Buying in NYC from the Grey Market

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by Inthesticks

If I could give the OP one piece of advice - if you do decide to buy from a 47th street dealer, don't start the conversation by telling them you had a fantastic year.

:

[IamJacky]

Originally Posted by fed_fan

Just watch Uncut Gems and you’ll be fine

Good movie. I've never been to 47th street NY but I'd imagine the film captured the tone quite well.

[Onequik135i]

Your best bet is to go w the names mentioned above as trusted sellers on this forum or to name a few others recaro18 & even Fog City. I prefer the later model 116520 due to the longer clasp. Rolex switched to the longer clasps in 2010 models & up. And Uncut Gems is an awesome movie, seen it in the theaters when it was released late 2019. One of Sandler’s best IMO.

[Jets_fan44]

Don’t bet on the NY Jets to win on any given Sunday

[kidneymd]

Hodinkee pre-owned has a 116520 listed on their site as I post this. (Not an endorsement in anyway, just happened to be perusing their site and this thread within short proximity to each other.)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vh2k]

By popular demand, here is a recent stroll in the Diamond District for those who’ve never been. This is just what is visible from the street (which is a small percentage of merchants). Enjoy.

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by 1William

The Trusted Sellers here on TRF are great. Most have their own websites and customer service across the board is strong. You are a little low on the Black Dial SS Daytona with the Ceramic Bezel. They are tracking 31K-35k depending on condition and age. Look at the sites, get on the phone and give them a call and discuss what you want and they have. Most are very patient when it comes to questions. Figure out what is best for you, negotiate your best price, pay, have the watch by 12 the next day. It is a formula I use all the time. Also, great selection on the watch you want. I bought both of mine from a Trusted Seller. No issues. Good luck and keep us posted.

OP is looking for the discontinued daytona, 116520.

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by RDT-G23

David SW, period.

David's prices are insanely high, he is asking for 40k for a brand new 116500 white dial. but you can easily get the same watch from a reputable grey dealer in japan at around 37k.

[swish77]

An often-discussed topic. Search the forum and you will find some good dealers on West 47th Street. As stated above, you need to know what you’re doing there.

Here’s another recent thread on the topic:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=824313

[Beo3]

47th Street is full of shisters, but you will find a few reputable dealers also. Be aware, that they are far and few between. 47th Street is a haven for tourist who get fleeced and overpay before returning back home, never to return again. The dealers know this also.

If you are an inexperienced buyer you are better off utilizing a trusted seller here.

Many of the watches (not all) on 47th Street are over polished, over priced beaters.

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by goodwrist

Nobody likes feeling like they're getting ripped off.

I didn't have a "fantastic year" by overpaying paying for things.

Agree. Just because you make good money, doesn't mean it's suddendly Ok to waste it or get ripped off

Personally, I always search for the best deal, taking condition and accessories into account. As others have suggested, I would contact our Trusted Dealers (DavidSW, Takuya, SohAis, Tony Geha, Patrick Aziz, just to name a few) and see what they can offer. I'd say you are going to be in the US$ 28,000-30,000 range. Good luck, OP and congrats in advance on buying your first Daytona!

[iatacs19]

Originally Posted by goodwrist

The prices I was getting quoted on the street were much higher than those here and elsewhere online. Nobody likes feeling like they're getting ripped off.

I didn't have a "fantastic year" by overpaying paying for things.

Agreed 100%

[eskiserkan]

Originally Posted by rambo99

David's prices are insanely high, he is asking for 40k for a brand new 116500 white dial. but you can easily get the same watch from a reputable grey dealer in japan at around 37k.

No discount from Davidsw at published prices ?

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by fed_fan

Just watch Uncut Gems and you’ll be fine

[swish77]

Originally Posted by eskiserkan

No discount from Davidsw at published prices ?

Not usually, unless you buy a lot from him.

[Tensai]

Originally Posted by Inthesticks

If I could give the OP one piece of advice - if you do decide to buy from a 47th street dealer, don't start the conversation by telling them you had a fantastic year.

This one made me laugh alot! Well done.

