Why the Middle East ?

[CharlesN]

Firstly let me start this thread by saying I am not even the slightest bit racist.

But, why do we get so many questions as to the availability if the sought after models being easier to get in the middle eastern countries ?

They are as hard to get there, and, sometimes even harder to get there than at your local AD.

I just dont understand why people ask so often.

[bombafra1]

Let me share my experience.
First:
I've got my Batman in 3 months (the day they added me in the queue was my first visit there). I did same request to my local dealer more than 15 months ago and still waiting
Second:
while I was there waiting for watch delivery (removing links, signing warranty), they sold at least 5 full gold Rolex watches and no request at all for hot references in SS.

In a nutshell it's a different market with different rules and ADs sell differently than in Europe and America and I guess some more chances to get what I (as italian) am seeking

PS: I'm talking about countries where tourism is very low (surely not UAE)

[Sandpit]

As far as I know, anyone that's picked up a hot piece at DXB airport has got it purely by fluke and nothing more, so I agree. I don't know of anybody that's been able to walk into a local AD (who in Dubai are all under the same group name) and pick up a SS professional.

Certain branches are easier to obtain certain pieces (black subs etc) but they're still on back order for several months.

[Zakalwe]

I don’t know if your post has been prompted by a current thread near the top of the forum, but from what I’ve seen, people ask about SS availability and if they might get “lucky” in a wide variety of countries. There are for example threads started everyday by imminent tourists asking about watch availability in Europe.

I wonder if a sticky in block caps saying “TOURISTS HAVE MORE CHANCE OF SCORING WITH AMBER HEARD THAN SCORING A STAINLESS ROLEX, EVERYWHERE” might make a difference.

[macrowatch]

With respect, I think if you pulled up all of the will XYZ location destination I'm traveling to over the last 6 months (versus say last 7 days), I'm sure you'll find the middle east is not disproportionally represented as a region versus say Europe or the US.

[Mr.Rolex1]

Its a popular destination for watch shoppers

[997]

who said it is easier in the ME? I think it is more difficult. In terms of allocations, ADs are not getting the same quantities as ADs in the US or Europe, and there are many people with money willing to buy.

All ADs in my country are under the same group (the owner is a close friend), I asked him if he had white DaytonaC for a friend, he said in the WHOLE country there is only ONE watch! how many watches do you think Rolex allocated to us? The same is true for BLRO, sales people don't even get to see the watch, as soon as it arrives it is gone in seconds!