Rolex Waiting Lists
Discussion
Update: Initial watch (36mm gold/steel datejust) purchased.. on the AD's list for a no date Sub, Batman GMT, Sea-Dweller 50th Anniversary and white face SS Daytona..
Would love to see a SS Pepsi GMT announced at Baselworld this year as I prefer Red/Blue to Blue/Black but it seems fairly unlikely.
Would love to see a SS Pepsi GMT announced at Baselworld this year as I prefer Red/Blue to Blue/Black but it seems fairly unlikely.
WelshChris said:
What measures (if any) do Rolex have to stop their own dealers flogging watches over list and making money on the side? - seems like it wouldn’t be too hard to have ‘buyers’ in place to facilitate this.
I don't know how they find out if dealers are doing this, but they do seem to police it. I live in the Isle of Man and we used to have a Rolex AD, but it closed down a year or so ago. I was told that they received a visit from a "hit squad" from Rolex, who arrived at the premises with lawyers, said that they had evidence that this AD had been selling new Rolexes on the grey market at over list, removed all of the Rolex stock and told the AD that it was no longer an AD! I have no evidence that this is true, but the story did come from someone who I would regard as a reliable source.p993man said:
WelshChris said:
What measures (if any) do Rolex have to stop their own dealers flogging watches over list and making money on the side? - seems like it wouldn’t be too hard to have ‘buyers’ in place to facilitate this.
I don't know how they find out if dealers are doing this, but they do seem to police it. I live in the Isle of Man and we used to have a Rolex AD, but it closed down a year or so ago. I was told that they received a visit from a "hit squad" from Rolex, who arrived at the premises with lawyers, said that they had evidence that this AD had been selling new Rolexes on the grey market at over list, removed all of the Rolex stock and told the AD that it was no longer an AD! I have no evidence that this is true, but the story did come from someone who I would regard as a reliable source.Eaton's (a family jeweller) in Derby lost it's AD status for similar reasons. I think the son is highly regarded on RolexForums but no one there has any idea as to why he suddenly stopped working there.
Surprising part was that as soon as it lost it's AD status, the shop soon went under.
Surprising part was that as soon as it lost it's AD status, the shop soon went under.
I'm afraid these luxury brands are disappearing up their own backsides.
One of my local ADs mentioned that for certain SS models they won't even add you to the list unless you are an existing customer. I did ask how I could become a customer if they won't sell me a watch..this seemed to confuse them.
Another AD mentioned that I would magically appear at the top of the list if I bought a Bremont which would lose 30% of it's value when I walked out the store.
And then don't even start me on the ADs that keep the papers for a year after to avoid flipping. Can you imagine a car dealer keeping the V5 of something you've bought?
I would rather pay a premium at a grey dealer than have to feel grateful that I am allowed to spend my money.
Louis Vuitton are the same..a 45 minute wait at the Westfield store to buy a bag.
The exemplar in the luxury market I've found is Tiffany..customer service is second to none
One of my local ADs mentioned that for certain SS models they won't even add you to the list unless you are an existing customer. I did ask how I could become a customer if they won't sell me a watch..this seemed to confuse them.
Another AD mentioned that I would magically appear at the top of the list if I bought a Bremont which would lose 30% of it's value when I walked out the store.
And then don't even start me on the ADs that keep the papers for a year after to avoid flipping. Can you imagine a car dealer keeping the V5 of something you've bought?
I would rather pay a premium at a grey dealer than have to feel grateful that I am allowed to spend my money.
Louis Vuitton are the same..a 45 minute wait at the Westfield store to buy a bag.
The exemplar in the luxury market I've found is Tiffany..customer service is second to none
And yet I went on the list for a BLNR late June and got one beginning of August. When I picked it up I went on the list for a new Sea Dweller, got the call yesterday.
So 2-3 months for a BLNR and 6 months for a SD43, we bought a watch from them perhaps 25 years ago but they obviously have no record of that. I'm just a guy who walked in off the street.
So 2-3 months for a BLNR and 6 months for a SD43, we bought a watch from them perhaps 25 years ago but they obviously have no record of that. I'm just a guy who walked in off the street.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
And yet I went on the list for a BLNR late June and got one beginning of August. When I picked it up I went on the list for a new Sea Dweller, got the call yesterday.
So 2-3 months for a BLNR and 6 months for a SD43, we bought a watch from them perhaps 25 years ago but they obviously have no record of that. I'm just a guy who walked in off the street.
