Visited every single AD in Paris, most frustrating experience ever !

[KNFRT]

Hi all,

Apologies in advances if this is a redundant thread, but I need to get this out of my chest ^^.

So I’m planning on getting my first Rolex for like 2 years now. I’ve been mainly interested in a Daytona, Batgirl and a Datejust II (fluted+jubilee) so was on a hunt for these for quite some time now without any luck.
I’ve paid every AD here in Paris a visit, showed my interest many times by stopping, calling and asking to be in a waitlist. The only lists that are still open obviously are the DJII ones. I’ve heard things from : « The last guy we sold the batgirl two is a a customer with whom we’ve been dealing for 25 years now » to: « we recommend to you to start purchasing other models to build a confidence, watches like a day-date, a TT DJ .. etc » which is very frustrating. I totally understand the fact that old clients should be treated favorably, but I’m not going to buy a day-date while all I can think of is a batgirl on my wrist ...
Not to mention how arrogant some can be when they see a young person coming in and asking for these models. Sometimes they don’t even let me in and just tell me from the door that these models are unavailable...

Anybody with an idea where to find these in Europe ? I’m going to Spain in 2 weeks and will check first in the airports then some ADs there ..

Thanks for taking some time to read and write your opinion.
KNFRT

[Gwai]

Sigh. Another frustrating thread started by another frustrated member.

OP, my guess is nobody can help you here. They might tell you about going grey, though.

Cheers
Marc

[jgottsman11]

These are hot commodities. Just like you can’t walk into Hermès and buy a purse off the shelf. Go grey to get what you want if you’re tired of waiting. Otherwise, join the waiting game and hope you’re lucky. That’s just how it is unfortunately

[doubleinfive]

Frustration is a result of expectation. Perhaps if you take a more realistic approach, the outcome may be different.

[mg Barcelona]

I used to live in Paris many moons ago, I love the city but the Sales Assistant experience in high end shops can be frustrating. Paris is not what it was. Give it time.

[SearChart]

Maybe you should buy half a million of useless jewellery before getting a ss Daytona from a random AD. If that does not appeal to you then but grey or stop complaining.

[Generation]

You're clearly new to Rolex. The models you mention are impossible for you to get at an AD. The Datejust II has been out of production since 2016, but otherwise would have been obtainable. Did you mean to say the Datejust 41? Because you should be able to get that one.

[WatchNutcase]

It's a very frustrating situation at the moment. If you're adamant on buying from an AD I recommend you choose your favourite AD out of all of them and frequent on a weekly/monthly basis. Choose a sales rep you get along with and keep going to see him so he is reminded that you're still looking. If you really want to get the ball moving you can buy something from him, which unfortunately it the reality at the moment. Nothing is guaranteed and you'll never receive a timeframe.

You can do all that or you can save your time and dignity and just buy grey.

[BlueGlacier]

Thats sad to hear but it seems to be the norm nowadays. As the others suggested go grey and save yourself some trouble.
Also the ss daytonas and gmts are almost impossible in big cities.
Hope youll find something soon.

[brandrea]

I miss the 90’s

[iTreelex]

It's a waste visiting AD's. You can maybe get one if you're extremely lucky or you brown nose them to death. Other than that, go grey and have it the next day

[lkngshrp]

Originally Posted by KNFRT

Hi all,

Apologies in advances if this is a redundant thread, but I need to get this out of my chest ^^.

So I’m planning on getting my first Rolex for like 2 years now. I’ve been mainly interested in a Daytona, Batgirl and a Datejust II (fluted+jubilee) so was on a hunt for these for quite some time now without any luck.
I’ve paid every AD here in Paris a visit, showed my interest many times by stopping, calling and asking to be in a waitlist. The only lists that are still open obviously are the DJII ones. I’ve heard things from : « The last guy we sold the batgirl two is a a customer with whom we’ve been dealing for 25 years now » to: « we recommend to you to start purchasing other models to build a confidence, watches like a day-date, a TT DJ .. etc » which is very frustrating. I totally understand the fact that old clients should be treated favorably, but I’m not going to buy a day-date while all I can think of is a batgirl on my wrist ...
Not to mention how arrogant some can be when they see a young person coming in and asking for these models. Sometimes they don’t even let me in and just tell me from the door that these models are unavailable...

Anybody with an idea where to find these in Europe ? I’m going to Spain in 2 weeks and will check first in the airports then some ADs there ..

Thanks for taking some time to read and write your opinion.
KNFRT

Come to Canada for vacation. Buy your watch here at a Grey Dealer. You will get an almost 50% off discount with the currency exchange.

[Ivan Drago]

Originally Posted by KNFRT

Hi all,

Apologies in advances if this is a redundant thread, but I need to get this out of my chest ^^.

