How to go about buying a stainless steel Rolex as a new buyer

[NewRolexer]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to buy my first Rolex so unfortunately I haven’t got a history with any AD. After months of saving I have decided I want to purchase a Batman, Pepsi or ceramic Daytona - I want a piece that can also be an investment and will hold its value.

With these being so hard to get, what are my options? How can I go about buying one without a history with an AD, I only want to pay retail.

Thanks for any replies, hope everyone here had a good Christmas and New Year!

[AK DeepSea]

Talk to ADs, get on lists. It’s not rocket science.

[Tokyo Mike]

Plenty of everything, on the grey market. Take your pick.

[Dyim]

Patience and luck.

[NewRolexer]

Originally Posted by AK DeepSea

Talk to ADs, get on lists. It’s not rocket science.

They don’t add new buyers to waiting lists though...

[Chaching]

Go Grey... your waisting your time with a AD!

[NewRolexer]

Originally Posted by Dyim

Patience and luck.

Would you recommend going into ADs in person or calling them up?

[BT1985]

In the short term the only hope you have is to buy $10k in jewelry at an AD. Otherwise add your name to a list and maybe get a call in a few years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NewRolexer]

Originally Posted by Chaching

Go Grey... your waisting your time with a AD!

I would mate but the mark ups for the watches I’m interested in are just insane

[Chaching]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer

I would mate but the mark ups for the watches I’m interested in are just insane

Then you will grow OLD waiting...

[Speed]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer

Would you recommend going into ADs in person or calling them up?

What would that accomplish?

Even “regular” customers who have bought a watch or three over the years will likely not get the privilege of buying one of those GMTs. Those watches will got to the heaviest of hitters or those with some special long-standing relationship with the AD.

Even if the AD said they would put you on a “list” you’d get bumped in a New York minute if a “whale” expressed interest...

[AK DeepSea]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer

They don’t add new buyers to waiting lists though...

That is HIGHLY location dependent.

[Dusko.Popov]

I’ll summarize the upcoming responses:

1. You’ll never get one of those three watches without a relationship with an ad and even in this environment, it will be a while before you can score one.

2. Put your name on a list and wait it out.

3. Call around and hope for the best.

4. Buy used from a former owner from a second-hand marketplace.

5. But from a grey dealer (Trusted Seller). You pay more but you get the watch immediately.

In my opinion, put your name on a list and focus on cultivating a relationship with an authorized dealer.

Buying from the grey market is perpetuating the problem. The grey market is the problem. Avoid them like the plague. They’re pirates. They hoard supply, and under the guise of “good customer service,” they’re manipulating the marketplace. Don’t play their games. Don’t pay $15k for a blnr. Leave that for the suckers, the impetuous, the undisciplined, the unconcerned, or the unsophisticated.

5 out of the next 10 posts will tell you to go grey market. Be prepared for the sales pitch.

Good luck and I hope you find the watch of your dreams.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to buy my first Rolex so unfortunately I haven’t got a history with any AD. After months of saving I have decided I want to purchase a Batman, Pepsi or ceramic Daytona - I want a piece that can also be an investment and will hold its value.

With these being so hard to get, what are my options? How can I go about buying one without a history with an AD, I only want to pay retail.

Thanks for any replies, hope everyone here had a good Christmas and New Year!

There are thousands thinking the same.....investments like batman ,pepsi and of course ,as always, Daytona.

What else gives you such a quick buck if you can find it ?? Flippers and Grey dealers are your competition and the competition is severe for "the Rolex commodity series".

Any Rolex is an investment,its just a question of time ..

[Chaching]

At the end of the day it’s all relative. If you have the cash why waste the time? Time is money. You gotta pay to play in this market. Good luck.

[huncho]

do you actually like/want those 3 models? or are you being swayed by the investment part?

those are 3 of the 5 most in demand models currently, you won't get any of them from an AD right now without bundling unfortunately

[Zuger]

Originally Posted by Dusko.Popov

I’ll summarize the upcoming responses:

1. You’ll never get one of those three watches without a relationship with an ad and even in this environment, it will be a while before you can score one.

2. Put your name on a list and wait it out.

3. Call around and hope for the best.

4. Buy used from a former owner from a second-hand marketplace.

5. But from a grey dealer (Trusted Seller). You pay more but you get the watch immediately.

In my opinion, put your name on a list and focus on cultivating a relationship with an authorized dealer.

