Looking to build purchase history with London ADs

[gmelchett]

Hi all,

Looking to get a 36mm Explorer 1. I don't currently have a relationship with any ADs, but am looking to purchase a BB54 and a solarbeat Tank in the very near future so hoping to use these to start a purchase history. Would rather start building a purchase history rather than going grey, despite the rather smaller small markup on the 124270 as compared to other SS models.

Only issue is based on the threads in this forum relating to London ADs, it looks like I may be pretty screwed. Based on the forums, WOS seems rude, Goldsmiths and Pragnells will want me to buy unwanted jewelry and DMR is filled with finance bros from Canary Wharf who will have large purchase histories from their bonuses.

Anyone have any advice over which AD I should go to (not against potentially ranging further afield to an AD if that would help)?

I'm located in Stratford in east London if that helps.

[Space1970]

If Stratford then I would suggest heading out on the overground for 30 minutes to Goldsmiths in Chelmsford

They have always been fair with me and though have a large catchment area it's a little less concentrated than the Westfield WoS

I would imagine buying the Cartier and Tudor would got a long way to getting e 36mm explorer in the current market

For the price of a train ticket it's worth going and having a talk with them about you and what your looking at

[Tortoise99]

The Explorer 36 is not particularly “hot” so I would think you’re in with a good chance of getting one without having to buy stuff you don’t want first.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by gmelchett

Hi all,

Looking to get a 36mm Explorer 1. I don't currently have a relationship with any ADs, but am looking to purchase a BB54 and a solarbeat Tank in the very near future so hoping to use these to start a purchase history. Would rather start building a purchase history rather than going grey, despite the rather smaller small markup on the 124270 as compared to other SS models.

Only issue is based on the threads in this forum relating to London ADs, it looks like I may be pretty screwed. Based on the forums, WOS seems rude, Goldsmiths and Pragnells will want me to buy unwanted jewelry and DMR is filled with finance bros from Canary Wharf who will have large purchase histories from their bonuses.

Anyone have any advice over which AD I should go to (not against potentially ranging further afield to an AD if that would help)?

I'm located in Stratford in east London if that helps.

Life is short. Even shorter in a tough AD market. Go grey

[Calatrava r]

Check these places out for yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. You will also never know what the attitude was of these people was when they were in the stores either. A positive friendly attitude goes a long way in life. Only one way to find out.

[KatGirl]

I agree with not listening to bad reviews from others, about ADs. I walked into the closest AD to my home, and expressed interest in a 36mm OP. I had never been in there before. I did buy several pieces of jewelry that I needed, anyway, several months later, and I did keep in touch monthly. A year later, I got the call. So try the closest ADs . You may have a completely different experience, than others have recounted. Good luck

Kat


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[KatGirl]

Double post


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[jaySL350]

I’m not too far from you OP,,,
Avoid Canary Wharf and like others have said spend half hour on a train,,,

[MarioB83]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Check these places out for yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. You will also never know what the attitude was of these people was when they were in the stores either. A positive friendly attitude goes a long way in life. Only one way to find out.

Absolutely true. Must try always

[CarlOver]

That is a readable ask for a first time buyer.

[kkqd1337]

I got a 124270 with 3 week wait from Canary Wharf. No purchase history.
Maybe I was lucky or they felt sorry for me lol.

[Callmepeshy]

I used to buy from a London WoS store - quickly realised it’s about the SA, not the AD. Service from two different SA’s in the same store has been worlds apart! So I would definitely say visit a few and see how you get on.

[joli160]

Welcome, good luck. Personally I’d skip all the relationship building purchases and go grey. In the end a lot cheaper , faster and no BS stories nor vague promises.

[OG1982]

If you actually want the BB54 then great, but only buy one if you actually want one. Depending on the AD, you may buy it and still never get an Explorer.

As others have said, I’d do a bit of groundwork and visit some of the ADs around you and being in London there are many. The Exp is no stainless steel Daytona when it comes to demand and if you hit it off with the sales person in the AD, you may be surprised how easy it could be to get one.

I live a couple of hours north of London by car, and I managed to get a Submariner 124060 from an my local AD in 2021 with no spend history at all. Further to that, I bought my wife a 36mm mint green DateJust in April this year with around a 5 month wait, and this is one of the harder DateJusts to obtain.

Long story short, don’t spend big to land a watch that isn’t already super hard to get. And I’m not putting the Explorer down, I own and daily the 114270 and absolutely love it.

