Buying a Rolex for the first time
Discussion
I've been thinking of adding a Rolex to my collection and this would be the first one I've purchased. They seem to be a decent investment that don't lose much money should I decide to move it on at a later date but also they seem to be very robust and will stand the test of time should I decide to keep it longer term.
The one I'm looking is the part blue bezel GMT Master II (pictured below).
Are there any "do's" and "don'ts" when buying a Rolex? Am I better simply buying at retail price from an AD (like a Watches of Switzerland) or are there recommended retailers that people on here have used? Also are you likely to find discounts on the watches as well? I know some brands you can get very good deals on but I wasn't sure if that applied to Rolex?
Anyway, any tips would be appreciated as I'm a complete Rolex novice.
Thanks
The one I'm looking is the part blue bezel GMT Master II (pictured below).
Are there any "do's" and "don'ts" when buying a Rolex? Am I better simply buying at retail price from an AD (like a Watches of Switzerland) or are there recommended retailers that people on here have used? Also are you likely to find discounts on the watches as well? I know some brands you can get very good deals on but I wasn't sure if that applied to Rolex?
Anyway, any tips would be appreciated as I'm a complete Rolex novice.
Thanks
Not the best timing, depending how patient you are or how deep are your pockets you might want to look for another watch - the folks on here love Tudor Pelagos, in blue since that's the theme on the GMT II you'd get a perfect watch which technically is a Rolex but doesn't scream like Rolex aka is not same-old-look-at-me-Rolex, some really hate that (not me).
But say you really want to get the 116710 BLNR aka Batman (that's what the GMT II you want is called). "Do" get yourself on a list at your local AD, "don't" expect it anytime soon. This is one of the hottest Rolexes at the moment, alongside SS ceramic Daytona. If you want to pay a grand or grand and a half over list you can get it from the internet.
But say you really want to get the 116710 BLNR aka Batman (that's what the GMT II you want is called). "Do" get yourself on a list at your local AD, "don't" expect it anytime soon. This is one of the hottest Rolexes at the moment, alongside SS ceramic Daytona. If you want to pay a grand or grand and a half over list you can get it from the internet.
yetra said:
Not the best timing, depending how patient you are or how deep are your pockets you might want to look for another watch - the folks on here love Tudor Pelagos, in blue since that's the theme on the GMT II you'd get a perfect watch which technically is a Rolex but doesn't scream like Rolex aka is not same-old-look-at-me-Rolex, some really hate that (not me).
But say you really want to get the 116710 BLNR aka Batman (that's what the GMT II you want is called). "Do" get yourself on a list at your local AD, "don't" expect it anytime soon. This is one of the hottest Rolexes at the moment, alongside SS ceramic Daytona. If you want to pay a grand or grand and a half over list you can get it from the internet.
Tudor or Rolex, I'd recommend talking to DominicH on here to see what he can sort out for you!But say you really want to get the 116710 BLNR aka Batman (that's what the GMT II you want is called). "Do" get yourself on a list at your local AD, "don't" expect it anytime soon. This is one of the hottest Rolexes at the moment, alongside SS ceramic Daytona. If you want to pay a grand or grand and a half over list you can get it from the internet.
Thanks. I'm not in any particular rush and didn't realise it was a sought after watch. I was just browsing the Rolex website and say the "batman" as you mentioned caught my eye. I'm happy to wait for it
So I take it from your post that the recommended route to a Rolex is through an AD and not through any other methods (like Chrono24, etc?).
So I take it from your post that the recommended route to a Rolex is through an AD and not through any other methods (like Chrono24, etc?).
ChrisBuer said:
Thanks. I'm not in any particular rush and didn't realise it was a sought after watch. I was just browsing the Rolex website and say the "batman" as you mentioned caught my eye. I'm happy to wait for it
So I take it from your post that the recommended route to a Rolex is through an AD and not through any other methods (like Chrono24, etc?).
If you're very patient, go through an AD, pay your deposit, join the waiting list and then pay RRP. If you're impatient, Watchfinder have a couple in for about £1,000 over list. So I take it from your post that the recommended route to a Rolex is through an AD and not through any other methods (like Chrono24, etc?).
Other routes will be more expensive (unless you want used but even preowned sell for more than RRP), AD will sell at list price but you'll have to wait. That said Rolex are due price increase - allegedly - so you might be looking at 10% RRP increase by the time your AD calls you up. If you can wait my choice would always be AD since you get the watch registered under your name.
As has already been said, there's an absolute zero chance of a discount on that model.
Where did you get your Chopard from? Are they a Rolex AD? If so, my first port of call would be there. Go in wearing your Chopard, seek out the same assistant that you'd dealt with previously and have a conversation with them. Building a relationship with an AD can have its benefits.
Where did you get your Chopard from? Are they a Rolex AD? If so, my first port of call would be there. Go in wearing your Chopard, seek out the same assistant that you'd dealt with previously and have a conversation with them. Building a relationship with an AD can have its benefits.
Edited by CardShark on Monday 3rd October 21:24
Most AD won't put you on a list for a BLNR. Most will quote you more than 2 years hence not adding you to a list.
Prices are £1.5k above list for a new one because of this.
Prices will prob go up 10% Feb time also.
As for air ports, you have to be super lucky as China buy every SS in a few hours of new stock added to which duty fee is still more than UK prices as the £ has gone to s
t.
