"Walk-in" GMT Master II acquired in Tokyo - dreams do come true!

[TokyoJ]

Hey folks,

Posted a little while back about an interesting experience at a Tokyo Rolex Boutique that doesn't allow waitlisting or reservations for steel sports models.

In short: After being cheeky and telling one of the lovely women behind the counter that they should re-name the shop "The Datejust Store," she asked me to sit down and tell her what I wanted and why. I told her I was only really interested in a white Explorer II or a black and blue GMT Master II because of the importance of travel in my life. She took down my info and suggested I stop by in the mornings right at opening whenever I'm in the area. A month or so later, after stopping in 2-3 mornings a week, she told me to come in "Tuesday-Friday only" - so I adjusted my visits accordingly - but still no luck ~6 months into this routine.

After stopping by last Friday and coming out empty handed, I was ready to give up. I actually went and tried some Omegas on across the street, then proceeded to reserve a Grand Seiko 9F Quartz GMT Isetan LE (only 56 examples, releasing in November). Today was the deadline for paying the GS deposit, so I said "f**k it" and decided to swing by Rolex before pulling the trigger.

I arrived 10 minutes before opening and was second in line, and when the door opened my lovely sales rep was waiting for me. I asked her "so, is today my lucky day?" and she said *yes, come on upstairs.* My heart started racing, but she walked me over to the service desk instead of the sales area...

"Your Tudor GMT came back early, we just got it in half an hour ago!" she says... I had sent it in for service and was expecting it in another 2-3 weeks. That did make me happy, but my heart sank thinking that was the *only* good news.

"So, uh... get either of my sports models in today by chance?"

*Let me go check in the back* (with a wink) she replies.

Butterflies again.

She reappears, empty handed...

*So, do you have a few minutes? I'd love to show you a watch that also just arrived today.*

JACKPOT!

I had no idea what to expect, but I sit down around the corner in the sales area. She disappears into the back room and reappears, and then I see it - a Jubilee bracelet.

My heart is in full machine gun mode as she puts the tray down and turns it to reveal the Batman bezel.

I've already written you guys a book here, but this was really a dream come true for me. I came from the "wrong side of the tracks" and a pretty awful childhood, and I wanted to give up so many times - but didn't. I finally had my breakthrough a few years back, but this year in particular has put me in a place that the old me would have never been able to imagine. I had always dreamt of owning a Rolex, and a GMT Master II in particular, and I can't think of a better way to reward myself for hanging in there than the watch that is currently at home on my wrist. It's so, so much more than a watch to me.

Anyway, here's a wrist shot at the beautiful Hibiya Park in central Tokyo. Sending positive vibes to you and yours from the Big Onigiri.


-J