Sick and tired of waitlists so I gave up, then I got a call..

[Coconut]

First time poster. I've always appreciated mechanical watches but I never allowed myself to delve too deeply into the hobby knowing how expensive it would become. I was very fortunate to land a decent job a little over 2 years ago which has allowed me to get into watches. I took a few losses from selling watches I ended up not liking (Zodiac, Oris, Omega) before I figured out what I really liked. At the top of my list was the SubC 116610LN. Everything about this watch is perfect on paper. Forget about the pedigree and the hype, everything about this watch is perfect. 40mm case, +/- 2 sec accuracy, gloss black dial, ceramic bezel, satin brushed stainless bracket and the an timeless aesthetic that is both classically vintage yet modern.

Hoping to try one on, I visited 3 AD's all of which gave me the same response. Feeling discouraged I did a bit of research and stumbled upon this forum and found out about the ongoing stainless steel sport model "shortages", waitlists, and the grey market. Hoping to test my luck, I visited a few more AD's and called up a few others. No such luck and since I've had no prior purchase history with any of them, the estimated 1-2 year waiting list didn't look to likely for me either. I would visit the 2 closest AD's every few weeks or so to at least get to know the sales people there and let them know of my interest in the SubC. I'd also call up the others periodically in hopes that I might get lucky. I'd peruse this forum daily and watch Youtube videos which just kept building up my hype for the SubC. I was tempted many a times to just fork over an extra $2-3k buying grey market but I'm just couldn't bring myself to do that. This went on for a few months and I slowly came to the crushing realization that I may never get the chance to buy it retail anytime soon. I started checking other iconic watches from Panerai, Blancpain, Zenith and IWC. None of them really spoke to me. I was really hoping I'd be able find another watch that I might like better than the SubC which I still have not been able to try on.

Basel 2019 hit and I fell in love with the Tudor Black Bay Bronze with the new slate grey dial. I got super lucky and was able to purchase the first one from my local AD. I absolutely love this watch but it's different enough from the SubC that it doesn't fill the void, it's still a keeper though. I few more months pass by with no news on the SubC from any of the AD's. A few days ago I told my girlfriend I've given up on trying to get the SubC or any Rolex for that matter. I don't blame Rolex or AD's for the waitlists. This is business and they are masters of marketing, I totally understand. I just chose not to put with it anymore. I felt relieved. A few days pass and yesterday I received THE CALL..

It was the same AD that I bought my Tudor from. They called to inform me they have a SubC with my name on it. They just got their Rolex shipment yesterday and apparently my purchase of the Black Bay Bronze brought me to the top of the list. I went over there as soon as I could. My sales guy was helping another customer when I got there so I walked around the store a bit. I didn't notice any new sport models in their display cases. He came out with the coffin and pulled me over to a corner. He exumed the SubC and handed it over to me to try on. This was the first time seeing it in person. The Youtube reviews don't really convey just how inky black the dial is and how perfectly proportioned the indices, text and bezel are. I tried it on and right away it was a HELL YES. Needless to say, I bought it. It might be just the months of hype built up, but I absolutely love this watch. I am over the moon...

Oh yea, INCOMING!