Allocation piece

[Fencer28]

Quick question -

What exactly does the term 'allocation piece' mean?

[trippinjimmy]

If you spend enough money on other items you don't want, the AD will graciously allow you to spend more of your money on said piece.

[rolexnyc718]

A piece the AD cant order, but a piece they get X amount every year from Rolex.

[MONTANTK]

As mentioned above, most ADs take the highly desired pieces and allocate them to specific customers. For example, when they get a Sub, they’re probably going to call joe smith up who just spent $20k on jewelry last month rather than someone who randomly walked in asking for one

[omx5o]

One that doesn’t go in the AD window.

[Robert Bruce]

It is my contention that all the talk, all the stories about 'allocation', lack of availability, etc., are black-hearted lies. Since used Rolexes sell for more than MSRP, the ADs are just cashing in on that by back-dooring them at inflated prices. And it goes around and around.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by rolexnyc718

A piece the AD cant order, but a piece they get X amount every year from Rolex.

This is what an allocation piece is and it includes all of the hot models and even some you wouldn’t expect. In the US, I would imagine all SS Professional models are allocation, most popular PM variations, and even a few SS Datejust variations.
Higher volume dealers get more allocation pieces annually based on sales.

[Danny83]

They even told me the OP 41s are allocation

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by trippinjimmy

If you spend enough money on other items you don't want, the AD will graciously allow you to spend more of your money on said piece.

Ha! This sounds insane, but 100% true. Access is the new discount, as has been said.

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by trippinjimmy

If you spend enough money on other items you don't want, the AD will graciously allow you to spend more of your money on said piece.

best answer in thread.

[DuckaDiesel]

I have only had 1 AD tell me what I want is allocation.
Others were nice and said they will let me know when what i want becomes available. No one said I have to buy this or that or spend a certain amount...
Does that mean I still have a chance to get the illusive call?


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[nyc10ken]

Anything that youre sure fire going to make money on than they will

[ap1]

Originally Posted by DuckaDiesel

I have only had 1 AD tell me what I want is allocation.
Others were nice and said they will let me know when what i want becomes available. No one said I have to buy this or that or spend a certain amount...
Does that mean I still have a chance to get the illusive call?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I’d say not looking good

[dibarch]

An AD recently told me that sub date and OP41 were allocation pieces. I never had heard the term before. I figured it meant that there is a list of people who want the watch, it does not go in the showcase and is allocated based on spend, VIP or who ever they may choose.

[iTreelex]

allocation piece is when you brown nose an AD enough and they magically pull a SS model out where the sun don't shine.

[Calinewport]

My AD said OP41 was not an allocation piece when it was first released but has become an allocation piece as Rolex no longer takes orders due to high demand. However, they did take a small deposit and filled my request for a green OP41 within a couple months. When I asked to clarify what "allocation piece" means, the explanation was exactly what was said above - pieces that cannot be ordered.

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by DuckaDiesel

I have only had 1 AD tell me what I want is allocation.
Others were nice and said they will let me know when what i want becomes available. No one said I have to buy this or that or spend a certain amount...
Does that mean I still have a chance to get the illusive call?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

That allocation piece is how they net more without charging above MSRP for the actual watch you want. They are, understandably, motivated to sell it to the person who will give them the most money.

If you spend enough, you could potentially have one on the spot or very quickly (again, they have reason to hold and sell these watches when the conditions of sale are most favorable, which are conditions when they are selling more than just the watch.) But if you are only buying the watch, they have less incentive to offer it to you. Occasionally it does happen. Often it doesn't.

The first AD that told you flat out it is allocation is being upfront and honest IMO.

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by Fencer28

Quick question -

What exactly does the term 'allocation piece' mean?

A little bit of confusion and miss information above.

An “Allocation Piece” is a model that cannot be ordered ... it is allocated to the AD (not the customer). Previously, only a piece like a SS Daytona was considered an allocation piece. Now, all of the steel sports and stainless DJ41s are allocation pieces.

