Buying first Rolex during lockdown

[mrYoda]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. Planning on buying an Explorer 1 to celebrate a milestone. I've been doing some reading about the waitlists, AD experience etc. so have an idea about the purchase process.

In fact I've been to an AD just before the lockdown started to ask about Explorer and a 39mm OP and experienced this first hand. When I walked in to the store the guy looked at me as if I was knocking on a stranger's door at 3am. Not quite laughing at my face but more surprised at my audacity to show up at his store.

Obviously with the lockdown still in place and stores mostly being closed I can't really walk into different ADs and keep checking if they have the watch or if I can get on a waitlist.

I was wondering if anyone's got any advice on buying a watch under the current circumstances? Or if I should just pay the premium and go to grey market.

I'm based in the UK by the way if it provides a bit more context.

[franklin]

Find a respectful authorized dealer or respectable “grey” merchant and give them your business.

[STLT]

I would sit tight for a couple of weeks. Should then be more Rolex models available at RRP, maybe not all models especially SS. The Rolex bubble may not burst but it’s going to take a big hit this year

[Littletommy]

Originally Posted by mrYoda

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. Planning on buying an Explorer 1 to celebrate a milestone. I've been doing some reading about the waitlists, AD experience etc. so have an idea about the purchase process.

In fact I've been to an AD just before the lockdown started to ask about Explorer and a 39mm OP and experienced this first hand. When I walked in to the store the guy looked at me as if I was knocking on a stranger's door at 3am. Not quite laughing at my face but more surprised at my audacity to show up at his store.

Obviously with the lockdown still in place and stores mostly being closed I can't really walk into different ADs and keep checking if they have the watch or if I can get on a waitlist.

I was wondering if anyone's got any advice on buying a watch under the current circumstances? Or if I should just pay the premium and go to grey market.

I'm based in the UK by the way if it provides a bit more context.

Do yourself a favor and buy the watch you want from a trusted seller (several of them on this forum). Forget all the AD 'waitlist' BS as it ain't gonna happen.

ps...I do hope the ADs can stay in business selling their other crap so that the so-called 'grays' can keep obtaining merchandise.

[watchyoutalkingbout]

What did they say the wait was for the OP39?

[Brenngun]

If you can't connect with an AD and have a need to get the watch then grey may be your only way. Contact one of the trusted sellers here and find out what your options would be.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by STLT

I would sit tight for a couple of weeks. Should then be more Rolex models available at RRP, maybe not all models especially SS. The Rolex bubble may not burst but it’s going to take a big hit this year

Interesting to see if that "hit" happens.

[DG123]

Originally Posted by Littletommy

Do yourself a favor and buy the watch you want from a trusted seller (several of them on this forum). Forget all the AD 'waitlist' BS as it ain't gonna happen.

ps...I do hope the ADs can stay in business selling their other crap so that the so-called 'grays' can keep obtaining merchandise.

What do you mean by AD’s selling “crap”?

[Brny11]

You can get an Explorer 1. Don’t be discouraged by 1 experience.

[ltmgeller]

Welcome. Call your local ADs. They should be able to source you the watch.

[pedersenkl]

My 2 cents. Call several ADs. Email them on their website. They will respond and likely one will find your Explorer.

[Yess]

Originally Posted by mrYoda

When I walked in to the store the guy looked at me as if I was knocking on a stranger's door at 3am. Not quite laughing at my face but more surprised at my audacity to show up at his store.

I'm based in the UK by the way if it provides a bit more context.

I went to a number of ADs in London in February. They found it amusing that I was looking for a SS watch - I was already used to it being from Australia - it's not about finding another AD, it is just the state of the market (particularly in London). Most of the "just wait, it's only an Exp" responses here will be from the USA where supply isn't anywhere near as constrained as other parts of the world.

[mrYoda]

Originally Posted by Yess

I went to a number of ADs in London in February. They found it amusing that I was looking for a SS watch - I was already used to it being from Australia - it's not about finding another AD, it is just the state of the market (particularly in London). Most of the "just wait, it's only an Exp" responses here will be from the USA where supply isn't anywhere near as constrained as other parts of the world.

That was my feeling as well. Having said that, the AD I visited before the lockdown was in the City where I imagine scarcity would be a its highest but he quoted 6 - 9 months for an Explorer.

[Number3]

Most of the big chains are open again today so I would call a few outside of town, you might strike lucky.

[Ranger67]

AD’s in London are not the most welcoming, good luck with your purchase, i’m reaching out to 3 AD’s this week as been waiting for a Sub for 2.5 years, I won’t pay grey prices so see what happens, not holding out much hope though.

[Lawlex]

Trust me, Exp 1 isn't hard to come by.

When it is fully re-opened, visit few other AD's and you should be able to get one or at least for a short wait.

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[Tavli3]

Yesterday marked the first time I went out of the house in 3 months other than for food and water. Prior to the virus we had made friends with an Italian lady who sells Italian specialty foods in the large center area of our mall every Saturday and Sunday. it's like a farmers market every weekend. I received an email from the Mall that the Market Place is reopening and I saw her listed as one of the merchants who would be present this weekend. My my wife said lets go see our friend, we can go right to her stand and come home. I was very leery but agreed. First it was a mistake and then second it was a shock. First there were not that many people in the Mall but way too many were wearing there masks down below their nose and many with no masks at all. Mind you its stated very clearly everywhere that you must where a mask. Why bother wearing a mask if not covering your nose? Second, was the shock when I saw the Mayors Rolex store right across from our friend's stand was cut in half. There's a new store coming in and it took over the space adjacent to Mayors and half of the Rolex store of Mayors. Didn't stick around long to look into it or go in to inquire, got our goods, wished our friend the best and got out of the mall asap!

Not sure what to make of it but I would think you get bigger not smaller if business is good. Maybe the crappy attitude and crappy treatment of customers has caught up with them. Will be curious to see if they reduce the size of their Vacheron section or IWC section to reallocate the lost space back to the Rolex department.

[watchmaker]

ADs in central London have (generally speaking) larger stock holdings and more deliveries, but they also have more customers (pre-existing and new walk ins). Your odds are always better looking at ADs outside central London.

Caveat to the above is if you have existing purchase history with a central London AD. Then common sense dictates your chances improve with them.

As others have said, the explorer isn’t impossible to find. But the sheer number of buyers in central London means they’ll sell as fast as the go in the window.

[Ricky Rolex]

Pre lockdown a pal of mine was quoted 6-12 months for an Explorer from every AD he called.

London is not good for SS sports models at all.


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[gentb]

you can get a good one from an authorized or just an order and they will make it available to you when it is ready.

[Boaters]

DavidSW you won't be sorry .. Happy Hunting ..

[bp33]

Originally Posted by Boaters

DavidSW you won't be sorry .. Happy Hunting ..

The problem with that is by the time you pay tax and duty, in the UK, it’s too much of a premium.

[Stripiest]

Your odds are better in London at the moment because the place isn't full of Middle East, Russian and Chinese tourists.

[new_to_rolex]

OP - I'm in the same boat (first time buyer, etc.) and have been having the same issue looking for a 39mm OP in the US. Ended up calling ~20 ADs around NYC (one of them had an Exp 1 they were looking to sell me!) before just putting 20% down at an AD with a claim of "4-6 weeks." We'll see what happens...