Best Rolex Dealer in London

[Wools]

Me and my Wife are having a long weekend away in London a week from now and I want to try on a few Rolex's that I've had my eye on. Specifically, the Submariner, the Submariner Date and the Explorer II.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the best Shop or Dealer (I know there's an outlet in Harrods) in London that they have used or have heard great things about? Our Hotel is in Mayfair so any dealers around that location would be best.

Also, as I've only started getting into nice watches recently, what's the protocol or is it bad form to go into a Watch shop but have no intention of buying at that moment in time? I would be buying my Rolex next year but if I love the shop and people, I would honour their customer service and would go back their to buy it from the Man or Woman who showed me the original timepieces.

Many thanks for any recommendations!

[Kippers]

If you are in Mayfair, go to Harrods. Worth a visit anyway and they have a large range of watches there and not just Rolex. There's Selfridges too. Take your time and look at all the brands. I have a couple of Rolexes as well as other watches. Find out what fits you size wise, whether stainless or precious metal, leather strap or bracelet etc and choose when you are sure. Sales people know you are not likely to buy there and then but will help. You soon realise who the less professional ones are. Good luck and enjoy your weekend away.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[natosub]

Absolutely nothing wrong with browsing with no immediate intention to buy. One of the best indicators of an AD/salesperson's customer service is their rapport when not buying. If they are only concerned with the almighty sale, how helpful are they going to be if you need aftersales service?

[AK797]

You'll be fine on the Exp2 but on the subs in Cent. London you will be told they are super exclusive and thus the wait will be 6 months plus. I would contact outside London ADs for one of these, they can post it to your hotel next day delivery.

[kwingy]

If you want to try on a wide variety of watches, go to watchfinders in Royal Exchange. They have a massive range all pre-owned so you can get a feel for a lot of watches as if you go to an AD- chance ares they won't have most of the SS Sports range in there for you to try on except lots of datejust variations.

[Kippers]

Originally Posted by kwingy

If you want to try on a wide variety of watches, go to watchfinders in Royal Exchange. They have a massive range all pre-owned so you can get a feel for a lot of watches as if you go to an AD- chance ares they won't have most of the SS Sports range in there for you to try on except lots of datejust variations.

True but would not buy from there

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Colin W]

Originally Posted by Kippers

True but would not buy from there

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Why - Have you had a bad experience with them? Please tell us more


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wools]

Thanks for all the great advice and feedback so far, I seriously appreciate it! :)

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Colin W

Why - Have you had a bad experience with them? Please tell us more


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would and have, but prices are not good on popular models and ofc they mostly have used pieces.

[SeaDweller50]

The fact that you're buying next year is an ideal opportunity to get on the waiting list. You will not find a Sub at a London AD anyway. Go to watchfinder and try some on. They've got everything, BNIB and used but you'll pay over the odds. There's lots of Rolex sellers in the Mayfair area. So to reiterate, get your name down now if you want a Sub. Although if you want an Explorer you might find them freely available at an AD.

[Wools]

Originally Posted by Airborne

The fact that you're buying next year is an ideal opportunity to get on the waiting list. You will not find a Sub at a London AD anyway. Go to watchfinder and try some on. They've got everything, BNIB and used but you'll pay over the odds. There's lots of Rolex sellers in the Mayfair area. So to reiterate, get your name down now if you want a Sub. Although if you want an Explorer you might find them freely available at an AD.

That's interesting to hear.

I would only be interested in buying a new Rolex from an official dealer anyway, but it raises an interesting point. On the official Rolex website, the price for the Submariner Date is £6,250; will official retailers selling new Subs attempt to sell it for more than the RRP?

Also, you really don't think I'll be able to find new Submariner's to try in London, is their always a waiting list for new models?

[rudestew]

http://www.burlingtonarcade.com/store-listing



great selection and AD around the corner to

[Twenty]

I'm sure you probably know this but you can find a list of London ADs on the Rolex website.

Most London ADs I've visited recently have only had PM versions of Rolex Sports Watches. Good luck with finding a SS Submariner.

[Wools]

Originally Posted by Twenty

I'm sure you probably know this but you can find a list of London ADs on the Rolex website.

Totally, but there's so many and I trust this forum 100%, I wondered if there were 1 or 2 brilliant stores to focus our time in.

[Parvus77]

Hi,

I recently did a tour of London watch shops to decide on my next purchase, I was looking for an Explorer 1 thinking somewhere in London would have a one. Unfortunately no shops had them available, pretty much the same story for any of the Sports watches, but still great fun searching.

During my walk between Harrods in Knightsbridge, Oxford Street, Regent Street and New Bond Street you can probably find 10-15 Watch shops and AD's, all within easy walking distances. Harrods and Selfridges are good options to see and try so many watches, plus Watches of Switzerland or Mapplin & Webb. The Best customer Service I received was at Watches of Switzerland on Regents street, this is there Flagship store and 3 floors of watches, well worth a visit.

Good luck on your search and enjoy the experience.

