AD or Grey Market for Explorer II?

[bds79]

I’ve been in love with the black dial Explorer II for several years. A year and 2 months ago I approached my local AD with my interest in buying one. I’ve followed all the advice about working with an AD: I was specific about what I wanted (black dial Explorer II); I discussed with him in person; I expressed my long-standing interest in watches; I checked back in person every few months (not obnoxious but showing I’m committed); and am clearly not a flipper.

On my visits he tried to direct my interest toward a Tudor. I looked at the Tudor GMT but politely declined. I said the black dial Explorer II is the watch for me and I’ll wait. So I have no buying history with him.

Now, after a year and 2 month I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m simply not going to be offered the watch from him. Maybe he has other clients with a spending history and those are who he contacts when Rolex shipments come in. He’s a salesman trying to sell watches, I get it. But I feel like if I were on his radar and truly at the top of his list for this watch (as he said) I would have this watch by now.

So, do I keep waiting on the AD, or do I pull the trigger in the grey market?
I’ve saved the money for this watch, have wanted it for years and know it’s the watch for me, and am just getting tired of waiting and thinking about it.

[travisb]

Prices on the Exp2 are not much over retail in the secondary market. Stop waiting, get it, enjoy it.


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[Driver8]

Originally Posted by travisb

Prices on the Exp2 are not much over retail in the secondary market. Stop waiting, get it, enjoy it.

This ^. The price difference isn't worth a year and two months of your time.

[MinMay]

Originally Posted by travisb

Prices on the Exp2 are not much over retail in the secondary market. Stop waiting, get it, enjoy it.


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+ 1.

Not much difference when you consider tax. Plus you can find a mint condition like new for a good price on explorer. Also I feel it’s a buyers market right now so you have room to negotiate.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by travisb

Prices on the Exp2 are not much over retail in the secondary market. Stop waiting, get it, enjoy it.


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This

[NYC2023]

As much as finally receiving a watch from an AD can be exciting, this is a situation where you should go grey. You have a specific watch in mind that you seem to love. You've saved up for this watch and now are ready to pull the trigger. And, most importantly, as Travis mentioned, prices aren't that much over retail.

Buy from a trusted seller or other reputable source and you'll have your dream watch on your wrist tomorrow. You only live once- buy it and enjoy it! Please post a picture once you have it!

[GrantD]

Go grey, if one comes into the AD’s for you, buy and sell that so you end up paying list anyway. Follow me for more financial advice

[Gerardus]

I was eyeballing for a while for a black face EXII. Ended up buying grey.
@ the AD nothing to get… (although I am a regular client)

[amh]

This one, definitely grey. Available at minimal difference vs AD.

[pa1113]

Originally Posted by amh

This one, definitely grey. Available at minimal difference vs AD.

^^^ this!


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[4rnold]

Originally Posted by Gerardus

I was eyeballing for a while for a black face EXII. Ended up buying grey.
@ the AD nothing to get… (although I am a regular client)

Gorgeous piece, well done mate, one of my favourite watches

[Gerardus]

Originally Posted by 4rnold

Gorgeous piece, well done mate, one of my favourite watches

Thanks

[Marcjvr]

Hedge your bet.

Go grey for now.

If the AD calls you that it is available, pick it up and cash out one of them. If you make a bit of money great. If you lose a bit consider it the rental fee you paid to have the watch on your arm right now

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Hedge your bet.

Go grey for now.

If the AD calls you that it is available, pick it up and cash out one of them. If you make a bit of money great. If you lose a bit consider it the rental fee you paid to have the watch on your arm right now

This is exactly what I did. Went gray, got on a list, got the call 18 months later, flipped out of the grey to a wonderful seller here, and got a brand new watch at the AD.




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[911_3.6]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Hedge your bet.

Go grey for now.

If the AD calls you that it is available, pick it up and cash out one of them. If you make a bit of money great. If you lose a bit consider it the rental fee you paid to have the watch on your arm right now

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Ultimately, it’s the OP’s decision, but given the current market, you could go with the gray market and get it now. The purchasing experience from an AD can be memorable, especially it it’s your first Rolex, but nobody can predict when you may get the call.

Good luck!

[shammad10]

The price from the AD has gone up twice in the last year and 2 months in the UK! Tine to go grey! You can get one at very minimal difference and the longer you wait the more time and money you waste! Enjoy it!

[beshannon]

Welcome to the forum.

If you want to buy a watch then do so.

[worldofoyster]

the explorer2 is relatively easier to get. but if you have not gotten one after 2 years, turn around and check out other ADs if you dont want to pay over MSRP, maybe looking 1-3 months wait.

on the other hand, grey is not much more over retail if you already lost your patience.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by bds79

I’ve been in love with the black dial Explorer II for several years. A year and 2 months ago I approached my local AD with my interest in buying one. I’ve followed all the advice about working with an AD: I was specific about what I wanted (black dial Explorer II); I discussed with him in person; I expressed my long-standing interest in watches; I checked back in person every few months (not obnoxious but showing I’m committed); and am clearly not a flipper.

On my visits he tried to direct my interest toward a Tudor. I looked at the Tudor GMT but politely declined. I said the black dial Explorer II is the watch for me and I’ll wait. So I have no buying history with him.

Now, after a year and 2 month I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m simply not going to be offered the watch from him. Maybe he has other clients with a spending history and those are who he contacts when Rolex shipments come in. He’s a salesman trying to sell watches, I get it. But I feel like if I were on his radar and truly at the top of his list for this watch (as he said) I would have this watch by now.

So, do I keep waiting on the AD, or do I pull the trigger in the grey market?
I’ve saved the money for this watch, have wanted it for years and know it’s the watch for me, and am just getting tired of waiting and thinking about it.

