A Canadian Idiot's guide to buying a Rolex ?

[Kerwi]

Good Day everyone,

I am sure this topic has been discussed ad nauseam however my search has turned up dry.

I am a month away from my military retirement and I thought it would be an opportune time to treat myself to my first Rolex. (Don't let my account age fool you. I made this account very ambitiously in 2011)

The obstacles that stand in the way seem a little daunting because I do have PTSD and am no longer the sweetest and most outgoing person, specially in public.

I have called one AD in Toronto who told me to come in to try on a watch for the exhibition program but made it very clear that they do not have any watches for sale.

I live a little outside of Toronto (Prince Edward County) and as much as i'd love to just drive 4 hours to look at a watch I've known i wanted since 2011 it isn't really feasible to just get told that i can't put money down for one or have a chance at purchasing it.

A lot of the information here is geared at someone capable of going into multiple AD's and building rapport and those aren't things I'm going to become good at.

So i guess my question is.

Is there a point in further pursuing this ?

Or is the idea of purchasing a new Rolex in 2022 just too complicated for an idiot's guide ?

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Kerwi

Good Day everyone,

I am sure this topic has been discussed ad nauseam however my search has turned up dry.

I am a month away from my military retirement and I thought it would be an opportune time to treat myself to my first Rolex. (Don't let my account age fool you. I made this account very ambitiously in 2011)

The obstacles that stand in the way seem a little daunting because I do have PTSD and am no longer the sweetest and most outgoing person, specially in public.

I have called one AD in Toronto who told me to come in to try on a watch for the exhibition program but made it very clear that they do not have any watches for sale.

I live a little outside of Toronto (Prince Edward County) and as much as i'd love to just drive 4 hours to look at a watch I've known i wanted since 2011 it isn't really feasible to just get told that i can't put money down for one or have a chance at purchasing it.

A lot of the information here is geared at someone capable of going into multiple AD's and building rapport and those aren't things I'm going to become good at.

So i guess my question is.

Is there a point in further pursuing this ?

Or is the idea of purchasing a new Rolex in 2022 just too complicated for an idiot's guide ?

Which model exactly are you looking to buy, that is key information as some are more obtainable than others. You have a good story and the right authorised dealer might take a warming to that.

[Kerwi]

A GMT Master II Pepsi.
I've set aside for a SS but could stretch for a WG

[Cigars&Watches]

Originally Posted by Kerwi

A GMT Master II Pepsi.
I've set aside for a SS but could stretch for a WG

Unfortunately you want one of the hardest models to get from an AD. You would most likely need some sort of spend, previous purchase, referral, all of the above to get this piece.. if you can't attend and smooze an AD then your best bet is the grey (at a hefty premium for that model).

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Kerwi

A GMT Master II Pepsi.
I've set aside for a SS but could stretch for a WG

Based on that information, I would go white gold on the secondary market without hesitation. I’ve been collecting/owning Rolexes for my whole adult life. The white gold Pepsi (with black dial) was my most recent purchase and I absolutely love it, and I’ve owned lots of watches. This also makes more sense because, if you were to buy stainless you’re paying 3 times retail. With the white gold you can get one for ten per cent maybe 20 per cent over tops. There’s a lot more value in it from that perspective.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Based on that information, I would go white gold on the secondary market without hesitation. I’ve been collecting/owning Rolexes for my whole adult life. The white gold Pepsi (with black dial) was my most recent purchase and I absolutely love it, and I’ve owned lots of watches. This also makes more sense because, if you were to buy stainless you’re paying 3 times retail. With the white gold you can get one for ten per cent maybe 20 per cent over tops. There’s a lot more value in it from that perspective.

[scottyg]

FWIW, my AD called me one day and said he had some exhibition models and I "should swing by" check them out. So, I did and walked away with nothing but some nice conversation. Within about three weeks, he called and said he had a pepsi for me. I'm not sure if it was a way for him to gauge my honest interest, or get me in his shop, or what, but that's how it went for me.

