AD in Philippines

[Paoloar]

Even though I live in London, I have a relationship with an AD in Manila, Philippines: My family has bought two datejusts and one SD4k (my own watch) from them in the past five/six years.

I asked to be put on the waiting list for the SS Daytona and the Pepsi GMT and the AD said it is unlikely that either will be available this year or next.

I am trying to figure out if I am right in thinking that I have a higher chance of picking up one of these watches in Manila than in London (where I have no relationship with an AD) so does anyone in Manila have any experience with Rolex ADs (esp. SM Aura) and can give any insight on these "waiting lists"?

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Paoloar

Even though I live in London, I have a relationship with an AD in Manila, Philippines: My family has bought two datejusts and one SD4k (my own watch) from them in the past five/six years.

I asked to be put on the waiting list for the SS Daytona and the Pepsi GMT and the AD said it is unlikely that either will be available this year or next.

I am trying to figure out if I am right in thinking that I have a higher chance of picking up one of these watches in Manila than in London (where I have no relationship with an AD) so does anyone in Manila have any experience with Rolex ADs (esp. SM Aura) and can give any insight on these "waiting lists"?

Probably the 2 hardest watches to get period.

Purchase history of 2 datejusts and an SD4k in 1 year wouldn’t cut it, never mind that spending in 5/6 years. I’m sure the AD must have some VIPs, so I’d say you’re in for a very very long wait....(however miracles can happen so I could be wrong)

London you’d likely have to be a much bigger fish to get a sniff at a steel Pepsi/white Daytona.

[klenboy]

The only way to get a Daytona or BLRO there is to get the gold variants. Matagal!

[Paoloar]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

Probably the 2 hardest watches to get period.

Purchase history of 2 datejusts and an SD4k in 1 year wouldn’t cut it, never mind that spending in 5/6 years. I’m sure the AD must have some VIPs, so I’d say you’re in for a very very long wait....(however miracles can happen so I could be wrong)

London you’d likely have to be a much bigger fish to get a sniff at a steel Pepsi/white Daytona.

I had a feeling this would be the case. I am sure this has been said many times before on this forum - but why even bother at this point. Maybe I'll just get an apple watch to satisfy my new watch itch...

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Paoloar

I had a feeling this would be the case. I am sure this has been said many times before on this forum - but why even bother at this point. Maybe I'll just get an apple watch to satisfy my new watch itch...

Well essentially your best option is the grey market, you’ll pay the convenience price however.
That’s just how the Rolex market is now....models easier to get are explorer 1/2, Milgauss, YM, DJ41, Air King etc. These still need a bit of effort to secure, but are possible compared to Pepsi and White Daytona.

Perhaps aim for one of these models next? I don’t want to say to move to other brands, but Omega is also worth a look, and you will be able to buy them

[dontbeshort]

Originally Posted by Paoloar

Even though I live in London, I have a relationship with an AD in Manila, Philippines: My family has bought two datejusts and one SD4k (my own watch) from them in the past five/six years.

I asked to be put on the waiting list for the SS Daytona and the Pepsi GMT and the AD said it is unlikely that either will be available this year or next.

I am trying to figure out if I am right in thinking that I have a higher chance of picking up one of these watches in Manila than in London (where I have no relationship with an AD) so does anyone in Manila have any experience with Rolex ADs (esp. SM Aura) and can give any insight on these "waiting lists"?

Sounds like you need to get boots on the ground and go and introduce yourself to a couple of AD’s in UK. Honestly none of them bite. Just don’t go in and say I want SS this and that. Start by asking them ‘what is expected of me to be considered for some of the highly sought after models?’ . You’ll get a truthful answer . Bon Chance

[BillA]

Originally Posted by dontbeshort

Sounds like you need to get boots on the ground and go and introduce yourself to a couple of AD’s in UK. Honestly none of them bite. Just don’t go in and say I want SS this and that. Start by asking them ‘what is expected of me to be considered for some of the highly sought after models?’ . You’ll get a truthful answer . Bon Chance

Maybe that is realistic, but you pass off the conditions to the AD when you do so. If you do this, expect to be bundled.

The AD in Manila is giving it to you straight, sometimes we don’t want to hear it.

[Snaponmyrolex]

Originally Posted by Paoloar

Even though I live in London, I have a relationship with an AD in Manila, Philippines: My family has bought two datejusts and one SD4k (my own watch) from them in the past five/six years.



I asked to be put on the waiting list for the SS Daytona and the Pepsi GMT and the AD said it is unlikely that either will be available this year or next.



I am trying to figure out if I am right in thinking that I have a higher chance of picking up one of these watches in Manila than in London (where I have no relationship with an AD) so does anyone in Manila have any experience with Rolex ADs (esp. SM Aura) and can give any insight on these "waiting lists"?

