Hello and looking for my first Rolex piece

[flati]

Hello gang, I've been a watch lover for years now but I've never owned anything as high end as a Rolex piece. I recently retired from a 31 year law enforcement career and my wife decided to get me my grail piece, a stainless Rolex Submariner with date. I live near Youngstown Ohio which also borders western Pennsylvania.

[Rick_Nashville]

Thank you for your service. Most fellow enthusiasts here will recommend that you visit one or more authorized dealers within maybe 100 miles of your location. Strike up a low-key conversation with a sales associate. Mention your career milestone and the watch you're interested in. See how things go. Stay positive and upbeat.

[KatGirl]

Good advice, from Rick. Establish a relationship with a particular Sales Associate, at several ADs. Talk of your love for watches, and why you want the Sub. Check in monthly, just to say Hi, without being pushy. If you follow this advice, you will get “the call”. Good luck, and thank you for your service.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[43Airking]

Hello - maybe more info than you want and kind of a long post - but thought it may help you. Good Luck!!

Here is what I did - peoples opinions will vary on if it was good or not - but here goes.

In May of 2022 - I went to the AD closest to my house - spent an hour or so with a sales agent and really wanted to learn about Rolex - she told me a ton about the brand and the watches - based on that I selected ones that I was really interested in buying - for me it was, Airking, Sub with date, Sub green bezel, Sea Dweller, GMT Batman, GMT Sprite (I’m left handed).

Went back about a week later just to check in and bought a necklace for my wife - Mothers Day - about $2000.

July, August, September, October - monthly check ins - got to know more staff and one of the owner partners.

November 2022 - Met with my Sales agent and reviewed the list - and bought wife a bracelet for Christmas - about $1500

December - Wife went and bought a Tissot Diver Watch for me for Christmas - about $600 - I wanted a nice watch in addition to my Apple Watch to wear while waiting for a Rolex.

January 2023 - bought my wife another bracelet for her birthday about $2,000

February - got the call for the Airking - it was on my list I know not everyone likes these - but I really do and was really happy to get it. The delivery was awesome really fun - great bourbon and some excellent wine for my wife. Also got the green Rolex Ball Cap. While we were there - I was surprised to see my wife really express an interest in getting a Rolex - as you can imagine the SA was more than willing to get a list going for my wife.

March 2023 - Stopped by the store to get my AK cleaned and check-in. They happen to have a 36M SS DJ Blue dial - available that someone had just back out of - it was almost the exact watch my wife wanted so I pulled the trigger and brought her in and surprised her with it - again the delivery was awesome and fun. My college age daughter was home for spring break - and bought her a pair of ear rings while we were there - about $750.

April 2023 - Got another call and they had a Sea Dweller 43 available - I jumped on that too -delivery again super fun.

So in about 10 months I was able to get 3 Rolex watches and some cool jewelry for my wife and daughter that they both love - and didn’t really break the bank. I made a comment to the SA I developed a relationship with that I was surprised I was able to get 3 Rolex Watches in a 2-3 month time span. She said that she had pull and some customers are liked more than others - could have been BS - but I like to think my genuine interest in watches and Rolex helped my cause.

Still on the list for the GMTs and wife is on the list for another - to be honest I hope the phone doesn’t ring will hav to pass for now - need to rebuild my watch fund

June 2023 - Store had a Grand Seiko Event - I attended to support the store - currently have no interest in GS - but the owner really put a lot of effort into the event and it was really fun, so glad I went.

My wife and I both really love the watches and are glad we made the decision to get into watches. Cheers

[GGGMT]

First of all, huge, congratulations on your retirement, and thank you so much for the service to community and citizens

I would go to your local AD, or as many of them as you can go to, and tell them the story, and get on the list ASAP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tim Plains]

If all you want is one Submariner and nothing else, buy from a grey market dealer, otherwise you will spend more than the watch is worth on jewelry like the guy two posts above me and no guarantee they will sell you the watch.

[Carguy87]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on retirement!

Good luck to you both on getting one from an AD; certainly possible but if you don’t mind a small premium and you don’t want to wait I would check out some of our trusted sellers here. You can have that submariner on your wrist in a day. Let us know which route you decide to go.

