Demanding a new watch from AD

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

You're the customer!

Exactly right. And you're paying a small fortune for a luxury watch so you have every right to expect a brand-new piece.

[Vincent65]

BNIB as you want it. Might have to wait though!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Grissom

It's your money and therefore, you should be able to get exactly what you want. Nothing wrong with that, in my opinion.....

x2

[Doug T]

I just bought a new GMT yesterday from my local AD. The one I tried on was in the showcase along with a new Sub I also tried. I had trouble deciding which one I wanted but finally decided on the GMT. I asked him if he had another GMT that hadn't been on display. He said he had one in the vault and I told him I wanted that one rather than the one that had been on display for who knows how long. In your case, spending 34K, I would expect a "fresh one" for sure.

[DJJon]

I am not sure how well the AD articulated the option for the dial change idea.

Odds are he wanted to get the one he had in stock out of his inventory, BUT there is also a good chance he meant to say:

"It will be our pleasure to order you one just the way you have described.
Please be aware that the wait from the factory is unknown and my experience is it will be 6-8 weeks (or whatever is accurate).
Also please be aware that due to repeated Rolex price hikes including 2 in the last year, going this avenue will lessen the discount we can offer you.
If you prefer a much quicker delivery and the discount we just discussed, our Rolex Certified Jeweler can swap out the dial. Please realize it comes with the same 2-year warranty and will be indistinguishable from one assembled that way at the factory. We have done this in the past for many satisfied customer, in fact it is routine in our business. Of course that is up to you.
Knowing all this, which route do you prefer, sir?"

I see the OP's point that it is 'more pure' in some esoteric sense, but if it were going to cost me an extra $500-$1000 in lost discount, I would do the dial swap in 1/8 of a second.