Relatively useless post on ADs in Europe

[LarsFS]

Hi,

My wife and I struggle to understand this craze over SS Rolex watches (we've bought an 114060, 116610LN and an 116610LV, it seems, relatively simply from ADs in the US and so we assume, by sheer luck over the last three months).. We're now on a trip to Europe and have stopped in London and Paris. We've visited several ADs (4 in London, 2 in Paris), and they almost laugh at us when we ask what's available. One offered an Explorer (black dial), but that was it. Watches of Switzerland on Regent in London said it was useless to be on their list for GMTs, and that they could maybe source us a SubC w/ and w/o date in "12-18 months", which was the only thing they could really offer.

Anyway, just figured I'd let you in on that little observation.

[grymg]

Interesting, is it just mainly the big cities in the world that are impacted to the point where they laugh at you/refuse to work with you? I would think if you visit a small town AD they would at least have a chat with you and hopefully add you on a list instead of such harsh treatment.

[JePro]

Originally Posted by grymg

Interesting, is it just mainly the big cities in the world that are impacted to the point where they laugh at you/refuse to work with you? I would think if you visit a small town AD they would at least have a chat with you and hopefully add you on a list instead of such harsh treatment.

Small Town ADs are where the real goods at!

[MrKhan]

London at the moment is terrible if you’re from outside the region country. I have a history of buying so I get at least a hello sir. Else it would be a laugh in my face.

[cireok]

Originally Posted by MrKhan

London at the moment is terrible if you’re from outside the region country. I have a history of buying so I get at least a hello sir. Else it would be a laugh in my face.

Milan at the moment and can’t find any SS sport models either. I tried 3 stores already


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[watchmaker]

Did you think the twenty five thousand posts on this forum of people describing how difficult it is to obtain SS professional Rolex were just people not trying hard enough? Was it a revelation that no AD in one of the wealthiest cities in the world could not accommodate your request to be put on this list for one of the hottest (and most flippable) models?

[Wobbly]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Did you think the twenty five thousand posts on this forum of people describing how difficult it is to obtain SS professional Rolex were just people not trying hard enough? Was it a revelation that no AD in one of the wealthiest cities in the world could not accommodate your request to be put on this list for one of the hottest (and most flippable) models?

Maybe they just thought they should say something, second post in over 8 years

[LarsFS]

Wobbly, given that I do exactly have two posts (the other being a pledge-payment statement), I'd think the inference would be that I don't feel a need to say something to say something :)

Watchmaker, I'm a realistic optimist, so my expectations were muted, but I visited the various stores with a "maybe, just maybe" attitude. As indicated, this was a relatively useless post - I meant it just as an update in case anyone were wondering (if, someday the trend turns, there must be a first post for that too - would you then just grumpily state that whomever posts about that shouldn't, because there are ~25k posts to the contrary?). You may notice that I do not anywhere give room for the interpretation that I was caught by surprise about the scarcity of the watches themselves. I wasn't, but if I were I'm sure I'd be glad to be put down by you like that. What I did say, was that both my wife and I struggle to understand, as do many others, the recent (relative to Rolex history) craze over these particular types of watches. The 'others' category, for what it's worth, includes some of the ADs with whom I met - who unsolicitedly offered their astonishment of this development.

Grymg - I guess so. My AD here in New York is very good to work with, and has sourced a few SS subs to me in a matter of months.

MrKahn & Cireok, thanks - that was (actually) interesting to me.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by LarsFS

Wobbly, given that I do exactly have two posts (the other being a pledge-payment statement), I'd think the inference would be that I don't feel a need to say something to say something :)

Watchmaker, I'm a realistic optimist, so my expectations were muted, but I visited the various stores with a "maybe, just maybe" attitude. As indicated, this was a relatively useless post - I meant it just as an update in case anyone were wondering (if, someday the trend turns, there must be a first post for that too - would you then just grumpily state that whomever posts about that shouldn't, because there are ~25k posts to the contrary?). You may notice that I do not anywhere give room for the interpretation that I was caught by surprise about the scarcity of the watches themselves. I wasn't, but if I were I'm sure I'd be glad to be put down by you like that. What I did say, was that both my wife and I struggle to understand, as do many others, the recent (relative to Rolex history) craze over these particular types of watches. The 'others' category, for what it's worth, includes some of the ADs with whom I met - who unsolicitedly offered their astonishment of this development.

Grymg - I guess so. My AD here in New York is very good to work with, and has sourced a few SS subs to me in a matter of months.

MrKahn & Cireok, thanks - that was (actually) interesting to me.

I apologise unreservedly for causing any offence, that was not my intention. Was just meant as a friendly ribbing since every other post these days mentions the current state of things.

[LarsFS]

I don't know why my response doesn't post.

[Calatrava r]

Supply of SS sports is almost non-existent throughout the world. ADs maybe get one or two Subs now a year. The GMT in SS is a never see with just the Pepsi and Batman now available. Anyone's best bet is to form a close relationship with their local AD, buy only there and be very appreciative and patient. Eventually, you will get a watch which they may only see one of in a year.

