WOS Group "Bio" Models

[SRG89]

Has anyone that's dealt with WOS Group had any joy being allocated "Bio" models recently?

Other terms used are Director pieces- talking about RG Olive Day Date / Meteorite GMT / Meteorite Daytona/ Platona / John Mayer etc.

I've got a very good spend history with my store, however, relationship only seems to extend to my SA. As soon as I'm put forward for anything in terms of a director/ bio piece always get overlooked.

What I can't work out is why there are so many of the models mentioned above on the grey market, unworn. We all know that we all know WOS is the largest AD in the UK - so it stands to reason the majority of pieces we see on the grey market are/should be from WOS group.

I don't normally believe the stories of corrupt AD's, backhanders etc.
It does make you wonder though how so many of these top models end up on the grey market.

At this point I've told my SA that he's welcome to put me forward for Bio's but I really don't care anymore. They restricted everyone to 2 models per year, now the bubble has burst I bet that will be lifted and they'll let me buy as many Day Dates/ PM Sky Dwellers that are already sitting in my local AD's store!

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by SRG89

Has anyone that's dealt with WOS Group had any joy being allocated "Bio" models recently?

Other terms used are Director pieces- talking about RG Olive Day Date / Meteorite GMT / Meteorite Daytona/ Platona / John Mayer etc.

I've got a very good spend history with my store, however, relationship only seems to extend to my SA. As soon as I'm put forward for anything in terms of a director/ bio piece always get overlooked.

What I can't work out is why there are so many of the models mentioned above on the grey market, unworn. We all know that we all know WOS is the largest AD in the UK - so it stands to reason the majority of pieces we see on the grey market are/should be from WOS group.

I don't normally believe the stories of corrupt AD's, backhanders etc.
It does make you wonder though how so many of these top models end up on the grey market.

At this point I've told my SA that he's welcome to put me forward for Bio's but I really don't care anymore. They restricted everyone to 2 models per year, now the bubble has burst I bet that will be lifted and they'll let me buy as many Day Dates/ PM Sky Dwellers that are already sitting in my local AD's store!

Maybe the grey dealers have a bigger spend history than you do . Hard not to believe backdooring/flipping when you see a bunch of BNIB Rolex being sold on moda and even here in the trusted seller section.

[bestkepttime]

I’m also interested in responses to this !!

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Laostuh

Maybe the grey dealers have a bigger spend history than you do .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by SRG89

Has anyone that's dealt with WOS Group had any joy being allocated "Bio" models recently?

Other terms used are Director pieces- talking about RG Olive Day Date / Meteorite GMT / Meteorite Daytona/ Platona / John Mayer etc.

I've got a very good spend history with my store, however, relationship only seems to extend to my SA. As soon as I'm put forward for anything in terms of a director/ bio piece always get overlooked.

What I can't work out is why there are so many of the models mentioned above on the grey market, unworn. We all know that we all know WOS is the largest AD in the UK - so it stands to reason the majority of pieces we see on the grey market are/should be from WOS group.

I don't normally believe the stories of corrupt AD's, backhanders etc.
It does make you wonder though how so many of these top models end up on the grey market.

At this point I've told my SA that he's welcome to put me forward for Bio's but I really don't care anymore. They restricted everyone to 2 models per year, now the bubble has burst I bet that will be lifted and they'll let me buy as many Day Dates/ PM Sky Dwellers that are already sitting in my local AD's store!

