How to begin a relationship with an AD?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by shanepagne

Hello,

I’m attempting to join the Rolex family and am quickly learning this may literally be an impossibility. I walked into an AD in the DC area to chat about Rolex models, express interest and try to create the beginning of a relationship for the long wait ahead.

The AD had no interest. The gentleman told me no new watches at all until 2023 and they do not take names for waitlists. I had not even mentioned what I was interested in purchasing yet. I chose this AD based on forum recommendations so I was hopeful to start a relationship here based on great reviews.

My question is, is it possible at all to form a relationship with an AD if you are interested and willing to wait as a first time buyer? If so, how does one go about this?

Thanks all!

Most all of the so called AD relationship stuff mainly exists in internet fantasy land, as all ADs are in business for one thing and one thing only. And thats to sell as many watches or products they have in there retail store to any Tom, Dick or Harry who enters there retail store.

All information supplied from my own 79 year old brain power, without the aid of loupes, nicknames, timegraphers, alignment points, protective film, AD relationship building, machine winders, investments, special cleaning cloths, phone apps, and the rest of todays Rolex watch toys.

[Toproll85]

For me it started in the simplest way possible, ringing the doorbell and entering! (12 years ago)

I think the mistake most make is to think that because you have the money for the watch you have to get it.

It doesn't work that way in luxury, with a certain retention strategy (which is rare, valuable, hard to obtain, has and gains in value and arouses desire).

I think you have to see it differently, focusing on the human.
Do not scatter, people often want any, you do not score points.
You have to make people feel that you want a particular model, that you have passion and that it is not to get 3-4 tickets on it.

And be patient, I want to say that it's part of the fun.

If we do not accept it, we must stop harassing AD's and put what is needed to have one immediately in second-hand or in the gray market...

[ramenlover]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

And another one…

Not much of a counter-argument

[kenofpace]

To OP, I just joined the Rolex family this month. I have 2 ADs you can try. One is Tiny Jewel Box. There, it was explained how hard is it to get anything right now. Then took the time to pull out his laptop and show me what he could order and in what configurations. I ordered a 41 TT DJ Wimbledon which will take about 3 months. But he knows I really want a GMT(Rootbeer) or an Explorer.

The second is in Fredericksburg, Crown Jewelers. Ask for Justin. A real cool dude who loves to talk watches. Before I left the store on my first visit, he was offering me hats/umbrellas/brochures. I told him to hold onto them until my first purchase. Wanted to show I was serious. He called about 3 weeks later and said a Sub came in. he knows it wasn't on my list but wanted to give me the chance to join the family. I will get slaughtered for this, but I don't like Subs so I declined. He understood. Called me 1 week later and asked me to come in. He knew I like the Rootbeer. He had a TT YM Rose to show me. I wasn't impressed until I put it on. Bam! Liked it, bought it. And he will still look out for the GMT and Explorer for me.

All this to say find a good AD and just chitchat. Sometimes that's the only relationship needed. I had no prior purchase with either AD. I just keep it real and show my enthusiasm for watches.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by ramenlover

Not much of a counter-argument

Touché

Rolex make great watches. But so do Tudor, Omega and a host of other brands. Had I gotten into this hobby now I would not play these games and grab my ankles while my AD tells me how lucky I am to be considered for getting on the list in the 132nd position.

But the hype is making people think Rolex is the be-all and end-all when it is just not.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Rolex make great watches. But so do Tudor, Omega and a host of other brands. Had I gotten into this hobby now I would not play these games and grab my ankles while my AD tells me how lucky I am to be considered for getting on the list in the 132nd position.

But the hype is making people think Rolex is the be-all and end-all when it is just not.

Exactly.

Yes Rolex DO make great watches for what they are, but their unassailable brand awareness in the eyes of Joe Public (or more recently, hype) makes lots of people believe Rolex is the absolute pinnacle of horology. And it really ain't.

