A curiosity poll...

[NachoNeal]

I will use gray if they can beat msrp, which they used to do a few years ago.

[richydave99]

If you can wait, if you can't go grey!

[Daytonaman799]

I used to buy new/used from greys when the discount to retail was substantial. However that was usually for other brands like PP or AP. Rolex I actually used to be able to get at wholesale from my wife’s cousin who is an AD. When the market went nuts I could no longer do that or ask in good conscience given the state of the market but we have a local AD who has been very good at getting us watches at retail. My wife just bought me a Pepsi as a surprise gift for my birthday and she was able to get it quickly because of her relationship with the owners of the store. They are great so I would never go grey or pay above. Besides, as much as I think Rolex may be making the best product in the market for luxury watches (VC is increasingly intriguing me) I do NOT think they are worth more than the retail price. Steel Daytona’s are NOT 40k watches, A GMT is a tool watch and the idea that in the greys cost as much as a Day Date used to means that something is off with the dollar these days. The price increase in general in watches in the past 4 years is nothing short of epic, both on a retail and especially in the greys. It has gone from the purview of a bunch of WIS nerds curious about parachrom mainsprings and diff escapements to the Uber wealthy showing the can get stuff regardless of price that others can’t. His has been further exacerbated by dealers trading watches amongst each other like stocks in anticipation of supply chain disruption, discontinuation, etc. just my .02.

[VegasMilgauss]

I guess I was lucky, I went for models that were available at the time (black, black, black GMT, Explorer & Milgauss) I bought all of them new from AD in 2018. Some would say they were/are dogs of the range but I’m happy, love them and am just waiting for the Explorer to be discontinued to have a Valhalla 3 piece ha ha.

[Driver8]

I never have (nor would I ever) pay grey prices for a current model. For discontinued models however you have no choice and the market price is the market price. As a result I have paid grey for a discontinued model before and it’s highly likely I will do again.

[Marcjvr]

You left out 1 option.

“I went Grey in 2017 and paid below retail”

[FTX I]

A good deal has always been half the fun for me. I don't buy watches frequently, maybe one or two max in one year and since 2018 I've only bought pre owned, but I prefer to buy new on grey market. However, I got used to buy with discounts so I've not been in the market in recent years. If things get back to normal, great. If not, fine by me as well but if for some reason I get desperate anything can happen lol

[mk2jag]

I used to go grey when watches could be had below MSRP but that was years ago. Since the shortage started and prices escalated I have only gone through my trusted AD.


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[DougFNJ]

Originally Posted by teck21

You kidding?

Not many people here are going to openly state that they bought their sport references grey.

Whole army of bullies just waiting to get the jump on them. Why bother really?


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A few people commented being open and honest about buying gray, nobody jumped on them. I bought retail at AD but don’t judge anyone seeking instant gratification.


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[Bigmozza]

I waited got the new Bluesy would never go grey pay over the rrp but that’s just me I don’t mind waiting

[RYDER66]

I would never pay above retail. If I was a millionaire it would be different. I have been waiting for a YM-40 with rhodium dial for over 7 months now, but got an SD-43 in the meantime.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by mk2jag

I used to go grey when watches could be had below MSRP but that was years ago.

Many watches still are. I am still getting big discounts on desirable watches from the grey market. No Rolex models, obviously.

[Malum]

I’m not a three watches in a week and half kinda guy . I have a good relationship with my AD, I tell them what I want and they deliver but there may be a wait . I also like more toolish watches so they are not the ultra in demand 3 times Msrp models .

[RogerOP]

I won’t pay premium as I have history with my AD, but if I wanted a SS model with no history then I’d just pay the price. Beats paying more and having multiple watches I’m not keen on.

[BNA/LION]

Retail

[DaveDhc]

I purchased two Oyster Perpetual watches last year from gray, both below retail. I haven't seen any recently at or below retail, so that may be a thing of the past.

[Ringhio]

I considered briefly paying above retail.
Then realized I'm not in such an extreme need of sport Rolex to be gifting my money to flippers and resellers.
After that consideration I reached true happiness:
If I get the watches I like, good.
If I don't get them, good.
If I have to wait, good.
If it will never happen, good.

Yes I'm in a position of receiving an allocation, but I'm not losing my sleep if I don't get a BLRO at market price.