The only watch from your list that I’ve attempted to acquire at the AD is the YG green Daytona. First I was told it was discontinued. When I later sent screenshots of its continued presence on Rolex.com the AD stated that they’ve never seen one and are unlikely to. I have a stellar buy history with this AD, 100s of thousands…

[SRG89]

Originally Posted by inadeje

The only watch from your list that I’ve attempted to acquire at the AD is the YG green Daytona. First I was told it was discontinued. When I later sent screenshots of its continued presence on Rolex.com the AD stated that they’ve never seen one and are unlikely to. I have a stellar buy history with this AD, 100s of thousands…

I have a similar spend to yourself, completely aware that there are collectors who spend millions and I'm a nobody in the scheme of things.
I was just interested to know if anybody in this forum has actually got one of these hard-to-acquire models from WOS, I really hope they have and gone to good homes.
From my understanding, an Area Director will contact a handful of stores in the same region, tell them they have say green dial daytona, meteorite etc. available and if they would like to put any clients forward for them.
The SA then selects a client to forward to Area Director who makes the final decision, so it has to go through two people.
I don't really buy that they never see these models as WOS Group are the largest retailer in the UK.
I don't understand how so many end up on the grey market - we've noticed more availability and allocations for first timers on certain steel models etc. Surely we should have a whole host of people picking up their green dial daytonas with sizeable spends?

[Driver8]

"Bio" models?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Driver8

"Bio" models?

Have to agree I sometimes wonder why some cannot post in simple English language.

[DAC2]

OK... so i dont understand something....

WHY... if someone can spend THESE HUGE SUMS
of money.... do they even care about getting a watch of their choice from an AD ?
The grey dealers have whatever you want.... and you can afford to get it.... WHY would you bang your head against the wall at an AD and play their games?

AND also... spending money on things you dont want.... just so they might offer you a
a watch that you are after when THAT money could be spent at a grey dealer and you could have it RIGHT AWAY !

My AD's totally IGNORED me when i asked for a platinum DD with a meteorite dial.
I said screw it.... and went grey ! AND... i have NO where NEAR the kind of money you guys have to spend ! So i dont get it.

AND... what on earth is a ' BIO' model anyway ? Maybe i been living under a rock somewhere... dont have a clue what thats suppose to be. lol

I am sorry... I just dont get it.

[S.Explorer]

Originally Posted by Driver8

"Bio" models?

Short for "biography" I believe, i.e. enhanced client vetting.

[DoricSpiker]

Originally Posted by SRG89

I have a similar spend to yourself, completely aware that there are collectors who spend millions and I'm a nobody in the scheme of things.
I was just interested to know if anybody in this forum has actually got one of these hard-to-acquire models from WOS, I really hope they have and gone to good homes.
From my understanding, an Area Director will contact a handful of stores in the same region, tell them they have say green dial daytona, meteorite etc. available and if they would like to put any clients forward for them.
The SA then selects a client to forward to Area Director who makes the final decision, so it has to go through two people.
I don't really buy that they never see these models as WOS Group are the largest retailer in the UK.
I don't understand how so many end up on the grey market - we've noticed more availability and allocations for first timers on certain steel models etc. Surely we should have a whole host of people picking up their green dial daytonas with sizeable spends?

My understanding of how it works is as you have described it. In fact I was at a lunch with the Area Director chap a couple of months ago who confirmed it. He says all these models go through him.

I don't know anyone who has had one of those models from WOS, I suspect the RG DD is easier to get from them than the others however.

My feeling is to get one of the others on your list, you will have to buy the world from them so why bother? I sense that is where you have got to with them too.

JM Dayona now down to around £60k at reputable Greys in the UK. Go get one and if the prices go up over the next 2/3 years, you can sell it if you like without fear of corporal punishment from WOS!

Good luck.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Driver8

"Bio" models?

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree I sometimes wonder why some cannot post in simple English language.

I have no idea what a "bio" is supposed to be?

[DoricSpiker]

Oh in addition to the above, WOS control around 50% of the new Rolexes that come into the UK. Therefore 50% of the new unworn ones at greys, will have come from WOS Head Office / staff or WOS customers who have immediately flipped. The former is more likely these days with all the vetting they do.

I personally have thought there are less of these on the market these days compared to the COVID years.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by S.Explorer

Short for "biography" I believe, i.e. enhanced client vetting.

It is.