[flati]

I really appreciate all of the advice, seems like alot of great people here. I'm definitely going to have to purchase pre-owned, can't afford a new one and the thought of damaging a lesser priced pre-owned scares me to death, can't imagine the nervous wreck I'd be if I had one of the incredible watches you guys have. I can see this being an expensive addiction though, im already starting to fall in love with other Rolex models but gotta get my Submariner first though.

[Billycro214]

Welcome!

Find a reputable dealer (some people close geographically may be able to chime in a suggest one) and ask them if they have a Submariner 16610LN. it’s a classic Submariner date model # that won’t break the bank. Since prices have dipped recently I bet you could find a really nice one for under $10K.

[996marty]

Nothing wrong with buying pre owned lots of people either on here or pre owned dealers get good recommendations,good luck with the search

[Tortoise99]

I hate to say it but the authorized Rolex AD won’t at all be interested in your career. It’s about making Dollars for them - so you’ll first be expected to buy other items (jewellery, other makes of watch, less sought after Rolex’s etc), before being offered a Submariner. All the “grovelling” you’ll be expected to do will take a number of years and cost $$$$$’s

Believe me it will be less hassle and much much cheaper in the long run to go to a reputable grey dealer. If the US market is anything like the UK, a grey market dealer will charge maybe $3k over list price.

Sorry this isn’t what you wanted to hear.

[Tortoise99]

I hate to say it but the authorized Rolex AD won’t at all be interested in your career. It’s about making Dollars for them - so you’ll first be expected to buy other items (jewellery, other makes of watch, less sought after Rolex’s etc), before being offered a Submariner. All the “grovelling” you’ll be expected to do will take a number of years and cost $$$$$’s

Believe me it will be less hassle and much much cheaper in the long run to go to a reputable grey dealer. If the US market is anything like the UK, a grey market dealer will charge maybe $3k over list price.

Sorry this isn’t what you wanted to hear.

[flati]

I've found some pretty nice watches online at decent prices, should no box or papers be considered a deal breaker?

[travisb]

Congratulations and thank you for your service!
You could try the AD route. It's hit or miss with how willing they'll be to work with a new customer these days. If you don't want to wait, go with a trusted seller here at not too much of a premium.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your retirement

Personally speaking, for a one and done Rolex, I’d go the AD route. I’m guessing you can land a Submariner from one somewhere.

Best of luck

[BillA]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on how to land a watch.
Some people get “bundled”
Some people wait and get the piece they want.
Some people walk in and get the piece they want.
It really is a hit or miss. If you do not mind paying over msrp then go gray and have the watch tomorrow to put a smile on your face. Even though you buy pre-owned, you will pay more than msrp for sports, stainless steel professional Rolex watches.
Good luck and keep us posted on your hunt.

[Billycro214]

Originally Posted by flati

I've found some pretty nice watches online at decent prices, should no box or papers be considered a deal breaker?

I’d say not necessarily a deal breaker, but it definitely helps to make sure you’re buying an authentic watch. You just have to sift through alot of junk on the internet, and watches that seem like a great deal. The trouble is authentication. If someone has put non Rolex parts in the watch then RSC won’t work on it. If we’re talking about a 15 year old sub then the chances of fakes is a little lower than a 3 year old one (some new clones look identical in pictures).

Honestly, the Submariner date is definitely a watch you can do one and done with, I think it is worth spending extra money on piece of mind from a reputable dealer. There are good ones here, that have been vetted by members over the years, and I’m sure there are good local ones.

Step one, go see the AD closest to you. Tell them what you want, be up front, and tell them about your accomplishments/reasons for buying. There was a time that all of that mattered to people, and I for one would like to believe a lot of ADs will still respond to that. They may tell you they can have one on your wrist in 30 days-stranger things have happened.

If it seems unlikely based on where you live/that particular AD, ask them if there are any REPUTABLE. dealers that they know of locally/ semi-locally that you can talk to about a pre owned.

Lastly, like many have said here, you only live once. Reach out to a vetted, trusted dealer here, tell them what you’d like, and they will get it for you. Pay the premium, but know that you did it one time, for the rest of your life. And enjoy it!