Starting to lose my resolve

[Fat hippo]

Dezbo said:

jwo said:

So where is the best place to put you name down - I don't mind waiting a couple of years for a Sub as for big birthday pressie to myself (what do you go to work for!!??)

I went into one jewellers and was told they only usually offer them to people on list who are 'high spenders'.. but go on list.

Another independent AD said we don't have a list but would you like to buy a Rolex we have in stock..

So a bit of a challenge - any advice help gratefully accepted.

Here is my limited experience:
-large AD group with non-Rolex purchase history: been offered one “warm” model twice: declined first time due to house purchase and bought the second time
-same large AD: no sniff of a hot model, admittedly haven’t followed-up after my purchase of the warm model
-one independent AD group with non-Rolex purchase history: not a sniff of a warm or hot model
-another independent AD group with no purchase history: not a sniff of a warm model

Which leads me to the conclusions:
-warm models more likely than hot models (no surprise!)
-some purchase history can help, even non-Rolex
-speaking to the AD and convincing them you’re not a flipper helps

Probably no amazing insight here, just my personal experience

What would you describe a ‘warm’ model as?
Are Yachtmasters easy to get hold off?

[DoubleSix]

Fat hippo said:

What would you describe a ‘warm’ model as?
Are Yachtmasters easy to get hold off?

Just take a look at the grey market premium over rrp for the model you’re interested in as a guage of demand.

[Ed T]

As I mentioned above, whilst buying something for my wife in Harrods I went into the rather impressive watch area….and popped into Rolex. The chap was very nice and when we sat down and I stated I have been looking for ages blah blah blah wanted a sub blah blah….he basically had a look of no chance. He then asked do I like anything else, and I said all the bezelled sports models around the 40/41mm are lovely.

He told me a yachtmaster 40 he might be able to do, followed by “and it shouldn’t be too long?!!”

Looking at prices on Chrono24 they are not going for as much of a mark up on other models. Lovely watches in particular the blue face….can’t help but think I’ll still want that Sub!

No more ADs for me…unless I get that sub call ;-)

[anonymous-user]

Ed T said:

As I mentioned above, whilst buying something for my wife in Harrods I went into the rather impressive watch area….and popped into Rolex. The chap was very nice and when we sat down and I stated I have been looking for ages blah blah blah wanted a sub blah blah….he basically had a look of no chance. He then asked do I like anything else, and I said all the bezelled sports models around the 40/41mm are lovely.

He told me a yachtmaster 40 he might be able to do, followed by “and it shouldn’t be too long?!!”

Looking at prices on Chrono24 they are not going for as much of a mark up on other models. Lovely watches in particular the blue face….can’t help but think I’ll still want that Sub!

No more ADs for me…unless I get that sub call ;-)

This is how they get you… offering models that you aren’t totally sure about or didn’t set out to buy, but people end up buying what they are offered almost out of desperation to be ‘allowed’ to buy something, anything.

[James_P]

Agree with the above.. I was offered a batman recently but they know I am waiting for a pepsi. The large AD only get one every month or so I was told and these all go to customers with previous spend.

[Shnozz]

Lord Marylebone said:

Ed T said:

As I mentioned above, whilst buying something for my wife in Harrods I went into the rather impressive watch area….and popped into Rolex. The chap was very nice and when we sat down and I stated I have been looking for ages blah blah blah wanted a sub blah blah….he basically had a look of no chance. He then asked do I like anything else, and I said all the bezelled sports models around the 40/41mm are lovely.

He told me a yachtmaster 40 he might be able to do, followed by “and it shouldn’t be too long?!!”

Looking at prices on Chrono24 they are not going for as much of a mark up on other models. Lovely watches in particular the blue face….can’t help but think I’ll still want that Sub!

No more ADs for me…unless I get that sub call ;-)

This is how they get you… offering models that you aren’t totally sure about or didn’t set out to buy, but people end up buying what they are offered almost out of desperation to be ‘allowed’ to buy something, anything.

Utterly nuts. Spending £10k on a watch you don't want in the hope that you might someday later be able to spend thousands on the watch you do want.

Another one that will sit this madness out. It's not like I am wanting an SS Daytona. Another ND or date Sub so mass produced item that I won't be playing daft games for or buying a grey. I want one, but not that much.

[Deep]

James_P said:

Agree with the above.. I was offered a batman recently but they know I am waiting for a pepsi. The large AD only get one every month or so I was told and these all go to customers with previous spend.

Eh?
Why wouldn't you buy the Batman as well? My mate is waiting for a Pepsi and was also offered a Batman instead which he snapped up. He'll still get the Pepsi as well eventually but now he has another profitable acquisition.
It's worth a good few thousand above list

[James_P]

The pepsi will be very soon, I would rather get what I want then go for something else after my next purchase rather than another GMT.

[JEA1K]

Shnozz said:

Utterly nuts. Spending £10k on a watch you don't want in the hope that you might someday later be able to spend thousands on the watch you do want.