Buying from the grey market is perpetuating the problem. The grey market is the problem. Avoid them like the plague. They’re pirates. They hoard supply, and under the guise of “good customer service,” they’re manipulating the marketplace. Don’t play their games. Don’t pay $15k for a blnr. Leave that for the suckers, the impetuous, the undisciplined, the unconcerned, or the unsophisticated.

5 out of the next 10 posts will tell you to go grey market. Be prepared for the sales pitch.

Good luck and I hope you find the watch of your dreams.

This is a very well thought out response!

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Dusko.Popov

Buying from the grey market is perpetuating the problem. The grey market is the problem. Avoid them like the plague. They’re pirates. They hoard supply, and under the guise of “good customer service,” they’re manipulating the marketplace. Don’t play their games. Don’t pay $15k for a blnr. Leave that for the suckers, the impetuous, the undisciplined, the unconcerned, or the unsophisticated.

.

Well said !!

[tpool]

Originally Posted by Dusko.Popov

I’ll summarize the upcoming responses:



1. You’ll never get one of those three watches without a relationship with an ad and even in this environment, it will be a while before you can score one.



2. Put your name on a list and wait it out.



3. Call around and hope for the best.



4. Buy used from a former owner from a second-hand marketplace.



5. But from a grey dealer (Trusted Seller). You pay more but you get the watch immediately.



In my opinion, put your name on a list and focus on cultivating a relationship with an authorized dealer.



Buying from the grey market is perpetuating the problem. The grey market is the problem. Avoid them like the plague. They’re pirates. They hoard supply, and under the guise of “good customer service,” they’re manipulating the marketplace. Don’t play their games. Don’t pay $15k for a blnr. Leave that for the suckers, the impetuous, the undisciplined, the unconcerned, or the unsophisticated.



5 out of the next 10 posts will tell you to go grey market. Be prepared for the sales pitch.



Good luck and I hope you find the watch of your dreams.

Amen


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NewRolexer]

Originally Posted by huncho

do you actually like/want those 3 models? or are you being swayed by the investment part?

those are 3 of the 5 most in demand models currently, you won't get any of them from an AD right now without bundling unfortunately

Yes these are some of the best looking watches available at the moment in my opinion.

[Off Script]

Judging by what you've already posted I would just pick up one of these on the second hand market. There's plenty of excellent condition models out there from folks who are either trading in (for whatever reason) or trading up. I can't tell from what you've posted so far but if you're not inclined to buy pre-owned then you should be prepared to pay a premium for a reference from a trusted seller or a grey. I think, with the models you're looking for, in either case you're going to pay a premium.

I just hope you're basing the decision on references you genuinely desire vs the ones generating the most hype. In my opinion buying because of hype or potential for investment value is foolish and a waste of money. You should just invest your money in that case. Good luck in your search and welcome!

[42itus]

Man, I hate these kind of posts because it feels helpless. My thoughts are you have to go grey or have a ton of patience and hope you get really lucky. Black GMT is probably possible with a little bit of luck. But BLRO and Daytona C are like winning the lottery if you don’t have a relationship. There have been so many discussions about this, but why would an AD give money away? They can bundle or sell to grey. I can’t see why they would sell to a new customer no matter what the situation is. Just my opinion based on personal experience. But if you are dead set on purchasing from an AD, don’t go to any of the big chains. I have purchased almost $100K and I’m not even on the radar.

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer

Hi everyone,



I’m looking to buy my first Rolex so unfortunately I haven’t got a history with any AD. After months of saving I have decided I want to purchase a Batman, Pepsi or ceramic Daytona - I want a piece that can also be an investment and will hold its value.



With these being so hard to get, what are my options? How can I go about buying one without a history with an AD, I only want to pay retail.



Thanks for any replies, hope everyone here had a good Christmas and New Year!

You'll have a better chance winning the lottery than scoring one of those, and that's the polite way of saying it.



Sent from my Mi MIX 2S using Tapatalk

[Maverick_1908]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer

Hi everyone,



I’m looking to buy my first Rolex so unfortunately I haven’t got a history with any AD. After months of saving I have decided I want to purchase a Batman, Pepsi or ceramic Daytona - I want a piece that can also be an investment and will hold its value.



With these being so hard to get, what are my options? How can I go about buying one without a history with an AD, I only want to pay retail.



Thanks for any replies, hope everyone here had a good Christmas and New Year!

