How long will the Rolex Bubble Last
Discussion
Brads67 said:
I had an email today from Rolex UK about my interest in a GMT.
They stated the stock they received would be going to loyal customers and asked what my purchasing history with my local AD was.
List my ass.
You're probably right, there is no list. There will be one of those hexagonal tombola tumblers, into which the names of all regular customers are put. Then the store manager will spin it briefly, before pulling out as many names as necessary to match the number of stainless sports watches in the latest delivery.They stated the stock they received would be going to loyal customers and asked what my purchasing history with my local AD was.
List my ass.
They will no doubt find that process simpler and more commercially prudent than placing names sequentially on a document, with higher spending customers towards the top.
Brads67 said:
Believe what you like I couldn't care less, but they dish out watches to preferred customers and their criteria for who gets it is who is at the forefront of todays sales persons mind. They "list " they put most people on is bulls
te.
Very possibly, and the point of my post. Of course I’m glad this time it happened to be mete.Brads67 said:
Believe what you like I couldn't care less, but they dish out watches to preferred customers and their criteria for who gets it is who is at the forefront of todays sales persons mind. They "list " they put most people on is bullste.
So you are saying there IS a list, but only regular customers are on it?te.I am sure there is an A list. I also believe that they take the names and numbers of some people who aren't regular customers, but who ask for something.
I am fairly confident that if I asked for something at Goldsmiths locally they would eventually call me. I have only ever bought one thing from them (second hand) but they know me and know I buy watches.
I don't think they compile an extended list, running into several gig of disc space, for watches they know will sell to the first handful of those on the A list.
There is no list. I have a client who is the MD of jewellers who are a Rolex AD. They get limited supply of SS Sports watches but AD can/will offer the watch to whoever they want when they come in.
In the past 12 months my father in law has purchased a SS Daytona, James Cameron Deep Sea and Rootbeer GMT. In Nov I asked he if could get a GMT for one of my co-workers and I was offered one the following day.
Its all about the relationship you have with the dealer. They sell who they choose to.
In the past 12 months my father in law has purchased a SS Daytona, James Cameron Deep Sea and Rootbeer GMT. In Nov I asked he if could get a GMT for one of my co-workers and I was offered one the following day.
Its all about the relationship you have with the dealer. They sell who they choose to.
My AD certainly has a list - I’ve seen it.
However, my AD will only add you to the list if they believe there is space and you meet their criteria (presumably a local and big or potentially big spender). They also take a deposit (£500 in my case).
Initially I was politely rebuffed, with the salesman trying to guess which model I wanted. Once we’d established that I was local, wearing a vintage Oysterdate, refused to buy online/grey market, wasn’t after a Hulk, Seadweller or Daytona and in fact I only wanted a Black bezel GMT - he went off to chat to the manager, then returned with the list. There were 3 people on the list for the watch I wanted which he said meant that I could probably get mine in around 6months. He then took my deposit and apologised for the games when we first spoke, but said they get circa 20 phone calls a day for the hot Rolex models and it's tiring!
The list in question was merely a clipboard with a sheet of paper for each model with name/deposit details.
I have purchased 3 watches from them within six months, they’ve suggested that I can go onto the list for a Hulk (I didn’t enquire but casually said it was a watch I really like). I was also offered (and tried on) a Tudor GMT from the safe - hardly super difficult watch to get hold of but was still very much a waiting list watch at the time, so clearly they are also happy to bypass the list and reward good customers.
So in summary - in my experience there is a proper list but it can and will be bypassed if they wish to do so. Makes perfect business sense to me.
However, my AD will only add you to the list if they believe there is space and you meet their criteria (presumably a local and big or potentially big spender). They also take a deposit (£500 in my case).