Resellers and greys could go bankrupt if it was for me.
I work too hard to gift them my $$$ :)

[Monty22]

5 watches. All AD


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[amanbra]

I paid over retail for my TT Daytona. It was only a 14% premium which will disappear by the next price rise from Rolex in which case I'd have enjoyed the watch for 3 years. An AD was never selling me one...

On the other hand paying double retail etc will not happen for me.

[bugimas]

I kinda notice there are 2 camps here (other WIS forums as well):

1. Pay market price and get your grail, move on, enjoy it;

2. Wait for your turn at AD, a.k.a delayed gratification.

My personal experience though, option 2 seems to build up the anticipation in me, keeps the desire burning, and ended up enjoying the watch more after I got it. YMMV

[Stan Cooper]

The poll doesn't have an "I buy gently used slightly older watches from trusted secondary dealers" choice. I don't have to have the latest and not so greatest references.

[sleddog]

Some interesting numbers showing in the polls.
Certainly not unexpected, but it does tell a lot in regards to the current availability situations.

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by sleddog

Some interesting numbers showing in the polls.
Certainly not unexpected, but it does tell a lot in regards to the current availability situations.

I think you might also find there is a bit of a recency bias with respect to ADs. At this current time, I would argue that it is harder than ever to establish a relationship if you are relatively new to Rolex and you haven't purchased a great deal from a Rolex dealer's store in the past.

[greg19]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

You can either pay with money or with time.
I tend to be impatient and don’t like uncertainty, so I choose to pay with money.
Less brain damage. I get to enjoy the watch immediately.

⬆️ This right here, but I certainly have my cutoff point on what I will pay above RRP as well.

[jimcarver]

Depends what we are talking. I am looking to pick up a 126613LB, which can be had for 10-15% above retail. I could live with that rather than having to suck up to an AD. No chance I would be paying the Daytona, LV etc mark ups though.

[Verdi]

Paying MSRP is already overpaying!
So, yes, I wont buy from a dealer.

[WBaileyii]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

The poll doesn't have an "I buy gently used slightly older watches from trusted secondary dealers" choice. I don't have to have the latest and not so greatest references.

I second what Stan said. I like the 5 digit references. I find gently used ones (safe queens most likely) from a trusted reseller/grey.

Not a fan of the big cases on the 11xxxx references and not convinced that there aren't problems with the new 32XX movements in the 12xxxx references, so I really have no need to go to the AD. I'd jump on a ceramic Daytona from the AD if there was even a remote possibility, but I think the odds on that make it not worth the effort or the ask...

Besides the whole "build a relationship" with my AD by buying crap that I don't want nor need is a huge turn off for me. I'll start buying other brands before I do that. The local Omega AD keeps calling me to come look at his Speedmasters...maybe I'll go one of these days...

[DougFNJ]

Originally Posted by Gab27

I think you might also find there is a bit of a recency bias with respect to ADs. At this current time, I would argue that it is harder than ever to establish a relationship if you are relatively new to Rolex and you haven't purchased a great deal from a Rolex dealer's store in the past.

I’ve been seeing a lot more people posting about getting their Rolex from an AD without previous purchase, and getting them quicker. I’m wondering if it’s a case of AD’s receiving more sports models than they have the last couple years.

It’s so dependent on the AD and SA you are dealing with. 11 days for me. No previous history, no sucking up, no bundles, just nice polite conversations, and really great reps with excellent service. This is obviously not the case with all AD’s, just like bad experiences aren’t the case either.


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[Gab27]

Originally Posted by DougFNJ

I’ve been seeing a lot more people posting about getting their Rolex from an AD without previous purchase, and getting them quicker. I’m wondering if it’s a case of AD’s receiving more sports models than they have the last couple years.

It’s so dependent on the AD and SA you are dealing with. 11 days for me. No previous history, no sucking up, no bundles, just nice polite conversations, and really great reps with excellent service. This is obviously not the case with all AD’s, just like bad experiences aren’t the case either.


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That's awesome! I have seen some accounts like yours and it's good to hear these still happen. I didn't have quite that much luck, but I agree it really does seem to be AD dependent, possibly even individual SA dependent.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

You can either pay with money or with time.
I tend to be impatient and don’t like uncertainty, so I choose to pay with money.
Less brain damage. I get to enjoy the watch immediately.

I don’t understand this “pay with time” argument. If I pay an inflated market price then I’m out that money. Yes I have a hyped piece and can “enjoy” it. If I choose to not buy the hyped piece and do other things with my money I’m not sure how I’m paying with time.


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