I think a BLNR is 8k euros ! But don't quote me.
2nd most sort after Rolex ATM after a ceramic Daytona
Prices are £1.5k above list for a new one because of this.
Prices will prob go up 10% Feb time also.
As for air ports, you have to be super lucky as China buy every SS in a few hours of new stock added to which duty fee is still more than UK prices as the £ has gone to s
t. I think a BLNR is 8k euros ! But don't quote me.
2nd most sort after Rolex ATM after a ceramic Daytona
I don't mind going on a waiting list at all and am not in any huge rush. In fact a 2 year wait would be fine as I'm not sure my wife would appreciate me buying another watch so soon after my last purchase. There appears to be mixed views on here as to whether I'd actually get on a list or not but I can only but ask. We have a Watches of Switzerland near the office and they've always been very helpful so I'll pop in and see what they say.
With regards to a waiting list is it normal to pay a deposit (as you would with a car) or is it literally just a name on a list?
Cardshark - unfortunately the Chopard came from the Chopard boutique at Selfridges and therefore they don't stock any other brands. Otherwise that would have been a fine idea
With regards to a waiting list is it normal to pay a deposit (as you would with a car) or is it literally just a name on a list?
Cardshark - unfortunately the Chopard came from the Chopard boutique at Selfridges and therefore they don't stock any other brands. Otherwise that would have been a fine idea
I'd say that the anecdotal evidence from one or two watch forums suggests that it'll either be nothing upfront or a deposit, I wouldn't want to pay in full for a watch I potentially wouldn't see for a good while!
There's a new, much bigger, Goldsmiths opening in Chelmsford soon (I recognise your name from SELOC), I'd say there's a slim chance that they'd have one in store for the grand opening. Might be worth having a word with them now at their current store though that may mean you get the watch sooner rather than later
Or you could try it on and decide if it's still worth waiting for.
There's a new, much bigger, Goldsmiths opening in Chelmsford soon (I recognise your name from SELOC), I'd say there's a slim chance that they'd have one in store for the grand opening. Might be worth having a word with them now at their current store though that may mean you get the watch sooner rather than later
Or you could try it on and decide if it's still worth waiting for. Edited by CardShark on Monday 3rd October 21:59
Great Choice! I have this exact watch an absolutely love it! definatly worth the wait, i have already been offered 1k over list to sell it and have refused, i havent yet seen another one for sale in my local rolex dealer, nor harrods or selfridges etc or rolex in knightsbridge..the chap in harrods when i asked a year ago only had seen 1 and it sold the same day.
Dont settle for less or a different model, just wait for the right watch!
Good luck in finding one!!
Dont settle for less or a different model, just wait for the right watch!
Good luck in finding one!!
CardShark said:
....There's a new, much bigger, Goldsmiths opening in Chelmsford soon (I recognise your name from SELOC), I'd say there's a slim chance that they'd have one in store for the grand opening. Might be worth having a word with them now at their current store though that may mean you get the watch sooner rather than later Or you could try it on and decide if it's still worth waiting for.
Ah yes the new "Bond street" complex. I was there last weekend and they're still fitting out the new Goldsmiths store. Not sure when it opens but that's a good idea. I'll see if I can enquire in the current branch on the high street and see what they say. Or you could try it on and decide if it's still worth waiting for. Edited by CardShark on Monday 3rd October 21:59
rickh said:
Great Choice! I have this exact watch an absolutely love it! definatly worth the wait, i have already been offered 1k over list to sell it and have refused, i havent yet seen another one for sale in my local rolex dealer, nor harrods or selfridges etc or rolex in knightsbridge..the chap in harrods when i asked a year ago only had seen 1 and it sold the same day.
Dont settle for less or a different model, just wait for the right watch!
Good luck in finding one!!
As an owner can I ask how you find the weight of the watch? Most of my watches have leather straps and one has a part titanium case, so whilst it's big, it's actually very light on the wrist. Dont settle for less or a different model, just wait for the right watch!
Good luck in finding one!!
Do people typically put leather straps on Rolex watches or is it a bit of a "no no"? I just thought maybe a nice blue alligator strap to match the part blue bezel might be a nice twist, but would doing this be sacrilege?
Edited by ChrisBuer on Tuesday 4th October 08:15
Well I went into the local Maplin and Webb near the office and I'm now on their waiting list. There are about 50 people in front of me, so I'm expecting quite a wait, but that's OK. To be honest I'd not want it immediately anyway having spent out recently on another piece, so the wait is fine.
I did ask if I could try on another GMT model as I was curious about the weight (and size) of it and he brought out the "batman" model. They had one in stock that had only arrived that morning, but it was already allocated to someone.
Anyway, it's a really nice piece and I was surprised at how much I liked it. It certainly looks better in the metal than it does in the photos. The way the bezel changes colour under different lighting and the general shine from the polished metal made it feel very special.
I'm quite excited as well as I've never owned a Rolex before
I did ask if I could try on another GMT model as I was curious about the weight (and size) of it and he brought out the "batman" model. They had one in stock that had only arrived that morning, but it was already allocated to someone.
Anyway, it's a really nice piece and I was surprised at how much I liked it. It certainly looks better in the metal than it does in the photos. The way the bezel changes colour under different lighting and the general shine from the polished metal made it feel very special.
I'm quite excited as well as I've never owned a Rolex before
Edited by ChrisBuer on Thursday 6th October 15:57
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