[loftycomfort]

Originally Posted by kenofpace

To OP, I just joined the Rolex family this month. I have 2 ADs you can try. One is Tiny Jewel Box. There, it was explained how hard is it to get anything right now. Then took the time to pull out his laptop and show me what he could order and in what configurations. I ordered a 41 TT DJ Wimbledon which will take about 3 months. But he knows I really want a GMT(Rootbeer) or an Explorer.

The second is in Fredericksburg, Crown Jewelers. Ask for Justin. A real cool dude who loves to talk watches. Before I left the store on my first visit, he was offering me hats/umbrellas/brochures. I told him to hold onto them until my first purchase. Wanted to show I was serious. He called about 3 weeks later and said a Sub came in. he knows it wasn't on my list but wanted to give me the chance to join the family. I will get slaughtered for this, but I don't like Subs so I declined. He understood. Called me 1 week later and asked me to come in. He knew I like the Rootbeer. He had a TT YM Rose to show me. I wasn't impressed until I put it on. Bam! Liked it, bought it. And he will still look out for the GMT and Explorer for me.

All this to say find a good AD and just chitchat. Sometimes that's the only relationship needed. I had no prior purchase with either AD. I just keep it real and show my enthusiasm for watches.

Thank you for sharing this, and congrats on the YM.

The cynics in us think all these "AD relationships" are purely transactional, but sometimes it's personal too. Those rank and file AD sales reps, once they've fed the whales to make their quota, they may start looking out for the real enthusiasts that they've clicked with.

[Tricolore66]

This is a good strategy. Tudors have strong resale too, so the in-out costs aren’t that high if you want to unload them. Great watches too, you may end up having both as many of us do.

Originally Posted by loudmofo

If they sell tudors buy one first. you will get what you want at some point, i started at my AD aug 2020, i have gotten 3 tudors a 41mm sub date ,a ym 40mm blue dial , a blue dial 34mm, a 41mm datejust black dial, and a new batman last week all at retail.

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by Jack T

When you started this journey, one year ago, what was the one watch you were seeking ??

Good question Jack,,,,
I was wondering that also,,,

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Driver8

Exactly.



Yes Rolex DO make great watches for what they are, but their unassailable brand awareness in the eyes of Joe Public (or more recently, hype) makes lots of people believe Rolex is the absolute pinnacle of horology. And it really ain't.

Rolex is ranked second across all businesses worldwide for favorable reputation. They beat Ferrari, Apple, Louis Vuitton, Rolls-Royce, Intel, Samsung, you name it. None of this has anything to do with horology, a word that 99% of the world's population has never even heard. It's just the result of being a highly recognized status symbol for at least the last 70 years.

Rolex boutiques are not empty because the market believes their movements are mechanically superior. Rather, the world has an unprecedented number of citizens with the means, and the desire to flaunt them, and the supplies simply cannot keep up.

The upside for a WIS is that if you happen to like Rolex models then the rest of the world is doing a good job of making these watches a fairly solid financial investment (if purchased at retail of course). I don't think anybody on here would argue that buying an Omega or Tudor at retail is going to work out as well. Some will argue that it doesn't matter because they are never going to sell it anyway, but I find it hard to believe all these people with 20+ watch collections are really going to hang onto every piece until the day they die. And even if you do, why wouldn't you want to pass more wealth along to your children?

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

[rolexest]

Try using the search function instead of creating a thread that already exists 1000 times over. So fkn annoying.

[ramenlover]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Touché

Rolex make great watches. But so do Tudor, Omega and a host of other brands. Had I gotten into this hobby now I would not play these games and grab my ankles while my AD tells me how lucky I am to be considered for getting on the list in the 132nd position.

But the hype is making people think Rolex is the be-all and end-all when it is just not.

I don’t think anyone is arguing that Rolex is the pinnacle of horology. The comment you originally responded to made no mention of the quality of Rolex watches. He was referring to brand recognition and influence being higher than other brands. I mainly collect AP and Patek but will readily admit that Rolex has stronger mass appeal than those two brands because of their impressive marketing over the years.

