Trying hard to buy my first Rolex

[datdude321]

I've wanted a Rolex since I was 10 after seeing my first Gold President on Tupac, LOL. I would go to Tourneau as a child and see rows of watches and I sat in awe. As I grew older I always dreamed one day I'd be able to buy my own Rolex, thinking that I'd just walk into the dealer and buy my choice. After working hard and getting to the point of affording one, I started searching and quickly learned they were no longer in stock! After reading forums like this I knew that I'd have to make friends with my local, small town AD. Its been 2 years of calls, email, stop ins and purchases of jewelry from them and no luck. I was hoping to establish a relationship with my AD so I could buy for the years to come, but now I'm doubtful. Am I just forced to buy secondary? What do you veterans suggest?

TYIA,

TL

[Vigilante24]

Welcome to TRF. Shout out to Tupac. Haha. 2 years of constant contact and jewelry purchase history at an AD sounds like it would warrant a Rolex purchase. What particular model are you looking to buy? I would honestly use that leverage and speak with management or the owner and I’m assuming they would take care of you. Good luck!

[Kiri]

I mean... to start with, do you know their name and more importantly, do they know your name?

[Flint]

Originally Posted by datdude321

I've wanted a Rolex since I was 10 after seeing my first Gold President on Tupac, LOL. I would go to Tourneau as a child and see rows of watches and I sat in awe. As I grew older I always dreamed one day I'd be able to buy my own Rolex, thinking that I'd just walk into the dealer and buy my choice. After working hard and getting to the point of affording one, I started searching and quickly learned they were no longer in stock! After reading forums like this I knew that I'd have to make friends with my local, small town AD. Its been 2 years of calls, email, stop ins and purchases of jewelry from them and no luck. I was hoping to establish a relationship with my AD so I could buy for the years to come, but now I'm doubtful. Am I just forced to buy secondary? What do you veterans suggest?

TYIA,

TL

If after 2 years of contact , even buying jewellery and still no success , I would dump the small town dealer and email / visit an AD in a large city , explain your keen to buy a particular model . No guarantees but that is what I would do . Good luck

[funkyjerry]

Seems pretty unfortunate. Are you on a first name basis with any of the SAs and have you had a direct conversation with them on your realistic chances to get what you like? I presume that you are not expecting a sub or a Tiffany OP41 right off the bat.

It took two Rolex purchases (DJ41 and OP31) and many visits for my SA to give me a realistic expectation of the bundling requirements if I am allocated a GMT.

[911991]

IMHO, for the time and money you wasted with your AD, you could have bought the watch you wanted from a Grey a long time ago and could be shopping for your second....

[jamesbondOO7]

Buy vintage.

[wchbos]

Your AD sounds like a jerk. Worth having a calm conversation with them but also time to try to work with another one.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by 911991

imho, for the time and money you wasted with your ad, you could have bought the watch you wanted from a grey a long time ago and could be shopping for your second....

+1

[datdude321]

I appreciate the feedback everyone!

Its a family run business and I've told them my name several times, met the owner and his son who is the "Rolex" expert. I've had them put down my name on a list several times and say I'm interested in Yachtmasters (I really want the Rhodium dial), GMTs, Explorers and Daytona's (I know this is a super long shot). I always mention that I really want anything available really :). They always bring up needing to serve their more "established" customers first. I'm gonna go talk to them this weekend and see if I can get some movement, will keep yall posted!

[DBCooper07]

I feel your pain, I had that problem. Move AD's you will be surprised.

[stevestil]

Switch AD’s.


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[alphadweller]

Ask them what sort of spending they have in mind prior to allocating you a Rolex watch, say a YM. Is it 5k on other articles? Don't mention big numbers, you're negotiating. If the YM is trading 10k over retail, that's probably what they'll expect you to spend on other stuff. But let them give you a number first, so that you can work on it and see if it agrees with what you had in mind.

[kenofpace]

After 2 years its time to find another AD. Keep the current one in your back pocket but branch out. For some reason, they're not feeling you.

[thenewrick]

First thing you should do is figure out 1 to 2 references you really want. If your wrist is smaller than 7 inches consider 36mm versions as they’re more available and a better fit.

