Actually Getting one

[Hardtofind]

Dear friends, please hold back the laughter as you read this, but I’m trying to find an AD that actually has stock of Oyster Perpetual (36 or 41) or the explorer - where I am in israel, the store claim they have no idea when any stock is coming in, and don’t operate waiting lists - maybe they just don’t like the look of me.

Does anybody have an idea how I can actually get onto a waiting list as a first time buyer (I’m prepared to travel to get one, Europe or elsewhere in the Middld East)

And for those of you laughing at my naïveté don’t feel bad, I’m laughing at myself too. 🤣🤣🤣

[harvey]

…should have joined the queue five years ago. sorry.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by harvey

…should have joined the queue five years ago. sorry.

This. Unfortunately even getting a steel datejust is tough for a newbie now.
Grey market is your best bet. Aim for OP36 in black, silver or dark blue and you’ll not pay insane amounts.

[Danny83]

…..Somebody quick….your username

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Danny83

…..Somebody quick….your username

[Cigars&Watches]

AD’s basically know what they are getting for the year. Same as last year probably a bit more. They just don’t know exactly when it will come in. If that AD gets 12 SS subs a year for example they will get about one per month that sort of thing. Your AD is politely telling you that you don’t qualify for a watch at the moment.

You should do some research on how to acquire a Rolex in today’s market. There are many threads on the topic here and YouTube for example.

There are no real wait lists. For example, a whale buys 100k in merchandise he will get the next Pepsi or Daytona. A long time loyal client asks for a sub for wedding gift for his son gets the watch ahead of others.. that sort of thing..

Having said that it’s very possible, show up often, try to stay locale, prove your not a flipper, perhaps buy other items BUT only if you were going to buy them anyway. Be friendly and pack your patience. Every AD has their own formula for who the give their watches to so definitely stop into several and feel them out.

Remember their are literally 100’s of people ahead of you who have proven themselves and have purchase history that are asking for the same thing. Just be realistic. This could take a while from 6-12 months or never.

Good luck

[Hardtofind]

Buying other items there means spending 15,000$ + on one of the other models nobody buys. They more or less told me not to bother coming back this year, unless I want to buy a two-tone datejust. (probably with diamonds)

Do you think offering a SA 1,000$ in cash to just put me in line to get one would work? To be honest more and more I’m being cured of wanting to get one of these things. Such is life. Thanks anyway.

[Cigars&Watches]

Originally Posted by Hardtofind

Buying other items there means spending 15,000$ + on one of the other models nobody buys. They more or less told me not to bother coming back this year, unless I want to buy a two-tone datejust. (probably with diamonds)

Do you think offering a SA 1,000$ in cash to just put me in line to get one would work? To be honest more and more I’m being cured of wanting to get one of these things. Such is life. Thanks anyway.

At least the AD was being straight with you.

If you want only one watch then it would probably be cheaper to buy grey. If you want to buy many then try to find a AD that doesn't require too much spend history for entry pieces. I would find a new AD and see what they have to say.

I wouldn't bribe my SA and I don't think $1000 would do much as they expect much more in previous spend for non desired pieces before you qualify.

My AD would throw me out on my ear if I suggested that.

Find a new AD go from there.

[Hardtofind]

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

At least the AD was being straight with you.

If you want only one watch then it would probably be cheaper to buy grey. If you want to buy many then try to find a AD that doesn't require too much spend history for entry pieces. I would find a new AD and see what they have to say.

I wouldn't bribe my SA and I don't think $1000 would do much as they expect much more in previous spend for non desired pieces before you qualify.

My AD would throw me out on my ear if I suggested that.

Find a new AD go from there.

I’ve been f**ked too often by grey market dealers (well once, but that’s once too often) to trust them with a 10k purchase. Plus if I have it shipped here I’ll have to pay an insane amount of taxes (FYI: it looks like the retail prices here are 20% higher than anywhere else in the world)

The SA just gets paid commission and salary - he should care who gets it, and as to desirable clients - I suspect that the ADs know they’ll come back and buy whatever they have as long as they don’t flaunt not putting them at the top of the list. The 1,000$ will hit the sales associates pocket directly and tax free. But I suspect that you’re right just not for the reasons stated.

