Newbie: Rolex MSRP? And how to buy one?!

[slp5]

Hi All, first time Rolex buyer, have been eyeing a few for years every time I pass by a Rolex shop i stop in to take a look. Now, I'm looking to purchase one. But it seems a whole lot confusing! From what I've read on here, it seems to be a difficult feat.

So, two simple questions:
1. On the Rolex site, I see they have MSRP for watches, is this what the AD's charge? For example, the "Batman" watch goes for around $10k on the USA site, is that what I should expect the price tag to be in store? Because when I do a google search on watch sites (greys) they come up for around $25-30k....triple the Rolex MSRP.
2. I live in NJ and in my parts I have two authorized dealers within a 40 min drive. I called one to ask if they have any watches in shop that I can go try on and take a look, they said the watch I want i need to come in be put on a list and it could take a couple of years before it is available. True? The other shop I called they took my name so a salesperson could call me back, and I havent received a call yet (its only been a day).

Bonus Question: If anyone is located in Central NJ, any suggestions on a shop to go to?

Thank you all!

[640ibimmerguy]

Hi. Welcome...

1. Yes, you pay the MSRP at an AD, you pay market price through the a grey dealer...plenty of good ones here. If you don't want to wait on an AD just buy from a grey.
2. Could take a couple of years, could take a couple of months. Many many factors involved here, do you have spend history or plan on buying other items with any of them?

They get numerous calls per day so doesn't shock me you haven't received a call back and don't be surprised if you don't. Go to the AD and try to start a relationship and/or just talk to the mgr and tell them what you are wanting to do.

As you read through the many posts here you will learn a lot very fast about what you're trying to accomplish.

Good luck

[whiskyrolex]

Originally Posted by 640ibimmerguy

Hi. Welcome...

2. Could take a couple of years, could take a couple of months.

Good luck

OP lives in the tri-state area with no purchase history and no AD relationship, there is really no reason to suggest they will be able to purchase a BLNR within a couple of months.

[640ibimmerguy]

Originally Posted by whiskyrolex

OP lives in the tri-state area with no purchase history and no AD relationship, there is really no reason to suggest they will be able to purchase a BLNR within a couple of months.

I said it could take a couple of months or a couple of years, who knows. We don't know that the op isn't also looking to spend lets say $50k on an engagement ring or something else, which he could certainly leverage to get a piece quicker than the next guy. That's all I was saying.

Good luck OP.

[stockae92]

My only advice is .. "Good Luck" :)

[Etschell]

buy another brand, be lucky / patient or buy the gray market price.

those are your options. i am over rolex, patek and ap. too much games.

[ltmgeller]

Welcome. The goal is to pay MSRP from an AD. You won't find a better price. Happy hunting.

[slp5]

Thank you all. I dont mind waiting a few months to a year, but many on here dont make it sound possible! Ha. I guess I'll go visit an AD and try to start a relationship. I won't be looking to purchase anything else. And I dont have any purchase history with any Rolex AD's.

Anyone in NJ have suggestions to an AD that might be better than others? I'd rather try to get on a (realistic) list to wait it out on one than to pay triple the price for a new one or double the price for a used one. I mean, I could just buy another MSRP rolex with the savings! But reading through the other posts seems like it might be a long wait, if they even take me seriously at all.

Also Im looking at the submariner (black face, oyster band) or GMT II (batman)--either of them easier to get than the other? Any suggstions to which you would choose as your first? The one i love the most is the yachtmaster rose gold with oysterflex band, however, not ready to drop $30k on a watch :)

[Bill2]

Welcome to TRF, it depends how long you are willing to wait, else buy grey. You can ask here, there are couple of good sellers who might have what you want at a fair price also.

[msu_1972]

Welcome to the forum. The best suggestion I can make is don't call but take the time to go into the AD to introduce yourself and get to know the SA. Get to know them and follow up with them often afterward.

That's what I did and after 3 months, the store manager surprised me with a GMT Master 2 BLNR. :) Now i keep a close communication with him in hopes that he will get me a few other pieces I have on my list.

Good luck and happy hunting.

[2loaded]

Talk to different SAs at the ADs, talk watches (not prices or availability) and:
Happy Hunting !