Also see; Porsche GT models

[raceboy]

The whole 'new Rolex' thing does seem a little crazy, and many are asking when will it burst but it's been this way for over 20 years so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a crash, Rolex appear to be in the enviable position of having a load more customers than product, if you think Rolex is bad though try and buy a Ferrari, and even more so if you want a 'special' Ferrari.
I bought a new Rolex from an AD 20 years ago, at the time it was about a 3-4 year wait and they just took a deposit and you waited for the call, now it seems like the waiting lists aren't a thing anymore.
I did buy a used ND Sub a few years ago and I'm pleasantly shocked at how much they have gone up in value over a relatively short period of time.
If I was looking for one I'd take the same approach I did then, I bought via the TZ forum, paid 'about list' for a slightly used gray import watch, I think it had come from Iconic Watches at some point.
A lot of it is being in the right place at the right time, or probably more accurately, knowing the right person at the right time. There are a few premium level customers that can get these lower level watches at list with very little wait as they are buying loads because they want to get the call when the Rainbow Daytona comes in, or the Patek Philippe
World Time they really want, if you are 'in the know' they aren't even interested in flipping them for profit as it's chicken feed to them, but not much help if you don't move in their circles, most recently I've know someone get a Deep Sea James Cameron for list price within a few weeks of asking.

[Dezbo]

Deep said:

James_P said:

Agree with the above.. I was offered a batman recently but they know I am waiting for a pepsi. The large AD only get one every month or so I was told and these all go to customers with previous spend.

Eh?
Why wouldn't you buy the Batman as well? My mate is waiting for a Pepsi and was also offered a Batman instead which he snapped up. He'll still get the Pepsi as well eventually but now he has another profitable acquisition.
It's worth a good few thousand above list

The Batman would be a no risk purchase if the OP wanted to try it out while waiting for the Pepsi. There’s also the school of thought that they might only get offered a limited number of hot models. Otherwise, perhaps they had no interest in making a profit

[matrignano]

Fat hippo said:

I first put my name down on the waiting list for a Daytona in 2005. I’m still waiting by the phone hoping it will ring


ETA i’m not actually that sad to wait by the phone. I know I will never get the call and tbh couldn’t give a monkeys now either

Edited by Fat hippo on Monday 14th June 15:59

They haven’t been able to find a Daytona for you in 16 years???

[Fat hippo]

matrignano said:

Fat hippo said:

I first put my name down on the waiting list for a Daytona in 2005. I’m still waiting by the phone hoping it will ring


ETA i’m not actually that sad to wait by the phone. I know I will never get the call and tbh couldn’t give a monkeys now either

Edited by Fat hippo on Monday 14th June 15:59

They haven’t been able to find a Daytona for you in 16 years???

That’s right. I suspected at the time that my name would be removed from the list as soon as I left the shop. They did say that the waiting list was 5-7 years at that point so I don’t realistically expect to get one, and certainly not desperate.

I did get a kermit shortly after but that was because my colleague (who pestered me to get one) was a reasonably big spender at WoS and managed to get one in 2 days.

[matrignano]

Have you checked since if you’re still on the list? And how much closer you are to a Daytona?

[DoubleSix]

Dezbo said:

Deep said:

James_P said:

Agree with the above.. I was offered a batman recently but they know I am waiting for a pepsi. The large AD only get one every month or so I was told and these all go to customers with previous spend.

Eh?
Why wouldn't you buy the Batman as well? My mate is waiting for a Pepsi and was also offered a Batman instead which he snapped up. He'll still get the Pepsi as well eventually but now he has another profitable acquisition.
It's worth a good few thousand above list

The Batman would be a no risk purchase if the OP wanted to try it out while waiting for the Pepsi. There’s also the school of thought that they might only get offered a limited number of hot models. Otherwise, perhaps they had no interest in making a profit

The AD would, in theory, not be amused if you flipped it for a quick profit. In turn, damaging one’s prospects of being offered the originally desired watch.

[jdwoodbury]

I am now 16 months into waiting for my Yachtmaster from an independent AD (they told me it would be 6 and I was top of the list). I have purchase history from them of 2 watches (including another Rolex). To be fair I have not chased them up, but I am getting a bit bored of waiting.

[Dezbo]

jdwoodbury said:

I am now 16 months into waiting for my Yachtmaster from an independent AD (they told me it would be 6 and I was top of the list). I have purchase history from them of 2 watches (including another Rolex). To be fair I have not chased them up, but I am getting a bit bored of waiting.

Definitely chase them up if you’re still interested! If you’re not chasing, you can guarantee somebody else is

[DoubleSix]

jdwoodbury said:

I am now 16 months into waiting for my Yachtmaster from an independent AD (they told me it would be 6 and I was top of the list). I have purchase history from them of 2 watches (including another Rolex). To be fair I have not chased them up, but I am getting a bit bored of waiting.

What model you after? I paid a 5% premium in the grey market for my Yachtmaster (full set)… worth it for 16 month queue jump and sidestepping the indignity of the AD nonsense.

Edited by DoubleSix on Wednesday 16th June 21:15

[VEX]

Has anyone tried Timetofind.com

Run by an old clients son of mine with a lot of very very good watch connections.

Not an advert, no dealings with them personally or professionally. Just could be good, although on something with so little supply could still be a challenge.

V.

[jdwoodbury]

DoubleSix said:

What model you after? I paid a 5% premium in the grey market for my Yachtmaster (full set)… worth it for 16 month queue jump and sidestepping the indignity of the AD nonsense.

Edited by DoubleSix on Wednesday 16th June 21:15

I am after a Yacht-Master 40mm with Rhodium dial, looks like I can get one on the grey market for £12k which is a £2.5k premium (I dont think I want to pay that). Wished I had bought one in Dubai 5yrs ago when it was offered to me for £7k!