Go "grey"

1) The time on your wrist is worth way more than the premium you'll pay

2) The AD "experience" ends the second you walk out the door

3) A "grey" dealer won't make you feel like they are doing you a favour

[Chewbacca]

Easy answer. Pawn shop.

[Matt129]

Life is short my friend and we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. Find a nice full-set grey market example from a trusted seller. Wear it with a smile.

[Harry-57]

If you can accept the difference in price and trust the seller you can have your Explorer II tomorrow.

[TheVision]

I regularly see the new Gen exp2 around $11k for black dial. Polar is more.

Retail is $9650 and with taxes, ya looking at over $10k ...from AD.

For $1k extra, u can go grey and don't have to sell yourself short in front of high school graduates working in a jewelry shop that sells rolex.

[the dark knight]

So this is a tad risky and not a guarantee of success, but if you really want it from the AD then I'd just buy something. Not too crazy, an Exp II should not need much spending history. But I'd go back in, talk to the guy again, reiterate my interest in the Exp II, and then just pick up a Tudor, maybe a BB Pro if they have it (I've seen them in displays now). Then the next couple of times you visit, make sure you are wearing it, tell them how much you like that style and wearing it has just reinforced your love of the Exp II.

But this is only if you really want to purchase from an AD. I think the above method enhances your chances quite a bit from now, but it's not a guarantee.

And it does build a relationship in case you want other pieces in the future.

However, in general I echo what others are saying and think you should go grey. Premiums are very small on this model. I personally purchased a NOS 216570 with all stickers on it (but no warranty card strangely) from a trusted seller for slightly LESS than MSRP+tax on a brand new 226570.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

So this is a tad risky and not a guarantee of success, but if you really want it from the AD then I'd just buy something. Not too crazy, an Exp II should not need much spending history. But I'd go back in, talk to the guy again, reiterate my interest in the Exp II, and then just pick up a Tudor, maybe a BB Pro if they have it (I've seen them in displays now). Then the next couple of times you visit, make sure you are wearing it, tell them how much you like that style and wearing it has just reinforced your love of the Exp II.

But this is only if you really want to purchase from an AD. I think the above method enhances your chances quite a bit from now, but it's not a guarantee.

And it does build a relationship in case you want other pieces in the future.

However, in general I echo what others are saying and think you should go grey. Premiums are very small on this model. I personally purchased a NOS 216570 with all stickers on it (but no warranty card strangely) from a trusted seller for slightly LESS than MSRP+tax on a brand new 226570.

I would think that no warranty card on a 6 digit Rolex would decrease the value of the watch considerably. Not a concern if you’re keeping it. But definitely affects the price you’ll pay.


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[SLWoodster]

Time to go grey before you go grey.

You tried. The list of things you did doesn't work for everyone. It's always YMMV.

Should keep going in.

You can also show AD the black dial explorer you got from grey. Say "yeah, it was the same price so i bought it. I waited over a year with you guys and just decided to treat myself because I just love it."

Or you can leave it alone, and try to sell either one.

The game is tough. It's not just the AD holding out. You're competing with everyone else here or in your area who wants one. If nobody else wanted one then you'd get one...

Originally Posted by bds79

I’ve been in love with the black dial Explorer II for several years. A year and 2 months ago I approached my local AD with my interest in buying one. I’ve followed all the advice about working with an AD: I was specific about what I wanted (black dial Explorer II); I discussed with him in person; I expressed my long-standing interest in watches; I checked back in person every few months (not obnoxious but showing I’m committed); and am clearly not a flipper.

On my visits he tried to direct my interest toward a Tudor. I looked at the Tudor GMT but politely declined. I said the black dial Explorer II is the watch for me and I’ll wait. So I have no buying history with him.

Now, after a year and 2 month I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m simply not going to be offered the watch from him. Maybe he has other clients with a spending history and those are who he contacts when Rolex shipments come in. He’s a salesman trying to sell watches, I get it. But I feel like if I were on his radar and truly at the top of his list for this watch (as he said) I would have this watch by now.

So, do I keep waiting on the AD, or do I pull the trigger in the grey market?
I’ve saved the money for this watch, have wanted it for years and know it’s the watch for me, and am just getting tired of waiting and thinking about it.

[slus]

Grey, especially if you don't need the current version and want a black dial. I've been on "the list" for about a year now for a white dial, I feel like the AD has been pretty upfront with me about it that they only get 1-2 a year through the store and I'm not at the top of the list, but it's possible with time. I definitely want the 22 series for the wider bracelet so I've been sticking it out while secondary market prices are coming down, and I'd prefer to purchase it in the summer anyway. It's so close to a wash now, I'd be in it ~10.5k with CA taxes. I'm mainly sticking it out now because I'd prefer to purchase in summer anyway, and this same AD has come through for me with the watch I asked for 3 times now, twice just after I purchased the same watch elsewhere. I got lucky with a walk in on vacation just before they called me for a Submariner, then I asked for an SD43 which I passed on, I asked for a DeepSea and they called me literally days after I went grey for that.

[bluestreak]

Where are people finding their prices? I’m curious where you can find and unworn 226570 for 11K? On my searches they appear to be going for $12K+. That is not a trivial difference.

[TNT009]

Go Grey and be happy.. Great timepiece!

[Big Kahuna 0311]

I’d try talking to the AD again and see if you can get an actual answer on wether you will actually get the watch or not. Or try a couple different AD’s. I drive 5 hours one way sometimes to pop into this certain Ben Bridge AD. And funny enough I’m also waiting for my first Rolex Explorer II black dial. Good luck my friend