So I’m planning on getting my first Rolex for like 2 years now. I’ve been mainly interested in a Daytona, Batgirl and a Datejust II (fluted+jubilee) so was on a hunt for these for quite some time now without any luck.
I’ve paid every AD here in Paris a visit, showed my interest many times by stopping, calling and asking to be in a waitlist. The only lists that are still open obviously are the DJII ones. I’ve heard things from : « The last guy we sold the batgirl two is a a customer with whom we’ve been dealing for 25 years now » to: « we recommend to you to start purchasing other models to build a confidence, watches like a day-date, a TT DJ .. etc » which is very frustrating. I totally understand the fact that old clients should be treated favorably, but I’m not going to buy a day-date while all I can think of is a batgirl on my wrist ...
Not to mention how arrogant some can be when they see a young person coming in and asking for these models. Sometimes they don’t even let me in and just tell me from the door that these models are unavailable...

Anybody with an idea where to find these in Europe ? I’m going to Spain in 2 weeks and will check first in the airports then some ADs there ..

Thanks for taking some time to read and write your opinion.
KNFRT

Just go grey and get what you want with no wait

[Rado63]

The most suprising part of this post is that you ran in to an arrogant sales associate in Paris. I have been to the city many times and the one thing I have never seen is an arrogant Parisian. Okay all joking aside. There are many Rolex delaers in Paris. If the dealer sells other brands, and or jewelry then you have to be a big spender to get some Rolex. The boutiques that only sell Rolex may have nothing on display but you don't have to buy other products, just have to spend on Rolex. A suggestion would be to go to the boutiques, that only sell Rolex and ask to purchase all three of the pieces at the same time, and see what they have to say. Doubtful that purchasing a DJ and a GMT will get you a Daytona, but at least you tried to put up some money and you may get a DJ and GMT or you may just get a DJ. Or you might get nothing. Wish I could give you better advice, but spending at the AD is the only way to get these SS models.

[Ranger67]

AD in Barcelona (top of Las Rambla) was nice and polite but said no stock, wanted a Sub date, AD in Gibraltar was not very polite, only good experience I’ve had was Pragnell Stratford-upon-Avon UK, booked an appointment and got a 116613LB with no history or games being played, gave me faith that there are some decent AD’s.

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by Ranger67

AD in Barcelona (top of Las Rambla) was nice and polite but said no stock, wanted a Sub date, AD in Gibraltar was not very polite, only good experience I’ve had was Pragnell Stratford-upon-Avon UK, booked an appointment and got a 116613LB with no history or games being played, gave me faith that there are some decent AD’s.

I’m going to Germany and Portugal soon, and will visit ADs there. Maybe I will get lucky, but even then, I know I’ll get nothing. With that mindset, I can only end up pleasantly surprised !

[KNFRT]

Thanks guys for taking some time to answer.

I’m very aware that this is how it is nowadays and I can’t do anything about it, just thought it wouldn’t harm anyone if I ask whether some are experiencing the same frustration over getting a Rolex.

I stopped by one of these ADs again (who seemed like the nicest one), we kept talking about watches for like an hour or so, tried my best to reassure him that my purpose isn’t to flip the watch and managed to get my contact infos written down in the Daytona and Batgirl waitlists I was told 2 months ago they were closed. But more interestingly, he said he will do his best to provide the DJ 41 I wanted (sorry I said DJII earlier) as it’s way easier than the other two.

I’ll be more reasonable about it, give myself a waiting time of 6 months and if nothing comes up, I’ll get myself the watches I like from the grey market.

Thanks again !

[Brian Page]

Best of luck!

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by KNFRT

Thanks guys for taking some time to answer.

I’m very aware that this is how it is nowadays and I can’t do anything about it, just thought it wouldn’t harm anyone if I ask whether some are experiencing the same frustration over getting a Rolex.

I stopped by one of these ADs again (who seemed like the nicest one), we kept talking about watches for like an hour or so, tried my best to reassure him that my purpose isn’t to flip the watch and managed to get my contact infos written down in the Daytona and Batgirl waitlists I was told 2 months ago they were closed. But more interestingly, he said he will do his best to provide the DJ 41 I wanted (sorry I said DJII earlier) as it’s way easier than the other two.

I’ll be more reasonable about it, give myself a waiting time of 6 months and if nothing comes up, I’ll get myself the watches I like from the grey market.

Thanks again !

Good call. Be patient and you never know what the AD will do for you.

