GMT-II Blue/Black

[antconsig]

I live in NYC but I'm sadly leaving to move to California in 2 weeks. In any event I desperatley want a blue/black GMT-II. 3 Torneau stores here are out and the one dealer in Beverly Hills, Geary's, is out as well. I know its been a popular watch since Basel but I though by now i would have been able to find one. My question is two-fold. Salesman in NYC suggested calling states which get less traffic in this watch and trying to locate an ARD who would be willing to sell and ship. I would really prefer not to do this as I'd like to see the watch in person without having to get on a plane. Also, BH dealer said maybe end of Janaury they will have a few. I am guessing I am getting no discount on this given the demand but if anyone could share an experience, or even a location close to NYC or LA that has one and that I could negotiate with that would be much appreciated.

[jamesbondOO7]

Sad to move to California? Seriously?

[antconsig]

haha i know it sounds weird but I love NYC. It's been home for 8 years and nowhere else is like it. I travel a lot for work and the more places I go the more I realize how spoiled you get living here.

[77T]

Well there's a BNIB one just waiting for a buyer in SoCal right now...
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...highlight=BLNR

...and he's a trusted TRF seller who will have your name on the warranty card

[Lucky777]

Originally Posted by 77T

Well there's a BNIB one just waiting for a buyer in SoCal right now...
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...highlight=BLNR

...and he's a trusted TRF seller who will have your name on the warranty card

This!

[antconsig]

Thanks for pointing that out. It looks great. No idea why I'm hesitant to buy from someone other than a ARD but maybe i'll have to forego that concern in this case. Im sure he's a great seller and I saw all the references, Im just not sure what kind of recourse you get or what the downside/potential risk to this type of purchase are as opposed to with a CC in an ARD shop. Any input, feedback or personal stories would be helpful.

[kilyung]

No brainer. Just meet up with Patrick before concluding the deal. He's a GREAT guy (who I still owe a steak dinner).

[antconsig]

Forgive my ignorance because I've never done this type of transaction before, but what is the downside to this type of transaction? Clearly I'd get the watch I want at a fair price but like all good things in life i am just curious as to what potential issues could arise from this that would leave me in a more vulnerable spot than say purchasing direct from store with CC? Any other members here only deal with AD and not anyone else? Sorry for all the questions just trying to get a better feel for the situation.

[Kobayashi]

I sent Patrick (OCRolexguy) money for a watch he didn't even have in stock after only four emails. Never spoke to the guy and then I just wire transferred several thousand dollars to him on blind faith. The reason why I could do that is he's one of the trusted power sellers on this site that I would do that with. I also live in CA and it was nice to save on tax and a discount on the watch I wanted. It was BNIB and the warranty card was stamped by an AD and dated with no name. That means I can take it in to service to an RSC without issues or sell it to someone within the two year warranty period and the buyer would have the same warranty. The downside of all this is you have to size your own bracelet but that's a 5 minute deal with the right tools or go to an AD and have them do it for you. But if you meet FTF I'm sure he could do it for you. At this point I only use the main TRF sellers.

One other downside is you don't get the miles from a CC purchase. But saving money is more beneficial. Good luck with your decision.

I'm starting to see the BLNR at most AD's now. They're all over the Bay Area.

[antconsig]

Thanks for that info. That was really helpful and made sense. Hopefully you understood my initial hesitancy, I guess Im just one of those people who got used to going into the store to purchase large ticket items. I guess I just always felt worst case scenerio I could go back to them, etc. Thanks again for the feedback.

[raclaims]

I understand wanting to deal with an AD

I'm wearing my blnr now

You really don't need to see it in person. It's exactly as it looks in pix and if you've seen a ceramic gmt it's the same. Just nicer!!

[carnut335]

The Day/Night is a tough one to find in an AD. I looked all over NorCal and Seattle for one, but no luck. Fortunately I did find a local AD who ordered one for me. Was six weeks before it was on my wrist.


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[antconsig]

Right. NYC is the same right now, there aren't many to be found at reputable places. I didn't like the Tourneau suggestion to try and guess which states arent selling many and find them there. Seems odd. In any case they told me they had a list and I could put my name on it and when one comes in they call down the list until they get someone who picks up to come in and get it.

I mean i asked a question and the forum solved my problem so I can't complain. Now its just getting over my own concern of not dealing with an AD for the purchase.

[herbalt]

I understand the hestitation, and I fretted about it myself at first. If you are dealing with one of the top trusted sellers here on TRF (OCRolexguy is one of them) you have nothing at all to worry about. They wouldn't risk harming their business reputations here on TRF. I may never go back to an AD to buy a Rolex (my first Rolex was an AD purchase, but only because I didn't know about the TRF sellers). I would have saved a ton of money, especially since I bought in NYC with no discount and tax.

[TAKUYA]

You can not go wrong with Patrick!!!!! But i don't know how come it's so hard to get in CA???

[Coubs]

When I was shopping for a new watch in mid September the BLNR was available in Boston and New Hampshire(no tax state).