Best bet is to find a small AD. Avoid the big ones cause they have many big clients that always get called up first.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NewRolexer]

Thanks everyone for the replies

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by Dusko.Popov

I’ll summarize the upcoming responses:

1. You’ll never get one of those three watches without a relationship with an ad and even in this environment, it will be a while before you can score one.

2. Put your name on a list and wait it out.

3. Call around and hope for the best.

4. Buy used from a former owner from a second-hand marketplace.

5. But from a grey dealer (Trusted Seller). You pay more but you get the watch immediately.

In my opinion, put your name on a list and focus on cultivating a relationship with an authorized dealer.

Buying from the grey market is perpetuating the problem. The grey market is the problem. Avoid them like the plague. They’re pirates. They hoard supply, and under the guise of “good customer service,” they’re manipulating the marketplace. Don’t play their games. Don’t pay $15k for a blnr. Leave that for the suckers, the impetuous, the undisciplined, the unconcerned, or the unsophisticated.

5 out of the next 10 posts will tell you to go grey market. Be prepared for the sales pitch.

Good luck and I hope you find the watch of your dreams.

Spot on

[brucethemanlee]

If you don't go grey and pay market value, the only other way is to get on list at AD. That is assuming you can get on a list.

If you are lucky enough to get on a list it will take a while to get the pieces you are after (particularly the Daytona and Pepsi maybe the BLNR will be little bit easier). Unless you start spending some serious money on other watches or jewelry the likelihood of you getting a call for a Daytona or Pepsi will be slim. Two things working against you:

1) you don't have a history
2) you are late to the game. People have been on a list for Daytona since 2016 March and for Pepsi March 2018 - and they still don't have their watches yet

I posted my thoughts on another thread....

If these past few years were any indication.... new (and HARD to obtain models like the Daytona SS white and the GMT Pepsi) models will be sourced, prioritized, and provided to long standing VIP $$$$ clients with solid AD relationships first (and then everyone else)

A "list" might be created just to keep track of interest. That said, even if you are the first to call or can get on this imaginary "list" unless you are a "long standing VIP $$$$ client with solid AD relationship" you will without a doubt get bumped when the VIP with $$$$ comes calling regardless of your place in line.

There will be pecking order:

1) VVVVVIP
2) VVVVIP
3) VVVIP
4) VVIP
5) VIP
6) non-VIP but history with AD
7) no history with AD

So if you're number 7) even if you are the first to call and listed as #1, you will be bumped in favor of clients who are 1 through 6 without a doubt.

Therefore, the concept of first come first served list going by numerical order is long gone.

Do the math...to keep it simple. AD gets 12 daytonas a year (which is A LOT!!!) and i know list for Daytona at one AD is up to 400. You're number 401. It's going to be a while. Now if you start spending on other items perhaps you move up the list.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer

I’m looking to buy my first Rolex so unfortunately I haven’t got a history with any AD. After months of saving I have decided I want to purchase a Batman, Pepsi or ceramic Daytona - I want a piece that can also be an investment and will hold its value.

I only want to pay retail.

This is tantamount to starting a thread in an actor's forum saying, "I'm new to L.A. I want to play leading roles in feature films. How do I go about that?" Amidst all the guffawing, you will get some basic pointers (get headshots, an agent, read the trades, etc.), none of which are terribly helpful. That's because there is no one way to do it, and any way is going to be difficult, and dependent highly on your abilities, connections, and luck. The same applies here. You want something that is very hard to do in the current market. At a minimum, you'll need to cultivate a relationship with an AD, but beyond that, it comes down to persistence and luck. If you succeed, you'll be in a better position to answer your question than a lot of people posting here.

Alternatively, you can go pre-owned, or gray market. Or wait a while and see if the market cools off for any of these models (and for Rolexes in general), at which point it might be easier to get them at retail.

[melrob1]

These are sad posts. Having so many AD relationships I guess you never think of a new guy. Hard enough for us who have the relationships and have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars .

Only real way to maybe get one is you have to spend big on a PM or buy lots of jewelry or know someone who does. Also is not a bad idea to simply walk in and be nice and explain your situation and ask to keep you in mind. One AD salesman told me anymore you just have to make friends with a sales person.

At this point pay gray or just start knocking on doors

[TswaneNguni]

If there are 10 buyers and the AD gets one every three months what can they do anyway ??? They can only sell what they get.

The MRSP on ss sports models are too low .It should be upped and this circus may come to an end .The AD and the buyer scores in the long run.Flippers and Greys are not needed in this chain of events .