Caveat: I'm in US.

[jets]

Yes what model. I’m in the other side of Lake Ontario


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Roger Lococco]

Your best chance would be to get into Chinese money laundering and look to establish a “relationship” with an AD across a large volume of purchases.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kerwi]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

Your best chance would be to get into Chinese money laundering and look to establish a “relationship” with an AD across a large volume of purchases.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does it have to be Chinese ?
Could i just do regular money laundering ?
Would my current GE suffice ?

[bosch88]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

Your best chance would be to get into Chinese money laundering and look to establish a “relationship” with an AD across a large volume of purchases.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Racist much? Could have made your point without naming a Nationality...

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by bosch88

Racist much? Could have made your point without naming a Nationality...

Uh, Canada has a huge Chinese money laundering problem. This is pretty well known. The money laundering is coming from China - therefore it is Chinese money laundering. It started with real estate and luxury cars. And now a target is luxury watches. This is also well known.

Here is one of hundreds of articles you can find on the broader issue of Chinese money laundering in Canada.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...d-chinese-cash


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AP365]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

Uh, Canada has a huge Chinese money laundering problem. This is pretty well known. The money laundering is coming from China - therefore it is Chinese money laundering. It started with real estate and luxury cars. And now a target is luxury watches. This is also well known.

Here is one of hundreds of articles you can find on the broader issue of Chinese money laundering in Canada.

This doesn't change the fact that what you said is a racist and stereotypical comment.

Imagine if you made a statement about African-American being criminals and then sent statistics to back this up. It is still incredibly racist.

And Craigdwh you look like a racist skinhead already I won't even address you beyond this comment.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by AP365

This doesn't change the fact that what you said is a racist and stereotypical comment.

Imagine if you made a statement about African-American being criminals and then sent statistics to back this up. It is still incredibly racist.

And Craigdwh you look like a racist skinhead already I won't even address you beyond this comment.

Welcome to the TRF! I will respond to your 1st post on the forum, as it was addressed to me.

1. Chinese is a nationality, not a race.
2. Canada has a huge Chinese money laundering problem.
3. It is called "Chinese" money laundering because the money comes from China.
4. Canada has a reputation for being the country with the weakest AML enforcement of any Western democracy.
5. The Chinese money laundering problem in particular started in Real Estate, but has spread to luxury goods.
6. The other side of the country, but there is even a term of art now called "The Vancouver Model" that discusses the issue.
7. You can find MSM articles and government reports that reference Rolex in regard to money laundering.
8. To address the Real Estate problem, the Canadian government placed a 2-year ban on foreign ownership last week.
9. Guess where the money that previously went into Real Estate will head to next. Hint: it will go to luxury goods.
10. Without giving away too much about my bio, I was a senior executive in one of the largest organizations in the world that deals with AML and oversaw the international AML work ... including working with Interpol and other agencies.

Finally, you may want to delete your hypothetical example about crime committed by African Americans.

[sleepydoc]

Thank you for your service.
I am hoping you can connect with the member offering to help and it is productive. Barring that, if you are dead set on a Pepsi I agree with the suggestion of going grey for the WG.

[Craigdwh]

Originally Posted by bosch88

Racist much? Could have made your point without naming a Nationality...

Chinese isn't a race it's a Nationality, so the comment isn't racist at all, but nice virtue signal.

The comment could be construed as prejudice if in fact Canada did not have a major issue with many folks from China laundering their money here, lmao.

Nice try though, back to Twitter with u.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

[Kerwi]

Lol, yeah he could’ve been talking about all the black Chinese people laundering money.

What exactly are YOU contributing to this thread ?

Originally Posted by Craigdwh

Chinese isn't a race it's a Nationality, so the comment isn't racist at all, but nice virtue signal.

The comment could be construed as prejudice if in fact Canada did not have a major issue with many folks from China laundering their money here, lmao.

