Newbie - UK AD experiences and recommendations

[malle]

Hi everyone!

I am new here and this is my first post!
I got into watches about 1.5 years ago and my mind is set for a Rolex to be my next watch.

With current grey market prices I'm not ready to pay the premium (yet) so I want to try to go the AD route and am happy to wait 6-12 months.

I'm based in Manchester, UK and only have 2 options nearby: Goldsmiths and DMR.

Anyone had prior experience with these retailers?
Do they play the usual games? (spending history, building "relationship" etc.)
Do I have 0 chance with no prior buying history?

I've read some horror stories that it's basically impossible to get any model around the London area.

Please leave your experiences below if you're from the UK and especially from the NW region.

Cheers!

edit:Forgot to mention which ones I'm actually after: OP41 silver, Sub no-date and DJ41, jubilee, fluted bezel

[365DAS]

I’ve only purchased one watch (Bi Met GMT) from Goldsmiths Trafford going back around 5/6 years ago and the experience was very different back then (as most of you know!) and was not to be complained about.

The last I was there (a few weeks ago) I popped in to enquire about a DJ41 that was in the window (exhibition I guess) and once I mentioned the watch the first words that came out of the SA’s mouth was,

“do you know how it works, there’s basically a waiting list and we can’t tell you how long it’ll be or if ever to get one”

I looked at my wife, chuckled and said thank you and walked out…so a shocking experience as he didn’t even bother to look at what I had on, what interested etc or indeed my spend history with Goldsmiths anyway!

Maybe it’s just a lazy SA so would be unfair to suggest the whole operates like that but this seems to be common theme when I hear others experiences!

Good luck on your journey and hopefully you’ll be able to buy want you’re after.


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[whiskyrolex]

Which Rolex model?

[Lewi777]

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[malle]

Sorry forgot to mention which models I would go for.

It's between:

OP41 in silver
Black Sub no-date
DJ41 in silver, fluted bezel, jubilee

[ikincooper]

You’ve also got Mappin & Webb in St Anne’s Square. They’ve supplied me with 3 watches over the last 5 years. With patience, I’d be confident that they would come good for you


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[malle]

Originally Posted by 365DAS

The last I was there (a few weeks ago) I popped in to enquire about a DJ41 that was in the window (exhibition I guess) and once I mentioned the watch the first words that came out of the SA’s mouth was,

“do you know how it works, there’s basically a waiting list and we can’t tell you how long it’ll be or if ever to get one”

Never read a good story about Goldsmiths so far haha. So I think I do prefer DMR.

I was actually after a Tudor BB GMT as well but at DMR they are out of stock and I don't want to spend money on watches I don't actually want just to build up a spending history.

On the other hand Goldsmiths has the biggest selection of brands but given their reputation and probably bigger pool of clients I'm afraid to even start spending money with them.

[malle]

You’ve also got Mappin & Webb in St Anne’s Square.

Did you buy something other than Rolex there? They're a subsidiary of Goldsmiths which put me off a little.

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by malle

Did you buy something other than Rolex there? They're a subsidiary of Goldsmiths which put me off a little.

Nothing purchased other than 3 Rolexes. First in 2017, then 2 in 2021 along with a service on a used model I purchased elsewhere


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[Dini]

Originally Posted by malle

Never read a good story about Goldsmiths so far haha. So I think I do prefer DMR.

I was actually after a Tudor BB GMT as well but at DMR they are out of stock and I don't want to spend money on watches I don't actually want just to build up a spending history.

On the other hand Goldsmiths has the biggest selection of brands but given their reputation and probably bigger pool of clients I'm afraid to even start spending money with them.

My understanding is DMR won’t want you to spend money on watches to get you a Rolex. They’ll specifically want you to spend money on DMR jewelry. I don’t think buying a Tudor or any other brand will make a difference.

[Retlas]

Welcome - Good luck in your hunt.
I am in london, so it seems different rules.
Personally, my experience has been:
WoS - nightmare
Bucherer - very polite, attentive, added me to the wishlist for CHNR and DJ41 and openly said i would need to get the DJ first.
Lyons - great again... added me to their list for the CHNR - no need re the DJ... but did say that you can only be on their list for one SS sports model at a time. Being on a DJ list is okay as that is seperate.

[johnwigan]

Goldsmiths were awful. Wasted my time, rude, just abysmal.

DMR got me a Rolex watch within a month, without any purchase history with them. And the Manchester branch sales assistant was very nice, polite and obliging. They have not delivered on the second watch I requested, but I haven't been splurging cash with them. And I am still within the timeframe they suggested. The Rolex situation at the moment is insane, so I am grateful to get one watch from them.

