First visit to AD today

[Scott_]

So I stopped in at my local AD for the first time today. As expected, nothing available for sale today. The SA took my contact information and a list of the models I was most interested in (TT GMT, OP34 black dial, YM40, platinum bezel, slate dial).

He was unable to provide any expected time frame but did say that the only thing he could order was a TT DJ (I may have misunderstood the specifics, but the relevant part for me is that nothing I want can be ordered, but of course I knew that already). He said he'd let me know if anything from the list came in. I have no idea how many others are interested in these watches at this AD or whether I'll ever get a call back. I have no prior purchase history with the AD.

I'm thinking that I'll give it a month or so and drop by 1) to inquire about expectations for getting one of those watches, and 2) to look at (and likely purchase) either one of the new Speedmasters (leaning towards the hesalite dial option) or a BB58 (specifically the 925 silver), since this AD also carries Omega and Tudor, and I have an interest in those two watches in any case. I'm hoping that if I buy one of them there it will increase the chances of being taken seriously for a Rolex. It's not a case of "buy something I don't want to get something I want" since I'm interested in the BB58 and Speedmaster even if I'm not going to get a Rolex this year.

What did surprise me based on some other threads here is how many display models they had (none were for sale, of course). Several OPs (31, 36, 41), DJ, YM40, TT Sub, GMT, Day-Date, Sky Dweller, Explorer 1, Explorer 2

[ZOOK]

Welcome to TRF.


Sounds like you have a good plan there. I hope the AD comes thru for you.

[samuel019]

Well outside of going Grey you did about all you could. Or maybe try to do the same at another A D to increase your odds. Shouldnt and didnt used to always be this hard to buy a new Rolex. Having the funds used to be the "hard" part. Alas not anymore.

Regardless welcome to TRF and I truly wish you the best.

[Scott_]

I'm not in a huge hurry, so if it looks like they'll come through after getting my Speedmaster or BB58 next month, I'll probably just wait it out. "get it in 6 months" is fine. "get it never" is not. We'll see. On the other hand, next nearest AD isn't an Omega dealer but *does* carry Grand Seiko (which my local one does not). I'd eventually like to get a GS spring drive watch (although that's lower on my list than Omega right now), so if I get to that point before my local AD comes through, I may head over to that dealer and see how it goes over there.

[seabreeze60]

Welcome!

Try visiting again towards the end of the month. ADs tend to want to make their monthly numbers and a surprising number of watches are sold in that time frame.

If you see another sales associate redo the waitlist as each SA keeps their own list.

[mcch2233]

If you feel like you'll be settling and won't actually be that happy with the speedy, BB58, and/or GS, then this isn't the path.

I've been in a similar boat, but have looked at my speedy and Tudors (GMT and BB58 925) as watches that I've really wanted, and the fact that I was able to get a 114060 was really just icing on the cake for me. Haven't been able to get any other Rolexes since, but I don't feel like I've wasted any money either.

[S7gpt]

interesting, I called into AD at weekend and they also had a large number of exhibition models which included 2 SS black subs adjacent each other - not sure of need to have 2 !

[Tim Plains]

Good luck. You might get the OP but both of the others are probably out of the question unless you spend a lot of money there, much more than that Tudor and Omega, and not or.

[WatchesNBlondes]

Makes sense to have the different sizes of the OP lineup available to try on and see which one people want. At least for that model.

[JMGoodnight369]

Must have been Brown n Co, Mayors or Tourneau. I’m in Ga too. Brown and Co is my go to. They actually had the 925 a couple weeks ago when I was there. As well as the speedies. As these guys say it’s real tough when you go in there and ask right off the bat for Rolex. It sucks but that’s just the way it is. I feel like they honestly just get annoyed at this point with the influx of interest. They get asked dozens of times a day if not more. If you decide to go back in a month make it a point not to ask about Rolex. Just chit chat and make your presence known and tinker around with some other watches. I only have one more reference I’m after then I’m taking a hiatus from this game. I enjoy the hunt but now the hunt is like tracking a Tasmanian tiger lol. Best of luck!

[RJRJRJ]

Sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck!

[brandrea]

Welcome Scott. Best of luck

[MJZRolex]

I have followed your plan purchasing a Tudor GMT and an Omega in the last nine months and I’m still waiting for a Rolex. I’m happy with my purchases, but still really want a Rolex SS. I’ll be following your thread to see how it works out for you. Good luck.