I would guess a lot of it depends where you liveSo 2-3 months for a BLNR and 6 months for a SD43, we bought a watch from them perhaps 25 years ago but they obviously have no record of that. I'm just a guy who walked in off the street.
I'm in London so ADs seem to be overwhelmed. I don't see why more don't stipulate a deposit..I don't mind the wait but it is the attitude more than anything else that grates
slk 32 said:
I would guess a lot of it depends where you live
And I think this is what pisses me off about people who continually moan about waiting lists and flippers, I mean “woah is me, I can’t spend my thousands of pounds on the watch or car I want”! Aye you can, I’ve proven it. It doesn’t take much effort. Whenever I’m away in a city I make a point of visiting the local AD, look at a few watches and shoot the breeze with the salesperson.
If nothing else I get a half hour chatting about something I’m interested in whilst getting a free coffee and admiring some lovely watches. It’s really quite simple, once they know I’m an interested potential customer why wouldn’t they look after me? Getting the sales managers email address works well.
It might only be convenient that I emailed a couple of weeks ago regarding a brand they didn’t stock that suddenly I’m top of the list this week?
Now, none of this has taken up much more of my time than an hour or so spent looking at nice watches over the last six months.
If you can’t put in that little effort then fair enough-the waiting lists may only get longer...
LaurasOtherHalf said:
slk 32 said:
I would guess a lot of it depends where you live
And I think this is what pisses me off about people who continually moan about waiting lists and flippers, I mean “woah is me, I can’t spend my thousands of pounds on the watch or car I want”! Aye you can, I’ve proven it. It doesn’t take much effort. Whenever I’m away in a city I make a point of visiting the local AD, look at a few watches and shoot the breeze with the salesperson.
If nothing else I get a half hour chatting about something I’m interested in whilst getting a free coffee and admiring some lovely watches. It’s really quite simple, once they know I’m an interested potential customer why wouldn’t they look after me? Getting the sales managers email address works well.
It might only be convenient that I emailed a couple of weeks ago regarding a brand they didn’t stock that suddenly I’m top of the list this week?
Now, none of this has taken up much more of my time than an hour or so spent looking at nice watches over the last six months.
If you can’t put in that little effort then fair enough-the waiting lists may only get longer...
Kingston upon Thames..Fraser Hart called in person and politely enquired about the DSSD blue..told no more names being taken
Westfield White City..Again visited in person ans was offered to be pushed to the top of the list if I purchased a Bremont and endured a 45 minute timeshare like presentation on the watch.
Not sure what more effort I could put in short of offering two cows and my first born (or buying a Bremont)
slk 32 said:
So you are outside of London then?
Kingston upon Thames..Fraser Hart called in person and politely enquired about the DSSD blue..told no more names being taken
Westfield White City..Again visited in person ans was offered to be pushed to the top of the list if I purchased a Bremont and endured a 45 minute timeshare like presentation on the watch.
Westfield White City are a waste of space, and most Frazer Hart chains are equally useless.Kingston upon Thames..Fraser Hart called in person and politely enquired about the DSSD blue..told no more names being taken
Westfield White City..Again visited in person ans was offered to be pushed to the top of the list if I purchased a Bremont and endured a 45 minute timeshare like presentation on the watch.
I'd avoid the chain AD's and venture out of town for one of the older non-chain jeweler AD's. Try Gatwood Jewellers in Windsor, Prestons in Guilford or maybe Wakefields in Horsham....rather than anywhere in London.
tgclowes said:
People have been saying that for a couple of years now and there's been no give, the opposite even no?
Ive had a dozen of hulks in my ebay watch list, brand new with papers etc highest price paid was list , any thing over that has gone unsold ! Some early vintage subs have made good money, why I don’t know as I would rather have a spankin new one to wear not just leave in a box just to say you own one. Why anyone would buy one just to put it on fleabay and barely get your money back , It doesn’t make any sense.Mixed messages and mixed bag of results it seems. I would like a SS white dial Daytona in a few years and was wondering how soon I would need to start looking. I am hoping in a few years the situation has changed somewhat with more watches being available but I doubt it. Interesting to hear of people getting other SS models in 6 months or under.
stuno1 said:
Mixed messages and mixed bag of results it seems. I would like a SS white dial Daytona in a few years and was wondering how soon I would need to start looking. I am hoping in a few years the situation has changed somewhat with more watches being available but I doubt it.
I'd put your name down with an AD now.......you might get one in 5 years time 
There's strong rumours (not just net based gossip) that Rolex are limiting supplies of ALL Professional watches in all materials during 2018.
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