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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: .
Posts: 332
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Observations from Barcelona on Rolex availability :)
Hi there,
We just came back from a 1 week trip and I have to say the city is very beautiful and walkable. Also, the weather was really good when we were there which is always a plus. While I was there, I wanted to check some Rolex Boutiques / ADs to see if they are still hard to get. I decided that I would ask for a specific model that I liked that is not too much hyped, yet it is elgant and a practical piece. The first AD I visited was Rabat at the famous de Garcia street, to my surprise the store had 2 stainless pieces avilable for sale, a 43mm sea dweller, a deep sea with blcak dial, in addition to 2 full gold pieces, one of which is a lady datejust in full gold. I know, these watches, might not be very much in demand but for me it was a nice surprise and boosted my hopes that I might be able to find the piece I was looking for, the staff there were nice and welcoming, noting that my attire was very casual with a smart watch on hand. The second boutique I visited was Rolex TOUS, same street, this time the staff there (2 ladies) where not very much interested to talk or show me anything, and told me that only have a gold sub avilable for sale. This visit was a miss and similar to the bad reputation of Rolex ADs, which is a shame, because the staff did not seem professional at all unlike the first store. Finally, I visited the 3rd boutique, JOIERIA GRAU, the staff there were very welcoming, polite, and professional. I inquired about the model I was interested in, the sale person told me they have one that I can try but it already on hold for another customer, and they are displaying the piece. I tried on the watch, which I really liked. Then we chatted a little about watch collecting, and where i am from and so on. I told him I'm interested in buying the watch, although he said it is sold, because I know that if an AD has a watch in display even if it is for exhibition only, it means that it is avilable for sale. Any how we exchanged our phone numbers on the hope if something becomes avilable, as I would be leaving Barcelona after 3 days. He told me to check again in 2 days before I leave, as he would check again with managers. Well 2 days later, I sent a text msg hoping that I get an update, my msg did not seem to have reached him, and so I decided to visit the store again with 1% hope. Once I arrived back to the store, I asked about sales person that I met before but unfortunately he was out for lunch, and I will be assigned to another one, they seated me as the store was full with clients. This time around my hopes dropped to 0% and I thought to my self that I must be wasting my time in Barcelona. Any how the receptionist was a very nice lady, who quickly asked what I would like to drink, and made sure that I am comfortable (again very professional). A few minutes later, the new sales person came and obolagized for making me wait, I told him what I was looking for and that I visited the store 2 days ago and the little chat I had with other sales person. We talked a little and he told me that the watches they have are display pieces, and in order to sell any piece he needs to get management approval. And so, he picked up his phone and called a few who did not answer (it was lunch time), a few minutes later someone called back and I was able to get this beauty, Explorer I in 40mm Attachment 1445107Attachment 1445108 |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Jesper
Location: Earth
Watch: 116234
Posts: 1,702
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Congrats on the Explorer and sounds like an overall great experience
![]() Can only ecco your experience - Joieria Grau and Rabat are both great and with good people! Especially the selection in Rabat is a paradise for any watch enthusiast. |
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Earth
Posts: 661
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Great tactics! Enjoy your new piece.
bibbi |
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#4 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Real Name: Mike
Location: Illinois
Watch: BLNR VTNR PAM 915
Posts: 1,878
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Congratulations!!!
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#5 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Harry
Location: England
Posts: 10,283
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Congratulations. A holiday you won't ever forget.
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#6 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,543
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Well done, great watch, enjoy wearing it
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__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711. |
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#7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 11,378
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Good story. I had some great times visiting Barcelona a few years ago. Great city and nice people!
__________________
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#8 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 75,940
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Wow, congratulations
![]() ![]() ![]() Buying a watch on vacation has to be a real thrill and memory you’ll never forget ![]() Enjoy it in the very best of health ![]() |
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#9 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Canada
Watch: Sub| DJ41| 79540
Posts: 1,317
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Quote:
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#10 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 46,337
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Congratulations.
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#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: .
Posts: 332
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Thank you all for your warm wishes.
It was a long hunt, but that is part of the excitement and fun. I believe this is a good addition to my Rolex collection. I have reposted the pics I hope they work this time around ![]() ![]() ![]() Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk |
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Florida
Watch: All of them
Posts: 542
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That’s awesome I have had amazing luck in Barcelona at the AP house
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: Australia
Posts: 152
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Persistence and determination pays off! Well done to you and great watch!
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#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Real Name: Vic
Location: Spain
Watch: SD43
Posts: 6,065
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That's excellent. Well done and congratulations!
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#15 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 10,980
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It is nice to hear of stories of stores actually selling watches without crazy long waits.
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#16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: UK
Posts: 214
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Cool story and cool watch. Very good.
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#17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Uk
Watch: RolexGMT/Tudor7928
Posts: 3,570
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Nice looking watch congrats to you
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Sunshine State
Watch: lots of Rolex
Posts: 4,882
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Persistence pays. Well done!
__________________
126610LV//116508 Daytona YG Black/Champagne 116655 YM40 Everose Oysterflex//126622 YM40 Blue//126600 SD43 126710BLNR//126711CHNR 126334 DJ41 Rhodium/Diamonds//126331 DJ41 TT Wimbledon 124300 OP41 Green//126334 DJ41Mint Green |
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#19 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,162
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Congratulations, well done. Enjoy that Explorer, and the memorable purchase.
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: USA
Watch: RolexPatekCartier
Posts: 2,335
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Congrats !
Street is Paseo de Gracia (Passeig de Grŕcia in catalan), not Garcia.
__________________
PP5167a; PP5153r; PPNautilus 7118r; PP3733-YG; DD40 RG/Sundust-Roman;DD40YG/White/Roman;DD40 WG/Olive;Daytona RG;Sub Black YG; Daytona Panda; Celebration 41; GMT-II’s: Left VTNR; GRNR; Batman; SkyDweller SSJubilee/Black; SUB no-date; Oysterquartz SS; DJ SS 36mm’87; Cartier: Roadster YG;Santos YG; Panther YG; Panther SS; Tank’73 YG, Tank must 2023 ;Tank Americaine YG;BulgariBB38mm/YG |
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#21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Sector 001
Posts: 300
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Bravo! Congrats enjoy it!
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Northeast
Watch: Rolex/AP/ALS/Omega
Posts: 1,461
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Thanks for sharing that experience. Quite a nice memento from your trip.
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 2,353
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Congratulations
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#24 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Podgorica, MNE
Posts: 289
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Quote:
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#25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: .
Posts: 332
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Barcelona is a beautiful city and the people are very nice it was a memorable trip with the family which was on concluded with a great ending for us as I had to treat my wife with a nice handbag since she is putting up with my watch sickness :)
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#26 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Real Name: Martin
Location: England
Watch: Sea Dweller
Posts: 3,061
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Quote:
Apparently its something to do with the ongoing protests in Spain against tourism. You may want to take a dive watch if visiting ![]() ![]()
__________________
Martin Small Rolex, Omega, Seiko and Oris Collection |
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: .
Posts: 332
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He he he :) just saw the news but if we were there, only a Hulk can save us
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#28 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Real Name: Richard
Location: GA
Watch: YTBD
Posts: 23,037
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Congrats and enjoy!
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#29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 654
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Amazing story. I loved reading it. Congrats on the great watch.
things are getting better! |
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#30 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 115
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It's great that you ultimately found the watch you were looking for. Enjoy your new Explorer, and may it remind you of your time exploring Barcelona!
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