FWIW, my AD confirmed with me that this is part of their new sales process. They interview their clients and build a “bio” of sorts before selling them anything.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by S.Explorer

Short for "biography" I believe, i.e. enhanced client vetting.

Ah OK, thanks for the explanation.

However, it's one descriptor I won't personally be using any time soon though! It's right up there with "Cookie Monster" on the cringe-making terminology scale.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by brandrea

It is.

FWIW, my AD confirmed with me that this is part of their new sales process. They interview their clients and build a “bio” of sorts before selling them anything.

Wow. I'm just so glad I don't want anything from the current catalogue, so I don't have to prostrate myself to any salespeople.

[SRG89]

Originally Posted by Driver8

"Bio" models?

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree I sometimes wonder why some cannot post in simple English language.

Not my terminology, it's just what the staff refer to them as. They have a list that is updated constantly... for instance, the Tiffany OP craze, when that happened I had a conversation with my SA and he told me "head office have changed that to Bio now"

Originally Posted by DAC2

OK... so i dont understand something....

WHY... if someone can spend THESE HUGE SUMS
of money.... do they even care about getting a watch of their choice from an AD ?
The grey dealers have whatever you want.... and you can afford to get it.... WHY would you bang your head against the wall at an AD and play their games?

AND also... spending money on things you dont want.... just so they might offer you a
a watch that you are after when THAT money could be spent at a grey dealer and you could have it RIGHT AWAY !

My AD's totally IGNORED me when i asked for a platinum DD with a meteorite dial.
I said screw it.... and went grey ! AND... i have NO where NEAR the kind of money you guys have to spend ! So i dont get it.

AND... what on earth is a ' BIO' model anyway ? Maybe i been living under a rock somewhere... dont have a clue what thats suppose to be. lol

I am sorry... I just dont get it.

Can't speak for everyone but I do like to collect a few different models. The way I have always looked at a relationship with an AD is give and take. I've only purchased models I've wanted whilst building a collection; if I get thrown a great piece at retail it somewhat helps justify the crazy amounts of money we put into this hobby.
Plus I'm not about to drop 95k on a meteorite daytona

Originally Posted by DoricSpiker

My understanding of how it works is as you have described it. In fact I was at a lunch with the Area Director chap a couple of months ago who confirmed it. He says all these models go through him.

I don't know anyone who has had one of those models from WOS, I suspect the RG DD is easier to get from them than the others however.

My feeling is to get one of the others on your list, you will have to buy the world from them so why bother? I sense that is where you have got to with them too.

JM Dayona now down to around £60k at reputable Greys in the UK. Go get one and if the prices go up over the next 2/3 years, you can sell it if you like without fear of corporal punishment from WOS!

Good luck.

Exactly this, it's got to the stage where my wants are these models, was getting frustrated so wanted to reach out and check if anyone here was actually getting these pieces, seems not. I think that will be me done from now on. Or I can become a watch trader and flip everything out of there and get these rare pieces as that seems to be the way!

[Mathematoxic]

Originally Posted by brandrea

It is.

FWIW, my AD confirmed with me that this is part of their new sales process. They interview their clients and build a “bio” of sorts before selling them anything.

Wow.. just wow!
Those that allow ADs to put them thru these interviews are insane! You are spending money to be vetted lol. That’s the reason why ADs have the audacity to keep coming up with funny ideas to milk consumers.
When this crazy market dies off, I guess consumers should request to interview the store manager before buying anything.
And never say never.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Mathematoxic

Wow.. just wow!

Those that allow ADs to put them thru these interviews are insane! You are spending money to be vetted lol. That’s the reason why ADs have the audacity to keep coming up with funny ideas to milk consumers.

When this crazy market dies off, I guess consumers should request to interview the store manager before buying anything.

And never say never.

Just telling you what my AD said. I'm a long time customer.

That said, you ain't walking into the boutique here and buying a watch without first making an appointment with the SA. At least here at this Boutique.

