In this environment...

[fiosity]

Has anyone been able to reach out to an AD (via phone or email) with whom they have no prior purchase history and be offered a hot SS piece within a day to three weeks? I’m hunting a particular piece but not sure if it’s worth it to start cold calling everywhere in the US to hope they have some unallocated pieces in their now open safes.

[Largoshark]

Hate to say it, but keep dreaming my friend...that's just my opinion though. If you've got the time, feel free to give it a shot.

[Gee2789]

I mean it’s definitely a different environment but if 3 weeks is your timeline I’d say relax and give yourself some more time. I find arbitrary short timelines only help me make mistakes on my purchases.

[arcampado]

OP, to add to what the others above have said, *most* ADs will not sell to any buyers outside of their local area. That definition varies by dealer but is certainly the general rule that most follow. If you’re going to start calling around I would start closer to home.

Also, what reference are you looking for? GM prices are starting to sink back to reality and with a little more time you may be able to score a BNIB piece within the scope of reality. That is obviously dependent on the reference but certainly more attainable if you’re looking for something like a SS Sub.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by fiosity

Has anyone been able to reach out to an AD (via phone or email) with whom they have no prior purchase history and be offered a hot SS piece within a day to three weeks? I’m hunting a particular piece but not sure if it’s worth it to start cold calling everywhere in the US to hope they have some unallocated pieces in their now open safes.

What piece is it and what buying history do you have?

[Citystar31]

Originally Posted by fiosity

Has anyone been able to reach out to an AD (via phone or email) with whom they have no prior purchase history and be offered a hot SS piece within a day to three weeks? I’m hunting a particular piece but not sure if it’s worth it to start cold calling everywhere in the US to hope they have some unallocated pieces in their now open safes.

When I first saw all the incoming posts I had some free time and reached out to 3 local AD’s I’ve never dealt with... one never replied, another talked to me like
I had no clue what a Rolex was, and the last actually sent a personable response. They also had a 41mm Oyster Perpetual Datejust available... probably not the sought after models your looking for but still surprised me! On a positive note I now know which AD’s I’ll conduct business with.

[Nixshah]

I’ve had a lot of luck with this approach up until 2017.

Recently, I started contacting ADs in the Northeast to try and score a BLNR. The most “promising” responses I’ve gotten so far have been I’ll take your name down and contact you when one becomes available. I’m not going to hold my breath.

Timing is everything. Persistence will yield results. 3 weeks may not be feasible, but you could get lucky. Best of luck.

[MattyIce3285]

Never hurts to ask. I've reached out to ADs in my area (South East), but not much of SS availability that I was interested in. Was only able to come across an Air King, Milgauss (both dials), and a Blue Dial Yacht Master. Some great two-tones out there though including TT Rootbeer and TT Sky Dweller with a Black Face.

[watchmework]

I tried but everyone gave me the stiffarm..they were sure to offer me a bunch of full rose gold and yellow gold models though

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by fiosity

Has anyone been able to reach out to an AD (via phone or email) with whom they have no prior purchase history and be offered a hot SS piece within a day to three weeks? I’m hunting a particular piece but not sure if it’s worth it to start cold calling everywhere in the US to hope they have some unallocated pieces in their now open safes.

If you have the time and they answer the phone why not call all of them?

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by fiosity

Has anyone been able to reach out to an AD (via phone or email) with whom they have no prior purchase history and be offered a hot SS piece within a day to three weeks? I’m hunting a particular piece but not sure if it’s worth it to start cold calling everywhere in the US to hope they have some unallocated pieces in their now open safes.

I walked into my local AD on March 12th and told them I wanted a SS Daytona. I had been in before but no purchases, because for several years they've had little to no stock outside PM and DJs. The market was already down significantly at this point and I told them if the whales started saying no I had the cash. They called and sold me a black dial Daytona the next day.

They did mention that they get pestering phone calls from all over the country daily looking for hot models but that they preferred to serve their local market. I have no reason to doubt them.

Of course, things were still pretty normal in my neck of the woods that week. My company started working from home the following Monday.