New to the group - buying advice

[Sorted]

Hiya everyone, I am new to the group and looking for some buying advice.

I’ve been a proud Rolex owner for many years, I have a big anniversary coming up and I’ve decided a Submariner would be a great way to celebrate.

I’m aware I can’t just walk into a shop and buy one over the counter so I am looking for some advice on the best way to buy one.

I’m looking for a new one (I’d be worried about getting a fake one otherwise). I’m UK based living in south wales.

Thanks in advance for any advice :-)

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum.

Other folks who live in the UK will hopefully see this and recommend a seller.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Sorted

Hiya everyone, I am new to the group and looking for some buying advice.

I’ve been a proud Rolex owner for many years, I have a big anniversary coming up and I’ve decided a Submariner would be a great way to celebrate.

I’m aware I can’t just walk into a shop and buy one over the counter so I am looking for some advice on the best way to buy one.

I’m looking for a new one (I’d be worried about getting a fake one otherwise). I’m UK based living in south wales.

Thanks in advance for any advice :-)

My advice, go visit an AD soon and tell them what you’re looking for. New and from an AD is a great idea and you just never know when you and that Submariner may show up at the same time! Good luck

[Sorted]

Thanks for that advice, are any retailers better than others or do some retailers get more access to stock than others? I’ve no idea how it works!


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[Sorted]

Great thank you! Are any retailers better than others? Do some get more access to stock than others, I’ve no idea how it works! Many thanks :-)

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Sorted

Great thank you! Are any retailers better than others? Do some get more access to stock than others, I’ve no idea how it works! Many thanks :-)

Frankly the speculation as to how it works would fill volumes here. I say, just move forward and find your way!

[1William]

Welcome.

[travisb]

Welcome! Great choice to go with a Sub.
One thing is for certain and many will agree - Always buy the seller.
Stopping into a local AD is a good idea as well. Introduce yourself, explain your situation. You never know.

[BillA]

1. Go into as many AD’s as you can. Ask for the watch and tell them it is for a special occasion, many are sympathetic to this. You may get lucky.
2. If you do go grey market you know you are prepared to pay a “premium”. I hope you do not go this route.

[Sorted]

Thanks for the advice, we don’t have many dealers in Wales. I definitely would not use anyone except an AD, that’s for sure!

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by Sorted

Great thank you! Are any retailers better than others? Do some get more access to stock than others, I’ve no idea how it works! Many thanks :-)

Register you interest with all that are within driving distance. I moved across the country and had no history of any kind with anyone near me. I just walked into all the ADs and played their game of “getting on the list”. Did that with four official ADs within a wider radius. One of them. And through after 8 months of waiting for the specific Datejust model I wanted. I checked in via email/text every few months in a non obnoxious way just to reconfirm that I was still looking. The one that eventually came through and sourced the watch was the only one that ever got back to me and I don’t expect them to. Chances are, you walk in somewhere and feel scaled up and down for your willingness to buy tennis bracelets and diamond bedazzled trinkets that nobody in my family has interest in. While I’m happy with my watch, I’m also still disappointed that Rolex allows their “authorized dealers” (independent shops and chains) to act like that. And yes, they can’t sell what they don’t have, I get that. A more organized ordering process with realistic expectations is long overdue.

As a side note: the AD that one Friday morning texted me about the watch being available is about a four hour drive away. The expectation is to drop everything and pick it up on person asap or it goes to the next person. (The next Omega and Tudor that I’m planning on buying at some point soon will be mailed to me by that store) Something to factor in if you live in a more rural setting. So I’d say, plan a trip to London and any AD along the way.

[Sorted]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Register you interest with all that are within driving distance. I moved across the country and had no history of any kind with anyone near me. I just walked into all the ADs and played their game of “getting on the list”. Did that with four official ADs within a wider radius. One of them. And through after 8 months of waiting for the specific Datejust model I wanted. I checked in via email/text every few months in a non obnoxious way just to reconfirm that I was still looking. The one that eventually came through and sourced the watch was the only one that ever got back to me and I don’t expect them to. Chances are, you walk in somewhere and feel scaled up and down for your willingness to buy tennis bracelets and diamond bedazzled trinkets that nobody in my family has interest in. While I’m happy with my watch, I’m also still disappointed that Rolex allows their “authorized dealers” (independent shops and chains) to act like that. And yes, they can’t sell what they don’t have, I get that. A more organized ordering process with realistic expectations is long overdue.

As a side note: the AD that one Friday morning texted me about the watch being available is about a four hour drive away. The expectation is to drop everything and pick it up on person asap or it goes to the next person. (The next Omega and Tudor that I’m planning on buying at some point soon will be mailed to me by that store) Something to factor in if you live in a more rural setting. So I’d say, plan a trip to London and any AD along the way.