It’s a bit of a misnomer to call them entry pieces if you have to spend 10s of thousands of dollars on ugly expensive watches to buy a “bottom of the line” model. 🤣

Nah, you guys are right - this isn’t right for me, I’m not somebody who’ll throw tens of thousands of dollars away to have a nice drawer of metal, I had wanted something understated and durable with a touch of class, but I can live without it. Lol - the one respond was some guy who spent 100k there would buy an explorer for his son as a wedding gift - that’s not my people. Be well.

[funkyjerry]

Originally Posted by Hardtofind

Buying other items there means spending 15,000$ + on one of the other models nobody buys. They more or less told me not to bother coming back this year, unless I want to buy a two-tone datejust. (probably with diamonds)

Do you think offering a SA 1,000$ in cash to just put me in line to get one would work? To be honest more and more I’m being cured of wanting to get one of these things. Such is life. Thanks anyway.

No, that is commercial bribery.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Hardtofind

To be honest more and more I’m being cured of wanting to get one of these things.

In the present climate this is probably the best outcome. It's just a watch. I was at my AD yesterday discussing a Rolex that I might get if I live for long enough (I am on the list) and saw two beautiful Omegas which I would have been happy to walk out with and own, had I been looking to buy something yesterday.

You can come back to Rolex when it's less mad if you don't presently have a foot hold. If you want to.

[Hardtofind]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

In the present climate this is probably the best outcome. It's just a watch. I was at my AD yesterday discussing a Rolex that I might get if I live for long enough (I am on the list) and saw two beautiful Omegas which I would have been happy to walk out with and own, had I been looking to buy something yesterday.

You can come back to Rolex when it's less mad if you don't presently have a foot hold. If you want to.

I’d like an explorer I, I usually don’t wear a watch anymore, so if I can get one that’s legit for a reasonable price, great, if not, we’ll then I don’t need it (prolly don’t need it)

[Vigilante24]

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

AD’s basically know what they are getting for the year. Same as last year probably a bit more. They just don’t know exactly when it will come in. If that AD gets 12 SS subs a year for example they will get about one per month that sort of thing. Your AD is politely telling you that you don’t qualify for a watch at the moment.

You should do some research on how to acquire a Rolex in today’s market. There are many threads on the topic here and YouTube for example.

There are no real wait lists. For example, a whale buys 100k in merchandise he will get the next Pepsi or Daytona. A long time loyal client asks for a sub for wedding gift for his son gets the watch ahead of others.. that sort of thing..

Having said that it’s very possible, show up often, try to stay locale, prove your not a flipper, perhaps buy other items BUT only if you were going to buy them anyway. Be friendly and pack your patience. Every AD has their own formula for who the give their watches to so definitely stop into several and feel them out.

Remember their are literally 100’s of people ahead of you who have proven themselves and have purchase history that are asking for the same thing. Just be realistic. This could take a while from 6-12 months or never.

Good luck

Literally could not have said it better myself. We all started purchasing Rolex at different times, but I honestly can’t imagine just starting off in 2022. There are really great ADs out there, but just be yourself and genuine with what you are trying to acquire.

[Hardtofind]

Originally Posted by Vigilante24

Literally could not have said it better myself. We all started purchasing Rolex at different times, but I honestly can’t imagine just starting off in 2022. There are really great ADs out there, but just be yourself and genuine with what you are trying to acquire.

This is a small country, with very few ads (2 or so in the whole country) and Israeli culture is pretty hostile. It’s not the same as being in the US/Europe/Rest of the Middle East. They don’t really have any stock to show, and don’t seem interested in selling it either.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Vigilante24

Literally could not have said it better myself. We all started purchasing Rolex at different times, but I honestly can’t imagine just starting off in 2022. There are really great ADs out there, but just be yourself and genuine with what you are trying to acquire.

I got my good friend a sub date in 4 days. Not impossible, but networking would help.

[Zuger]

It's a mental waiting list. You need to be near the top of your SA's mind when the right piece comes in. Keep going into the store.

[t65tampa]

Best wishes for good luck on your search.


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[Amateur]

Why don't you try Lebanon :)

[henrylee]

If you don’t need it right this moment then I would wait. If you can’t wait or need it now then go grey.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Buy non rolex items equal or more to the gray mkt value of the watch. That should get get them to consider you for what you are after.