Why I Love my Gray Dealer

[TswaneNguni]

PS : Watches has become "very serious business " since market prices went up ....

Before that, "the ancients" in their wisdom, enjoyed their watches (more? ) .
They used to create their own history with their trusty companion on the wrist ...birthdays,child births,trips,holidays etc .

I am sure that was creator Wilsdorf's intention.

[RJG]

Some of these hot models are $ 4 K above MSRP. Some are $ 16 K.

For some of you that's peanuts.

For the other 80 + % of us that's more than a mortgage payment...
and therefore it's freakin 'UGE !

And so we will gladly wait on some invisible list in some SA's world for the MSRP + tax price.

We're not in a hurry. The watch on / off our wrists isn't affecting us somehow making a better life for ourselves...so there is NO RUSH with this approach.

That's something you should be very keen on. We're not over here wringing our hands and biting our nails.

I've got lots of other hobbies and interests to focus on. Painting...scuba... music.
Some 'wait list' for a Submariner - is just background noise.

[moneymike83]

I like how you justify going grey. It’s a no to me.


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[jakjakman]

The USD won't be able to buy as much as it used to as we start into this new year. Life is short. Get the thing you've been in love with and bugging your AD about for the last year and a half. Talk to a trusted dealer and you'll have it the next day via FedEx overnight. Then wear it and love it every day. Sometime mid-year 2021 you'll be sitting in a boring meeting and just staring at your watch, completely in love, and happy for every day you've enjoyed it so far instead of wondering when the AD will call.

[Malum]

My AD has been great , but I have been holding out for an Exp.II Polar for months now . They say the have not seen one since early spring . I believe them , but I am starting to think I should go the grey route . There will be a new watch in 2021 and the price on the present iteration will just continue to rise.

[Halifax Daytona UK]

For those who bought their watch from a grey dealer...enjoy your watch

For those on a wait list that doesn’t exist at an AD ......enjoy your wait

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Halifax Daytona UK

For those who bought their watch from a grey dealer...enjoy your very expensive overpriced watch

For those on a wait list that doesn’t exist at an AD ......enjoy your wait and money in your pocket

Fixed

[Chester01]

Customer service is easy when you are getting a cool 100-150% over msrp. I would be all smiles too if I found someone who I could sell a 13,000 item to for 26k. If I can get a better deal, I’ll go gray, but I’m not spending a dime over MSRP for a watch. It’s just a watch and I have no problem delaying gratification.

[goodolejr]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Customer service is easy when you are getting a cool 100-150% over msrp. I would be all smiles too if I found someone who I could sell a 13,000 item to for 26k. If I can get a better deal, I’ll go gray, but I’m not spending a dime over MSRP for a watch. It’s just a watch and I have no problem delaying gratification.

From what I understand, grays don't get their inventory at MSRP either.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by goodolejr

From what I understand, grays don't get their inventory at MSRP either.

Well suffice to say they are getting a better deal than the rest of us and a far better selection.


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[G.Montag]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Customer service is easy when you are getting a cool 100-150% over msrp. I would be all smiles too if I found someone who I could sell a 13,000 item to for 26k. If I can get a better deal, I’ll go gray, but I’m not spending a dime over MSRP for a watch. It’s just a watch and I have no problem delaying gratification.

Is a $13,000 watch really a $13,000 watch if it is impossible to buy at that price? You know what the "S" in MSRP stands for, right?

[TswaneNguni]

What's the price ? ....

What you pay now ?
Whats it worth the moment you leave the AD ? Or the grey dealer ?
Whats it worth as a trade ?
Or whats it worth after,say, 10 years ?

Look long term .

Long term,a ss Daytona at market price now ,is a great buy in 10 years time .
You get what want now ,you get to use it for 10 years and its worth much more by that time .

Do not believe this ? The past decades proves you wrong .

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by G.Montag

Is a $13,000 watch really a $13,000 watch if it is impossible to buy at that price? You know what the "S" in MSRP stands for, right?

Define impossible.

Every AD I know is selling at MSRP. Just because YOU can’t get one, doesn’t make it impossible. Let’s not be so dramatic.
And yes, a $13,000 watch is really a $13,000 watch


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[G.Montag]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

Define impossible.

Every AD I know is selling at MSRP. Just because YOU can’t get one, doesn’t make it impossible. Let’s not be so dramatic.
And yes, a $13,000 watch is really a $13,000 watch


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Impossible with no strings attached (i.e. no bundling, no history of spending significant sums of money with the AD). If you are buying a SS Daytona bundled with a PM piece that loses 25% of its value the moment you walk out of the store, you are not buying that Daytona at MSRP. Likewise, if you're buying it after you've spent tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars on jewelry that loses 50% of its value the moment you walk out of the store, you are not buying that Daytona at MSRP either. That’s just simple economics.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by G.Montag

Impossible with no strings attached (i.e. no bundling, no history of spending significant sums of money with the AD). If you are buying a SS Daytona bundled with a PM piece that loses 25% of its value the moment you walk out of the store, you are not buying that Daytona at MSRP. Likewise, if you're buying it after you've spent tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars on jewelry that loses 50% of its value the moment you walk out of the store, you are not buying that Daytona at MSRP either. That’s just simple economics.

Again, you are making a lot of assumptions. I agree that what you are describing is happening regularly, but I personally have purchased 2 watches, 2 different AD’s, msrp with no prior history. I bought an SD43 and a Sub both in the last 18 months.
All it requires is patience and some searching.
The problem is that this hobby has become about instant gratification.
An attorney friend I know just purchased a BLRO in the fall the same way.


