Sub date in current market?

[TheVision]

I was looking last year when the market was crap and it was such a crapshoot. I'm in Northern California btw.

I started looking again about 5 months ago and despite how quick the grey market prices are falling down, it seems the waitlist at ADs are still super long.

I was able to get on the waitlist at 3 ADs ...

AD#1 ....same old story.."long wait but we'll put ya name down..just check in every 3 months or so but hey keep in mind we also sell Tudor!!".
AD#2...Same as AD1 but gave me a rolex hardcover magazine
AD #3 ...Same story as AD1 but also gave me 2 rolex hardcover magazines. I was there this past weekend and was offered the white gold sub ($40k.yikes)..I politely declined but 1st time, I've actually had something being offered. Crazy thing is I walked in here about 6 weeks back so not sure how and why they offered me the white gold sub (hard to move?). Maybe I'm a likeable guy..hah.

But I still think I ain't getting anything at all this year..lol. That being said, only AD1 asked me to buy a Tudor to "step up" to a Rolex later. The other 2 AD's had no pressure but AD3 seems to be the only one I might get a shot at. So I'll continue working on this AD....

Thing is grey market has softened and sub date with stamped warranty card is now like under $14k (and I've seen ebay deals on $13k). That's only like $2k more than retail plus CA taxes.

I might wait out for another 6 months for AD3 but if no luck, might go grey (and hopefully the market continues to soften).

Anyone experiencing otherwise (better luck with ADs?)?

Cheers.

[trout_thumper21]

I, too, and from California and on the hunt for a Sub date. The AD’s I have visited to say it will happen and just a matter of time. Time will tell I suppose.

[Gaussian]

Don’t we all miss the days when the cases were full (not of “display only models”) and you wouldn’t be laughed out of the store for saying the word “discount”?

[996marty]

Hopefully with the market softening you get what you want and by the sounds of it AD#3 will be the one. Buying something you don’t want to hopefully get you what you want has never been top of my list and as you say last resort just go grey.

[1William]

Balancing the money/watch issue is real and many spend a lot of time trying to navigate the market. You have your information from the AD's, now go to our Trusted Sellers websites and check them out. Remember that asking prices and getting prices are very different many times. Once you find a watch or two that is to your liking then get on the phone and have a respectful conversation and see what they tell you. You will not typically get the price until you tell them you are ready to buy but you can be close. DavidSW is my go to and he has a great website and a very good staff. Many say he is the most expensive, maybe, but the service and follow through make it worth it for me. Once you have all the information make a decision. In the end, a few thousand dollars does not make or break me and the ability to have the watch I want, when I want it, is significant. Once you get it the money will not matter as much as the watch. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[EEpro]

Buy it now and buy it again when the AD comes through. You pay a small fee to enjoy it in the meantime.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Buy it now and buy it again when the AD comes through. You pay a small fee to enjoy it in the meantime.

This tactic just contributes to the current mess in distribution. Once you buy the watch from wherever, just keep and move on.

[Nads786]

I've had a very similar experience in the Chicago area. I've noticed a drop in the Sub Date grey prices as well the ADs still think it's 2021.

I started my wait in March of this year and hoping to get my watchin in November. If I knew it would have taken this long I would of probably gone grey.

[worldofoyster]

just go grey, the price is very close and you get it the next day

[Polarexplorerii]

Buy now before the Holidays, prices will go up at grey..

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Polarexplorerii

Buy now before the Holidays, prices will go up at grey..

I'd wait for Black Friday. David and joma usually offer 500-1000 off etc.

[Jasb]

13-14k for the date and 13k for the no date is still pretty high for a watch that out the door is 10k new in my opinion. I’ve been waiting on a no date and got called on a LV and jumped…still waiting to scratch the no date itch.

[slide13]

Give it a little time if you're not in a huge hurry, I think things are becoming more available and while lists may still be long I think a lot of those names may not be quite so interested when the secondary prices are close to retail.

I was down for a black Sub, date or non, didn't really care. After a good long wait (year or two, I don't really remember when I got on the list) I got the call back in June. I was not following up and was quite surprised when the call came. So it happens....but it can take a while.

Love my Sub Date, was worth the wait for me

[JSolution]

It’s really a no brainer for me if it’s a couple of grand either way :) I don’t do well with “maybe” lol


I used to buy everything grey untill the prices went so high. I made a good relationship with an AD during those years, but I would just buy on the secondary market again at todays prices and skip the begging lol.

[TheVision]

Bloody hell. I should play lotto.

AD3 just texted me saying they have a black sub date to pick up if I'm "still interested". !!

It's a out of area AD so I asked the rep if she can hold the watch till wednesday and she agreed.

WOOT .....not even 2 months and didnt spend a time there!

I hope the good luck passes to yall too !!

[Rolex.Journey]

It will happen. But if you’re hot on getting one now, imo, prices are very reasonable for subs at the moment.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Rolex.Journey

It will happen. But if you’re hot on getting one now, imo, prices are very reasonable for subs at the moment.

It did happen. 47 minutes before your post.

[Starhutch]

Go get it and enjoy. The difference from retail can easily be justified now for what you are looking at

[BillA]

AD told me over the weekend that no watches will be available for what I am looking for and to check back on allocation next year.

[OSU1989]

I was in a very similar situation, but in Ohio and I was looking for a no-date. Went to two ADs, one was significantly warmer and more pleasant than the other. A week later, I bought the watch from a grey dealer for a bit more than MSRP + taxes (albeit not a complete set).

I wanted the watch then, not at some undetermined point in the future where some employee decided it was my turn. My productivity was taking a huge hit and it’s much easier to wait on waitlists when you already have a nice watch on your arm. Worst case scenario, I can trade it in and buy the piece from an AD when, and if, they ever call.

[Torshalla]

Congrats!
The market is turning, speculators and flippers are no longer buying, which is nice :)


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[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by EEpro

It did happen. 47 minutes before your post.

I was about to say that too

[travisb]

Congrats OP! Perfect timing.

[Henrimontgomery]

Sub date at grey is not that much of a premium anymore. You got yours so happy for you!

If I were to need a Sub (glad I have one), I would be almost ready to pay the few hundred of $ above MSRP. And that's coming from someone who doesn't like to buy outside ADs.

[SunkenSub]

There are a few mentions here of Grey prices for dates and non dates being close to retail but I am really not seeing that. Yes lower than previously but still around 30% premium. That's a decent chunk of change

[Nads786]

Wow great luck OP! I'm hoping to get mine soon from my AD (fingers crossed in a week or two).

[trout_thumper21]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

Sub date at grey is not that much of a premium anymore. You got yours so happy for you!

If I were to need a Sub (glad I have one), I would be almost ready to pay the few hundred of $ above MSRP. And that's coming from someone who doesn't like to buy outside ADs.

Show me a sub a few hundred above MSRP, because I am on the hunt for a Sub date, and best gray price I can find is $12k+

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by trout_thumper21

Show me a sub a few hundred above MSRP, because I am on the hunt for a Sub date, and best gray price I can find is $12k+

I’ve seen ads from private individuals for around 600CHF above MSRP, in Europe.

[PenDelicate]

It depends on what you have already.

If you've another watch or two you adore: wait for six months and if the AD hasn't offered, go grey.

If you've no watch and this is the one you want: go grey now and enjoy.

[brandrea]

Congratulations OP, looking forward to your incoming tomorrow.