Daytona C waiting lists=TP?

[Wine4Golf]

So I walked into an AD today, who's name I won't mention and casually asked if they had a Daytona C in white. To my surprise the salesman went into the back and came back coffin in hand. I was excited and giddy finally getting the opportunity to at least try one on. It was gorgeous. Now the thing is I'm on the list at this dealer, not sure what number but from when they last showed me the list I'll ballpark myself at top 10. Of course my next question was cash or card😀? I was fully prepared to hand over a card to purchase.
At this point we got into the interesting conversation of why I wouldn't be allowed to purchase the watch. Of course I expected the answer to be that it goes to the next one on their list but that wasn't the case. They said they were hoarding the watches for an event they have coming up where they would raffle off the opportunity to buy the watches. The other thing he said, was that recently a customer(tourist/business man) who has spent a significant amount in their store this year came in and bought a couple gold models and without being on a lists they offered him the opportunity to buy one which he of course took. The salesman also said well if you'd like to establish a relationship with us, there are a number of models here for sale.
Trust me as a WIS I understand what's going on here but it is VERY FRUSTRATING. I've bought 8 watches over the past 8yrs but due to traveling they have been at different ADs around the world. I'm new to California so I haven't had an opportunity to establish a relationship with an AD here yet. I'm also on lists at my other ADs I've purchased from before but it's clear as a whole, these lists mean NOTHING. Just venting...

[Wcdhtwn]

Had a similar experience at an AD. Was told, without asking, the waiting list was 2 years... So hard to get... Etc. I was there to see a DS4k which they didn't have. Saw something my wife might like in the $13,000 range, I held it, checked it out. Then the BS starts rolling... If you buy this you'd be considered (instantly, amazing enough) one of our best customers and he could get me a Daytona almost immediately. I told him $26,000 for a new Daytona was not of interest. And I never expressed any interest in the Daytona from the beginning!

[daytonaTBR]

I have a good relationship with 2 local ADs but was late to the Daytona party. They pretty much told me they already have super long waiting lists and I probably won't get one for a few years. I'm gonna try my luck and start calling random ADs tomorrow and see if I get lucky

[Seaward]

Hang in there my man

[sensui]

Sucks but I think it's more or less fair to prioritize existing customers /big spenders. Makes sense from a business perspective.... Else you'll just run into resellers lining up at every ad like plenty of other desirable products.

[AS1]

Originally Posted by sensui

Sucks but I think it's more or less fair to prioritize existing customers /big spenders. Makes sense from a business perspective.... Else you'll just run into resellers lining up at every ad like plenty of other desirable products.

agreed 100% and if you were a customer who had spent $$$$$$ at an AD instead of saving money with trusted sellers etc, getting your hands on a Daytona C early would be the least one would expect. that and a diet coke poured into the glass for sure.

[onethirtypanda]

My buddy saw a black dial at an AD but couldn't buy it and said they were going to do a showing for clients who have purchased from them before and then do a raffle. I suspect we are talking about the same AD.

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[Wine4Golf]

I also tried on a black one at the same AD about a month ago but they did say it was reserved for someone else.

[4srolex]

Event is in August. Must to present to "win" or buy in this case

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=479976

[DCheeta]

A large AD in the city that I live in has two separate lists - one for customers who have bought there before, and one for those who haven't. Fair enough. They take care of the customers who have supported their business.

(I'm on the good list, but I'm #55!)

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

Had a similar experience at an AD. Was told, without asking, the waiting list was 2 years... So hard to get... Etc. I was there to see a DS4k which they didn't have. Saw something my wife might like in the $13,000 range, I held it, checked it out. Then the BS starts rolling... If you buy this you'd be considered (instantly, amazing enough) one of our best customers and he could get me a Daytona almost immediately. I told him $26,000 for a new Daytona was not of interest. And I never expressed any interest in the Daytona from the beginning!

Just cannot understand why any AD should state its a 2 year waiting list for the Daytona C is not a new watch.It's just a cosmetically changed old Daytona with a simple push on fit ceramic bezel and slightly different dials, both of these items can be made hundreds at a time.

[japenney]

Originally Posted by padi56

Just cannot understand why any AD should state its a 2 year waiting list for the Daytona C is not a new watch.It's just a cosmetically changed old Daytona with a simple push on fit ceramic bezel and slightly different dials, both of these items can be made hundreds at a time.

The AD is saying 2 years based on how many they expect to be given per month by rolex. I think it makes perfect sense. Sure rolex "could" give more ceramic Daytona's to meet demand but that is not what they want to do apparently.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by padi56

It's just a cosmetically changed old Daytona with a simple push on fit ceramic bezel and slightly different dials, both of these items can be made hundreds at a time.

Exactly! They are just creating a shortage of 116500's to made it more "exclusive" I guess....

[padi56]

Originally Posted by japenney

The AD is saying 2 years based on how many they expect to be given per month by rolex. I think it makes perfect sense. Sure rolex "could" give more ceramic Daytona's to meet demand but that is not what they want to do apparently.

