Daytona via jewelry spend ($30k)

[Vince_76]

Hi all,

Before even posting this, I felt a type of way. Watches and ADs have become so transactional, instead of the love of the craft and horology. But here we are and I still want to grow my collection. So before I get flamed - “don’t hate the player hate the game”.

Anyways, have an occasion coming up for my wife and will be spending ~$30k on some fine jewelry. There’s a local jeweler that I’ve recently been talking to (and a Rolex AD). I’m wondering to myself “hey, if I can get a watch while I’m at it why not”.

Is $30k in diamonds/jewelry enough to be seriously considered a Daytona (or bundled)? Unfortunately wife isn’t huge on watches so not an option there.

If it is possible, I of course wouldn’t approach the conversation with a transactional tone. Instead, it would be more along the lines of “ we have a special occasion coming up, and I’d love to commemorate it with a watch as well” with a wink and a nod type thing lol.

Crazy times - wish we weren’t even in a position to post this but here we are

[Mystro]

$30k isn’t nearly enough from what others have spent and still no ss Daytona. The issue is even if you spend $130k in jewelry, there is no guarantee you will get chosen for a SS Daytona.

[jb335]

I only work with a Rolex boutique so no first hand-experience with a store that also sells jewelry (or other watch brands) but I suspect $30k in jewelry is nowhere near enough to get you on the dance floor for a SS Daytona.


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[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by jb335

I only work with a Rolex boutique so no first hand-experience with a store that also sells jewelry (or other watch brands) but I suspect $30k in jewelry is nowhere near enough to get you on the dance floor for a SS Daytona.


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Is this Rolex boutique company owned? Because most of them are owned by entities that also sell jewelry out of other outlets . . . and will let you know that when you try to source something like a SS Daytona, a Nautilus, etc.

[JC316]

Nobody here will be able to answer your question. Why not ask your SA directly?

[pendlepants]

Originally Posted by JC316

Nobody here will be able to answer your question. Why not ask your SA directly?

this is the right approach. there aren't any hard and fast rules with an AD and allotment — it depends on availability and the AD's own policies. I think that showing interest + willingness to bundle ought to be a strong enough position, but be prepared to play hard ball a bit — if they waffle, they should know that you've got other options re: the jewelry and they aren't guaranteed a sale without some consideration.

[996marty]

Just go grey

[BraveBold]

Market dependent.

Wealth in the area, consumer spending patterns (indiscriminate spending), competition, etc. So you won’t have “one” answer. Also, how is the AD doing at the moment… and how much credibility is there for additional spend from you.

[nick800]

I spent over $100k on watches, including PM, and decided to go grey

[Geo1980]

Went in a not that rich area, the AD was very clear, 5k spending for a sub, 10k for a sprite (he had both in stock). I guess if you are in a place where the list is much longer, that may be very different

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[Easy E]

For sure, you will need to ask that specifically to your SA. My bet is that is not enough to get you there, but the Gretzky rule is in effect here - you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Easy E

For sure, you will need to ask that specifically to your SA. My bet is that is not enough to get you there, but the Gretzky rule is in effect here - you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

Agreed, and well said.

[Potawatomi]

I was able to get a SS Daytona back in 2020 with only a previous purchase of an all green submariner. Give it a shot

[Carguy87]

If you’re buying the jewelry anyways and the pricing is similar, nothing wrong with building AD spend at the same time, and if they can allocate you a watch you want (maybe not an SS Daytona, but something you’d like to add) then I say go for it!

I wouldn’t, however, spend the $30k at the AD if it doesn’t get you what you want for your better half first and foremost just in hopes of getting thrown an allocation of an SS Daytona.

[georgew]

Originally Posted by Carguy87

If you’re buying the jewelry anyways and the pricing is similar, nothing wrong with building AD spend at the same time, and if they can allocate you a watch you want (maybe not an SS Daytona, but something you’d like to add) then I say go for it!

I wouldn’t, however, spend the $30k at the AD if it doesn’t get you what you want for your better half first and foremost just in hopes of getting thrown an allocation of an SS Daytona.

this. And I think it is unlikely that $30k is enough in the vast majority of markets to score the most sought-after watch (SS daytona). but as other said, you don;t know until you ask.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Carguy87

If you’re buying the jewelry anyways and the pricing is similar, nothing wrong with building AD spend at the same time, and if they can allocate you a watch you want (maybe not an SS Daytona, but something you’d like to add) then I say go for it!

I wouldn’t, however, spend the $30k at the AD if it doesn’t get you what you want for your better half first and foremost just in hopes of getting thrown an allocation of an SS Daytona.

Well said Steve

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by Carguy87

If you’re buying the jewelry anyways and the pricing is similar, nothing wrong with building AD spend at the same time, and if they can allocate you a watch you want (maybe not an SS Daytona, but something you’d like to add) then I say go for it!

I wouldn’t, however, spend the $30k at the AD if it doesn’t get you what you want for your better half first and foremost just in hopes of getting thrown an allocation of an SS Daytona.

If my heart was set on a Daytona, I wouldn’t spend a dime at an AD on anything I didn’t want. If you compare the grey cost premium vs the time/money/drama cost that the AD process will require, going grey is clearly the cheapest and most efficient way to get a Daytona. By miles.

