Rolex submariner wait list with real examples
Discussion
Hey all,
I put my name down for a Submariner about 6 months ago in a UK authorised dealer and was told it could take years to get one but just wondering if anyone else can give a real example of a timeframe they've faced from putting their name down to getting the call (with zero purchase history ideally!) in the last year or so?
Just trying to pass the time!
Thanks!
I put my name down for a Submariner about 6 months ago in a UK authorised dealer and was told it could take years to get one but just wondering if anyone else can give a real example of a timeframe they've faced from putting their name down to getting the call (with zero purchase history ideally!) in the last year or so?
Just trying to pass the time!
Thanks!
THP150 said:
That was me. Its a Oyster, 41 mm, Oystersteel, M124060-0001
I was very surprised by the call, thought I would have to wait way longer than4 months! Ok I do have a good purchase record with WOS group but even so.
Ah that probably explains the short wait time. I was very surprised by the call, thought I would have to wait way longer than4 months! Ok I do have a good purchase record with WOS group but even so.
I have no buying history with my AD so my wait will probably be infinite...
Enjoy your Sub. One day maybe I'll be lucky enough to get a call.
I put my name down for a black or green bezel Sub date around November last year. No purchase history and no calls so far. I've got £10k cash sat in a separate account ready to go.
I've tried swinging by the AD on 3 separate occasions to remind them of my interest but each time I ended up standing around for about 20 minutes trying to get the attention of the staff until a non-Rolex rep approaches and tells me that I need an appointment in order for a Rolex rep to speak to me.
I don't like this game.
I've tried swinging by the AD on 3 separate occasions to remind them of my interest but each time I ended up standing around for about 20 minutes trying to get the attention of the staff until a non-Rolex rep approaches and tells me that I need an appointment in order for a Rolex rep to speak to me.
I don't like this game.
Edited by FreeLitres on Friday 5th April 23:00
I’d say around 18months waiting for me & nowt. The truth is if I do “get the call” they’ll be no trigger pulling. I’ve gone off the idea & bought something else. I wasn’t confident the watch would ever come to me anyway, the guy in the AD had less than zero interest & was definitely going through the motions, that said I was probably the 10th guy through the door that day with the same idea ! I do have a bit of buying history with Goldsmiths over the years (Airking, ladies OP, Explorer & a Pelagos) but that don’t mean diddly. I think much of it depends on who you deal with on the day.
So not too many positive stories then for those of us with no purchase history! Oh well, it's only a watch!
In terms of grey market- anyone come across a 2023/2024 SS sub with date recently from a well known 2nd hand dealer and if so, what's the current premium on this model? I'd consider a grey market purchase if the price is less than £10k but I don't know how likely it is that that will happen.
In terms of grey market- anyone come across a 2023/2024 SS sub with date recently from a well known 2nd hand dealer and if so, what's the current premium on this model? I'd consider a grey market purchase if the price is less than £10k but I don't know how likely it is that that will happen.
Fallingup said:
Yawn!
Thank you for your insightful post. I asked recently in the Glasgow boutique and got the distinct impression that I would never be allocated a SS sub. I didn’t even bother going through the motions of being added to a list.
Went 100m down Buchanan St and the service I got at Omega and Tudor was far better. I now have a very nice Tudor GMT on my wrist and saved myself about £4500. I also don’t have any concerns about getting mugged for my watch on a night out.
I’ve had my name down for a 126610LV for 2 years now.
i’d neglected to visit or call the AD for some time, but was in there last week collecting an OP for my wife and mentioned the wait i’d had. They suggested this was about right and I should be getting a call some time this year. Who knows.
i’d neglected to visit or call the AD for some time, but was in there last week collecting an OP for my wife and mentioned the wait i’d had. They suggested this was about right and I should be getting a call some time this year. Who knows.
Why do you want a Subby? Is it because
1. You love the design - Get a homage for under £200 and off you go - no wait time and it will be just as practical as the real thing.