So what you are saying Rolex has a high demand product and they will not make them to supply demand.Just wonder how many other companies would do the same they would soon go out of business. Rolex like all companies are in business for one thing only, to make as many units as possible to the cost price, and make as much profit from that said production.

[HL65]

Rolex has done the same thing with different references and the fact is the Daytona, DSSD Blue and BLNR are all allocation pieces. Small AD's get few pieces per year and in some cases maybe one over a few years...I know that for 100% fact. So the market is what it is and it always dictates price based on supply and demand - economics 101. So for those who want a watch get in line and wait. For those who want now pay what the market bears. Lastly for those who aren't happy with either keep on griping. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

[Racerdj]

Pure and simple, people want what they can't have.

[zion_rasta]

When someone is not willing to take your cash now, you move on. I know I did.
I went IWC and could not be happier.
The Daytona C is an incredible watch but it is no good if Rolex won't sell it to you.

I have moved on...


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[Etschell]

if you really want the watch just buy it above msrp. people do it all the time with limited production model cars.

because they will be hard to find for a bit you wont lose everything you pay above msrp if you flip it.

[Rogdogg]

Here in Bangkok I've been told by my AD that they are not doing waiting lists and the watches they get will be on a first come first served basis, however, there will be a premium on them. The price isn't set yet with them but based on what other AD's in the city are selling them it will be somewhere between $17,200 and $18635. She said they don't expect to sell many and told me to wait until the prices eventually come down as I'd be mad to buy at that price.

[Spartacus]

Anyone in the DC/MD/VA area have any luck with the local ADs? I'm going to stop by my preferred AD this weekend and possibly talk to the manager.

[AK797]

You know the really lovely fantastic beautiful sellers at TRF could hold a raffle for the Daytona 500 like we have had with other watches... just an idea...

[josephvman]

Nothing new here, this has been the Daytona game for the past 20+ years. If anything, based on the number of incoming threads for the new watch I'd say they're cranking them out in relatively big numbers already. I think a lot of it has to do with hanging the carrot in front of dealers to get them to take slow-moving pieces to get Daytona allocation. Dealers then do the same with customers, so there's lots of hoarding going on. It doesn't bother me; support the dealer and you get the good stuff, and anyone can have one today if they want it badly enough. If they were everywhere then they would lose a lot of the appeal to many. We all want want we can't get!

Originally Posted by padi56

So what you are saying Rolex has a high demand product and they will not make them to supply demand.Just wonder how many other companies would do the same they would soon go out of business. Rolex like all companies are in business for one thing only, to make as many units as possible to the cost price, and make as much profit from that said production.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by HL65

Rolex has done the same thing with different references and the fact is the Daytona, DSSD Blue and BLNR are all allocation pieces. Small AD's get few pieces per year and in some cases maybe one over a few years...I know that for 100% fact. So the market is what it is and it always dictates price based on supply and demand - economics 101. So for those who want a watch get in line and wait. For those who want now pay what the market bears. Lastly for those who aren't happy with either keep on griping. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I have no choice but to wait - so ill complain about it to pass the time

[Ferdelious]

It's not limited edition or limited production, the 116500 will be made for the next 20+ years. Waiting should be part of the fun, think how much more you will appreciate the watch when it finally arrives.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

It's not limited edition or limited production, the 116500 will be made for the next 20+ years. Waiting should be part of the fun, think how much more you will appreciate the watch when it finally arrives.

20 + years! I hope not lol I would like some updates seeing as this is just a refresh on a 16 year old piece. Who knows

[arturob]

miami ADs do not have stock and WLs are longer by the day :/

[Vipes]

I am a "good client" at my AD and he promised me one of the first Daytona-C. I went to try on a few Pateks and he had a black dial Daytona-C but it was reserved for another client. My point is I try not to get worked-up on where I am on the list and when I'll get one. It's only a watch and there are others on my list. Op, hope you get one soon.

[T. Ferguson]

This story shows the importance of having a relationship with an AD...it's of very little importance (to me) and certainly not worth overpaying for the first four watches just to get 5% off a Submariner. Sure if you have a near unlimited watch budget and the appetite to match, it may make some sense to get in on the hard to get new releases but I simply don't buy enough watches often enough, or expensive PM pieces, that it will ever pencil out for me.

The relationship I have with my AD is actually pretty good. It consists of me telling him what I am willing to pay and if he can come anywhere in that neighborhood (say within $500 out the door) I'll buy it from him. So he doesn't sell me a lot of watches. But he's always happy to see me and glad to spend time letting me try things on.

I'll "settle" for the good relationships I have with a few of the sellers here.

[sholzer]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

Anyone in the DC/MD/VA area have any luck with the local ADs? I'm going to stop by my preferred AD this weekend and possibly talk to the manager.

I hit a few of them a couple weeks ago (tyson's area ADs and Crown jewelers in fredericksburg), no luck

[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by GB-man

20 + years! I hope not lol I would like some updates seeing as this is just a refresh on a 16 year old piece. Who knows

Maybe minor tweaks but I can't see them changing much. Right? It's a classic design that should stay true to it's form.