UK - Best AD experience

[TheSearcher]

Hi all,

I am currently scouting for a new DJ 41. Either the TT champagne dial fluted bezel or SS blue dial fluted bezel (yet to find anywhere)

I am wondering do any UK folks have an AD in the south that they can recommend for good service and a good deal? I’m particularly looking to pick up some Rolex Merch (pens/books etc) with my purchase as this will be my first AD Rolex purchase so I am keen to have a full experience and maximise any goodies.

So far I have visited Goldsmiths who did offer a small discount and also Laings who gave me a smile and a no to any discount or merchandise.

Due to visit Robert Gatward tomorrow so if they can offer me a good deal I’m ready to pull the trigger then and there but I’m open to any suggestions of ADs that you are familiar with and would be happy to recommend. TIA

[tyler1980]

wempe. South as in London? or south as in the coast?

you are not getting a discount on a SS DJ blue dial anywhere and probably not on a TT either.

merch is stingy most places and a DJ isn't going to do it either. Personally you should just find a good AD and build a relationship and don't go to a chain. You never know what you may want later and turnover at chains is high and no one will even remember you next year.

I've seen a blue dial, fluted DJ in there periodically. Its usually the diamond dial though. Most places will be thrilled with a new customer asking for a DJ though, seriously as the daytona, BLRO requests drive them nuts.

[andrewjb88]

Where abouts are you based? Heard good things about Baker Brothers in Bedford.

[watchnut73]

Rolex have stopped all diaries, leather accessories for a good several years now.
You might be lucky and get yourself a cheap plastic Rolex pen.

As with discount long gone on anything desirable.
And good service well that will have to be your own experience as most stores have regular staff turnover and don’t always maintain a high standard.

SS blue dial almost as difficult as the SS sports models to get hold of.

Good luck in your search and experience, will look forward to your future post on your new purchase.

[R G]

Why do you want the cheap promotional merchandise that Rolex roll out? It’s crap.

I would concentrate on finding an AD who can just simply offer you excellent service and a decent purchasing experience.

These days, that’s a feat in itself, let alone discounts etc.

Good luck.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by TheSearcher

Hi all,

I am currently scouting for a new DJ 41. Either the TT champagne dial fluted bezel or SS blue dial fluted bezel (yet to find anywhere)

I am wondering do any UK folks have an AD in the south that they can recommend for good service and a good deal? I’m particularly looking to pick up some Rolex Merch (pens/books etc) with my purchase as this will be my first AD Rolex purchase so I am keen to have a full experience and maximise any goodies.

So far I have visited Goldsmiths who did offer a small discount and also Laings who gave me a smile and a no to any discount or merchandise.

Due to visit Robert Gatward tomorrow so if they can offer me a good deal I’m ready to pull the trigger then and there but I’m open to any suggestions of ADs that you are familiar with and would be happy to recommend. TIA

I deal with Laings and I would always recommend them.

[TheSearcher]

Thanks all - I am based in Reading. We only have 1 AD here, goldsmiths.

One chap on TRF had been lucky enough to buy a similar DJ41 and received a fair amount of goodies too so that’s what sparked my curiosity, unfortunately his AD was based in Hull and that’s a bit of a trek for me! I think you’re right, independents might be the way to go rather than chains.

[Harry-57]

I can recommend Mallory Bath. They love their watches and they are friendly and courteous. They will discount at their discretion, although I can't predict what you may or may not get from them. I've seen some second hand DJs there and they are also a RSC.

[codecow]

I stayed at Hotel du Vin in Brighton which has a Rolex store on the same street but it was always closed so cannot recommend sadly.

[rolexdream]

AVOID the Aurum group eg goldsmiths, wos and mappin webb- all who withhold warranty cards. Wempe on Bond st i went into asking for a sub the guy asked me to sit down saying he thinks they had one in stock today, so he went to speak to his manager who i overheard saying to him he wanted to only sell to someone buying multiple pieces which i wasnt.

I have bought non-rolex from robert gatward but their rolex part are extremely arrogant

I would use rolex location finder and try independents in the south.

[Rolex fan 61]

Fraser Hart or Michael Jones.

[emtee]

Honestly it would probably cost you more in travel expenses to get to any other AD who may offer you some extra merch vs getting some discount at your local AD. If they offered you a discount on the watch you want then bite their arm off!

[zeeww]

Fraser Hart has been good to me

[AK797]

ADs have to buy the merch from Rolex so they'd be crazy to have any now unless they are selling them now for a huge premium.

[MrWhy]

Robert Gatward in Windsor is amazing, guy is called Kevin and gives incredible service. Had two watches off him and can’t recommend him enough, got me a LVc within 2 months recently for my wedding day.


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[rolexdream]

Originally Posted by MrWhy

Robert Gatward in Windsor is amazing, guy is called Kevin and gives incredible service. Had two watches off him and can’t recommend him enough, got me a LVc within 2 months recently for my wedding day.


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This is the same place i mentioned above and bought my tudors from, i found them anything but incredible, they even refused to put me on a rolex list despite buying pieces from them. Are u sure your not kevin from that branch?!

How much did u spend there?

[benlee]

I have got mix experience shopping for watches in London. I have had good experience at Harrods and have bought there twice. WOS is good too but depends, they can be quite pushy. The Rolex boutique at Bond Street is quite snobbish. Patek Salon is fabulous, got my first Nautilus there. Wempe, I find them a bit stiff ( too serious ) and not so welcoming but it could be the salesperson since others have got good experience.

