Purchasing First Rolex

[drogers]

Hey Everyone - New to the watch and Rolex world. Been doing a lot of research and understand that the professional models are very hard to come by at retail.

My dream watch is the GMT Master II “Batman”.

Any advice on best ADs to work with or location to start developing relationships with?

Anyone have a great relationship with their AD?

I’m willing to travel anywhere in the U.S.

Appreciate your help.

[kopi-c]

I would visit your local rolex ad to ask if you could purchase the GMT.

[horseco]

A batman is a tall order for sure, my advice would be to go to a salesperson & tell them you wish to celebrate a milestone in your life with your FOREVER watch. It really doesn't matter winch one, but pick something 5-7 months away {birthday, expecting a baby, graduation... you get the point}
Then go in once a month in person. I cant stress this enough be polite,

[JRell]

Originally Posted by horseco

A batman is a tall order for sure, my advice would be to go to a salesperson & tell them you wish to celebrate a milestone in your life with your FOREVER watch. It really doesn't matter winch one, but pick something 5-7 months away {birthday, expecting a baby, graduation... you get the point}
Then go in once a month in person. I cant stress this enough be polite,

This and on top of that go to a family owned AD in your area if possible and seek out the owner. Have to talk to someone in charge. Also use the term BLNR and preference for oyster or jubilee. Also that you are a member of the Rolex forum and have been doing your homework on what you want. Don’t even bring up sports models being hard to get, don’t give any flipper vibes.

[drogers]

Makes perfect sense. Appreciate the feedback and responses!

[racerx]

Originally Posted by drogers

Hey Everyone - New to the watch and Rolex world. Been doing a lot of research and understand that the professional models are very hard to come by at retail.

My dream watch is the GMT Master II “Batman”.

Any advice on best ADs to work with or location to start developing relationships with?

Anyone have a great relationship with their AD?

I’m willing to travel anywhere in the U.S.

Appreciate your help.

Don’t overlook pre-owned.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum and good luck. I hope you land one

[drogers]

Originally Posted by racerx

Don’t overlook pre-owned.

Yeah I’ve certainly looked around at pre-owned. Just hard for me to pay thousands above retail.

Appreciate the advice though. Certainly worth doing if I want it very quickly.

[Zach69SS]

There are many AD’s in LA, Bindi is one of them, don’t know how close you are? Pass by a few the smaller the AD the better and shop. Look at all models as if you haven’t decided yet. Any GMT is a tall order still. This will take some time and effort but not impossible. Or you could get very lucky as others have on here. Lightning does strike.

Welcome to TRF

Cheers,

[drogers]

Originally Posted by Zach69SS

There are many AD’s in LA, Bindi is one of them, don’t know how close you are? Pass by a few the smaller the AD the better and shop. Look at all models as if you haven’t decided yet. Any GMT is a tall order still. This will take some time and effort but not impossible. Or you could get very lucky as others have on here. Lightning does strike.

Welcome to TRF

Cheers,

Got it. Thank you for the advice.

[ltmgeller]

Welcome. Start building a rapport with your local AD. I have a great relationship with mine but I've purchased quite a bit from them in the last 12 years.

[Calatrava r]

Try to reach out to a few ADs in person. One should come through within a year or less, I would think.

[joli160]

Become a buying customer at an AD and have some patience.
The more you spent the faster you get your BLNR

[Oxfordian]

Talk to your local AD and as others have said tell them why you want to buy a GMT watch, the BLNR version, big birthday, anniversary etc etc.

You are after a very popular watch, very sought after, getting one won't be easy, but be patient, visit the store regularly to keep yourself in the frame for the watch.

DO NOT go in with attitude you will get nothing

The store has lots of people wanting this watch, so you need to be polite at all times, try and speak to the same person on each visit.

You are going to have to work to get it, if you want to endear yourself to the store you might want to buy something from them but only if you want to, there is no requirement for you to do so.

Be polite, be courteous, be patient, you will get a BLNR it just might take a while.

On the other hand, you could walk in the store, two minutes after someone has declined the watch and they are happy to let you have it. If this happens go and buy a lottery ticket or two.

[DoubleDeac]

Hey, I think all of the tips above are sound. BLNR may be a little bit of a tall order for the first purchase - meaning they may want to get a few $ out of you before they offer you this.

While I don’t support spending on frivolous things or buying things you don’t want, it is a business at the end of the day and money talks (far more than any story you concoct that I guarantee your SA will have heard many times)

[Barbara_C]

I have had my local dealer play the well if you buy the cartier bracelet I may can get your white gold gmt I've wanted for years in the next 6 months.....I hate the games.

[DoubleDeac]

Originally Posted by Barbara_C

I have had my local dealer play the well if you buy the cartier bracelet I may can get your white gold gmt I've wanted for years in the next 6 months.....I hate the games.

I agree with you. I hate these games, but I think the ADs are watching what the grey dealers are selling these watches for and trying to make up the profits themselves through other sales… I guess it’s better you’re getting something of value in return vs just paying over-sticker?

[john18inch]

You can try what I did. Call Geary's in Beverly Hills, and speak with Kelli (store manager) and tell her what you're looking for. I did this a few months ago after going to Bhindi and getting nothing after a few months. Kelli just took my info over the phone, never even went in. 3 weeks later I picked up a 36mm Datejust right before my son's graduation. Hey its worth a shot right!

[Bazil]

Visit a couple of ADs locally ..
Be honest ..
Try to have a half decent story, try reading the millions of threads on there for advice ..
Tell them what you do want and what you don’t want ..