GraY Market Thoughts

[dc7240]

I Have been on the Rolex AD List for 3 years, No Luck. In September I rented a 24 ft. Pontoon on Mississippi. The young man working there had 36 Explorer with Rubber B. I asked him which AD did he go to. Turns out he used a Gray Market Guy in Maple Grove, MN. Next thing you know I put down money on my first ever Rolex (Blue and Gold Sub = Bluesy). It is a Father Son shop, way better treatment than AD. He even let me put it on lay away. Everything checks out, it is genuine. Also, have full box, papers etc. etc. Now a month later my AD is offering me the Wimbledon (Steel Gold, Fluted bezel, Slate Gray Green Roman) and green OP 41 ( Which I accepted ). Weird, how that works. It took me going Gray to start the ball rolling. By the way, I purchased the Bluesy $3,000.00 less than what is retail price. Has anyone else had a Gray Market experience that worked out better than the AD?

Mark
Minnesota

[alphadweller]

Congrats on your TT blue Sub and OP41.

Last time I bought from grey, I got a new piece stickered at 33% off retail. That was my reason for going grey back then (2015). These days though, if I can't get what I really want from an AD, then I'd consider grey again, at the right price.

[Wingman244]

Originally Posted by dc7240

Has anyone else had a Gray Market experience that worked out better than the AD?

Mark
Minnesota

LOL... Well since I have purchased probably 4 grey market Rolex watches this year and every single time I go into my AD to try on the watch and say - "can I buy it" and they smile and say "We can put you on the list".

And they never call... Been on the list for various references for 4 years.

The greys are great. Special shout out to DavidSW, Nashville watch. I even bought a Grand Seiko from Jomashop this year. Find the watch, pay, get it next day - they answer all your questions promptly and are super attentive.

Just in at my AD this Tuesday - put it on and said "WOW! Can I buy?" I asked. "We can put you on a waitlist" they smiled. Called Chase at Nashville Watch - They had a NOS (new old stock) Root Beer, I had the watch yesterday, slight premium over retail price.

[10splaya]

Originally Posted by wingman244

lol... Well since i have purchased probably 4 grey market rolex watches this year and every single time i go into my ad to try on the watch and say - "can i buy it" and they smile and say "we can put you on the list".

And they never call... Been on the list for various references for 4 years.

The greys are great. Special shout out to davidsw, nashville watch. I even bought a grand seiko from jomashop this year. Find the watch, pay, get it next day - they answer all your questions promptly and are super attentive.

Just in at my ad this tuesday - put it on and said "wow! Can i buy?" i asked. "we can put you on a waitlist" they smiled. Called chase at nashville watch - they had a nos root beer, i had the watch yesterday, slight premium over retail price.

bingo!

[Calatrava r]

If a model you want is trading on the secondary market for retail or less, I would go there first over an AD. Being put on some list for years makes no sense to me for most Rolex models.