Perth, Australia first watch sought.

[fastrhino]

I have decided to take the plunge and buy a sports Rolex.

I am leaning towards the Sub Date C in Black, however after calling the dealers found they are only taking deposits on watches with a lead time of 6 months.

I am considering whether I should go pre-owned and open up my options a little.

I still want the S/S Sub but may go TT C in Sunburst Blue if one can be secured at the right price.

The problem I have is finding a reputable pre-owned dealer who doesn't want close to MSRP for a watch that is from the grey market.

Views Please???

[Gnomon]

Have you considered a shopping trip to SG or HK? Do a search for 116613LB on Chrono24 and filter location to (say) Hong Kong. You should be pleasantly surprised.

[Colin10101]

Wow, I feel bad for Aussies looking to buy watches. I thought Canada was bad... Makes me think an Aussie AD is nothing but Datejusts and Milgauss'

[Patton250]

DavidSW

[johnbeth]

I suggest to visit swiss watch box in Perth, Darren or Andrew will be able to source anything you want without the hassles.

I have bought many watches through them while I was in Perth for 6 years and sold through them as well. I trust them!!

[fastrhino]

I just spoke to the other AD in Perth and the availability of all S/S pieces is done on a 1 watch of each reference every 3 months basis.

The example I was given is both the black and green Sub Date C had two customers for each with deposits paid.

The GMT Batman is worse, 5 watches pre-ordered.

If you walk in off the street don't expect to leaving with a sports piece without waiting in some cases well over a year.

I suspect that canny dealers are buying up the limited stock of the in demand pieces and selling them on at a premium.

Mike

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by Gnomon

Have you considered a shopping trip to SG or HK? Do a search for 116613LB on Chrono24 and filter location to (say) Hong Kong. You should be pleasantly surprised.

That would definitely be my suggestion as well!! Short flight, big reward!!

[kryten2001]

Forget Perth, in fact forget Australia. No stock (they don't want to invest) and no discounts. Either go overseas (Singapore or Hong Kong) for an OK price but outstanding choice - or deal with one of the great guys on this forum.

Buying from DavidSW (or others) will have you a watch in less time than an Aussie shop will even bother to return your phone calls!

It's a bit of a leap of faith, but after you've bought your first from the guys here - you'll never buy from a store again.

Edit: I assume you're talking new... There are a few good second hand places around - but similar story in regards to prices/choice.

[kryten2001]

Originally Posted by fastrhino

I suspect that canny dealers are buying up the limited stock of the in demand pieces and selling them on at a premium.

Mike

Stocks aren't limited (in the most part), and the dealers aren't canny... Hardly anybody buys watches here, and they buy stock on an as-required (ie as deposits are taken) basis.. There's next to no choice, and the local knowledge/service of quality timepieces is negligible.

This in turn makes the market even smaller and more inaccessible.

[JKA]

Trip to Sydney and go to Swiss Concept. Plenty of stock and will negotiate. Very happy with my deal.

[Demosthene]

Smales has always been really helpful in regards to minor parts and help with my Rolex.

In terms of purchasing though, I've flown and sourced in Hong Kong and also cant recommend DavidSW highly enough for online purchases.
The negative being that the AUD at the moment is terrible for international purchases.

[Linzjnr]

Originally Posted by johnbeth

I suggest to visit swiss watch box in Perth, Darren or Andrew will be able to source anything you want without the hassles.

I have bought many watches through them while I was in Perth for 6 years and sold through them as well. I trust them!!

X2 for Darren and Andrew at Swiss Watch Box, great guys to deal with and they get all their watches checked and/or serviced by Glenn at Watch Wise who was the authorised Rolex technician at Rosendorfs for years when they were an AD.

I highly recommend Glenn for anything from servicing to authentication if you are buying second hand, he is just a nice knowledgeable bloke who has done great work on both my watches.