[Kappy94]

To me this is an overrated question of difficulty. In February I made the decision to get serious about trying to find watches at retail so I called every AD in my area. One had a no date sub and offered me over the phone and I quickly came in that day to purchase it. I reached out to another AD looking for a date sub but they said they'd have to meet me so they did and about a month later I got a date sub. Then I reached out to the AD asking about a batman for a new job I was starting to treat myself and I got that about a month later. You just gotta be kind and ask nicely and be ready to purchase when something comes along. It's not as hard as it's made to seem.

[teck21]

Indeed, Rolex’s appeal to many, or even most has little if anything to do with the brand’s horological qualities.

The obtuse refusal to acknowledge that and much of the talking down of Rolex on horological grounds boils down to bitterness really.

Using terms like ‘mass produced’ like it’s a bad thing. Ferraris are mass produced too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NachoNeal]

Originally Posted by rolexest

Try using the search function instead of creating a thread that already exists 1000 times over. So fkn annoying.

Yet you couldn't resist reading and posting in this thread that you complain "already exists 1000 times over" and that you find "so fkn annoying." How should we interpret that?

[bubblesz]

--typed wrongly--

[bubblesz]

Originally Posted by Singslinger

A friend of mine not long ago walked into an AD to ask about buying a Sub.

They didn't have a Sub; instead, they offered him a blue Deepsea but only if he also bought a JLC and something else, I think it was an IWC, so as to establish an immediate relationship with them.

He politely declined.

wow this is consider quite friendly from that AD already. Most AD will just brush you off if you ask for any sport model with 0 purchase history lol.

My AD like not bonding with me a real relationship. Spend like 25k but still couldn't get a steel datejust .. Singapore is just tough to get hold of pieces from AD cant wait for border to be open

[rg9390]

All ADs are different.

In Hong Kong, Jan this year, I walked into an AD (Chain-store) trying to put my name on SS Skydweller, they are happy to put me on a list, but mentioned it is very unlikely I will be offered one. They do suggest that I might buy something from them, Tudor or Rolex.

I looked around, and noted a SS DJ36 Blue dial. I always wanted a SS DJ41 blue dial, so as an alternative, with a 5% discount, I brought it from the AD. The SA told me to line up for a Sub Date, as it has a higher chance. Although I have a Kermit, I thought of getting Sub at retail would not harm.

I have being visiting the AD once or twice a month, but about July, I talking to a different SA and he suggested me to try to wait for the new Explorer II black dial, as the chance for offering one is a lot easier. Since I don't have GMT or Explorer II, getting a GMT dial was ideal for me.

In Aug, I got a call from the AD to pick up the Explorer II.

I think a relationship helps, so long the 'investment' in relationship is buying something you wanted.

[bubblesz]

Originally Posted by rg9390

All ADs are different.

In Hong Kong, Jan this year, I walked into an AD (Chain-store) trying to put my name on SS Skydweller, they are happy to put me on a list, but mentioned it is very unlikely I will be offered one. They do suggest that I might buy something from them, Tudor or Rolex.

I looked around, and noted a SS DJ36 Blue dial. I always wanted a SS DJ41 blue dial, so as an alternative, with a 5% discount, I brought it from the AD. The SA told me to line up for a Sub Date, as it has a higher chance. Although I have a Kermit, I thought of getting Sub at retail would not harm.

I have being visiting the AD once or twice a month, but about July, I talking to a different SA and he suggested me to try to wait for the new Explorer II black dial, as the chance for offering one is a lot easier. Since I don't have GMT or Explorer II, getting a GMT dial was ideal for me.

In Aug, I got a call from the AD to pick up the Explorer II.

I think a relationship helps, so long the 'investment' in relationship is buying something you wanted.

Just curious, your previous SA not angry with you ? Because you went to his/her colleague ?