I've visited the Rolex shop in the Newport Mall near Ninoy Aquino Airport a couple of time's whilst in the Philippines.
Attentive staff but nothing of particular interest to me in the cabinets..
They noticed the BLNR on my wrist and said they don't see many in there store.
I asked about Submariner and Daytona and the replied with a shake of the head.
Seemed to me the supply in Philippines is same as everywhere else. Or at least that was the case when I was last visited..


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[Snaponmyrolex]

Originally Posted by Paoloar

Even though I live in London, I have a relationship with an AD in Manila, Philippines: My family has bought two datejusts and one SD4k (my own watch) from them in the past five/six years.



I asked to be put on the waiting list for the SS Daytona and the Pepsi GMT and the AD said it is unlikely that either will be available this year or next.



I am trying to figure out if I am right in thinking that I have a higher chance of picking up one of these watches in Manila than in London (where I have no relationship with an AD) so does anyone in Manila have any experience with Rolex ADs (esp. SM Aura) and can give any insight on these "waiting lists"?

I've visited the AD in the Newport Mall near Ninoy Aquino Airport a couple of time's whilst in the Philippines.
Nothing of particular interest to me in the cabinets. Attentive staff who noticed the BLNR on my wrist and commented that they don't see many in there store.
I enquired about the availability of a Submariner and a Daytona and they replied with a shake of the head. Seemed to me the supply in the Philippines was the same as everywhere else..
Or at least that was the case when I last visited..

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[ezhukov]

There are basically 2 large ADs in Manila: Washington and Lucerne. Both do not have any notable stock. I went to Washington store in Megamall. they used to have 3 displays for Rolex watches. They now have only one display left. None of the sports or any other sought after models are sold via the counter. They are all preallocated and sold behind the doors for god knows what prices.

[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by ezhukov

They are all preallocated and sold behind the doors for god knows what prices.

^ this!

[garyk]

Preallocated? Something smells fishy...

[Paoloar]

Originally Posted by ezhukov

There are basically 2 large ADs in Manila: Washington and Lucerne. Both do not have any notable stock. I went to Washington store in Megamall. they used to have 3 displays for Rolex watches. They now have only one display left. None of the sports or any other sought after models are sold via the counter. They are all preallocated and sold behind the doors for god knows what prices.

This is really helpful - Washington is my AD and it is looking increasingly unlikely I will be able to acquire this watch in the near future. Bit of a shame but I think I'm hardly the first customer to be disappointed!

At least I have my SD4K and I will enjoy it even more knowing how difficult it is to get Rolex sports models these days...

[mackychase]

I have a friend who works at the Greenbelt 5 AD.

Waiting lists are a load of bull***. But it's SOP to say for clients who have "no relationship whatsoever" with any AD. However, I can confirm that they have a list of "good clients" (READ: proven non-gray sellers established through a long purchase history with the AD) who get called up once hot (SS) items are back in stock.

And of course, as of 2017, no SS will ever appear in the counter or display.

However, same friend also confirmed that their managers have been known to slip one or two SS watches to gray sellers from time to time.............

[boner1]

i built a relationship with Washington and Lucerne over a period of ten years, give or take. supply is truly limited, and they don't even want to discuss any specific time frame over which they can promise to deliver your grail sports models. that being said, there are still clients who get first dibs on hot sports models. i am not one of the big clients but i managed to get a 2020 Bluesy last October. bit of luck, i guess.

when i was getting the watch sized to my wrist, a big fish walked in and claimed his platinum daytona. we talked a bit, and he was fascinated by the white text on the submariner. i was wearing another PM that day, he was wearing an RM !

good luck on your watch hunt ! patience is a virtue. i waited about 10 days before the Bluesy was given to me

[Bigsoftee]

I lived in Manila for 9 years and find the AD's there to be the worst I have ever had experiences with. I purchased numerous watches from them including some PM pieces and they have never delivered the hot model I asked for, which was a BLNR, so not unobtainable in other dealers. I think, and it's only my personal thoughts, they sell the vast majority of the more sought after pieces out the backdoor, as I am not aware of anyone that has gotten one. HK is only an hour away for them and the biggest grey market in the world. I would never do business with them again, either Lucerne or Washington.

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by Paoloar

This is really helpful - Washington is my AD and it is looking increasingly unlikely I will be able to acquire this watch in the near future. Bit of a shame but I think I'm hardly the first customer to be disappointed!

At least I have my SD4K and I will enjoy it even more knowing how difficult it is to get Rolex sports models these days...

The pepsi is a lot easier to get, in relative terms but still difficult......having said that they seem plentiful on here and to be honest i think your sd4k is much cooler and somewhat rarer.....id love one.
Have you tried a pepsi on because you may not even like the jubilee....ive got one and i struggle to love the jubilee.
Good luck