Rudeness, lack of respect is something I will not accept. So WOS Group is never going to get one penny from me. However, for you I would register your interest with DMR and Mappin and Webb. You can only only register with one WOS Group company so I would go with Mappin because Goldsmiths are terrible.

Wait and see who delivers. I think the Rolex supply situation is only going to get better as we emerge from COVID, so hopefully you will get what you want.

[MRB11]

WOS - beyond appalling and I’ve bought several Rolex. I was in Glasgow 2 weeks ago and was actually refused entry into the boutique. Then was told I could enter but after the very cold reception from security I walked away. A customer who has spent thousands with the group and security guard decides I’m not the type of clientele he likes the look of. In defence of WOS customer service at Omega, Brietling and Mappin and Webb was excellent. Rolex horrific. This was my second terrible experience with a Rolex WOS AD in a three month period. Both times just a very poor attitude from individuals. Yet I know I’ll still buy from them if and when I get the call. Ridiculous as I can’t think of any other situation I’d do that. But they are the gateway to the product. I’d be cutting my nose off to spite my face.

[BlueLight]

I have used my local Goldsmiths in the last 12 months and found them very good for the watches that I wanted. No previous history but they offered me an op36 and a dj36. It did take nearly 12 months of waiting and im not sure I would have have got a sports model within quite a few years, if ever, as they said for those the amount of customers wanting one is very high. I know others have reported bad experiences but if they are local you can always enquire with them, just be realistic in that your just one of hundreds of people asking for a handful of watches. Good Luck !

[malle]

Originally Posted by johnwigan

DMR got me a Rolex watch within a month, without any purchase history with them.

Thank you for giving me some hope haha! Reading into it and seeing secondary prices makes me feel stupid to even try and enquire with no prior history, but good to hear it's still possible.

Mind telling me when that was and what Rolex you got from them?

[bp1000]

Do not waste your time with goldsmiths. They are simply not interested.

I walked in recently dressed in my usual jeans and tee shirt. They ignored me and didn’t want to let me into the roped off Rolex area to try on an exhibition piece. Eventually someone was called over who barely spoke to me, didn’t introduce themselves or ask me what I was after. This all changed when I took a Patek off my wrist from under my coat and they realised and things changed rapidly.

This happens a lot and I find this deplorable at the highest level.

DMR are extremely good but they are literally saturated with extremely wealthy clients.

I’d urge you to start further afield, find another independent that isn’t servicing Manchester, altrincham and parts of Cheshire. But be prepared for a long wait.

[cmanc]

I am from Manchester originally but have lived in the US for past few years. My local AD in Seattle has treated me well, I only recently started collecting and in the past set 12months the AD has sold me 116519 and 226659 and will be picking up 126719BLRO next week when I get back in town. I recently bought an apartment in Manchester as I plan to spend more time back "home". Stopped by DMR and Mappin &Webb recently and have to say DMR experience was horrible while the M&W experience was pleasant enough. Neither had any Rolex for sale of course and I know I can pretty much get what I want from my local AD in the US with a little patience but just the lack of courtesy from DMR put me off ever wanting to purchase anything from them. M&W I would purchase if they had something available. As a side note I recently visited WOS in St. Anne's Square to register interest in the Patek 5226, was a pleasant enough experience whether they will ever contact me is unclear. As many of the threads on the forum call out The AD experience can vary greatly and with the current demand/supply mismatch some ADs feel as though they don't need to bother with customer service. Good luck on finding your next watch

[PatekPhobic]

You can also try Prestons in Wilmslow who's got Rolex and PP. My experience with Prestons has always been pleasant.

[Daveclock]

Who are DMR? not heard of them?
My experience with WOS has been poor, going back to 2018 with "intention list/wait" for Hulk, then also during pandemic got "interview" for new model change, wore the previous EXP-II black (SA did not know my what my watch was btw! ) and was "interest listed" for Polar.
I was told point blank "spend history" and perhaps go over to the other counter and buy some jewellery etc.,
I wish back in 2018 they had been more up-front with me, and I would have not wasted my time "waiting" for a never going to happen "call" as the premiums on grey/second hand were not exponential numbers as they are now.

[cmanc]

Originally Posted by Daveclock

Who are DMR? not heard of them?
.

https://www.davidmrobinson.co.uk/showrooms/manchester/

[Adam84]

I’ve heard very good things about DMR, not tried them myself personally. I did have a run in with Goldsmiths several years ago…it put me off collecting Rolex’s for a long time

[Dr. T]

I bought an Explorer 2 from DMR in canary wharf in late 2016. Returned in 2017/2018 and they were not interested in helping me out with a sub.

I agree with a previous poster that they have a lot of very wealthy clients. They also are small so don't get a lot of watches. If you're after a datejust or something not super hot I think you're properly better off with WoS despite their terrible reputation!