[Scott_]

Originally Posted by JMGoodnight369

Must have been Brown n Co, Mayors or Tourneau. I’m in Ga too. Brown and Co is my go to. They actually had the 925 a couple weeks ago when I was there. As well as the speedies. As these guys say it’s real tough when you go in there and ask right off the bat for Rolex. It sucks but that’s just the way it is. I feel like they honestly just get annoyed at this point with the influx of interest. They get asked dozens of times a day if not more. If you decide to go back in a month make it a point not to ask about Rolex. Just chit chat and make your presence known and tinker around with some other watches. I only have one more reference I’m after then I’m taking a hiatus from this game. I enjoy the hunt but now the hunt is like tracking a Tasmanian tiger lol. Best of luck!

So I know with Rolex, they sell at MSRP (if you can get one at all). For Tudor or Omega, are discounts possible, or are those strictly MSRP these days as well?

[dialguy48]

welcome!

[Scott_]

I wasn't planning on visiting the other nearby AD yet, but I was in the area today, so I stopped by. Still no Rolex available today, of course, but I did end up taking home the Spring model from the Grand Seiko Seasons collection.

Not sure how much the purchase will help in getting a Rolex later this year, but I've been wanting a GS spring drive for a while, and this AD is the only GS dealer around. They also know that I'm interested in an OP or TT GMT. We'll see whether anything comes of that, though.

No discounts on GS, but I did get a free Mont Blanc pen as a promotion with the watch, which was worth about half of the sales tax.

[911_3.6]

Congrats on the GS.

Hopefully, that gets something moving on the Rolex side down the road.

Good luck in your Rolex hunt and wear the GS in good health.

[mdtddd2007]

Welcome to TRF. Great pick up on that GS! Love that dial. Congrats!!!

[PBJ1925]

Congrats on the GS, terrific pickup!

[BillA]

OP
I wish you good luck in your hunt.
I am basically in the same boat as you, having bought only 1 watch from an AD.
The problem is since this AD does not know you, he does not know if you are going to keep or flip. I assume from your list they are keepers, but the SA does not know. So from his perspective he might as well sell to an old time customer who he knows does not flip and will come back for more sales. This is one of the problems with the crazy watch market. Best of luck.

[stark1]

OP, my sense is that your GS purchase will help your case for a Rolex allocation. Purchasing a GS shows that you are actually into watches and not all about the Rolex hype. My interest for Seiko watches definitely helped my case at my AD, which helped me in the long run as well!

But do enjoy your Grand Seiko, as it is a truly special and unique piece to cherish. I would not let the desire for a Rolex interfere with the enjoyment you get out of it.

[CarlOver]

its nice to hear the AD was reasonable. Congrats on the GS. Such a great watch. The finishing, oh that finishing.

[Scott_]

One thing I like about the GS is that the spring drive is unique to the brand. It's not a fully-mechanical watch, but it's not a quartz. There's no battery. As I was telling the SA, I don't dislike the hi-beat movement (which is featured in the Summer and Fall watches in the Four Seasons collection), but it's not what sets GS apart from the rest. Also, as someone else pointed out, the GS dials are amazing.

It was interesting that the SA noticed the fact that the DJ I was wearing has the (now discontinued) engine-turned bezel. She mentioned it specifically to me.

Also, while I was dealing with the purhase details of the GS, someone else (with no purchase history there) came in to register his interest in a GMT (steel). I'm sure they get someone every day doing that.

[Scott_]

Also, I don't know how common this is, but the AD made a point of also giving me the current 2021-2022 hardback Rolex catalog and the latest issue of Rolex Magazine (#9). Maybe anyone can get this, I don't know.

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by Scott_

I wasn't planning on visiting the other nearby AD yet, but I was in the area today, so I stopped by. Still no Rolex available today, of course, but I did end up taking home the Spring model from the Grand Seiko Seasons collection.

Not sure how much the purchase will help in getting a Rolex later this year, but I've been wanting a GS spring drive for a while, and this AD is the only GS dealer around. They also know that I'm interested in an OP or TT GMT. We'll see whether anything comes of that, though.

No discounts on GS, but I did get a free Mont Blanc pen as a promotion with the watch, which was worth about half of the sales tax.

Congrats on the GS. I love the dial on this one.

[Harry-57]

Nice watch. Congratulations.

If you are calling in regularly and occasionally buying things you will be moving towards your first Rolex faster than someone who reminds but doesn't spend.

All the best with it.