Astonishing discussion with my local Rolex dealer.

[rog007]

Octoposse said:

Presumably there is a strong incentive to corruption in the Rolex ADs at the moment? The temptation to direct a rare delivery to a buddy and split the premium is strong. Working in a Rolex AD must certainly be good for your social life!

Hardly scientific, but my experience makes me wonder if there's a huge negative impact on customer service. I've been into my local Rolex AD twice - once to get an insurance valuation for my wife's diamond ring, once for a service on my Breitling. Each time they were off the scale obnoxious and dismissive - refused to value the ring (for money!), and grudgingly filled in a form to send my Breitling off but couldn't be arsed to discuss replacement straps. There are absolutely no circumstances in which I'd go in there again as a customer.

There certainly is a positive to ADs and their customers. Mine, where my experience of customer service is the opposite of yours, was able to offer a (legal) perk I hadn’t been expecting.

Interest in my wants and needs has been exemplary. I think it helps that they key guy is an enthusiast too. I’m nowhere near a high spender either (only 2 news and 2 services on older Rolexes in last 2 year’s), but we have built a rapport. I have ordered a new Batman for which he’s confident he can deliver within 12 months.

[So]

Guycord said:

Maybe not. Perhaps they were all in the ADs window displays, cos probably most people didn’t give a toss on Rolex back then and anyone could walk in off the street pick one up, perhaps a discount and a full set of papers?

It was only ten years ago and the same demographic was buying Rolex I think. I don't remember any discounts, though waiting lists weren't really a thing for a Sub or black GMT.

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld]

swerni said:

Uncertainty, like something caused by BREXIT?
Doesn't seem to have much of a negative impact

Nah, boom time baby!

Record stock markets during 2018, mega waiting lists for cars and watches, record high auction results for art and classic cars, super cheap money still on tap. The only fly in the ointment seems to be the softening of high end real-estate, could be for a verity of reasons or be a bell weather for the broader economy. All I know is everywhere I travel I've never seen so many people with so much money to spend!

[IceBoy]

So how long is the waiting time for a brand new SS Submariner with no date (black face & bezel) ?

Is this the only way to get one at list price, which I'm guessing is £5500?

IceBoy

[aeropilot]

IceBoy said:

So how long is the waiting time for a brand new SS Submariner with no date (black face & bezel) ?

Is this the only way to get one at list price, which I'm guessing is £5500?

Depends where you live, and attitude of AD's in the area.

Some simply won't put an unknown walk in off the street person on a list for a Sub, others might if they think you're serious enough about buying, some won't even do lists.

It's basically a lottery at the moment.

And yes, only way to get one at list price, new, is from an AD.

[malks222]

I went into a rolex dealer in Edinburgh, to ask about sub dates, initial conversation- no we dont have one, pretty long waiting list.

I said thats ok, I'm not actually in a rush for one, I actually wanted it next year and was coming in because of the supposed 12month waiting list...... then when I said I'd probably be looking for one round about Feb for my birthday, he just kept asking- and what if it arrived sooner? what if I phoned you with one sooner, would you be able to take it....... I said yes give me a call whenever one comes available....... he took my details, so lets see if/ when one comes up..... i'm predicting a call within 2-3months, no longer than 6

[Harry Flashman]

Camelot1971 said:

tgclowes said:

Where has this stigma come from that everyone with a Rolex has bought it on finance? Do cash buyers feel bitter that they should be able to have these 'special' SS models because they have a spare £6,500 or so?

Sounds ludicrous I know but it's the vibe I'm getting from this thread.

I think some people on this forum think we should go back to the 1800's when people knew their place and didn't rise above their station. The same people who buy a Rolex to show the world how important and successful they are.

Yep. The same people that don't understand that putting your £6.5k in an ISA and doing the 0% payments is a better idea than buying the watch outright, even if you're just holding cash and taking interest on that cash, let alone investing.

[don logan]

This is bad news even if you have the hard to get models and were lucky enough to get them at list, because the way things are now means that you’re not likely to get another one easily if you change to something else then regret it and want to change back!