Good luck finding a well priced second hand Rolex in Perth, sport watches in SS always seem to sell quickly and for high prices. It took me three and a half years to get a new SS Daytona through Smales

Don't discount buying from a trusted seller her on TRF even with the poorish exchange rate, I have purchased from DavidSW and it was 100% smooth and they will answer ALL your question no matter how noob they sound with a smile

Good luck

[zama]

ANother vote for Swiss Watch Box, that said you should be able to find new or near new sports models across ANZ.

[fastrhino]

Ok so after looking at sellers in the US, with the current rate of exchange there is no benefit to buying from the States.

Typical example, pre-owned Sub C was advertised at a tad under 7k USD with the addition fees and shipping it came out at over 10k AUD.

That does not take in to account import taxes.

Bottom line seems to be buy local at the current time.

[Aussiexplorer]

Originally Posted by fastrhino

Ok so after looking at sellers in the US, with the current rate of exchange there is no benefit to buying from the States.

Typical example, pre-owned Sub C was advertised at a tad under 7k USD with the addition fees and shipping it came out at over 10k AUD.

That does not take in to account import taxes.

Bottom line seems to be buy local at the current time.

I'm hoping for my first Rolex in the medium future, probably a preloved explorer, or explorer 2. It's so difficult here in Australia. Combine poor exchange rate, limited stock of used pieces and the risk of duties and taxes when importing, and it becomes a bit of a nightmare to get a value watch. I feel your pain!

[chewsta]

Originally Posted by fastrhino

Ok so after looking at sellers in the US, with the current rate of exchange there is no benefit to buying from the States.

Typical example, pre-owned Sub C was advertised at a tad under 7k USD with the addition fees and shipping it came out at over 10k AUD.

That does not take in to account import taxes.

Bottom line seems to be buy local at the current time.

This right here rings true, the only place other for us Aussies to purchase a Rolex (or possibly other watches) is Japan. If you buy from an AD within a department store, you can get 5% discount because you're a tourist holding a foreign passport (granted you get the discount card from the info desk first). You can then claim the tax back upon leaving Japan.

But i do also recommend The Swiss Watch Box, if you want them to source a SS sports rolex for you quicker than the ADs.

[fastrhino]

Just bought a Submariner Date C from Smales, they had one in stock.

Photos to follow.

[brain168]

Congrats, I didn't think you could get an LN SubC without ordering anywhere in Australia.

[fastrhino]

Originally Posted by brain168

Congrats, I didn't think you could get an LN SubC without ordering anywhere in Australia.

It had been pre-ordered by another customer who wanted to delay the purchase.

Their loss, my gain

[chewsta]

Originally Posted by fastrhino

It had been pre-ordered by another customer who wanted to delay the purchase.

Their loss, my gain

Congrats and good timing

[fastrhino]

My Birthday Present for tomorrow.

[george023]

I'll recount my encounter with an AD in Sydney last night. They told me Sub Nondate wait list was 20 months and SD was about 4 months. Told me I couldn't commit to such a long wait and deposit without trying one on. Sure enough, none to try on. Have a trip to Japan planned in 2017 but don't think I can wait that long. Will keep everyone updated with progress of my search.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MahdiyaDad]

I think if the exchange rate is the biggest issue the Singapore dollar is pretty much on par with the AUD. If bringing it back is an issue would shipping the boxes back and packing the warranty card in luggage be an issue? Then you could wear it back home.

[jhamiltonwa]

X 3 for Darren at Swiss Watch Box. Go talk to them.

[ILuvSubs]

Congrats on your birthday present for yourself! It can be tough trying to source SS sports watches from the ADs here in Oz, so you've done very well.

[Numberjack]

Congratulations , I was in Smales yesterday and was told its a 2 year wait on most sports models .

[Rock]

The apparent 'restriction' in availability of watches intrigues me.
Given that there are only a few ADs in each of the capital cities, I guess the level of demand is sufficient to keep them all viable.
Certainly there are also a number of well-known aftermarket stores (again in the capital cities only) where DJs seem plentiful and reasonably priced but sports watches are very expensive compared to the US. Think A$12000. Vs US$8000. for a TT Blue Sub F Serial.