[Beo3]

Originally Posted by whiskyrolex

OP lives in the tri-state area with no purchase history and no AD relationship, there is really no reason to suggest they will be able to purchase a BLNR within a couple of months.

I must dispute this.

I purchased a BLNR in NYC this year with no prior history at this particular AD in less than a month.

It is a rarity, but it does happen to us lucky ones.

[Extract0r]

I got my Submariner date last year at an authorized dealer in Chicago suburb.
It took me about 4 months of emailing + visiting multiple ADs.

But the way things look now, it would probably take 3 years for a submariner and 10 years for a GMT. Rolex store shelves are literally empty and they won’t even take your deposit on submariners and GMTs.

[donas]

Good luck, save yourself the headache and time and go grey.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by slp5

Thank you all. I dont mind waiting a few months to a year, but many on here dont make it sound possible! Ha. I guess I'll go visit an AD and try to start a relationship. I won't be looking to purchase anything else. And I dont have any purchase history with any Rolex AD's.

Anyone in NJ have suggestions to an AD that might be better than others? I'd rather try to get on a (realistic) list to wait it out on one than to pay triple the price for a new one or double the price for a used one. I mean, I could just buy another MSRP rolex with the savings! But reading through the other posts seems like it might be a long wait, if they even take me seriously at all.

Also Im looking at the submariner (black face, oyster band) or GMT II (batman)--either of them easier to get than the other? Any suggstions to which you would choose as your first? The one i love the most is the yachtmaster rose gold with oysterflex band, however, not ready to drop $30k on a watch :)

The fact you’ve said you won’t be purchasing anything else, and you have zero history, I’d say you should just go grey market.

Save yourself the heartache, as no AD will be rolling out the red carpet

[asiparks]

Go find a multi brand boutique or an Omega AD and see if anything there takes your fancy.
If you must have a Rolex, because you've always loved them and you're not swept up in the hype, then go in, show interest as a serious buyer, then wait......
And while your waiting, go find a multi brand boutique or an Omega AD and see if anything there takes your fancy....

[Master_Grogu]

OP you are DOA unfortunately. Years ago you’d be waiting for 2-3 years. Today you are not even getting registered as a client in a wishlist unfortunately. Unless you buy things that aren’t Rolex first.

[Oxfordian]

OP - Go into the AD explain what you are looking for, listen to what they say and work with them to get your watch. It may take a while, it may take a long while but you get your watch from the AD and save yourself a fortune.

Buy grey and you pay over the odds, you help fuel their market and inflate their prices.

[BillA]

Go back to the AD, spend thousands of dollars on jewelry and watches you don’t need, then the AD will call you with a watch you want. Then you will have realized that you could have gone to the gray market and had the watch you wanted tomorrow.

That is why many people are not buying/looking at Rolex anymore. Don’t want to play the games with AD’s.

[Dr Process]

Originally Posted by BillA

Go back to the AD, spend thousands of dollars on jewelry and watches you don’t need, then the AD will call you with a watch you want. Then you will have realized that you could have gone to the gray market and had the watch you wanted tomorrow.

That is why many people are not buying/looking at Rolex anymore. Don’t want to play the games with AD’s.

Agree.

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by BillA

Go back to the AD, spend thousands of dollars on jewelry and watches you don’t need, then the AD will call you with a watch you want. Then you will have realized that you could have gone to the gray market and had the watch you wanted tomorrow.

That is why many people are not buying/looking at Rolex anymore. Don’t want to play the games with AD’s.

And paying over the odds at the grey dealer only fuels the spiral of ever increasing prices.

[1William]

Welcome to the Forum. The Search function is amazing and can answer a lot of your questions regarding availability and AD relationships. You are late to the Rolex AD game and while anything can happen you typically will not get a BLNR or even a Submariner from an AD with no purchase history. That is ok as long as this is really about the watches and not the money. Many wrap up the "I will never buy Grey" with the fact that they are looking for an equity stake in the watches from an AD and what they can be sold for in the market. Not a problem but why should an AD gift you thousands of dollars with your purchase when you have no history with them? The Submariner can be had with some good negotiating with a Trusted Seller for 10-15% more than retail and tax. Not the best but also not a deal breaker. You get a great watch and start the ownership experience. Then work on your knowledge and experience base and pay attention to how the market works. Not easy, but fun, once you understand. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[thenewrick]

Ignore all the trolls and haters. There’s a lot of bad vibes on this forum.