Once you’ve figured out the references you want go to your AD in person and say the same thing you said here. You’ve wanted one for a long time, been showing interest for a couple of years and have been a customer for other items. Ask for a realistic timeline for the reference or two that you’re interested in. Tell them you appreciate their efforts and that you understand it’s a complex situation these days.

As long as your references aren’t one of the top 10 or so most hyped references you’ll get it soon I bet.

If you want a Tupac daydate those are a bargain nowadays. 36mm daydates from the 80s and 90s are a steal around $15-$20k.

[m j b]

Out of the stainless steel Rolex models, the Yachtmaster has always been the poor stepchild, and never sold well. Now that you can't get anything at retail, it still doesn't sell well but they don't make many of them, so people who "I'll take anything" will pick them up.

So if you seriously want one, find a nice used one or even a new one for a bit more than retail on the secondary market and enjoy it.

[Df1kilo1]

Personally I don’t think the shotgun method really works. I think it raises the “flipper” flag. Find the first Rolex and stick with that. Absent that switch AD.

[1665fan]

Go buy a Tudor, meet a nice salesperson and keep in contact, then buy a DJ, and keep waiting for the sports models……..

[croatia1979]

Hello
i am new here and have question...I live in Poland and want to buy sub 126610ln.
As you know it is impossible to get it in AD.....They say several years of waiting...
The only one possibility is to buy this watch on grey market. But price ~18 000usd is astronomical for a diver.... Unfortunately there is not any other possibility to get this watch. Do you think that prices can go even higher in the near future because of shortage of watches or it is only a bubble ?

[Snipe10]

Nothing wrong with buying used, many watches on Chrono24 are like new and some are never worn. Find a reputable dealer there and they might become your new AD.

[Tim Plains]

A few thoughts reading your posts:

1. If I were you, I would decide on one or two models - not four, that makes you come across like a flipper - tally how many past purchases you've made, how much you've spent already, what non-Rolex items they sell you are interested in, politely present that info, and ask if they want your continued business, but to continue the money flow, you need that Rolex first.

2. I see your location is Florida. If you're in Miami, than yes, you may be up against heavy hitters who drop six figures in the store and demand those Rolex models.

3. I live in Canada and the AD I decided to stick with told me they get fewer than 30 GMTs per year. Miami dealers probably get more but maybe not much more (obviously, not enough), I would forget about rare dials or Daytonas all together.

I posted a thread here about my AD experience, if you want to read it, but the Coles notes version is my wife and I bought a plain 31mm DateJust, 38mm Tudor Royal, Longines VHP, moonwatch within two months and that got me a Sub Date but it was not enough for a GMT because they only get 30 GMTs a year and you have to be a big spender to land those. Daytonas, again, forget about it.

Good luck.

[mgsooner]

Lot of first posts in this thread...

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum

Personally I’d go gray.

I’m not up on current prices, but I don’t think the YM has gone berserk in price relative to the other more popular professional references

[Tim Plains]

Originally Posted by croatia1979

Do you think that prices can go even higher in the near future because of shortage of watches or it is only a bubble ?

Hello and welcome.

Yes, prices can go higher and probably will.
Yes, prices might drop.
Yes, it might be a bubble.
Yes, it might not be a bubble.

My point is nobody knows. Please do not create a new thread asking because this forum will not be kind. Instead, try searching the forum or continue reading threads.

[dpt.calvin]

Stop wasting your time and buy grey.

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by datdude321

I always mention that I really want anything available really :).

They possibly think you're a flipper, if you're asking for "anything available".

Originally Posted by datdude321

They always bring up needing to serve their more "established" customers first.

See above.

[TheWatchmen]

If you want a gold DD like Tupac wore, look for a vintage 18038. Not sure how much you’re looking to spend but this model is “cheap” for a solid gold Rolex comparatively speaking.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Welcome to the forum

Personally I’d go gray.

I’m not up on current prices, but I don’t think the YM has gone berserk in price relative to the other more popular professional references

Agreed.

[bmrk]

Maybe try another AD or go gray

[Porkbelli]

Originally Posted by bmrk

maybe try another ad or go gray

+1