[pjaffe]

Originally Posted by rambo99

David's prices are insanely high, he is asking for 40k for a brand new 116500 white dial. but you can easily get the same watch from a reputable grey dealer in japan at around 37k.

I was going to say 42k, but it appears he pulled that one offline.

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by pjaffe

I was going to say 42k, but it appears he pulled that one offline.

there is an unworn ss white daytona listed on davidsd today, at $42,875! this is way over the average grey market price!

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by rambo99

there is an unworn ss white daytona listed on davidsd today, at $42,875! this is way over the average grey market price!

DavidSW has a stellar reputation on TRF. So, he is in a unique position to be able to test market highs for new/unworn high-demand models. As we approach holidays, it makes sense to test price elasticity and see if that model can break the $40K barrier.

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by vh2k

DavidSW has a stellar reputation on TRF. So, he is in a unique position to be able to test market highs for new/unworn high-demand models. As we approach holidays, it makes sense to test price elasticity and see if that model can break the $40K barrier.

but in japan, those model sell only at $37k at reputable grey dealers. does david offers discount over the asking price?

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by rambo99

but in japan, those model sell only at $37k at reputable grey dealers. does david offers discount over the asking price?

He listed a price. He is not going to offer you a discount. If you propose a different price, he will either accept, reject, or counter. If your offer is good, he will accept. If your offer is too low, he will reject. If your offer is close to what he is willing to accept, he may counter. Standard negotiating.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by rambo99

but in japan, those model sell only at $37k at reputable grey dealers. does david offers discount over the asking price?

No. You can haggle a bit if you are trading in a desirable watch. One important factor when working with DavidSW, he has the market pulse down to a science.

[bettenmv]

Davidsw has one for sale

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by vh2k

By popular demand, here is a recent stroll in the Diamond District for those who’ve never been. This is just what is visible from the street (which is a small percentage of merchants). Enjoy.

That video was painfully long…but it did capture the look and feel of 47th St. I’ll be taking that stroll next month as I return for my first visit in two years.

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by IamJacky

Good movie. I've never been to 47th street NY but I'd imagine the film captured the tone quite well.

Watched it the other night,,
“ where’s the boxes and Papers” when the guy realises Sandlers had him,,,,
Good film,,,horrible ending

[yesnaya]

Welcome to the forum. A lot of people mentioned DavidSW and I agree. BUTTTTT, before you simply buy whatever he happens to have available that meets what you are looking for, check out chrono24. You can filter for the condition and reference you are looking for. From there you will have a decent idea of what the market price is for these watches. And from there is you like the price on DavidSW by all means go for it. Otherwise many of the grey dealers on chrono24 are located in NYC and you can actually go take a look. Box and paper is great if possible, if not you should get a small discount. Polished or not is a question you should always ask.

[Rado63]

If you are from NYC I am surprised that you were surprised that you found jerks trying to rip you off, on 47th street.

[Chadridv]

Take your pick! Don’t worry about that NYC hustle. I live on LI and as much fun as it is to go home with your new piece in hand it’s just as much fun to collect that FedEx package with your new Daytona!

Takuya, OCRolexguy, DavidSW, etc. they’re all fantastic to work with.
https://www.watchrecon.com/?query=116500

[goodwrist]

Thanks everyone for all the comments and advice.

I'm looking all over online and finding lots of different prices and conditions... it's a bit confusing, really.

For example, I found a great condition 2012 (serviced by RSC in 2017) for $24.4. The same seller (different location) is offering a 2014 in similar condition for $29.4. I just don't get it... there are apparently factors that go into value that I'm unaware of and it's giving me cold feet.

Is there a check-list of things to look for? From what I can gather:

* Year (not sure, to be honest. I assume first year/last year of model is more desirable?)
* Condition (worse = discount)
* Box and papers? (missing = discount)
* Number of links (missing some = discount)
* Reserviced recently (I assume if so, it's good)
* Seller reputation (higher rep = higher price)
* Seller warranty (not sure if this is factored into the price, and if it's worth it)
* Taxes (Not sure which sellers charge taxes and which don't)