[zion_rasta]

Building a relationship with a Rolex AD is like falling in love with an escort…

[bubblesz]

Originally Posted by zion_rasta

Building a relationship with a Rolex AD is like falling in love with an escort…

You love the escort, but the escort only love your money

[rg9390]

Originally Posted by bubblesz

Just curious, your previous SA not angry with you ? Because you went to his/her colleague ?

That time I went to the AD, the SA that originally sold me the DJ36 was not there.

But I see him now and then, I don't think he minds. I doubt the SA gets commission for SS Sports model. More on DJs.

I have to add the AD only allowed me to pay Visa/Mastercard and not AMEX on the Explorer II, which I am ok, but I prefer AMEX for my spending.

[kizerman]

Originally Posted by zion_rasta

Building a relationship with a Rolex AD is like falling in love with an escort…

Yeah, not even close.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by xrole

Tell that to the Sky Dweller.

Last I checked, Omega make an annual calendar you can actually read and don't need to pull an instruction manual out every time you need to set it

[mattidk]

Maybe bring some other brand watches that the AD carry and do service, there can start a longer conversation. Then you can express interest in your Rolex professional etc.

[Fleetlord]

In the current economy, it is unfortunately too late.

Far too many people have and are continuing to spend money effortlessly and organically at the AD for a long time now. It’s almost impossible to catch up to that in order to be in consideration for an allocation reference, especially if you live in a major area and are only focusing on Rolex sports..etc.

Now, if you stumble in the store and start buying lots of jewelry and other watch bands, then you could catch up

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

Rolex is ranked second across all businesses worldwide for favorable reputation. They beat Ferrari, Apple, Louis Vuitton, Rolls-Royce, Intel, Samsung, you name it. None of this has anything to do with horology, a word that 99% of the world's population has never even heard. It's just the result of being a highly recognized status symbol for at least the last 70 years.

Rolex boutiques are not empty because the market believes their movements are mechanically superior. Rather, the world has an unprecedented number of citizens with the means, and the desire to flaunt them, and the supplies simply cannot keep up.

The upside for a WIS is that if you happen to like Rolex models then the rest of the world is doing a good job of making these watches a fairly solid financial investment (if purchased at retail of course). I don't think anybody on here would argue that buying an Omega or Tudor at retail is going to work out as well. Some will argue that it doesn't matter because they are never going to sell it anyway, but I find it hard to believe all these people with 20+ watch collections are really going to hang onto every piece until the day they die. And even if you do, why wouldn't you want to pass more wealth along to your children?

I totally agree with you Jeff. There are even members here who've admitted to never even setting the time on their Rolexes, so yes Rolex's popularity nowadays has absolutely nothing to do with horology for 95% of buyers. What I mean is, if you ask the average non-WIS man-in-the-street what the best watch in the world is, they'll probably say Rolex... and that's because of the brand awareness and reputation. And by extension many people blindly believe that they therefore MUST be making watches that are better than any other manufacturer in every respect.

[jcatral14]

It's really a crapshoot. Many factors, your demeanor, friendliness of the salesperson, their volume of sales, if they like you,...
Good luck!

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Driver8

I totally agree with you Jeff. There are even members here who've admitted to never even setting the time on their Rolexes, so yes Rolex's popularity nowadays has absolutely nothing to do with horology for 95% of buyers. What I mean is, if you ask the average non-WIS man-in-the-street what the best watch in the world is, they'll probably say Rolex... and that's because of the brand awareness and reputation. And by extension many people blindly believe that they therefore MUST be making watches that are better than any other manufacturer in every respect.

100% agree. As much as I love their watches, it's hard for me to argue against the assertion that Rolex's position in the world's psyche is likely the most impressive thing they've ever produced.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

[rolexest]

Originally Posted by NachoNeal

Yet you couldn't resist reading and posting in this thread that you complain "already exists 1000 times over" and that you find "so fkn annoying." How should we interpret that?

I didn't read the thread. I don't care about how you interpret that to be honest.