I got offered a Daytona many years ago before things went nutso and that was after spending well over 100k in jewelry over the years and the AD still acted like he was doing me the favor of a lifetime. I would imagine it’s probably twice that these days.

[travisb]

You're already planning to get the jewelry, so it's definitely a conversation worth having. Good luck.

[DC116710LN]

It's highly dependent on your market and the associate you work with. It's worth having a conversation

[windingmybusiness]

They may just happen to have a 116 in the safe for an occasion such as this…

Don’t know til you ask.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by Geo1980

Went in a not that rich area, the AD was very clear, 5k spending for a sub, 10k for a sprite (he had both in stock). I guess if you are in a place where the list is much longer, that may be very different

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Interesting. Was this in the states or the EU?

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

I was able to get a SS Daytona back in 2020 with only a previous purchase of an all green submariner. Give it a shot

Interesting. Any other details that might be helpful?

Originally Posted by Carguy87

If you’re buying the jewelry anyways and the pricing is similar, nothing wrong with building AD spend at the same time, and if they can allocate you a watch you want (maybe not an SS Daytona, but something you’d like to add) then I say go for it!

I wouldn’t, however, spend the $30k at the AD if it doesn’t get you what you want for your better half first and foremost just in hopes of getting thrown an allocation of an SS Daytona.

100% agree. I’m not going to buy pieces I don’t want or spend money that I otherwise did not have an intention on spending. That was my thought, if I’m spending the money anyway, would rather have it go towards building a relationship with an AD

Originally Posted by windingmybusiness

They may just happen to have a 116 in the safe for an occasion such as this…

Don’t know til you ask.

Yep… crazy how the game works nowadays

[Geo1980]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Interesting. Was this in the states or the EU?

Was in Greece, touristic area where the locals can't really afford those pieces, meaning not that much of waiting lists

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[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by justdate

Just be candid and say “I want to buy xyz jewellery. If I do will you allocate me a Daytona?”.

If they will then make sure you collect both together, I.e. leave with the jewellery and the watch, not the jewellery and a ‘promise’. They get Daytonas in pretty often so you can easily get one once the deal is agreed.

Only issue you have is that the new model changeover will cause a slow down in supply of stock for at least a couple of years, the old model likely out of circulation by now, and the new model with a big list of VIPs who want one asap.

But still worth a shot, you really have nothing to lose. I speak from experience ;)

Thanks, RJ. Can you say more about your experience? Also, feel free to send me a DM. The new model release could put a damper on things. But as long as I pick up around spring time or early summer 2024, it’s all good.

Originally Posted by Geo1980

Was in Greece, touristic area where the locals can't really afford those pieces, meaning not that much of waiting lists

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Ahh man I was just there. Nothing to be had when I went (though wasn’t trying to buy jewelry either)

[Geo1980]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Thanks, RJ. Can you say more about your experience? Also, feel free to send me a DM. The new model release could put a damper on things. But as long as I pick up around spring time or early summer 2024, it’s all good.







Ahh man I was just there. Nothing to be had when I went (though wasn’t trying to buy jewelry either)

I was in creete, in a tiny city known for the jewelry, we went there to buy some stuff for the lady and saw the rolex stand at the back of the shop, more or less empty. The seller saw me looking there and basically said that with what we were buying in jewelry we had an access to his drawer, one sub date, one sub no date and a sprite. Took the last 2 and discussed a bit with him what were the triggers for him to sell these watches. The guy is making much more money on the jewelry so doesn't care much about the watches, just use them as kind of gifts for jewelry clients!

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[Fleetlord]

Not enough, but it's a start.

[Rollei35]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Crazy times - wish we weren’t even in a position to post this but here we are

You can actually contribute to this by not heeding AD’s need. Just walk in asking for what you like and walk away if they don’t have what you want.
This is pretty much I do.

If everyone did this, we wouldn’t be in today’s position and ADs would be much more humble.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by Rollei35

You can actually contribute to this by not heeding AD’s need. Just walk in asking for what you like and walk away if they don’t have what you want.
This is pretty much I do.

If everyone did this, we wouldn’t be in today’s position and ADs would be much more humble.

Of course. I did this a few weeks ago and he sounds amenable, but still waiting obviously.

Also refuse to buy pieces I don’t like.

[descartes]

The thing is you could probably get something at least twice as nice and valuable for your $30k at somewhere else rather than paying full freight at a retail jeweler.


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[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by descartes

The thing is you could probably get something at least twice as nice and valuable for your $30k at somewhere else rather than paying full freight at a retail jeweler.


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That was my other question. I’d only even consider it if:

Jewelery at AD + MSRP Daytona < similar jewelery elsewhere + Daytona market value

This might not even work in that regard

[descartes]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

That was my other question. I’d only even consider it if:

Jewelery at AD + MSRP Daytona < similar jewelery elsewhere + Daytona market value

This might not even work in that regard

It’s always going to be more at a retail jeweler. Much more.
I bought my wife a pretty significant neckless for a milestone anniversary. I worked with a jeweler to pick the stones. It’s stunning. Same quality, carat weight neckless at our local AD is 5 times the price but they’ll give you a deal and do it for only 4X of what I paid. LOL.

You can’t win the AD game by buying Jewelery, especially if you’re talking a five figure purchase.