Initially I was politely rebuffed, with the salesman trying to guess which model I wanted. Once we’d established that I was local, wearing a vintage Oysterdate, refused to buy online/grey market, wasn’t after a Hulk, Seadweller or Daytona and in fact I only wanted a Black bezel GMT - he went off to chat to the manager, then returned with the list. There were 3 people on the list for the watch I wanted which he said meant that I could probably get mine in around 6months. He then took my deposit and apologised for the games when we first spoke, but said they get circa 20 phone calls a day for the hot Rolex models and it's tiring!
The list in question was merely a clipboard with a sheet of paper for each model with name/deposit details.
I have purchased 3 watches from them within six months, they’ve suggested that I can go onto the list for a Hulk (I didn’t enquire but casually said it was a watch I really like). I was also offered (and tried on) a Tudor GMT from the safe - hardly super difficult watch to get hold of but was still very much a waiting list watch at the time, so clearly they are also happy to bypass the list and reward good customers.
So in summary - in my experience there is a proper list but it can and will be bypassed if they wish to do so. Makes perfect business sense to me.
Graemsay said:
Interesting stuff.I sold everything I wasn't actively wearing immediately prior to Christmas, because I thought prices in the UK might soften.
Everything I now own gets worn at some point. I don't think I will be investing in anything for the time being, unless it comes my way silly cheap.
Don’t purchase a Rolex as an investment. Purchase it because you want to own and wear it, but it is nice when your purchase goes up in value!
I doubt the situation will continue as it is now. Anything could change – world economy, Rolex increase manufacture etc, etc.
However, I doubt it will be suddenly easy to get many of the desirable watches without some kind of wait.
Lists do certainly exist but it is up to the AD how they apply it and who they chose to sell to.
OP – If you were to put your name down at an AD for say a black Sub (especially no date) I suspect your wait might not be as long as you think.
I doubt the situation will continue as it is now. Anything could change – world economy, Rolex increase manufacture etc, etc.
However, I doubt it will be suddenly easy to get many of the desirable watches without some kind of wait.
Lists do certainly exist but it is up to the AD how they apply it and who they chose to sell to.
OP – If you were to put your name down at an AD for say a black Sub (especially no date) I suspect your wait might not be as long as you think.
12TS said:
My experience - purchasing a Sub in 2017 in the NW.
AD1 - Put name on list. Still heard nothing
AD2 - Put name on list + left 20% deposit. Watch turned up in 8 weeks
AD were within walking distance of each other.
Mine buying a new Sub in 2018.AD1 - Put name on list. Still heard nothing
AD2 - Put name on list + left 20% deposit. Watch turned up in 8 weeks
AD were within walking distance of each other.
AD - Put name down via phone call. Nothing. 10 months later went into AD to touch base, 3 weeks later it was in stock...
It’s worth staying in touch with the dealer once you’ve put your name down or deposit. Don’t stalk them but the odd phone call every other month or so doesn’t go a miss.
Only took 6 weeks to get my no date Sub but 3 days before I got it I left a message for the salesman to see if I might get it time for Xmas, never got a reply to that message just the call to say it had arrived.
Only took 6 weeks to get my no date Sub but 3 days before I got it I left a message for the salesman to see if I might get it time for Xmas, never got a reply to that message just the call to say it had arrived.
WF36 said:
12TS said:
My experience - purchasing a Sub in 2017 in the NW.
AD1 - Put name on list. Still heard nothing
AD2 - Put name on list + left 20% deposit. Watch turned up in 8 weeks
AD were within walking distance of each other.
Mine buying a new Sub in 2018.AD1 - Put name on list. Still heard nothing
AD2 - Put name on list + left 20% deposit. Watch turned up in 8 weeks
AD were within walking distance of each other.
AD - Put name down via phone call. Nothing. 10 months later went into AD to touch base, 3 weeks later it was in stock...
walk in AD ….. here's a sub, here's a ND sub, here's a GMT... which one do you like most? GMT? No problem sir, will that be cash or card? Yes, 10% off for cash. Thank you, I'll just count the notes out.
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