated a steel submariner!” Seems like I would get more hang ups than positive interactions…

[huncho]

pretty much went as expected. i'm still in the camp of just go grey and enjoy your watch. it shouldn't be significantly more than msrp+tax

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by huncho

pretty much went as expected. i'm still in the camp of just go grey and enjoy your watch. it shouldn't be significantly more than msrp+tax

Yes- you called it pretty much spot on!

[messikens]

Great writeup but what's the point?

You went into 4 stores and the outcome was literally the same (no watch, no timeline but you got to fill out some paper for a magical wishlist that likely will be bottom of the pile)...

Apart from some SAs being better and some worse, you're no closer to the watch and likely won't be for another year plus. My advice - stop wasting time in these stores and get your watch the next day. Otherwise it's an effort in futility

[Fleetlord]

Lots working against OP here..

Worst city in US to acquire Rolex.

Wants top 5 hottest model

Has Oneitits for Sub so won't get any spend history.

The submariner is really tough in a big, cosmopolitan city. They sell instantaneously and are in high demand for established clients to either add to their collections or to give as gifts to their staff or their staffs cousin...etc.

For Example, Mark Wahlburg wants a few submariners to give as gifts for his staff or landscapers...etc. The AD must have those on the ready for clients such as that.

So...OP with no spend history and oneitis is not going to get much more out of NYC than a day on the town..

[Hardhat]

I waited 4 months for my 41 sub date back in 2021 and it was to mark a special occasion. The owner of the store happened to be in the day I went in and wanted to help me mark the birth of my son. Last week I stopped by to look and have my watch cleaned. The SA let me know that if something happened to my watch, theft/loss, that it would take a long time to replace it.
I can’t imagine not having my sub now because I wear it daily and I truly love it. If I were to lose it somehow, I wouldn’t hesitate to order a new one from grey. Saying that, if I were in your shoes, I’d go grey and not waste any more time. Especially in the area market of nyc.

[danicasi2002]

With any of your visits, have they tried to steer you to other sports model less popular than the Sub, such as the Air King and explorer? Or only DJ

[Hulkhunter]

When the SAs were directing you to other models they were politely saying these are the models available to new customers.

You may get lucky if the SA puts a word in for you but you will be at the bottom of the queue otherwise. I would anticipate, if you hear anything it may be a call offering you a different model. If you are serious about starting things off at the AD and it’s something you like I would suggest taking it.

[TswaneNguni]

Visited NYC once in 2019.
Loved the city .

The Frick Collection was better than Tourneau on 42nd .....

I shop well in my own country ,thank you !

[whatsthetime?]

Originally Posted by huncho

pretty much went as expected. I'm still in the camp of just go grey and enjoy your watch. It shouldn't be significantly more than msrp+tax

Originally Posted by messikens

great writeup but what's the point?

You went into 4 stores and the outcome was literally the same (no watch, no timeline but you got to fill out some paper for a magical wishlist that likely will be bottom of the pile)...

Apart from some sas being better and some worse, you're no closer to the watch and likely won't be for another year plus. My advice - stop wasting time in these stores and get your watch the next day. Otherwise it's an effort in futility

+1

[HAPConst]

It’s the same song and dance at every AD. Why bother wasting time? Just go to the classifieds here and pick out the watch you want . You will have it in 2 days. What is the hang up on buying from a retail store? Then the shock and awe when you get ignored and told there is no stock. You’re buying a watch for gods sake…..not a wife or house. Buy it where you can find it and be done.

***Apparently the poster above me said the same thing. Some people are just too caught up in the act.

[NYC2023]

Ok, I get it guys. Think I would have any better luck at an AD in the suburbs? Or is the only option to go grey here? Thanks for all the feedback.

[NYC2023]

The biggest reason I would like to go through an AD is because I want to own a larger collection of Rolexes over time and think it would be worthwhile to establish a relationship when I’m young.

[doze]

Originally Posted by HAPConst

It’s the same song and dance at every AD. Why bother wasting time? Just go to the classifieds here and pick out the watch you want . You will have it in 2 days. What is the hang up on buying from a retail store? Then the shock and awe when you get ignored and told there is no stock. You’re buying a watch for gods sake…..not a wife or house. Buy it where you can find it and be done.

***Apparently the poster above me said the same thing. Some people are just too caught up in the act.

I don't know. Unless you're not paying an insane premium with greys, aren't you just fueling the stupid craze? Greys are part of the problem of limited supply: they are the one scooping all the stock of the retail channel and asking for a premium.
I find it kind of ironic with all the posts complaining about lack of stock, waiting lists shenanigans and at the same time people encouraging new users to go with grey dealers. Sure, a couple of years ago, grey dealers were the way to go (immediate delivery and sometimes lower than msrp pricing), but now?...

[swexlin]

Originally Posted by NYC2023

Ok, I get it guys. Think I would have any better luck at an AD in the suburbs? Or is the only option to go grey here? Thanks for all the feedback.

