Wait or go grey (literally!)

[Mancs80]

Hi,

Opinions welcome!

I’ve been fancying a Rolex Explorer 226570 (either colour) for a while. I am on the waiting list (still pains me having to say I’m on a waiting list for a bloody watch!) the list price GBP is £7900 but there’s nothing coming through on the horizon with either of the two dealers.

I can get one within a week from a trusted grey, and it would be around £9900. It’s a 2022 full set. This seems to be at the lower end of what the greys are asking (they seem to range between £9800 and £11500!)

My thinking is, although I don’t like paying more than I need to, the £9900 isn’t too bad compared to some pricing on the market. If I wait I’m sure I can get one, eventually. The issue is by the time one comes via the AD there could well have been at least one price increase (especially with inflation rocketing!’

Should I just bite the bullet?

[Trailboss516]

Does paying the grey price impact your financial standing in any way whatsoever, and /or impact or adjust future financial obligations or decisions about spending money?

If no, then buy it.

[macrowatch]

Slow moving model. Negotiate harder.

[hello93]

No one can answer this question except for you. I do feel your pain but if you've already waited long just hang in there.

or

You can buy it on the grey market and sell the one you get from your AD

[sigma089]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Slow moving model. Negotiate harder.

This. I'd offer MSRP +10/15 percent to grey to account for potential price increase if I was dead set on buying now. Otherwise I'd wait for a call from the AD in today's climate. Have you visited them lately and reiterated your interest?

[Harry-57]

If you want it and can justify the cost you can have it tomorrow. IMO it's not a £10K watch but it's your money, so it's your call.

Price aside, it is a cracker. There's nothing quite like it. Mine's a Polar.

[Rollieo]

In relative terms compared to the last year, supply is up and demand is down. It’s anyones guess but most indicators are that things will continue in that direction for the next 6 months.

So I’d wait a few months, go in once a month to your AD and reiterate interest. If you don’t get the watch in 6 months from the AD, at the least you’re likely to buy the watch from a grey dealer closer to Msrp in 6 months than now.

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

In relative terms compared to the last year, supply is up and demand is down. It’s anyones guess but most indicators are that things will continue in that direction for the next 6 months.

So I’d wait a few months, go in once a month to your AD and reiterate interest. If you don’t get the watch in 6 months from the AD, at the least you’re likely to buy the watch from a grey dealer closer to Msrp in 6 months than now.

This is solid advice


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[Mancs80]

Thanks for everyone’s input. I think I’ll just have to resist the urge and put my sensible hat on for a few months! I will snap one up if one becomes available from AD, it doesn’t sit comfortably paying more.

Thanks everyone - this was the sense check I needed!

[Speedbird-1]

£10450 (white) on WF.

[1665fan]

Grey is barely above retail plus tax…..why are u waiting???

[honuswagner13]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Grey is barely above retail plus tax…..why are u waiting???

This!!!

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum. I hope you land the watch sooner than later

[joli160]

I’m not good at waiting and buy what I want now.
A little extra for a lifetime enjoy and an added bonus not having to wait on vague promises is a no brainer for me.

[FloydRedford]

Originally Posted by joli160

i’m not good at waiting and buy what i want now.
A little extra for a lifetime enjoy and an added bonus not having to wait on vague promises is a no brainer for me.

+1

[S.Explorer]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Grey is barely above retail plus tax…..why are u waiting???

RRP includes sales tax in the UK.

I'd wait personally...

[WatchWhisperer]

You can negotiate harder maybe stay firm on £9500, otherwise £9800 is also a pretty good price

try to locate other dealers see if they can source you one for that price

Otherwise, if you do get the call you can always sell the grey market one and keep the brand new!

[temporarychicken]

I'm waiting for this one too.

There are loads of new ones on Chrono. Just suggest 9k to all of them and see who bites.

Take it from there. Once you've found the best price today from grey you can then figure out if you want to wait a bit longer for an AD.

I think I'll be able to get this in Jan at RRP but who knows.

[mk2jag]

the AD may keep you waiting for a long time even know things are getting a bit better. if paying out the extra money won't effect your financial position then why wait. I gave upon the AD a long time ago and am fully enjoying my grey GMT master II

[JSolution]

Go for it.

[gerry100]

Patience Grasshopper

[Miker86]

I got this exact model (black dial) last month from the AD. Did take 2.5 years though.

To be honest I’d wait personally as I think with demand down you won’t have to wait as long. It’s a superb watch btw.

[Mis3]

I am in the same boat. I have been waiting for DJ41 for a few months. In Canada, MSRP of a DJ41 with Oyster bracelet, white dial and fluted bezel is $12K CAN. I only know of one grey reseller locally and he is asking $17K CAN for the same configuration.
So, this reseller is asking 41% over MSRP. Another problem is I am not sure I can trust this reseller. They also sells Rolex diamond bezels (not sure if they are authentic).

Advice from my AD is to wait since I have a SubC-40mm to wear already.

[shammad10]

I got the polar 226570 this week from an AD with around a 9 month wait. I think things will come through for you- just keep checking in and be patient. It's an amazing watch and made all that much better by the wait and lusting to be honest

[MONTANTK]

If I had the funds I would go grey if I didn’t get the model I wanted in 2-3 months. I wouldn’t get an SS Daytona but for a YM, Sub or Explorer I think it’s worth it if it’s something you’ll have forever

[samuel019]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

In relative terms compared to the last year, supply is up and demand is down. It’s anyones guess but most indicators are that things will continue in that direction for the next 6 months.

So I’d wait a few months, go in once a month to your AD and reiterate interest. If you don’t get the watch in 6 months from the AD, at the least you’re likely to buy the watch from a grey dealer closer to Msrp in 6 months than now.

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

This is solid advice


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Agreed!!

[Mancs80]

Thanks everyone! I’ll speak to a few more greys and see if there’s movement on the price. If not, I’ll probably (try) to wait for my AD to come through!

The rub will be if I decide to wait and Rolex increase pricing in the meantime…. But that’s the risk I guess!

[Calatrava r]

I would be inclined to buy used if the price closely equates to MSRP plus tax. No telling where the Rolex market will be in six months, especially if fears of an economic slowdown do not play out and a strong worldwide rebound happens in the spring.

[Pop Art Suzy]

If it was me, I'd go grey. I wouldn't be able to wait on a list, I got so impatient that I ended up buying pre-owned from a reputable seller on eBay. I don't care that it's pre-owned...it looks practically brand new.

I just think it's crazy that these AD's have established a waiting list for a watch. That's just insane to me. Go grey and get the watch you want NOW. Good luck!

[alphadweller]

How long have you been on the waiting list and how bad do you want the watch? Two grand over retail is not terrible if you can't wait. If you're a patient man though, I think you can get a better deal indeed next year.

Boils down to this: is wearing the watch now instead of next year worth 2 grand? No bad answer, it's up to you. I can see both sides of the argument: you only live once or you should get the best possible deal. Personally I'd wait unless I'm desperate.