DMR is not the answer to your rolex problems 😀

[temporarychicken]

Whichever AD in the UK you go in they all have 20 watches you can't buy. That's the rule set by Rolex apparently. Stock must be 20 items min.

All sold and when the next lot come in out go the 'stock'.

[Novartis]

I'm also in Manchester and also considering my first Rolex, though am female and want what I assumed would be a low-popularity watch (Oyster Perpetual 28mm). I've been in contact with DMR Altrincham and Goldsmiths at the Trafford Centre in the last week.

DMR Altrincham were terribly terribly nice but heavily pushed me towards buying other items ie jewellery if I want any chance of being offered an OP. It put me off to be honest. I don't like hints and euphemisms about "we prioritise those who intend to start a relationship with DMR". I got the feeling I was the wrong sort of client for their approach - relationships in my world are with family and friends, not posh shop assistants. Also I think they genuinely get fewer watches and probably have a lot of wealthy clients to choose from, so why wouldn't they prioritise the people they can squeeze more out of - I suppose it's just good business.

Goldsmiths were more straightforward. Sat me down, showed me the watches I asked for, took my details and preferences, told me it should be fine to get within my timeframe (a year). Pleasant but no sucking up or hints to buy anything else. I'm not a luxury buyer so was more comfortable with this.

Though whether I will end up with a watch or not is anyone's guess. It's all so... bemusing.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by temporarychicken

Whichever AD in the UK you go in they all have 20 watches you can't buy. That's the rule set by Rolex apparently. Stock must be 20 items min.

All sold and when the next lot come in out go the 'stock'.

There is no set number for in store stock (exhibition or otherwise) whatsoever for Rolex AD’s.

AD’s manage the display exhibition stock as per Rolex “suggestions” and their own customer order bank.

[Soultime]

I am local and have been buying Rolex for years.

I think female buyer above should do OK wanting a OP28mm.
Very different if wanting a 36mm watch.

Similar experience at DMR Alty. Really nice but don't seem to come up with the goods nowadays, whereas they used to a few years ago. Even though I am supposedly VIP list (I don't buy jewellery).

Forget Goldsmiths.

Dropped lucky once in Wilmslow in 2019, but not been a good experience since.

If I was OP I would wait till this autumn and see what DJ41 are going for with greys. A lot of Rolex speculators are disappearing with the cost of living crisis. Another hike to the energy price cap this autumn will make some of these people stop and think who were chasing anything Rolex until recently.

And try smaller ADs in nearby towns.

Be patient, the froth is definitely coming off the market.

[Soultime]

Originally Posted by Novartis

I'm also in Manchester and also considering my first Rolex, though am female and want what I assumed would be a low-popularity watch (Oyster Perpetual 28mm). I've been in contact with DMR Altrincham and Goldsmiths at the Trafford Centre in the last week.

DMR Altrincham were terribly terribly nice but heavily pushed me towards buying other items ie jewellery if I want any chance of being offered an OP. It put me off to be honest. I don't like hints and euphemisms about "we prioritise those who intend to start a relationship with DMR". I got the feeling I was the wrong sort of client for their approach - relationships in my world are with family and friends, not posh shop assistants. Also I think they genuinely get fewer watches and probably have a lot of wealthy clients to choose from, so why wouldn't they prioritise the people they can squeeze more out of - I suppose it's just good business.

Goldsmiths were more straightforward. Sat me down, showed me the watches I asked for, took my details and preferences, told me it should be fine to get within my timeframe (a year). Pleasant but no sucking up or hints to buy anything else. I'm not a luxury buyer so was more comfortable with this.

Though whether I will end up with a watch or not is anyone's guess. It's all so... bemusing.

These are available close to retail at Grey dealers now depending on colour.

Have a look on Chrono 24.

[S.Explorer]

I did manage to buy an OP31 from WOS Group recently (no prior spend but did wait several months). Time will tell whether other models will follow.

[bp1000]

Originally Posted by cmanc

As a side note I recently visited WOS in St. Anne's Square to register interest in the Patek 5226, was a pleasant enough experience whether they will ever contact me is unclear.

They are like a well oiled machine. They are quite convincing and reasonable to deal with. But 1 person allocates at head office. I doubt wether you would even get a 6119 from them without purchase history from other brands or jewellery, let alone a 5226.

[cmanc]

Originally Posted by bp1000

They are like a well oiled machine. They are quite convincing and reasonable to deal with. But 1 person allocates at head office. I doubt wether you would even get a 6119 from them without purchase history from other brands or jewellery, let alone a 5226.

Yep not expecting much, the SA mentioned the head office allocation process - and will be just another name on a list will try the AD here in Seattle when I get round to visiting