More great advice thank you. I’m actually up in London next week so I could visit some dealers. The problem would be getting back there quickly if a watch became available!

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by garyk

Frankly the speculation as to how it works would fill volumes here. I say, just move forward and find your way!

There are no shortcuts with watches or in life. This is the way.

[Gearjockey]

Originally Posted by Sorted

Thanks for the advice, we don’t have many dealers in Wales. I definitely would not use anyone except an AD, that’s for sure!

Well, that kind of narrows it down if you will not buy from any source except an AD.

I don’t see very many ADs in South Wales. You’ll probably have to go travel east. If you have a particular date that you’re concerned with I would start working on it now, I don’t think subs take more than six months to a year.

We’re talking about a run of the mill stainless sub, the most ubiquitous sports models they sell, so I’m not sure why it matters if it comes from an AD or not. You might pay about £1k over retail+vat.

If you’re worried about being sold a counterfeit then find a trustworthy dealer. Plenty of resources right here to sort through that process.

Enjoy!

[Sorted]

I’m actually visiting London this week so I will visit a few AD’s while I am there. I think we have a Watches of Switzerland in Cardiff so I’ll give them a visit.

Thanks everyone for your advice :-)

[AF_Rob]

As others said, get on the list now and wait it out. If you’re happy with either Sub model, all the better.

Good luck.


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[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Sorted

Great thank you! Are any retailers better than others? Do some get more access to stock than others, I’ve no idea how it works! Many thanks :-)

I really like SubDial and the Luxury Hut. Both are in London and are used watch dealers carrying multiple lines.

[Sorted]

Thanks again for all your advice.

I would really like the 126613LB which I guess is fairly popular!

I’m in no rush, I’m happy to wait for the right watch.

[whiskyrolex]

Originally Posted by Sorted

Thanks again for all your advice.

I would really like the 126613LB which I guess is fairly popular!

I’m in no rush, I’m happy to wait for the right watch.

Two tone models are always less popular making this particular reference one of the easier Subs to buy at an AD.

At least in the US , you could very easily walk out with one the spot.

[Halifax Daytona UK]

Originally Posted by Sorted

I’m actually visiting London this week so I will visit a few AD’s while I am there. I think we have a Watches of Switzerland in Cardiff so I’ll give them a visit.

Thanks everyone for your advice :-)

Players watches a grey dealer in Cardiff are recommended

[whiskyrolex]

I wonder why people keep suggesting grey dealers when OP has clearly stated he is only interested in purchasing from an AD and is not in a rush.

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Sorted

Hiya everyone, I am new to the group and looking for some buying advice.

I’ve been a proud Rolex owner for many years, I have a big anniversary coming up and I’ve decided a Submariner would be a great way to celebrate.

I’m aware I can’t just walk into a shop and buy one over the counter so I am looking for some advice on the best way to buy one.

I’m looking for a new one (I’d be worried about getting a fake one otherwise). I’m UK based living in south wales.

Thanks in advance for any advice :-)

The only way to do this is to visit a local AD, or a few depending how far you are willing to travel. Speak to a SA, and tell them what you are looking to buy and for what reason. You never know you may get lucky and they have something in stock, or they can take your info and call you when it is available.

Submariner is their bread and butter sports model, tons being produced, I think it would be feasible to attain one as opposed to walking in asking for a Stainless GMT or Daytona etc.

[Sorted]

That’s great, thanks again for all your advice!

[SVH]

Tell the AD what you said here - the forum has many stories of buyers getting special occasion bday and anniversary and other milestone event watches event during the peak of the fake shortage. A part of it is probably that special event pieces are less likely to be flipped.

[Miker86]

Wouldn’t expect it to be a huge wait for a submariner, probably around 6-12 months. If you can’t wait then Watchfinder or Subdial are essentially bulletproof in terms of authenticity, but there will be a cost premium.

[KatGirl]

Since the Sub you want is two tone, you may have a shot of getting it sooner than a SS Sub, as TT are less popular. That is a great choice by the way. I think you will get lucky. The most important thing is to be likable, friendly, but not obnoxiously so. Have fun, and as someone else said, be ready to roll, when you do get the call. Welcome to the forum.

Kat


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[ChronoZach]

Welcome to TRF, Mate I don’t know is you are near a Goldsmiths or Preston’s visit both if you can and ask, the TT is much easier to get than the SS one, the wait should not be that long?

Happy Hunting!

[willywilson]

Whatever you do make sure you go to the AD in person, try on watches. Phone calls aline are not beneficial. Just stay humble and friendly and they will take care of you.


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