[Vivalas]

As you're new to Rolex, I'd do what a couple of others have said and go to Watchfinder to try on a variety, as you will struggle to see the SS sports watches in an AD at present. Not long ago you'd have had your pick of most watches (apart from SS Daytona's), but times have changed since Brexit.

One thing I would say though is if you wanted a date or non date sub, you could find one from an AD in the U.K. However you'd have to do some leg work and it may take you calling 20/40/60 AD's saying you have cash and are ready to buy. You will stumble across one though. That or get on a waitlist now.

[SC11]

Subs are about..

TBH so are BLNR's (maybe not in the city) it's only the D-Blue and Daytona that are like rocking horse poo.

[Bucky]

You will not find a Ss sports model in a lot of the London Ad's. Regent st watches of Switzerland only had Datejust variations and some pm pieces. Try walking through Burlington arcade as they have many of the ss sports pieces at a high premium but you can at least get a feel for them. Just have a look and ask to try them on. Makes no difference if you are not buying that day as you need to get a feel for it.

[DPE]

You will have a great day, but it will cost you more in having to buy the wife a present for letting you spend all day looking at watches

[Fredamens]

Originally Posted by SC11

Subs are about..



TBH so are BLNR's (maybe not in the city) it's only the D-Blue and Daytona that are like rocking horse poo.

Hi where in London can I get a BLNR I have been looking and failing. Many thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kippers]

Originally Posted by Fredamens

Hi where in London can I get a BLNR I have been looking and failing. Many thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They don't exist.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

[SC11]

Originally Posted by Fredamens

Hi where in London can I get a BLNR I have been looking and failing. Many thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did say not in the city but an hours drive would get you to a couple of AD's I've been offered a BLNR from with no list, one AD would tell cold callers they had a list but would sell to anyone turning up in person!

[SDG]

The Watch Gallery in Covent Garden is the best. They just opened in September 2016 so their waiting lists are not as long as other stores and they have a big selection of rolexes. Bought the BLNR a week after I put my name down on the waiting list. They are worth a visit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WEST HAM ROLEX]

If you are going to Harrods, you might as well walk along to One Hyde Park
The Watch Gallery...also in Selfidges & Covent Garden

As a visited to London you can make a very nice walk

Green Park Tube

Walk through Burlington Arcade,,,have a look in Mr DD
Then make your way along Old Bond St in to New Bond St, until you get to Selfridges

[md2010]

Originally Posted by Wools

Me and my Wife are having a long weekend away in London a week from now and I want to try on a few Rolex's that I've had my eye on. Specifically, the Submariner, the Submariner Date and the Explorer II.

!

The only one out of the three you will be able to find in Rolex Ads in London is Exp 2. Talk to the Ads about Sub/Sub Date they will usually lose interest in you.

[Duke of Dulwich]

Originally Posted by WEST HAM ROLEX

If you are going to Harrods, you might as well walk along to One Hyde Park
The Watch Gallery...also in Selfidges & Covent Garden

As a visited to London you can make a very nice walk

Green Park Tube

Walk through Burlington Arcade,,,have a look in Mr DD
Then make your way along Old Bond St in to New Bond St, until you get to Selfridges

As has already been said a few times, you won't find many of the SS sports range at an AD. Follow the advice above to see the majority of the range and then visit your local/nearest AD outside London and get your name down on the list for your preferred watch (I wouldn't bother with a DaytonaC or D-Blue if either ends up being your final choice). You are more likely to receive your watch earlier if you go local than in central London where you are competing against tourists who are flooding into London to take advantage of the weak Pound (bloody Brexit).

Good luck and I hope you guys enjoy your time in London.

[tyler1980]

you are not going to find much availability in London no matter where you go.

That said, the best AD to me has to be the watch gallery's Rolex boutique in Knightsbridge near Harrods. There is literally no one in there, ever. So compared with trying to browse at Harrods which is always packed with people, its way better. If you do Harrods go at 10:01am.

Bond street is the best overall street for watches if you are interested in other brands as well.

[md2010]

I did purchase GMT 2 LN SS form 1 Hyde Park last month. Only SS ceramic model in whole London. And yes I have pulled the list of Rolex AD's in their website and visited or called every single AD's in London. In fact this was the very last Ad I called . Service is ok. But most ADs gets quite agitated the moment you say s/s Sub/GMT. Sales guy at Harrods had patience to answer few questions , WOS in Bond st sales guy said - I wouldn't want to waste my item with Sub/GMT and turned his back on me. Many sa asked which watch you would want to buy as I walked in to few ADs. Quite a strange feeling when you get asked that question first thing walking in to a store. Anyway good luck with your hunt.

[spoilsofwar01]

if your into vintage try Hatton Garden jewellery Emporium, 32 Hatton Garden, London ECIN 8DL, lots of individual long standing traders, Rgds "H"

[AK797]

Originally Posted by md2010

The only one out of the three you will be able to find in Rolex Ads in London is Exp 2. Talk to the Ads about Sub/Sub Date they will usually lose interest in you.

Talk to a salesperson who has been working in an AD for less than a year and they'll probably reply: 'Now, I have heard tell of these Subs...'