Good luck.


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[cglondon]

When I’m working around Covent Garden, I usually pop into Bucherer there and they are always nice and friendly. I do head there around 11am on a weekday though so nice and quiet. Even the Security are polite and three SA’s asked if I was having a nice day and if they could help with anything, just to ask.

Even WOS on Regent Street were great, they have extended their store downstairs and it’s fantastic to just stroll about looking at the different brands.


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[cerendigit]

Go gray. Save your time and money. Oh and you don’t need a” collection “.

[SamArj]

Originally Posted by gmelchett

Hi all,

Looking to get a 36mm Explorer 1. I don't currently have a relationship with any ADs, but am looking to purchase a BB54 and a solarbeat Tank in the very near future so hoping to use these to start a purchase history. Would rather start building a purchase history rather than going grey, despite the rather smaller small markup on the 124270 as compared to other SS models.

Only issue is based on the threads in this forum relating to London ADs, it looks like I may be pretty screwed. Based on the forums, WOS seems rude, Goldsmiths and Pragnells will want me to buy unwanted jewelry and DMR is filled with finance bros from Canary Wharf who will have large purchase histories from their bonuses.

Anyone have any advice over which AD I should go to (not against potentially ranging further afield to an AD if that would help)?

I'm located in Stratford in east London if that helps.

Don't believe all the reviews.
Chelmsford seems to have good feedback but I'd also recommend trying WOS in Liverpool St and Regent St.
You'd imagine that the last two would only be interested in the super wealthy but that's not the case, I have friends who have been allocated nice watches with little to no purchase history from those stores.

Good luck.
And ignore the usual 'go grey' nonsense spouted. The models you want aren't super hot so it makes sense to buy from an AD and build purchase history in case you do want a 'hot' model in the future.

[Harry-57]

Your best bet is to visit a few London ADs and speak to them in person. "Relationship building" takes time, it can't be forced, compressed, or made to run to a fixed set of rules. You need to speak to people, ask questions, get to know things and not present yourself as someone who wants to "play the game". If you want to play that game you'll end up with a pile of stuff you don't want and still be waiting. Easy money.

[MarioB83]

Im going to London in few weeks for a leisure trip. Is there any chance of purchasing some models (mostly looking for Air-King or OP 36/41) in a walk in way for a random tourist?

[Miker86]

Originally Posted by MarioB83

Im going to London in few weeks for a leisure trip. Is there any chance of purchasing some models (mostly looking for Air-King or OP 36/41) in a walk in way for a random tourist?

No more chance than you would have in Madrid. Still not seen a 36/41 OP or SS sports model in any UK shop window for sale.

[ldlisturb3d]

I would pick a place and talk to everyone. The one you vibe with just talk to them. Only pick an AD if you are vibing. They sell to who they like.

[ldlisturb3d]

Offered this the same day :))))))

[MarioB83]

Originally Posted by ldlisturb3d

Offered this the same day :))))))

Congratulations mate. I think that was my piece, lol

[MarioB83]

Originally Posted by Miker86

No more chance than you would have in Madrid. Still not seen a 36/41 OP or SS sports model in any UK shop window for sale.

Im on the list for AK in Madrid AD’s but always liked to try on my trips. I feel also things are changing so sure I will make couple of attempts when walking around London

[gmelchett]

Originally Posted by ldlisturb3d

Offered this the same day :))))))

Wow, no purchase history and from a London AD? Very envious!

[gmelchett]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I'll try and visit some London ADs, guess it doesn't hurt to try.

Will also plan out a visit to Chelmsford as well.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by MarioB83

Im on the list for AK in Madrid AD’s but always liked to try on my trips. I feel also things are changing so sure I will make couple of attempts when walking around London

Expect nothing and you never know.
Just be prepared for it being a huge waste of time

[Smols]

Would also recommend giving Goldsmiths at Lakeside a go if you can get there. I got a 124270 from them back when it was first released. Very little purchase history with them and it only took about 3 weeks.

Also agree with what was said above about ignoring the 'go grey' comments. Why overpay for something that can be obtained relatively easily from an AD? Even if it's only a few hundred quid, I'd rather that money be in my pocket than the dealer's.

[Nik00]

You can try and visit the AD near you to see if you can make a purchase, Explorer could be an easy one to get, but it all depends on if they'd want to sell to you...Good luck in advance.

[worldofoyster]

The explorer 1 is relatively easy to get. No need to build relationship