[rolexrealfan]

Bonjour from Paris , To be true even if you were french , you would have heard the same from this guys , nowadays they only sell this kind of models if you already spent a bunch of money with them , if you are willing to , or if you know the friend of the cousin of the owner ...!
So you better go grey but it’s like 1.5 to 2 times the price,and you have to be higly motivated to spend that much instead of regular price.
waiting lists doesn’t exist anymore , and not sure they ever existed here to be true.
Hope you enjoy your vacations here anyway

[Ranger67]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

I’m going to Germany and Portugal soon, and will visit ADs there. Maybe I will get lucky, but even then, I know I’ll get nothing. With that mindset, I can only end up pleasantly surprised !

I also tried an AD in Cologne whilst there, after being left sitting alone for around 25 minutes just got up and left.

Ps, for OP don’t bother with Puerto Banus if in that area of Spain, security left me waiting outside so walked off.

[LOWERCASE GUY]

Buy the DJ41 if it's something you are really after. It's widely available in all configurations. You will still have to wait for 6-24 months to get the call for your GMT so don't worry about paying for 2 luxury pieces in quick succession. It's a big enough mental barrier to commit to the first one. If your not in a position to move on it when the call does come, take a hit on your DJ41 to finance it.

That way you can enjoy a Rolex you like/want now, create a purchase history etc. That would be my advice, assuming you don't want to go grey, which, understandably most first time buyers don't.

Forget about the hot pieces, they are simply unobtainable to regular folk like you and me. There are plenty of nice Rolex's readily available to get you started if you are serious about getting into the brand.

A lot of members on here will shoot you down as new posters are frowned upon for expressing frustrations at acquiring hard to get pieces. I get it, anyone who is just getting into the brand over these past few years has went through the exact same thing as what you are going through now.

Sometimes the wait can be a blessing in disguise as the time you spend waiting, looking and researching etc you get to understand what YOU really like and not what the hype train is offering up on IG etc.

You won't find one, quicker you accept that and move on the better. Good Luck in your quest, I hope you can prove me wrong.

[Coronette]

Take a trip to the UK you will find something there.

[Generation]

I was once new to Rolex myself, and I had a similar embarrassing situation when I tried posting my frustration on obtaining a 116610LV on the forums.

Have you measured your wrist? I ask this because I recently bought my first Rolex (a Datejust 36) after receiving advice in this thread I started: Datejust 36 or Datejust 41 for Smaller Wrists. If you have a smaller wrist, you will be better off with a Datejust 36. They're also less expensive and should be easier to obtain.

[Jim_GMT]

I bet they had a good old chuckle with a random guy coming in the shop after a Daytona��

In all seriousness, people are waiting 5+ years for a Daytona. Unless of course you are a regular customer and then I'm sure one appears magically for you from the non-existent supply.

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by Jim_GMT

I bet they had a good old chuckle with a random guy coming in the shop after a Daytona��

In all seriousness, people are waiting 5+ years for a Daytona. Unless of course you are a regular customer and then I'm sure one appears magically for you from the non-existent supply.

“Would you like a GMT Master 2 BLRO or perhaps a Submariner LV to go with your Daytona sir?”

[Jim_GMT]

Originally Posted by Coronette

Take a trip to the UK you will find something there.

I'm pretty sure you will only find one-year-old grey market Daytonas at £24k on places like Watchfinder instead of the £10.5k list here in the UK.

[Jim_GMT]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

“Would you like a GMT Master 2 BLRO or perhaps a Submariner LV to go with your Daytona sir?”

"We have an offer on, buy a Daytona and get a BLRO half price.."

[KNFRT]

Originally Posted by rolexrealfan

Bonjour from Paris , To be true even if you were french , you would have heard the same from this guys , nowadays they only sell this kind of models if you already spent a bunch of money with them , if you are willing to , or if you know the friend of the cousin of the owner ...!
So you better go grey but it’s like 1.5 to 2 times the price,and you have to be higly motivated to spend that much instead of regular price.
waiting lists doesn’t exist anymore , and not sure they ever existed here to be true.
Hope you enjoy your vacations here anyway

Actually I live in Paris.

It's clearly what they want us to do, spend a certain amount of money to build that "confidence" which I'm not ready to do at least at the moment.

[KNFRT]

Originally Posted by rolexrealfan

Bonjour from Paris , To be true even if you were french , you would have heard the same from this guys , nowadays they only sell this kind of models if you already spent a bunch of money with them , if you are willing to , or if you know the friend of the cousin of the owner ...!
So you better go grey but it’s like 1.5 to 2 times the price,and you have to be higly motivated to spend that much instead of regular price.
waiting lists doesn’t exist anymore , and not sure they ever existed here to be true.
Hope you enjoy your vacations here anyway

I actually live in Paris. Clearly, they want you to spend a certain amount of money to establish that "confidence" but I'm not willing to do so on models I don't appreciate.