How accurate are "special order" ETA dates for GMT Batman?

[Puneater]

Decided to look for a GMT Batman on Saturday so tried my luck by calling a bunch of local stores. Most stores weren't even taking names for waitlist as usual until I landed on a Rolex Boutique store and the Senior Sales rep actually said she can place a special order for me if I came into the store!

Drove to the store within a couple hours and asked the same rep if I could special order it and so she then made a quick call to head office to check. She came back within minutes and said YES, we can place a special order for you with an ETA of 4 months. I was asked to pay for the watch in full and would be refunded if the watch does not arrive in 4 months.

So now does anyone have experience with placing "special orders" and knowing how accurate these ETA dates are? (coming from a Rolex Boutique store)

Thanks!

[Andad]

There have been a number of threads on this subject.

The decision is yours.

Rolex boutiques are owned by and AD not by Rolex.

[Rolly.BT]

Wow, never experienced nor was ever able to get a hot watch on special order, especially when you have no purchase history with the AD.
Congrats!

Sent from my A1601 using Tapatalk

[R!$]

At least you avoided the 5% price increase by paying in advance

[calh22a]

I’m in the market right now for BLNR and just waiting for the call. If I was given this offer, I’d probably take it, especially if you can get your money back in 4 months if watch not delivered. You can still call around but I’m not sure you’ll be able to find one in 4 months. Worse case scenario you get 2 watches. You can be a kind person and resell one for slightly over MsRP (to cover your time and shipping) and not lose out on money.

[Puneater]

i thought it was weird too as I've never purchased a rolex ever and the boutique actually let me special order it!

Is the 5% price increase happening next week across the world? I thought it was only UK..

[WatchGuy1966]

I think you just gave them an interest-free loan for 4 months, and they will give it back to you in 4 months.

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

I think you just gave them an interest-free loan for 4 months, and they will give it back to you in 4 months.

This!

[calh22a]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

I think you just gave them an interest-free loan for 4 months, and they will give it back to you in 4 months.

Yes this is quite possible, but what other choice does he have? OP may not be interested in TS. Without prior AD history, he doesn’t have a ton of options. Unfortunately they may just be “borrowing” the money with no intention of getting OP the watch, but I think with this current market, it’s a risk OP may have to take. It’s also possible this AD is on the brink of bankruptcy and has no intention of returning the money!

[lenfried29]

Originally Posted by Puneater

Decided to look for a GMT Batman on Saturday so tried my luck by calling a bunch of local stores. Most stores weren't even taking names for waitlist as usual until I landed on a Rolex Boutique store and the Senior Sales rep actually said she can place a special order for me if I came into the store!

Drove to the store within a couple hours and asked the same rep if I could special order it and so she then made a quick call to head office to check. She came back within minutes and said YES, we can place a special order for you with an ETA of 4 months. I was asked to pay for the watch in full and would be refunded if the watch does not arrive in 4 months.

So now does anyone have experience with placing "special orders" and knowing how accurate these ETA dates are? (coming from a Rolex Boutique store)

Thanks!

Special order my a$$!. This AD will call you within a month if not earlier to pick up the watch.

[grymg]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

I think you just gave them an interest-free loan for 4 months, and they will give it back to you in 4 months.

Eh, just figure it as the extra cost of being able to purchase from an AD.

[Puneater]

***update*** Just got the call from my AD that the watch is ready for pick-up 1 month ahead of the estimated date! That means I only had to wait 2 months! Will upload pics when I get it this weekend!

[denmanproject]

Congrats! you will love it

[jsausley]

Rolex doesn't use ETA movements so therefore any Rolex ETA will be very inaccurate.

(this was a joke)

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by Puneater

***update*** Just got the call from my AD that the watch is ready for pick-up 1 month ahead of the estimated date! That means I only had to wait 2 months! Will upload pics when I get it this weekend!

Big congrats . The store can't "order" you a BLNR, they just guessed that they'd get one within that timeframe.

[SS Oyster]

Congrats! Hopefully, you will love the watch.

It's really a shame that you cannot try a watch on before buying (other than the 30 seconds they allow you to check out the watch they just un-coffined for you. In the old days, you would go look at the watch you wanted, maybe build up the courage to try it on, then look at it each time you pass the store. One day, you go in and buy it.

Today, if you don't want to try on a TT DJ, you are out of luck! You get to look at it online, or through adverts or on others' wrists on TRF, but not on your own wrist. Cracks me up when I read people on here saying, "Well, try it on and make sure its a watch you want" ... yeah right, where?

Also, how can you tell that a 180gm DSSD is not going to be killing your wrist in 8 hours?

[greeneyedguy]

I was offered one today. Passed on it as I'm waiting for a Daytona. Feels nice to be a special customer. = )

[calh22a]

Congrats OP! Post pictures when you get it.