[Baco Noir]

I just came back from Vegas yesterday and stopped in 4 ADs there to see this watch and none of them had one in stock! It's a hard watch to find.

My first time buying from one of the members here (who is a trusted seller with pages and pages of references) was still a bit nerve racking for me because I had never wired money to anyone before. For the day where the money was out of my account and. The watch was in transit, I was nervous I was going to get screwed. It all turned out great.

Since then I've sold 5 of my watches online with 3 of them by wire transfer and I have very little in the way of references compared to these trusted sellers, but people asked me questions, check out my linkedin profile, checkout out my histories on the forums including threads of me posting the watches, and gained enough confidence to buy from just another member here.

It is a leap of faith, but it can result in substantial savings and/or the ability to get a hard to find watch. I'm about to get a very nice discount on a BNIB watch from another trusted seller that's in limited quantities in the US.

[Cessnadriver]

Originally Posted by Coubs

When I was shopping for a new watch in mid September the BLNR was available in Boston and New Hampshire(no tax state).

Good to know. I'm back in Boston now, may have to check out the ADs as I'm eyeing (another way of me saying I'm going to get it) the BLNR even though I already have a GMTC LN

[antconsig]

All good advice so far. Seems some of you shared my hesitation regarding going the non AD route and the wiring, etc. Can't argue with the savings and the other success stories i've read on the forum over the last few months. I may regret asking but anyone had a bad experience going this path? Or a less than ideal on as opposed to AD? Seems people on here have narrowed down who are the good and trusted sellers which is a huge benefit to someone like me so I'm just curious as to the other side of the coin.

[swils8610]

I have bought several watches from trusted sellers here on TRF and they all have been smooth flawless transactions. I seriously don't think I will purchase from an AD again. Don't hesitate to buy from these guys. You won't be disappointed.


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[elcompa]

I fell lucky that I got my BLNR from a trusted seller here on TRF. However, I can relate to your story on NYC. Man, I love that place. Just took the wife and kids there for some killer food, shows and shopping. I went by the Rolex shop on 5th between 52nd and 53rd and they say they have a wait list for the BLNR until April.

I would and have gone with a trusted seller on this forum who has all the connections as it is a hot seller. It likely will be in high demand for years yo come. I bet this summer you will see more at AD's though as initial novelty will have worn off a bit. Good luck.

[CDNWatchNut]

Why not just find one at an AD when you get to California?

[antconsig]

I could certainly look. I was just trying to get some feedback here as the one AD in CA I tried had basically the same response as NYC. No reason i can't explore the state and see what I find once I'm out there but I wanted to see what the board throught first.

[mr.president1]

I love California! Lots of family there. You'll like it!

[CWIN]

I've never seen a BLNR in stock at an AD in CA other than the one that I purchased. It's a pretty hot item around these parts I suppose. I would not hesitate to buy from one of our trusted sellers. I've talked to Patrick before and he is a great seller. I have yet to buy from him but he has great feedback.

I've purchased a few watches from trusted sellers DavidSW, Takuya, and Perpetualman88 with no problems.

[CWIN]

Double post!

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by antconsig

I could certainly look. I was just trying to get some feedback here as the one AD in CA I tried had basically the same response as NYC. No reason i can't explore the state and see what I find once I'm out there but I wanted to see what the board throught first.

Seems that the demand South of the border is much higher than here. Last time I was at our AD, there were two in the case. I would, like many others, highly recommend one of the well known trusted sellers here. I really can't think of any downside, other than you won't get the AD experience, if that's of value to you.
Good Luck with the BLNR hunt, and in Cali.

[Hooper]

The coke GMT use to be my fav, the blue black has taken her place!! Love the new GMT colour!

[antconsig]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

Seems that the demand South of the border is much higher than here. Last time I was at our AD, there were two in the case. I would, like many others, highly recommend one of the well known trusted sellers here. I really can't think of any downside, other than you won't get the AD experience, if that's of value to you.
Good Luck with the BLNR hunt, and in Cali.

Thanks! Looking forward to it, aside from the logistics of a cross country move. Once that's done and my aforementioned gift to myself is purcahsed I'll feel a lot better about it.

[ocabj]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

Sad to move to California? Seriously?

CA is a horrible state to be at in the grand scheme of things. I'm looking to relocate to AZ or TX in the next several years.

That being said, if the OP wants a BLNR, it's going to be a bit of a wait at any of the Rolex Boutiques and ADs in Southern California. Last time I spoke with Geary's they said a six week wait. Rolex in South Coast Plaza doesn't take pre-orders; first come, first serve.

Every time I've been in Geary's on Rodeo, if the BLNR was in the store, it wasn't on display (was being held for a customer) e.g. http://instagram.com/p/ex4heZKVeq/

I got mine from Rolex in South Coast Plaza and was able to get it only because I called in just after they opened on a Thursday morning while I was in the area working in a remote colo, and the boutique just happened to get one in their shipment the day prior or that morning. Still in the coffin box.

You can try Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach (Fashion Island mall) or even Ben Bridges. All the Ben Bridges are networked so they can easily check to see if another store has one and get it to the one closest to you.