[LarsFS]

Hi Admins - Did my last post not make the cut? I didn't think it was any more/less out of form than others have posted? I hope it gets approved, don't feel like writing it all over again.

Thank you Calatrava R, Cireok, grymg and MrKahn - I was just trying to add some (well known, albeit) color.

[inadeje]

OP - welcome back from your TRF sabbatical. Yes, much has changed since 2011. Namely. SS are tougher to obtain than unobtainium

[Rileywiley]

Has anyone put together a list of all the ADs worldwide. I am imagining that there is one AD in the middle of Africa just sitting on a ton of watches wondering were everyone is.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Rileywiley

Has anyone put together a list of all the ADs worldwide. I am imagining that there is one AD in the middle of Africa just sitting on a ton of watches wondering were everyone is.

TRF member Africa trip? I’m in

[jon_jon]

The problem with ADs are two-fold in my opinion. Large cities have wealthy locals as well as tourists knocking on their doors and they just don't have enough inventory. London, Paris, Milan are prime destination for businesspeople and tourists. Smallest city ADs do not get enough traffic from locals or visitors/tourists. Their main business is selling through the back door. So even if you find an AD in a small city, good luck as they are probably already making their profit selling to the grays.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

The problem with ADs are two-fold in my opinion. Large cities have wealthy locals as well as tourists knocking on their doors and they just don't have enough inventory. London, Paris, Milan are prime destination for businesspeople and tourists. Smallest city ADs do not get enough traffic from locals or visitors/tourists. Their main business is selling through the back door. So even if you find an AD in a small city, good luck as they are probably already making their profit selling to the grays.

[Wingslogo]

I appreciate the post and hearing how you interact with ad’s across the country and the world.

I travel a lot too and get to met several new Ad’s. I had such a good experience in Connecticut I am buying a Sky Dweller from them this week.

There are a lot of cocky / haters on the forum, I enjoy reading about Ad experiences. Thanks for the post


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[cc75]

In Paris it’s very complicated. I bought from several ADs in Paris (4 watches, 4 differents ADs)
Finally bought my Skydweller in another french city.
On the list for the 116500 since 14 months, I don’t know if I’ll have it this year

[grimps]

I was passing through Dubai airport a few weeks ago and stopped at looked at the Rolex on display, I was wearing my Daytona C and stopped and chatted to the assistant and had a bit of a joke with him about the world wide supply. He joked that he could sell 100 Daytonas a day if he had the stock and when they get one it's sold in seconds .
After 5 minutes of chatting and me not making any silly requests he told me that he had a steel Submariner under the counter and I could buy it if I wanted.
I told him thanks but I already have one

Now I'm guessing that this guy gets 100s of requests a day and not always in a polite manor , I reckon they now decide who is suitable to sell the 'In demand watches' too.
I'm sure they have some direction not to sell them to people who they believe might want to flip and taking a few moments out to shoot the shit with the sales person might just make the difference

[BisonHead]

^^^ I use DXB a lot, your correct in the fact being polite and non demanding goes a long long way. I have seen the staff being basically abused by travelers demanding models etc.

Most often heard statement is "Oh i thought this was meant to be the best duty free in the world"

End of the day the SA's are just trying to earn a living. I always have a bit chat and browse of the watches.

[shkure]

Spoke to my AD in Prague a few days ago. Sourced me an Explorer within a week and a two tone CHNR within a month. I only bought the explorer and its the only purchase history i have with them. Told me they stopped doing waiting lists for Batman, Pepsi and both Daytona C’s. Said people without purchasing history have no shot at these. Instead the manager will allocate to previous customers based on their likelyhood to not flip. Said amount spent does not matter as much. Said i have a great shot to get a Pepsi in 2020 because its clear I am a WIS and my likelyhood to flip is rather low.

[SpeakWithMichael]

I’m checking out AD’s in Madrid today. I’ll let you know what I come across.

[VegasMilgauss]

Coming over here.. trying to take our watches...

[SpeakWithMichael]

As usual in Madrid, everybody but Wempe was bone dry on sport models. No one even had any OP39’s of any dial color including Wempe. What the heck? Granted, it is a really busy tourism week but... at least Wempe had an Explorer I. Tried it on for the first time - doesn’t sing to me. Otherwise absolutely nothing but PM Yachmasters, Datejusts, and the usual. They did have a YG Sub with black dial. Stunning piece. Wempe or Rabat in Madrid are the only places worth visiting service wise.

My best experience in visiting 3 AD’s came at Rabat. Really, really superb experience and conversation with Rocio G there. She was kind, knowledgeable, informative, and fun to chat with. She let me try on all kinds of things that she had in stock (Aqua Terras, IWC’s, LE Omega chronos, a Hublot she thought I might like but absolutely not, etc.) I found I quite liked the Breitling Navitimer 8 day date in 41mm (tried this at Wempe). Beautiful watch with the ETA workhorse.

If in Madrid, ask for Rocio at Rabat. Absolutely delightful. I want to spend my money with people like that.

[Zakalwe]

Forget Rolex, the WOS flagship store on Regent Street is just a cool place to while away half an hour perusing watch porn. I'd never actually attempt to buy anything from there though...