ADs have no idea when they will receive an allocation piece. They just show up in a shipment of inventory. For example, “oh look, e we received a black Daytona and a Batman in the order this month.”

Normally, allocation pieces are offered to prized clients as a gesture of gratitude for a strong working relationship. Hence, the “waiting list.”

Other pieces like a DJ36 can be ordered by the client and are not “allocation pieces.”


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[Master_Grogu]

I can vouch for this, my AD confirmed the other day that they can run out and order some models, while others are simply sent out based on Rolex good graces.

For what it’s worth, 126655 is not an allocation and can be ordered by an AD.

[makrxx]

Anyone have any thoughts on the new OP36 palm dial? Not an allocation piece at my AD...yet, surprisingly.

[samson66]

Just means they can't order it. They get whatever Rolex feels like sending them. The lost of watches that fall into this category seems to grow every year.

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[McinRolex]

Originally Posted by Dougiebaby

A little bit of confusion and miss information above.

An “Allocation Piece” is a model that cannot be ordered ... it is allocated to the AD (not the customer). Previously, only a piece like a SS Daytona was considered an allocation piece. Now, all of the steel sports and stainless DJ41s are allocation pieces.

ADs have no idea when they will receive an allocation piece. They just show up in a shipment of inventory. For example, “oh look, e we received a black Daytona and a Batman in the order this month.”

Normally, allocation pieces are offered to prized clients as a gesture of gratitude for a strong working relationship. Hence, the “waiting list.”

Other pieces like a DJ36 can be ordered by the client and are not “allocation pieces.”


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I hear that ADs know what is coming in before 2-3 weeks prior to their shipment delivery. And one AD told me that they know they will be receiving one YG Daytona this year but just doesn't know when.

[Nikrnic]

My AD ordered my so called allocation piece in Sept of '18 An SS Wimbledon. I pre paid and got a discount. It showed up in 4 weeks to the day as they predicted. Can't do that now AFAIK.

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[GB-man]

It’s pretty much self described. It means the dealer chooses the buyer.

[thsiao]

I was told by an AD that all Professional and non-Professional pieces are allocation pieces. Meaning they know how many they will be given each year, but do not know when they will receive. So it is a very limited number.

All other less desirable watches can be ordered.

[McinRolex]

Originally Posted by thsiao

I was told by an AD that all Professional and non-Professional pieces are allocation pieces. Meaning they know how many they will be given each year, but do not know when they will receive. So it is a very limited number.

All other less desirable watches can be ordered.

That's exactly what I've been told.

[Francist]

They have a system where they can track whatever watches each dealer in that particular country receives. A swiss AD once told me in the 1st year SkyD was released only 3 blue dials was available in all of Switzerland. I asked him how did he know, apparently they had a system.
Each AD has an idea of what they're gonna get, but not when.

[thsiao]

Originally Posted by thsiao

I was told by an AD that all Professional and non-Professional STEEL pieces are allocation pieces. Meaning they know how many they will be given each year, but do not know when they will receive. So it is a very limited number.

All other less desirable watches can be ordered.

Had a typo... should say “and non-Professional steel pieces”.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

My AD ordered my so called allocation piece in Sept of '18 An SS Wimbledon. I pre paid and got a discount. It showed up in 4 weeks to the day as they predicted. Can't do that now AFAIK.

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I was told the same thing. All SS Datejusts are allocated now. Can still order TT versions

[dibarch]

Originally Posted by dibarch

An AD recently told me that sub date and OP41 were allocation pieces. I never had heard the term before. I figured it meant that there is a list of people who want the watch, it does not go in the showcase and is allocated based on spend, VIP or who ever they may choose.

Here is an update the same AD just old me that the new BB Chrono is also an allocation piece when I inquired. I understand now that it most likely allocation piece means"You can't order it"