Nice try though, back to Twitter with u.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

[Craigdwh]

Originally Posted by Kerwi

Lol, yeah he could’ve been talking about all the black Chinese people laundering money.

What exactly are YOU contributing to this thread ?

Well, I did DM you directly and offered a suggestion that might help you out.

What i'm offering?

Hmm, maybe the proper use of words that have strong meanings?

Maybe, hopefully with this education, the OP will stop throwing around the "racist" word likes it's meaningless?

[sleepydoc]

I am cautiously optimistic for you. Be sure to keep us updated.

[comanndr]

if you know what you want
then it will be less stressful to go grey(not economically of course)

[fitnesstrainer]

Contact DavidSW or Takuya Watches. They are trusted sellers on this forum. I've done business with them multiple times and both are absolutely great. I was hesitant to go to the secondary market because of the prices, but as someone who has a very lengthy purchase history with my AD and still waited 20 months for a SD43 (to no avail), it was a no-brainer for me at that point. Pay a little over premium and be wearing the watch you want in 48-72 hours OR continue to play this idiotic AD waitlist game and wait for months or even years. No thanks, life is too short (speaking as a fellow retiree).

[Cambo]

First, thank you for your service! It’s never too early to start building a relationship with an AD but don't expect big things right away. If you can’t wait then a grey market dealer (as suggested David SW) may be the way to go.

[waterking]

Contact Martha or Patrick at OCWatchGuy and don't let the PTSD stop you from getting the watch you want. OCWatch will be able to handle "anything" you may/may not dish out.
Goodluck.

[Cambo]

Originally Posted by waterking

Contact Martha or Patrick at OCWatchGuy and don't let the PTSD stop you from getting the watch you want. OCWatch will be able to handle "anything" you may/may not dish out.
Goodluck.

I also got my BLRO fro OCWatch……flawless transaction

[Angi]

I’m from Toronto. Maybe I can help. What model are you after? Or like what 3 models would you consider?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[alex.cicollo]

Hopefully there’s a Canadian AD here that reads this. Thank you for your service!

[thenewrick]

Best bet is going into your local AD and talking to them about your situation and what you want and see what they tell you.

If it’s very inconvenient and you really don’t want to, you can buy them online from a used jewelry vendor and it’ll be delivered to you, but it can cost anywhere from 10% to 500% more expensive.

Often ADs require an in person meeting to talk and find out what you want. Then they will want you to show in up person again when your watch comes in to purchase. They should be able to tell you all about it.

[blufinz52]

Thank you for your service, and you're not an idiot. Best of luck acquiring the watch you're looking for.

[edisonstar23]

Hey I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an idiot if I was in your shoes and as a matter of fact I would consider myself brave for serving my country. Now, as many mentioned you are after one of the most hyped models and thank God you are not after a Daytona lol.


You have 2 options:

(1) Gray Market: expect to pay around 30k . But you will get it within a week at most.

(2) Write an email to your local AD and explain your situation with some sort of proof to show them that you are not bluffing. Then follow up with a call! You will be surprised how empathetic people can be with a little background information. When you call your AD tell them you have an interest in the Pepsi. But I will suggest you also considering other options that are more attainable like a sub date.


Best of luck!

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by edisonstar23

Hey I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an idiot if I was in your shoes and as a matter of fact I would consider myself brave for serving my country. Now, as many mentioned you are after one of the most hyped models and thank God you are not after a Daytona lol.


You have 2 options:

(1) Gray Market: expect to pay around 30k . But you will get it within a week at most.

(2) Write an email to your local AD and explain your situation with some sort of proof to show them that you are not bluffing. Then follow up with a call! You will be surprised how empathetic people can be with a little background information. When you call your AD tell them you have an interest in the Pepsi. But I will suggest you also considering other options that are more attainable like a sub date.


Best of luck!

I think (2) is really great advice!