As I mentioned above, give it a month or two. You may be surprised. Looks at it this way - Easter is 8 weeks away. No call by then, go grey. If after that you do get a call, buy it, and sell the one you bought grey.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by NYC2023

Ok, I get it guys. Think I would have any better luck at an AD in the suburbs? Or is the only option to go grey here? Thanks for all the feedback.

suburbs are definitely better and grey isn't the only option. you'll likely be able to get your sub from some AD but it's just gonna take 1-2 years and the work of visiting different ADs/following up. it's just up to you on whether or not all that work is worth not paying a slight premium and going about your life. realistically a sub isn't gonna help you establish a relationship anyway so there's no long game worth playing with this route either

[whatsthetime?]

Originally Posted by doze

Greys are part of the problem of limited supply: they are the one scooping all the stock of the retail channel and asking for a premium.

It's not the gray market causing problems, it's the AD that's causing the problems by selling their watches to the gray dealers.

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by huncho

suburbs are definitely better and grey isn't the only option. you'll likely be able to get your sub from some AD but it's just gonna take 1-2 years and the work of visiting different ADs/following up. it's just up to you on whether or not all that work is worth not paying a slight premium and going about your life. realistically a sub isn't gonna help you establish a relationship anyway so there's no long game worth playing with this route either

That makes a ton of sense. Feels like the play here is to buy one grey and then can sell it when I receive one from an AD. You seem super on top of the NY AD situation- any recommendations for best ADs in the suburbs?

[samuel019]

Well I wish you the best of luck in your search for a Sub. With the recent price increase and sales tax in NYC going Grey isn’t the worst idea but if you want to wait it out I respect that.

I’ve got a 10 year plus and 100k plus spend history with my A D but even still some watches are tough to get regardless. A Sub? Not quite so tough. I’ve got both. The 126610 and 124060 from my A D. Don’t like green so I haven’t asked for the LV.

Again I wish you the best of luck.

2 things though. Time is money and who was the celebrity

[huncho]

Originally Posted by NYC2023

That makes a ton of sense. Feels like the play here is to buy one grey and then can sell it when I receive one from an AD. You seem super on top of the NY AD situation- any recommendations for best ADs in the suburbs?

unfortunately the one i used in NJ lost their AD status back in 2021 so i don't have an AD anymore. i have some purchase history at wempe but wasn't even able to get a two tone wimbledon from them after that so i'm pretty much done with that world lol. luckily i don't have any plans to buy anything right now

[sss205]

The problem may just be the NYC location. Here in Atlanta, I intro'd my friend to my SA, and he was given an allocation for a Yachtmaster within 2 weeks with no purchase history. A couple of guys I know just by acquaintance got no-date Subs after roughly a 3 month wait for each, all last year.

These models are attainable, but you need to look in the right spots.

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by sss205

The problem may just be the NYC location. Here in Atlanta, I intro'd my friend to my SA, and he was given an allocation for a Yachtmaster within 2 weeks with no purchase history. A couple of guys I know just by acquaintance got no-date Subs after roughly a 3 month wait for each, all last year.

These models are attainable, but you need to look in the right spots.

That's awesome!

Yes, as other forum members have said, I'm probably in the worst place in the country for trying to get a new watch with no spend history.

Next step is to start trying ADs in the suburbs.

[worldofoyster]

interesting observations. report back when the watch is available.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by NYC2023

Ok, I get it guys. Think I would have any better luck at an AD in the suburbs? Or is the only option to go grey here? Thanks for all the feedback.

Does your girlfriend or wife like jewelry? If so you might be able to accelerate things.

[pilotjim]

Originally Posted by Tridor

So, let me get this straight ... all watches at these ADs are for exhibition purposes only, and you can't buy one on the spot like before?

Same story in Albany, NY. My wife went in, and to her surprise, they had a Submariner and a GMT II. She called me and I said "Buy them both." They told her they were not for sale. We've purchased four Rolexes from this store in the past, apparently not the recent enough past, lol.

[messikens]

Originally Posted by NYC2023

That's awesome!

Yes, as other forum members have said, I'm probably in the worst place in the country for trying to get a new watch with no spend history.

Next step is to start trying ADs in the suburbs.

As I said - you do you. But it's not like any NY-er (of which there are 8.5mm) hasn't had that idea before.... and it's not like there aren't wealthy people living in the suburbs (that's why they are the suburbs)

If you think you'll have better luck going to the suburbs (i.e. Westchester, Passaic, Newburgh, Montauk, Hudson etc) you're naive. If your time isnt valuable to you, enjoy another couple of conversations like the ones you just had

[NYC2023]

Originally Posted by messikens

As I said - you do you. But it's not like any NY-er (of which there are 8.5mm) hasn't had that idea before.... and it's not like there aren't wealthy people living in the suburbs (that's why they are the suburbs)

If you think you'll have better luck going to the suburbs (i.e. Westchester, Passaic, Newburgh, Montauk, Hudson etc) you're naive. If your time isnt valuable to you, enjoy another couple of conversations like the ones you just had

I honestly appreciate your and everyone's advice on this forum, but not the condescending tone on both of your replies here.

I've lived in New York my whole life and grew up in one of those "wealthy" suburbs. I'm not an idiot. There are multiple forum members who live in New York who have indicated that chances are better at suburban ADs than those in the city.

I'm going to keep on trying. The purpose of this thread was to share my experiences so that it might be helpful for others in the future.