Is there anything different that I can do?

[AlyRba]

I moved to a new city in Jan this year. The city has two Rolex ADs, a chain multiple with 2 stores and one independent AD. Thinking that I will have a better chance with the independent AD, I went and met a salesperson in February. I was mainly interested in Batman and the Daytona. I was told that the allocations were made on basis of relationship. Meanwhile, I also put down my name for the Pepsi when it was announced at Basel. In order to start a relationship, I bought a Sub date in June. Now I know that a Sub is an easy-to-sell piece unlike a PM watch. I, nonetheless, thought at least I was starting a buying relationship. However, its been 8 months since I put down my name for the 3 watches but am yet to hear back, even for the Batman. I have twice reached out to the owner also. Today, he told me today that he maintains a list of favored clients and if I can buy an easy-to-obtain watch, he can add me to the favored list (indirectly hinting to purchase a PM watch). As a point of reference, in March when I was putting down my name for the Batman and Daytona, I was also checking the JLC Perpetual Calendar in steel. The salesperson hinted that if I bought the JLC, he could get me the Batman in 2 months and Daytona in 2 years. I, ofcourse, did not make the purchase.

I am kind of stumped on what should I do here. Separately, I have been able to get a Patek 5711 white dial (11 months wait), AP 15202 (3 months wait), and FP Journe CB (7 months wait) in the last 16 months. Admittedly, the Patek, AP, and Journe were high on my wishlist and I made a number of calls to get on few waitlists. With the Patek, a number of ADs later turned their back on me after initially taking my name. However, the point is that the out of-state ADs/Boutiques were willing to take names and work with me without a prior relationship. With AP and Journe, I went the Boutique route and maybe that helped too. I like the 3 Rolex references but not to the point that I will go on a calling spree. And there is no guarantee that out-of-state ADs will entertain me as Rolex instructions are to sell to local clients.

Do I have any other option here besides paying a premium on grey market or buying 1-2 PM watches from the AD? Both these options do not appeal to me.

[jsausley]

I don't mean to be presumptuous but if I could afford a 5711 and a 15202 I wouldn't feel bad paying the $700 premium to snag a preowned BLNR and have it right away. It's a little different for the Daytona and BLRO which are >$5k premiums, but for the BLNR I would consider a $700 premium worth it for you to get the watch you want right away.

I would add that the fact that you are listed for three hard to find pieces may make you look like someone who is looking to make a profit, rather than someone who is legitimately interested in watches. Try to pick one that you want and ask to be added specifically to that list?

[Nikrnic]

MOVE.. no too bad it's such a tough deal to get someone to take your money. What if you called back to your previous AD before you moved and explain that you'd still like to do business with them , you'd save taxes too. Or just keep pounding it where your at or try more ADs a little further driving distance away . Other than that it seems you will have to bite the grey bullet. Hoping you work something out...

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[breitlings]

I’d buy a PM daytona and have them bundle. I think the PM daytonas have some possiblility of appreciating down the line and becoming collectable.

[Vanmarsenille]

I'm sure this is a very interesting story, but I'm afraid I had to stop reading at "Batman". All the best, anyway.

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by jsausley

I don't mean to be presumptuous but if I could afford a 5711 and a 15202 I wouldn't feel bad paying the $700 premium to snag a preowned BLNR and have it right away. It's a little different for the Daytona and BLRO which are >$5k premiums, but for the BLNR I would consider a $700 premium worth it for you to get the watch you want right away.

I would add that the fact that you are listed for three hard to find pieces may make you look like someone who is looking to make a profit, rather than someone who is legitimately interested in watches. Try to pick one that you want and ask to be added specifically to that list?

Hmm, I have seen more than $700 premium for the BLNR. Plus, I want the papers in my name as I intend to keep the watch. Maybe you are right. Having the name down for 3 watches may give the wrong signal, I just thought that I may have a better chance of getting at least one through this strategy.