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[Chester01]

Originally Posted by G.Montag

Is a $13,000 watch really a $13,000 watch if it is impossible to buy at that price? You know what the "S" in MSRP stands for, right?

Indeed it is. I got my 116520 at MSRP in 2014 after a 14 year hunt. You make an excellent point, but look, this model can be created with let’s say chocolate or anything else for that matter. Let’s say we buy up vast quantities so let’s say the chocolate, previously in the hands of thousands of retailers is now in the hands of a couple hundred. Don’t you think we can jack up the price a bit? You bet we can. It’s market manipulation, talking a larger supply, funneling it into less hands, and to buy into the insta hype we have to pay up.

To your larger philosophical point, look MSRP is suggested and I can’t get bent out of shape because the instabook told a bunch of people this is the it watch brand to have and so if they can get more or raise the MSRP, thanks so be it. I just dislike the games, don’t give me the baloney about well the rising middle class (baloney) or the demand in Asia (baloney) just say look Rolex wants us to sell it for 13k, I will sell it to you for 25k. I don’t like being played for a fool, spare the the BS and tell me how much the watch is, really is.


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[G.Montag]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Indeed it is. I got my 116520 at MSRP in 2014 after a 14 year hunt.

Time is money. Take the numbers of hours you've spent over that 14 year period "hunting" for a Daytona and multiply it by your hourly wage. That's how much you've paid over MSRP.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by G.Montag

Time is money. Take the numbers of hours you've spent over that 14 year period "hunting" for a Daytona and multiply it by your hourly wage. That's how much you've paid over MSRP.

I would not say hunting. I would stop in and chat when I was at the mall, usually something or other for the wife or house, other shopping, etc. I would call a couple times here and there. Other than the calls, I never really went out often way, and it’s not like I find looking at their wares disagreeable lol.


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[zengineer]

Originally Posted by G.Montag

Time is money. Take the numbers of hours you've spent over that 14 year period "hunting" for a Daytona and multiply it by your hourly wage. That's how much you've paid over MSRP.

That's just another tactic to rationalize the act. I personally spend about 1 hour a year hunting for watches but even if it was 100 those hours are leisure hours where the alternative is some other non-paying activity. Time can be money, sometimes it is simply time.

Pay a premium to get it at all or get it faster...that's nobody elses business, but lets not pretend it's some shrewd smart money high finance tactic.

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[m j b]

Originally Posted by PleaseStandBack

So happy today, was able to snag a NOS 2019 116610 Sub Date at a reasonable price from my favorite Gray Dealer!

So, what's a "reasonable price" these days?

Me personally, if my AD will get me a watch that I want (right now, only a Pepsi is on the list) then I'll buy it. Otherwise, I'll go buy something else (non Rolex).

[Xerxes77]

Good reason...,

[turkeysub93]

Going grey is justifiable if you are impatient, have the $, and truly love the watch in question. At least that is what I tell myself...

[dolceman81]

Does anyone have recommendations on which gray dealers to contact (phone #)? Thanks

[jakjakman]

Originally Posted by dolceman81

Does anyone have recommendations on which gray dealers to contact (phone #)? Thanks

I recently finished up a couple transactions with Aamir from AIS watches. He's a trusted dealer on this site, and they have a dedicated sub-forum boutique in the classified section of this forum ("SohAIS Rolex Boutique"). I highly recommend them.

I also have done a few transactions with DavidSW. He's also a trusted dealer on this site with his own boutique sub-forum in the classifieds. I highly recommend him as well.

[dolceman81]

Originally Posted by jakjakman

I recently finished up a couple transactions with Aamir from AIS watches. He's a trusted dealer on this site, and they have a dedicated sub-forum boutique in the classified section of this forum ("SohAIS Rolex Boutique"). I highly recommend them.

I also have done a few transactions with DavidSW. He's also a trusted dealer on this site with his own boutique sub-forum in the classifieds. I highly recommend him as well.

Thanks. I’ve heard of Davidsw but not Amir. Much appreciated!

[smallcollector]

Originally Posted by dolceman81

Does anyone have recommendations on which gray dealers to contact (phone #)? Thanks

davidsw is excellent

[cbruce]

Whew! I read every comment, and boy am I tired.

If you've got the money and don't want to deal with waiting or games or whatever, just go grey.

But I likely won't be joining you. If I can't get a specific model, I can usually find something else that I like elsewhere. And I don't buy multiple Rolexes per year. I actually like the idea of building a collection over time.

I guess if you're 90 years old, that may not work for you. But as for me, I'll stick with the AD's until the grey market starts to undercut the ADs again.

[Cambo]

Originally Posted by cbruce

Whew! I read every comment, and boy am I tired.

If you've got the money and don't want to deal with waiting or games or whatever, just go grey.

But I likely won't be joining you. If I can't get a specific model, I can usually find something else that I like elsewhere. And I don't buy multiple Rolexes per year. I actually like the idea of building a collection over time.

I guess if you're 90 years old, that may not work for you. But as for me, I'll stick with the AD's until the grey market starts to undercut the ADs again.

I get your point and am jealous of your patience (read: youth)
I just turned 60 and had my first grey market purchase in December. It was a great, flawless transaction and I now happily sport a new BLRO. Sure I payed premium, but I want to enjoy my watches and, OK I’ll admit it, be able to show them off a bit while i’m travelling and such. I still check in with my AD and if they have something I like I’ll happily buy from them but I simply don’t want to (read: can’t) wait years for a piece. If the grey market is the only option, I’ll be there.

[NachoNeal]

I really like my grey too. In fact I spoke with him today about re-sizing one of my watches.

[PleaseStandBack]

Quick update -- Got the Sub delivered today :) First time I've ever seen one IRL and I get it now.