Visiting a foreign country, email the AD in advance or just walk in when I'm there?

[Blue Fin]

Don’t take any risks.
Narrow down their major grey dealers and calmly walk in with a trouser full of concealed USD, you might find a surprise.
Then enjoy your holiday.

[Blue Fin]

And don’t email or call, you don’t want to attract attention

[Mattt]

I'm from Colombia. I doubt you will be offered more than one sport model, so don't get your hopes so up. You will probably need to purchase a Calatrava for example in order to get a SS Nautilus.

br,

p.s. don't email or call, so they don't have time to plan anything sketchy.

[Parapraxis]

Originally Posted by NYMike

FYI, since I know the store in Bogota well, they have an explorer 1 display model for show. That's about it.

Now I saved you a visit.

Thanks Mike!

[Parapraxis]

Originally Posted by Mattt

I'm from Colombia. I doubt you will be offered more than one sport model, so don't get your hopes so up. You will probably need to purchase a Calatrava for example in order to get a SS Nautilus.

br,

p.s. don't email or call, so they don't have time to plan anything sketchy.

VERY useful and helpful. Thank you so much, this is exactly the kind of info I was hoping to get from this thread. Thanks buddy

[stubim]

Originally Posted by TimepieceRPP

U may get some Ladies date just with loads of diamonds. Gd luck

Visting Ireland last month. Walked into Weir & Sons in Dundrum. Guy practically laughed at/with me and said the same as above If I went into the main shop in town I may get some Diamond DJ's

He was a nice buy about it tho

[Ringhio]

Go in person with a “never say never” state of mind.
If you find the right associate that likes you, and for some reason they have a watch that is not allocated yet (it’s rare, but it does happen)… they might consider selling it to you.
I scored a sub no date last summer while on vacation in Italy, so it’s not totally impossible.
If you don’t know Spanish, that may be an issue.
You will never get this remote chance by sending an email.
So, if there is the 0.001% possibility you will get a sport model, go in person.
Also, if you get a second piece that they may have ready to sell (let’s say a lady DJ), you could try to score a bundle.

As a final point, I would suggest to avoid the attitude of the rich tourist from first world going for shopping. This kind of entitlement feeling is not positive and no associate will like it and go the extra mile for you. Better be cool, nice and humble ;)

[rmwill]

Canadian wit at its finest!

[CaptT]

I had good luck in Bogota in late 2019, perhaps a slightly different time than today's environment but I picked up a Tudor GMT from the local AD. Had it interested me then I could have also purchased Explorer 2, there were a few other models in the case as well.

I know very little Spanish, but there wasn't much of a language barrier, perhaps I got lucky that day. The transaction was very straightforward, in fact, I think I saw it in the afternoon/evening and then indicated to them I'd come back in the morning to pick it up.

I choose to wear the GMT but keep it covered for much of the rest of the trip (Bogota, Salento area, Cartagena), just to be safe.

More importantly, enjoy your trip. What a fantastic country, great people, a lot to explore. We wished we had seen Medellín as well; something to look forward to in the future.

Good luck.

[nick800]

I got a BLNR from an AD in Hong Kong by emailing before arriving. True story. 6 years ago.

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by digitalR

people in Oakland seem to be getting robbed and mugged daily and that isn't a "foreign country" for those that live in the States.

Oakland pretty foreign for a lot of us.

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by teck21

This is how bullying is excused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good grief.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Prep an English speaker for you? lol

Why? Isn’t “no” the same in English and Spanish?

[Mattt]

Originally Posted by Parapraxis

VERY useful and helpful. Thank you so much, this is exactly the kind of info I was hoping to get from this thread. Thanks, buddy

Post the results. Thank you, have a great trip.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Good grief.

Exactly

[rallyx]

Hey Op, in your best Pablo accent, tell the AD "acero o plomo". I'm sure they will rush into the safe and get you an acero Daytona.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by teck21

This is how bullying is excused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome to the forum Nancy.

Sent from my SM-T830 using Tapatalk

[teck21]

Originally Posted by zengineer

Welcome to the forum Nancy.

Sent from my SM-T830 using Tapatalk

Another one.

Neither need nor care for yours.

Good day to you. Nah, not really, I really don’t care.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sleepydoc]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

OP real name is Justin Trudeau.

LOL!!!
How did I miss this post, hilarious start to my Saturday.

[Nico81]

Dont email
Standard reply is from big AD there that they only sell
To locals and to ask your local AD to be put on wishlist
Dont waste your time

[watchlover576]

I am curious for an update.

[bestwatch1]

Send an email.

[Mattt]

Originally Posted by watchlover576

I am curious for an update.

We will soon be seeing him with a JMD, a 5711, and a GMT.

[inadeje]

OP, to save you some time with google translate, here’s a few useful translations prior to your trip:

No tenemos nada = We don’t have anything
Debe estar bromeando este gringo = This foreigner must be joking
Ni vengas, no hay relojes = Don’t both coming, there are no watches

Enjoy your trip

[TunaTuna]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Prep an English speaker for you? lol

He must be a racing car driver or a movie star

[donas]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Prep an English speaker for you? lol

That's what I was thinking unless he is way more important than he is letting on Those ADs nor any others give a crap that you are stopping by.....nothing against you, they don't care when 99% of us stop by. Just enjoy your trip, swing in, check out the empty cases and leave.

[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by Mattt

I'm from Colombia. I doubt you will be offered more than one sport model, so don't get your hopes so up. You will probably need to purchase a Calatrava for example in order to get a SS Nautilus.

br,

p.s. don't email or call, so they don't have time to plan anything sketchy.

If I could get a Nautilus by buying a Calatrava, I'd be there tomorrow........

[grimps]

In the summer I was on holiday in Spain and paid a visit to the Rolex Boutique , I enquired about a Bluesy and they asked me how long I'd be staying , I told them a week and 3 days later they messaged and told me I could come and collect.
It's always worth asking