I was a newbie and quickly got my first Rolex from an AD with no purchase history.

If you have 2 nearby AD you can ask them which one is supposed to serve clients in your area and they should tell you. ADs aren’t supposed to compete with each other they’re supposed to serve areas and guide clients to the correct AD.

Just go into the AD in person, don’t call. Tell them what you told us, that you’ve wanted one for a while and you’re ready to buy your first watch. Tell them which one you’re interested in, only pick 1 model. Follow up with them in person every few months.

If it’s a low demand model you might only wait a couple of months. If it’s a high demand model it could be years. So just set your expectations early. For a Batman it’s probably a couple of year wait but it’ll be worth it.

Don’t buy used/Grey especially for your first watch.

You’ll be happy you went the authentic method and were patient rather than wasting money.

[ThatOtherGuy7]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Ignore all the trolls and haters. There’s a lot of bad vibes on this forum.

I was a newbie and quickly got my first Rolex from an AD with no purchase history.

If you have 2 nearby AD you can ask them which one is supposed to serve clients in your area and they should tell you. ADs aren’t supposed to compete with each other they’re supposed to serve areas and guide clients to the correct AD.

Just go into the AD in person, don’t call. Tell them what you told us, that you’ve wanted one for a while and you’re ready to buy your first watch. Tell them which one you’re interested in, only pick 1 model. Follow up with them in person every few months.

If it’s a low demand model you might only wait a couple of months. If it’s a high demand model it could be years. So just set your expectations early. For a Batman it’s probably a couple of year wait but it’ll be worth it.

Don’t buy used/Grey especially for your first watch.

You’ll be happy you went the authentic method and were patient rather than wasting money.

Agree with this. Be genuine, persistent, and just stop by whenever you’re in the area even just to say hi. Various ADs I went to when I started out told me it’ll be years before getting a Sub. I kept trying and found an AD I liked and trusted. They got me one in a few months. Just recently picked up another Sub from them as well. I refuse to pay over MSRP on a watch. It took some work but all part of the fun.

[Xerxes77]

Everyone follow his road

[telesquire]

I called in at a small family run 'Grey' rolex stockist today, they've been selling them for 40 years. Lovely litte shop with 90 used and unworn Rolex in stock. The Batmans they had were £13k used and £15500 2020/1 unworns (MSRP is £7350). SS Subs in abundance of all ages and models, TT Subs look best value if thats your thing. I wouldn't rule out a grey, they tell me that stock is hardly flying out the cabinets over here especially the older Subs which can take several months to rehome. You can always make them an offer.

[77T]

There are some ADs that also have estate jewelry and watches in a separate area of the shop. So this is an idea borne of true appreciation for both the brand and if it’s heritage.

If your first entree doesn’t come up with a new model that you wanted within a month or so, make another visit to browse their estate showcases. If you find something there that appeals to your senses, buy it. At the very least you have a Rolex and it will provide years of enjoyment.

There’s no guarantee that will end up affecting your hopeful new model purchase, but it will won’t hurt.


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[SS Oyster]

DavidSW or JustRolexes … have it by 10am tomorrow!

I would think about BLRO also if you can a bit more or LN (all black) and pay less.


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[nocaps]

welcome to the forum. i have 2 suggestions.
1. research the product line and history of the brand, then meet the authorized dealer in person. chat with the salesperson so they can make up their mind as to whether you are an enthusiast or a flipper.
2. consider buying a vintage watch first. The price point is relatively good and they retain their value.

[TheDapperYank]

My recommendation is just do your research, find a single model you're interested in, and just go talk to one of the sales associates. Let them know that you understand that it might be a bit of a wait before you are able to get the watch that you want but that you're willing to wait. If they're a good AD they'll take your information and tell you to check in with them every so often to just let them know that you're still interested. Depending on the popularity of the model, your wait will vary quite a bit. Milgauss might get one in a few months, subs might be more like 6 months to a year, Daytona probably ain't happening for at least 5 years.