Not saying I like it, but it is what it is I guess.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[SRG89]

Originally Posted by Mathematoxic

Wow.. just wow!
Those that allow ADs to put them thru these interviews are insane! You are spending money to be vetted lol. That’s the reason why ADs have the audacity to keep coming up with funny ideas to milk consumers.
When this crazy market dies off, I guess consumers should request to interview the store manager before buying anything.
And never say never.

A lot of brands have a similar sales matrix where x spend unlocks x model etc.
I get that to a degree, with WOS they’ve created this bullshit sales tactic to then sell a large chunk off to flippers or dealers themselves.

They’ve compounded the problem with the 2 watches a year rule. Effectively blocking people buying more than 2 models then asking them to come and buy as many as you can afford now the market has gone. Grey is the way forward (just not for the meteorite Daytona )

[Mathematoxic]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Just telling you what my AD said. I'm a long time customer.

That said, you ain't walking into the boutique here and buying a watch without first making an appointment with the SA. At least here at this Boutique.

Not saying I like it, but it is what it is I guess.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Yes mate. Sorry I phrased it wrongly. The content wasn’t pointing at you. It’s for those who are very rich but yet agreeing to go thru such interviews. I really pity them..
I think making an appointment is ok though.
Cheers

[Mathematoxic]

Originally Posted by SRG89

A lot of brands have a similar sales matrix where x spend unlocks x model etc.
I get that to a degree, with WOS they’ve created this bullshit sales tactic to then sell a large chunk off to flippers or dealers themselves.

They’ve compounded the problem with the 2 watches a year rule. Effectively blocking people buying more than 2 models then asking them to come and buy as many as you can afford now the market has gone. Grey is the way forward (just not for the meteorite Daytona )

Yeah agree that Grey is the way forward as prices continue to fall. More and more models are already below MSRP. It will only get worse.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Mathematoxic

Yes mate. Sorry I phrased it wrongly. The content wasn’t pointing at you. It’s for those who are very rich but yet agreeing to go thru such interviews. I really pity them..

I think making an appointment is ok though.

Cheers

All good

I too wonder what the first time buyer must think of all of this.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by SRG89

Not my terminology, it's just what the staff refer to them as. They have a list that is updated constantly... for instance, the Tiffany OP craze, when that happened I had a conversation with my SA and he told me "head office have changed that to Bio now"

Yes, I wasn't suggesting it was your terminology... but I still find it a slightly cringe-worthy term.

Even though I have a good relationship with my AD, built up over around 30 years, I still hate the whole VIP/purchase history/preferential treatment nonsense. I get the need for a waiting list all the time demand outstrips supply, but AD's should simply work down the list, irrespective of who is on it.

[SRG89]

Originally Posted by Driver8

Yes, I wasn't suggesting it was your terminology... but I still find it a slightly cringe-worthy term.

Even though I have a good relationship with my AD, built up over around 30 years, I still hate the whole VIP/purchase history/preferential treatment nonsense. I get the need for a waiting list all the time demand outstrips supply, but AD's should simply work down the list, irrespective of who is on it.

Completely agree…. With a history like yours, If you were the type of client that gets the “bio” (sorry couldn’t help it ) I’d be completely fine with that as would every one else I imagine.
On reflection this moan is the same as someone waiting on a Datejust or Sub as their first watch, I will shut up now but appreciate everyone letting me vent!

[DAC2]

Can't speak for everyone but I do like to collect a few different models. The way I have always looked at a relationship with an AD is give and take. I've only purchased models I've wanted whilst building a collection; if I get thrown a great piece at retail it somewhat helps justify the crazy amounts of money we put into this hobby.
Plus I'm not about to drop 95k on a meteorite daytona



lol Sorry... STILL dont get it. 95K ? BIG deal ! who cares about 95K when you are spending hundreds of thousands on watches. Thats chump change.
BUT...If you happen to like the chase, the relationship and the process of buying from an AD..... well.... I guess i understand THAT. But to me.... its not about anything except the watch.