[MrWhy]

Originally Posted by rolexdream

This is the same place i mentioned above and bought my tudors from, i found them anything but incredible, they even refused to put me on a rolex list despite buying pieces from them. Are u sure your not kevin from that branch?!



How much did u spend there?

I can’t fault them or Kevin. He has always given me fantastic service and he has only ever supplied me a LVc and BLNR, this was within the last 9 months. Sorry to hear about your service, but this wasn’t the case for me.



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[mjrennie]

Hop on a train to Nuneaton...Johnson's, very good. Ask for Robert, the owner, mention my name if you like.

[Notto3055]

Originally Posted by mjrennie

Hop on a train to Nuneaton...Johnson's, very good. Ask for Robert, the owner, mention my name if you like.

Nuneaton is only 25 miles from me so might give them a try in the New Year to see what stock they have or how soon they can obtain certain watches.

[M3.]

Originally Posted by mjrennie

Hop on a train to Nuneaton...Johnson's, very good. Ask for Robert, the owner, mention my name if you like.

Same mjrennie that has/had an F80 M3 in YMB?

[Bob the brush]

Originally Posted by Notto3055

Nuneaton is only 25 miles from me so might give them a try in the New Year to see what stock they have or how soon they can obtain certain watches.

Johnsons is excellent, and I do visit occasionally, I also go to Pragnells in Stratford on Avon, again excellent knowledgeable staff. Check them both out.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by Rolex fan 61

Fraser Hart or Michael Jones.

Been in both these many times and can vouch for good service

Fraser Hart - Milton Keynes
Michael Jones - Northampton

[GeeRam]

So, 50:50 good:bad review of Gatwards in Windsor......

I must try and find time to pay a visit there , and see for myself, as they are my nearest AD.

I bought my Sub from the previous AD in Windsor, Berry's, and they were excellent, shame they lost their AD status.

[Bertrum]

Dont bother with Robert Gatward in Windsor.

They are arrogant and so far up their own arses.

They wouldnt even open their stupid glass door to me the first time I went in there.

The second time, they let me in and talked down to me like I was a irritating child (I was 24 at the time).

They soon changed their tune when they saw the Cellini Moonphase on my wrist.

Dont waste your time!

[TheSearcher]

So I visited RG in Windsor on Xmas eve, I tried to get a discount but they (I assume Kevin as he was the main man)was not interested although he did offer me a Rolex umbrella and a promise to send me some Rolex merch in Jan. They was quite firm about the discount and seemed shocked that goldsmiths had offered a discount and claimed this is against Rolex rules but like I say they did offer some merch and I did find them to be slightly willing to give me some of what I wanted but no chance on a discount.

I did some more shopping and was meant to go back to view the DJ41 Wimbledon dial which caught my eye but a family emergency unexpectedly took me away.

I will get in touch with Johnson’s and hopefully book a visit, perhaps I have set my ambitions on a good deal too high (5% discount and some merch) I will pull the trigger at full price soon if needs be but it’s in my nature to always try and get a bit better than what’s in offer!

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by TheSearcher

So I visited RG in Windsor on Xmas eve, I tried to get a discount but they (I assume Kevin as he was the main man)was not interested although he did offer me a Rolex umbrella and a promise to send me some Rolex merch in Jan. They was quite firm about the discount and seemed shocked that goldsmiths had offered a discount and claimed this is against Rolex rules but like I say they did offer some merch and I did find them to be slightly willing to give me some of what I wanted but no chance on a discount.

I did some more shopping and was meant to go back to view the DJ41 Wimbledon dial which caught my eye but a family emergency unexpectedly took me away.

I will get in touch with Johnson’s and hopefully book a visit, perhaps I have set my ambitions on a good deal too high (5% discount and some merch) I will pull the trigger at full price soon if needs be but it’s in my nature to always try and get a bit better than what’s in offer!

You do realize you are competing with people paying in stronger currencies and getting tax refunds so the price is 25%+ less for them even paying full price.
Scarcity is issue #1
Issue #2 is the fact that Rolex is way cheaper in the UK for everyone else

Discounts are not happening unless you go far far far away from anywhere a tourist might go and even then its probably a non starter.

Widsor... where the queen is a lot of the time, and there is a castle. Tourists.

My AD had literally a bus of tourists from China in there today... literally a BUS. It was so big it had to park two blocks away

[TheSearcher]

Sure, to be fair I have been offered a discount from Goldsmiths but 2.5% so minimal.

Good point re Windsor, I visited there as it is local whilst doing some Xmas shopping, whilst I have a sub I purchased pre owned so this will be my first AD purchase so I am getting a feel for the experience if you like. I am buying a DJ41 TT which is in every AD shop window I have looked in the past year or so and the general feeling on TRF is there should be a discount there.

If there isn’t a discount then there isn’t, but I will enjoy the search and enjoy the negotiating/getting to know the ADs before I pull the trigger!

[rolexdream]

Originally Posted by Bertrum

Dont bother with Robert Gatward in Windsor.

They are arrogant and so far up their own arses.

They wouldnt even open their stupid glass door to me the first time I went in there.

The second time, they let me in and talked down to me like I was a irritating child (I was 24 at the time).

They soon changed their tune when they saw the Cellini Moonphase on my wrist.

Dont waste your time!

HAHA exactly the same thing happened to me, i was sat to the right of the glass having my Tudor resized which id just purchased and whislt i was waiting the guy wouldnt even open the glass door, eventually he opened and told me to basically go away!!

[daveycrawford]

My son picked up a Sub in Italy and got:
Baseball cap
Umbrella
Keyring
Wallet!!!
I've never got anything like that before.