Finally Got the One That Eluded Me – Meteorite Pepsi!

[Gearjockey]

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[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by NAUI1982

After years of waiting, I finally pulled the trigger on a Rolex GMT-Master II 126719BLRO-0002 Meteorite Pepsi—but not from an AD.

…At the end of the day, I buy watches to wear, not to wait. Would I have preferred to get this from an AD? Of course. But when even the best relationships and extensive purchase history don’t get you what you want, the grey market is a necessary and viable option.

Would love to hear your thoughts or stories—how long have you been waiting for your “grail,” and at what point would you go grey?

Congratulations on that beautiful reference!

As for my story getting what want to wear from a grey dealer:
I ordered a meteorite GMT from my AD as soon as I saw it’s release for my 50 birthday being 2 years in the future.
I waited 2 years, my long time AD then lost Rolex brand and my 50th came and went….
I then starting working with new AD and waited 2 more years…..
After turning 52 I realized the reality that you realized and just bought the watch I wanted to wear! I am happy.

Congrats again!

[1William]

Congratulations.

[NAUI1982]

Originally Posted by leo1998

What a knockout piece. Congratulations! Do you have any photos of it on the wrist?

Wrist shot!




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[Bxtek]

A HUGE congratulations on your grail! That thing looks mint condition! Time to start enjoying and adding some scratches.

Thanks for sharing your story. I think you made the right move! You tried the AD route more than once, had the patience and gave it time. Not much more you could do. Yeah, I think the last bit of info from your new AD would have sealed the deal for me as well. Enjoy the heck out of that beauty!

[ltmgeller]

Congrats!!!

[mdtddd2007]

Congrats on a beautiful watch!

[Nads786]

Congrats that watch is to die for.

I went grey after my AD missed my 40th bday and that was for a boring SS Sub.

I’m really contemplating getting a SS Daytona and will for sure go grey. I like the sure thing.

[Mystro]

Boom….! Heavy hitter.

[brandrea]

Congratulations Doug, enjoy it

[NAUI1982]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

IMO, that's the best looking meteorite Rolex. It's too busy on a Daytona for me, and just looks better on the GMT than a Day-Date. I don't really follow gray prices actively but it seems like the premium for this one has really declined to palatable levels. Congrats on a beautiful watch and good timing.

The watch was a complete set, including the original price sticker and the white hang tag. Back in August 2022, the retail price was $41,600, and today it's $47,500—a 14% increase in just 16 months.

The real cost of waiting isn’t just time—it’s the price hikes Rolex keeps rolling out! Looking back, I should have pulled the trigger in 2021 when I first decided this was my grail watch. The premium back then would have been a bargain compared to today.

I love my ADs and have great relationships with the ones who treat me well. At the same time, I’ve dropped ADs that weren’t worth the hassle. There’s absolutely a time and place for the grey market and trusted resellers, and in the end, everyone wins!

[cloud_flare12345]

Gorgeous congrats! One of my grail pieces!

[Jackie Daytona]

Beautiful watch! Congrats!

[jb335]

Beautiful watch. Wear with a big smile on your face.


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[B2 Stealth]

That's "the" one! All-time great! Wear in great health!

[Al Roy]

Great looking….This is exactly why there’s a grey market..I don’t have the patience to play the AD games..you could be playing the game for couple more years but instead it’s comfortably on your wrist now..Enjoy

[RyanO]

Congrats! Such a stunner!


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[ChronoZach]

Doug, Huge congratulations, that is an amazing piece, I also have tried to get one and I agree with you that I will never see one either, not matter what I spend! After 4 price increases and now the dial also. You did the right thing! Kudos. The price difference is not that much anymore and the meteorite dial will only become more collectible in time.

I’ve seen your taste is excellent on the pieces you select. Wear it in good health!

Cheers,

[Carguy87]

Congrats Doug!! To answer your question I’d go grey for a grail piece once I could comfortably afford it. No sense in waiting for a call that may never come, and if the piece in question gets discontinued then the prices just get even higher.

FWIW my current Rolex grail is your new incoming

[Boaters]

What A beauty on my short list ... Congrats!

[EvelynWaugh]

Congrats on the grail GMT.

[georgekart]

A gorgeous piece. Congratulations.

[Easy Rhino]

I don't have the words. Perhaps the ultimate Rolex, IMO.

[rob]

Originally Posted by NAUI1982

After years of waiting, I finally pulled the trigger on a Rolex GMT-Master II 126719BLRO-0002 Meteorite Pepsi—but not from an AD.



This reference has been on my list at three ADs in Los Angeles for years. Despite a strong relationship [“spend history,”] I never got the call. Then I moved to a different state and started working with a new AD. My SA at this new dealer told me they had been there for nearly two years and had never seen a Meteorite Pepsi come through their store. This isn’t a small AD either. That sealed it for me—this watch isn’t just hard to get, it’s practically mythical.

For years, we’ve all debated “playing the AD game” vs. going grey. I genuinely wanted to buy from an AD—I’ve done it before, and I enjoy the experience when it works. I have also authored posts about how downright awful it can be too! But after years of loyalty, purchases, and waiting lists that go nowhere, I had to face reality: some Rolex models are nearly impossible to get at retail, no matter what you do.

I found my watch through Chandra at Desirolex (I’ll posted a review on the Who’s Who in the Classifieds), and the process was smooth and straightforward. The piece was a mid-2022 model, and Chandra provided detailed photos, a video, and excellent communication throughout. No waiting lists, no guessing games—just the watch I wanted, in my hands in the next day.

…At the end of the day, I buy watches to wear, not to wait. Would I have preferred to get this from an AD? Of course. But when even the best relationships and extensive purchase history don’t get you what you want, the grey market is a necessary and viable option.

Would love to hear your thoughts or stories—how long have you been waiting for your “grail,” and at what point would you go grey?

Congrats on a great watch!!!! Chandra at DesiRolex is a standup guy. Spoke to him on the phone, I would buy from him without hesitation!!!

Again, congratulations, this too is My grail!!!!

[Number3]

Originally Posted by NAUI1982

Wrist shot!




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That looks insanely cool! Huge congrats.

[inadeje]

That’s one special reference right there OP! Enjoy it.

[wgdaytona]

Nothing wrong with going Grey, it sucks, but it is the system that is in place these days for the hard to get stuff. As long as you go with one you are confident with, you'll get what you want, when you want it. Win win. Congrats.