I did my turn with the AD's... I waited....NOW... I'm done waiting.
Life is short.... I want it sooner than later.

Good luck to you.
i hope you dont have to wait too long for whatever it is you are after.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I too wonder what the first time buyer must think of all of this.

There are some established buyers that don’t think real highly of this model. Interviews to buy a $10,000 sport watch…..amazing days.

[TheWatchmen]

I get why so many people in recent years here have said they are turned off from the brand because of stuff like this, or being laughed at when they ask about obtaining one of the highly sought after models.

Since only answer for people without a spend history (or in some cases people who do have a spend history) is to wait and hope…or pony up the cash and buy one on the grey market, the real decision is whether or not you’re willing to play the game that now exists because of the crazy demand. I personally am not, I can’t stand the blank stares and am simply not willing to kiss a sales associates behind for the possible chance at the pleasure of handing them 10-20k for a wrist watch.

If I had the cash and wanted something bad enough, I would just buy from the grey market and be done with it. At least my conscience would be clear even if my wallet takes a hit.

[SpecialK888]

In answer to the OP, I've had a bio piece from WoS. The piece took around 8 months after my bio went in, and even my SA was surprised at how quick I got it. In addition, I'm not a whale, and my spend INCLUDING the bio piece is less than £100k over a period of c.8yrs. I think the fact that my first purchase from WoS was many years ago may have helped as it presumably indicates a long term passion for watches rather than someone who may just be attracted by the recent hype / investment phenomena.

Additionally, I've never purchased watches I don't want, and I've even turned some opportunities down (which again may help as my SA knows I'm not a flipper otherwise I would've just bought everything offered).

There also seems to be a lot of anger around being 'interviewed' to purchase a watch. It's not an interview and it's not an interrogation. It's simply arranging a time to go into a boutique, chat about watches over a cup of coffee, try on some pieces and generally engage in what I assume is our collective passion for watches. Quite frankly I'm more than happy to chat about watches, brands, luxury market, etc., until the cows come home but it seems some people are offended by the notion. Post the chat your SA has more information about you to present in your bio which only helps when there are likely several bios going in for each piece. I'd also add that I think the whole process gives the SA comfort that they are putting forward a client that they have tried to learn more about in order to ensure they are not a flipper, as despite what people on here may think, my understanding is that it is a SA's worst nightmare if a bio piece gets allocated to a client who turns out to be a flipper.

Lastly I would add that since I got my bio piece around 2yrs ago I've not been offered anything else, not even an OP41 which has been on my list for some time. Perhaps that is coincidence, I don't know, but I'm incredibly happy with my bio piece so I'm not going to complain.

Good luck to the OP.

[andresrrcf]

Originally Posted by SRG89

I have a similar spend to yourself, completely aware that there are collectors who spend millions and I'm a nobody in the scheme of things.
I was just interested to know if anybody in this forum has actually got one of these hard-to-acquire models from WOS, I really hope they have and gone to good homes.
From my understanding, an Area Director will contact a handful of stores in the same region, tell them they have say green dial daytona, meteorite etc. available and if they would like to put any clients forward for them.
The SA then selects a client to forward to Area Director who makes the final decision, so it has to go through two people.
I don't really buy that they never see these models as WOS Group are the largest retailer in the UK.
I don't understand how so many end up on the grey market - we've noticed more availability and allocations for first timers on certain steel models etc. Surely we should have a whole host of people picking up their green dial daytonas with sizeable spends?

Hi there!

Recently acquired the GMT Meteorite (Dec 22’) and the Omega 50th Anniversary Silver Snoopy (July 22’) from Mayors (part of WOS). I’ve been working with the same SA, and the same store, for longer than 10 years. Stellar experience! I have had to wait, but I have gotten the pieces that are on my registry. Never been asked to buy jewelry that I don’t want, or bundle anything; much less doing interviews…patience and established business relationship have paid off in my case.