[AlyRba]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

MOVE.. no too bad it's such a tough deal to get someone to take your money. What if you called back to your previous AD before you moved and explain that you'd still like to do business with them , you'd save taxes too. Or just keep pounding it where your at or try more ADs a little further driving distance away . Other than that it seems you will have to bite the grey bullet. Hoping you work something out...

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To be honest, I didn’t have a relationship with the Rolex AD in my previous city. I was too focused on getting the Patek/AP for the past few years and the Rolexes were kind of down on my wish list. In fact, I twice handled and passed on the BLNR in my previous city AD as I was saving money for the other purchases. This was 2 years back when Rolex steel models were easily available at ADs.

[joli160]

Your AD gets a lot of people who want to buy the same what you want.
Go grey and enjoy them tomorrow without all the non sense of bundling etc.

[sechsgang]

at least pm has been stronger than ever before. See if you can buy a rose gold PM Daytona and pay around 32k for it (that is a VERY reasonable ask for an ad, and yes you can do better with a trusted seller, but the point is to start the relationship) and have them get you a stainless Daytona and BLNR within a year. The Daytona premium alone covers your rose gold watch resale wise, and the BLNR is gravy.

[GradyPhilpott]

I love watches and I love Rolex watches and I've never complained about paying MSRP for my Rolex and Tudor watches, or any other watch, even when I was considered by most on this board to be completely insane for doing so, but when it comes to the kinds of games and premiums that people describe these days with regards to obtaining a Rolex, I just have to say, "Bologna!"

This is total nonsense for something as meaningless and as readily available as a watch. There are so many other things that people can put their money into that you don't have to grovel and grease palms for.

This current frenzy is driven by greed on all sides and it takes all sides for it to work.

I say buy the readily available watches, if they are to your liking, or don't buy at all.

[R!$]

First off, great collection
Too bad your PP, AP, FP dealer cant help you
I would suggest trying the Rolex store because independents have loyalty to vvip but Rolex store will occasionally sell to whoever's first

[mmmmp]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I love watches and I love Rolex watches and I've never complained about paying MSRP for my Rolex and Tudor watches, or any other watch, even when I was considered by most on this board to be completely insane for doing so, but when it comes to the kinds of games and premiums that people describe these days with regards to obtaining a Rolex, I just have to say, "Bologna!"

This is total nonsense for something as meaningless and as readily available as a watch. There are so many other things that people can put their money into that you don't have to grovel and grease palms for.

This current frenzy is driven by greed on all sides and it takes all sides for it to work.

I say buy the readily available watches, if they are to your liking, or don't buy at all.

Grady, you said it all.(again!) Man, for many of us, dropping 12-15K on a Rolex is a significant purchase. To think of spending say, 25-30k in order to 'qualify' for a hard to get piece is not practical, it's ridiculous and a waste of resources. I'd rather buy a new Yamaha grand piano or several vintage guitars, or buy Luxo Christmas presents for my family. Maybe even make a solid donation to my local hospital. (That's a long shot, but possible.)

I understand how enticing a watch can be, but again, It's just a watch. Something everyone on this forum owns and appreciates.

No offense to those that can spend the cash or endure the waiting lists - by all means buy the piece that sings to you. But, I'm happy with a couple of nice pieces. I feel blessed to be able to own them.

Mark

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[codecow]

Friend, I have a ton of watches like you. To be honest you don’t need any of these so I’d just wait it out.

[watchbiao]

Depends on if you must have your name on the papers. If you do, buy some PM models and suck it up. There must be some PM piece that you can buy for yourself or for your significant other/family/biz partner/etc. If not, go grey market and skip the wait.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by AlyRba

I am kind of stumped on what should I do here...

Unless you enjoy all this nonsense more than I do, I'd just move on to other watches, other brands and other hobbies.

[asiparks]

You have a very varied and interesting collection, forget the Daytonas and BLRO's and keep collecting interesting items from other brands... Come next Basel, who knows what the next "hot" watch will be..