2. You want people to think you are cool. Nobody cares what watch you are wearing I'm afraid and if they notice and like it they will be wondering not what a great guy you must be, but rather how THEY would look wearing it.
3. You want to put your money somwhere safe. In that case the market is working as required and the scarcity nonsense is what's keeping it at the price you expect (and need).
1. You love the design - Get a homage for under £200 and off you go - no wait time and it will be just as practical as the real thing.
2. You want people to think you are cool. Nobody cares what watch you are wearing I'm afraid and if they notice and like it they will be wondering not what a great guy you must be, but rather how THEY would look wearing it.
3. You want to put your money somwhere safe. In that case the market is working as required and the scarcity nonsense is what's keeping it at the price you expect (and need).
In 2018 I managed to get a sub date within 10 days. Just got luckily I guess, unless they were easier to get back then.
I’ve had my name on the list for a Batman for roughly 2 years now. (More like 4 but the AD said they had no record of me enquiring when I chased…)
At the end of the day it’s pot luck and who you know half the time.
I’ve had my name on the list for a Batman for roughly 2 years now. (More like 4 but the AD said they had no record of me enquiring when I chased…)
At the end of the day it’s pot luck and who you know half the time.
No joy on a no-date Sub, nor an AirKing.
Two different ADs - one (vile condescending AD - shovelling watches out to golf club “mates of mates” flippers) two years in.
The other (really pleasant, but unfortunately there’s always a Knightsbridge billionaire who wants six as prezzies for the domestic help in front of you) ‘just’ 12 months.
Two different ADs - one (vile condescending AD - shovelling watches out to golf club “mates of mates” flippers) two years in.
The other (really pleasant, but unfortunately there’s always a Knightsbridge billionaire who wants six as prezzies for the domestic help in front of you) ‘just’ 12 months.
Given the size of the secondary market and the significant reduction in asking prices, I don't really understand the problem any more. If I wanted a Sub, I'd just buy one of the hundreds listed on C24 or at Watchfinder. The premium over new is vanishingly small, and you can get a 16610 for about £8k.
I almost never buy watches new; if you're exercised about a warranty, just get it serviced. To give an example, I recently bought a Glashuette Original SeaQ Panoramadatum. You can get these new; the best (discounted) price is about £10,100 (I think list is £11,600). I paid £6,800 for a three-year-old example on eBay (via their authentication programme). Even if I had it serviced to get a two-year warranty, I'd still have saved more than £2k and the thing is functionally as new. Or consider Patek. Apart from (presently non-existent) steel Nautiluses (Nautili?) most of their output is also available at a significant discount to new. The cheapest 5524G I've seen just sold on C24 for about £25k. That's half price. No waitlist, no pretentious "interview" and you save enough to buy a decent Calatrava as well.
Obviously someone has to keep buying new watches, but it's not as though these are cars that you spec to your preference. If they're coming from a reputable seller they won't be fake or broken, and condition is easy enough to assess.
I almost never buy watches new; if you're exercised about a warranty, just get it serviced. To give an example, I recently bought a Glashuette Original SeaQ Panoramadatum. You can get these new; the best (discounted) price is about £10,100 (I think list is £11,600). I paid £6,800 for a three-year-old example on eBay (via their authentication programme). Even if I had it serviced to get a two-year warranty, I'd still have saved more than £2k and the thing is functionally as new. Or consider Patek. Apart from (presently non-existent) steel Nautiluses (Nautili?) most of their output is also available at a significant discount to new. The cheapest 5524G I've seen just sold on C24 for about £25k. That's half price. No waitlist, no pretentious "interview" and you save enough to buy a decent Calatrava as well.
Obviously someone has to keep buying new watches, but it's not as though these are cars that you spec to your preference. If they're coming from a reputable seller they won't be fake or broken, and condition is easy enough to assess.
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